No Other Lover Will Do (2 page)

Solomon woke up on Carmen's sofa to the smell of bacon, cheese eggs, and grits. When he'd called her the night before and started telling her about the boring model, Carmen invited him over for breakfast.

“Have you ever stayed with a woman and watched the sun rise?” she'd asked when he walked in the door before dawn.

“Nope. It gives y'all romantic notions,” he said before plopping down on her plush sofa and kicking his feet up on the coffee table. “What are you doing up?”

“About to go for a run,” she'd replied. “Got to keep the blood flowing. The renovations in Sugar Mountain are complete today and the Weather Channel is calling for three to four feet of snow this weekend.”

“Maybe I should go to North Carolina and check on the latest resort,” he'd said as he yawned. “And you shouldn't go jogging in Central Park while it's still kind of dark out there.”

Carmen, who'd been dressed in an NYU sweatshirt and a pair of skin-tight yoga pants that accented her ample curves, sauntered over to Solomon and tweaked his nose. “Be careful, you're going to make me think you care,” she'd said.

Solomon was already asleep by the time Carmen had pulled her sweatshirt off.

“You sure know how to wake a brother up,” Solomon said as he walked to the doorway of Carmen's kitchen. “What's cooking?”

“Since you're going to go to North Carolina, I pulled out some southern breakfast food,” she said with a smile plastered on her comely face.

Solomon nodded at her. “That's what's up,” he said. “I'm probably going to gain fifteen pounds down there. They say southern cooks are the best.”

Carmen cocked her head to the side. “You know we have a state of the art workout facility at Carolina Serenity,” she said. “The last thing you want to do is ruin that body.”

Solomon flexed his sculpted muscles. “You're right. Can't bag models with flab.”

Carmen laughed. “I'll fix your plate and you turn on the news. Maybe there's some good news about the stock market this morning.”

“Carmen, you're the greatest,” he said. “But I don't think any miracles happened overnight.”

As Solomon headed back into the den, she beamed brightly.

Moments later, Carmen walked into the den with Solomon's plate and hers balanced on her arms. “Here you go.”

Solomon took both plates and set them on the table, then he pointed at the television. NY1 was reporting on President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. “They broke the mold when that woman was created,” he said before digging into his breakfast.

“I'm sure there are other women out there like her,” Carmen said.

Solomon shook his head as he shoveled in a mouthful of grits. After swallowing, he said, “Nope. Most women don't have an identity of their own and don't know how to support a man. She could've easily told him, ‘Hell no, I'm doing my thing and you run for president later.' Instead, she stood by him without losing herself in his dream.”

“I would stand by my man, just like Michelle.”

“I bet you would,” he said. “You're going to make someone lucky one day.” Solomon looked down at his watch. “Damn, I got to get into the office. Richmond wants an update on the resorts.”
And I got to get some real food, because, Carmen, you are no southern cook.

“Don't you want to finish your breakfast first?” she asked.

“Wish I could, but you know Richie Boy. He wants you when he wants you. Thanks for taking me in and for this,” he said, pointing at the plate.

“Anytime. I have to keep my business partner happy,” she said with a sweet smile.

When Solomon hit the street, he thought about calling a car. The winter air was biting, but he didn't mind walking. He wasn't exactly looking forward to sparring with Richmond this morning and Carmen lived only three blocks from the office. Leaving his car parked in the garage at Carmen's place would be one less headache for him to deal with when he reached headquarters. Richmond made a point of parking in Solomon's spot when he came to the office. It was his way of saying he should've been running the company. Solomon smiled sardonically as he turned down Fifth Avenue. It made sense that Solomon's headquarters would be located in the center of the city. He wasn't one to shy away from the spotlight, and everything he did, including business, was done for maximum attention.

Solomon entered the building, nodding to the security guard as he headed up to the top floor. Looking down at his watch, he realized that he wouldn't have much time to shower and change before his brother arrived.

When he got into his office, Solomon turned on the television and saw his bedmate from the previous night being led away from the W Hotel by police. Solomon turned the volume up.

“Model Kinsley Monroe may be one of
Maxim
's hottest women, but the staff at the trendy W Hotel saw what else is hot about the sexy model—her temper. Monroe was arrested early this morning after trashing a suite at the boutique hotel. Sources at the Times Square hotel say Monroe entered the hotel after the
Maxim
party with hotel mogul Solomon Crawford. Crawford was not at the scene when the trouble started. Crawford's company is about to open a luxury resort in North Carolina, despite the troubling economic times. The Crawford chain of hotels has remained profitable this quarter, but insiders in the industry wonder if Solomon Crawford is stretching his company too thin by venturing into resorts when people are opting to stay at home rather than spending money for luxury vacations.”

Solomon snapped the TV off and plopped down in his desk chair. Getting linked to Miss-Model-Gone-Wild wasn't the way he needed to launch the opening of the resort in the Carolinas. As he rose from his seat to take a shower, his office door burst open.

“Thanks for knocking, Richmond,” he said, without looking at his brother.

“This is how you kick off the resort opening, by getting caught up in yet another scandal?” Richmond raged.

“What scandal?” Solomon asked flippantly. “There are no pictures and I didn't destroy a room. Whatever Ms. Monroe did is her sin, not mine.”

Richmond shook his head. “When are you going to settle down and stop with the conquests of women? This is why Mom and Dad should've trusted me to run this company.”

“Why, because Vivvy has your balls in her purse? Say what you want about what I do after-hours, but you would never have been able to expand this business the way I have. The only bad publicity is no publicity,” he snapped.

Richmond shook his head. “My marriage has nothing to do with this. If I were the one sitting in that chair, I would've known better than to undertake a resort expansion in this economy. And the mountains down south? How profitable do you think this is going to be?”

Solomon reached into his desk and pulled out the research he and Carmen had done prior to purchasing the resort. “If you would stop reading Page Six and read the reports I send you, you'd know all of this.”

Richmond flipped through the thick folder, not reading the research. “So, this was Carmen's idea? What do you really know about this woman?”

“That she's a hell of a business partner who has vision—something you lack.”

Richmond narrowed his eyes at his brother. “Let me guess, you're sleeping with her too.”

“Actually, big brother, I don't mix business with pleasure. Again, why are you so worried about my bedroom activities? Must be boring being with the same boring woman every night.”

“Because they always seem to make front page news,” Richmond said. “I'm stepping back. This resort is yours and Carmen's to ruin. Hopefully when you lose enough money, Mom and Dad will come to their senses and let me run the company and take the Crawford name off the gossip pages.”

Solomon shook his head and fought the urge to punch his brother in the face. “You wouldn't know what to do with this company if it was handed to you. Ever think that's why the firstborn was passed over?”

Richmond's hazel eyes sparkled with anger. “You asshole. I can't wait to see you fail.” He threw the folder across the room and stormed out of the office.

It was noon before Kandace woke up, and her first impulse was to head into Hometown Delights. Instead, she got out of bed and headed for her laptop. She typed
VACATION SPOTS
into her Google search bar. An ad popped up for Carolina Serenity and its grand opening this week.

“Wow, the mountains…I never thought about going there,” she said as she clicked on the colorful image.

Soft sounds of jazz played through her speakers as the Web site loaded. Kandace clicked on the details of the new resort and found plush suites with king-size beds in half of the rooms, marble fireplaces, wall to wall carpet, and garden tubs. There was a full service spa, which offered one complementary service with a week's stay. Ski lessons were available with professional skiers.

“I guess I could try the skiing lessons, but I don't know if I want to risk falling on the slopes,” she said as she clicked on the reservation tab. Kandace was excited to get away as she entered her information into the computer. As she clicked the reserve button, her BlackBerry rang.

“Hello?” she said, without looking at the caller ID screen.

“Is it true? You're finally getting a life?” Serena joked.

“Whatever. Let's see how you heifers get along without me for two weeks.”

“Just fine,” Serena said. “Besides, I'm going back to Atlanta now that Jade has this place and motherhood under control.”

“What about you and Antonio?” Kandace asked as she printed her reservation confirmation.

“You know, I don't want to talk about that,” she said, but Kandace heard something in her voice that she'd never heard before—emotion. She wanted to ask Serena more questions about her “relationship” with Antonio, but Kandace let it go, knowing her friend would blow her off and keep whatever was wrong close to her chest.

“So,” Serena said, “where are you going?”

“Sugar Mountain. Just made my reservation at Carolina Serenity. Doesn't that just sound heavenly?”

Serena laughed. “Yeah, if you like snow. I figured you'd go some place tropical or back to Las Vegas.”

“No more Vegas trips for me—and who goes to Vegas to relax? Do you find gambling relaxing?”

“That's true. Well, have fun, be safe, and please leave the laptop at home. I'll call you when you get back,” Serena said.

After hanging up with her friend, Kandace read more about the resort. It was a new property in the Crawford Hotel chain. The Crawford family business was nationally known for its boutique hotels and customer service. Kandace was sure she was going to have the best and most relaxing two weeks. If she had as much fun as she thought she would, she might even stay until Thanksgiving.

After logging off the Internet, Kandace decided to treat herself to some vacation clothes, including a pair of Uggs. After all, she was going to be in the snow and that's just what those boots were for. She dialed Jade's number as she reached for her car keys.

“Yes, Kandace?” Jade said when she picked up.

“What do you say we do some shopping?” Kandace asked. “I've got to get some ski gear.”

“Ski gear? You're taking your vacation in the snow? That's funny.”

Kandace smacked her lips. “Look, I grew up in Guam. It doesn't snow there. Besides, the resort where I'm staying looks divine. I'll probably just watch the snow fall from the spa.”

“Where are you going, Vail?”

“No, Sugar Mountain. It's not that far a drive from here and it's supposed to snow next week. The Web site said that it's cold enough to make snow anyway.”

“I don't see the big deal about snow, but I'm glad to hear you excited about a vacation. Wish I could take this shopping trip with you, but James and Maurice are done playing super dads. I knew they wouldn't last all day. Kenya owes me a trip to Starbucks as soon as Jaden starts drinking a bottle.”

Kandace laughed. “That's why women are the caregivers,” she said. “Well, I'm going to get my Uggs. Maybe I'll stop by the restaurant to make sure everything is okay.”

“Don't you dare. Shop, then go home and get ready for your trip,” Jade cautioned. “You're banned from work.”

“Fine,” Kandace said with a chuckle. When she and Jade said their good-byes, Kandace headed outside to her car and SouthPark Mall. Two hours later, she was all shopped out with enough winter gear for her trip, including a pair of chocolate brown Uggs.

Kandace unpacked her shopping bags, ready to hit the road. Morning couldn't come soon enough.

 

Sweat poured off Solomon's forehead as he ran on the treadmill. The day had started out horrible and gotten worse. First, his office was bombarded with calls from reporters about his dalliance with the
Maxim
girl. Then Richmond returned with a message from their parents. “Straighten up,” he'd said his parents had warned. “Finally, they are tired of seeing our name dragged through the mud because you can't control your libido.”

He was sure that Richmond had been leaning on his parents for months, despite the success of the business and the new direction he and Carmen were taking the company in.

“Thought I'd find you here,” Danny Jones said as he climbed onto the treadmill beside his best friend. “You've been all over the news today.”

“Yeah, I know,” Solomon said as he slowed down to a brisk walk. “I have got to stop attracting crazy women.”

“Crazy hot,” Danny said. “Kinsley Monroe. Damn.”

“Please, her looks are all that she has going for her. I guess I was supposed to be impressed by her cover. She didn't know who she was dealing with.”

“And speaking of not knowing who you're dealing with, have you considered my random background check offer?”

Solomon stopped his machine just as Danny was getting his started. He smiled at his friend, who was more like a brother to him than his blood relative. Danny was a private detective who had spent five years on the force with the NYPD before he struck out on his own. Truthfully, if it wasn't for Solomon and so many of his indiscretions—tracking down false paternity claims and keeping scorned women quiet—Danny wouldn't have been in business over a year. Now, he was one of the most sought after PIs in the city.

“Yeah, you can get started on that while I'm down south,” Solomon said.

“So, who's the Southern babe that's sending you down south? Or are you trying to get out of the media spotlight until the thing with Kinsley blows over?”

“I'm going to check out my new resort and make sure it meets Crawford standards. And who knows, I might run into a few hot snow bunnies.”

“Somehow I knew women would come into play at some point. Are you ever going to settle down?”

Solomon ran his hand across his damp chest. “How about no? I'm having too much fun. And there is enough of me to go around.”

“What happens when you meet a woman who knocks you off your feet?”

“Will never happen. I've come to this conclusion about New York women: they want my money and I want their bodies. Like the Rolling Stones said, ‘You can't always get what you want,' unless your name is Solomon Crawford.”

The men broke out laughing. “That's bullshit,” Danny said. “Tell me something…You and Miss De La Croix, that's strictly business?”

“Yes.”

Danny shook his head. “That woman is fine. And her body is sick. An ass you can sit a beer can on, and the way she fills out a top. I just want to lick her.”

“What's stopping you?” Solomon asked as he began lifting free weights. “She's a great girl. I'm making her rich, so you don't have to worry about her pulling out a shovel and digging for gold.”

“All women aren't bad,” Danny said. “You didn't get like this until…”

“Don't say it,” Solomon cautioned. The last thing Solomon wanted to think about was his broken marriage to Alyessa Cartwright. He'd loved her more than he wanted to admit. They'd met at a concert in Central Park during the summer of 2000, back when he was more carefree and studying filmmaking at NYU. Alyessa had the SoHo look down, from her wide afro to her platform-sandal clad feet. Her cocoa skin and shimmering brown eyes took his breath away. That night, they'd sat down and talked through the concert. By the end of the night, Solomon was falling in love. Over the next three years, he and Alyessa had fallen deeply in love and Solomon was about to premier his feature film at the New York Film Festival.

Beauty's Embrace
had been the fictionalized account of his love affair with Alyessa. The crowd loved it, especially the ending, which Solomon had described as yet to be written. As the credits rolled, he'd dropped to one knee in the crowded theatre and asked her to marry him. When she'd said yes, Solomon had been ready to give Alyessa her happily ever after and lots of babies. His family had been slow to warm to Alyessa, however, feeling that she was too common to be a Crawford. But Alyessa had been anything but common. She was of British decent and had come to New York to escape her domineering family. Had it not been for the headlines of her engagement crossing the pond, Alyessa and Solomon would've been able to have the dream wedding that they'd planned.

But on the couple's wedding day, a man showed up at the church claiming to be Alyessa's husband.

“Husband?” Solomon had demanded. “How in the hell can you be married when we just took our vows?”

“Solomon, I'm sorry, I didn't think it would matter,” she'd said as she attempted to close the space between them. “I don't love him.”

He'd pushed her away from him. “Get the hell away from me, you lying bitch. So, was I just the means to an end for you? You wanted to get away from your terrible family life and I was your sucker? Hey, man,” Solomon said, “take your wife and get the fuck out of here.”

Right then, Solomon had sworn that he'd never trust another woman again. One of the first cases he'd given Danny had been to track down Alyessa. When Danny reported that Alyessa was living a life of luxury and was happily married to a duke, Solomon resolved that women weren't to be trusted and he'd never allow another one to get close to him. He'd switched his career focus from filmmaking to the family business, which shocked his family and the Los Angeles studio executives who'd been interested in putting his movie on the big screen.

At first, Solomon had allowed Richmond to take the lead at work. He'd watched his brother and learned everything he needed to learn about the industry. Looking back on it, Solomon was pretty sure Richmond hated the fact that he was such an excellent teacher now that he was taking orders from his little brother.

“You all right over there?” Danny asked as he stepped off the treadmill.

Solomon dropped his weights. “Yeah, I'm just thinking about what I need for this trip. I'm probably going to make a regular reservation and see how smoothly things run. My workers don't need to know I'm looking over their shoulder.”

“That's a good idea. Maybe while you're gone, I can get Carmen to go out on a date with me,” Danny said as he wiped his face with the bottom of his T-shirt.

“Good luck on that,” Solomon said. “I don't think I've seen her go out on a date since she's been in New York. She needs a life.”

Danny flexed his muscles. “And I'm just the man to give her one.”