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Authors: Lynn Emery

Kiss Lonely Goodbye (8 page)

BOOK: Kiss Lonely Goodbye
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“Uh-huh.” Marcus was growing weary of this conversation.

“We'd complement each other. I'll also admit that I should have seen this before now. I guess a crisis forces us all to think more clearly.” Russell nodded.

“Uh-huh.”

“Nicole is a sharp-tongued witch. I know the employees would throw a party if we got rid of her. She's a real—”

“Give her a chance,” Marcus cut in, not trusting what might happen if he let Russell go on.

Russell stood and smoothed down his designer dress shirt. “Don't make a decision right now. Take some time and think it over. You'll see I'm right, bro.”

“I don't have to think it over,
bro.
I told Nicole's father I'd do my best for at least six months.”

“You don't owe them a thing. But we've worked together for almost seven years now.” Russell lifted his chin.

“Yes, we have.” Marcus lifted an eyebrow at him.

“Er, I've already said we had our issues. I'm willing to put all that aside now.”

“How generous. My answer is the same.” Marcus picked up his ink pen and started to write. “Goodbye, Russell.”

“You can't just dismiss me as though I'm the janitor!” Russell snapped.

“Keep pushing Nicole's buttons and you might end up carrying a mop around here.” Marcus looked at him. “The lady can do some damage when she's mad.”

“Okay, I'll take over without your help.” Russell strode out and slammed the door behind him.

“What the hell are you thinking?” Marcus sat back in his chair to consider his reaction. As if to help him answer his question, Nicole came in without knocking.

“I like you more all the time, Marcus Reed.” She grinned at him.

Pleasure spread up his spine like warm massage oil. Marcus smiled back at her. “Oh?”

Nicole closed the door behind her. “You've been giving me the chilly treatment, don't waste time denying it.”

“Okay,” Marcus replied warily and wondered where she was headed.

“And if you recite that ‘change is difficult' crap once more, I'll scream,” she added and made a sour face.

Marcus felt heat licking at him. Nicole looked even more
beautiful pouting and threatening a tantrum. “I wouldn't want that. So, what have I done to redeem your opinion of me?”

“I saw Russell stomp out of here. You pissed him off big time. Please, please, please tell me the details.” Nicole rubbed her hands together.

“Come on, as our leader you should be fussing at us about not being a team.” Marcus pressed his lips together.

“You're right.” Then she looked at him hard, with an impish gleam in her lovely eyes. “A tiny hint, that's all.”

Marcus laughed out loud in spite of his efforts to keep a stoic face. “Nicole, you're too much.”

Nicole tilted her head back and laughed with him. Musical and full, the sound came from deep in her throat. Marcus shivered. Her neck seemed to invite him to press his lips against it. Before he realized it, Marcus was out of his chair and around the desk. He stood over her and put one hand on her elbow. Nicole's laugh bubbled up and then away like sparkling wine.

“You see? We've got a lot more in common than you thought,” she said softly, a smile tugging at the corners of her full mouth.

He couldn't look away even though his streetwise instincts sensed danger. “Do we?”

“Um-hum. We both see right through Russell. We also both want the best for Summers Security and we're willing to work hard to get it.”

Nicole moved closer to him until her face was less than an inch from his. Marcus could hear himself breathing hard. His gaze traveled along the heart-shaped line of her face, taking in every captivating curve. Tasteful gold hoop earrings hung from her delicate earlobes. Being so near to her made him realize she had the most beautiful tawny eyes he'd ever seen in his life. His small voice of reason fell silent, and he kissed her. Not a light, delicate brush, either.

Marcus started by nipping her earlobe. His body trembled when she sighed and leaned against his chest. Not that he needed much encouragement. He planted firm kisses along her jawline, leading to her mouth, which he took greedily. With both arms wrapped around her, Marcus answered her sighs with a moan. Office sounds right outside his door faded away. The ticking from the brass clock on his desk seemed to slow down. After a deliciously long time, they parted.

“I think we just broke about five company rules,” Nicole said, her eyes still closed. Seconds later, she opened them and smiled.

Marcus felt as though he'd been turned upside down, held by his ankles and given a hard shake. He took a deep breath and tried to step away. Nicole held on tight.

“You're the boss,” he murmured, still captivated by the bad-girl gleam in her eyes. “Maybe we should discuss the incident over a glass of wine later.” He bent his face lower for another kiss.

Nicole patted his chest with one palm and pushed away. She smoothed down the red silk shell she wore and brushed the front of her navy skirt. “I agree. As the top managers of this firm we should take swift action.”

“Otherwise things might get out of hand,” he said. Desire to touch her again beat inside him like an African drum.

She backed toward the door with a seductive half-smile. “Entirely possible. I have an early dinner meeting. Come over to my house at about eight-thirty. Rosaria will let you in if I'm running a bit late.”

I've lost my mind
. “I'll be there,” Marcus replied.

“Great.”

Nicole waved bye-bye with a flirtatious flip of the wrist. The simple gesture set off more trembling in his body. Marcus took another deep breath to recover. He glanced at his
wristwatch. Less than six hours to pull himself together. Somehow he had to ignore the spell she cast and not react like a sex-starved fifteen year old.

“What a challenge,” he mumbled, staring at the door.

 

Nicole's older sister, Helena, and her cousin Francine were waiting for her when she walked into Clyde's. The elegant restaurant not only served some of the best steaks in town but their private wine cellar was superb, as well. Helena waved to get her attention, and Nicole joined them.

“Hello, baby sister.” Helena's alto voice, so like their mother's, got the attention of several males close by. At age thirty-four, Helena had a Ph.D. in chemistry and was a top executive with the Mobile/Exxon Corporation.

“Hi, and don't call me ‘baby sister' for the umpteenth time.” Nicole pecked her quickly on the cheek. “What's up, Francine?”

“Hi, cuz. You're looking remarkably relaxed for a woman on the verge of ruin,” Francine said, straight to the point as always.

A waitress came over as soon as Nicole sat down and took her order for a glass of iced tea. When she left, Nicole smiled at them. “I'm holding it together.”

“Uncle Lionel says Russell is being a real jerk.” Francine sipped from her glass of wine.

“And how is that different from his usual behavior?” Nicole quipped. Still, the strain must have shown in her voice.

Helena leaned both elbows on the table. “Let's face facts. They would feel more comfortable with a male family member in charge.”

“With the obvious exception of Russell,” Francine added quickly.

“Which is the real reason Daddy is trying to talk Terrell into moving here. I know, and it doesn't matter. I intend to stay in charge.” Nicole broke off when the waitress came back.

“You're joking. Tell me she's joking.” Helena looked at Francine.

“I thought being the boss at Summers Security was the last thing you wanted. What changed your mind?” Francine pushed aside her wineglass.

“Because a lot of people seem to think that A, I can't do the job, and B, that I'm a spoiled lightweight who can't hang when the going gets tough.” Nicole's eyes narrowed. “Including Marcus.”

“Marcus?” Helena looked from Nicole to Francine.

“Nicole's second in command. He's not just hardworking but he's shrewd, too,” Francine said. “He's also gorgeous.”

“Oh, my. No wonder she's turned into Miss Nine-to-Five.” Helena glanced back to Nicole with a frown.

“Two grown women devolving into junior high gossips. Not a pretty picture.” Nicole waved a hand at them.

“Unfair as it might be, people could talk about you two. Don't give Russell or anyone else ammunition,” Helena replied.

“Right. No late nights working alone together in the office.” Francine scowled. “We've all had to fight the nasty assumption that we used sex to get ahead, even in the new millennium.”

“Results count. If I take the company to a whole new level no one will care about idle talk. Besides, men sleep with their employees all the time and no one questions their competence.” She lifted a shoulder and sipped from her glass.

“Have you heard the phrase ‘double standard'?” Francine said. She broke off when the waiter approached and took their order.

“In other words, you've got to be extra careful about ap
pearances, especially with Marcus Reed. He might even use it against you.” Helena nodded and looked at Francine.

“Excellent point.” Francine tapped the side of her glass with the tip of one pale pink acrylic fingernail.

“Marcus wouldn't stab me in the back,” Nicole said too quickly. Both women glanced at her with speculation. “He's the straight arrow type, comes at you face to face. Unlike Russell. He's becoming more of a problem every day.”

“He's the crown prince of jerkdom. All the senior family members know it. Uncle Hosea didn't exactly keep quiet about his shortcomings.” Francine shook her head slowly.

“Oh God, yes,” Helena added. “For once I agreed with Uncle Hosea. Russ was an obnoxious little boy.”

Nicole said a silent prayer of thanks to Russell. For once his bad behavior had proved useful. As Helena went on to list his misdeeds, Nicole realized that both women seemed to have forgotten her stupid slip. She and Marcus would have to be careful, at least for now.

“I hope the food comes soon,” Francine said after glancing at her sterling silver watch. “I'm exhausted.”

“Between us we had four meetings today. At least mine were at the same office.” Helena gave her cousin a look of sympathy.

“A deposition on one end of town and discovery motions at the other end. I really hate driving around Houston.” Francine waved to the passing waitress and got her to take their orders.

“You volunteered to drive, so don't blame me.” Helena pointed at her, then looked at Nicole. “Since I had meetings at our Houston office and Francine's embroiled in a lawsuit in two states, we decided to carpool,” she explained.

“You're driving next time,” Francine grumbled and drank the last of her wine.

The three women talked business. Helena played the big sister as always, giving lots of advice. Nicole knew better than to complain. Her sister had ten years of management experience. By the time their food came they were laughing about family and hometown gossip.

“Y'all just reminded me why I'm so homesick. Not that Houston is as bad as I thought it would be.” Nicole patted her lips with a linen napkin.

“Who are you kidding? I've seen Uncle Hosea's house, Nicole.” Francine waved her fork with a plump mushroom on the end of it.

“Uncle Hosea was loud, bad-tempered, and mean as a pit bull. But the man had good taste. Well, he was a Summers, after all.” Helena flipped her hand in the air.

“Excuse me, your superiority complex is showing,” Nicole laughed.

“There's nothing wrong with family pride,” her older sister said, sounding even more like their mother.

Francine exchanged an amused glance with Nicole. “So, are we going to hang out tonight, ladies?”

“Right, we can crash at Nicole's palatial palace.” Helena grinned at her.

“Uh, I thought y'all were leaving for home right after dinner.” Nicole's stomach tightened in panic.

“Life is too short to rush around. We might as well enjoy a relaxed evening.” Francine massaged her neck. “I can't wait to get out of these panty hose.”

Helena studied Nicole for several minutes. “Francine, I think Nicole has plans for tonight.”

“I'm thinking of you two. Francine has meetings tomorrow and you need to write a report for your boss, Helena,” Nicole added.

“Isn't Nicole so thoughtful, Francine? She's making sure
we don't forget why we need to leave town.” Helena's expertly arched eyebrows lifted.

“Uh-huh, or get a hotel room tonight,” Francine quipped.

“No, no. I can change my plans.” Nicole squinted at the prospect of passing up her first chance at Marcus.

“Gee, we'd hate to interfere with your date.” Helena leaned forward. “Tell us all about him.”

“He's someone I met recently. No big deal. I'll just call him and reschedule.” Nicole took the napkin from her lap, picked up her purse, and stood.

Helena's eyebrows went up even further. “Francine, she doesn't want us to hear.”

“I'm going to the ladies' room, if you don't mind,” Nicole said low.

“Good excuse,” Francine shot back.

Nicole kept going as though she didn't hear their twittering at her expense. She passed the rest room and kept going to the foyer as she dialed Marcus's number on her cell phone. He picked up on the second ring. He was gracious in understanding her need to reschedule. In fact, he was a bit too accepting, in her view.

“Damn!” Nicole muttered as she punched the Off button. This was no way to begin her campaign to conquer a handsome player. Still, she managed a smile by the time she got back to the table.

“Listen, little sister, we just talked it over, and we insist that you keep that date,” Helena said as Nicole sat down.

“Yeah, we're happy you've got a love life. That should deflect any unwarranted conjecture about you and Marcus,” Francine added. “In fact, I reserved a suite at the Marriott Courtyard Hotel.”

BOOK: Kiss Lonely Goodbye
12.43Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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