“Sounds reasonable.” Naomi handed the beans back to the exhibitor and began moving to the next table.
Much to her chagrin, Lucius followed. “How long have you been in business?”
“Eight years.”
“Impressive. Not many start-up businesses make it past the first year.”
Naomi shrugged. “We had a lot of support from the community. And you? How did you get your start?”
Lucius stared at her sideways. He seemed surprised by the question but answered her anyway. “I had a knack for determining companies worth investing in.”
“How vague,” Naomi replied.
An amused smile crossed his face as he looked down at her. And Naomi swallowed, shifting uncomfortably in her sandals.
A strange invisible pull was between them, and Naomi didn’t like it. Nor did she like the way Lucius stared at her like he wanted to gobble her up with a spoon or something. What was happening between them? It didn’t make any sense. She hadn’t seen him since she was fifteen years old, when he’d graduated from high school. She shouldn’t be feeling this way. Not again. And not now. Not when Lucius wanted to take away something very precious to her.
“I have to go.” She walked to another table several feet away.
“Why?” Lucius asked to her retreating back. “I thought we were finally getting somewhere.”
“Oh, yeah? Where was that?”
“If we’re both lucky, to a bedroom.”
His arrogant and shameless words caused Naomi to turn on her heel to face him. “What did you just say?”
Lucius’s smile was devastatingly handsome and also a bit devilish as he walked toward her. “You heard me. But if you want to act like you didn’t feel what I felt when we touched earlier or just now, I’ll bite and play the game.”
“Of all the nerve.” Naomi refused to even give what he said credence—even though he was right. If the simplest of touches could cause that kind of reaction, it was obvious there was something underlying, but Naomi wouldn’t be acknowledging it. Instead, she turned and walked away.
“Naomi, Naomi.” She heard her name being called and could see Alexis, her intern, waving her over to the Brooks and Johnson table. When she’d hired the interns, she’d told them that they were all on a first-name basis and could call her Naomi.
“No need to yell, Alexis,” Naomi said when she arrived. Her salespeople were already occupied with other customers, so Naomi headed straight for her. “What can I do for you?”
“Well, this gentleman wants to know how they might go about carrying our products at his stores,” Alexis replied with a smile.
Naomi smiled and hid her purse under the table. Now this man she could handle and knew what to do with. She immediately started explaining Brooks and Johnson’s mission statement and how they would be a great addition to his business. It didn’t take long for the man to hand her his card and tell her he’d be in touch to talk terms.
“That went wonderfully,” Naomi said five minutes later to Alexis, who was standing avidly by, soaking it all in.
“How’d you do that?” the young woman asked. They’d hired her to help with the trade show and she was still green.
“Experience,” Naomi replied. “Don’t worry, the more you’re exposed to these types of environments, the more you’ll learn.”
Applause sounded from behind Naomi. She didn’t need to know who was praising her. Lucius. The man refused to go away. He was like a puppy nipping at her heels.
“I couldn’t have said it better myself, Naomi Brooks,” Lucius responded. He held out his hand. “Pleasure to officially meet you.”
Chapter 3
Naomi thought about leaving Lucius hanging, but since she was in front of her intern, who looked to her as a mentor, Naomi had no choice but to accept the handshake. Lucius’s hand clasped her small one, and a ripple of excitement went up her spine at touching him again. He studied her face, waiting for a reaction.
Damn him!
She quickly released his hand and turned to her intern. “Alexis, I’d like you to meet—”
“Lucius Knight?” the girl finished. “Black Enterprise businessman of the year.”
“One and the same.” Lucius smiled broadly, and Naomi couldn’t fail to notice he had straight, pearly-white teeth. His charm hit the poor intern like a ton of bricks, and she blushed from ear to ear, her cheeks turning red.
“Oh, my God!” Alexis’s hand flew to her mouth. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“You as well,” Lucius said and turned back to stare at Naomi. His eyes pierced hers, and Naomi felt her heart hammer foolishly in her chest. She hated that she was having such a reaction to his obvious interest in her. If this had been sixteen years ago when she’d loved his rebel-without-a-cause image, she would have welcomed it, but not today.
“You could learn a lot from this woman,” she caught Lucius saying. “Naomi and her partner started this company from nothing and have grown into a multi billion-dollar enterprise, or so I’ve heard, while I’ve just gambled on the right companies.”
“Clearly your gambles paid off,” Naomi responded.
Lucius laughed heartily. And Naomi had to admit she liked the sound of it. “They usually do.”
“Arrogant,” Naomi muttered underneath her breath.
“What was that?” Lucius asked.
“Oh, nothing,” Naomi said. “Alexis, I’m going to get back to the trade show. The salespeople are available—” she motioned to her sales team, who’d finished with their customers “—as am I if you need me again, all right?”
“Sure thing, Naomi.” Alexis smiled.
Naomi retrieved her purse and started toward the other table, but stopped. “Are you coming?” she asked Lucius. Since it was obvious she wasn’t going to shake him, she might as well try to use his interest to find out more about what he had in store for Brooks and Johnson.
His face creased into a sudden smile. “Love to.”
* * *
Lucius was happy that Naomi softened toward him as the afternoon progressed. If she’d kept the hardened stance from earlier this morning, he would have his work cut out for him. But this more laid-back Naomi was more his speed. And if he played his cards right, their relationship would be more than just business.
When he’d seen her sitting there in the workshop, he couldn’t believe his luck. It was an opening for him to get to know Naomi and how she’d changed from awkward teenager to brilliant businesswoman. He hadn’t found out everything he wanted to know about Brooks and Johnson that afternoon, but he enjoyed her company. Perhaps it was because he found Naomi extremely attractive.
A luscious mane of spiral curls was piled atop her head, allowing him full view of her delicate neck and shoulders. Or was it the way she carried herself now? She was more confident and assured in that pencil skirt that hugged all the right places. The white shirt, though professional, gave him just a hint of cleavage that he was dying to find out what secrets were underneath.
Lucius didn’t know this version of Naomi Brooks. He remembered a gangly teenager who was so socially awkward the students in their high school made fun of her. He’d protected her once when a gang of bullies razzed her. Adam probably thought he didn’t remember, but he had. She’d looked so small and innocent back then, unable to take care of herself.
But this new Naomi Brooks was a force to be reckoned with. Lucius had a feeling that a takeover of her company wouldn’t be as easy as he’d thought. Naomi wasn’t just going to lie down and roll over. She was going to fight him, but Lucius was more than ready for the challenge.
“How about a cocktail?” Lucius asked when they’d both seen enough of the east wing of the trade show and everyone was starting to pack up for the end of the day.
“I don’t think so.”
“C’mon,” Lucius said. “What are you going to do? Go back to you room and order room service?”
Naomi chuckled, and Lucius suspected that was exactly what she was going to do. “Only if I get to take off this outfit and put on something more comfortable.”
Visions of Naomi naked sprang to Lucius’s mind, but he blinked them back. “Deal. How about I meet you downstairs in the lounge in fifteen minutes?”
“You’re on.”
* * *
Ten minutes later, Naomi paced her hotel room after she’d changed into jeans and a tank top and let down her hair. It was her usual attire after a long day, but the reason why wasn’t. Why had she agreed to a drink with Lucius? The man couldn’t be trusted. He’d already acted like he didn’t know who she was when she knew darn well he’d done his research on her. Did he remember they’d gone to high school together? Did he remember when she’d followed him like a lovesick puppy dog after he’d saved her from some bullies?
Of course he didn’t. He was Lucius Knight, international playboy and heart stealer. Why would he remember a gangly, pimple-faced teenage girl?
It was no wonder her heart had palpitated around him, because that was Lucius’s appeal. He reeled women in then tossed them aside when he was done. She’d read the tabloids, seen him with gaggles of beautiful women, models and actresses alike. Naomi wouldn’t become one of those women.
But those dark eyes. They seemed to look into her soul. And those lips...they were full and kissable.
Stop. Stop. Stop.
She had to remind herself that she was in control. Of her own destiny and her company’s fate. She would and could resist Lucius, even if he turned on his full charm, which she was sure he would do tonight. But she would be on her guard.
* * *
Lucius rose from his lounge chair when he saw Naomi enter the room. Damn, the woman was fine as hell! She made ripped jeans and a tank look like she was wearing the slinkiest dress ever. As she walked toward him, Lucius was aware of how the jeans rode low and snug around her hips. How the tank clung to her breasts, tapering down to her narrow waist. Lord almighty, he was in trouble.
“Naomi.” He pulled out her chair.
“Lucius.” She sat down and he joined her in the opposite chair.
“What can I get you to drink?” He motioned the nearby waiter over.
“I’ll have a pomegranate martini.”
He rattled off her order to the waiter and turned back to face her. “I like you in casual attire. It suits you.”
“More than my business attire?”
Lucius shook his head. “Not more than, just that you appear more yourself.”
“And how would you know that?” she countered.
He dodged her question. “Am I wrong?”
She laughed and leaned back in her chair. “No, I prefer jeans to suits and skirts, but it’s a necessary evil at times.”
“Agreed. So tell me, Naomi, how does someone as young and vibrant as you decide to take on starting her own business?”
Naomi shrugged. “It might have been a notion to some, but Kelsey and I—that’s my business partner,” she added, even though he already knew this information, “didn’t want a nine-to-five job. We wanted to be in charge of our own destiny.”
“I can understand that,” Lucius responded. “I wanted the same thing. To be my own man.”
“From the looks of it you succeeded,” Naomi replied.
“Wow. That sounds like an insult coming from you.”
Naomi shook her head. “Not an insult, just the truth. You’ve done quite well for yourself, Lucius Knight. Not only are you in the business magazines as a self-made millionaire, but you’re also in every gossip rag, thanks to your dalliances with beautiful women. Unlike most rich men, you’re not spoiled, but you definitely have their confidence and arrogance.”
“And I take it those are traits you don’t admire?”
“Quite the contrary. I admire confidence and believing in oneself.”
“But not my arrogance?”
Her brow rose. “Wasn’t it you who pretty much ordered me to meet you down here for a cocktail?”
“I didn’t order you. You were welcome to decline the invitation.”
“I doubt you would have taken no for an answer.”
He threw back his head and let out a peal of laughter. She was right. He wouldn’t have taken no for answer, not when he suspected that Naomi found him equally as attractive as he found her. “All right, Naomi. I suppose you’re right. Would it also surprise you to know that I knew who you were before we met?”
“Not at all. My vice president informed me of Knight International’s interest in my company.”
The waiter returned with their order and placed the drinks in front of them.
He noted her emphasis on the word my. Naomi knew of his desire to control Brooks and Johnson, which made her a formidable adversary. “So you’ve prejudged me? You should know my interest is not only professional, but personal.”
Naomi chuckled, reached for her drink and took a few calming sips before answering. “C’mon, the only reason you’re trying to charm me is so you can find out more information on Brooks and Johnson.”
“That’s not the only reason.” Lucius sat upright and leaned closer to her. His eyes caught and held hers over the circle of light from the votive candle on the table between them. His dark eyes bored into hers and spoke without words of his desire for her. She dropped her eyes under his intense scrutiny.
Naomi might be confident in business, but just then he’d seen a flash of the old Naomi. The sensitive, innocent Naomi who’d once admired him. Now, however, he didn’t want her admiration—he wanted her to want him.
* * *
Naomi couldn’t hold Lucius’s gaze and lowered her lashes. His eyes had darkened dangerously with what Naomi felt was akin to lust. His face was hard and lean, just like his body. A body that was emphasized by the wine-colored polo shirt that revealed his bulging biceps and black jeans that showed off his trim waist and long legs.
Naomi felt an unwelcome surge of excitement. Her body felt heavy and warm due to his unrelenting gaze. She reached for her drink, and Lucius caught her hand. Naomi’s pulse pounded at the smoldering flame in his eyes.
“Why don’t we stop playing games? Let’s quit acting like there isn’t a mutual attraction sizzling between us.”
“There is no attraction,” Naomi threw back at him caustically.
“Don’t deny it. The chemistry has been there from the moment we reconnected.”
“Only a rich, arrogant millionaire intent on getting his greedy hands all over my company would say that.” She rose from the chair she was seated in. “Neither I nor my company is for sale, Lucius.”
She stalked out of the lounge with as much dignity as she could muster given that he was partly right. There was something there between them. She had to be on her guard with Lucius at all times. She couldn’t—wouldn’t—fall prey to his charms like most of the women he encountered.
She was in the elevator and the doors had nearly shut when Lucius caught up to her and worked them open with his large hands before stepping inside.
They were alone in the elevator.
Lucius glanced at the elevator buttons. “We’re on the same floor, fate is bringing us together.”
Then he walked purposely toward her, and Naomi automatically shrank back a couple of steps. But when she did, her back hit the wall—not a good position to be with a dangerously sexy man like Lucius. His hands splayed on either side of her face, caging her in.
“You do want me,” Lucius countered, “even if you won’t admit it.” He reached for a strand of her hair and twirled it around his index finger. “How about we put your resolve to the test, hmm?”
Naomi
caught the challenging gleam in his eye right before his lips descended on hers. Naomi thought the kiss would be hard, but it was soft, as were his lips. She’d always wondered what they’d taste like, and now she knew. He sipped at her lips until she gasped and a low moan escaped her lungs. Lucius used it to his advantage, demanding full entry between her lips at the same time his hands slipped from the wall to cup her bottom so he could press her to him.
Naomi felt his hard, flat stomach and his broad chest as he held her firmly to him. She also felt the swell of his erection that sprang to life against her stomach. His hands ran up and down her body, and Naomi trembled.
Lucius lifted his head long enough to stroke her hair back from where some had fallen around her face, his eyes searching hers for a sign to stop. Finding none, he lowered his mouth once more to engage hers. He kissed her top lip, wetting and nibbling it with his tongue before going to her bottom lip. He sucked on it voraciously, and Naomi felt her nipples become taut and expectant. Of what?
Of Lucius’s mouth on them?
The elevator doors suddenly opened, and Naomi sprang from his embrace as if they were two randy teenagers caught making out underneath the bleachers. The bellman smiled at them both and pressed the button for the next floor.
Clearly, he knew what they’d been up to.
Did she?
What had possessed her to kiss Lucius back? Naomi knew what Lucius wanted, and she had no intention of succumbing. And as soon as the bellman was gone, she would tell him so.
She didn’t have to. Once he’d disembarked two floors up, Lucius turned to her. “That was bad timing. I should have waited until we were in my room.”
“Your room?” Naomi asked. Her shoulders squared. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
Lucius’s hand rubbed his neatly cropped head. “Really? Are you going to act like you didn’t enjoy that kiss just now? Like if that bellman hadn’t interrupted us, you wouldn’t have been mine for the taking?”
“Of all the...” Naomi stabbed at the elevator button. She couldn’t wait for her floor to arrive.
Lucius leaned back against the wood paneling inside the elevator, regarding her quizzically. He watched the rise and fall of her chest, and his gaze immediately dropped from her eyes to her breasts. Was he assessing their size? Did he prefer huge breasts to her B-cup ones?
Taming Her Tycoon Page 3