Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
K acey
“He sent a dress,” I stated as I stared at the insanely gorgeous slice of elegance placed ever so gently on a vivid pink silk hanger.
“What do you mean he sent a dress?” Stephanie asked.
I was cradling the phone in the crook of my neck while I walked toward my dresser mirror, which was currently leaning against the wall in preparation of the movers. I shifted back and forth, shuddering from the ramifications of wearing something so provocative could mean.
“I mean he had a courier deliver an incredibly hot red dress to my apartment. Shoes and intimate apparel as well. I feel a little bit like the chick in Pretty Woman .”
“Ooh-la-la. A hot, hot, hot date.”
“This isn’t a date. Remember? It’s a business dinner in preparation of a huge and very important meeting with a client.”
“Right. Whatever you say. Then why send a gorgeous dress? You have plenty of them.”
“Well, no, I don’t. I own business attire and jeans.”
“What about that dress you wore when you were home for Christmas a couple years ago? Remember the little hot number that attracted so much attention?”
“I was twenty-one, you know, like five years ago and it barely covers my ass.”
Stephanie snorted. “Well, there you go.”
“Oh, hell, no. At least this one is sophisticated.” And it was. I glanced at the label and cringed. I knew the Madison Avenue shop where he’d purchased it. Who did that? The man didn’t like me. Although his act of jealousy had been confusing.
“The gesture is very romantic. Picking out a dress for you to wear? Amazing. I think there’s more to this guy than you’re giving him credit for.”
I burst into laughter. “Do you honestly think he handpicked these items himself? Not a chance in hell. Think about it. The man had a staff, or I should say servants to do everything for him. Take care of his lawn. Cook his meals. Clean his house. Tailor his clothes. Hell, I doubt he knows how to add oil to his big fancy car.”
“You’re certain about that?” she asked.
“Well, no, but he’s the type.”
“Remember what they say. Never judge a book by its cover lest you miss the hottest romance of your life.”
“Nice try.” She was enjoying me being this uncomfortable a little too much.
“Then he’s taking you to a fancy place. Did you tell him about Nathan? Maybe he’s going to be another reason you made the best decision returning home.”
“No, I did not tell him. It’s none of his goddamn business. Not that he’d care anyway. For all I know, he was the one who fucked up his marriage.”
“You are on a roll tonight.”
“I’m just nervous.”
Stephanie huffed. “I can tell. And you’re horny.”
“I am not.”
“Are too.”
“Okay, fine.” We both laughed and it was funny how getting dolled up felt like a proper ending to the nightmare I’d found myself in before. I only hoped I wasn’t setting myself up to keep on the same path.
I placed the dress on my disheveled bag and finally opened the one from another Parisian-influenced lingerie store. As I pulled out the corset and matching panties, both in shocking red, my skin blushed hard enough to match the vibrant hue. “Oh, God. You should see the underwear he purchased.”
“He definitely wants some hot stuff tonight. Hey, he’s rich. He’s good looking. He’s an ass, but maybe you can look over that part. Why not have a va-va-voom fling?”
“Because he’s my boss. Because he’s my father’s best friend. How many more forbidden negatives can we have?”
I had no idea what the man was trying to tell me.
“But he has good tastes in choosing you,” Stephanie insisted.
“I’m not for sale.”
“You took the job, didn’t you? Just go with it. Live dangerously.”
“Do you know he acted like no other man can ever pay any attention to me?”
She laughed. “A possessive man. Most rich, sexy dudes are. You know. They always need to win. Didn’t you watch Pretty Woman all the way through?”
“This isn’t a fairytale. I’m not Julia Roberts and he’s not Richard Gere.”
“No, he’s much better looking. What do you have to lose by enjoying yourself? So he spoils you a little. So what? I’d kill to have a man treat me that way.” Her sigh was highly exaggerated.
“I don’t mind being spoiled, but I do that myself.”
“Like when?”
I glanced around my tiny apartment bedroom, the few boxes packed and ready to go an indication of how little I’d indulged in for myself over the years. “Okay, like never, but I’m going to change that.”
“Do so by being kind to the woman inside. How long has it been since you got laid? Oops,” she teased. “How could I forget? Tell me how hot it was again and why continuing your chemistry sessions isn’t a good idea?”
“Fine. I’ll wear the dress and try and enjoy dinner. But I’m not sleeping with him. Not a chance.”
“If you say so.”
“Wait? There’s a note.” I was almost shocked he hadn’t included a diamond necklace. I rolled my eyes. Right. This was definitely no fairytale. More like Nightmare on Elm Street .
“Well, what does it say?” she pushed.
“It says…” I had to read it twice, both times with a lump in my throat. “Let’s create some magic together. Seven p.m. sharp. Until then.”
“Hmmm… Not that sexy except for the magic part.”
“He’s talking about turning the company around.” Even though I’d spent three days at my old job finishing up details while helping train a new person, all I’d been thinking about was if it was possible Sebastian’s partner was sabotaging him. Anything was possible in the cutthroat world of business, but finding evidence could prove to be impossible. I’d just noticed a tiny pattern with the books, so small it would be considered negligible, but it continued to nag me.
“I don’t know. Whatever you do, go into tonight with an open mind.”
“And if it turns into something more… romantic?” I didn’t see a romantic bone in the man’s body. Sure, he was passionate, but romance was entirely different.
“Then lose yourself in the moment. If you don’t, you might regret it.”
Regret I was already feeling along with guilt and confusion.
For all the time I’d spent learning to loathe him, I knew better. I wanted the fairytale.
But not at the expense of selling my soul.
Sebastian
“Pull over right here, Thompson,” I told my driver.
“Yes, sir.”
The hired chauffeur was forced to double park in front of her apartment building. I peered out the window at the brownstone, not surprised at Kacey’s choice. She had a down-to-earth eclectic style about her that was in direct contrast to the way she handled herself in business.
I liked that about her. A little too much.
As he opened the door, I asked myself again what I was attempting to accomplish by purchasing her a dress and accessories. I’d never done anything like that before; it was completely out of character for me. I’d enjoyed it, which was an even bigger surprise. Shopping was something I hired people to do.
I stepped out and buttoned my jacket. “I’ll only be a couple minutes.”
“Take your time, sir.” I always hired the same company when I was forced to come to New York. They were professional and afforded me additional time to handle whatever business that had brought me to the ugly city in the first place.
“If you will, open the champagne in my absence.”
“Absolutely, sir.”
All was fair in love and war.
The phrase was ridiculous. There was nothing fair about either one. It was the person who knew how to work the angles who came out better in the end. That’s what I intended on doing by talking with Francis Kane and with Kacey’s assistance, I had a feeling I’d be victorious.
What I was doing by taking the lovely woman out to dinner was something else entirely. Perhaps I was more conniving than I’d originally realized, something she didn’t mind bringing to my attention whenever possible. I squelched a laugh, but it was impossible to control my tightening balls.
New York City.
It was a city I loved to hate. I’d spent some time here, but overall, I wasn’t impressed with the crowds, the smog, or the food. My brother adored everything about the city and would easily move here if he could.
However, being here was a necessary evil on one hand and perhaps a pleasure on the other. I headed for her door, cognizant of the few people watching my every move. I had a feeling seeing a full-length dark sedan with a driver wasn’t typical behavior for the neighborhood. The area was quieter, brownstones lining both sides. The walkways were lined with trees, but there was still a feeling that everything was too cramped. Too busy.
I headed up the stairs, hitting the buzzer. Within seconds, I was allowed in. The interior foyer was dark and dingy, the stairs having seen better days. I wondered what she’d seen in the city after graduating college.
I took the stairs two at a time, hating all the noises I heard coming from other apartments. With our meeting tomorrow, she’d agreed to sharing dinner with me so we could discuss how best to handle working with Mr. Kane. He’d been none too happy to accept my request, but I was ruthless enough to learn everything I could about the people I worked with.
Issues with money. Difficulties with employees. Living a second life. There was nothing that I couldn’t find.
Which is why I remained furious with myself for not learning about my father’s addictive habit before being slammed in the face with it by Ashley.
It hadn’t taken me long to learn the truth. My father was heavily into a bookie. Thankfully, the asshole didn’t appear to be mob related. Although through the man’s tutelage, my father had squandered almost two million dollars. I had no clue how he’d managed to do that in only two years, but it was there in black and white.
And I doubted my mother had any idea.
From what I could tell, he’d sold many of his stocks, but not the ones invested in his old firm, now titled World Hospitality Corporation. While my brother and I owned several shares of stocks as well, I had paid little attention to their numbers, tasking my financial advisor to keep me out of harm’s way. I found it interesting that the stocks had soared since my father had left.
Something was off, but I had no time to delve into matters that had nothing to do with my company.
My father I would deal with when I returned.
I heard footsteps and the door was opened, my breath caught in my throat. While Kacey was always a visionary pleasure, on this night she was ravishing.
Her usual look of defiance faded into something that I couldn’t read, yet her features were softened, her long hair styled in curls around her face. She evoked all my depraved carnal needs. At this moment I was nothing but a predator and she was my prey.
At least I wouldn’t need to hunt her down.
“You look amazing, Kacey.”
Her eyes swept over me as they’d done before, a slight flush cresting along her jawline. I had a sense she felt her own embarrassment and did her best to hide it. It felt like the only emotion she’d shown me other than disdain and anger.
Unless you added desire into the category.
There was a clear chemistry between us, a need threatening to outweigh the business relationship we’d attempted to enmesh ourselves in. However, I was the boss. I could do whatever the hell I wanted.
Including with her.
“You didn’t need to purchase me a dress. I’m perfectly capable of selecting my attire and even dressing myself. I’ve been doing that successfully since I was four years old.”
I leaned my arm against the doorjamb, allowing myself to go over every detail of the dress. I’d determined her size perfectly, albeit with the help of a lovely store clerk who’d been more than happy to help me. The material was soft, accentuating every luscious curve and reminding me that her breasts were made for my hands and my hands only.
There was the jealous beast in me I hadn’t known existed.
Her scent had already stained my skin, the exotic fragrance holding a hint of night-blooming jasmine. I had the strongest yearning to wrap my hand around the back of her neck and force her against me before fucking her up against the wall.
The thought was practically evil and necessary to shove aside.
For now.
“I think it’s possible and in fact best if we would try cutting down on the sarcasm. Don’t you?”
I’d embarrassed her even more. She looked away briefly, nodding to herself as if realizing she was fueling a nonexistent fire of anger. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m not used to men doing nice things for me without wanting something in return.”
“Ouch. Contrary to what you might believe, not all men are assholes.”
“I’ve yet to find that proven. Other than my father, of course. He’s perhaps the nicest man alive. I doubt he’s ever done a mean thing in his life. Certainly not to a woman.” She grabbed her purse, clutching it against her chest as if fearing I’d steal it from her.
“Yes, he is.” Daniel was the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back. Actually, he’d done that more than once. I chuckled from the surfacing memories. Those had been the days we’d both acted and had felt like kings.
“What’s so funny?” She closed the door, careful to keep her distance from me.
“Your father isn’t necessarily as innocent as you so believe.”
She threw a stern look over her shoulder before heading down the stairs, taking them very carefully. Perhaps she was remembering she’d tripped into my arms. Or perhaps I would find a reason to remind her. Or even repeat the sizzling action.
No one ever accused me of being the nice guy, but Daniel had proven he could be a badass himself. I had the distinct feeling his daughter was a carbon copy of him.
They were stories I doubted she’d ever hear.
“My father is out of your league.”
It was quite apparent she had no plans on cutting the attitude. I fully realized I had a part in pushing her to the edge with my behavior, but she was attempting to shove aside any fond memory of the night we’d shared.
While I’d relished every image forged in my mind.
Once outside, she honed in on the large sedan seconds after stepping onto the sidewalk. “No fancy sports car?”
Thompson stepped out, immediately opening the door.
I kept my hand on the small of her back, pushing her forward. She was tenser than at the office. There was no trust whatsoever and I wondered what kind of asshole had hurt her. If I had to guess, I’d say it was a recent burn. Thoughts of what I’d like to do to the jerk formed in the front of my mind.
Another surprise.
“Not entirely practical for driving in the streets of New York. I believe you know that too well since you don’t own a car.”
Before easing onto the seat, she gave me one last look and this one was pointed enough I instantly knew she was wishing she could skewer me with dull, rusty metal. “Is there anything you don’t know about me, Mr. Winfield?”
I waited until she was all the way inside before leaning over to address her question. “The answer is no. I know everything about you professionally including what grades you received in college. What I have no clue about is the woman underneath all that hard, cold armor. But I intend on discovering every detail.”
I closed the door and unbuttoned my jacket before walking around to the other side. What struck me as the strangest aspect of our twisted relationship was that my possessive feelings and needs should exist. I wasn’t that kind of man.
However, I’d obviously suffered a personality alteration the day Kacey had walked into that bar. This wasn’t about fucking her for another night.
This was about keeping her.