A Tropical Rendezvous: A BWWM Interracial Bad Boy Billionaire Multicultural Romance (African American Romance) (7 page)

Chapter One

“Dax we need a new strategy to roll out our new product line.” His father, Kurt Hollingsworth, leaned back in his chocolate leather high-backed chair and stared at him.

“What’s wrong with the strategy I’ve already settled on?” It was a simple launch that would include ads in newspapers, magazines and online catalog websites. He’d purchased billboard space for prime locations in a dozen large cities in the U.S. with plans to expand into Europe and Asia.

“Nothing. If we were launching this line fifteen years ago.” Kurt planted his feet on the floor and stared at his son, studying him. “You need to start focusing on the future, which is now. How many people under forty do you know who read the newspaper and still subscribe to magazines?”

He thought about it, but they both knew the answer. “None off the top of my head.”

He scoffed. “More like none full stop. Look Dax, you need to embrace the world as it is now and that means digital media.” Kurt lifted his hand to stop the tirade he knew was coming. They’d been through it too many times. “I want you to find the most popular digital celebrities to help us market to their followers.”

“No, Dad. Absolutely not.” He hated this age of celebrity. Every single person in the country thought they had what it took to be famous by doing something stupid. They weren’t celebrities, they were fame seekers. Lazy and shallow people with no other talents than to shock and be beautiful. “HOLLINGSWORTH can stand on its own as a brand. We don’t need to bring in pseudo-celebrities to help.”

“You think that, but you’re wrong. Do you know of a guaranteed way to reach one and a half million views simply by donating a few products, because I don’t.” Kurt stood and walked around his large mahogany desk, leaning against it right in front of his son. “Sure your billboards and magazine ads will draw in a few thousand if we’re lucky, but Norah Tompkins of Fit Fashions, she’s a good bet for us. Her followers—all 1.5 million of them—trust her and buy what she tells them to buy. And best of all, the majority of her followers are 18 to 35 years old. She reaches out to men and women and she is who I want for this.”

“This is a bad idea, Dad. All we need is for her to get picked up for a DUI or drunk and disorderly. It’ll screw up our launch and it could ruin the affordable luxury line before it even got off the ground.” He’d worked too hard at HOLLINGSWORTH, since he was sixteen years old, to let it be ruined by a fame chaser. He’d learned the entire company from the bottom up and he was ready to take over as CEO when his father retired.

“See, if you knew anything about new media you would have done your homework like I did. Not only does Norah have a ridiculous number of loyal followers, she also has a squeaky clean image. From what I can tell, she’s never been photographed outside of the work she does for her channel.”

“And if that changes?”

“Then her profile increases and her membership likely will. If she does punch out a reality TV star, let’s hope she does it wearing HOLLINGSWORTH affordable luxury goods.” He laughed and patted his son on the shoulder. “Go talk to her.”

Dax sighed and ran a hand through his cropped black locks. “Do I have a choice?”

“There’s always a choice, son. Either show me you have CEO potential or that you don’t.” He gave a sardonic smile. “I’m not trying to make your life difficult, Dax but you are stuck in the past and it’s not coming back.”

“New doesn’t always mean better.”

“I know that, but it doesn’t mean it’s worse either. Magazine and newspaper subscriptions are down by sixty percent in the past decade which means our ads are reaching fewer people. With DVRs and online streaming, no one is watching commercials anymore.”

Dax scoffed bitterly. “But they’re willing to watch a fifteen minute commercial by some hack?”

“They’re willing to watch a knowledgeable and trustworthy person show them how to create makeup looks and style clothes for their body and their budget. If she’s putting together HOLLINGSWORTH outfits people will want them.”

“You’re so sure?”

Kurt nodded. “I talked to Vaughn over at Deluxe and he said they’re trying to do an exclusive contract with Norah because she’s been such an asset to them.” Kurt wanted to do the same thing, but he wanted Dax to figure it out on his own. His son could be a great CEO if he wasn’t so much like his grandfather.

Dax smiled. “Great so she can’t work for us anyway.”

“Not quite. She hasn’t signed yet and anyway she doesn’t want exclusivity because it might hurt
her
brand. They want a guaranteed number of videos per year and I think that’s a great idea.” He pushed off the desk and walked around to his chair. “I have a meeting soon, son. Think about what I said.”

Dax nodded and left. He was sure he wouldn’t be thinking about anything else for a long time.

***

“This is Norah, signing off. Thanks for joining me for my five thousandth episode of Fit Fashions. Be sure to check out my website for a chance to win this Deluxe Beach Beauty makeup kit.” Norah Tompkins stopped the recording for the new boutique makeup kit she’d just received and blew out a long breath. She’d done three videos today and now she was literally all dressed up with no place to go. She never really had any place to go because she worked at home, and she was sick to death of the dating and club scenes.

Standing up she eyed herself in the mirror, knowing she had two choices. Force herself to go out, which would serve as a reminder of
why
she didn’t go out or seek out Thad. “Thad,” she said aloud and opened her door, walking the five feet to his door.

“Yes, darling?” He opened the door with his usual flourish and a happy smile for her. “How can I help make your day fabulous?”

She laughed at his theatrics. “I’m all styled with nowhere to go so I figured I could talk you into doing some promo shots for me?” These shots were further advertisement for her clients and only increased her own visibility.

“Sure let me grab a couple lights and I’ll be over in a sec.”

Norah knew she could count on Thad. He was her closest friend even though they’d only met three years ago when he’d moved in across the hall. As a professional photographer his schedule was as erratic as hers and they often spend long days together around the pool sipping margaritas. Her three bedroom apartment was more of an office than a home. One bedroom was her office and the other was her studio and that was where she stood, changing the backdrops while Thad set up his lights. “I’m thinking a navy blue back for this outfit,” she told him.

Thad nodded and waved her to stand in the spotlight created by his lights. “To the right, love,” he told her and took a few test shots.

“Are you ever going to introduce me to Kip or should I believe you made him up?” She laughed at his incredulous expression.

“You know, I could easily make your skin look oily in these photos.” He clicked a few more and smiled, finally happy with the settings. “Stand tall and smile. You know I don’t need to make up a man. Kip is fabulous. A sexy blonde blue blood with no gag reflex.”

Norah couldn’t help it, she laughed with her whole body, unaware Thad was still shooting her. “TMI, Thad. TMI.”

He shrugged. “You asked. Besides you can meet him tonight if you want. He’s coming to pick me up for dinner.” He continued to shoot while she moved to highlight the clothes in the best light. “Do you have any fun swag I can use for my date tonight?”

Norah tapped her chin as she thought. “Oh! I do have something but I’ll need something from you.” She explained about the shaving kit. “I need a man’s face and you have a great face. Sit for the video and it’s all yours.”

“Deal,” he smiled and grabbed the comfy chair she used when she worked on other people. “Lather me up, babe!” Thad talked while she gathered everything and changed the backdrop color. “So tell me about your love life, doll face.”

Norah sighed. “There’s nothing to tell, my friend. Regular guys have issues with my job or they belittle it as
just a hobby
, and the others are Vine or Periscope stars looking to boost their brand and increase followers.”

“Oooh let me set you up! Kip has some wonderful and hot friends. They’re also rich,” he stage whispered.

“No thanks. Now be still so we can get this started. Norah smiled, keeping her voice even as she narrated her actions. “We’re going to start with a hot towel to soften up the hair on your handsome face,” she added and turned to her whiteboard to make notes. She used the brush to make circular motions on Thad’s face with the foam when her bell rang. “Hang on a sec, Thad.” She pressed pause on the video and went to the door.

She pulled the door open to reveal a handsome man with raven hair and grey eyes. “Yes?”

“Norah Tomkins?”

His gruff voice caught her off guard. “Who’s asking?”

The hot guy in the suit rolled his eyes. “Seriously?”

Norah kept her mouth shut and stared at him expectantly.

With an exaggerated sigh he sticks his hand out to her. “Dax Hollingsworth.”

“Can I help you with something, Dax?”

“You seriously don’t know who I am?”

His presumptuousness rankled, but she didn’t say anything about it. “Should I?”

He shook his head, annoyed with the beautiful woman. “I’m the marketing director for HOLLINGSWORTH and you spoke with my father, Kurt, about using your
platform
,” he said the word with such distaste she winced, “to promote our new line.”

Ah, the son.
“Right. Okay. I’m in the middle of something but you can come on in and wait. I’ll be finished in about five minutes, or you can make an appointment and come back then.” Norah took a step back to allow him to enter, which she knew he would.

“I’ll wait, but not too long.”

She shrugged. “Your choice,” and walked back to her studio where Thad waited with a face full of high end shaving foam. “Okay Thad, we’re about to start.”

Dax watched, first her hands as she sharpened the old looking straight razor and then her lush mouth as her sweet husky voice described each move she made. She quickly shaved the man he assumed was her boyfriend without one nick or cut.

“There you go, Thad,” she whipped off the warm towel on his face and patted some gel onto his face. “He looks beautiful, doesn’t he?” Still cupping his face, she turned so they both faced the camera for several long seconds. “Alright we’re done. Thanks so much, Thad. You’re the best.” She shoved the products in his arms with detailed instructions. “Have fun on your date. Do I need to come and threaten this Kip character?”

Thad laughed. “No. He’s harmless,” he told her and smacked a kiss on her cheek before turning to Dax. “Oh my, you are just too damn good looking.” He narrowed his gaze, “Do I need to threaten you?”

Dax swallowed and shook his head. “I hope not,” he said and stood taller to show the man he would not be intimidated.

“Down boy, he’s from HOLLINGSWORTH.”

Thad’s blue gaze widened. “Wow. You are far younger and hotter than I thought you’d be,” he drawled with a hand to his chest.

“He’s the son.”

“He’s right here,” Dax added, growing uncomfortable under the man’s intense scrutiny.

“Makes sense,” Thad added as though he hadn’t just spoken. “You’re straight aren’t you?”

“I am.”

Thad shrugged. “Pity. Anyway, later gators,” he tossed over his shoulder as he breezed out of Norah’s apartment.

When they were alone again Norah queued up the video before exiting the room. She gestured with her head for him to follow her. “So Dax, why are you here?”

Dax took blew out a long breath. “My father thinks your service can provide some help to the launch of our new product lines.”

Norah grabbed two waters from the fridge and sat one in front of him before she took a seat in the chair across from him. “First of all I don’t offer a service. Second, I’m guessing by your tone you don’t think I can help.”

Dax gave a curt nod and waited for the sales pitch.

“Then why are you here?” She didn’t have to pitch herself much these days and she certainly wouldn’t for someone who had a clear bias and she guessed, not very much knowledge.

“My father thinks it’s a good idea,” he murmured, a small blush creeping up his face.

She laughed. “I got it. So, why are
you
here?”

“To see if his idea has any merit.”

Norah stood. “Here’s my card. Check out the website and the channel and if you decide you want my help, my contact information is right there.” She walked to the door and held it open. “Have a good evening Dax.”

***

Dax started the engine on his Mercedes and sat there for a moment. He couldn’t believe he’d let that Norah woman kick him out of her house. No one ever kicked him out, especially not women. Typically they did everything possible to keep him around as long as possible. But that beautiful woman with the butterscotch skin hadn’t done anything to keep him around. In fact he didn’t think she liked him all that much, before or after learning his name.