But obviously Grace wanted to do her bit to ensure that her granddaughter was skilled enough to take on the large responsibility. What Grace had started over thirty years ago was vastly different from where the company was now. It was a more complicated operation and deserved another thirty years of milestones.
“I know you’re a busy woman. I’m going to get straight to the point. I will perform an assessment of you, your approach, an analysis of the company. Sort of a case study of you and those around you.”
Dana nodded. He noted her constant nervous adjustment of the collar of her dress.
“Toward the end of our time together, I do have a retreat boot camp where you’d be invited to participate with other executives. I think it’s important that you have a tight network of alliances for when I step out of the picture.”
“And when will you be out of the picture? Is this all mandatory?”
“That will depend on you. Your cooperation.” Kent hoped that the time frame wouldn’t be too short. Not that Dana would need major assistance. He just needed time to get to know his subject. All he knew right now was how gorgeous she was—rich brown skin, smooth with bold features, with strength in the heart-shaped face. And that wasn’t enough to quench his thirst to know more.
“And what about Grace?”
He remained noncommittal. Again, the mention of Grace caused a switch in her emotion. As quick as a blink, her mouth tightened, then relaxed. No other facial muscle twitched, except maybe the outer corner of her right eye. The handing over of family businesses was a difficult process, many times an unsuccessful one. Infighting and divided loyalties of current staff had the power to create a mutinous atmosphere. He’d be disappointed if that was the case here. He liked and respected Grace.
“Where are you staying?” she asked.
“At Grace’s.”
“What?”
He laughed at her horrified reaction. “Just kidding.”
“Not funny.” Although a smile tugged at her mouth, just where a small dimple peeked out.
“I’m staying at the Shelton. I don’t like dealing with a commute, whether in London or anywhere else in the world. Besides, I do enjoy walking. Gives me time to think.”
Dana nodded. “What about your other clients?”
“I’ll be traveling back and forth. I do have a capable staff that assists me. But I’m interested in expanding my expertise into the U.S. markets, which is why I think that I popped up on Grace’s radar.”
Sasha knocked at the open door and brought in the beverages. He glanced at the green, frothy concoction that Sasha offered to Dana.
Was she a health nut? Someone focused on her image? A lover of green, disgusting drinks? He’d figured her for the frothy latte type—rich and indulgent.
“I know you’ll have some tough questions for me. Let’s get that out of the way first.” A small green moustache arched over her mouth. The spinach-green against red luscious lips was a nice combo. Her tongue peeked out to wash it clean like an effective wiper blade.
Now he hoped that they stayed here long enough for her to finish the ghastly drink, just for the occasional emergence of her delicate tongue.
Kent swallowed to stamp out a spike of desire. “I would like to submit a 360-degree questionnaire.”
“Okay.” Despite her assent, she looked decidedly uncomfortable.
“There isn’t a fail or pass grade. Only a tool to figure out your strong points.”
“I have a feeling that you’ll be focused on the weak points. Else, you’d be out of a job.”
“I don’t look for what’s not there. I don’t create my tasks.” Kent didn’t resent the innuendo. Sometimes, just gaining the trust of his client was the hard part. Once they understood and bought into his expertise, working on the improvements was that much easier.
Dana wasn’t ready to accept him, though. He knew that and planned accordingly.
“Will I know when the questionnaire is issued?”
“No.” The survey had already been administered to everyone, except Sasha and Dana. He didn’t quite expect Sasha’s candid feedback, but, still, it would be better than nothing. As for Dana, now that he’d met her, he expected that she’d answer with the running thought of how the answer reflected on her professional abilities.
“Are you going to be tagging along? At the company?”
“Sometimes. I have signed a contract with a confidentiality clause.”
“We’ll take your presence on a case-by-case basis.” Her tone hardened to match her distinct displeasure at the idea that he would be around her staff.
Kent had no desire to push his cause. He hoped to gain her trust naturally, albeit quickly. Once her suspicious mind-set broke, she wouldn’t see him as the enemy.
He’d sat by the side of many formidable CEOs and business mavericks, young and old. Breaking their trust, abusing the confidant position, those were career-enders. He was damn proud of his reputation and would protect it.
Kent continued, “I’ll send you and Sasha the link to the electronic questionnaire. Once you’ve completed it, we can begin. I’d like to sit in on your department heads meeting. You had one today that was cancelled?”
“Due to your appointment on my schedule.”
Kent ignored the accusation. “As soon as you know when the meeting will be, please let me know so that I can set my calendar.”
“It will be on Friday afternoon.”
“Great. Are you free for lunch today?”
“What else is there to discuss?”
“You.”
“Me?” Another sip of the green noxious drink. Another flick of the tongue. Another spike of desire.
“Knowing your personal views and interests will help me.”
“This is like having an annual exam.”
“Against your will, I know. My apologies.”
Dana blew out a frustrated breath. “In a manner of speaking.”
“I can promise all day long that I don’t mean any harm. That I have the necessary credentials and experience to help. That I will be out of your life as soon as we’re done. And despite Grace hiring me, I’m working with you.” He stood and extended his hand to her for the second time that day. The second time to see if what he’d felt the first time had actually happened.
His declaration thawed the ice between them. She also stood and offered a wide smile with a firmer handshake. He took the improvement as a sign of progress. What he didn’t expect was the stronger buzz through his body at the touch of her hand. Usually he was direct with his gaze, but looking into the dark pools of her eyes had consequences. Normally, he could maintain control of the situation. What she did to his nervous system unnerved him.
What had happened to his cool, emotional detachment?
Instead, his body might as well have walked through a heating vent. He acknowledged the desire stirring awake within him and prayed that he could keep it concealed for more than one day.
The edge of his control grew shaky and unstable. The source of his potential undoing stood in front of him surrounded by a delicate perfume scented with citrus and spice. His gaze drifted from Dana’s face down the front of her dress, whose dark color emphasized her femininity, hourglass shape, and added to the image of strength and power.
“Lunch at one o’clock, Kent. Meet me at McCormick’s. Sasha will give you the address.”
Kent nodded and left. Outside the building, he took a few deep breaths to clear his mind and nostrils of her soft, alluring scent. Mixing business with pleasure was not in his vocabulary. He wasn’t the type to be led by sexual urges. But when he had drafted those rules, it didn’t take into account the rare find of someone like Dana. She was an intriguing model of contradictions between her stiff, businesslike behavior and his perception of her as a beautiful
woman. While she may be wary of him as an interloper, he was afraid that he’d brush aside business decorum to fancy much more from her.
A woman with brains was sexy as hell. A woman with spunk sparked more than casual interest. A woman who drank nasty green potions, well, those belonged to a special grouping.
Kent strolled back to his hotel suite to work on other business. Hands stuffed in his pocket, he almost whistled as he looked forward to his new project.
* * *
Dana stood at her office window with her arms folded, looking down at traffic. She had remained in the office on the back side of the floor layout. Back when her grandmother still ran the operations, Dana had wanted to be out of eyesight. Now that she was poised to be named CEO—unless there were enough negative reviews from the business pundits—she would be expected to move into Grace’s office with its grand view and presidential-worthy square footage. Dana knew she was a creature of habit that reluctantly viewed change as a good thing.
“Kent Fraser, have you got your work cut out for you?” Dana looked out at the tip of the Shelton hotel building.
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, Sasha, I didn’t hear you come in. Please make an appointment at McCormick’s for two at one o’clock.”
“Um...”
“What is it?” Dana recognized Sasha’s reluctance to deliver less than stellar news.
“Your grandmother...Grace...wants to have lunch with you and Mr. Fraser.”
“Did she just contact you?” Dana returned her attention to the view below on the street. Her jaw worked in tandem with her irritated nerves.
“Yes. She will only pop in on your lunch, say a few words and leave. Her words, not mine.”
Dana nodded. She returned to her desk to resume working on her latest projects—a magazine theme for the Christmas holidays, the pros and cons of having a satellite radio station, and tossing around the idea of interviewing staff members’ families for a round of promotional pieces for the company’s TV station.
What could she do about Grace’s impromptu appearance at lunch? So far, Dana was the puppet bending and marching to her commands. This learning opportunity definitely had her dragging her feet toward the edges of her comfort zone.
She took a deep breath to calm the impulse to scream. There was an upside.
Maybe having Grace at the lunch would put a coolant on the mysterious sparks that popped up in her, unbidden and out of control, when she was in Kent’s company. Dana was mature enough to acknowledge that she was attracted to his looks, attitude and that damned British clipped accent. What she wasn’t sure about was whether she could rein in her impulse to flirt and to engage in harmless tomfoolery to feel a bit in control. If she went that route, she could be committing career suicide. The tawdry headlines would add that dig to all the other ways that she didn’t measure up to Grace.
But Grace was no angel, either.
Part of the Meadows family drama revolved around past hurts and long-ago disagreements that Grace had orchestrated, participated in or was guilty of by association. In addition to having Dana take over Meadows Media, her grandmother had plans to task her with making sure every family member would attend her eightieth birthday. Only death was an excuse and then, Dana knew, Grace would probably want a written note from the Man above.
“Miss Meadows!” Dana looked up at the man who had burst through her door, with Sasha bringing up the rear in a blustery rush.
“O’Brien.” No matter how many times she told Peter O’Brien, head of advertising, to call her Dana, he refused. Once, he cited that he’d have to get to know her and feel comfortable before he did that. How could she argue with that logic?
“Did you have the department heads’ meeting without me?” He glared down at her. Suspicion was a steady companion with Peter.
“No, I did not.”
“I tried to tell him that.” Sasha didn’t hide her irritation.
“I would like to talk to you...alone.” He turned an icy glare at Sasha and gestured toward the door.
Her assistant was no wilting flower and his high-handed behavior turned her usual doe-eyed expression hard.
“No offense,” he remarked, his attention back on Dana.
“Offense taken.” Sasha wasn’t backing down.
“Sasha, please excuse us.” Dana tried to convey to Sasha that she’d handle his rudeness. One battle at a time. Her assistant left, but Sasha’s mouth was pinched as if she could barely keep herself from saying something that she’d regret.
The office door clicked shut. Dana waited a beat before she addressed her angry visitor.
“I want to make my position very clear. I have been an integral part of Grace’s team for many years.” Peter’s hands cut through the air to emphasize his point. “I still have a lot to offer this company. I know that you will come in with your own ideas and have your own team—”
“Stop right there!” Dana rubbed her temples. “Have a seat. You’re making my neck hurt looking up.” She waited until he responded to her request. “First, the meeting was cancelled because, believe it or not, things come up. An email went out to all who had accepted the meeting request.” She clasped her fingers to force herself to keep her tone even. “You are a valuable employee of the company. What you have done for Grace, I expect you to do under my leadership. Where we go from here is based on a mutual commitment and respect. I don’t care to be approached with a level of aggression that is not only annoying, but disrespectful.”
“I didn’t mean—”
“I’m not finished speaking. I don’t appreciate you treating Sasha or any member of my staff with contempt. Got it?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You will get an updated appointment for the department heads’ meeting. I suggest that you make sure to accept the calendar request when it comes through your email. Now, I have another meeting to get to, if you don’t mind.” Dana sat back in the chair. Whether he was done or not, she was cutting the meeting short. At another time, when tempers had cooled, they could have a more civil conversation where he could air his grievance. Right now, Peter needed to be put in his place.
She knew people would test her like a substitute teacher in a high school. Well, bring it.
A few minutes later, a soft knock at her door interrupted her. She suspected who it could be. “Hi, Sasha,” she greeted her assistant, whose head poked through the doorway.
“He apologized.” Sasha covered her mouth, but a giggle escaped.
“Good.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s nothing more than I would expect from anyone, including you. Besides, I’m counting on you to be instrumental with keeping us moving forward in accord with one another.” Dana beckoned her into the office.
Sasha entered and sat on the edge of the chair.
“You have earned a promotion to the position of office administration manager, for which I’m happy to sign off. I will make the announcement at the department heads’ meeting. Although I am your direct supervisor, this promotion has the backing of various departments, including O’Brien’s. Regardless of any insecurities people might have with me at the helm, they are one hundred percent supportive on the great job you do.”
Sasha beamed at the accolades.
Dana handed her the official letter from Human Resources, along with the salary increase notification. “It is retroactive to the beginning of the month.”
“Oh, my gosh. I didn’t expect this.” Sasha clutched the letter to her chest. Her eyes glistened as she swallowed her rising emotions.
“It is my pleasure.” Dana refrained from adding that Sasha might regret the new classification when she saw the level of her assignments and tasks. “Because you will be working on strategic tasks which will pull your attention from the mundane ones, you will have a junior a
ssistant to help you and to take on my more administrative responsibilities.”
“Oh.” Now Sasha sat up straighter.
“We can put our heads together to find the ideal candidate. I’ll do the final interviews, but you and HR can run with the first-round candidates. And I’d like this done sooner rather than later.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Oh, goodness, please do not go all O’Brien on me.”
They shared a laugh. The idea of promoting Sasha didn’t cause any doubts or hesitation for Dana. To have a right-hand person who could foresee rocky waters and hidden dangerous currents was vital. She didn’t need an executive coach to tell her that nugget. Common sense sometimes beat all the highfalutin management B.S. that so-called experts wanted to sell.
“Well, that’s it. If you have any questions, I’m here.”
“Thanks, Dana. I’m ready for this. You will not regret this one bit.”
“My pleasure.”
Sasha looked over at the miniature clock on a side table. “Time for your lunch.”
Only ten minutes to spare. Chances were that she’d be late. Great. She would not only be late to her meeting with her coach, but would have Grace as a witness.
Nothing to do but haul tail.
Chapter 4
Dana rushed into McCormick’s, which was already crowded with the lunch regulars. She didn’t have a chance to pull herself together before Grace raised her hand and flicked it, signaling Dana to approach. So much attitude oozed from Grace’s one movement and her imperious demeanor. Nonetheless, Dana resisted the urge to hurry to where Grace and Kent were seated. Time to reset the power balance, even if Grace wasn’t aware there was a battle of sorts going on.
“Hi, Grace. Good to see you.” Dana kissed her grandmother’s cheek. The woman could be Diana Ross’s twin in looks and Lena Horne in cool sophistication. However, the older woman couldn’t sing a lick, although that didn’t stop her from trying. Hence, the karaoke machine that Grace had bought for herself last year as a birthday gift.
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