“So, Sarona, what do you think? We’re wasting time. How about we blow this place and go up to my room? We could have our own little party, just the two of us.”
“You must be joking.” she said, shocked at the suggestion and the assumption that she was the least bit interested. She laughed out loud. “Why on earth would you think I’d be interested in going to bed with you?”
“Well, maybe you aren’t right now, but if you give me a chance, I’m sure I could change your mind.”
“Really,” she responded dryly. “And how do you propose to do that?”
“Be persistent, wear you down, and if worse comes to worse, get you drunk. Look, a hot woman like you can have your pick of any man in this room. You can’t blame a guy for trying to be the first in line. Time is short — we only have a couple of days — why not make the most of a great opportunity while we’re away from home?”
“Because I don’t need to ‘make the most of a great opportunity.’ I’m not the one who’s married and searching for sex on the side with a restricted timetable.”
“Okay, I’ll give you that, but what’s the harm in taking a walk on the wild side, especially since you have nothing at stake and nothing to lose? We’re both just passing through. We get together for a night, two if we like it, then when it’s over, go our separate ways.”
This is just great, she thought with increasing annoyance. He’s certainly living up to his intention to be persistent; and making himself a pest to boot. She was actually starting to get a headache. He didn’t know it, but the man was coming dangerously close to making her lose her polite façade, meaning she was about to get ugly. She did not want to resort to acting like an angry black woman, but he was working her last nerve.
She was still debating how to convince Bruce to give up and move on when she looked up and saw David striding purposefully toward them. His eyes met and held hers with a look of stubborn resolve. Oh, hell, she thought with exasperation, just what I don’t need right now.
David sauntered up to her table with two glasses and, after giving a brief nod of acknowledgment to Bruce, he handed the wine to Sarona.
“Here, Sarona. I noticed your glass was nearly empty.”
She was absolutely speechless, so she simply smiled and accepted the glass he offered. David turned to her table companion, stretched out his hand, and introduced himself.
“Hello, I’m David Broussard.”
“Bruce Carter,” the man said as he shook David’s hand.
“Well, Bruce, I want to thank you for keeping Sarona company until I arrived, but she and I have some things to catch up on, and I’m afraid I’m going to have to steal her away from you now.” He turned to Sarona and added, “I’m sorry I’m late, but I was unavoidably detained and couldn’t get away until now.”
“Oh, that’s all right, David,” she said as she promptly jumped at the lifeline he’d thrown her. “Bruce was just about to leave anyway, weren’t you, Bruce?”
Eyeing them both with a crafty smile, Bruce nodded his head in agreement and turned to walk away. In leaving, he commented over his shoulder, “I guess I can see now why you weren’t interested in my proposal, Sarona. Obviously you were waiting for a better offer.”
“Oh, no, Bruce, I’m afraid you’re mistaken,” she retorted. “It wasn’t the proposal I had a problem with. I thought the presentation was unimpressive, unimaginative, and lacked sufficient substance to generate any interest.”
Bruce, rendering a two-fingered salute, smirked as he departed.
“Snake!” she snapped as his back disappeared into the crowd.
“Looks like I got here just in time.” David chuckled, raising his glass to his lips.
Sarona looked up to see sensual laughter sparkling in his eyes and thought with mild despair, Oh, Lord. I’ve just traded the snake for a tiger.
“So, David,” she jokingly asked. “To what do I owe this honor? Don’t tell me you’ve already stalked your way through the entire herd and decided to call it quits for the evening.”
“I’m sorry to report that so far I haven’t seen any decent prospects. But it’s still early. I’ve got a few days to look them over before making a selection. But no matter the outcome, Sarona, I’ll still have plenty of reserves left just for you — that is, if you’re up for the hunt,” he teasingly retorted.
“Ah, yes, the hunt.” She laughed as she studied the wine in her glass. “I seem to recall an invitation to go on safari the last time we saw each other. However, after due deliberation, I’ve decided I’m in no way capable of competing at your level of expertise, so I think I’ll be content to just sit back and watch an experienced master at work — watch how it’s done, take a few notes,” she remarked, lifting her gaze and her glass at the same time.
“Coward,” he whispered.
“Exactly,” she responded.
• • •
The two slipped seamlessly into the usual back-and-forth banter they’d come to share, as though no time had passed between their meetings. David once again played the game and eased effortlessly into his role of bad boy/player, a role he’d donned simply to get Sarona’s attention and have her talk to him. He wasn’t exactly thrilled with her perception of him, but if given the opportunity to set the record straight, he hoped to change that. He wanted her to see there was more to him than the playboy persona she was used to and so ready to believe.
He didn’t like it, but he’d accepted the fact that for some unknown reason she wasn’t susceptible to his male magnetism or glib charm. She either brushed aside his flirtatious advances or ignored him altogether. He couldn’t decide if it was a blow to his male ego to be summarily dismissed, or if he was intrigued by the challenge. No matter the answer, he had to admit his desire intensified more and more each time he saw her and each time she rebuffed him. Surprisingly, each rejection only served to heighten his curiosity, and strengthen his resolve to get closer.
At his suggestion, they took their drinks and left the crowded room in search of quieter surroundings. They seated themselves in the bar and lounge area of the hotel.
“You know, David, considering how long we’ve known each other, it’s occurred to me that we’ve never once discussed what you do. I’m curious. What brings you to these conferences? What do you do to make an honest living when you’re not on the prowl?” she teased.
He smiled at her question. He secretly enjoyed knowing that, despite the fact they’d met on so few occasions, he knew more about her than she would ever suspect. He had reason to want to know everything he could; he needed an advantage, an edge. He was on a mission, a mission that had led him here to this moment. He was going to win her over, and he would use whatever recourse was available to him to ensure his success. If it meant lying and gathering information to the point of stalking, then so be it. He had no qualms or hesitations in using whatever means necessary when it came to getting what he wanted, and he wanted Sarona.
“I work for a communications security consultant firm. Our home base is in Atlanta, Georgia. I’m one of the consultants retained by the firm.”
“Atlanta? That’s where I’m from.” Sarona responded with wide-eyed surprise.
“You don’t say,” David replied, the lack of real surprise evident in his voice. “I guess it really is a small world.”
“Hm,” she said. “I have a feeling that you’re not nearly as shocked as I am regarding this curious coincidence.”
“No, I’m not surprised. I’ve overheard the conversations and gossip from the others when the subject comes up about who’s attending these meetings. Whether you know it or not,” he said with an impish sparkle in his eyes, “you, my friend, have been a hot topic of discussion on numerous occasions, with the emphasis on hot.”
“Yeah, right!” She snorted a clear indication of her disbelief and laughed out loud at what she obviously considered a piece of fiction. “Please tell me why should I believe an outrageous comment like that?”
“Why would I li
e?”
“To get my interest and draw me into your trap, that’s why.” She chuckled. “But I’m onto you, Mr. Broussard, and I’m not falling for it. I know you’re a hunter, and you’ll use any trick in the book to bait your intended prey, and I’m sure you’d use anything up to and including outrageous, pre-fabricated flattery. But, if you want to practice your lines and lies on me, go ahead. I’m game. I’m more than happy to give you constructive feedback.”
“You think you know me, don’t you, Sarona?” he asked, eyeing the contents of his glass speculatively. “You think you have me all figured out. You think I’m a man with no feelings and no heart, with one thought and one agenda — to pursue and capture. I think if you took a moment to put judgment aside and look deeper and beyond the façade, you might find something much more simple and unexpected. You might find that the hunter has a heart.”
“I don’t question whether you have a heart, David. I’m sure it takes a determined ‘heart’ to master the art of hunting. But hunters are a breed of their own, and by nature hunt for the sport, the competition, or the challenge. They are collectors of beautiful and unique things, whether purely for the sake of bragging rights, a sense of triumph or for other, more selfish reasons.”
“And what category do I fall into, Sarona?” he asked, finding himself irritated and bothered to be so callously characterized.
“Um … .” She knitted her eyebrows together in the pretense of giving the question intense consideration. “Speaking strictly from observation, I’d say you’re in it for the sport, because it’s obvious there’s no competition, and there’s certainly no challenge.”
Sarona’s remarks made him uncomfortable. He found he didn’t much like her opinion of him. Though the analogy of his being on the hunt had started as a joke, he was becoming concerned with her distorted view of him. Maybe it was time to change the subject. Steer her in another direction, into safer waters, until he had time to reconsider his approach. She was proving to be much more critical in her thinking than he’d originally assumed, and much too perceptive for his liking. He was going to have to re-examine his tactics and change his plan of attack.
“Well, enough about your decidedly unflattering opinion of me,” David said, interjecting quiet laughter to segue into another, less intimidating topic. “How about you. Tell me more about what it is that you do.”
“What?” she asked with eyebrows playfully raised. “Don’t tell me an observant and discerning man such as you didn’t acquire that all-important bit of information from those overheard discussions about how hot I am!
They both burst into companionable laughter at her jab, and the conversation and the evening went on from there. Quips, conspiracies, and scandalous commentaries between the two continued throughout the night, interspersed with reactions from sedate chuckles to riotous laughter. The topics of conversation ranged from politics to business, to food and wine, to music and movies, and covered a broad spectrum of personal opinions, beliefs, likes, and dislikes.
During the evening, David learned of Sarona’s schedule when she indicated she’d be leaving early Saturday morning. He made a mental note that, including tonight, he had five nights to accomplish his goal.
• • •
At a comfortable lull in the conversation, David excused himself to order more drinks, leaving Sarona alone with her thoughts. With chin in hand and watching people passing by, she idly speculated about David. Why was he spending so much time with her? She was baffled by his persistence in seeking her out everywhere they went. Considering his womanizing reputation, he should be out scouting for potential bed partners, not wasting his time chatting it up with her. She had to wonder if there were some other purpose behind his unusual behavior. Men like David simply did not hang out with women like her for the sake of company and conversation. There had to be a reason, some motive.
Motive?
Sarona’s eyes widened with sudden revelation. Stupid woman, of course there’s a motive! Sex! Holy crap, he’s actually serious! The man’s got it in his head that he wants to have sex with you! And all this time you thought he was simply joking. How could you not see this coming?
How?
Because you were too busy being smug, thinking it was all fun and games and that you weren’t his type. Hell, anything with two legs and female would be his type. Damn!
“Now what are you going to do,” she muttered to herself?
“Run!” her inner voice of reason shouted.
• • •
Shelia stood with the crowd, feigning interest in the chatter going on around her, but her eyes were on David and Sarona, and she was upset with what she saw. What the hell is he doing? He can’t possibly be interested in her! Look at her, she’s huge! She’s a cow! She’d been trying desperately to get David to come to his senses and come back to her.
Her phone calls and messages had gone unanswered. When they did speak, the conversation was clipped and cut short, not that they had ever talked much, anyway. Shelia didn’t have much use for conversation; she thought it was a waste of time. What she wanted most was his attention, and of course, sex. The sex was great! She’d never in her life experienced anything like the pleasure David gave her. She’d finally met a man who knew exactly what he was doing in bed, and there was no way in hell she was letting him get away. She had no idea what had gone wrong or why he’d suddenly lost interest, but she’d invested a lot of time and energy into getting him, and she wasn’t giving him up, not without a fight.
Her eyes narrowed to slits as she watched the two of them. Hearing the laughter and watching the smiles and looks that passed between them only made her angrier. Unable to stomach another moment of watching them together, Shelia turned and rudely pushed through the crowd as she made her way toward the elevators.
“What’s her problem?” Linda asked, watching Shelia’s sudden and unexplained departure.
Ellen chuckled at the sight of Sheila’s stiff back in retreat. “It looks like Shelia’s got competition, and she doesn’t like it one bit.”
“Competition?” Linda murmured, following the direction of Ellen’s gaze. “I thought they were over and done.”
“As far as he’s concerned they are, but as usual, Shelia has a problem facing reality.”
“She doesn’t let go easily, does she?”
“No, she doesn’t. Shelia has the misconception that the world revolves around her, and she should be worshipped accordingly.”
“Well, she is a beautiful woman,” Linda stated in awe, reflecting too closely the worship Sheila was accustomed to.
“Oh, please! Of course she’s beautiful; she’s had so much work done, she’s like the city of Las Vegas, constantly under construction.” Ellen couldn’t refrain from laughing at her own clever correlation, referencing Sheila’s history of cosmetic maintenance. “These days there are more and more men opting for the experience of a natural woman. It would seem that Mr. Broussard is no exception.”
“Do you think there’s anything going on between those two?”
“I don’t know, but from where I’m standing I’d say that the road they’re on is bound to lead them somewhere.”
Chapter 3
They stood at the door to her suite, still engaging in the back-and-forth banter they had participated in most of the evening. This was by far the most fun David had had in a very long time. It was rare to spend this much time with her, so he relished the moment, reluctant for it to end. Though he’d kept up his end of the conversation throughout the night, there were times he was barely aware of what had been said. More than once he’d found himself fascinated with Sarona’s mouth, watching the way it moved when she spoke and the sexy way her tongue slipped out to moisten her lips. Other times he caught himself staring into her eyes, dazed and free falling into their darkness, drowning in their depths.
“Thank you for rescuing me from Bruce,” he heard her say as she reached for her card key. “I wasn’t having any luck convincing him to leave.�
�
“No problem. I could tell he was making a jerk of himself by the way you were rubbing the side of your head. I might have left it alone, but you looked annoyed. I don’t like seeing you annoyed,” he said. “He didn’t seem like your type so I had no qualms butting in and scaring him off.”
“My type? What do you mean ‘my type?’” she queried with raised eyebrows and a half smile that flitted across her face. “What exactly does ‘my type’ look like?”
“Like me,” he stated without hesitation.
Sarona tensed, sensing the change in direction the conversation was about to take. “Well, I suggest you think again, Mr. Broussard,” her voice edged with forced lightness. “You, sir, are way out of my league, but unlike most of the women you usually entertain yourself with, I’m smart enough to know it. I know the rules of the game, David,” she responded with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, “but I’m not interested in playing.”
David stepped back and clutched his hands to his heart in mock dismay, with what he hoped was a disarming smile. “You wound me deeply, woman, with your constant distrust. Can’t a guy simply profess adoration without having an ulterior motive?”
She eyed him suspiciously and gave an unladylike snort. “Of course there’s an ulterior motive; you’re a man, aren’t you?” She gave him her sweetest smile and cheerfully said, “Good night, David, thank you for a lovely evening,” and entered her suite and closed the door in his face.
The smile slipped from his face like melting wax, to be replaced by a look of lost and utter confusion. For one fraction of a second, he didn’t know what to think. What had just happened here? One minute they were engaging in playful repartee and the next — the next he was left standing in an empty hallway, alone! Suddenly, the improbable dawned on him. I’ve been dismissed. The realization was slow in coming. His reaction was stunned disbelief. He knew the woman was full of surprises, but this was one surprise he sure as hell hadn’t counted on. David turned abruptly and stalked back down the hall to the elevator, his short-lived euphoria fast becoming a distant memory.
Prelude to a Seduction Page 3