by Fox, Addison
“Ha. If you’re feeling one-tenth of what I’m seeing then it’s got to be incredible.”
It was incredible. For her. But it was nothing but a mirage.
And wasn’t that the whole problem?
…
Booth stared at the stack of expenses his admin had left for him and sighed. The downside of being the boss. Everyone else got to manage expenses electronically while he or his father had to do the final sign-off in ink. He’d just dug into the stack when a swift knock at his door gave him a reprieve.
“Sinclair.” The harried face that greeted him from the door had Booth waving the man in. “What’s the matter?”
“Our keynote for the sales conference. We’re two weeks away and he had to pull out.”
Booth thought of the financial writer who’d had three best sellers in as many years. “He’s been committed for a year.”
“And his wife had their baby two months early and he can’t leave.”
“Okay.” Booth acknowledged the man’s very real need to decline. “So what’s plan B?”
Sinclair paced the office, his neon-orange tie and spats a standout under any circumstance, but especially unique in the Financial Journal’s staid offices. “I don’t have one.”
“I thought we had three backups.”
“We did. One has another last-minute engagement she accepted because she thought we didn’t need her. Another just got a new job and isn’t allowed to take on any public speaking engagements for six months, courtesy of his employment contract. And the third is dead.”
“Oh.” Booth abstractly wondered who’d died but couldn’t conjure their backup list fast enough.
“Thaddeus Van Wyck. Cable heir. Bit it last week.”
“Damn.”
“I know. I’m disappointed.”
“Likely not as much as he is.”
Sinclair smiled, his first since walking in. “Good point.”
“Aside from an all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii, what else do we ask of our keynote speaker?”
“We ask the speaker to deliver an hour-long speech on the first full day of the conference and attend the luau the night before. We’d also like them to be available after their speech since people want to talk to them throughout the day. That’s all we need.”
Booth searched his mind for who might work. His first thought was Nathan, but he knew including his brother wouldn’t be all that enticing to the rest of the sales force. Nathan wasn’t a media guru, nor did his former focus on raiding corporations make him a favorite of the business community.
“What about your brother’s new wife? Keira is a great draw wherever she speaks.”
“I just saw her last night. She’s headed to Europe for meetings.” Booth paused as an idea took shape. “But what about her sister?”
“Which one?”
“Camryn. Their CFO.”
“I saw her speak recently at a benefit for the children’s hospital. She’s sweet and funny and knew how to keep an audience. A trait the McBride sisters seem to have in spades.” Sinclair tapped his teeth. “She would work. I can make her work. Especially if I can do something about her clothes.”
“What’s wrong with her clothes?” Booth thought about the woman he’d been enamored with for the better part of the last year and couldn’t come up with anything amiss.
“She owns one shade. Black.”
“Aside from your ties, you own one shade and it happens to be black.”
“I’m moody and artistic. It works.”
“Everything works on her.”
Sinclair’s speculative gaze and broad grin were swift and immediate. “Then wait ’til you get a load of her after I’ve worked my magic.”
Booth waited until Sinclair had left his office and dialed Camryn’s number. The prompt and efficient voice that answered on the other end had his stomach tightening in hard knots while a vision of her lush mouth, had something farther south hardening as well. “Hello, Ms. McBride. How’d your meeting go this morning? That urgent one you needed to get home for last night?”
The hesitation was brief. “Quite well, thank you.”
“I have a proposition for you.”
“Booth. I’m working. And I thought I made my point more than clear last night.”
“It’s actually a business proposition, but if you’d like to revisit our conversation I’d be happy to oblige.” He dropped his voice. “I haven’t stopped thinking about it.”
His body tightened even further, the image of finally having her naked in his arms too tempting to resist dwelling on for the briefest moment. The sexy, husky voice echoing in his ear had only added to the fantasy.
And why was he insistent on going there? She’d made her wishes known and he wasn’t some he-man who wouldn’t take no for an answer.
But she was interested. They both were, and if he could only chip past her resistance…
“Booth?”
“Sorry. Busy morning and I was distracted by something.” Booth refocused on Sinclair’s dilemma, forcing his thoughts back to business. While he thought Camryn would say yes, he couldn’t risk her thinking the sales conference was another ploy to get her in his bed. He had no problem mixing business with pleasure, but he needed her on this. “I have a business problem and I need your help.”
“What is it?” While those husky tones were still in evidence, her words held a sharper edge to them. If he hadn’t already seen her in action, Booth still would have known the woman was a formidable opponent in the boardroom from her voice alone.
“I’d like you to be the keynote speaker at the Financial Journal’s upcoming sales conference.” He quickly ran through the details as Sinclair had shared them. “Unless you’re going to be in Europe with Keira.”
“I’m not going on that trip. And I’m flattered by the invitation, but I’m not sure I’m the best speaker for this. I’m a number cruncher, Booth. How’s that interesting to your sales team?”
“You’re an incredible businesswoman who happens to live and breathe numbers. Add on the fact that you’re a great speaker and you’ll have them eating out of your hand in no time.”
“How would you know what sort of speaker I am?”
“Because I’ve seen you in action. That children’s hospital benefit a few months ago. The opera fund-raiser last year. You’re a gem, Ms. McBride. And you know how to work a room.” Before she could protest further, he pressed his case. “Join me for lunch today with Sinclair Preston, my director for the event. He’s well-versed in what we’re looking for and his eyes lit up like diamonds when your name came up.”
“I know him by reputation. He’s incredible at what he does. Mayson tried to hire him a few years ago but he’s loyal to you.”
He waited a beat before pressing once more. “So can we count on you for lunch at least?”
“Yes.”
Booth hung up a few minutes later, a lunch destination agreed upon, and wondered why it felt like he’d just gone a few rounds.
Even more intriguing, he wondered how he could enjoy it so much.
…
A few hours later, Booth fought the urge to touch her, their small table offering ample temptation. The Italian restaurant was one of his favorites, but in typical New York fashion, the narrow tables were crammed closely together to fit as many people as possible into the small space. And he’d sorely miscalculated his ability to keep his hands off of Camryn.
“I’m flattered by the invitation, but I’m still not sure what you feel I can bring to the event, Sinclair. You need a rousing keynote to get your sales force excited and as I told Booth earlier, I’m a numbers gal through and through.”
Sinclair leaned forward and took hold of her hand, and Booth felt a stab of envy shoot through his chest. “You’re amazing. That speech you gave a few months ago for the children’s hospital was funny, warm, and incredibly inspiring.”
“That was a charity, though. Not a sales meeting.”
The small man waved a
hand, dismissing her protests. “And when you talked about the ways to minimize some of the challenges the children would face when they left the hospital? People couldn’t open their wallets fast enough.”
“You want to inspire them? Tell them how you fought my brother.” The words were out before he’d fully thought them through, but as he turned it over in his mind, Booth realized the idea had merit. “Everyone loves a good underdog story and that one has it all. A decade of effort by you and your sisters to restore the family empire. My brother’s greedy attempts to take a piece of that. A love story of complete opposites who made it work despite the odds.”
The slight relaxation of her shoulders let him know she was thinking about it. He’d seen the same look the night before after he’d suggested they explore what was between them. “Shouldn’t Keira tell that one?”
“Oh, but you’ve got the outsider’s perspective.” Booth warmed up to the challenge, anxious to close down any further arguments. “And you’re a natural-born storyteller, just as Sinclair said.”
“And it’s Hawaii,” Sinclair was quick to add. “Who doesn’t love an all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii? Paradise at your fingertips.”
Camryn’s gaze skittered to his at the use of the word “paradise” before she refocused on Sinclair. “It’s awfully generous.”
“You’re doing us a favor.” Sinclair grabbed her hand once more. “Please tell me you’ll say yes.”
“Yes.”
“Wonderful!” The small man leaped up and tossed his napkin on the table. “You’re a lifesaver. A gem. A goddess among women. Please excuse my rude rush out of here but I’ve got to get brochures printed for the meeting and I need to make sure your name’s in them.”
“Of course.”
Sinclair leaned in and quickly kissed her cheek. “I’ll be in touch soon and we’ll have a proper conversation. We’ll start discussing your trousseau for the event.”
“Trousseau?” She started to protest and Sinclair shook his head.
“I’m working on it now. Be in touch. Gotta run.”
Camryn shook her head, a bemused and slightly shell-shocked smile on her face. “I always thought my sister Mayson had spunk. She looks like an old woman compared to that man.”
“Aside from the fact he’s now half in love with you, you’ve just saved him from a disastrous sales conference.”
“You’re the head of the company. I’m sure you could give a stellar keynote that rouses the troops and all that.”
He leaned forward and laid a hand over hers, giving in to the temptation to touch her. “I’m thrilled I don’t have to.”
She left her hand under his, but her face remained set in neutral lines. “Hawaii’s an awfully nice perk.”
“Our sales team works hard. If we couldn’t do it, we wouldn’t, but I like to reward that effort.”
“Makes our annual trip for the McBride sales force to Niagara Falls seem like it requires some rethinking.”
“Everyone likes a good trip on the Maid of the Mist.”
“And we make it a family event, so I’ve yet to hear any complaints. Still.” She grew thoughtful. “I’d like to ask some of your team how motivating the trip is, if you don’t mind?”
“Of course not.”
“And I may need some time each day to finish closing the deal with Morrison. We’re in the last stages of negotiation on Magnificent and I expect it to wrap soon.”
“Whatever you need, but for the record, I think it’s going to go a heck of a lot faster than that. The man’s got to be dying to sell and get out from under the burden of a failing company.”
She straightened. “Sometimes those in a losing position need to maintain their illusions.”
“And sometimes they need to know when to take a good deal and quit arguing.”
“Your father certainly made his opinions known last night. He doesn’t think too highly of the purchase.”
Booth reached for his coffee, intrigued at the credit she gave his father. Credit the man had earned over forty years in business but which he was rapidly depleting as newer, younger executives rose up in the industry. “My father’s opinion is based on one thing only. He’s pissed he didn’t get there first.”
“He’s looking to expand into the women’s market?”
“If it meant he’d beat you out of the deal, yes. He’s like a child after someone else’s toy. Most outgrow it, but that tendency has only made him ruthless.”
Myriad expressions flitted across her face, an argument clearly blooming on her lips before she pulled back. “You’re not afraid to be harsh when you need to be, huh?”
“I’m honest. There’s a difference.” Unable to resist, he reached out and ran a finger down the back of her hand. “I also find illusion to be a close cousin to useless pretense. There’s time for little of either.”
“I thought we were talking about business.”
He pulled his hand back, reluctant to stop touching her but satisfied he’d made his point. “We are. You were just complimenting me on how I motivate my team.”
More thoughts channeled themselves across that expressive face before she finally spoke.
“You’re open. Surprisingly so for someone who’s been so successful in business. Most people would have shut me down for asking questions of your staff.”
“I’d say our styles are compatible. Few would have asked permission.”
“I mean it, Booth. Your style is unique.”
Her words were obviously meant as a compliment, but he was surprised by it. “I’m not all that different.”
“Then you don’t see what I see.”
“And what’s that?” Just like the urge to touch her that had ridden him throughout lunch, he simply couldn’t hold back his curiosity.
“You don’t take your success too seriously. Or wield it against others. Despite that, you’re easily the most powerful man in the room.”
His easy comfort at the original compliment morphed into something less easy as he struggled to find the right words. Especially since her praise was the opposite of his father’s usual take on Booth’s leadership style. “I’ve never understood those who need to wave their success like a flag.”
“That’s impressive. And considerably more powerful than the flag wavers.”
“My father hardly agrees.”
“I’m not sure I’d hold him up as the be-all and end-all of modern management.” She shook her head. “Damn it, but I really said that.”
“Out loud.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Nothing to apologize for. You meant it and you weren’t far off the mark.”
“It doesn’t change the fact he’s your father.”
“No.”
She stared down at her barely touched pasta before looking up at him once more, her gaze honest and direct. “I think we’ve both gotten used to parents who can’t quite see the positives in our abilities.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I think your father may be coming around. He was awfully quick to defend you and your sisters at dinner last night.”
“The thought of becoming a grandfather has mellowed him, likely nothing more.”
Her quick dismissal also intrigued him—just like everything else about her—but Booth sensed they were veering into dangerous waters and he was loath to push too hard. Instead he reached for her hand once more. “I’ve thought a lot about you today.”
“Oh?” She pulled her hand back, dropping it into her lap.
“You unsettle me. I have no reason to lie about that and I’ll be damned if I run from it.”
Her eyes widened and her tone rose a notch. “There you go again.”
“Go where?”
“You’re big and powerful. You’re not supposed to admit to weakness of any kind.”
Her ire was so unexpected he couldn’t resist teasing her. “But that’s where you’re wrong.”
“How? Big powerful businessmen don’t admit they’re unsettled. You’re the alp
ha dog of the newspaper community. Nothing rattles you.”
“Then you’re not looking at the same thing I am.”
“What’s that?”
He reached for her hand yet again, unable to hold that desperate urge to touch her at bay. “You. I’m looking at you. You unsettle me. Intrigue me. And you make me want, Camryn.” He dragged her hand to his mouth, turning it over as he pressed his lips to her palm.
“Booth.”
With a quick flick of his tongue, he ran the tip over the lines of her palm, satisfied beyond measure when she visibly shivered. “I want you, Camryn.”
“This isn’t the place.”
“Then name it.” He exhaled over the small patch of wetness he’d left on the sensitive flesh of her hand and was rewarded with another shiver. “Name the place.”
She dragged her hand away, her gaze on her palm before she firmly re-tucked it in her lap. “I told you last night this isn’t a good idea.”
“A sleepless night didn’t make you rethink that?” It was a calculated comment, but Booth knew it had paid off by the widening of her eyes and the light stammer that filled her words.
“Why do you think that?”
“Because I spent mine the exact same way.”
…
Camryn was no closer to answers when she let herself into her apartment at ten that night. The last twenty-four hours had her emotions speeding faster than an out-of-control roller coaster, and she wasn’t sure what to do with them. And she always knew what to do.
She lived her life with conviction, so it was terribly humbling to find herself in a situation that she had no idea how to deal with.
Her lunch conversation with Booth had lingered in her mind all day in vivid Technicolor and she still had moments where she felt the brand of his fingers on her skin.
She hadn’t been interested—truly interested—in a man for far too long, and now the one she was interested in was her sister’s brother-in-law. Their attraction was hardly convenient—or private—and it was destined to be a bad idea when they ultimately parted ways.
She was a toy right now. A challenge. Booth Harrison was a conqueror; it was in his blood. Somehow, getting tangled with conquerors never worked out well for the conquered.
