by Yvette Hines
Right now, the only person he was thinking about was Chelsi.
As the door closed quietly behind Peter, Chelsi shot her furious gaze at him. Her heels ate up the carpet between them as she crossed the floor to him, saying, “What game are you playing, Mr. Poin—”
“Vincent,” he declared stepping towards her. All he wanted was a moment of her time. Maybe a chance to discover why she was running away from him as if she’d heard he had the plague virus in his pocket.
Her face turned up as her gaze locked with his. “I’m not one of your hundreds of employees. You can’t just order me around, Mr. P—”
Reaching out, he took hold of her arms and pulled her to him. The quick motion he used to drag her body against his made her place a hand against the center of his chest to balance herself against him. He wondered if she could feel the hard beat of his heart against her palm. “My name is Vincent, or don’t you remember how to say it?”
“There’s nothing wrong with my memory.” Her hand pressed as she tried to move away from him, creating the gap between them again.
He wasn’t having it as he continued to hold her firmly in place. “Say it.”
Why was she making this so difficult? He’d thought that they’d been friends as well as lovers. Was there something he was missing?
Frowning, she stared at him and licked her lips. “S…ay what?”
His gaze followed the stroke of her tongue along her bottom lip. The delicate pink tip and her plump lip made the heat level in his blood increase. “My name. Say my name, Chelsi.” His words came out gruffer and lower than he would have liked. However, in that moment, he felt like he was back in the computer lab at Tyler T. High School, staring at the prettiest girl in school. Back then he had wanted her; now he desired her. It was a ridiculous emotion, but he couldn’t stop it. He became in tuned to everything about her.
Chelsi’s gaze softened. The tension around her mouth released, and the tempo of her chest rising and falling increased. Her lips parted then she said, “Vincent.”
Hearing his name on her lips caused the leash he had on himself to break. Lowering his head, he claimed her mouth. Moving his lips along hers, he teased her. Licking the seam, he flirted with her, taunting her to open up and let him in. It had been twelve years since the last time he’d tasted the sweet nectar of her kisses, and he refused to be denied another second.
Slanting his mouth, he increased the pressure, wanting her to be aware she wasn’t dealing with a nervous teenage boy but a determined man. He heard the whimper before lips parted and allowed him entrance. Seizing his chance, he drove his tongue inside and knew he’d touched paradise. A haven that he’d allowed to be held away from him for too long.
It didn’t take but a few passes of his tongue along hers before Chelsi was chasing him. They circled each other as they moved from her mouth to his. Her tongue entered, and he closed his lips around it and gently bit the tip. She gasped, and he slipped inside her again.
When she began to suckle him, he growled. Lowering his hands to her waist, he held her body against his as he pushed in and out of her mouth. Images of them mimicking their mouths in a different way flashed in his mind. He’d never been so turned on by a simple kiss in all of his adult life.
The desire to feel her arms and legs wrapped around him while he thrust between her thighs like he was doing to her mouth grew stronger. Urgent steps carried them across the carpet until they bumped against something.
The jolt startled Chelsi, causing her to pull away. “Oh, my God, what are we doing?” she babbled. “What am I doing?”
The sensual haze cleared from Vincent’s mind. He glanced down at the anxious woman in his arms. They stood beside the conference table. Correction, he had Chelsi pinned between him and the table. If she hadn’t stopped them, there was no doubt in his mind he would have had her laid across it as he drove them both to completion between her legs. Unlike Chelsi, he had been completely aware of what he’d been prepared to do.
Shit, we’re in the board room. His actions, even though they were prompted by lust, were stupid. There were no locks to the doors in this room, and anyone could have walked in on them. He didn’t have concern for himself. He knew he’d built a solid reputation with his employees; however, they didn’t know Chelsi, and he wouldn’t allow her to be disrespected in such a way.
When he glanced down, her eyes were closed. She looked as if she were praying. One of her hands was crushed between them as she still held onto her folder and swatches. Her other hand clutched the lapel of his jacket. She had been just as carried away, but when she opened her eyes, he was taken aback by the apprehension in her gaze.
Taking a step back from her, he ran his hand through his hair. “Look, Chelsi, this is not why I asked you to stay.”
Her hand dropped from his lapel, and she licked her kiss swollen lips. “Are you sure, Vincent?”
Quickly, he moved away a little further. Focusing on that mouth of hers had gotten him in the sticky situation he was in now. “No.” Inhaling deep, he said, “I just wanted to talk to you. Catch up on how you’ve been doing all these years. Take you to dinner maybe.”
Shaking her head, she glanced at the door then back at him. “We don’t need dinner for that. I’ve been fine.” An unconvincing chuckle came out of her mouth, dry and humorless. “As you can see, I became a designer just as I planned.”
“Go out with me tonight.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She walked towards the door.
“Chelsi, you can see that we have unfinished business between us.” He traced her steps to the door.
Grabbing the handle, Chelsi shook her head and looked over her shoulder at him. “Any business between us was finished twelve years ago.” She yanked the door open and left the room with quick steps.
Rushing behind her, he watched her hustle down the hall. He could have caught up with her easily, but he didn’t want to draw any more attention to her. As it was, the people mingling in the hall had spotted them coming from the conference room. His employees tried to pretend they hadn’t noticed her quick step to the bank of elevators.
Frustrated, he wanted to yell. Instead, he pulled his cell out of his pocket and placed a call. While he watched Chelsi blend with the crowd getting on the elevator, he was sure of one thing; Chelsi Halifax was running away from him.
And he wanted to know why. One way or another he would find his answer. He hadn’t risen to his current level in the business industry by not going after what he wanted.
And he wanted Chelsi.
* * * *
“Excuse, me, Ms. Halifax.”
Chelsi was two steps off the elevator on the lobby floor when she heard her name. A man dressed in an all black suit was coming towards her as he slipped a cell phone into his inside pocket.
“Yes.” She paused.
“I’m Thomas, Mr. Poindexter’s driver.”
Vaguely she recalled this man being at the grocery store trying to get Vincent to the airport. “It’s nice to meet you.” She gave him a quick smile then started across the lobby.
Thomas kept pace with her. “Mr. Poindexter instructed me to drive you back to your office or anywhere you may want to go.”
Shoot. Vincent’s kiss had her brain so muddled that she’d forgotten she’d ridden with Peter. Well, there went her prideful exit. Looking at Thomas, an older man possibly in his early forties with thinning brown hair, she considered telling him to let Mr. Poindexter know that she decided she’d rather take the light-rail or bus. However, she rationalized with herself that she was being petty and ridiculous. She had a lot of work to do and a boss to set straight. Taking public transportation would take her longer.
“Fine. I appreciate the lift.”
Smiling, Thomas guided her towards a side exit of the Point Corporation building where the same pearl white limo she’d seen before was parked.
Opening the back door for her, he said, “Please, make yourself comfortable, Ms. Hali
fax. There are beverages in the right side wall cooler. Just press firmly on the panel, and it will open.”
Settling into the back seat facing the front, Chelsi admired the opulence. The interior was decorated in various shades of gray from the smoke gray suede fabric of the seats to the pale colored carpet. The vehicle could probably hold ten people comfortably.
Across from her and along the left side of the car was a full long L-shaped bench seat. Where she sat, there was a center console with an array of controlling buttons and a double cup holder. One holder was empty, but the other held a bag of almonds.
“Whose almonds?” She told herself it was none of her business. Besides they were most likely sitting there as a courtesy snack for guest like the drinks in the hidden cooler.
Leaning down, Thomas smiled. “Those are Mr. Poindexter’s. Matter of fact, I believe that is the last pack left from the three packets he grabbed from the store last week.”
That’s why he’d stopped there on his way to the airport. That knowledge made those damn butterflies in her stomach start flapping again.
Staring in the older man’s dark brown gaze that was friendly but unreadable, she wondered if he remembered her from the store but doubted it. She looked nothing like she did then. “Thank you, Thomas.”
Nodding, he closed the door and got in behind the wheel.
As they drove away, she glanced back down at the bag of nuts and allowed the memory of a warm spring day to play out.
It had been the first day of spring break their senior year. The only day she had to spend with Vincent because her parents were taking her to New York City to visit her college and take in some sights and a play.
Her family’s housekeeper, Ms. Samson, had brought out a tray of snacks for them. On the tray among the array of items was a bowl of almonds. Chelsi recalled offering some to Vincent, who lounged on the chair beside her, thin and tan in blue swim trunks. He had frowned, telling her he’d never tried almonds and wasn’t sure if he liked them. Vincent didn’t like peanuts, because he said the nut was a bully and it always took over anything it was made with. She’d coaxed him into trying an almond with a promise of a kiss if he didn’t like them.
He’d popped one in his mouth and chewed it then looked her straight in the eye and said he didn’t like it. She had capitulated and given him a kiss. The kiss hadn’t been deep, with her parents in the living room, no doubt keeping an eye on them. After the kiss was over, she’d reclaimed her seat and spied him digging back into the bowl of almonds.
“Hey,” she’d called out. “I thought you said you didn’t like them.”
Giving her a cheeky smile, he’d confessed. “I actually love them.”
She’d folded her arms under breasts and given him a mock angry gaze. “Then why did you steal my kiss?”
“Because I love you, too,” he’d said.
It had been that simple. Vincent had let his feelings for her come out of his mouth for the first time as if it was something she should have known. His words had taken all the air out of her indignant feeling balloon. Blushing, she’d told him she loved him too then given him another kiss, as innocent as the first one, but more powerful to her heart.
He still loved them.
Too bad he doesn’t still love me. Her heart lamented before she could stop it.
Leaning back against the seat, she pushed aside all her thoughts and ideas. She didn’t want to think, or feel, or remember how much she missed Vincent in her life. Missed his kisses and his touch. Staring out the tinted window and watching the downtown businesses and people hustle, she allowed her mind to go blank as Thomas took her to the NoDa district where Densa Fashion sat less than a block away from a delicious French Bakery and Café.
Work was something she could use to keep her focus, and a lunch stroll to Amelie’s was just what she needed. Vincent was not.
Chapter Four
Friday, Chelsi walked into her condo, kicked off her heels, and pulled her ponytail down. Shaking her hair, she massaged her scalp as she padded over to the kitchen. Her stomach had started growling on the way home.
In the kitchen, she stopped at the table to smell the beautiful arrangement of pink, white, and red lilies she’d gotten that morning from her parents. Her mom and dad always sent her flowers for her birthday. She’d already called and thanked them that morning. Tomorrow, she and Becky, her best friend, were going out to the movies and a local fondue bar.
Headed to the refrigerator, she was halted by her ringing cell phone. She jogged back into the living room to the satchel she had tossed on the couch when she came in. Opening the side pocket, she extracted the phone on the second ring. The screen indicated a private number. For a moment she debated not answering it and letting it go to voice mail but depressed the green button anyway.
“Hello?” she said, using her most efficient business voice, believing it to be some organization selling something.
“How about you have dinner with me tonight, Chelsi?” Vincent’s husky, sexy voice tickled her ear.
Her toes curled into the carpet, and her knees became weak. Sitting down on her couch, she asked, “How did you get my number?”
She hadn’t spoken to Vincent since Monday after that kiss in his conference room. Rudolph had called Peter on Wednesday afternoon to let them know they had the contract for the new stores. That afternoon Peter had popped a bottle of champagne, and they’d all toasted to their accomplishment. Over the last two days, there had been meetings with Rudolph at Point Corp, but she had bowed out and let Pierre or Manuel accompany Peter. She didn’t want to risk running into Vincent.
However, that didn’t keep her from thinking about Vincent while they were gone. What he was doing. Who he was with. She told herself to feel relieved that even though he knew now where she worked he had not attempted to contact her. Or heaven forbid, show up at her job.
Yesterday, Pierre had let it slip that Vincent was away on business. She couldn’t stop herself from feeling at ease. Knowing he wasn’t in town helped her keep her mind on other things.
“I will never reveal my sources,” he announced in his best Joe Friday impression.
That sound through the phone brought a smile to her face. Dragnet had been one of Vincent’s favorite re-run shows. “Peter, I bet, is the culprit,” she declared, unable to keep herself from joining in. This type of camaraderie had always been easy for them.
He chuckled. “No, it was not Peter.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be out of town somewhere?” She tossed in, an attempt to keep the conversation diverted from his original question.
“Keeping tabs on me, Chelsi?”
Busted. “Someone just happened to mention yesterday that you weren’t at the meeting.”
“I returned this afternoon. So how about that dinner?” He wasn’t diverted for long.
She sighed and stared off at nothing in particular. The weight of his question rested on her mind. “Don’t you think we ought to let our past involvement just remain what it is, in the past?”
“No, I don’t. Besides I see nothing wrong with two old friends getting reacquainted.”
Tapping her foot on the floor, she listened to his words as a war began inside of her. “I do.”
The sound of soft jazz could be heard through the phone. “It’s not like we can just say nice to see you and walk away. We’re involved in business together.”
For a moment and not for the first time since Wednesday, Chelsi wondered whether her past relationship with Vincent had been the reason for his selection of the Densa Fashions contract. Was it all just a ploy to get her to give in to his wishes?
Regardless, she kept her thoughts to herself. The last thing she wanted to do was ruin this opportunity for Peter, Manuel, and Pierre. Whatever the reasons, Densa had won the contract, and they’d do the best damn job to prove they had earned it.
“Chelsi, sweetheart, you still with me?” his voice held concern.
“Yeah, I’m still here.” She c
ontinued, “Just because we have to relate in business doesn’t mean we have to be connected on a personal level. Besides Densa is in a small facet of your world, I’m sure we’ll probably never have a reason to see each other again.”
“You’ll learn that I’m a hands-on type of boss.”
“I think that term is micro-manager.”
He chuckled. “Hell, no. Never that. I pay my managers and department heads too damn much money to not expect them to do their job. But, I keep in close contact with all aspects of my company on a regular basis. I’ve even put on a hard hat once or twice when we were building Point Corp in Charlotte.”
She smiled, imagining Vincent in his fancy suit and hard hat, swinging a hammer. “That must have been a sight.”
“Possibly. Dinner. Tonight. I’m not taking no for an answer.”
Leaning her head back against the couch, she rolled her eyes toward the ceiling and released a heavy sigh, letting Vincent hear her frustration.
“Still waiting,” he said, humor lacing his words.
Her heart and her mind were truly at war. Vincent couldn’t understand how hard this all was for her. “Why tonight? Why not next week or next month?”
“Because it’s your birthday.”
That took the wind out of her sails. He remembered. In that instant, hearing his words, her heart won over. “Fine. Fine. Okay, I’ll have dinner with you,” she whispered, giving in.
“Great.” There was too much excitement in his voice for her liking.
“One rule,” she rushed on.
“That is?”
“Don’t bring that long pretty limo here to get me. My neighbors will have a million and one questions for me tomorrow if they see you pulling up in it.”
“You got it. Now tell your gate guard to let me in.”
Before she could question his words, Jim got on the phone. “Good evening, Ms. Halifax. You have one determined gentleman here for you.”
“I’m sure,” she mumbled, dazed knowing Vincent had been just a few yards away the whole time he’d been talking to her.
“You know the routine. I will need your phone password to confirm his entry.” Jim requested.