One of a Kind

by Michelle Monkou

  “Everything at the office okay?” Grace looked pointedly at her watch.

  “Yes.” Dana turned her attention to Kent who was looking at her with an assessing regard. “Have you all had a chance to catch up?” Dana took the seat next to her grandmother’s, but opposite Kent. Seating options were limited—both choices were a burden on her nerves.

  “Kent was filling me in on his latest pursuits. I’m so glad that he could squeeze us in his busy schedule.” She patted the top of his hand.

  Dana almost choked on her glass of water that the waitress had brought over when she sat down. Since when did Grace have a soft spot for anyone? Granted, Dana herself sometimes managed to appeal to her grandmother, but only with a great deal of work and her grandfather’s intervention, and after lots of whining. Dana looked at Grace, then Kent. Good grief, she hoped that her grandmother wasn’t having a cougar moment. There were many stories floating around the family that Grace was quite the femme fatale. Her exploits were blamed on her great-aunt’s spinster state—years ago, Grace had eloped with her sister’s fiancé.

  Why else would Grace appear all soft and gooey over Kent, who certainly had the “it” factor to grab any female’s attention? He was more than just handsome, but really—her grandmother? Laughter bubbled up. She sputtered while taking a sip from her glass of water.

  “Are you all right?” Kent asked.

  Dana nodded, hiding the smile behind her napkin. “I think it’s time to order.”

  “I’m skipping lunch. Your grandfather is meeting me. We are going to the theater later tonight.” Grace turned her full attention to Dana at her side. “One of the things that Kent will be assisting us with is the strength-weakness analysis of the company. He can recommend a great advisor to help with the process. Makes sense in getting a full exam, don’t you think?”

  “Kent appears to have a lot of skills. From being my coach to analyzing companies.” Dana didn’t bother to hide the doubt. “Next he’ll be our life coach.”

  Grace tittered. “Kent, have you managed to include those services?”

  “I find that Americans tend to overindulge on the counseling approach, if you’re to believe those reality shows.”

  “That was a joke, not to be taken seriously.” Dana interrupted before her grandmother and this spin doctor invaded her life any further.

  “Might help, though.” Grace cocked an eyebrow.

  Dana’s cheeks burned.

  Kent broke in. “The company’s analysis will be intense, but can be completed within the month, maybe even shy of that. The survey results will be incorporated in the report. Dana and your company are my sole projects.”

  “Sounds good to me. Dana, make sure to bring it up in the meeting on Friday. And I also think that you should go to New York City, as soon as you can schedule it, and meet with the various division heads.”

  Dana nodded.

  Within Meadows Media, each business division had different audiences and measurements of success. As CEO, Dana would be expected to have the business chops to manage and make the tough decisions to keep both the headquarters and subsidiaries running. The usual meeting in New York City had decidedly now turned into a major deal, as the final meeting before the board made its decision.

  “One component to success that I stress with any CEO is the team,” Kent said, more to Grace than to Dana.

  “I do have a great team,” Grace responded with unmistakable confidence.

  “Each leader needs her own team.” Kent still kept his attention on Grace.

  “And Dana will have a great team when she takes over, with lots of years of experience. No need to upset the apple cart. Don’t you agree?” The question hung, pregnant and heavy, in the air.

  Dana resumed drinking her water.

  Kent looked as if he wanted to attempt to cut the tension between her and her grandmother. She hoped he didn’t try to play hero so early in the game. No need to instigate a contest to see whom Grace favored.

  Grace continued, unaware or clueless of the uneasiness that resulted in the wake of her announcements. “I also want you to attend the executive retreat in England.”

  “I thought that was optional. I don’t have time to do all this and run a company.” The brutally honest sentiment spilled out before Dana could restrain herself.

  Grace cleared her throat. “That’s why I’m still around.”

  Dana had taken on the position of acting CEO with full knowledge that her grandmother still had the reins wound around her hands. Once in a while, Dana was allowed to head up a team and run with an idea, but, for the most part, she didn’t do anything without first informing Grace. In the beginning, the staff was confused as to whom they should report; they only addressed Dana if Grace sent them her way.

  Everyone expected Grace to fully retire any day. Her continued presence at Meadows Media seemed to convey that although Dana had the acting CEO position, there might still be room for someone with better credentials to take the top spot. That possibility created a sharklike infestation in the corporate waters. One slight nick and the hint of blood would draw out the hungry, competitive swarm to take Dana out. What she couldn’t figure out was if this was all part of a test Grace created for her. Or did her grandmother truly think that she might not be up to par?

  “It’s a four-day seminar,” Kent offered, this time turning his attention to Dana.

  “I don’t have a choice.”

  “Good. Well, that’s settled.” Grace gathered up her personal items. “I’m going to leave you in Kent’s capable hands. I know you have your doubts about him. I want to lay your worries to rest. I’m confident you will find his input invaluable. He’s a wonder.” Again, she squeezed his hand and offered a rare, bright smile.

  Dana was ready to hurl. At least he didn’t respond like cougar bait.

  “Grace, I appreciate your confidence. Dana is in good hands.”

  Oh, wonderful, now they were talking as if she was ten years old and not in the room. She remained quiet, waiting for her grandmother’s exit.

  At last, Grace stood and fixed her clothes back into neat order. “Great. I’m glad that your tardiness allowed me a chance to catch up with Kent. I even tried to entice him to stay at the house.”

  “What?” Dana wanted to bite her tongue for reacting so sharply and loudly.

  “Thank you for the offer.” Kent didn’t offer a but.

  What the hell! Was he considering it?

  “Maybe next time.” Grace waved and left in a vapor trail of expensive perfume.

  Dana turned her attention to Kent. He’d better not take Grace up on her offer. This business arrangement was a tad too cozy. Still, she found herself shifting her chair closer to his in case they decided to talk about confidential business matters. The problem with being in such close proximity to Kent—while trying to think the worst of him—was that it didn’t work.

  Admiring him up close. Inhaling his cologne. Gazing at his hands and long, tapered fingers. Listening to his voice, deep, smooth, like a stroke across the skin.

  Those irritable thoughts about him took a sharp turn toward the land of temptation. From there, her thoughts descended toward an erotic fantasy of epic proportions. Naked abs, a hard, thick arousal. Dark brown bedroom eyes. British-accented, raw sex talk.

  Dana drank the remainder of her water. Her body had responded—wet and ready for action.

  * * *

  Kent didn’t realize until Grace’s departure how much her presence had affected the mood like a barometric reading. Although there was a subtle shift in Dana’s body language, he didn’t miss how her shoulders relaxed and the pinched expression, especially around her mouth, disappeared. Yet he didn’t get the impression that there was animosity between the two. From his outsider vantage point, he saw a proud, protective grandmother hovering, som
etimes too close, to a granddaughter who seemed unsure.

  He couldn’t tell if the CEO position was Dana’s calling or if it was a role borne out of expectation.

  Today, Grace had stopped dancing around a prickly issue related to his assignment. In his final report, he had to provide his recommendation on whether or not Dana was deemed a good fit for the position of CEO of Meadows Media. The board, made up of family, outside investors, and salaried employees, was unsure and, although Grace had the final say, they did have the power to make the transition a smooth one or a mutinous one. Someone could have all the skills, push the right buttons, step up to be an effective leader. But that wasn’t whom Grace wanted to fill her shoes. She wanted someone who couldn’t see himself or herself anywhere but in those shoes. All her life, Dana had been groomed. At the end of the day, grooming worked, but only up to a point. The remaining ingredient was passion.

  In order for him to get to the passion, though, Kent had to get to know Dana. Really know her. The way her gaze, dark and angry, slashed over him told him that the job would be darn difficult. He waved the waitress over and asked for another glass of water with lemon. Once Dana gave her order for some type of tofu salad, Kent provided a selection that was at the opposite end of the caloric range. Something told him this job would test his skills, his patience, and his good sense.

  As Dana drank her replenished water, all he saw was the motion of her throat as she swallowed. He followed the slender length to the small opening V at the top of her dress that showed off the indentation at the base of her throat. The garment’s silky top molded smoothly to her shoulders and arms. He’d be a hypocrite if he didn’t admit to admiring how it also thinly shielded the swell of her breasts.

  When the waitress approached with his small bowl of chicken noodle soup, and later his burger, Kent almost popped up out of his seat to meet her halfway for his food and Dana’s. Any distraction was desirable to snap the strange mood created by this delicate link between him and Dana.

  “That looks...interesting.” Inedible was more like what he was thinking when he saw her tofu, spinach and eggplant meal. There were other wilted green leaves that didn’t quite look like lettuce. And the colorful combination of ingredients didn’t match the seemingly boring nature of her dish. Again, Kent wondered if Dana was a health nut, not that he minded. He was quite pleased with the results.

  “This is a special greens mix that the chef has made. Full of antioxidants.”

  “Mmm.” He bit into his burger and relished the juice that spilled out. While Kent was visiting America, he was determined to try as many as possible of the country’s celebrated foods, with lots of toppings and tasty condiments. To combat the effects of his eating plan, Kent had scheduled occasional workouts in a gym. He suspected that, after this trip, he’d also have to be nibbling on food fit for a rabbit.

  “Would you like to try some?”

  “No, thank you.” Kent became even more definitive in his dietary goal when the familiar green beverage appeared. If Dana kept drinking this green nonsense, he might never kiss those lovely red lips.

  His fork clattered against the plate. “Pardon me. Slipped.” Indecision wasn’t a part of his genetic makeup. Something as simple as kissing her wasn’t about if it should happen. Instead, the thought, appearing clear and brash in his mind, only prompted the question of when the kiss would occur. Once this job was done, he had every intention of engaging in a romantic liaison with Miss Meadows.

  “I hope that I don’t make you nervous.” Her dimple winked at him.

  “Not at all.” Once this job was done.

  “What do I make you feel?” she asked after chewing on the leaves.

  Hard.

  “Forget the question. It’s actually not important. I don’t think you’ll be around long enough for it to matter.”

  “Have everything all figured out, do you?” Kent didn’t like being dismissed.

  “It’s my job to do so.”

  “Do you see what you do as a job?”

  She drained her glass of its hideous contents. “What else is it?” Her tongue did its customary sweep, left to right, leaving her lips moist and wet.

  He shrugged. Desire kept turning up his temperature to a squirm-in-the-seat level. “I’m wondering if you’re the nine-to-five type, or do you pull all-nighters?”

  “If you have a good staff in place, there is no need to pull all-nighters,” Dana said. “Grace only works with the best.”

  “I’m sure Grace pulled all-nighters.” Kent wasn’t correcting her notion. Grace was known for her workaholic tendencies. Her granddaughter, however, had a tendency to be known for large parties that had people begging to be on the invite list.

  Dana leveled a death glare at him. “Everyone has his or her own style...and can still get the job done.” She signaled the waitress to the table, flashing her credit card.

  “I was planning to get it.” The driver’s seat was getting mighty small, with both of them jockeying for position.

  “Unnecessary. Grace invited us to lunch and skipped. So we could eat and finish whatever preliminary work needed to be done in order for you to proceed.”

  “In that case, thank you.” He leaned back and waited for the waitress to swipe her card on the gadget attached to the check-holder. “I’ve sent you the survey.”

  “I saw it as I was leaving. I’ll have it to you by tomorrow.” Dana looked at her watch. “The department meeting is on Friday. You’re coming?”

  “Of course.” He wanted to see her work with more than just him or Sasha.

  “I hope you’re not going to act like every move warrants note-taking.”

  “I do make notes, but not while I’m processing.”

  “Ah, so this is what this is. Processing.”

  “Yes.” Kent didn’t care for the smirk that tugged playfully at her mouth.

  “And you don’t share your notes.” She bit her lip.

  “No,” Kent answered with emphasis. No, as in stop biting your lip. He wanted to do that.

  “How about the processing?” Dana asked.

  “Sometimes.” He knew that he had to offer her feedback eventually. She knew it, too. “I will share it with you and Grace because it may shape some of the business recommendations.”

  A shadow of unease flickered over her face, removing any hint of amusement.

  “I don’t blindside clients.” He attempted to reassure her. Making her comfortable was important for him to complete his job. However, there was no denying that winning over Dana served his own needs and intentions. That promise to himself, to wait until after the job was done before turning on the charm, steadily rang hollow.

  She shrugged. Again, the top of her dress slid up and down over her full breasts. Kent had to work on keeping his gaze averted. He had never gotten thrown off a project before, and he had no doubt that Dana would happily volunteer for the opportunity to toss him out on his ear. If he couldn’t keep his head together, she might get the chance.

  His unusually strong attraction to Dana Meadows put Kent’s defenses on alert, especially since he sensed that she was checking him out, too. He needed to build up reinforcement to stay focused, as soon as possible. Nothing that he couldn’t handle.

  But in the meantime, if he could only put his hands on her full, curved butt cheeks, he could get it out of his system. Sometimes, he knew, eradicating something from a diet was worse than sampling tiny portions. Kent licked his lips and tried to push down his arousal before leaving the cover of the table. His abandoned, half-eaten burger had to be sacrificed to the bin.

  Chapter 5

  Dana would rather run with the bulls in Spain than run the department heads’ meeting. Heck, she’d rather cut out of work early and join the Friday happy hour crew than have Kent in observation mode for the next hour. Taking a d
eep breath, she pulled open the conference room door.

  The conference room was filled with Meadows Media’s senior management. Dana sat at the head of the table, acutely aware of the staff’s unease. She was heading the meeting without Grace for the first time. The staff’s glances shifted between her and Kent, who sat in the extra seating area along the outer edge of the room.

  Sasha made her way around the room, distributing updated agendas. A few department heads who’d procrastinated with turning in their reports handed their USB sticks to her. Each person seated at the table had to present their weekly reports on their department’s work, along with accompanying statistical data in a PowerPoint presentation.

  At two o’clock on the dot, Dana cleared her throat loudly and tapped the file in her hands on the table to signal the start of the meeting. Grace should be impressed that she started on time.

  “Good afternoon to all of you. Before we get underway, I’d like to introduce Kent Fraser, a consultant, who will be working on business development for Meadows Media.”

  Everyone looked at Kent, who stood and curtly nodded. Dana didn’t miss the women who gave him the once-over. She also didn’t miss that they wrote notes on the edges of their agendas and slid them across the table for their female peers to read. The men also appeared to note Kent’s good looks, but probably viewed them as some sort of competition. They corrected their postures, straightened their ties, or smoothed their shirtfronts. As a rule, it didn’t pay to have a boyfriend who was too good-looking. Not that she considered him boyfriend material—too proper, too well-mannered, too subdued. She always had an attraction to a bad-boy type. Kent Fraser didn’t have a bad bone anywhere. Maybe if he hung out in America long enough, she could corrupt him.

  Dana fanned away the blush that suffused her entire face. There was nothing boyish about this tall, fine man.

  Realizing that the attention was back on her, Dana continued, “Please extend Kent any assistance that he may need.”