Enticing Winter

by Sherelle Green

  “The women I date don’t inspire me.” Her eyes flew to his at his statement. “In fact, I have a section down the hall for entertaining company. I don’t invite women to my bedroom and I definitely don’t invite them into my studio.”

  I’m the first woman who’s been in his studio? Interesting. “Well, you didn’t exactly invite me into your bedroom,” she said with a smile. “Your sister did.”

  After a few seconds of silence, he leaned his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands together. “I have a proposition for you.”

  Oh man, please don’t proposition me, because it will be extremely difficult to say no. “What is it?”

  “Lately, I haven’t been inspired by much of anything, and although at first I thought I was maybe just overworked or tired, I see now that’s not the case. For the rest of the week, since you lost the bet, I want you to help me find my muse.”

  Her forehead creased in confusion. “And how, pray tell, do you propose I do that?” Winter always told people that she was up for doing anything at least once...if she was given full disclosure of what that something was.

  “By helping me get inspired to finish the T.R. Night collection.”

  “You’re struggling with T.R. Night?”

  “Yes, and you just so happen to specialize in lingerie and nightwear.”

  “For women, yes, but I don’t create a lot of male pieces.”

  “But you can, right?” he asked, hopeful. “Or at least give me suggestions?”

  It broke her heart to hear the desperation in his voice. Searching his eyes, she realized there was a possibility he was suffering through what most designers feared...the day you lost your creativity.

  “I’ll help you,” she said, knowing she couldn’t leave him hanging. “Except I leave town on Friday and will be gone for a week. I had actually planned on telling you as soon as I got to your condo, but it slipped my mind.” She didn’t add the fact that his entire presence sometimes made her lose her focus. “My staff is well aware of where we stand with the plans for the fashion show, and if I have time between states, I’ll fly back here to check on things.”

  “Between states? Where are you going?”

  “First I’m headed to Las Vegas for an international fashion trade show and a really artsy lingerie theater performance. Then I’m headed to Kauai, Hawaii, to assist with the styling of a swimsuit photo shoot. I have friends in both places and was invited months before I knew we had to do the Inferno fashion show here in Chicago.”

  “That’s perfect,” Taheim said as he stood and began pacing the room.

  “What’s perfect?” She stood up when he didn’t respond right away. She could barely hear what he was mumbling since he seemed to be talking more to himself than her. “What’s perfect, Taheim?” she asked again.

  He stopped pacing to look directly at her. “You said you would help me, right?”

  “I did,” she said hesitantly.

  “Then that’s perfect.” He placed a hand on each of her shoulders. “I’m long overdue for a vacation, and you’re right—our teams are capable of handling the planning while we’re gone. There won’t be any T.R. Night collection to show if I can’t get inspired to create more pieces. So if you’re okay with it, I’d like to accompany you on your trip.”

  Her mouth dropped before she could catch it. She searched his eyes for any sign of humor.

  “But I leave in three days.”

  “I only need a few hours to pack.”

  “Oh my goodness, you’re serious?”

  His lips curled to the side. “Dead serious.”

  Chapter 8

  “She really said it was okay for you to go with her to Vegas and Hawaii?”

  “Of course she did. Why do you seem so shocked?” Taheim asked, keeping his voice low.

  Ajay gave him a look of disbelief. “Oh, I don’t know, could it be the fact that up until a few weeks ago, you two still couldn’t stand each other? Or maybe it’s the fact that you once described her as the worst date you’d ever had. And my favorite reason as to why this is a bad idea, how about the fact that both of you are planning the fashion show for Inferno’s grand opening? When you get back, you will only have a couple weeks left to plan.”

  Taheim looked around Inferno to see if anyone was within earshot. It was the final practice before he and Winter were going out of town tomorrow. Even though the planning would continue in their absence, they wouldn’t be available in person to iron out all the details if something went wrong or needed to be changed.

  He placed a reassuring hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Ajay—we got this. And you know I was worried about creating some of the final wow pieces for T.R. Night, so I really think this trip will help me.”

  “If you say so,” he said just before Autumn reached them.

  “Hey, guys,” she said, looking from one to the other as if she’d overheard part of the conversation. “Ajay, I was wondering if you could ensure that we order some gluten-free options next time we have a practice.”

  “Do any of the models only eat gluten-free?” Ajay asked. “Because I can order them something gluten-free.”

  “I’m the one who’s inquiring. You should always offer other options and healthy options.”

  His eyebrows scrunched together. “I have vegetables and fruit on that snack table, so I thought I was being healthy.”

  “But there’s also quesadillas, tacos, tortilla chips...”

  “And I have guacamole, peppers and low-fat cheese,” he interjected.

  Autumn’s lips grew tight in frustration. “Listen, it was just a suggestion. Buy whatever you want.”

  Taheim didn’t laugh until she walked away. “What in the world was that about?”

  “Man, I don’t know. I swear Autumn has an opinion about everything.”

  “Really,” Taheim said, looking at her and Winter interact with the models. “She seems so cool when I talk to her.”

  Ajay huffed. “She is, until she’s rattling off statistics and telling me what to do. Can you believe the other day she asked me about the tattoo on my arm? The one of the cross with the word hope written inside it.”

  “What’s so bad about asking about your tattoo?”

  “Nothing, except she asked me why I got it and I told her that it symbolized a rough time in my life when I was frustrated with how things were turning out.”

  Taheim nodded as he thought back to the time when things hadn’t been so good for Ajay. “I’m guessing you didn’t like her response.”

  “You know me, bro. I’m not the type to open up, and even though I didn’t tell her much, I said enough. Afterward, she looked at me and asked if I realized that a tattoo was just inserting ink into the dermis layer of the skin and that a study showed that one-third of people who got tattoos regretted it.”

  Taheim laughed again. “It’s not like she said anything bad.”

  “That was just the beginning. She has a stat or opinion about everything. I remember just staring at her, thinking that I now realize how you must have felt when Winter went off on you during your blind date.”

  As if they knew they must be talking about them, both Winter and Autumn turned to face Taheim and Ajay.

  “Those Dupree sisters are something else,” Ajay said, shaking his head and taking a sip of his drink.

  “They sure are,” he agreed. Taheim heard his brother continue to talk, but he wasn’t really listening to what he was saying, since he was too busy locking eyes with Winter.

  * * *

  “Can you stop staring at him long enough for us to wrap up this practice?” Autumn asked. “When you agreed to do this fashion show, I didn’t know that meant I’d have to work with Mr. Grumpy.”

  Winter broke eye contact with Taheim to glance at he
r sister. “Ajay is one of the most down-to-earth men that I’ve met here in Chicago. Are you sure it’s him and not you?”

  “I’m sorry, but did you just say what I think you said?”

  “Autumn, I love you like crazy but you are a little difficult to deal with sometimes, only to the people who don’t know you.”

  “Whether people know or understand me, rude is rude no matter how you slice it.”

  “And sometimes the things you say sound judgmental,” Winter replied. “I’m not saying Ajay wasn’t rude to you. But I am saying that maybe you need to think about what you say before you say it.”

  “Whatever. Enough about me. Why on earth did you tell Taheim he could accompany you on your trip?”

  “I already told you why. He said he needed some inspiration and he’s right. What better way to be inspired for a clothing line than to attend a few out-of-state fashion events.”

  Winter twirled her finger at Danni so that she would tell the models to walk down the runway again.

  “Are you sure that’s all it is?”

  She looked from the models to Autumn. “What other reason would I have?” Even as she said the words aloud, she knew Autumn would pick up on the words left unsaid.

  He might have invited himself on the trip, but she had to admit, she was looking forward to having him come along.

  Despite their obvious differences, they shared a lot of similarities, and when they had been in his studio, she’d realized that she also enjoyed talking to him. After she’d agreed to let him accompany her on the trip, they’d talked for another hour. What she’d enjoyed even more about the rest of their talk was that it was casual, friendly, even. After the fiery kiss they’d shared, it had been easier to naturally flirt with each other.

  “Earth to Winter,” Autumn said, breaking into her thoughts. “Do you even want to know how many seconds you spent clearly focused on him and not the models who did a second run-through because you requested it?”

  Her cheeks grew warm with embarrassment. “That’s all for today, folks. Autumn and Danni will have another practice with you next week and then Taheim and I will meet with you all when we get back in town.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Autumn and Danni share a knowing look. She was just about to say something sarcastic to them when a few voices behind her got her attention.

  When she turned, Taheim was making his way to her.

  “Hey, do you have a second to meet my mom?” he asked, motioning toward the bar, where Ajay stood with their sister, Kaya, and the woman she assumed to be Taheim’s mother. “She wants to meet the Bare Sophistication team.”

  Winter opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. Meet his mother? Hadn’t he gotten the memo? Winter Dupree did not meet parents of the opposite sex. She’d learned in high school that it didn’t matter if she was just friends with the guy, dating the guy or just doing a school project with a guy—parents always loved her and alluded to a more serious relationship.

  In this case, Taheim was just starting to become a friend... A friend she was attracted to... A friend she was attracted to who no doubt had a reputation. She didn’t want to meet his mother. She couldn’t meet his mother.

  “Danni and I would love to meet her, too,” Autumn chimed in, motioning for Danni to come down from the stage.

  “Great, follow me.”

  As soon as he turned his back to them, Winter shot Autumn a look of irritation. “What the heck are you doing? I don’t do parents.”

  “Suck it up. I just saved you from looking like an idiot. You were just standing there not saying anything.”

  “That’s because I was trying to see how I could tell him no without it sounding like a brush-off.”

  “News flash. His mom was looking at you the entire time Taheim was talking to you. There was no way you were going to be able to get out of this.”

  Since all eyes were still on her, she didn’t respond and instead continued to follow Taheim on what felt like the longest walk across a wood floor ever.

  “Mom, this is Winter Dupree, Autumn Dupree and Danni Allison.”

  “Ladies, this is my mom, Regina Reed.”

  “It’s very nice to meet you,” his mom said as she shook each of their hands. Winter looked from Kaya to her mom, thinking the two looked a great deal alike. Kinda the way my mom and I favor each other. She shivered at the unwelcome reminder of her mother.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Reed.”

  Regina looked at all three women before setting her gaze on Winter. “So you’re the woman who has my son’s nose wide open.”

  “Ma,” Taheim said quickly.

  “Oh, hush, son. I only meant that I admire a woman who would go on a terrible blind date with you and then turn around and let you accompany her on a trip. You’re pretty lucky, if you ask me.” She gave Winter a once-over. “She’s beautiful, and from what I hear from your brother about that date, she’s got a smart mouth to keep you in check, too.”

  Oh, I like her, Winter thought as she shared a look of surprise with Autumn. “Mrs. Reed, your son and I aren’t dating.”

  “I never said you were,” she replied with a laugh. “Although I would love for him to stop dating random women and settle down and have some babies, I want him to make sure it’s with the right woman.”

  Was that a dig at me? She wasn’t sure, but she definitely felt as though all the attention was on her.

  “Winter, why don’t you join me in that booth over there so we can have a chat?”

  She followed the direction of Regina’s finger and tried her best to stop her heart from beating out of her chest. Have a chat? About what?

  Regina started walking toward the booth. “That wasn’t a question, dear. Follow me.”

  After a quick nudge from Autumn, Winter fell in line behind Mrs. Reed before taking a seat across from her in the booth.

  “So you’re the creative vision behind Bare Sophistication?”

  “Yes, I’ve designed every piece in our store.”

  “That’s impressive. I can tell you’re very driven. Both my sons and my daughter think very highly of you.”

  “You have raised wonderful children.”

  “Thank you. And what about your parents? Are you close to them?”

  “My parents are divorced, but I’m extremely close to my dad. I definitely get my creativity and drive from him. He realized his dreams a little later in life, but once he did, he went after them and succeeded. I’m so proud of him.”

  “I’m sure he’s proud of you, too.” Her eyes grew more inquisitive. “What about your mother? Are you both close?”

  I was hoping you wouldn’t ask that. “Actually, we aren’t,” Winter said honestly. “We look alike, but our similarities stop there.”

  “Why aren’t you close?”

  Winter sighed as she tried to think about the best way to explain her mother. “Mrs. Reed, you know how some women, like yourself, just have that natural motherly quality about them? Whether you’ve always had it or developed it when you had kids? Though all mothers don’t mother their children the same, in their own unique way, their children know they care about them.”

  “Of course, sweetie. I understand exactly what you mean. I live and breathe for my children.”

  “Well, my mother isn’t like that. She didn’t get bit by the motherly bug.” Hell, the good-wife bug didn’t bite her either. For the first time in a while, Winter wanted to actually explain her frustration with her mother with no filter. Maybe it was the sincerity in Regina’s eyes or the fact that her bluntness made her easier for Winter to talk to.

  “Winter, do you know why I wanted to speak to you privately?”

  She shook her head before answering. “No, ma’am.”

  “I wanted to talk
to you because I know my son, and from what I hear from my other children and what I saw in him today, he’s becoming quite fond of you.”

  Winter was hesitant at first but then decided to continue. “I’m becoming quite fond of your son, as well.”

  “I can see that,” she said, giving Winter a smile. “But as much as he tries to act tough, his heart is delicate. Be careful with it and give him time to open up. When he does, I guarantee that you’ll see they don’t come any better than my son.”

  Spoken like a true mom. They weren’t even dating and already his mom was warning her not to hurt her son. She liked her. She liked her a lot.

  “I understand, Mrs. Reed.”

  “I can tell you do. I see it in your eyes.”

  As Mrs. Reed made her way out the booth, Winter had to refrain from asking her what other things she saw in her eyes.

  “Oh, and, Winter,” she said as if remembering a part she’d forgotten to say, “some women are weak-minded and others have a strong sense of self. Just because your mother seems to only think about herself, doesn’t mean she doesn’t love you. Sometimes we don’t know how to show love the right way, because we were never taught how to love ourselves in the first place. Have you told your mom how you feel?”

  “I have, years ago. But I haven’t seen my mom in over three years.”

  “Then the next time you see her, tell her how you feel. I don’t know what you have gone through with your mom, but I do know that the hurt I felt from you today isn’t fair to you or her. You deserve to tell her how you feel.” She gave Winter a gentle hug and left her to contemplate the words she’d just said.

  Chapter 9

  “I don’t know about you, but seventy-degree weather beats fifteen-degree weather any day,” Taheim said as he stepped outside of the airport terminal.