“Kyle, you didn’t have to come all the way here to tell me this.”
“You needed to see my face so you would know that I was telling the truth.”
“I don’t have time to have this conversation right now,” she said softly.
“Will you please come to my place after work? I really want to talk to you.”
“I’ll call you later,” she promised.
“Zoe, please give me a chance to make this right between us.”
She stole a quick peek at a clock hanging on the wall in the reception area. “I’ll call you and let you know if I can make it.”
Kyle kissed her and then left.
After her meeting, Zoe waited until it was almost time for her to leave the office before calling Kyle.
“I wasn’t sure you were going to call me.”
“I told you I would.” No need to tell him that she almost didn’t call him. She had gone back and forth most of the afternoon about it.
“I hope you’re calling to tell me that I’ll be seeing you later tonight,” he said.
“I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” Kyle asked.
“We don’t want the same things.”
“You don’t know that.”
“C’mon, Kyle, you are not ready for a serious relationship.”
“Zoe, I want to be with you. Just give me a chance to prove it to you.”
“We’re very attracted to each other, Kyle, but there has to be more than just that physical attraction.”
“I agree.”
“If you’re serious about me, Kyle, you’ll find a way to prove it to me.”
* * *
The next day, Zoe smiled as she read the card from Kyle. She glanced at her watch and said, “I need to get dressed.”
She threw on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt under a military-style jacket. “Kyle Hamilton, what are you up to?” she whispered as she checked her reflection in the full-length mirror of her bedroom.
Downstairs, a limo was waiting for her.
Zoe had no idea where she was going, but Kyle’s note had intrigued her. She was mildly surprised when the limo pulled up in front of a spa.
She made her way through the double doors, expecting to see him. Instead, she found that he had arranged for her to have a full-body massage, facial, manicure and pedicure.
From there, Zoe was whisked away to have her hair washed and styled, and a makeup artist applied the finishing touches.
The driver handed Zoe another card when she approached the limo.
“I guess this is our next stop,” she said with a smile. “The Savonna Boutique.”
“Mr. Hamilton designed this dress exclusively for you and he would like for you to wear it this evening,” the manager told her when she arrived.
Zoe’s eyes grew wide with surprise. “This is stunning.”
The woman smiled and nodded in agreement.
“What is going on?” she asked herself, keenly aware of the futility of the question. Zoe was pretty sure that she was meeting Kyle somewhere, but she had no idea where. She had tried to pry information from the driver earlier but had not been successful.
She ran her fingers through her hair, fluffing up the curls.
Ready or not, here I come.
When the limo stopped in front of Lincoln Center, Zoe was confused until she saw Kyle. He was dressed in a tuxedo and looked extremely handsome.
She stepped out of the limo, dressed in the metallic-silver dress that left her toned legs on perfect display. “I was told that I have you to thank for this,” Zoe said with a smile.
She shifted under his scrutiny, smoothing her hands over her hips with downward strokes.
He stared into her eyes a long moment, the muscles of his throat working as though he was trying to speak but somehow couldn’t. “Zoe, you look beautiful,” he finally managed.
Moonlight danced on the surface of the water in the fountain, gleaming brightly and reflecting off her dress. “I love this dress. The cut of the back and the line of the waist... It’s gorgeous, Kyle.”
“You were my inspiration.”
It was then that she noticed that Kyle had arranged to have a table set up in front of the fountain, complete with candles, champagne and lobster. “You did all this for me?”
He nodded as he pulled out a chair for her. “I wanted tonight to be perfect.”
She noticed two men standing nearby. “Who are they?”
“They will make sure that we’re not disturbed.”
Zoe fought back tears. No one had ever done anything like this for her. “This is incredible, Kyle.”
“I’m glad you’re pleased,” he said.
For a moment they just stood there, and then he said, “I tried to get you out of my mind, tried to forget you, but it was no good. What I’ve come to realize is that I can’t envision my life without you in it. I want something more. I love you, Zoe.”
She was getting lost in his eyes, feeling herself drawn closer and closer. Zoe struggled to maintain some control over her emotions. “Kyle—”
“Please hear me out,” he pleaded. “I’ve loved you from the moment we met, but I didn’t think I had any room in my life for a serious relationship.” Kyle paused for a brief moment before continuing, “I want you more than I’ve ever wanted any woman in my life. Zoe, you’re in my blood, my soul, my bones. I go to bed at night wanting you and I spend each and every day wanting you.”
Zoe gazed at him, her emotions a wild, raging river inside her. Desire coursed through her veins and her heart filled with love. But opening her heart and soul to Kyle seemed far more risky than anything she had ever done in her life.
Kyle gazed at her, emotion burning behind his eyes. “I have never been a man to beg, but if I have to beg, I will, because you are my life.”
Zoe eyed him, her thoughts whirling. A bright and hopeful joy fluttered inside her like a trapped bird trying to break free, but she was afraid to let it go.
She was afraid to let herself trust completely.
“Say something,” he said after her silence dragged on.
“I...I want a husband and a family. I want a man who loves me.”
A muscle tightened in his jaw; he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her closer to him.
“I love you and I want you to be my wife. You only have to walk into a room and everything else fades away completely. If you want I’ll stand up here on this fountain and shout it at the top of my lungs.”
Before Zoe could respond, Kyle stepped up and began yelling, “I love this woman over here and I want the world to know.”
She laughed. “Get down before you fall into the water.”
He shook his head. “Not until you believe me.”
His words resonated deep in Zoe’s heart. “Kyle, I believe you. Now get down from there.”
He did as she told him. “I’m not sure you are totally convinced, sweetheart. I feel like I need to provide further proof.”
Kyle reached inside his jacket and pulled out a tiny red box. He opened it to reveal a diamond engagement ring. “Zoe, will you marry me?”
She swallowed hard and a single tear rolled down her cheek. “I love you,” she murmured. “It’s not easy for me to tell you this, but there it is—I love you, Kyle Hamilton, and yes, I’ll marry you.”
He placed the ring on her finger.
Zoe wiped away her tears. “I can’t believe this is happening. I never expected that this evening would end with our getting engaged.”
They kissed until Zoe’s thoughts were a hazy blur of hunger and need. She couldn’t think of anything but Kyle.
They parted some at the sound of applause from strangers all around them. Kyle kiss
ed her again as some took pictures of the couple.
“I think we should take this back to my place,” he said after a moment.
Zoe couldn’t agree more.
As soon they arrived at his apartment, Kyle picked her up and carried her into his bedroom. He removed her shoes and gently laid her on the wide chaise in his bedroom.
She sighed with relief when he shifted her beside him and freed her of the dress he’d designed just for her. Zoe couldn’t hold back a shiver at the torrent of sensation pouring through her.
He paused, concern on his face. “Are you cold?”
“No,” she murmured. “Everything is perfect.”
Zoe reached for his face and drew him down to her, kissing him fiercely. Kyle groaned and responded with the same hunger, his mouth tangling with hers, his hands exploring her curves.
“Do you have any idea just how much you mean to me?”
“Show me,” she murmured.
Desire blazed in his eyes. Desire for her.
Zoe wanted this man who had poured out his heart to her in front of the fountain at Lincoln Center. The man who was willing to shout it to the world.
She clutched him, pressing close even as Kyle pulled her closer still.
It wasn’t enough for either of them.
“I love you so much,” he managed between breaths.
Zoe’s body was on fire. Heart racing, breath ragged, she couldn’t think of anything other being with this amazing man—her soul mate.
* * *
“I was thinking we should get married as soon as possible,” Kyle said on Sunday afternoon while they were getting dressed. He had invited Zoe to join his family for dinner.
“Maybe we should wait until we find out who’s trying to sabotage your family,” she suggested. “We don’t want your family to be in the press any more than you have to be.”
When they walked out of the bedroom and joined Nelson in the den, he said, “I wondered if you two were going to spend the day in bed.”
Zoe blushed while Kyle chuckled.
“Come here and let me see that ring up close,” Nelson demanded. “Let me pull out my sunglasses.”
Grinning, she walked over to show off her sparkly diamond. “Your cousin has exquisite taste.”
“Yes, he does,” Nelson said. “I guess I need to find an apartment soon.”
“You don’t have to move,” Zoe and Kyle said in unison.
Nelson shook his head. “Actually, I can move into my mom’s place. She wants to spend more time with me. I’d like to stay on with you as your assistant, Kyle. That is, if you still need someone.”
“I do,” he confirmed. “I’d love to keep you on.”
Ten minutes later, they all headed to Roger and Lila’s apartment.
Daniel and Brianna were already there when they arrived.
Lila greeted Zoe with a hug. “Oh, honey, I’m so glad to see you. I’m glad Kyle invited you to have dinner with us.”
“I didn’t just invite her to dinner, Mom,” Kyle interjected. “I asked Zoe to become a permanent part of our family.”
“Oh my goodness,” Lila said as her eyes grew wet.
Brianna embraced Zoe. “I’m so happy for you and Kyle. Congratulations.”
Roger hugged her next. “I wondered how long it would take my son to come to his senses. Better late than never, I guess.”
Zoe laughed. “He wasn’t the only one who needed to come to their senses. I’m just as guilty as he is.”
“So have you set a wedding date?” Lila inquired.
“Not yet,” Kyle said.
In the dining room, she sat down in the chair next to Kyle while Nelson sat on the other side of her. The only person missing was Bailey.
“I’m thrilled that you will soon be a part of this family,” Lila said. “I’ve always believed that you were the one woman for Kyle.”
Zoe grinned. “So did I.”
After dinner, she offered to help clean up, but Lila and Brianna refused her assistance.
Zoe realized that she hadn’t checked her voice mail all weekend and said to Kyle, “I’ll be right back. I need to check my messages.”
“Okay, sweetheart. Why don’t you go into the office so that you’re not disturbed?”
“I won’t be long,” she told him.
Zoe listened to her messages, but only one stood out for her. She giggled in excitement and rushed out of the office to tell Kyle.
Bailey was on speakerphone when she returned to the den. It was clear that she had just been told about their engagement.
“Where’s Zoe? Is she there?”
“I’m here, Bailey.”
“We’re going to be sisters,” she screamed through the phone, sparking laughter from everyone.
“Yes, we are,” Zoe confirmed.
“I just want to know what took you two so long to get together.”
She glanced over at Kyle and then said, “It doesn’t matter. We’re together now and it’s for life.”
“I’m so happy for you.”
“Thank you, Bailey,” Zoe said.
“I miss you all so much. I’m ready to come home.”
“Honey, I want you to wait a little while longer,” Roger said. “We’ll bring you home as soon as we know something. We miss you, too.”
Zoe knew that they had not told her about the other incidents, and that it seemed as if the entire family was the target. They didn’t want to worry Bailey. She worried for all of them. Brianna and Lila never left home without a plainclothes bodyguard now. She was relieved that they seemed to be taking the unknown threat seriously.
When they got back to the apartment, Zoe couldn’t contain herself any longer.
“Why are you grinning like that?” Kyle asked her. “Did you get some good news or something?”
“Actually, I did,” she said. “I have an opportunity to have my own label and market it on the Fashion Network.”
“Are you serious?”
She nodded. “This is something that I’ve always wanted, Kyle. I have dreamed of designing clothes that normal people can afford. They won’t have to sacrifice fashion and style just because they can’t afford to shop at Saks or a couture boutique.”
“I’m happy for you, Zoe.”
She met his gaze. “Do you really mean it?”
“Yeah, I do,” he said. “Honey, I’m so proud of you.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“So when are you going to tell Jerry?” Kyle inquired.
“The sooner the better,” she answered. “He’s not going to like it one way or the other, but this is my dream.”
“Do you want me with you when you tell him?”
Zoe shook her head. “Jerry is harmless, Kyle. His bark is definitely worse than his bite.” She broke into a short laugh. “I’m getting married to the man of my dreams and I’m going to have my own fashion line.”
Kyle chuckled. “I never thought I would be this happy at the thought of settling down, but I’m actually looking forward to being your husband.”
“You do know that forever is a long time?”
“When it comes to you, baby, forever isn’t near enough time.”
* * *
Zoe knocked softly on the door to Jerry’s office before sticking her head inside. “Do you have a few minutes to talk?”
“Sure,” he said with a smile. “I always have time for my star designer.”
She sat down in one of the chairs facing him. “Jerry, I really want to thank you for everything that you’ve done for me. I really appreciate you.”
“Hey, what’s this about?” he asked, his smile waning. “You sound like you’re about to say goodbye.�
�
Zoe met his gaze. “I am,” she said softly.
He slammed his fist on the desk, causing her to jump at the sound. “I knew it. I knew Kyle Hamilton was going to try to steal you away, but I actually believed that you were more loyal than this. Sasha called this one right.”
Zoe struggled to keep her anger in check at the mention of Sasha’s name. “Kyle has nothing to do with my decision to leave Guava, Jerry. I was offered a chance to have my own label on the Fashion Network. I’m going to have my own show.”
“What are you thinking, Zoe? You want to give up everything you’ve worked for at Guava for some lowbrow brand of clothing?”
“I don’t expect you to understand my decision, Jerry. This is something I want to do. But I have to say, I thought you’d be happy for me.”
“I would be if I thought you were making a smart decision.”
“Excuse me?”
“Zoe, you are one of the lead designers at Guava. Did you read the article in Women’s Wear Daily? In the New York Times?”
“Jerry, this is my life.”
His gaze traveled to her left hand. “And what is that on your finger?”
“I’m getting married. Kyle and I are engaged.”
He was furious and did not bother to hide the fact. “I knew it.”
“Jerry, you really need to get over this obsession you have with Kyle.”
“You need to wise up, Zoe,” he snapped in response. “Can’t you see what he’s doing? Kyle doesn’t want you working at Guava.”
Zoe rose to her feet. “I’ll give you a formal written resignation letter before I leave today.”
“Consider this your last day,” Jerry said. “I’m sure you understand...trade secrets and all. Security will escort you out.”
* * *
“How did things go with Jerry?” Kyle inquired when she returned to the apartment later.
“I’ve never seen him so angry,” Zoe said. “He’s morphed into someone I don’t know.”
“I’m sure he blamed me for your wanting to leave Guava.”
“Yeah, he did. I told him that it had nothing to do with you, but then Jerry saw my engagement ring. It was all over then.”
Styles of Seduction Page 14
