Shelly leaned over and smelled the flowers. “You know what I think? He really likes you.”
“Don’t start, Shelly.”
“He likes you,” she affirmed again.
“No, what he likes is a challenge, and that’s what I am. Telling him that I intended to bring him down only whet his appetite. The only reason he’s playing this game is because it’s a competition.”
“You, too.”
“Nah-uh,” she said quickly.
“Nah-huh,” Shelly replied just as quickly.
“I don’t want to even think about all that now. Besides, I’m already in the middle of it so I can’t really turn around. The best I can do is see this through.”
“No, the best you can do is tell the man the truth. Maybe together you can come up with a solution to suit both him and your father.”
Kenya shook her head. “Once he finds out what I did, he’ll want nothing do with me.”
“What, you mean the revenge thing?”
“No.”
“What, then?”
“The other day, at his house, after we spent the night together, I got these.” She opened a saved file on her laptop and showed Shelly the files she’d copied.
“What are they?”
“Copies of documents from files I found in Trey’s briefcase.”
“How did you get them?”
“I took pictures of them with my cell phone.”
“Please tell me you’re joking. You didn’t really do that, did you?”
“I did.”
“Kenya.”
“Shelly, I told him that I wanted my father’s company back. I wasn’t kidding.”
“So you snuck into his briefcase and copied personal papers.”
“One of them mentions my father’s company.”
“Girl, you know you’re wrong.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s too late, it’s already done. I just have to read through the documents, find the most damaging and then send it to the SEC. They have a whistle-blower form on their Internet Web site.”
“You are not the same person.”
“Tell me about it,” she said sadly.
“I still vote for telling him,” Shelly said, dipping her nose into the aromatic bouquet.
“Girlfriend, this is not a democracy. Come on, let’s get back to work,” Kenya said as she began shifting things around on her desk.
“Fine, whatever. What are you looking for?”
“My cell. I think I left it here last night.”
“Call yourself.”
“I did—no service. It must be on mute.”
“Or the battery is dead. Are you sure you had it here? I don’t remember seeing you with it yesterday.”
Kenya started thinking. “I know I had it the day before yesterday. I talked to Asia and my mom. Her and Dad were going on a safari and wouldn’t be in contact for a few days. So it must be around here somewhere.”
They spent the next fifteen minutes clearing her desk and looking around the workroom. “Well, if you left it here, it’s not here now,” Shelly said. Kenya stood with her hands on her hips. She had no idea where it was. “When’s the last time you used it?”
“I don’t know, yesterday I think. No wait, I took some pictures. But I know I dropped it in my purse after that.”
“Well, it’s not here now. So look, it’s late and we pretty much have this under control. Why don’t I run out and grab us something to eat and you run over to the phone store and have your phone replaced. You’re gonna need your cell phone for tomorrow. Neither one of us will be here.”
“Good idea,” Kenya said, still wondering about her missing phone. An hour later she walked out of the phone company with a brand-new phone. She and Shelly ate up front while discussing the best strategy for New York. They each decided to take advantage of the trip and do a bit of scouting and shopping in the garment district.
The rest of the afternoon went by quickly. They settled on the perfect sketches and garments to bring along. They refined the computer presentation and decided that each would also bring their personal portfolios. By five o’clock they planned to meet at the boutique, pick up their samples then drive to the train station together. They closed early with confidence that the trip would be a complete success.
Kenya hurried to her condo and got ready for her date. She showered, dressed, then looked at herself in the mirror. She wasn’t the raving beauty Asia was or the smooth-talking home girl Sidney was, but she held her own, too.
She used a bit of makeup and then sprayed on her favorite perfume. She was just finishing her hair when the doorbell rang. She buzzed the opener, releasing the outside gate’s security latch. A few minutes later the bell rang again. She pressed the elevator button, sending it down. When the door opened she stood waiting.
Chapter 13
Trey smiled automatically at seeing her. Then a second later he paused, admiring her more fully. She was a vision and she took his breath away. “You look sensational. Is that one of your designs?”
“Yes, it is. Do you like it?”
“I love it. It’s gorgeous,” he said, encouraging her to turn around. “Wow, you are truly a vision in that gown.” He stepped closer as she turned back around to face him again. “I’m tempted to cancel our plans and see how it looks off.”
Kenya blushed. He was definitely a charmer. “I thought this was supposed to be a business date.”
“It is,” he assured her.
“I’m sure you wouldn’t say that to Bill Gates,” she admonished.
“Probably not,” he said, chuckling. “I can’t see him filling out that dress as well as you do.”
“Business date, remember.”
“Aw,” he said in mock disappointment. “But, sweetheart, you take my breath away. You look stunning.”
“Thanks. You look very handsome in your tuxedo. Are we ready to go?”
“I am if you are.”
She walked over to the sofa and grabbed her shawl and evening purse. The aromatic smell of the bouquet of fresh flowers on the coffee table scented the air. “The flowers are beautiful, thank you. But the card was a bit cryptic. Where exactly are we going this evening?”
He held his arm out to her. “You’ll see.”
They got into the waiting limo and headed south. Kenya still couldn’t believe the evening, and it was only the beginning. “So, do you call yourself trying to impress me?”
“No, not particularly. You already know how I live, what I have and probably how much I’m worth. What would be the point?”
“Exactly, so why the limo?” she asked.
“Simple, I’m too lazy to drive.”
She chuckled, caught off guard by his response. “You are so silly sometimes.”
“Yeah, I get that a lot,” he confessed. “You know that old saying—don’t judge a book by its cover?” he asked. She nodded. “Well, it’s very true, especially in business. I’m not saying that I’m some mild-mannered Clark Kent. But make no mistake, I will take care of business when I have to,” he said as the chilling tone in his voice left no doubt.
Kenya nodded then turned to look out the window. A heated flush embraced her as her heart began racing. This was the perfect time to confess, but she couldn’t. How did you tell the man you were trying not to care about that you were about to destroy his world? “So where are we going this evening?” she asked softly, changing the subject before she weakened.
“We’re going to a political fund-raiser.”
“Really? I’ve never actually been to one, but I’ve always been curious about them.”
“This one might not be the best example.”
“Why? What hotel is it being held at?”
Trey smiled. “No hotel. We’re going to the circus.”
“The circus? I didn’t even know one was in town.”
“Well, actually it’s Cirque du Soleil.”
Kenya gasped. Like a switch that had been turned on, she nearly jumped
on top of him. “What, really?” she asked. He nodded. “For real, no joke?” she repeated.
“Yes, why, you don’t want to go?”
“Are you kidding me? I’d love to go. I’ve only seen their performances on television, but what I’ve seen is awesome. I can’t believe it. The artistry, the costumes, they’re phenomenal. I can’t believe we’re going,” she said excitedly.
“Wow, if I knew I was going to get this response, I’d have gotten tickets sooner.”
“It’s just a wonderful surprise, that’s all. I’ve always wanted to go. I just never got around to it.”
“I’m looking forward to it, too.”
The limo pulled up in front of the theater. They got out and breezed into the lobby. They were escorted to their private booth just before the performance began. The show was everything she imagined and more. It was awesome. Kenya’s eyes were glued to the stage as Trey’s were glued to her. She had the perfect reaction. It was thrilling just seeing her so happy.
Afterward, they went backstage. There Kenya was completely enthralled. She spoke to the costume designers and seamstress and gathered as much inside information as possible. Afterward they ate dinner at a small restaurant then drove around the city the rest of the evening. Kenya relaxed and sat back against Trey. He wrapped his arms around her and she laid her head on his chest. “I don’t remember having so much fun. It was an incredible evening. Thank you for this.”
“You’re very welcome. I had a great time, too.”
Kenya closed her eyes. “Tell me about her.”
“Tell you about whom?”
“The woman in your last relationship,” Kenya said.
“My what?” he asked, taken completely off guard.
“The woman in your last relationship,” she said.
“Are we at that point already?”
“Uh-huh,” she answered.
“Why do you want to know?”
“I’m curious. What was she like?”
“Truthfully, I haven’t had a quote-unquote ‘relationship’ in a long time. I’ve dated, obviously, but there’s been no one steady woman in my life for some time. There was a woman a long time ago, but it didn’t work out.”
“Did she break your heart?” Kenya asked.
“No, why?”
“As I said, I’m just curious.”
He paused a moment. This conversation was hitting too close to the mark. He needed a good old-fashioned diversion. “The business fast track doesn’t leave a lot of time for emotional entanglements.”
“You mean relationships, don’t you?”
“Semantics. At any rate, I find it hard to sustain a meaningful long-term relationship with my schedule. I just don’t have time.”
“You take time for what’s important and for what really matters to you,” she said.
“I guess you’re right, because here I am out with you this evening.”
“How about that,” she said.
“So tell my why you asked.”
“I wondered if you’d ever had your heart broken.”
“Is that what you intend to do to me?” he asked.
“No one ever intends.”
“Not true. To answer your question, no, not yet. But there’s always a first time, right?” he offered. She nodded silently. “What about you? Tell me about your last relationship.”
She sighed heavily. This wasn’t what she wanted to talk about but in all fairness she started it. “We met in New York. He was a businessman, very determined and very focused on his goals. He was strong-willed and charming and well on his way to being very, very successful. I believed in him and I thought I knew everything about him. He was everything I thought I wanted.”
“But?” he asked.
“But he wasn’t. He asked me to give up my work to be there for him, totally devoted and attentive.”
“Did you?”
“Yes, for a while I did. We moved in together and I was the perfect girlfriend.”
“Then,” he prompted.
“Then I realized he wasn’t the man I thought he was. Everything I thought I knew was a lie.”
“What do you mean?”
“I found out that I wasn’t the only woman in our so-called monogamist relationship. His reasoning was that he needed more than I could give.”
“I see.”
“Unbeknownst to me he had a child by one woman and had gotten another woman pregnant, after I put aside my career for him. I found myself in the middle of baby-mamma drama. So that was the end of that. Oh, one last thing, he was a stock broker.”
“Figures.”
“Yeah, figures,” she said.
“He lied to you, cheated on you and played you.”
“Yes. But that’s long over now.”
“Good, I’m glad,” he said.
“Good, I’m glad,” she repeated. “Insensitive much? I just poured out my soul to you and all you can say is ‘good, I’m glad’?”
“Yes, because had you not gotten rid of him, we might never have met.”
The genuine sweetness of his remark made her smile. He’d caught her off guard again. Every time she thought that she had a handle on him, he turned it around. “What have I gotten myself into with you?” she questioned quietly.
“I’ve been asking myself that same question.”
“Is that bad?” she asked sleepily.
“I sincerely hope not.”
She yawned, covering her mouth. “Excuse me. Do you know that since I met you, I have yet to get to bed before twelve o’clock?”
He reached over and pressed a button on the side panel. “Driver, take us back, please.”
“I really like being with you, Trey. I know I’m not supposed to. You’re so wrong for me.”
He kissed her forehead. “With that said, shall we test the waters again? How about dinner tomorrow evening?”
“I can’t. I have plans tomorrow.”
“Another man? Should I be jealous?”
“Definitely,” she joked.
“Who is this rival?”
“Manhattan.”
“I think I know him. Tall guy, beard and mustache?” She poked him gently as he chuckled. “So you’re headed to New York tomorrow.”
“You should know. I have a feeling you set the whole thing up.”
“What whole thing?”
“Shelly and I got a call this morning from Youngin’s retail stores. They want to see our work. They’re interested in selling us through their stores.”
“That’s wonderful. Congratulations. But how would I know about it?”
“You didn’t set this up?” she asked.
“No, sorry, I wish I had. But it wasn’t me,” Trey said.
“Well, then I wonder how they heard about us.”
Trey shrugged. “I have no idea. It wasn’t me, unfortunately.”
“Hmm,” she said, seeing the familiar landmarks of her street as the limo pulled to a stop in front of her building. The driver got out and opened the door. Trey helped Kenya out and walked her through the alcove and to the elevator. “I hate to keep being redundant, but thank you, I had the best time.”
“I’m glad.”
“So I guess I could invite you up for a nightcap.”
“You could,” he said, smiling, “but we both know where we’d be two seconds later, especially after seeing you in this gown.” He touched her bare shoulder and slowly traced the curve of her breasts down to her hip. He breathed deeply. “You realize, of course, that I’m going to dream about this dress tonight.”
She leaned close and whispered, “That was the whole idea.”
He instantly grabbed her waist and drew her close, pressing her against his hard body. He didn’t speak or kiss her, he just stood there looking into her eyes, holding her tight. The piercing gaze took her breath away. Then he closed his eyes, released her and walked away.
“Trey,” she called to him. He stopped but didn’t turn. She walked and stood behind him. She le
aned her body against his back, molding as close to him as she could get. She reached around and held his chest, laying her cheek on his back. “What do I say?” she asked herself out loud. “How did I let this happen?”
“It sneaks up on you,” he told her.
“Yes, it does.”
“You’re not alone.” He turned, grabbed her in his arms and kissed her until she forgot who she was. All she knew was that she was his for as long as he wanted her.
Chapter 14
Trey sent the driver away.
He walked back to the building and met Kenya at the elevator. She pushed the button as soon as he got in. They stood across from each other, their eyes staring into each other. The doors closed. The silent hush of the mechanics jerked the elevator’s motion. It began to rise. With each floor they passed Kenya’s heart beat harder, faster, stronger. The anticipation of being with him made her whole body quiver. Her breathing increased and her body, already on fire, was tingling.
She watched him watch her. He didn’t move, yet the muscle in his jaw flexed tight. She slowly lowered the shawl from her shoulder, letting one end hit the floor. His eyes didn’t waver. She leisurely reached up and released the clip holding her hair in the loosened French twist. Loose waves and ringlet curls dropped to her shoulders.
By the third floor, her breasts seemed to expand, nearly bursting from the bodice. She arched her back, giving him full view of her offering.
The elevator arrived on the fourth floor. The doors opened. She pushed away from the side and walked out. But before she got two steps into the loft, Trey grabbed her hand and pinned her back against the inside of the elevator wall. He pressed the hardness of his body firmly against her. He leaned in, parted his lips but didn’t kiss her. Just inches away, she waited, feeling only the sweet grind of his body against her. Her breathing was labored as his fiery eyes blazed hot with passion.
Then, in an instant, he took her mouth, pressing his lips to hers forcefully. The kiss was intense. She stopped breathing and her heart raced, but she was too overcome to notice. She felt the steel-hard shaft of his manhood press into her. Her stomach fluttered as her desire surged. She moaned as his kisses fell to her neck, her shoulders, her chest. The elevator beeped. She pushed him back against the button panel. The doors closed again.
Love Me Now Page 18