Just One Taste (Kimani Romance) (5 page)

Chapter 5

H
e had slipped. It was an unparalleled blunder, and he didn’t do blunders. Chase stared at the computer monitor, still thinking about what had happened three days ago. He couldn’t get it out of his mind any more than he could get her out. Nikita was indelibly ingrained and he didn’t like it. When she mentioned that she had a date, he was about to say that he didn’t realize she was dating anyone. That would have been a mistake. There was no way he could say that without her questioning his foreknowledge of her personal life. He caught himself in time, but it never should have happened. He got careless and slipped, letting emotion out.

But what really troubled him was that he was bothered by the comment. More precisely, he was jealous. However minute or fleeting, the jealous feeling he had was still there. He didn’t do jealous. She was his job, but after just one meeting and interaction, she was much more and that wasn’t working for him.

The past few days he had stopped by the café hoping to see her. When he asked one of the waitresses about her, she told him that Nikita seldom came out of the kitchen during the day, except for when her sisters came in. So, short of stalking the place 24/7, he decided to step up his game. He donated a large sum of money to her sister Natalia’s program, Teen Dream Center. That got him an invite to the benefit. He knew she’d attend.

He glanced around Mikhail Coles’s home office. It certainly was impressive, even rivaling his home office in London. He wasn’t sure how Andre knew Mikhail, but it was most opportune. He had needed a place to work, and Mikhail was out of town. But he’d be back at the end of the month. But more important, the project Chase needed to complete had an even more pressing deadline. One he could not miss.

He was a closer by profession. He got things done and finished jobs others couldn’t. He was creative and used every weapon in his arsenal to get what his company needed. If Titan needed it done, he did it. His official title was Vice President of International Research. He traveled the world buying property and connecting with local officials to ease the way for Titan to come in. But he had ethics. Anything illegal was out of the question. He didn’t bribe or coerce, but he did manipulate.

He thought about Nikita and wondered what it would take to get to her. He had some ideas. A slow, easy smile pulled at his mouth. One was particularly pleasurable. But as he’d learned quickly, she was no fool. He’d have to open himself to her to get her to trust him.

He looked at his watch. It was time. He closed the laptop, stood up, grabbed his jacket and headed to the front door. He glanced at himself in the mirror as he walked through the foyer. Nothing had physically changed in the few days he’d been here in Key West. He was the same man. Still, all of a sudden he didn’t feel the same. Maybe Daniel was right. This wasn’t the job for him. There was something about Nikita Coles that was opening him up and he couldn’t chance that. He needed to focus on the job. The sooner he got what he came for, the sooner he’d be back where he belonged—safe and away from her.

He got in his car and drove, following the GPS directions to the Teen Dream Center. As he walked in he was greeted by two stunning women standing at the door. “Good evening and welcome to the Teen Dream benefit. My name is Natalia Coles-Montgomery and this is my associate, Mia Morales.”

“Ms. Coles-Montgomery, Ms. Morales,” he began, knowing who they were, of course, and to whom they were each married. He knew just about everything there was to know about the Coles family. Natalia was married to movie star David Montgomery and Mia Morales was married to Stephen Morales, Natalia’s cousin. Mia was several months pregnant. She had a very noticeable bump. “Ladies, it’s a pleasure to be here. Thank you for the invitation. My name is Chase Buchanan.”

Mia smiled brightly. “Yes, of course, Mr. Buchanan. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I spoke with you on the phone yesterday. Nat, this is the huge contributor I told you about.”

“I hope the check arrived okay,” Chase said.

“Yes, it came by special messenger just a few minutes after we spoke,” Mia replied.

Natalia shook his hand. “Mr. Buchanan, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Mia told me to expect you this evening. Thank you so much for the very generous contribution to the center.”

“You’re very welcome. I’ve already contacted my company for a matching contribution, so you should hear from them soon,” he said as he watched the two women look at each other, obviously overjoyed.

“Thank you,” they said in unison.

“My pleasure.” He glanced around quickly. “I spent a great deal of my teen years in a place similar to this. My mom was a single mother and she worked constantly. Places like this saved my life and even though the center I attended has long since closed, it’s my privilege to give back whenever I can.”

The women’s faces lit up with pride and exhilaration. “That’s very kind of you.”

He looked around again. “It looks like quite a celebration.”

“It is. Please go in and enjoy yourself. My sister Nikita Coles of Nikita’s Café prepared an amazing buffet and my brother-in-law, Spencer Cage, will be performing later this evening.”

“Spencer Cage. I’m a big fan.”

“Well, I’ll make sure you’re introduced,” Natalia promised.

“Sounds wonderful,” he said, nodding. “Thank you.” He continued inside as the two women greeted a couple walking in behind him.

At first glance the place seemed small, but as he walked around he realized it was much larger than he first assumed. He walked down the hall past the offices and a few classroomlike rooms, and then came to a more open area. The celebration was taking place in the great hall, which he assumed also served as the auditorium and play area. He walked through the double doors into a large open space. He was greeted again by several teens dressed in their best clothing excitedly chatting about the evening’s events. Spencer Cage was top on the conversation list.

There were easily a couple hundred people already there mingling, talking, laughing and enjoying themselves. He looked around, seeing a few faces he recognized. He nodded in greeting to several people, then headed across the room to the buffet tables.

“Chase Buchanan.”

Chase turned around to see city commissioner and local businessman and Realtor Oren Davis smiling generously as he hurried up beside him. The man could be his own cartoon character—floppy ash-blond hair, perpetual spray-on tan, round, stout, barrel-like physique and an abundance of perfectly white, expensive teeth.

“I thought that was you,” Oren proclaimed as the two men shook hands cordially.

“Mr. Davis, good evening. It’s good to see you again.”

“Oren. Call me Oren, please. We’re practically neighbors.” Chase looked confused as Oren clarified. “You’re staying at the Coleses’ home on the hill. Beautiful home. I have to say, I had no idea you knew Mikhail Coles.”

“I don’t. The company rented the home for my convenience,” Chase said, neglecting to relay that his brother, Andre, knew Mikhail well.

“Ah, I see. Well, pity I didn’t know you’d be attending this event tonight. Damn nice program we have here. I’m glad I came up with the idea and put it together. It helps a lot of kiddies, you see, and that’s what I’m all about—helping, giving back.” He looked around, prideful.

“Wait, y
ou
came up with this program?” Chase asked, knowing of course that he hadn’t. “Excuse me but I was under impression that this was the brainchild of Natalia Coles-Montgomery, and that she and her cousin, Mia Morales, ran it together. I didn’t see your name on any of the literature.”

“Well, technically, they are related and worked to relay my ideas in a more determined path of recognition. Low-key, under the radar, if you know what I mean,” he blustered completely incoherently while winking knowingly.

Chase tired to keep his poker face, but Oren was really testing it. “Actually, Oren, I don’t quite know what you mean.”

“Essentially it was more like I was thinking about the program, if you know what I mean. I had it in my head for a while, mulling it over and letting it marinate but then it was already here. So, in essence, I did indeed have the initial idea and program for this wonderful event and evening, if you know what I mean.”

“I’m still not sure I do,” Chase said.

“No matter, it’s a wonderful evening, and had I known you were coming, I would have brought my beautiful daughter and suggested the wife and I swing by and pick you up.”

“Not necessary. My evening suddenly opened up and I decided to attend at the last minute.”

“I’m glad you’re here. Saves me having to call you tomorrow.”

“Oh, is there business we need to discuss?” Chase asked curiously.

“No, no—well, yes. Actually it’s on a more personal nature.”

“Personal, how so?” Chase asked.

“Are you alone?” Oren asked, looking around him cautiously.

“Yes.”

“No, not just this evening. Are you here in Key West alone?”

Chase smiled. “I am.”

“Excellent.” He chuckled happily and leaned closer. “Few people know this, but I fancy myself a bit of a matchmaker. I’ve gotten husbands for three of my four daughters. As soon as I met you I thought of my daughter, Crystal.

“By chance I just happened to mention your name to her at the dinner table the other evening. Surprisingly, she knew exactly who you were. She’s quite stunning you know. She and her sisters won just about every Little Miss Pageant there is and she was fourth runner-up to Miss Teen North America Beauty and Talent Pageant a few years back. She would have taken the crown if her sisters hadn’t come in the top three categories.

“She’s smart as a whip and very athletic, a real catch if you get my meaning,” he said, winking. “At any rate, she is very interested in meeting you, and I think you’d enjoy meeting her, as well, if you get my meaning. And, quite frankly I might add, a more personal alliance between our two very prominent families would be extremely beneficial to both of us given your company’s current interest in local property, if you get my meaning.”

Chase was an excellent poker player. Showing no outward emotion and keeping his expression placid had always served him well. This time was no different. He allowed Davis to make his pitch knowing there was no way he was going along with this. “Mr. Davis…”

“Please, call me Oren,” he repeated.

Chase nodded. “Oren, it’s very kind of you to consider me, but I don’t intend to be here long and I never mix business with pleasure.”

“Are you certain about that?” Oren said in a more challenging tone. The nearly blinding white teeth came out again. “I can be very persuasive and very helpful, particularly in matters of certain property acquisitions.”

Chase smiled, trying not to lose his composure, but Oren was definitely testing it. With every job there was inevitably an attempt to bribe, coerce or even threaten him with money, property or power. He never accepted anything, obviously. And not surprisingly, this wasn’t the first time he’d been offered someone’s daughter. But in his estimation, a businessman selling out his family would sell out anyone. “Sir, Titan’s business stands as is. What I’m proposing to bring to the table is Titan, not myself. And, as I mentioned the other night at dinner, this is all on spec. There are other locations, some far more suitable. This is merely my first stop in a series of possible locations.”

“But I understand you already purchased property in the area.”

“Yes, but property can very easily be sold or held as an investment. Nothing in my business is set in stone until I say it is. If you get my meaning.” He added Oren’s nervous catchphrase.

“Yes, yes, of course. But Alaska is quite a distance from our little patch of land here in Key West.” He chuckled more nervously this time with a definite tenseness behind it. “I just don’t want you to feel left out or lonely here in our fair city. My daughter is very familiar with everything Key West. She could be a great benefit to you and Titan while you’re here. Walk into any location with her on your arm and doors will open.”

“I thank you for your consideration, but I must show no level of bias. You understand of course.”

“Yes, yes, of course. But you might just change your mind when I tell you that she has the biggest—”

“Mr. Buchanan.” Both men turned to the beautiful woman who addressed him. Chase smiled immediately. “Good evening, Oren. Nice to see you. Gentlemen, please excuse my interruption. I’m Tatiana Cage. My sister, Natalia, mentioned that you’d like to meet my husband, Spencer Cage.”

Chase smiled, delighted by the interruption. “Yes, I would indeed. I told your sister that I’m a big fan,” he said, then turned to Oren. “Oren, please excuse us a moment.”

“Yes, yes, of course,” Oren said.

Chase and Tatiana walked off, then a few feet away she began to slow her pace and then she stopped and turned to him. “Mr. Buchanan, I must apologize. I lied to you.”

Chase looked at her. “Oh?”

“My husband hasn’t arrived yet. I passed by a moment ago and just happened to overhear a bit of your conversation with Oren. You’re new here in town and that puts a very definite target on your back.”

“What kind of target?” Chase asked.

“Key West is a small community so when a single man of obvious means comes to town, he’s fair game. And I don’t mean Monopoly. I thought you might need…”

“Rescuing?” Chase offered.

Tatiana nodded. “I hope I haven’t overstepped.”

He chuckled. “No, not at all, your timing was perfect, and the interruption was most definitely appreciated. Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome,” she said as they laughed. Tatiana’s cell phone beeped. “Excuse me,” she said as she glanced at it, quickly reading the text message. “Well, it looks like I didn’t lie after all. My husband just arrived. I’ll find him and introduce you. In the meantime, why don’t you help yourself to the buffet? Nick has prepared an incredible spread.”

“Nick?” Chase questioned.

“Nikita, my other sister. I believe you’ve already met.”

Chase looked at her intensely as he nodded. He knew the three Coles sisters were very close but she showed no sign of knowing about the kiss he and Nikita shared a few days ago. “Yes, of course,” he said. “She catered a dinner at your brother’s home for me. She’s a very talented chef. Is she here this evening? I’d like to thank her again for the other night.”