* * *
A few hours later Chailyn looked around and was pleased at the turn out and everyone seemed to be having fun.
“A little get together.” Mitchell was by her side said, “If this is little, I’d be afraid to know what was big.”
“It is. Many of the Sloan’s came but not all.” Chailyn looked at them. “And some of the Jamison’s didn’t either and well I could list a whole bunch of others but will stop there. Also, some of our siblings didn’t come.”
“So, explain to me how you have fifteen sisters.”
“I have more than fifteen.” Chailyn laughed at his expression. “There are fifteen with the name Kincaid. I also have sisters who aren’t by the same father. Sineda is my sister.”
“She’s also your assistant.”
“Yes.” Chailyn rubbed her hand along the back of her neck. “To your first question. Daddy loves women and they love him so he had… well let’s just say a few different ones he got pregnant and that is how I have fifteen sisters with the name Kincaid.”
“They all have different mothers?”
“No. Some have same mother but most of us don’t. We’re still sisters.” Chailyn stretched. “We also have other sisters too and some of us brothers. When we choose to claim them. We tend to tease and say we have no brothers since none are actually a Kincaid.” She smiled. “We do have one brother we do claim, Calhoun, my sister Cass’s husband, who we claimed as our honorary brother before he married Cass. Now he’s a brother for real by being our brother in law. So, when we all get together and bring our siblings and parents it’s a lot. The mom’s all get along. Which might seem strange but they do. They also still get along with my dad too.”
“Wow.” Mitchell smiled. “There must a lot of you. Do they all live in Rowan?”
“No. We used to all live in New York but then some moved to McKingley in New Mexico where our dad is originally from. Then Colby moved to Rowan to be close to her mom and siblings then the rest of us ended up moving to Rowan too.” She shrugged. “And there isn’t as much of us as others. Not as many as the Sloan’s.”
“You know when I first met them I thought they looked familiar but didn’t realize until later why.” Mitchell chuckled. “I’ve bid on projects with Sloan Enterprises.” He looked at her. “Won some and lost some. I know a year or so ago the younger generation has taken over the company. Essence is CEO and Storm is her second. I have a meeting with them soon.”
“I know.” Chailyn looked at him, “We’re also bidding now on one against each other.”
“Yeah.” Mitchell studied her.
“I’m planning on winning.”
“Me too.” Mitchell smirked. “It’s just business and has nothing to do with us.”
“Nope.” Chailyn bumped shoulders with him. “Where did you stash the book, Kai gave you.”
“In your office.” Mitchell smiled. “Wait until I tell Nicolas. He’s a fan too.”
“She would have signed one for him too.”
“I want to rub his face in it first, that I met her.” Mitchell smirked.
“Wicked man.”
“You have no idea.” He looked at her lips.
Chailyn body heated. She wondered how quickly she could get rid of everyone.
“Hey Mitchell.” Calhoun Landers, —her sister Cassandra Kincaid -Landers, husband said.
“Yeah,” Mitchell said.
The two men had hit it off. They had bonded over both of their love of books and music.
“You mentioned you know Edge Rising and Crimson Razor.”
Chailyn knew of the two big Rock Bands.
“Yes.”
“Do you think you could get me their autograph.” Calhoun smiled sheepishly. “I love their music and have met them a few times previously but don’t know them like that.”
Calhoun was a well-established songwriter. He had many hit songs.
“I’ll do you one better.” He kissed Chailyn on the cheek. “I’ll be right back I have to make a skype call.”
“You’re gonna skype them.” Calhoun looked excited.
“We’re gonna skype them.” Mitchell said.
“Use my office.”
“That’s ok. Knowing the guys, they’ll be all nosy and want to see where I am at.” Mitchell walked away with Calhoun.
Chailyn watched them.
“He’s a fine man.”
“I’m gonna hurt you SJ.” She looked at Storm.
“You can try.” She smirked. “I’m surprised you and Mitchell are hanging out together.”
“He’s interesting.”
“He is.” Essence said.
Bryce joined them and nodded. Her girlfriends and a few of the other women drifted closer. They chatted and Chailyn laughed.
“Chailyn.” She looked at Mitchell. Then blinked as she saw the people on the screen of his cell.
She fought to not get tongue tied. Hell, she spoke with Hunter and Jarrod without issue. Although she would admit it had taken her time to get conformable with talking with some that famous.
“Hey.” The band member of Edge Rising and Crimson Razor all said in varying degrees.
“Hi,” She was glad her voice was steady.
“So, you’re the one who has driven Mitchell crazy for years.” The man in middle said.
Edge who was the leader of Edge Rising leaned forward. “We’re looking for an architect to do some work on our new studios in New York. Why don’t you put in a bid?”
She hadn’t heard of that and was still more local. But she could use the opportunity to expand as she wanted too. She looked at Mitchell.
“Are you also bidding?”
“Looks that way.” Mitchell laughed. “Another project we are going up against each other for.
“I’m thinking there are other more pleasurable ways to go against each other.” Razor the leader of Crimson Razor said.
She looked at him and smiled. “Many more I am sure.”
He laughed and the other on the cell screen as well as around her did.
“So, Mitchell, you are at a get-together huh.” The man in the back with the dreamy eyes who was the Edge Rising drummer said. “Maybe we need to make a trip to Rowan. I see a lot of beauty’s I want to get to know.” The man smiled a wicked grin. “Hey there.” He was looking to Chailyn’s right.
She realized it was Essence he was looking at. Essence gave him a cold look. The man laughed and blew her a kiss.
“Take us around and introduce us, Mitchell.” Edge said.
“I’ll do that.” Storm took Mitchell’s phone. “So, I heard you have a Lamborghini Veneno, so if I was to come to New York would you let me drive it?”
Storm was a daredevil.
“Sure.” Razor replied. “But which one of ours would you want to drive.”
Chailyn lifted an eyebrow at that. Seems they had more than one.
“All of them of course.” Storm said in a tone that clearly said he was an idiot to even ask. “When?”
“How soon can you get here?” Edge said. “We can send the plane for you.”
“I have my own plane.” Storm looked at Essence. “I have some business in New York.”
“You don’t need to check in with me.” Essence said.
“You should come too.” The drummer said to Essence.
She ignored him. He laughed. Storm walked away with the cell. She took the phone around introducing people.
“I wonder if I told them I know TrebleBur too what they would do.” Mitchell laughed.
“Dude don’t worry about them. I’m the one who would bribe you to introduce me. They are hot.”
“Really.” Mitchell shook his head. “I don’t see it.”
“No need for that tone.” She moved close to him and leaned against his shoulder. “You’re cute too. Maybe.”
Mitchell groaned. “Cute. A man doesn’t want to be called cute.”
“Why not?”
“Jarrod help me out.” Mitchell called as he went
past them.
Jarrod paused. “Sure.”
“She called me cute.”
Jarrod shook his head. “Don’t call a man you want cute.”
“Why?”
“Cute is for puppies and babies.” Jarrod brow furrowed. “Even fuzzy slippers or stuff like that but not a man you want.”
“But he is cute.” Chailyn grinned.
“Dude you are on you own.” Jarrod said. “She doesn’t get it. Now I am off to get that cell from Storm. I’ve never met Edge Rising and Crimson Razor. Surprisingly neither has Stone. Then again, he tends to be very antisocial when not on the stage. Anyway I love both groups work. Edge and Razor can write some powerful songs. I want to have a conversation with Edge and Razor.”
Jarrod strode off. Chailyn watched him.
“I’m not cute.” Mitchell muttered.
“You are.” She turned to him and smiled.
“TrebleBur gets hot and I get cute. How can a man compete?” He scowled. “What about the members of Edge Rising and Crimson Razor what would you call them.”
“Sexy and Dangerous.” She said dreamily.
“See there.” He sighed.
Chailyn leaned close. “Yeah they are but they are not you. I’m kinda partial to cute.”
Mitchell smiled and his eyes lit with a wicked light. He pulled her close to him. “Is that right?”
“Yes.” She said breathlessly.
He leaned his head down.
“Come on Mitchell.” Tariq said. “We need you on our volleyball team.”
Mitchell rubbed his fingers along her chin. “Later.”
He walked away with that promise.
Chailyn watched that long-legged stride and imagined later. She hoped it was later soon.
* * *
As she saw, the last of her guests off, Chailyn was very aware of Mitchell standing by her side.
“See you in a few months.” Shari said.
“When do you leave for Ireland?” Chailyn hugged her friend.
“In a few days. I need to do some stuff in the office and get my house, well my sisters and nieces and nephews will be keeping an eye on my place.”
“Try to have some fun in Ireland.” Chailyn urged.
“You know it. Between meetings I will.” Shari laughed.
Chailyn knew why she was as much a workaholic as Chailyn was. Shari was a marketing executive at a musical talent management company which specialized in music although they also did other branches of entertainment. She’d been doing it for a few years and was very good at what she did. Shari waved and left.
“And you’re off to Milan.” She looked at Khandi.
“Yep my next bodyguard gig is there.” She winked.
“Be safe.’ Chailyn hugged her.
“I always try.” Khandi replied and walked out.
“I’ll check into the Hayes thing for you. Add it to what I am already looking at about the tampering.” Bryce said as she hugged her.
“Thanks.”
Bryce left and she closed the door.
“What Hayes thing and tampering?” Mitchell asked.
“Just that how it leaked we were working on the Hayes project when it was very hush hush. Then about the lost files. Two things like that coupled with what happened when I bid on the project I’m suspicious of what is happening. And the reason I was put on the project is when I checked there was a discrepancy in the information I submitted and what Hayes actually got. So, I went to him and he looked it over and gave me a shot by pairing me with you.”
“So, if what you submitted was given to him originally my company might not have won the bid.” Mitchell frowned. “Wait you’ve had others that were tampered with?”
“Yes.”
“Which ones.”
“I’d have to look. I don’t know them off the top of my head.” Chailyn studied him. “Why?”
“Just…give me the information when you can. You can trust me with it.”
“You didn’t need to tell me that.” Chailyn rolled her eyes. “When you kiss someone, it tends to be because you trust them some. At least in my case.”
Mitchell laughed. “You have a way of saying things.”
“I’m just me.”
“I know.” Mitchell slid his hands along her sides to her hips then pulled her against him.
She moaned at the press of his erection against her. Chailyn reminded herself to not get too excited. She’d learned the last few weeks how frustrating it was when he left.
“Let’s go to bed.” Mitchell said. “I missed you.”
Yes. She resisted saying it out loud. She grabbed his hand and pulled him after her.
“I love your enthusiasm.”
She stopped when he said it. Chailyn looked at him and saw the look in her eyes. Her breath caught as it crashed down on her that she might have been denying it in her head but her heart already knew.
Well shit I love him.
5
Mitchell looked at her a frown on his face. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She continued on her way.
Soon they were in her bedroom and she stripped herself then him. Mitchell lifted her and put her on the bed. She watched as he put on a condom then came to her. He moved over her and she kissed him. He slid into her and that slow guide set off all sorts of sensations. She loved when he moved into her.
“I thought about you while I was gone.” Mitchell said and he thrust.
She moaned.
“Of this. Of telling you about my day.” He moved faster. “Of all this.”
“Yes.” She hugged him close. “I missed you too.”
“Chailyn.” He groaned as he increased his thrust.
She met him watching his eyes as he moved. The fierce possessiveness on his face sent a shaft of pleasure through her. She tightened around him and he moaned. That sound was one she had come to enjoy dragging from him. She pulled him to her and kissed him. He moaned and returned it. They moved in harmony then counter to each other as they strove toward pleasure.
Chailyn arched as her belly went tight and she came. Mitchell continued to thrust faster and faster then he stiffened. She held him then he shuddered as he too found release. She cupped the back of his head kissing him.
What the hell am I gonna do about loving him? She pushed the thought aside for now.
Chailyn focused on the papers before her and scowled. Once again the information she sent for her bid for a project didn’t match what she submitted. She reached for the cell to call Bryce about it. It would be another to add to her pile.
“Sorry.” Mitchell said as he came in. “I got caught up in a meeting.”
She put it on the table and decide to call later. “That’s fine. Was catching up on work.”
“Ok.” Mitchell frowned. “You know the list of bids you gave me a week ago. The one where your submission didn’t match what you sent?”
“Yes. And I have another.” She looked at the file again then back at him. “What about it?”
“Structural went up for those too and we got them.” Mitchell leaned forward. “Just like the Hayes one.”
Chailyn leaned back and stared at him. She hadn’t known who had gotten all of them. Some like Hayes wanted secrecy until they were ready for an unveiling. Since some were not announced yet then no one knew who won.
“So…do you have something you want to tell me?”
“Like what?”
“Seems like someone here at your company is out to destroy the chances of my company when we bid on the same projects.”
“Maybe.” Mitchell looked at her. “I have no idea who it could be.”
“I might be able to answer that.” Bryce said as she strode in.
“What are you doing here?” Chailyn frowned.
“I called your office and Tariq said you were here at Structural and since this affects you both, I figured come here to give you my findings.” Bryce shrugged. “And see what you want to do about it.”
“
Bryce, you didn’t have to come all the way here. I know how busy you are.” Chailyn rose.
“Please someone is fucking with your livelihood I’m gonna give it my top priority.” She looked at Mitchell. “Do you know a Sasha DiMarco.”
Chailyn looked at her sharply. She should have known it was her. The woman had been blocking her from the start. She had thought she had moved on after that day when Mitchell mentioned her interest. They had been friendlier to each other and she had even offered her a job.
“Yes.” Mitchell frowned. “But it can’t be her.”
“Well I tracked the changes to her computer and the messenger service, who you both happen to use for your bids, has this man who is infatuated with her. Says he was doing a favor for her by giving her the packages from CT Design Group. But it was ok since she gave them back. Moron didn’t wonder why she wanted them. He just did one for her earlier this week.”
“That’s the most recent bid I had that I just found out I lost. I asked for my bid papers and saw the changes.” Chailyn looked at Mitchell. “You need to deal with this.”
“It’s not her.” He scowled.
“Why won’t you believe it is her?” Chailyn didn’t understand why he was protecting her. “If you don’t deal with it I will.”
“I’ll call her.” Mitchell pulled out his cell.
“Why don’t we just go down to her office and confront her?”
“She is not in her office.” Mitchell focused on the screen. “Sorry to wake you, Sasha.”
“No problem.” Sasha sounded groggy. “What’s up?”
“Have you been messing with the bids for Chailyn’s company?”
“Huh…no.” Sasha sounded more awake.
“I figured not.” Mitchell looked at them. “See I told you it was not her.”
“Why should we believe her she could be lying.” Chailyn said.
“Fuck you, Chailyn.” Sasha said.
“Back at ya.” Chailyn called.
“You said there was one this week.” Mitchell turned the cell to them. “Then it was not Sasha. She’s been in Milan since last week.”
Seduction in a Suit: An Office Romance Collection Page 9
