Boardroom Seduction

by Anita Bunkley

  I’m gonna do this one right, Leon decided as he got into his car and started the engine.

  While at the office, he struggled to maintain a professional distance from Kacey. In a place like Rockport, it didn’t take much to start rumors, and he’d already taken a huge risk by staying alone with her in the building after hours. The last thing he wanted was for Kacey to become the butt of jokes or rumors around the plant. He’d never had sex with a woman in his building and the realization of what he’d just done was titillating, but as he drove into the Seaside Suites Motel parking lot and stopped at the entrance, he decided that it couldn’t happen again.

  He leaned across to open Kacey’s door, and was pleasantly surprised when she captured his lips with hers.

  “Guess I’ll see you tomorrow,” she whispered when the kiss ended.

  “Right. Tomorrow,” he replied, pulling away. He had to put some space between them because if he didn’t, he knew anything might happen.

  “Now that the fittings are finished, I’ll get Linette onboard,” Kacey advised, stepping out of the car. She bent down to look in at Leon, resting her arms in the open window.

  “Good idea,” Leon said, taking Kacey’s hand in his. He kissed her fingertips, gave her a long look and then let her go. “Call me later…if you want.”

  “Maybe I will,” she tossed back before turning around to enter the motel.

  Leon sped out of the parking lot and took the long way home, needing time to process everything that was happening, and happening so fast.

  Was she using him to satisfy needs that had been bottled up too long? Was she just out for a fling with a country guy so she’d have something to talk about when she returned to New York? Or was she really, truly in love? As hard as it was to think it could happen, Leon felt in his heart that he had finally found the woman of his dreams.

  Kacey called Linette right away and filled her in on everything that was going on between her and Leon. “Girl, this assignment is turning out to be a lot more than I bargained for,” she said. “The personal stuff is getting real personal, if you know what I mean.”

  “Trust me, I do,” Linette tossed out.

  “Everything’s all tangled up. We have to work together, you know. It’s absolutely crazy! I need to talk to you because things are moving way too fast.”

  “Says who?”

  “Says me! I know I shouldn’t be all cozy with Leon, but damn, he’s hard to resist. And a really good guy, too.”

  “And from what you’ve told me, he has a secret admirer who may not be so pleased with you and him hooking up?”

  “Yeah, Nona. The operations manager. I can’t get a fix on her. She seems friendly enough, but there’s something about her I don’t trust.”

  “Leave me alone with her for fifteen minutes and I’ll get all the answers you want.”

  “Girl, I don’t doubt that,” Kacey chuckled, aware of her friend’s blunt, inquisitive nature. “So how soon can you come?”

  “I can be there late on Friday…the day after tomorrow. Is that okay?”

  “Sure. We can do the shoot on Saturday. Hopefully, at the beach because the weather is expected to be very warm.”

  “Good. Text me directions to the factory.”

  “Will do. I can’t wait for you to meet Leon. He’s easy to work with. And he even might have some photo work for you. I was kinda wary about using Archer Industries, but now I’m glad Leon is doing my line.”

  Linette laughed into the phone. “Hmm. Sounds like he’s more interested in doing you than a line of swimsuits,” she remarked.

  “Hey, you may be right. But as long as he produces on both fronts, I’m happy.”

  “Sounds serious… I’m really looking forward to meeting your new friend. Later,” Linette said, ending the call.

  “Later,” Kacey murmured into the silent phone, anxious to have Linette around to talk to, if only for a day or two.

  While she and Leon had been turning her designs into real swimsuits, Kacey had been turning her heart over to the man whose sensual touch was far more dangerous than his power cutters and industrial sewing machines. This feeling of blissful happiness was so strong, and so foreign, it frightened Kacey. Can it last? she wondered, sliding down onto the bed to stare at the ceiling and replay every moment of her dressing room love session with Leon.

  Chapter 17

  The following day went even better than Kacey had hoped and by the close of business on Friday all the adjustments had been made, the first-run samples were complete and she was ready for the photo shoot. When Leon suggested that Linette use the shoreline along his property to photograph the line, Kacey agreed that it would be the perfect background to show off her swimsuits.

  Friday afternoon, Linette arrived at Archer Industries with her load of cameras and supplies. She met Kacey with a hard hug, wrapping her well-toned arms around her friend. An avid runner, Linette kept herself in great shape, taking time between jobs to train for marathons, and wore her reddish brown hair in a short sassy style—easy to manage on the road, she said. Her standard dress was cargo pants with lots of pockets to hold her rolls of film, and tight T-shirts that showed off her fabulously fit body.

  “Ready to get to work?” Kacey asked as she walked with Linette toward Leon’s office.

  “Absolutely,” Linette replied, following her friend. “I’ve been pumped about this shoot ever since you told me that it was finally going to happen. Can’t wait to see what you’ve done.”

  “I think you’re gonna like SunKissed by Kacey. As a matter of fact there is one suit in the line that is perfect for you. A two-piece number in cinnamon that’ll look great on your hourglass figure.”

  After a handshake with Leon when Kacey introduced them, Linette cut her eyes at Kacey, indicating her approval.

  Now she sees what I’ve been talkin’ about, Kacey thought, giving Linette an imperceptible nod of understanding as they sat down to discuss their schedule for the next day’s shoot.

  Once all was set, Kacey drove Linette to the Seaside, where she checked into a room across from Kacey’s.

  While Linette unpacked, the two friends got busy catching up on personal matters.

  “He is too damn fine,” Linette commented about Leon as she placed an oversized striped shirt on a hanger.

  “Isn’t he?” Kacey giggled in agreement. “And sexy as hell, too. At the office he tries to be all businesslike and impersonal, but I know how to wear him down,” Kacey confessed, going on to add a few more details about her rapidly evolving romance with Leon.

  “I’m happy that you’ve finally found a serious man to date, after wasting so much time with Jamal.”

  “Yeah, I know. I’ve been fooling myself. Trying to act like I was happy with Jamal, but now… Whew! I didn’t know what I was missing.”

  “You sure jumped in all the way. I’m proud of you, girlfriend.”

  “It is moving kinda fast, huh?” Kacey admitted. “But I…you know what? I think we make a good team. In business and other things, too. Maybe, I’m actually in love?”

  “That’s pretty damn obvious, Kacey. Anyone can see that,” Linette dryly observed. “And I can see that Leon is, too.”

  “Uh…think so?”

  “Yeah. But that’s a good thing. You need to stop stressin’ so much. What’s wrong with great sex with a man you have feelings for? Let it all play out, Kacey. Relax and see where things go. Don’t overanalyze the situation and wind up blowing it. You two might have a shot at a real future together.”

  “I wish…but how could that happen? With me in New York and him in Texas? I told you how he feels about this place. Deep, deep, roots. No way he’d ever leave Rockport.”

  “It’ll work itself out if it’s meant to be. For now, just enjoy the journey.”

  Kacey held back from voicing another round of self-doubts, deciding to take Linette’s words to heart. If she and Leon were destined to be together, somehow they’d bridge the differences between where they lived
and how they loved. It could be done, couldn’t it?

  Saturday morning dawned clear and warm, offering the perfect day to photograph SunKissed by Kacey at Leon’s beach house. Linette set up her equipment while Kacey put on the first swimsuit of the shoot—a red satin bikini that showed off her curves with a high-waisted thong and a full-coverage triangle top. The gauzy matching cover-up hit her at midthigh, adding a little extra drama to the ensemble.

  Leon watched the action from his deck as Kacey took direction from her friend. He was as impressed with Linette’s ability to get just the right poses out of Kacey as he was with the way Kacey’s swimwear hugged her body in a perfect fit.

  Kacey knows what she’s doing, all right, he thought, convinced that any woman would look good in that ensemble, no matter what her figure.

  As the shoot continued, Leon began to better understand what Kacey had meant when she’d assured him with confidence that SunKissed would fly out of stores. She was right. Once her line hit the retail market, there’d be no stopping her.

  Sitting back, Leon watched the action with pride, admiring the swimsuits that his company had produced. There were low, sexy peekaboo cuts. Retro one-piece units that were ultrachic, and bikinis that featured the tiniest of bottoms as well as skirted styles. He ogled plunging necklines and backless suits that showed off Kacey’s soft, mounded breasts and her perfect rear end. He gaped in admiration at a monokini in a passion-purple tone that paid homage to Kacey’s smooth Brazilian wax.

  A leopard print two-piece with a bandeau top and a boy-cut bottom was his favorite. Created out of the imported Naughty Net, it was electrifying on her. When Leon saw her emerge from the water, her nipples and smooth pubic area peeking through the transparent fabric, the sight made him suddenly go hard. Though he tried to keep his attention focused on the swimsuit, it was difficult to concentrate on anything but the woman who was wearing it. With his eyes riveted on Kacey’s seductive brown body as it whirled in front of him, he clenched his teeth, remaining perpetually aroused and primed for action.

  He liked what he saw for another reason, too. Kacey and Linette worked well together, and the shoot was progressing without a hitch. No drama, arguing, prodding or delays. Linette impressed him as a talented professional with whom he’d love to work again.

  After all the swimsuits had been photographed and Kacey was once again dressed in her jeans and a tie-dyed cotton shirt, they left the beach and drove into town for dinner at Buddy’s.

  “Where are you off to next?” Leon asked Linette, after they’d been seated and placed their orders.

  “I’m heading to Chicago. Don’t know if I’ll leave tomorrow or Monday morning.”

  “What kind of a job this time?” Kacey asked.

  “A catalog for a parents’ magazine. Lots of nursery furniture, toys and strollers.”

  “And crying babies all over the place?” Kacey prompted.

  “Yeah, that, too,” Linette agreed with a smirk.

  “But it ought to be interesting,” Leon commented with a laugh. “Guess your work lets you see the inner workings of a lot of different companies.”

  Linette nodded. “Absolutely. And it’s one of the things that keeps me in love with my profession.”

  “Ever photographed a Texas rodeo?” he asked, hunching over his glass of soda as he pursed his lips.

  “No,” Linette replied. “No rodeo—Texan or otherwise.”

  “Well, if you can stick around tomorrow, I’d love to take you…and Kacey to a rodeo. My friend, Freddy Mathews, has a ranch in Smithville and this rodeo will be a big deal. Townsfolk come out in droves, and out-of-towners, too. A lot of the people who work at Archer will be there, and it ought to be a lot of fun.”

  “Oh? Sounds like something I don’t dare pass up,” Linette remarked, shifting her attention to Kacey.

  With a shrug, Kacey eyed her friend. “Leon mentioned it a few days ago, but I hadn’t thought much about it. You wanna go?”

  “Of course,” Linette quickly replied. Turning to Leon, she asked, “And it’s okay to take photos?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Then I definitely want to see your rodeo.”

  “Me, too,” Kacey decided, looking forward to meeting people outside of Archer Industries who knew Leon. She could learn a lot about a man by getting to know his friends, and right then, Kacey wanted to know everything about Leon Archer’s past. How else could she envision a future with him?

  Chapter 18

  “This started as an all-black rodeo,” Freddy told Kacey and Linette as he guided them toward a huge arena where a crowd of rowdy, yelling rodeo fans were screaming at a man who was trying to stay on a bull that definitely didn’t want him to succeed. “However, most people don’t think of how important that was for blacks in Texas long ago.”

  “I know that’s the truth,” Linette commented. “But Bill Pickett invented bulldogging and was a huge rodeo star, right?”

  “Correct,” Freddy replied, as he motioned for Leon—who’d lagged behind to say hello to one of his mother’s neighbors—to hurry and catch up.

  “Pickett was one of the most colorful characters in the history of Wild West shows and rodeo circuits,” Kacey added to the conversation.

  “I see you two young ladies know your black history,” Freddy commented with a chuckle, guiding Linette, Kacey and, finally, Leon into front-row seats. As they settled down, they were greeted by warm hellos and expressions of welcome from many of Leon’s friends. Clearly, Leon Archer and his parents knew people from all over the area and were well respected, too.

  From her up close and personal location, Kacey watched the action in the rodeo arena with her mouth gaping, impressed by the bravery, skill and awesome strength of the riders who struggled to keep their balance on bucking bulls while holding on to a rigging strap with only one hand. From the expressions on their faces, Kacey could tell that the thrill of the ride overshadowed the pain of the fall when they crashed to the ground or were thrown against a barrier by a testy bull.

  “Amazing,” Linette commented.

  “Here’s where you see the true test of a cowboy,” Freddy replied.

  “It must take a lot of work to put this rodeo on,” Linette said.

  “Yeah, but it’s fun. It all started when my granddad decided to host a bull-roping contest on his farm so his friends could have some fun,” said Freddy. “Now, we draw close to a thousand people over the weekend, and contestants travel from as far away as California and Oklahoma to join in.”

  When a Caucasian cowgirl in a flamboyant black-fringed outfit entered the area on a beautiful bay, the crowd erupted in a volley of loud cheers. “Mary Clayton. Very popular,” Freddy explained. “She’s a town girl. A newcomer to our rodeo, but she’s a favorite to win the barrel race.”

  “What’s that?” Kacey asked.

  “In the barrel race, cowgirls ride their horses against the clock, making a cloverleaf pattern as they pass by a series of three barrels.”

  “So it’s not just a black folks’ rodeo, huh?” Linette commented.

  “Nope. Any cowboy or cowgirl who wants to participate is invited to ride here. No exclusions because of race or culture. Everyone is welcome,” said Freddy.

  “I’ve gotta get her on film,” Linette decided. She stood, lifted her camera to her face and began to snap away as she moved to the edge of the barrier.

  Kacey focused on the lively barrel race, her attitude about Texas beginning to soften as she got into the heart-stopping excitement of the rowdy competition. She’d arrived in Rockport determined to hate her foray into small town America, but here she was, having more fun than she’d had in years. In fact, she had not been bored or homesick since her arrival.

  Thanks to Leon, she thought. He’d opened her eyes to the pleasant side of life in his hometown, with their peaceful walks along the beach, their explorations of local history and meals in a barbecue joint where she was now greeted by first name. In Rockport, it seemed that folks either kn
ew you, or went out of their way to befriend you. She had not missed the big city hustle—and hassle—at all, and was finding this slower-paced life to be rather sensual, and definitely worth exploring further…especially with Leon.

  Kacey pressed her shoulder against Leon’s and tilted her head toward him, suddenly wanting to feel him next to her. He gave her a squeeze and kissed her quickly on the forehead. “Having fun?” he whispered in her ear.

  “Yes. It’s very exciting, but it sure is dusty,” she added fanning away a cloud of dust that suddenly surged up into her face when a cowgirl raced past on a beautiful white horse.

  “Yeah, but that’s part of the experience. Want a soda?” Leon asked.

  “Sure. That would be great. Orange, if they have it.”

  “They do,” Leon assured her, easing out of their embrace. “Be right back.”

  Kacey had just begun to concentrate on the next rider in the arena when Nona slipped into the space that Leon had just vacated.

  “Hi,” she said to Kacey, who was waving at Linette on the far side of the arena.

  Kacey shifted to the side to check out Nona’s outfit. She was wearing a red-and-blue-plaid shirt embedded with gold threads, tight black jeans that hugged her sturdy frame and heavily tooled cowgirl boots with metal clips on the toes. A red felt cowboy hat topped off her Western ensemble.

  “You look like you ought to be out there on a horse,” Kacey remarked, taking in Nona’s flashy Western attire.

  “Not me. I do ride pretty well, but I have no desire to compete in a rodeo.” She paused, lifted her face to the sunshine and grinned. “Leon and I used to ride all the time. We spent hours roaming these parts.”

  “That’s nice,” Kacey muttered through tight lips, inwardly groaning. She was sick and tired of Nona’s irritating trips down memory lane. Didn’t this woman have anything on her mind other than faded, youthful memories of her and Leon’s past? Determined not to show her distaste for Nona’s remark, Kacey decided to rub in the fact that she’d been invited to come to the rodeo with Leon, not Nona. “I’m having such a good time. Leon insisted that Linette and I come out here today. He’s been so good about making sure I enjoy myself while I’m here.”