From Boardroom to Wedding Bed?

by Jules Bennett

  Well, at least he’d had something to occupy his lonely nights. Bastard.

  Not that she was going to remain bitter. Her feelings for Cole had died long ago when he’d turned his back on her with lame excuses. And now that she knew the truth, she wouldn’t give him another thought…at least not on a personal level.

  Her desk phone rang shrilly, cutting into her thoughts.

  “Excuse me,” she said, getting up from the table. She crossed to her desk, reached across and hit the speaker button. “Hello.”

  “I’ve got the afternoon free. Come down to my office so we can work on the materials.”

  Tamera threw a look to Kayla and rolled her eyes. “Gee, your manners have me ready to toss aside my current meeting to jump at the chance to get to your office.”

  Kayla laughed.

  “Kayla?” Cole asked. “Is my sister there?”

  Tamera smiled. “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  All joking was gone from his tone. Tamera grabbed the receiver. No need to let Kayla know how much they weren’t getting along.

  “Because I needed another opinion,” she told him, keeping her tone chipper.

  “I’m your partner on this, Tamera. Calling one of my siblings was not professional or acceptable.”

  Tamera gripped the phone and turned her back on Kayla. “I’m doing what’s best for this project. If you have a problem, then it’s your problem. If there’s nothing else you need, I have to get back to my meeting.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  He hung up and Tamera had to take deep, calming breaths in order to face Kayla again.

  “Sorry he’s so insufferable.”

  Kayla’s tone was laced with worry, her brows drawn together.

  Coming back to the table and the lunch she no longer cared about, Tamera shrugged and took her seat. “It’s not your fault he’s so overbearing. He’s coming over, by the way.”

  “I could’ve told you he’d do that. He’s also very competitive.” Kayla gathered the garbage from their lunch, stuffing it into a sack. “He wants to be in on this project from the beginning to the end, no matter what his part is in this company.”

  “I can’t imagine Zach will put up with Cole hanging around the job site,” Tamera commented.

  “Oh, he and Zach have had their fair share of arguments. Two Type A personalities like that? It can get pretty ugly. And they tend to save their aggressions for family meals and office meetings.”

  “How lovely for you.”

  Tamera laughed, earning a laugh from Kayla. Tamera marveled at how easy and fun it was falling back into a sisterly pattern with Kayla.

  “I’m sorry we lost touch,” Tamera said, dropping all joking from her tone. “That’s my fault. After Cole and I broke up, I just couldn’t…”

  “I understand.” Kayla leaned back in her chair. “It’s none of my business what happened with you two, but I have to say, I feel like we broke up as well.”

  Guilt overwhelmed her. “I’m so sorry, Kayla. I thought about calling you, but I really didn’t know what to say.”

  “It’s okay, really. How’s your father? Cole says he’s sick.”

  Tamera nodded. “He’s not well at all. He’s in Mercy Hospice.”

  Kayla’s head tilted. “That’s what Cole told us. I can’t imagine what all you’re going through. Is there anything you need me to do?”

  “No. Just being a friend is good enough.”

  “Is this a Dr. Phil show or a work place?”

  Kayla and Tamera both turned their attention toward the door as Cole came gliding right in as if he owned the place.

  “Looks like I arrived just in time. Have either of you done anything but reminisce?”

  Kayla stood up, crossed to kiss her brother on his cheek. “Don’t be such a grouch. Tamera and I haven’t really spoken in a long time. We’ll get to work.”

  “How did your meeting with Victor go?” he asked.

  “Well,” Kayla shrugged with a laugh. “He certainly knows what he wants.”

  Cole smiled down at his sister. Tamera wondered why he never smiled at her in that genuine, you-matter-to-me sort of way. Granted they had argued most of the time lately, but even when good things happened, he still hadn’t looked at her like she meant something to him.

  Guess those intimate moments in his bed hadn’t even warranted a genuine grin every now and then. Work, work, work. And he thought she needed to lighten up?

  “We really have to get cracking on this.” Cole pulled out a seat, taking it only after his sister had sat back down. “I’m actually glad you’re here, Kayla. Since you met with Victor, you have a better idea of what we’re striving toward.”

  So, this was a good idea that Kayla was here? Of course, Cole wouldn’t thank Tamera or tell her this was a good move. No, having Kayla here wasn’t his idea, so thankfulness would be absent from this meeting.

  That was just fine. She didn’t need anything from Cole other than his mind for business.

  She just hated that, deep down, she really couldn’t get their past off her mind. She’d been so in love, she would’ve given up anything to be with him.

  Why was she dwelling on this? Why didn’t she just cut her losses and move on? Obviously Cole had.

  But Kayla’s words came back through her mind.

  He’s never fallen in love since you. He’s had girls, but nothing serious.

  In eleven years?

  “You with us, Tam?”

  She jerked herself from her thoughts and focused on Cole’s questioning gaze. “Where else would I be?”

  Eighteen

  Victor Lawson’s party was no less extravagant than his buildings. Tamera exited her chauffeur-driven limo, compliments of Mr. Lawson, and smiled to the young gentleman who’d taken her hand to assist her from the car.

  Victor also lived on Star Island, big surprise. Well, lived was probably not the right choice of words. This was just one of his many luxury homes, Tamera was sure.

  She’d received her invitation to Victor’s party a week ago and didn’t think twice about attending. The last time she’d been on Star Island she hadn’t needed the invitation to get past the guard and onto the bridge. She’d only needed one man.

  Tamera shook off thoughts of Cole and his betrayal. She couldn’t think of that now. No way would she allow the hurt to creep up and consume her while she was here. This was too nice of an evening to let it get tainted by past memories.

  Instead, she focused on the beauty of the home. Much like Cole’s, Victor’s house had that cozy, Mediterranean feel. Perhaps that was why he approved their initial design for the hotel so wholeheartedly.

  Tamera made her way through the arched entryway from the circular drive and was greeted by none other than Victor himself.

  “Stunning as always, Tamera.”

  Victor took both her hands in his, kissed her cheek and escorted her inside.

  “This is a beautiful home, Victor. Thanks for the invitation.”

  She took in the high ceilings, the two sprawling staircases on either side of the formal entryway and the ginormous chandelier casting a kaleidoscope of colors onto the white marble flooring.

  “There’s no way I could throw a party and not invite my top architectural firms.”

  Just what she wanted. Another encounter with Cole.

  “Kayla and her brother Zach just arrived. Cole has yet to show, but I’m sure he’ll be along shortly.”

  He led her through the living area and out onto the patio where several people mingled with drinks and staff moved about with small, silver trays full of champagne. There was a spread of food on either side of the immaculate, glowing pool.

  “I must tend to some other arrivals,” Victor told her. “Please, eat, mingle. We’ll talk later, but no shop talk tonight.”

  She smiled back at this handsome billionaire. “Sounds good.”

  As he walked away, Tamera wondered why her heart couldn’t go pitty-pat at the sight of him
instead of Cole. Why did the one man on this earth whose eyes she wanted to gouge out make her knees go weak, make her insides get all squishy like a teenage girl’s on prom night?

  “Tamera.”

  She turned at the sound of Zach’s voice. “Evening, Zach. No lady attached to your arm this evening?”

  Zach’s laid-back appearance would only fly on him. No tie, white dress shirt unbuttoned two buttons beneath his black suit. This was as dressed up as Zach would get. Even though the man could afford tailor-made suits, he didn’t want them. And she had no doubt he rode here on one of his Harleys.

  “Actually, my date for tonight is my lovely sister.”

  Tamera laughed. “I’m impressed. And where is Kayla?”

  “She went to talk to a potential client about redesigning their new home.”

  Tamera glanced around, finally spotting the exotic, gorgeous Kayla off in the distance talking with a middle-aged lady. As usual, Kayla was smiling and nodding, always eager to please clients.

  “I’m not sure how much longer she’ll be my date tonight if Victor keeps looking at her like he’s been doing.”

  Tamera jerked back around. “Really? Isn’t that interesting. She mentioned something like that to me the other day. Victor is used to beautiful women, and your sister is certainly no exception.”

  Zach took a long pull of his domestic beer. “I figured you and Cole would come together.”

  “Why would you assume that?” Tamera took a glass of champagne from one of the wait staff walking by.

  “Because you’ve been awfully close lately.”

  “We’re working on the biggest project either of our companies has ever seen. Besides, I doubt Cole and I will be seeing much of each other once the hotel is completed.”

  Zach took a long pull of his beer. “That’s still a long way off. A lot could happen between now and then.”

  A lot had happened.

  “Considering my part with Cole is drawing to a close, I don’t foresee us working together in the future.”

  Zach leaned closer to whisper in her ear. “I don’t know what Cole has told you, but trust me, he doesn’t give up as easily as he used to.”

  What was that supposed to mean? Did she even want to know?

  Cole’s twin eased back, pointed with his longneck bottle toward the open patio doors. “Your partner has arrived.”

  By the time Tamera looked over her shoulder, cringed and turned back, Zach had walked away in the direction of a leggy blonde.

  Tamera took a deep breath. If Cole wanted to approach her, fine. No way was she going to him.

  Nursing her drink, Tamera walked around the pool, nodding and say hello to a couple of clients she’d worked with in the past. When she spotted Kayla moving away from her own potential client, Tamera made her way over.

  “Well, did she like your ideas?” Tamera asked.

  Kayla shrugged with a warm smile. “She seemed very interested in what I had to say, so I certainly hope so. Is this house amazing or what?”

  Tamera laughed. “It is very nice.”

  “I thought Cole’s was nice, but this is huge.”

  Even the mention of his name sent dual emotions racing through her. Anger and passion chased each other to be the one on top.

  “Are you okay?” Kayla asked with that sweet, buttery tone she’d always had. “Cole told me about…well, what happened in the past. I honestly didn’t know. He finally told me why the tension between the two of you is so much stronger now.”

  “I’ve been better,” Tamera confessed. “It’s hard to deal with something eleven years after the fact. I’m honestly not quite sure how to handle it or what I should be feeling.”

  Kayla put her arm around Tamera’s shoulder and squeezed. “If it means anything, Cole has been in a really, really bad mood lately. That’s good for you.”

  Tamera laughed. “How is that?”

  “Because nothing ever bothers him.” Kayla’s eyes drifted off into the distance toward her brother. “You must matter even more than he cares to admit. Even to himself.”

  Squeezing the crystal stem of her glass, Tamera allowed her eyes to follow Kayla’s. “Maybe so, but I don’t like decisions being made for me that affect my entire life. Besides, he made his choice long ago when he didn’t come back to me after school.”

  Kayla’s arm dropped as she came to stand directly in front of Tamera. “Be that as it may, don’t let the past direct your future.”

  Tamera looked into the dark eyes that were so much like Cole’s. “I just can’t concentrate on him and this whole mess. Not right now.”

  “I’m sorry about your father. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do.”

  Tamera smiled at her longtime friend. “I appreciate that.”

  “Ladies.”

  Tamera cringed, then pasted on a smile as Cole came to stand beside them. “Cole.”

  “I think I landed another client,” Kayla chimed in. “She’s new to the Miami area, just bought a house in Coral Gables and is looking for a designer. My name was tossed her way.”

  “That’s wonderful, Kayla,” Cole said, kissing his sister on the cheek. “One of these days you’ll be too big for me and Zach.”

  “Oh, I doubt that.” Kayla’s eyes darted from Tamera to Cole and back again. “I do think, though, that you two need to talk and I’m definitely the third wheel to this party.”

  Tamera’s heart sank. The dead last thing she wanted was another confrontation with Cole about something that happened eleven years ago. And at Victor Lawson’s home? That would be like career suicide because she knew once she and Cole started arguing again, they may never stop. God knew she had a great deal of anger and hatred right now and she was just waiting to unleash it.

  “She never did like confrontation,” Cole murmured as he watched his sister walk away.

  Tamera narrowed her eyes when he directed his attention back to her. “I wasn’t going to confront her with anything. She’s never betrayed me.”

  Never one to back down, Cole held her gaze. “Neither have I.”

  “Really?” Tamera glanced around. Everyone was still mingling, paying no attention to the feud in the corner. “And what do you call what you did?”

  “Protecting my family.”

  Tamera sighed. “Forget it. I don’t want an explanation. Not now. I’m too far gone to care.”

  “You care,” he countered, leaning in so only she could hear. “You care too much and it’s eating at you. You know I did what I had to do at the time. If you want to place blame somewhere, place it with your father.”

  “How are Miami’s top architects doing?” Victor interrupted. “No shop talk, I hope?”

  Cole eased back, smiled. “Not at all. Just discussing family. You have siblings, Victor?”

  “A brother.”

  Cole nodded. “I was just telling Ms. Stevens how I’d do anything for my family. I’m sure you feel the same.”

  “Absolutely,” Victor agreed. “My brother is all I have left and we are very close. What about you, Tamera, any family?”

  Tamera swallowed. “Just my father.”

  “Daddy’s girl, huh? He must be proud of you to follow in his footsteps and take over the family business. It’s a shame I haven’t gotten a chance to talk to him during this project. I thought for sure we’d meet up again.”

  Tamera ignored Cole’s hard stare and concentrated on Victor. “Have you met my father?”

  “Of course. When I first started making money, I had your father design a home for my parents. I wanted to give them a nice house after all they’d done for me. I was able to do so with the help of your father.”

  See? She wanted to shout to Cole. Walter Stevens was a good man.

  “Now probably isn’t the best time to share this news,” Tamera started. “But, my father actually isn’t doing very well at all, that’s why you haven’t seen him.”

  “Nothing too serious, I hope.”

  Tamera’s eyes dart
ed to Cole, then back to Victor. Her voice softened. “He’s in hospice. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you at the start of the project, but you were fine working with me and I hope this won’t affect our working relationship.”

  Victor’s eyes widened. “Absolutely not. I’m terribly sorry about Walter. He’s a good man, a fighter. Please, give him my regards when you see him again.”

  Great, now tears were clogging the back of her throat. She took one last sip of champagne and offered a smile to the men.

  “I really need to get going. Thanks for having me, Victor. Cole.”

  Before either man could say anything or, heaven forbid, try to stop her, she moved across the moss-and-stone-covered patio, through the doors and headed to the front of the house to the row of limousines. She needed to get out of here.

  If it wasn’t one emotion piling up on her, it was another. Her father, her past, her present. When would this nightmare come to an end?

  God, was she really praying for an end? How selfish was that?

  Tamera stepped back into the limo and tried to relax as the chauffeur took her home. But all she could see when she closed her eyes was Cole. Cole when he made love to her, Cole when he tried to comfort her, Cole when he defended himself to her because of his love for his family.

  Why couldn’t the man just have stayed in the past?

  Nineteen

  The shrill phone cut through the darkness, jerking Tamera awake.

  This was it. The call she’d been dreading. She knew it before she reached across her bed to the nightstand.

  “Hello.”

  “Tamera, this is Camille, the night nurse at Mercy.”

  Tamera fell back onto her plush pillow. Her hand shook as she clutched the phone. “He’s gone.”

  She didn’t ask—she didn’t want to hear her worst fears confirmed.

  “I’m sorry. We called the funeral home and they are on their way.”

  Tamera shoved aside the remorse and hurt. She’d have time to deal with her own feelings later. Right now she had to make sure her father was taken care of.

  “I’ll be there in just a minute.”

  Tamera disconnected the call and gathered courage to take the first step from her bed. Putting her body on autopilot was the only way she’d get through these next few hours, days. Years.