“No, Maple, it doesn’t. Got any more of that tea?”
She smiled and stood to get the pitcher, setting it on the table between us. “Does Poppy know that you’re in love with her?”
“What?” I shook my head, filling my glass to the top. “I’m not…we’re not. It wasn’t like that, Maple. Did Poppy say differently?”
“I’m only telling you this because I like you, and because I think you and Poppy have been good for each other. I suspect your invitation to the party may get lost in the mail.” She leaned forward, blunt cut red nails reaching for a brown envelope shaped like a flower. When it was in her hands, Maple handed it to me. “Don’t make me regret this, Blake.”
I pulled it open, seeing the garish yellow, orange, brown and blue colors of the invitation. It was retro, but in the gaudiest way imaginable. “The Limited Edition line?”
Maple smiled, nodding proudly. “That girl has a mind I can’t understand, but it produces magic. As a shareholder, I assume you’ll show up to help us celebrate?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world, Maple. Be sure to save me a dance.”
Maple shook her head, silver waves tumbling around her shoulder. “If you’re worrying about dancing with this old woman, your night isn’t going the way it should.”
There was something about these Masters women. They kept me on my toes.
Poppy
“Damn girl, I didn’t think you were gonna go the full Farrah!” Talia wore a big ass grin as she circled me just inside the ballroom of some fancy hotel downtown where the launch party was being held. “These feathers look so damn hot, I might take you home tonight. And just look at you, because you don’t have what I need.”
I gave her a fake pout. “You mean I bought that ten inch strap on for nothing?”
Talia let out a strangled laugh. “I can’t believe you just said that. I approve this sassy girl in this hella sexy outfit. Damn.”
“You said that already.”
“Yeah well, look at me in this dress? I’m totally Elvira from Scarface only way hotter and next to you I look like a prom purse.”
“Now you’re just being crazy. I’m sure you’ll get at least four inappropriate advances tonight, more if not a lot of wives show up.”
That brightened her right up. “Thanks, Poppy. Now let’s go mingle.”
I’d been in the ballroom for at least an hour mingling, but the mood was too festive to say so. “The fashion show was a great idea. Five orders have been placed already.”
“Look at you, CEO with money signs in her eyes.”
I guess that was kind of true. I was just happy the idea had worked out, but being lucrative is always a good thing too. “This is going to get us some good press. I wish there was a way to get a high profile person to buy one. Or wear one.”
“Poppy, stop. Take off the thinking cap for a few hours. Have some champagne and take a twirl on the dance floor. This was your first big project as CEO and it’s a success. Enjoy it before you move on.”
She was right, of course. “Okay. Let’s get more champagne.” I’d paid for the good stuff because most of the staff had worked hard and helped me settle into my role. I knew it was because if I succeeded they had job security, but that was a good enough reason for me.
“Ms. Masters, congratulations. You’ve done quite nicely.” Corrine Wood stood, looking uncomfortable in the one shoulder dress that highlighted her sculpted arms, but her pinched smile remained carefully in place.
“Thank you, Mrs. Wood. That dress is gorgeous.” Her skin flushed prettily because she wasn’t as much of a tight ass as she pretended to be. “This party is the result of a lot of hard work. I had an idea and they made it happen.”
“Yes, well, that is the mark of a good leader. Getting your people to follow you, which you have done with aplomb.”
“Thanks,” I laughed. “That’s a great word and it doesn’t get much use these days.”
“It does not,” she agreed with a small smile. “My reason for approaching you, other than congratulations of course, was to tell you that I plan to hang onto my shares. You can count me as an ally. Just say the word.”
“Wow, Mrs. Wood, thank you. I appreciate that, and I’m glad that you found me. I heard that you have a beautiful thirteen year old who wants to be the next Shaun White and I have just the thing.” Talia was the best assistant ever because she’d already left and come back with the stark white ski suit with multi-colored chevron certificate. “Just tell her to pick a number on the online form.”
“That is…thank you, Poppy. Bailey will love it.” She accepted the certificate and went in search of her husband.
“You’re amazing at that.” My eyes closed at the sound of Blake’s voice behind me.
I didn’t want to turn around, but I had to. I could do this, as soon as I took about ten deep breaths. “Thank you, Blake. And thanks for coming to support Out & About Apparel.”
There, that sounded normal. For a telemarketer.
“You look gorgeous,” he said, his tone full of awe and his eyes glued to my hair. It would seem Talia wasn’t the only one obsessed with my hair. “So beautiful.”
“Thanks,” I told him and took a step back. “You always look good in a suit.” And in a tux he looked downright delectable. If I was having those kind of thoughts about him. Which I wasn’t.
“The line looks great.”
“Yeah, like our stuff only a million times better!” His sister Lacey, stopped between us, cutting the tension with the precision of a machete. “Great job, Poppy.” She wrapped me in a surprising hug but I went with it.
“Thanks Lacey. You look great.”
She twirled. “And thank you for the retro theme because this booty looks great in polyester,” she shook her butt a little. “Because it clings,” she whispered. “Okay, I’m off to mingle. Point me to the singles, Poppy.”
“Most of sales is single. Look for the really hot ones who look a little too overdone.”
“Got it, thanks. Go back to giving hell and groveling guys. Later!”
“Is that what you’re doing?” I turned to Blake and I really shouldn’t have, because the way he looked at me with that downward tilt of his head, blue eyes dazzling in the ballroom lights, it made me forget that we were over. History. “Groveling?”
“I hadn’t gotten to the groveling yet, I was just getting started with charm and compliments.” Why did he have to be so damn charming? “Can we talk for a minute?”
“Sure. Come on.” I took his hand and we left the ballroom, finding an empty room down a dark hall off the ballroom. “Okay. Talk.”
“I didn’t do anything with Christianne, I swear.” He sucked in a breath and balled his hands into fists rather than muss his hair. “She likes to play games and-,”
“I believe you.”
“You do?” I understood his skepticism, but other than how annoyingly hot she was, I wasn’t upset about her.
“Yeah. I heard and saw enough to know that much. But it didn’t feel too great having your worst fear recognized.”
His brows dipped into a frown. “What’s that?”
“That you were only with me to seduce me into giving you the company.”
He growled and stepped forward, grabbing my hands in his. “That was never part of the plan, trust me. All of this would have been a lot easier if I’d been able to resist you.” His tone was urgent. Anguished. “Victoria did mention it but I wouldn’t do that. Why do you think I was such an ass to you in the beginning?”
I laughed and he brushed soft kisses along my knuckles. “I thought it was all part of the coldhearted businessman persona you’ve cultivated.”
“Not exactly. I was prepared to hate you, and then I met you.”
“And my purple hair?”
“I like the blue, it matches this sexy outfit.” His fingers sifted through my newly dyed teal tips. “But I didn’t hate you, I liked you. And then I was intrigued by you. And then enchanted by you.”
“Blake,” I whispered, my emotions getting the better of me.
“Everyone else saw it, everyone but us.”
“Saw what?”
“That we’re perfect for each other. That you love me,” he cupped my face and brushed a kiss right on my mouth. “and that I love you,” He did it again, a little longer this time until I relaxed into him, gripped his shoulders. “Did you hear me?”
I shook my head, feeling a little dazed from his declaration. “Um, what?”
He flashed a knowing smirk. “We’re in love, Poppy.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s not how you’re supposed to say that.” His deep laugh made me smile.
“I love you, Poppy. I didn’t know it, and I didn’t know enough to be looking for it. But you’re here and I’m so damn sorry if I ever made you doubt my feelings for you.” He held my face in his hands, forced me to look deep into those beautiful eyes of his and see the truth. I didn’t want to see the truth though, because it scared me.
If he loved me like that, like the promise in his eyes said he did, that meant what I was feeling wasn’t just sex hormones. That ache deep in my chest and stomach, the nonstop thinking about him, the getting turned on by the memories of us together, all of that together meant one inescapable, one undeniable fact. I loved him too. “Shit.”
He chuckled and pressed a quick kiss to my lips. “Not exactly the response I was hoping for, but I can work with that.”
“No, I was saying ‘shit’ because I love you too. I love you, Blake.” The look he gave me was so intense it nearly stopped my heart.
“That’s so damn good to hear. So damn good.” The relief in his voice was palpable, the anxious way he touched me, as though he had to be sure it was me right there in front of him. “So, what now?”
“You tell me. Are you still trying to take over my company? Because I love you but I think that would doom us from the start.”
“No. I’m keeping the shares I have now because I know a money maker when I see one. But Lacey was right, I need my people to step up their game so we can beat you legitimately.”
“I look forward to it. Maybe a friendly wager is in order, when the time comes.” I wrapped both arms around him and pulled him close so I could climb up his body, letting out a long moan when his hands settled on my ass. “For now though, Blake, my love.”
“I like the sound of that,” he laughed and kissed my neck gently and then nibbled it not so gently.
I rolled my eyes and grinned, twining my fingers in his hair. “I think a bit of makeup sex is in order.”
“Is the door locked?”
“Do you care?” I slid down his body and turned my back to him, pointing to the hidden zipper.
Blake tugged on the zipper and tugged on the bow at my neck. “The only thing I care about right now, is hearing you scream my name.”
“You men, you’re all the same. A little ‘I love you’ and they start talking dirty.”
“I love you, that means I can talk as dirty as I want to you.”
“Yeah?” He nodded and thrust into me. “Then let me hear it.”
“I love you,” he growled and then he leaned in until barely a molecule could fit between us, and filled my ears with the sexiest, dirtiest, most erotic things I’d ever heard.
And then he took me home and did them to me.
This was a good damn start.
The End
Sneak Peek: Fake Fiancé Next Door
Kenzi
“It’s completely natural and will leave your skin clean, fresh and youthful.”
I took a deep breath and remembered to smile at the crowd gathered for the unveiling of my new skin scrub. I hated speaking in public, especially here in Truly, Oregon. My hometown. The place where I would forever be the odd little girl in the patchwork dresses and dirt under her nails.
“What about allergies?”
My friend Ken had volunteered to be my model for the day, which worked because the man was sex on a stick and half the women in my shop only showed up to gape at his tall, blonde, Nordic beauty.
I flashed a grateful smile. “There are no nuts or dairy, but I urge everyone to check the ingredients label carefully.” I slathered the oatmeal and sugar scrub over his face, hands and forearms, careful not to stain the gauzy white dress I’d chosen for today. It was how people expected me to look, which was fine since it fit in with my style preferences. Aside from the green framed glasses I needed so my world wasn’t blurry. “The best part of all is a quick wipe with a warm towel and you’re good to go!”
I felt like an informercial, but the town actually showed up to support me. Something that still surprised me after four years in business. I knew they appreciated the jobs I brought, however tiny they might be. “Come and feel how smooth Ken’s skin is.”
“You know I’m going to kill you later and hide your body in the next burn out,” he muttered under his breath.
“Doesn’t that violate some type of firefighter’s code?”
“Don’t know, don’t care.” His blue gaze slid to the women, approaching him hungrily. “Don’t leave me here.”
I laughed and patted his shoulder. “Come on Ken, they’re your perfect captive audience. Your next lover could be in this very room,” I whispered to his scowling face, unable to stop the laughter.
“I’ll get you Kenz.”
That was his only reply as I skirted around the chair and display of new products, making my way to the long glass counter, edged with bamboo. Each time I looked around my shop, I couldn’t help but grin at how much I’d accomplished since moving back when Gran needed me. It was crisp green and a soft buttery white that gave everything a beautiful glow. Organics by O’Brien was, by all metrics, a success. Both the store as well as online sales were on an upswing and I felt good about that part of my life.
Too bad small town living didn’t lend itself to an active social life. But my business was here, so I guess I’d made my bed and now I was determined to lie in it.
Alone, apparently.
“Hey Kenzi, do you have more of that mint stuff?”
Matt’s deep voice pulled me from my musings. Or woolgathering as my Gran would call it. “The pain balm? Yes, I have new packaging.” Customers had been complaining about the plastic jars I’d used previously, so I listened. I held up the new tube. “Better?”
He flashed a wide grin, so bright against his dusky skin. The policeman looked exactly as he had in high school, only bigger. “Perfect. Now I don’t feel like I’m putting on makeup.”
I laughed, shaking my head as I rang him up. My Gran always said that men’s egos were more fragile than the finest China. “Good thing it now feels like old man cream, right?”
“Right,” he grumbled. “Old man cream.”
Matt was a good guy, at least he seemed to be. He treated me like a business owner and resident, not the strange girl everyone thought I was as a kid.
“I’m glad it’s helping, Matt.” His wife, Amber, joined him and I froze. I always got the feeling Amber didn’t like me, which didn’t make sense since she didn’t even really know me.
She rolled her eyes. “You could get three tubes of the cream from the drug store for these prices,” she grumbled, checking out her hundred dollar manicure.
Matt glared at his wife, who wore a carefully oblivious smile. “It works for me, and it smells a hell of a lot better than that pain cream from the pharmacy.”
“Whatever works,” I said and handed him the bag with a perfectly polite smile on my face. The truth was that my customers were dedicated to my brand because it worked, and it wasn’t filled with unpronounceable ingredients that could harm the skin.
My sales were up. I shouldn’t let Amber’s words get to me, but they did. They always did, because whenever I came into the store, I reverted back to being that insecure teenager I no longer was, and since I came in almost every day, it was pretty damn annoying. “Thanks for choosing Organics by O’Brien.”
&nb
sp; Matt smiled and turned to leave with a wave, Amber by his side with a smirk on her face like there was some joke I didn’t know. There probably was, but I had too many other things on my mind to worry about what it was. My store was full and Ken had finally broken free of his groupies as he edged down the hall towards my office.
I felt a pair of eyes on me. But I was determined to ignore them because I had a feeling I knew exactly who’s eyes they were. Eyes I’d seen one time up close, in the throes of passion.
There in the corner near the cucumber bath sugar, was Chase. Big and tall, with wavy brown hair just a bit too long and light, sky blue eyes smiling at me as he waved.
I didn’t smile or wave in his direction. I turned and put him right out of my mind.
Just like he had, all those years ago.
I loved this time of year when I can put on a pair of cutoff denim shorts and a ratty old t-shirt that’s been washed about ten thousand times, and sink my hands and feet in the dirt. Gardening was one of my favorite things to do. I used to spend hours with my Gran in this same backyard, plucking tomatoes and green beans, and all kinds of vegetables. I hate that she’s gone. Three years and I still miss her, but having her house and this land, it’s like she’s right beside me giving me unsolicited advice about how to do things the right way. Meaning her way.
She was bossy and stubborn, but I loved her to death. “And I know you’d love these tomatoes,” I could help but hold one up to the sun. It was perfect and plump. Tempting.
I got a good haul of tomatoes and jalapenos, dandelion greens and plenty of blueberries. Oh, and some scallions. I felt pretty good about it as I set the baskets on the porch and reached for the pitcher of ginger peach tea I left brewing in the sun. I took a long slow gulp and turned my face up to the sun, smiling because I knew my natural sunscreen would protect me.
“So, you do know how to smile. It’s just me you hide it from.”
“Chase,” I groaned and snapped my eyes shut. Three months. Three frickin’ months and he’d avoided me the same way I’d avoided him. We had an implicit, if silent, agreement to stay the hell away from each other. “What are you doing in my backyard?”
His Takeover: An Enemies to Lovers Romance Page 10
