Styles of Seduction

by Jacquelin Thomas

  “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

  “We can’t do this, Kyle,” she whispered. “I can’t do this.”

  “Zoe—”

  “No. What happened between us was a mistake. I’m not going to let it happen again.”

  “Why do you keep saying that it was a mistake?”

  “Kyle, I know you. We don’t want the same things when it comes to a relationship. I’m just not willing to compromise.”

  She wished it were different. Zoe wished that he could love her as she did him, but Kyle Hamilton wasn’t the kind of man to commit. “I think it’s best if we just put what happened behind us,” she suggested. “You were right the first time. We should keep our relationship purely professional.”

  She did not bother to wait for a response. Zoe turned and started back inside the building.

  She was not going to let Kyle break her heart all over again.

  “Zoe, why are you making things so complicated?” Kyle demanded when he caught up with her.

  “I’m not,” she said. “I just think that we both need to focus on work right now. The shows start tomorrow, or have you forgotten?”

  “This isn’t over, Zoe. We have a lot to discuss. Will you at least meet me for dinner tomorrow night?” Kyle inquired.

  “There’s nothing to discuss.”

  He moved closer to her. “You say there’s nothing going on...but why is it that right now all I can think about is kissing you, and doing my best to keep things at only a kiss, even though I want far, far more?”

  She narrowed her eyes. “I’m not looking to be friends with benefits, Kyle.”

  “I care about you more than that, Zoe.”

  “You don’t have to pretend something you don’t feel.”

  His laugh sounded ragged, even to him. “Here’s a little tip about me. There are certain things I just can’t fake.”

  Her cell phone rang. She pulled it out of her purse and said, “It’s Jerry.”

  Kyle shook his head.

  “I’m sorry,” Zoe murmured. “I need to see what he wants.”

  “Duty calls,” he said. “But I want a rain check. Can we at least meet for dinner tomorrow evening? I’ll give you a call after the show.”

  She smiled after a moment. “I would love to have dinner with you.”

  “Great.” Kyle let out a sigh of relief. “I’ve never had such a hard time asking a woman out.”

  “I’m not just any woman.”

  “You’re right about that, Zoe.”

  Her phone rang again. Without looking at it, she said, “I really need to see what Jerry wants.”

  “I guess we need to get back downstairs, then,” Kyle said.

  When they reached the ballroom, Jerry was waiting for Zoe. He sent a sharp glance in Kyle’s direction.

  “What did you need?” she asked Jerry.

  “I was wondering if you were ready to leave.” He glanced over at Kyle. “It’s getting late.”

  “If you’d like to stay, I can take you home,” Kyle told her.

  Zoe watched as the warmth disappeared from Jerry’s eyes. His voice was hard when he spoke. “She came with me.”

  Zoe took a tentative step back. “Oh no, you two are not going to do this. I am leaving and I’m taking a taxi.” Turning to Kyle, Zoe said, “I had a nice time. Thanks for inviting me.”

  He smiled. “You’re welcome.” Kyle planted a quick kiss on her cheek. “I’ll walk you out.”

  Jerry muttered a curse and walked away in a huff.

  “I’m sorry about that,” Kyle told her. “I don’t know why he is so territorial.”

  “He doesn’t like you,” Zoe said.

  To her surprise, he laughed. “That’s his problem. I’m not going to make it mine.”

  “Neither am I.”

  Jerry was seething and probably would not speak to her in the office tomorrow. He was temperamental and moody, but he did not frighten or intimidate Zoe.

  She could handle Jerry.

  It was Kyle she was worried about.

  Chapter 11

  The next day marked the beginning of Fashion Week. While fashion followers, celebrities, designers and other industry professionals flocked to the various white tents lined up at Lincoln Center, everyone at Guava was busy preparing for the show that was scheduled for Friday afternoon.

  Zoe observed the models as they worked with the choreographer.

  “How is it looking?” Jerry whispered when he eased into the room.

  “It’s all coming together,” she said in a low voice.

  “Okay, let’s take a ten-minute break,” the choreographer announced.

  While they were all straight-faced during the rehearsal, the models oozed personality as they chatted on cell phones or listened to music on their break.

  “Come outside,” Jerry said. “I need to talk to you.”

  She nodded and followed him out of the room. Zoe had not been expecting to have a conversation with Jerry, especially after last night. He had ignored her most of the morning, forcing her to wait until he was ready to discuss what had happened.

  “I have to be honest with you, Zoe. I don’t like what went down last night. We went to that party together and we should have left together.”

  “It was not a date, Jerry. It was a work function.”

  “I know that,” he said drily. “But you could’ve put on a unified front for the sake of Guava.”

  “You overreacted and I didn’t appreciate being placed in the middle.”

  “I might as well tell you that I’m not crazy about this alliance you have with Kyle. As I told you before, I don’t trust him.”

  “I used to work with Kyle. We do have a professional relationship, so I’m not sure I understand what you expect from me. We don’t discuss what goes on here at Guava or at RHD.”

  “I know you would never betray the company in that way.”

  “Then what is the problem?” Zoe wanted to know. She was not about to allow Jerry to tell her who she could or could not talk to, and she would not let him drag her into the middle of his feud with Kyle, either.

  “I know that you have issues with Kyle that go way back, but they don’t have anything to do with me,” she said. “I’m not going to be a part of that.”

  “He’s only trying to get you to come back to RHD. Just think about it—all of this time you’ve been working at Guava and now he’s suddenly interested in you? It’s because your stock has gone up in value, so to speak. The world knows who you are, and—”

  Zoe interrupted him. “I don’t want to hear this.”

  “Is this how you let your subordinates talk to you?”

  Zoe turned to see Sasha standing a few feet away.

  “Why don’t you mind your own business?” Zoe said.

  Sasha brushed by Zoe with a chuckle. She stood beside Jerry with her arms folded across her chest.

  “We were having a private conversation,” Zoe said. “Not that you would know what that means.”

  “Jerry, you seriously need to tame your little pet before she gets hurt.”

  “Back into your neutral corners,” he demanded. “Sasha, I need to talk to Zoe. Why don’t you order us something to eat from the restaurant across the street? I’m not in the mood for anything on the cafeteria menu today.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me. I’ll seek you out after I finish talking to Zoe.”

  She glowered at Zoe before turning to leave.

  “There really isn’t anything else to say, Jerry. My relationship with Kyle is my business.”

  “I just don’t want to see you being used as a pawn.”

  Zoe looked up, meeting his gaze head-on. “I won’t allow my
self to be used in that way by anybody.”

  “I guess you’re right, then. There’s nothing more to be said.”

  She watched him stalk down the hallway. Zoe could tell he was angry, but she did not care. She had to draw a line when it came to her personal life.

  Zoe did not believe for a second that Kyle was trying to manipulate her into leaving Guava. He would not do something like that—she was sure of it.

  Wasn’t she?

  * * *

  When Kyle and his family arrived at Lincoln Center, an intern rushed up to him, asking, “Have you seen Bailey? I thought she would be here by now. They’re doing a run-through for the show.”

  “I haven’t seen her,” he replied. “My sister likes to be alone right before a show.”

  “Just tell the producer that she will be along shortly,” Lila interjected. “Bailey is very reliable.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” the intern said before rushing off.

  Kyle knew that his sister always had her fittings completed the day before a show and often did not attend the last-minute rehearsals because she preferred to prepare on her own. Bailey would go over any last-minute changes with the producer and choreographer if necessary.

  With a kiss on his mother’s cheek, he said farewell and went backstage.

  Nelson was already here somewhere, having left shortly after eight this morning to meet with the producer and show coordinator. Kyle had yet to run into him, but he knew that his cousin was on top of things. Nelson was a wonderful assistant and he doubted that he would ever find anyone to take his place.

  Thinking of irreplaceable people brought Zoe to mind. He understood some of what scared her about him. She was right. There was a time when Kyle wanted nothing more than to be single. Actually, he had felt that way not too long ago.

  But then he had ended up locked in a room with Zoe. Everything had changed for him then.

  He was not going to let her down.

  Convincing Zoe of that was quite the challenge, but he had never been one to easily give up. The fact that she had feelings for him increased his odds, Kyle decided.

  He intended to woo her until she saw that he was the man she needed him to be.

  * * *

  Bailey was going to be a hit at the RHD fashion show for sure. Zoe really wished she could be there for Kyle and his sister. She couldn’t even sneak over to the RHD tent for a quick peek. Jerry had everyone scurrying about, finalizing details.

  She found Jerry standing in the hallway near his office on his cell phone, talking in a low voice, but he ended the call abruptly when he spotted her. “What are you doing?” he demanded. “I thought I told you to have the models do one more run-through.”

  “Jerry, you need to calm down,” she said. “We’re ready for tomorrow. Everything is perfect.”

  He glanced over at the collection of clothing on a rack nearby. “I want our launch to be better than perfect, Zoe. We want the world talking about every single piece of this spring/summer collection.”

  “And they will be,” she assured him.

  He gave her a tiny smile. “This is what I really like about you. You are always so optimistic.”

  “Why does it seem as though I always find the two of you in a corner somewhere whispering?”

  They both turned to find Sasha standing in the doorway.

  “You know, people are starting to talk,” she said as she approached them, her hands on her hips.

  “The only person talking is you,” Zoe said, waving her hand in dismissal.

  Jerry choked off a chuckle as Sasha glared at him.

  “I need to get back to my office,” Zoe announced as she headed to the door. She paused long enough to say, “Sasha, why don’t you find something productive to do? In case you haven’t noticed, we are extremely busy around here.”

  “Who do you think you are?” she challenged. “You may think you run things around here, but you do not.”

  “And neither do you, Sasha.” Zoe struggled to keep her frustration in check. “We all have a lot of work to do, so why don’t we get back to it?”

  “Zoe’s right,” Jerry said. “Back to work.”

  In the hallway, Sasha stood blocking Zoe’s path with her arms folded across her chest. “I’m tired of you trying to boss me around.”

  “This isn’t about you, Sasha.”

  “You may have Jerry fooled, but I know you.”

  “Move out of my way.”

  “I have worked hard to prove my loyalty to Guava and to Jerry,” Sasha said. “You, on the other hand, would go running back to RHD in a heartbeat.”

  Zoe chuckled as she stepped around Sasha. “That just proves that you don’t know me at all.”

  * * *

  “I’m sorry for interrupting, but where is Bailey?” Brianna asked Kyle. “She’s needed in hair and makeup.”

  Kyle was backstage going over the seating chart with the RHD publicist. “I haven’t seen her,” he said. “But she’ll show up in time.”

  Daniel agreed. “Bailey is probably off somewhere meditating.”

  The publicist excused herself by saying, “I’ll be with your mother if you need me.”

  “Kyle, I’ve looked everywhere for her. She’s usually not gone this long.”

  He glanced over at his sister. “Don’t worry, Brianna. You know Bailey. She likes to go off alone to prepare for a show.”

  “It’s just not like her to completely disappear like this.”

  “She’s probably in makeup by now,” Daniel said. “I bet you’ll find her there.”

  She looked from one brother to the other. “So you don’t think there’s any reason to be worried?”

  “I don’t,” they replied in unison.

  “I’ll go back to hair and makeup,” Brianna said. “I have some words for our sister.”

  “Don’t be too hard on her,” Kyle said. “This is the first time she’s ever been late to anything.”

  He strode past a refreshment table lined with yogurt, soda, muffins and plenty of coffee and tea. A group of robed models stood nearby talking and checking their phones while waiting for makeup stations to open up.

  He removed a dress from the plastic bag and felt a surge of pride in his handiwork.

  “It’s a work of art.”

  Kyle turned to face his mother. “I appreciate the compliment. My inspiration came while I was in Jamaica watching the sunset. The designs are all hand painted.”

  “Fabulous,” Lila murmured.

  “So have you seen Zoe lately?” she asked.

  Kyle broke into a grin. “Mom, are you still trying to find a wife for me?”

  “I simply asked if you’d seen Zoe recently.”

  “As a matter of fact, I saw her at the RHD party. And so did you.”

  Lila gave him a slight pinch. “Smarty-pants.”

  He laughed. “I’m going to see her later tonight, Mom. We have a date.”

  “I’m so happy for you.”

  “I thought you would be,” Kyle said.

  “Zoe is a really sweet, talented girl and she seems perfect for you.”

  “I’m beginning to feel the same—”

  Kyle never got to finish his thought.

  Brianna rushed up to them. “Bailey is missing.”

  Lila gasped.

  “She’s not with the hairstylist?” Kyle asked.

  “We’ve looked everywhere. Daddy is talking to the head of security now. The show begins in an hour. If we don’t find her, what are we going to do?”

  “We are going to find her,” Kyle stated.

  “I need to go to your father,” Lila said.

  “Take Mom to the security office,” Kyle directed. “I’m going to grab Nelson and we’re
going to do a little search of our own.”

  A thread of fear snaked down Kyle’s spine.

  Nelson met him at the door of Bailey’s dressing room. “Have you heard?”

  He nodded. “Let’s search through every room, including the closets. Zoe and I were locked in the supply room at the Childs Hotel. Maybe someone is playing a cruel joke.”

  “Well, it’s not funny,” Nelson said as he and Kyle headed down the hallway.

  “I’ll start down there and you start at the other end,” he suggested.

  Nelson gave a slight nod. “We’re going to find her.”

  “Kyle, you go on and get dressed,” his father called after him. “Security’s looking all over for Bailey. If she’s here, they’ll find her. But we need to keep this under wraps for now.”

  “But Bailey—”

  “Brianna’s taking her place. She’s with the hairstylist now.”

  “Dad, what’s going on?”

  Roger shook his head. “I don’t know and I don’t want to make any assumptions.”

  Kyle didn’t want to assume anything, either. To do so would only make them more uneasy. He struggled to keep from fearing the worst.

  “Go on, son,” Roger prompted. “Get dressed.”

  Kyle’s stomach knotted up and he suddenly felt sick. He blamed himself for not going to look for her when Brianna first came to him. This was his fault and if anything happened to Bailey, he would never forgive himself.

  Please, Lord, let my sister be okay. Help us to find her, he prayed.

  * * *

  Zoe checked her watch. As expected, she’d heard nothing from Kyle. He was supposed to have called by now to discuss the details of their date, which was why she’d checked her cell phone three times in the past thirty minutes.

  I was right, she thought. He wants nothing more to do with me.

  Zoe was angry with herself for falling for his empty words. She vowed this would be the last time. He would not be able to hurt her like this ever again.

  Her cell phone rang.