by Sierra Rose
“And that’s what I hope to do.”
“What’s truly important to you as a man? Simply ask yourself, what’s truly important to you?”
“I don’t know. Maybe work. I’d have to really think about that.”
“If nothing’s coming to you, don’t worry. Just keep thinking. I’ll ask you later. Just be completely honest.”
“Right off the bat, do you see any strengths in me?” he asked.
I peered at him for a moment, and then responded. “You don’t give up. You don’t crumble under pressure. Instead, you stay strong and climb the necessary obstacles on your path to achieve success.”
“Thank you, Rebecca.”
“How about me? Anything particular stick out?”
He smiled. “Absolutely. Your strengths are compassion, empathy, and a caring nature. I’ve seen you in action at the hospice center. The residents speak very highly of you. One time, you called off when I was there for a meeting. Mrs. Harkson refused to let anyone take care of her but you. She was screaming your name in the lobby and refused all care.”
“Thanks, Marcus for the sweet compliments. And I love Mrs. Harkson. She’s the nicest lady ever.”
I talked about my job and Marcus didn’t get annoyed like most guys did. It was refreshing. I told him all about my patients and how much I enjoyed my job. He thought it was sweet how I spent my own money to buy patients the extra stuff they wanted. I even bought Mrs. Zacks a cheeseburger meal for lunch. She said it was her biggest dream. So I went and got her “biggest dream.” Her eyes widened and I’d never seen somebody so happy. If I could make one person happy for just a moment, then that made me happy. We laughed and talked for hours.
Three hours and six combined coffees later, we were pulling into the club.
“Okay, let’s recap.” Marcus leaned across the limo and straightened my ponytail. I wondered if this “casual touch” thing was as strange for him as it was for me. If he found it at all unusual, he certainly wasn’t letting on. “First thing, we find Mr. Takahari and invite him to a game. Then I’ll—”
“No,” I interrupted, “that’s not what we agreed.”
Marcus rolled his eyes. “All right. First thing, we find you a bathroom, then we find Mr. Takahari.”
“And I will charm him with my stunning wit.”
“Then I’ll spin a casual conversation into an investment pitch somewhere between the eighth and ninth hole...”
“...while I’ll be guzzling cosmos and showing off my new bracelet.”
I grinned happily and jiggled it around my wrist so it could catch the sun. The only diamonds I’d ever worn were a pair of my mother’s earrings that she loaned me for my college graduation. But according to Marcus, “cocktails and gemstones” were the foundations upon which the “sport” of golf was built. On the way to the club, he’d stopped at Tiffany’s and I’d gotten to browse around and select anything I liked. I had gone with a gorgeous laced tennis bracelet—half to show solidarity with my favorite sport (which was actually a sport), half because I literally gasped when I saw it. My only condition was that we return it the next day. Marcus had protested endlessly, but I couldn’t, by any stretch of the imagination, reconcile a diamond bracelet being part of him “covering expenses.” No—the fairy tale ended at noon, and my sparkling new toy turned back into a hospice ID band.
But until then...no reason I couldn’t flaunt it a little...
Marcus’ nervous face actually broke into a smile, as he watched me twisting my arm in the sunbeams, scattering bits of light in a haloed circle around us.
“I really wish you’d let me just get that for you.”
I shook my head and smoothed the skirt of my white, starched cocktail dress. “No, ‘cause then the next day you’ll be like, ‘where are my diamonds, don’t I get diamonds too?’ And then what would I do? It’s an endless cycle. Best to just head it off at the pass.”
When his eye fixed on mine, I couldn’t tell if they were catching the light from my bracelet or if they were really just that sparkling. Either way, they held me momentarily in place.
“I’ve never met a girl who would turn down diamonds.”
I broke our gaze with a shrug. “I’ve never met a guy whose morning ritual was to scream at Geneva, but we all have our quirks, don’t we?” As the driver opened the door, I slid gracefully out of the car, keeping a careful hand on the hem of my skirt as I climbed past him. “And on that note, Marcus, I have to be honest with you.”
He slid out next to me and froze obediently as I straightened his collar.
“If there’s one thing I’ve discovered about you in our short time together, it’s this...”
A dozen flashbulbs went off, and we automatically posed, continuing to talk through perfect, pasted smiles.
“You’re not what the press makes you out to be. You’ve won me over with your kind and loving heart. Meeting you at that little coffee shop was fate.”
He smiled.
He had the most amazing smile I’d ever seen. And he was smiling at me...
Chapter 16
After what seemed like an eternity, we finally made it through the lines of press and strolled, arm in arm, into the country club. It looked exactly how I imagined it from seeing mock representations in a dozen movies and shows. Only this time the stakes were real, the prices were high, and the looks I was getting from the other women were nothing short of scathing.
“The powder room is right over there,” Marcus murmured, gesturing with one hand while keeping the other on the small of my back.
I eyed the murderous faces of the harpies between us with dread. “Just a friendly observation,” I whispered back, “saying words like ‘powder room,’ it’s kind of old-fashioned. And I want to keep you hip, Mr. Billionaire.”
His eyes narrowed, and he leaned down to whisper something equally cutting, but I quickly detached myself and breezed away. When I found him again a few minutes later, he was standing in front of the wall-to-wall windows, holding two drinks. One was something clear and deadly; the other was fruity and shockingly pink.
I opted for the latter, sipped it gratefully as my eyes darted around the room. No, I wasn’t imagining it. These women were hating on me for real. But it wasn’t like they’d been gunning for Marcus—they’d all already come here with someone else. I didn’t understand.
“Do you know how silly I felt ordering that?” Marcus asked, eying the oversized umbrella with disdain. “Men don’t order pink drinks.”
I grinned and held it up. “Try it, you’ll definitely like it.”
“I’m not trying that.”
“Why, ’cause it isn’t single malt?” I lowered my voice theatrically, and his stern demeanor cracked again in a boyish smile.
“Is that really how I sound to you?”
“Try my drink and I’ll tell you.”
His eyes flashed down to mine, but before he could say anything, my face brightened with a welcoming smile.
“Mr. Takahari!” I greeted him. “It’s so good to see you again!”
“Rebecca.” He opened his arms, and I ducked inside for a quick but warm embrace. “I’m pleased that you accepted my invitation.”
“Well, you know this one.” I cocked my head toward Marcus and rolled my eyes. “If I hadn’t insisted we go out, he’d still be on the couch, drooling over the stock exchange.”
Takahari roared with laughter, but this time, I was wise enough to take a step back. “And what is that you’re drinking?” he asked curiously. “I’ve never seen anything like that here.”
“It’s some mango-strawberry-vodka extravagance. Want to try?” I offered it to him and he took a huge gulp.
“That’s quite delicious. And surprisingly strong.” He turned to one of his henchmen and muttered something in Japanese. A moment later, the man appeared with another. “Now Rebecca, will you and Marcus do me the honor of accompanying me on the green today?”
Oh, shit...that was seriously deviating from th
e plan. Not to mention, I’d never swung a golf club in my life.
“I think I’m going to stay here and guard the bar,” I said quickly, “but I’m sure Marcus would love to go.”
Marcus stepped forward, but Takahari held up his hand. “Nonsense! You are both my guests today. I require both of you. Now come, we’ll get you fitted with some clubs.”
He headed out without another word, leaving us no choice but to follow. And while Marcus strutted confidently after him, I discreetly clawed at his arm.
“Wait,” I whispered in a rush, “I can’t do this.”
He guided me through the crowd of people, never breaking his stride. “Is this like dancing again?”
“No, much worse.” I had to make him believe me. “Marcus, I’ve never played golf in my entire life—I don’t even know the rules.”
“It’s pretty simple.” We got to some sort of armory, and he loaded up two bags with clubs. “You try to sink the ball into the hole, as quickly as possible.” I bit my lip and he held up a pre-emptive hand. “If you’re about to make a ‘that’s what she said’ joke, this isn’t the place—”
“No, I’m being serious.” I grabbed his arm and he finally paused. “I have no idea what I’m doing, and I don’t want to mess this up for you. I know how you people seem to take golf really seriously...”
His face softened, and before I knew what was happening, he leaned down and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I stared up in surprise. We were standing by ourselves on the patio. No one was watching, were they?
“You’re not going to mess anything up,” he promised. Then he straightened out with a wink. “Besides...I can teach you how to swing.”
I closed my eyes with a grimace as Takahari spotted us and headed our way. “Fine,” I muttered under my breath, “but I better be allowed to drive the golf cart.”
As it turned out, I absolutely was not allowed to drive the cart. Nor was I allowed to hide discreetly behind Marcus as Takahari insisted that he and I were partners (did golf have partners?) and forced me to walk with him up ahead. Before the first hole, Marcus did teach me how to swing, but I swear, the entire experience left me more flustered than before.
“You just grip it loosely along the ridges here.” His body curved up behind mine, and I felt myself overheating despite the cool breeze. “Then twist from your hips to follow through.”
I gave it my best. “Like that?”
His chest shook as he chuckled silently behind me. “Have you even seen this done before?”
I twisted my head with a glare. “The only time I paid attention to a golf swing was when it decapitated a person in the season finale of CSI.”
More quiet laughter. “Well, then, just think of the ball as a really tiny head. Can you do that?”
My voice grew acidic. “Oh, I have someone in mind.”
“Now twist from the hips and relax.”
I tried it again with about as much success as the first time, and a moment later, a pair of cool hands wound around my hips. My breath caught in my chest as Marcus gently guided me through the twisting gesture he was trying to explain—his body mimicking the motion behind me. Almost too soft to notice, I felt his forehead press down against my hair. There was a sudden stillness behind me, and I realized he wasn’t breathing either.
A shiver ran up my spine, and when I felt like my body was going to literally explode, I scrambled to come up with something—anything—to say.
“...this feels like more than just acting.”
My eyes snapped shut. That was not what I had in mind. But as Marcus pulled away he laughed aloud, twirling a club in his hand. “Give it another try.”
I glanced out nervously at the green. “Do you think I should take off my bracelet first? I don’t want it falling off...”
“It’ll be fine. Now stop stalling and swing.”
“Just put it in your pocket for me.”
“It’s not going to come off—just swing the club.”
“Marcus—”
“Now, Miss White!”
“Fine!”
With a silent prayer, I squinted shut my eyes, yelled a pre-emptive “Four” and gave it everything I had. A loud whoop behind me jolted me out of my thoughts. I gazed out at my ball as it landed shockingly close to the little flag.
“Did you see that?” I screeched.
Without stopping to think, Marcus scooped me up in his arms and spun me around in a circle. “That was brilliant!”
“I twisted from the hips!”
“You twisted from the hips!”
Our laughter slowly faded as we stared into each other’s eyes. I flushed and glanced away as his hands quickly loosened. He set me gently on the ground and took a small step back just as Takahari came around the corner, squinting off across the lawn.
“Akio, did you see that?” I cried.
Marcus raised his eyebrows and muttered, “Akio?”
Takahari used his hands like a visor. “Was that you, Marcus?”
Marcus grinned proudly and turned to me. “Actually, no. That was Rebecca.”
“Really?” Takahari took me by the arm and started leading me up the lawn to follow the shot. “In that case, Miss White, you need to let me in on your secret.”
“It’s all in the hips...” I said sagely, rejoining Takahari. Marcus and a henchman climbed into the cart and sped past us over the green.
The old man and I walked for a while longer in comfortable silence, before he turned to me speculatively. “Did you see the article that came out this morning?”
There was a hitch in my step. “I did.”
“Didn’t paint your boyfriend in the best of light.”
“No,” I admitted with a sigh. “I guess it didn’t.” We walked a few steps farther when I pulled us to a sudden stop. “But you know, Marcus never claimed to be a saint.”
Takahari looked at me curiously. “Go on.”
My eyes flickered across the green as I tried to think of how to phrase it. In the end, I simply shook my head. “I think any man who gives four million dollars each year to fight the disease that killed his mother is worth consideration.”
The old man nodded, but his face was hard. “Sentimentality isn’t the greatest attribute when it comes to business.”
“I have to disagree. We shouldn’t be afraid of the full range of human emotions, even if some of them may seem too sweet. It makes your company more human, right? And that gives it the competitive advantage.”
He laughed and took my arm again as we continued walking.
“The four most important traits in an advisor are integrity, competency, accessibility, and amiability. Marcus is all of these. Now, you know that integrity is the most important trait of all.”
“Yes, I agree. It’s the quality of being honest and fair.”
“We both know that Marcus is honest. His father was honest. He comes from an honest, hardworking family.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
“He’s competent. Marcus has a broad knowledge in many areas. He can give you sound advice on estate planning issues, income tax law, retirement planning, insurance and risk management, cash flow, and budgeting, and business succession planning.”
“Marcus is very knowledgeable. Even more so than his father.”
“Accessibility,” I continued. “Although this is important, without integrity and competence, accessibility is meaningless. When you have a need and call your advisor, Marcus is always available. I know he picks his business over anything else. Because he loves what he does and it means everything to him.”
“He always takes my call.”
“Amiable. Again, without the first three traits, this is pointless. Marcus is friendly and pleasant.”
“He’s very charming. He’s taken me out to dinner a number of times. But I don’t like his womanizing ways. That’s what bothers me.”
“He has me now. I think Marcus was just lost for a while. When his father died, he turned to the love of his l
ife. When she rejected him, he didn’t take the loss of her and his father very well. Bottom line, he lost it. But he’s learned from his mistakes. He doesn’t want to lose me. And he’s going to work hard to be a better man. I think everyone deserves a second chance. Don’t you?”
He looked at me as he pondered.
“Markus will be loyal to your company. He’ll work hard and be committed to your company's success. He’ll work for you and do his best and often even put your company's interests ahead of his own. You know that firsthand. And he’s not only loyal to the company, but he’s also loyal to you. Your company means everything to him. Markus told me his dad worked hard for you. Now please give Marcus the same opportunity. He has so many ideas and plans to take you to the next level, including a merger. You just have to take a chance. He’s a good man and I think you know that, Mr. Takahari.”
“Would you invest your money with him?”
My eyes travelled to where Marcus was standing in the sun, gazing out over the lengthy course as he considered his next move. The corners of my lips curved up in a little smile at the look of extreme concentration furrowing his handsome face. Then, without a moment’s hesitation, he took a swing and sent the ball sailing toward the next hole.
“You know what...” We both watched as it hit the flag, “...I think I would.”
Chapter 17
“He wants to set up a meeting!” Marcus beamed as the limo sped away into the setting sun. “I can’t believe it! A preliminary strategy session to talk about a merger.”
As I gazed out the window, I couldn’t help but smile. “That’s amazing, Marcus.”
“I don’t know what you said to him out there, but whatever it was, it worked!”
I twisted around to face him. “It wasn’t me—that was all you. You’re the one he’s thinking of investing with.”
For the second time that day, his hand flashed out and caught my wrist. When I glanced up in surprise, he was staring at me intently, his face both thoughtful and sincere.
“I’m serious, Rebecca. This meant the world to me. Thank you.”
I gave him a genuine smile. “You’re welcome.”
He grinned, and his face lit up once more with that boyish enthusiasm. “Well, the day’s not over yet. Where do you want to go? It can be anywhere.” He faltered for a second at my expression and quickly corrected himself, “Or I can just take you home. Whatever you want.”