Atlantis (9 page)

Chapter Seventeen

             
"That went so much better than I thought it would," Sloane said once Becky left the office.

             
"I know. I think she's more excited about this opportunity than we are." Candace laughed. "So, tomorrow we'll meet with Maddox, sign the contracts, and then pack for Fiji."

             
Sloane squealed. "Yay! I'm so excited for this. Fiji!"

             
"I know! I've always wanted to go there." Candace flopped down on the couch in the office and sighed. "So, I met a guy at the gym today."

             
"You did?" Sloane sat next to her sister, her eyes wide. "Spill it, sis. Give me the details."

             
Candace laughed again. She spent the next few minutes telling Sloane all about Harvey and how they met. Then Candace said, "I feel like we're on a roll here. I say we call Johl and have another meeting with him. I want to sing him, Sloane. I think we can do this."

             
"I'll call him right now."

             
"Wait." Candace put her hand on Sloane's, stopping her from dialing his number. "Before you do, I want details."

             
Sloane laughed. "I thought you didn't approve of me and Johl."

             
"It's not that I don't approve, it's just…" Candace sighed. "It's unprofessional to sleep with a potential client and I just don't want it to backfire on any of us."

             
Sloane rolled her eyes. "You worry too much. It's not an issue, I promise."

             
"Okay." Candace listened with interest as Sloane recounted her date with Johl. From the animation of her voice, and the twinkle in her eyes, Candace knew that Sloane really liked this guy and Candace really wanted things to work out for her sister. After what Nate did, Sloane deserved to be happy.

             
"He's amazing, Candace. He texts and calls every day and he makes me laugh. I think he could be the one."

             
Candace smiled. She'd heard that before. "Well, give him a call and let's sign him."

             
Sloane called, but then hung up and frowned. "I forgot, he left today for a shoot in California. He won't be back until the middle of the week."

             
"Okay, well, leave a message for him and let him know that we'd like to meet with him when we return from Fiji." Candace leaned her head back on the couch and closed her eyes. A few months ago, things seemed hopeless, and now, they were on top of the world again. It felt great!

*****

              "You did what?" Sloane shouted, slamming her palms on top of the desk.

             
"Easy, Sloane," Candace said, gently touching Sloane's arm.

             
Sloane stood up straight and blew out a breath. Her hands were shaking, so she folded them over her chest, hoping no one noticed. She and Candace had returned from Fiji late last night and first thing this morning they'd met with Johl. Last time Sloane had spoken to him on the phone, he sounded like he was ready to sign with Parker, Inc., but now…

             
"I don't understand why you're so upset," Johl said calmly. "It's not like I lied to you, either of you." He looked back and forth between Sloane and Candace. "I was very honest with you that I was considering other offers."

             
"We're not saying you did," Candace said, "but we were under the impression that this was a sure thing, that you'd be signing with us."

             
"And I had every intention of doing so. But when Balmain Models approached me with an offer, I couldn't refuse." Johl stood and paced the office. He stopped and looked at Sloane. "I'm sorry, but I have to do what's best for my career, and right now, Balmain is my best option."

             
Sloane looked away from him, the sting of tears sharp in her eyes.

             
"I'll give you two a few minutes alone." Candace excused herself and left the office.

             
Johl approached Sloane and put his hands on her upper arms. He looked her in the eyes. "I like you, Sloane, and I want to continue to see you."

             
She jerked out of his hold. "Our business here is finished." Sloane grabbed her purse and stormed out of the office, ignoring both Johl and Candace as they called after her. She couldn't believe Johl would do this to her. She thought they had something good going on. How could he go and sign with a rival agency without bothering to tell her first? Maybe if he had mentioned that he was considering signing with Balmain, she could've convinced him not to.

*****

              Sloane had locked herself in her apartment right after she found out Johl wasn't going to sign with Parker, Inc. Candace and Jason had called repeatedly, but she'd ignored them. Unfortunately, the banging on her door couldn't be so easily ignored. She shuffled to the door and yanked it open. "What?"

             
"We need to talk." It was Johl.

             
She tried to close the door, but he put his foot in the way. "There's nothing to talk about, Johl. You made your choice."

             
"Stop it," he yelled. "Yes, I made my choice about which agency I signed with, but that decision has nothing to do with how I feel about you."

             
Sloane turned and walked into her apartment, leaving him standing in the doorway. He followed her inside and closed the door.

             
"Look, I know you're upset, but I've told you from the beginning that my choice would be based on the merits of the offers and what it could do for my career."

             
She kept her back to him. He continued talking.

             
"I like you, Sloane, a lot, and I want to keep seeing you." She still didn't respond. Johl walked up behind her and put his arms around her stomach. He rested his chin on her shoulder. "Please forgive me."

             
"You hurt me, Johl."

             
"I know," he whispered.

             
"I feel used." Sloane stepped from his embrace and turned to face him. Her cheeks were wet with tears. "I think it's best if you just go."

             
"Sloane, please…"

             
She shook her head. "Just go."

             
Without another word, Johl nodded and left. Sloane slumped down on her couch and cried. Why did she have such bad luck when it came to men? Was she destined to date men who were sneaky liars?

Chapter Eighteen

             
Candace read her message again and smiled as she texted a response to Harvey. Her plan to ignore his calls had lasted all of one day. He was definitely persistent, and the more she talked to him, the more she liked him. Harvey had a really great sense of humor. They hadn't had a chance to have dinner or drinks yet, but he kept saying that they had to when she returned from her photo shoot in Jamaica. She was looking forward to it.

             
Beside her, Sloane groaned. "Jeez, you've had your face shoved in your phone all day. Why don't you and "just some guy from the gym" get a room already?"

             
Candace laughed and tucked her phone away. "Sorry. And his name is Harvey." She had been preoccupied recently and decided to make it up to her sister by talking about her favorite thing – Sloane. "So, how're things going with Johl?"

             
"They're not." Sloane pouted. "I've run into him a few times and we're polite, but…" She sighed. "I don't know. I really liked him, but I feel betrayed."

             
It was on the tip of Candace's tongue to say, "I told you so," but she refrained. That would only make Sloane angry. Instead, she said, "You really shouldn't let his career choices affect your relationship with him. He clearly likes you. Even I could see that."

             
"Yeah, maybe you're right. I guess we're going to try being friends for a while, get to know each other a little better; then we'll see."

             
Candace smiled sympathetically. It was clear that this whole thing had been hard on Sloane, even if she was being a bit melodramatic about the entire situation. "So, Harvey asked me to go to a fundraiser with him when I get home."

             
"A fundraiser for what?" Sloane lowered her sunglasses from her head onto her face and lay back in the lounge chair.

             
"Some charity that helps the homeless…or animals…I don't know. I've never heard of it before. He said it's a black tie affair."

             
"Are you going to go?"

             
"I don't think so." Candace picked up her strawberry daiquiri and took a long drink. "Don't get me wrong, he's nice and all, but I'm not looking for a relationship."

             
"You always say that. I've seen the way you smile at his text messages. It's like you're a damn teenager again. Go to the stupid fundraiser with him and have some fun." Sloane waved her hand as if her response settled it.

             
Candace gave her sister a dirty look. Sloane was upset about Johl, but did she have to sound so snotty about everything? Jeez. Settling back in her own chair, Candace closed her eyes. She would go to the fundraiser with Harvey, and she would have a good time. And not because Sloane told her to, but because Candace wanted to.

*****

              Candace's heart jumped into her throat at the sound of her doorbell. That was Harvey and he was here to take her to the charity event. Taking a deep breath, she walked toward the door, her chiffon dress swishing around her legs as she walked. She opened the door and was stunned. Harvey stood in front of her dressed in a very expensive black tuxedo and holy hell he looked so good. This was the first time they'd seen each other since they met in the gym. Had he been that sexy then, too? She knew she was staring, but couldn't bring herself to stop. He was gorgeous! Candace quickly pulled herself together and smiled. "Hi."

             
"Wow, you look absolutely stunning, Candace."

             
She felt herself blush. "Thanks." Harvey held out his arm and she took it. He escorted her outside to where a sleek, black, stretch limousine awaited them. She looked at him. "You didn't have to go to so much trouble."

             
"It's no trouble," he said, motioning for her to get in first. "Besides, I'm still trying to make up for my behavior at the gym."

             
Candace laughed. "I'd almost forgotten about that."

             
Harvey took her hand and placed a kiss to her knuckles. "I don't know what got into me that day. That's not how I normally act. Please forgive me."

             
"I already have," she whispered, enthralled by him and this sensitive side of him that she was seeing.

             
He graced her with the most charming smile she'd ever seen. It stole her breath. "So, how was Jamaica?"

             
"Beautiful." She smiled. "The weather was perfect the entire time and the shoot went flawlessly, which rarely happens." She laughed nervously.

             
"And where do you go next?"

             
"Bora Bora. We leave next Friday."

             
He nodded as if he were thinking something, but didn't want to say it. Candace didn't push the issue. She simply settled in the seat next to him and enjoyed his company. They arrived at the fundraiser a few moments later. That was the best thing about living in New York – everything was so close together that if you could beat the traffic, you could get anywhere you wanted to go relatively quickly.

             
Harvey got out and offered her his hand, helping her out of the car. She once again took his arm and walked inside with him. The place was packed and everyone looked wonderful in their tuxedos and ball gowns. Candace was really in her element here, and she knew Sloane would've loved to be here.

             
"There's my father," Harvey whispered at her ear. "C'mon, I'd like you to meet him."

             
Candace felt her nerves resurface again as she walked with Harvey. Their first date and she was already meeting his father. Talk about fast.

             
"Dad, I'd like you to meet Candace Parker. Candace, this is my father, Benjamin Balmain," Harvey said.

             
Candace's eyes widened and she swore her heart stopped beating. Balmain…as in Balmain Models, Parker Inc.'s biggest rival? The entire party seemed to stop around her. Harvey was a Balmain? Dear God, why was this happening? It had to be a nightmare.

             
"Miss Parker," Benjamin said with a smile, offering his hand. "So nice to see you."

             
She faked a smile. "Likewise."
You slimy, sneaky, model-stealing, backstabber.

             
"You two already know each other?" Harvey asked, looking back and forth between them.

             
"Candace here is the owner of Parker, Inc., the modeling agency that's been giving me a run for my money." Benjamin winked; then laughed.

             
Harvey gave her an odd look. "Huh, I can't believe I didn't put that together before now." He laughed.

             
Candace was suddenly very uncomfortable and wanted nothing more than to leave, but that would be rude and thus far, Harvey had been a total gentleman. "Excuse me for a moment, I need to go find the restroom," she lied.

             
Harvey pointed in the direction of the bathrooms, and Candace walked toward them. By the time she made it there, her hands were shaking and she felt nauseous. Why did Harvey have to be Benjamin Balmain's son? Then another thought struck her – Sloane would be furious when she found out, especially if Candace decided that she wanted to continue to see Harvey. And she did. She liked him, and Sloane was always on her case to get a boyfriend.
Calm down. Think.
Okay, so, maybe Candace wouldn't tell Sloane just yet. She would let her sister calm down over the whole Johl thing, and then Candace would tell her. Yeah, that's what she'd do. It would be fine. Touching up her make-up, Candace left the bathroom and found Harvey.

*****

              The night progressed and Harvey was the perfect gentleman, never leaving Candace's side, introducing her to people he knew, including her in his conversations. It was hands down the best date she'd ever been on. They were two of the last people to leave, but that was fine with her. She wasn't ready for the night to end just yet anyway. She was enjoying his company too much. Plus, she knew the moment she got home, Sloane would want all the details and Candace wasn't prepared to face her just yet. Lying to her sister was something Candace had always struggled with.

             
Harvey leaned forward and whispered something to the limo driver, and then he put the window up between the front and back seats. Harvey settled beside Candace and asked, "Would it be alright if I kissed you?"

             
Candace smiled and nodded. Harvey put one hand on her face and pulled her toward him. He slanted his lips over hers and parted her lips with his tongue. Her eyes fluttered closed and she welcomed his kiss. It was soft and gentle and imploring and it was searing hot. She moaned softly into his mouth and he deepened the kiss.

             
"Mmm." Harvey pulled away and licked his lips. "I've wanted to do that all night." Then he kissed her again.

             
She liked kissing him. He was good at it. Heck, she liked everything about this man, and she knew if she wasn't careful, he'd steal her heart before she ever realized what was happening. The feel of his tongue exploring her mouth lit a fire deep in her belly that raged out of control. She wanted this man. Right here, right now, and to hell with the consequences. Candace put her hands in his jacket and pushed it off his shoulders. Then she reached for his tie and tugged on it until it came off.

             
"Are you sure about this?" Harvey mumbled against her lips.

             
"Yeah…" She began to unbutton his shirt. Harvey continued to kiss her as he reached around and unzipped her dress, leaving her back fully exposed to his caress. It sent delicious shivers through her body. This was so not like her. She didn't sleep with a man on the first date, but there was something special about Harvey and she felt comfortable with him.

             
"You have the softest skin I've ever felt," he said as he ran his hands up and down her back, his lips finding and kissing her neck. Then he kissed his way down her throat, pulling down her strapless gown as he went. He cupped her breast and ran his thumb over her nipple.

             
She arched her back and moaned. His hands were soft, firm, and so assured, like he'd spent his life touching only her. It was glorious. He dragged his mouth back to hers and kissed her hard. "I want you, Harvey."

             
He groaned and pulled her onto his lap so that she was straddling him. His erection was apparent and she couldn't wait to see it, to feel it inside of her. She fumbled with his pants until she was able to free his cock, which was much larger than she'd expected. She stroked him until he was breathing so heavy she knew he was close to orgasm. "I need you, Candace, I need you right now."

             
Candace wiggled out of her dress, leaving her in just her panties, which Harvey tore from her body. She watched as he dug in his wallet for a condom, and then wiggled his pants down his hips until they were around his ankles. He deftly rolled the condom down the length of his cock; then he reached for her and she sat down, taking all of him inside of her. They moaned simultaneously.

             
Slowly, Candace started to rock on his lap. He gripped her hips and let his head fall back against the seat. She put her hands on his shoulders and dug her nails into him, loving the feel of him inside of her. It had been far too long since she'd been with a man and wow, had she missed it, missed the feel of being desired, of being brought to the brink of pure physical ecstasy and then shoved over the edge.

             
Harvey wrapped his hands around her and held her to him as they both gave in to their orgasms. He nipped at her neck and shoulders as she cried out his name. Then she collapsed against him, letting her head fall to his chest. Her breathing was sporadic and it took several moments for her to regain her composure. The entire time, Harvey showered her with quick, heated kisses.

             
"You're incredible, Candace," he murmured.

             
"So are you." She planted a firm kiss to his chest before sitting up and looking at him.

             
He speared his fingers in her hair and kissed her. "I want you to spend the night with me. Will you?"

             
She simply nodded. Yeah, she liked the idea of spending the whole night with Harvey, especially if that meant they could make love again.