OPERATION BABE-MAGNET / OPERATION BEAUTY

by Kristin Gabriel

  Finally he slumped back in his chair and punched the print button. It was the best he could do. He just hoped it was good enough.

  Rubbing one hand around his stiff neck, he checked the clock on the wall. He had a little over an hour left to change his mind. All it would take was one phone call. He looked at the telephone, testing himself for the temptation to reach for it. Surprisingly, it was easier to resist than he ever would have suspected.

  Something had changed him these last few weeks. Or more specifically, someone. Kylie Timberlake had barreled into his life and turned it upside down. And now it would never be the same again.

  He just hoped that when it was all over she'd give him a second chance.

  All of Dexter's calls to her apartment had resulted only in reaching her answering machine. He'd left countless messages, but so far had received no return calls. But at least he'd been able to hear the sound of her voice, even if was just a recording.

  She was probably furious with him. And he couldn't blame her. He knew she'd spotted him at the hotel. No doubt she'd thought the worst when he'd disappeared in the crowd. But he'd needed time. Time to make everything right.

  Now there was no turning back.

  The door opened and his grandfather walked inside. He blinked at Dexter. "What are you doing here?"

  "Just a little housekeeping to make sure the Kane Corporation keeps running smoothly while Sam and I are away from the company." He briefly wondered how Sam was faring. Probably sailing smoothly through the game, knowing his brother.

  Amos chuckled. "I take it you don't trust the old man to keep the company afloat long enough for you or Sam to take over. Don't worry, Dexter, the Kane Corporation will be strong and sound when one of you wins the game."

  "I'm not worried," Dexter assured him. "I just wanted to save you a little work." He pointed to the stack of files near his computer terminal. "Those are the projection studies. You might want to take a look at them in your spare time. And I made an appointment for you with Dr. Baynes for a checkup on Tuesday next week. It's been almost a year since your last physical."

  Amos cocked his head to one side. "Is something wrong, Dexter? You don't seem like yourself. Dependable as ever, of course, but … different."

  "Watch the six o'clock news tonight, Grandpa," Dexter said, as he headed out the door. "You'll find out everything you need to know."

  * * *

  16

  « ^ »

  Evan stood next to the freezer in his kitchen. "There's about two scoops of mocha almond fudge ice cream left. Want it?"

  Kylie shook her head, figuring she'd gained about twenty pounds in her efforts to drown her sorrows in ice cream. "You can have it."

  His house was connected by a long hallway to the offices of Handy Press. She could hear the whir of the printer through the wall. How much longer until Evan was forced to liquidate all his assets and sell his business?

  But Handy Press wasn't the only casualty of this debacle. Kylie had lost her heart and her reputation as a publicist as well. Would any amount of ice cream make up for the pain of her failure?

  "Come on, Ky, cheer up," Evan said. "At least Dexter called you to apologize."

  Amy had phoned Handy Press a half hour ago with the news that Dexter had left twenty-four messages on their answering machine.

  "We don't know that," Kylie replied, "since he didn't actually apologize on the phone. According to Amy, he just asked me to call him as soon as possible."

  "Well, what else could he want?"

  She shrugged, trying not to get her hopes up. After the way he'd treated her, she couldn't afford to give him a second chance. "Maybe his clothes. I packed them up when you drove me over to the hotel to check out."

  Fortunately, the press and the mob of people had been long gone by that time. Evan had waited in the car while Kylie had cleaned out her own room. Then, unable to resist temptation, she'd checked Dexter's hotel room to see if he had returned. But the room was empty. The maid hadn't even cleaned it yet.

  The sight of the rumpled bedsheets had brought all the memories of last night rushing back. Kylie had even hugged Dexter's pillow, inhaling the familiar scent of his aftershave still clinging to it.

  When would she ever learn?

  "So where did you put his clothes?" Evan asked.

  She pointed to the fireplace, the flames burning brightly in the hearth.

  Evan grinned. "Gives new meaning to the phrase 'burned by love.'"

  "You know me and my impulses."

  He got a spoon out of the kitchen drawer and began scooping spoonfuls of ice cream out of the gallon bucket. "You wouldn't be the same person without them, Kylie. That's what makes you so special."

  "I don't feel too special at the moment. Although I may give into the impulse to track down Dexter D. Kane and strangle the man."

  He walked over to the sink to rinse off his spoon, then stared out the window. "So I guess that means you're not ready to forgive him."

  "Not until the next millennium," she declared.

  "Too bad. Dexter's going to get cold standing out there on the porch for so long."

  She bolted off the sofa. "He's out there?"

  Evan nodded, still staring out the window. "Right outside the door. Wonder why he hasn't knocked yet. Must be trying to work up his nerve."

  "Well, for his own safety, he'd better just turn around and go home. I'm not interested in anything he has to say." She began pacing back and forth in front of the sofa. "If he wanted to talk to me, he could have done it at the hotel when the police showed up instead of leaving me there high and dry."

  "Should I let him in so you can tell him off in person?"

  She whirled on him. "No! I never want to see Dexter Kane again."

  Evan's eyes softened. "Liar."

  Kylie sank down on the sofa. "All right, I am lying. It's killing me not to go out there. But how can I possibly forgive him? How can I ever trust him again after everything that's happened between us?"

  Evan shrugged. "I don't know, Kylie. I guess you just have to follow your heart."

  She knew that would be a mistake. Her heart wasn't at all rational about this situation. She needed to use her head before Dexter found a way to hurt her even more. If that was possible.

  "Is he still out here?"

  Evan turned back to the window. "Yep. And he's not alone."

  "What do you mean?"

  "The press has arrived and they're setting up a bank of microphones on the front step. Looks like Dexter is planning to hold a news conference."

  "What?" she exclaimed. "Here? Why in the world would he do such a thing?"

  "How do I know? You're the expert on the man."

  Kylie's heart began to pound, imploring her to give Dexter one more chance. But she hardened her resolve. "It's too little, too late. Nothing he says now can make up for what he's done."

  Evan looked at her. "What has he done, exactly?"

  "Well, in the first place, he lied to me about being a gigolo."

  "But Chandra called the owner of Studs-R-Us and verified that Dexter was employed there."

  "He never told me he was a business man or the heir to the Kane Corporation."

  "That sounds more like a crime of simple omission rather man deceit."

  She frowned. "Why are you defending him?"

  "I'm not. I'm just trying to be the voice of reason."

  "Then tell me why I should forgive him for abandoning me at the hotel after the police arrived? He saw me, then he just walked away!"

  "I can't give you the answer. But maybe Dexter can, if you give him the chance."

  She folded her arms across her chest. "Forget it."

  "Why don't you admit the real reason you're so angry with him."

  "You tell me."

  "Okay, I will. You're head over heels in love with the guy."

  Kylie's lower lip quivered. She'd never been able to hide the truth from her little brother. "You're right. And I'm not sure what to do about it.
"

  "Well, let's see what Dexter has to say." He walked over to the television and turned it on. After flipping through the channels, he found a local news station.

  "This is Darryl Starr, reporting to you live from Handy Press, the small company that published How To Jump-Start Your Love Life, authored by the notorious Harry Hanover. Mr. Hanover will be giving a brief statement in just a moment."

  Kylie scooted closer to the set. "They still think he's Harry!"

  "Shh, Dexter is coming on."

  They both watched as the camera focused on Dexter's handsome face. He stood right outside the door, but Kylie felt as if he were a million miles away. Though her heart traitorously softened when she saw that he wore his glasses. And looked more than a little nervous.

  Dexter cleared his throat. "Am I on?"

  One of the reporter's shouted a question at him. "Do you plan to turn yourself in to the police, Mr. Hanover?"

  "No," Dexter replied firmly. "Because I'm not Harry Hanover." He let that sink in for a moment, then continued. "My name is Dexter Kane and I work for the Kane Corporation. But for the last few weeks, I've been masquerading as Harry Hanover."

  The press erupted into a firestorm of shouted questions. Kylie experienced a stab of empathy for him having experienced a similar verbal barrage only a few hours ago.

  Dexter held up his hands to silence the crowd. "If you'll just let me make my statement, I think it will answer all of your questions."

  A few intrepid reporters still shot questions at him, but were quickly shushed by their colleagues. Dexter looked straight into the camera.

  "A few weeks ago, Handy Press hired me to portray Harry Hanover, author of How To Jump-Start Your Love Life. They were duped by him into believing that he was agoraphobic, but they wanted to give this book," he held a copy high in the air, "the kind of promotion that would make a difference in the lives of people everywhere."

  A derisive snort sounded in the background. Dexter ignored it and went on.

  "When Handy Press's publicist, Kylie Timberlake, approached me to impersonate Mr. Hanover, she had no idea that I was associated with the Kane Corporation. You see, Harry Hanover wasn't the only one duping Handy Press. I was playing the role of a male escort and didn't reveal my real identity for one very simple reason. My grandfather had forbidden me from telling anyone that I was playing a real-life version of Chameleon, the career role-playing game that made his company internationally famous. The rules were simple. Tell no one and play the game for one month. My only competition was my brother, who's playing a game of his own. The prize is ownership of the family business."

  A ripple of murmurs rose over the crowd of journalists.

  Kylie looked over at Evan. "That's crazy."

  "Amos Kane is crazy," he replied. "You heard what Chandra said about the man."

  "Well, that month is up in five more days," Dexter continued. "But I'm not going to play the game anymore. I'd rather lose that company, the one I've dreamed of owning my entire life, than lose the woman I love. I may not be the real author of How To Jump-Start Your Love Life, but it taught me that love is more important than business. Hell, it's more important than anything…"

  "I don't believe it," Kylie said to Evan, turning her attention away from the television set. "He's giving the book a plug."

  "Shh." Evan took her chin in his hands and turned her attention to the television screen once again. "He's not done."

  Dexter looked calmly over the crowd. "I've learned more about love in these last few weeks than in the previous twenty-eight years of my life, thanks to that book. And the most important lesson is not to give up. So, despite the fact that my one true love refuses to speak to me, I've got something to say to her."

  Kylie held her breath as Dexter looked straight into the camera.

  "I love you, Kylie. You're the perfect woman for me. The only woman. And I intend to spend every day of the rest of my life proving that I'm the right man for you. Will you…"

  The door of Handy Press flew open and Kylie rushed out onto the porch and jumped into Dexter's arms. "Yes! Yes, yes, yes!"

  He laughed, pulling her close. "I haven't even asked the question yet."

  She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Well, what are you waiting for … ask!"

  He looked into her eyes. "Will you marry me?"

  She leaned up to kiss him, her heart leading all the way. "Yes, Dexter. I'll marry you. I'll love you forever."

  She could hear the sound of cameras flashing as Dexter kissed her, but she didn't care who was watching. Until he poured so much passion into the kiss that she didn't want anyone around. She just wanted Dexter all to herself so she could show him how very much she loved him.

  At least he broke the kiss and smiled down at her. "Do you have any idea how great I feel?"

  "You gave up your family business for me." Her heart contracted. "Oh, Dexter are you sure you won't regret it?"

  He shook his head. "The only thing I regret is not coming to your rescue in that hotel lobby. But I knew I could help you more by leaving than by staying. Do you understand? And more importantly, can you forgive me?"

  "Yes." Her eyes gleamed. "I had no idea you had so much at risk. Or that you would give it up for me."

  "In a heartbeat." He reached up to tenderly caress her cheek. "I almost risked losing the woman I love for a pile of bricks and mortar. That doesn't keep a man warm at night. Believe me, I've worked enough all-nighters at the company to know."

  Kylie pulled him closer. "Just make sure you don't pull any all-nighters at Studs-R-Us. In fact, I think resigning from that job would be the perfect wedding present for me."

  His eyes twinkled. "I've got to work somewhere."

  Evan appeared at the door. "Sorry to interrupt, but I just got a phone call from the distributor. He said orders of How To Jump-Start Your Love Life are coming in fast and furious." Evan grinned.

  "Looks like Handy Press has just been resurrected, thanks to Dexter here."

  "That's wonderful," Kylie exclaimed. She turned to Dexter. "Maybe you could work here. I'm sure as Handy Press grows we'll need someone to handle all the contracts and legal business."

  "Not so fast, sis," Evan interjected. "That wasn't the only phone call. There was one for Dexter."

  Dexter looked up. "From who?"

  "Your grandfather."

  "What did he want," Dexter asked.

  "It was a long message," Evan said. "So I wrote it down." He handed the note to Dexter, then walked back into the house.

  "What's it say?" Kylie asked, reading over his shoulder.

  "The secret to winning the game of life is that sometimes you have to break the rules. I'm proud of you, Dexter. You finally learned what's really important. Love trumps business every time. Congratulations. See you at midnight next Saturday."

  Her brow furrowed. "I don't understand. What does it mean?"

  Dexter grinned. "I think it means I'm still in the game."

  * * *

  Contents:

  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

  Epilogue

  * * *

  * * *

  1

  « ^ »

  Sam T. Kane knew his day was only going to get worse when he parachuted onto a pile of fresh cow manure. Standing in a pasture surrounded by a herd of curious Holstein cows, he yanked off his parachute harness, then looked around the pasture for his brother, Dexter. He'd last seen him thirteen thousand feet ago, when they'd both jumped out of the airplane at the request of their grandfather.

  But his brother was nowhere in sight. He'd probably floated into some other pasture. Sam wasn't really worried about him. Dexter always managed to land on his feet. Ever since he could remember, his older brother was always succeeding at something. High school valedictorian. National Honor Society. A full ride to the highest caliber Ivy League school. Success seemed to come as easily to Dexter as breathing.

  But not for Sam.

  He scraped his boots i
n the knee-high grass, trying to remove the pungent cow manure. But this time he wasn't going to lose. Not when the playing field was finally level between them. Their grandfather, Amos Kane, was ready to hand over the family business. And true to his eccentric reputation, Crazy Amos had devised a competition to make his grandsons earn it.

  Sam still couldn't believe his grandfather was staking the family business on a real-life version of a board game. Chameleon was a career role-playing game where players take on different occupations to embark on the road to success. And it had definitely catapulted the Kane Corporation to success, selling into the millions around the world.

  Sam had always assumed his brother, Dexter, would inherit the Kane Corporation by default. After all, he was the one with the college degree and the computer brain. Sam, on the other hand, was a high school dropout who had drifted from job to job until he'd finally landed a position at the Kane Corporation as a creative consultant.

  It was the perfect job for him. Free to brainstorm new ideas, he wasn't bogged down with number crunching or endless reports. It had paid off, too. Since Sam had hired on, his department had seen a twenty-percent increase in productivity.

  But all that had changed when Amos announced his retirement and arranged to hand over the business to whichever grandson could succeed at the real-life version of Chameleon. And it was winner take all.

  While his older brother might have the diplomas to qualify him for the job, Sam believed he could do it just as well. A good leader knew how to delegate the duties that might cause him problems. Besides, running a business involved more than cash flows and financial projections. It took creativity and good people skills. And a little bit of luck.

  Leaving the neon-blue parachute in the pasture, he waved to the cows, then began jogging toward the gate. Thunder rumbled in the sky above him, an ominous warning that this game might not be easy to win. But Sam wasn't about to back down now. It seemed as if he'd always been about three steps behind Dexter, never able to catch up. He'd quit trying years ago, pretending it didn't matter.