Tainted Love Series Boxed Set

by Lily Zante

  It made him feel lighter—he was done with news and people who drained him and sunk his spirits lower.

  “Unfortunately, I had to put Ms. Stefano off until the end. Things have been a little …” he paused, as though looking for the right words, “difficult around here lately.”

  She narrowed her eyes, but it was so quick if he’d blinked, he would have missed it. “Yes. It was unfortunate that you couldn’t see her until the very end. Nadine is based in the States but she’ll be visiting every so often. You’ll liaise with her directly most of the time, but it makes sense for me to oversee this while I am here. I used to be in that role previously and I have the necessary experience to ensure your campaign gets the best support.”

  “You used to be in that role?”

  She nodded. “I’m trying something different, you could say.”

  Aaaaah. He watched the way she adjusted her position in her chair, the way her hands were clasped tightly even though she smiled at him. He wasn’t so easily fooled. He’d honed his people skills over the years, just so that he wouldn’t have to hear the lies any more. Just so that he would know the truth, based on people’s actions, and not their words.

  “Different is good. Variety adds interest. I’m sure you’ll do a great job with the campaign, Ms. Braun, whatever your role.”

  The Tanya Braun who sat before him today felt uneasy about something and he hoped it wasn’t because of him.

  She looked up, and his eyes raked over her smooth skin, noted the creases at the corners of her eyes, and wondered how her hair would tumble if he let out her clip.

  “That’s reassuring to hear.”

  “Reassuring?” He asked, curious to know why he got up and walked over to the side of the desk and rested his bottom on it. He turned his body toward her, feeling better now that he was seated a little higher.

  She swallowed. “You didn’t seem so keen on the Flight campaign.” He’d have to be careful what he divulged here. “I don’t like being told what to do. Who I should do business with.”

  “You prefer to use another ad agency?” She was smart, too. Didn’t miss a trick. He felt his facial muscles tighten, and his eyes fixed on the high arch of her cheeks. Folding his arms across his chest, he told her, “I’ve worked with the best ad agencies in Paris, before we were acquired by Flight. And even now, with the US company taking over, we’ve been been doing very well working with people we know and trust.” He heaved out a sigh.

  She watched him calmly then knit her brows together as he continued. “I know my job, I know the professionals. I understand that I have to follow the steps and mandates of my parent American company, but I can’t say I like it.”

  “You would prefer to work with another ad agency?” She was digging for information. Why did women constantly ask questions?

  He uncrossed his arms, and stood up, exasperation sliding all over him. This was the very question Vanessa had just demanded the answer to. The only difference was that Ms. Braun was poised, calm and, goddammit, still smiling at him.

  “We are in contract with another agency and Russell was fine for us to continue working with them. But now—” of course now that the Zimmerman Group were expanding, his boss and hers were eager for them to work together. And here they all were. He continued, “I’m sure I have no choice but to agree and work with you.” But he didn’t like it one bit.

  “You don’t have to sound so enthusiastic about it, Mr. Valois. I don’t bite.”

  “I wasn’t so sure yesterday, Ms. Braun.”

  “You weren’t sure?” She said it in a way that demanded a response but he had a meeting across the city in half an hour. “I’m so sorry to do this to you again but I have a meeting I need to attend and I have to cut our meeting short.”

  If she was annoyed, she didn’t show it and gave a quick shrug of her shoulders. “As you wish,” she said, leaning forward to gather her paperwork. “But I’d like to remind you that I was here on time, and—”

  He knew. She was right. None of this was her fault and he instantly regretted his email to Russell. He unfolded his shirt sleeves and did up the buttons on his cuffs.

  “I apologize for keeping you waiting. Perhaps we could schedule another meeting later this week?”

  She closed her briefcase, got up, shook his hand. “I look forward to it.”

  “I’ll get my secretary to check my schedule and be in touch.”

  They walked outside together, into the bright light of the afternoon.

  “Are you sure you don’t want a lift?” he asked but she was resolute.

  “Thank you but I prefer the long walk.” They stepped out onto the street where the taxi was already waiting for him. “We could discuss the Flight campaign in more detail,” he suggested.

  But she obviously had no intention of spending any longer in his company than could be helped, and turned to leave. “I think it would be better to have a proper full length meeting. We need to get the ball rolling on this, Mr. Valois, the delays aren’t helping. Not that any of this is your fault.” She added quickly.

  “But you’re saying it as though it is.” He told her. There was something about her words not matching her actions that made him say it out loud.

  She laughed. “It wasn’t my intention to apportion any blame on you, Mr. Valois.” Her lips curved out into a perfect smile, and she got out her sunglasses, slipping them on easily.

  His breath caught at the sight of her. With her hair up and tiny wisps framing her face, her lips so lush and in stark contrast to her dark shades. He found himself mesmerized by her face; now that they both stood close enough for him to enjoy the view.

  Close enough.

  “I hope not,” he murmured, content to leave it at that. There would be other opportunities to find out more about her.

  “We’ll meet soon,” he promised her and opened the door to the taxi. She turned to walk away and her stiletto jammed in the pavement crack. For a few seconds, she twisted her foot trying to wrench it free.

  He almost stepped towards her, but she’d managed to free her foot. “The offer still stands.” He said.

  “I’m perfectly fine, she told him,” and bravely walked away.

  Gabriel slid into the taxi and as it slowly moved away, he watched Tanya Braun walking past. She had a fine pair of shapely legs too. He’d been so engrossed in the fine delicate features of her face, and the way she’d worn her hair that he hadn’t checked out the whole package as he usually did.

  Probably because a woman that age was not the type of woman who usually caught his eye. He liked them younger, when they were firm to hold, perky, svelte. And they had less emotional baggage then too.

  The other problem for him was now Vanessa. He had promised her more Flight work. The running shoes, especially the new ones in bright colors were taking off and were catching on fast as trendy casual wear.

  Vanessa had pinned her beady little eyes on potential ad work ever since his company had been acquired by Flight. And especially since last year, when the new product line started to take off.

  Only he couldn’t give her the new business anymore, because the Zimmerman Group were going to get it.

  Things were no longer as simple as they had been in the early days when the main thing for him had been getting her into his bed. She’d come willingly, and besides there had been no other advertising company as good as Spiral around. Giving them his business had been a no-brainer.

  He was forced to work the Zimmerman Group but today, for some reason it no longer felt like a bad choice. He felt more inclined to doing business with Ms. Braun.

  Chapter 7

  The restaurant close to the Notre Dame resembled more a country tavern than the chic Parisian restaurants she was used to. With hearty food and barrels of wine from which they refilled their glasses the whole evening, it was one of the best meals she’d had in Paris.

  With friends, both old and new, sitting around talking for hours, Tanya’s soul was nourished. It was exa
ctly the type of evening that she needed.

  They all sauntered out of the restaurant just after midnight to waiting taxis outside.

  “Come with us,” Patrice urged, as Thierry lifted his hand to the blank-faced taxi-driver.

  “We’ve got this one,” said Luc, and pulled her towards him. They lived in the same direction and made sense, though Luc lived further out. Patrice and Thierry would have to take a detour just for her sake. “We go the same way.” She explained to Thierry.

  They bade their goodbyes and the she climbed into the taxi, moving up right against the door when Luc got in. He still shifted up real close beside her, leaving an expanse of black leather empty.

  It was the first time they’d managed to talk all evening. Thankfully she’d been sandwiched between Thierry and Patrice who seemed to have taken it upon themselves to make sure she was well looked after and never lonely. She went back a long way with these two, regarding them as old friends.

  Luc seemed to be vying for her attention. She was all too aware that after a great evening where she had probably overindulged in food and drink that she was in danger of letting her guard down, of throwing caution to the wind, and of making wrong choices.

  It was a problem in her post-separation era.

  Sitting next to this gorgeous man helped take her mind off Vincent; he was good for something.

  She liked to think that her plan was working—that with each passing day, being in Paris, away from him, helped.

  Unfortunately, until she weaned herself away from checking his daily life updates on social media, she would continue to suffer. She could not yet begin to move on with her life.

  One day.

  “Did you have a good evening?” Luc asked, brazenly reaching out for her hand. She shivered. The touch, a touch, the contact and the feel of another’s warm skin against hers, stirred her senses.

  The taxi slowly sped down avenues lined with black lace trees. Streetlamps flickered, allowing her the glimpse of Luc’s face every now and then. And she wondered why someone like him took such an obvious interest in her.

  Could it be that ‘hasn’t had sex in months’ aura that hung around her? She knew she only had to give him one sign of her interest and he would be all for it. Temptation was itself a distraction.

  This situation she was in now reminded her of the time she’d given in and had a brief liaison with Michael Zimmerman. Even thinking of that now had her blushing with embarrassment.

  It was something she would regret forever. Yet at that time, being with someone who wanted her, who needed her in a way Vincent had not, dulled the pain that was eating its way out of her stomach.

  Just like now. The pain, lukewarm these days, still lingered. It could be temporarily forgotten in moments of madness. Moments such as these. Mad moments with Luc so close to her she could smell the wine on his breath. She could taste it if she so chose. A moment like this where she stood indecisively at the crossroads of a path which would lead her to short-lived passion, or long-term suffering.

  A light brush of her hand against his leg would be all it took. So slight, it could almost be seen as an accident, given the way he sat, legs more than a hip-width apart, like some seated Superman, potent, powerful and sensuous…and all hers for the taking.

  Her heart hammered against her ribcage and the blood drained straight down from her head to below. Pretty soon, if she didn’t think straight in the next few minutes, she’d find herself waking up tomorrow morning alongside her next mistake.

  A brush of her lips on his would start it off, and he’d wash away her feelings of inadequacy and failure, of not being enough for the man she still loved.

  They’d kissed before, once, and she knew his kisses would be quick to ignite. The state she was in right now, she wouldn’t be able to stop as quickly as she had that last time.

  Dare she risk it?

  A few pleasurable hours with Luc, to connect, to reach the crest and ride the wave. To feel wanted again. To lie in a man’s strong arms, just to be held, and caressed. Tanya hungered for all these things and more.

  She looked up at him, and that was all it took. He bent down and his lips sunk into hers, her body excited and relieved to have found a release.

  “Yours?” he asked, pulling his lips away long enough while he waited for her instruction.

  She didn’t want him in her place, because getting him out wouldn’t be easy. And she preferred to wake up alone. “Yours.” She told him, as he bent forward, then stopped, his lips almost touching her. It wasn’t the answer he’d been expecting.

  “Yours is nearer.” He whispered.

  “Not by much. Yours is a few minutes away.” She’d leave soon after; it was much easier if she was the one who had to go. She so badly wanted him to sink his mouth onto hers, as her body was beginning to awaken from its hundred year slumber.

  “Yours, I can’t wait.” He told her, and she would have moved her lips to his, and accepted except for the warning bells in her head. It’s not as if they were walking. The taxi would be at his in no time. Unless…unless he already had someone over.

  A lasting connection was what she really wanted.

  Not a quick meaningless one-night or one-week fling.

  “No,” she cried out, and moved his hand away as she turned her head to the window. “Sorry. I can’t—we can’t do this.”

  She didn’t want to be a quick lay, but as much as she was willing to use Luc in the same way that he was obviously looking to use her, she knew she deserved more. Apart from the complications at work, she didn’t want him.

  She deserved better.

  A stunned expression hurtled across his face, but he recomposed himself quickly. “You shouldn’t give out the wrong signals.” Luc turned his body away from her and stared ahead coldly. “I don’t understand you women,” he muttered. Confused, and bitter, Tanya continued to stare out of the window, not caring what he thought or what he said.

  Tomorrow would be a new day. She would rectify things tomorrow so that the two of them could continue to work together in a professional manner.

  Chapter 8

  “Couldn’t sleep?” Nadine asked.

  “I just got back.” Tanya confessed, as she leaned against the kitchen worktop, drinking a glass of water. “It was Thierry’s birthday. We all went out for a meal.”

  “Ah. How old is he now?”

  “I don’t even remember. I don’t think he wanted to declare it—which I completely understand.” She let out a laugh.

  “It’s good you all went out. How’s it going anyway?” asked Nadine. “We didn’t get a chance to catch up last time.”

  Tanya put down her glass and wondered exactly what Nadine knew of the ‘Gabriel situation’. “Thanks for the warning.”

  “No problem. Michael mentioned what had happened with Gabriel Valois. I managed to send you a quick email while I was on my way to meet Nobel Vintage.” Yeah, Nadine was right up there with Michael. Not a lot went on that she didn’t know about.

  “He called right after.”

  “I bet he did.”

  “Told me how important the deal is and blah, blah, blah.” She paused, the wine was loosening her tongue and she needed to watch her words, especially around Nadine.

  “He’s keeping a close eye on things. I don’t understand Mr. Valois’ hesitation,” said Nadine.

  “He seems reluctant to want to work with us. But he seems to like the brochure you put together.”

  “What do you think his beef is?”

  Tanya wondered whether to share her thoughts with Nadine. “I’m not completely sure. And I’d rather not make assumptions and then get into more trouble with Michael—”

  Nadine laughed. “You’re not in any trouble with Michael; this deal is huge for him. He wants to expand the European base and what better way to do it than to have a top client and show them what we can do for them? He’s hoping the work we do with Flight Europe will help attract more business in Europe.”

&nbs
p; Tanya didn’t need to be reminded yet again how important the proposed business with Flight was and she’d already begun to feel the pressure of the deal that now seemed to rest on her shoulders.

  She took another sip of her water. Nadine’s relationship with Michael was tight; she was fast-tracking her way up the career ladder with speed that Tanya had never possessed. Not even when she’d been as driven and as focused as Nadine.

  “I know Gabriel Valois seems hard to bring around, but I also don’t think we can completely blame him. After all we’ve come along and imposed ourselves on him, or rather Russell Trent did.” She found herself in the unusual position of defending the man’s actions.

  “What happened?” Nadine asked in a quiet voice.

  “Nothing happened. We met again today and he got…interrupted and then he had to head off to another meeting. We barely got around to discussing much.” Tanya proceeded to tell her how today’s meeting had gone.

  “A rival ad agency?” asked Nadine in surprise. “Do you want me to get Russell to put pressure on him?”

  Tanya thought about it. She was used to dealing with these high up managers and she wasn’t so incapable that she needed Nadine’s help. “Leave it with me for now and if I find that I’m not getting anywhere, I’ll let you know.”

  “Sure. You’re not alone in this, Tanya.”

  Aren’t I? Tanya wondered. It was all very well for Nadine to be tucked safely away in San Francisco and to take the limelight when the thing all worked out. But she was in the firing line, dealing with Mr. Valois and having to explain to Michael Zimmerman what the problem was.

  And the whole project wasn’t even her responsibility. Nadine should be over here dealing with it all. It was unfair, and it was getting to her.

  “How’re things over there with you?” She asked Nadine, needing to take the heat off her problems.

  “Mad as always. You know what it’s like over here. Something’s going on with Sandra but I’m not sure what. I think it’s personal stuff. She’s been off work for a few days.”