by Francis Ray
“I just happen to have a picture of the rooms the others are staying in.” Delores pulled several snapshots from the pocket of her St. John’s jacket. “They’re nice, but one room, and nothing of this caliber.”
Sierra glanced around the two-room suite with a balcony and a small table and green topiaries, then back at the photos. She loved elegance, space. Both of which she had here.
“Why don’t you sleep on it and, if you’re so inclined to move in the morning, I’ll see if a room on our floor is available?” Delores told her, but the knowing twinkle in her eyes said she didn’t think Sierra would want to move.
Sierra smiled, then laughed. She’d berate Blade later. “John, has anyone ever told you what an intuitive administrative assistant you have?”
“Several times,” he admitted with a relieved smile.
“We’ll let you rest and unpack.” Delores went to the door. John happily followed. “We’re taking all of you out to Al Biernet’s for dinner. They serve incredible steaks and seafood. We’ll meet in the lobby at seven.”
Sierra was tempted to ask if Blade would be there, then discarded the idea. Whether he showed up later would be anybody’s guess. He was as unpredictable as the wind, and as elusive. Besides, she was not the type of woman to chase after a man. This trip was business. “I’ll see you then. Good-bye.”
“Good-bye.”
As soon as the door closed, Sierra went to the phone. She’d called her mother on the drive in from the airport. Not surprisingly, her entire family had come to the airport in Albuquerque to see her off. There had been no further mention of Blade since the day she’d received the invitation, but the fierce hugs and admonishments told her they still worried.
“Manhunters.”
Smiling at the sound of Luke’s voice, Sierra climbed up on the high, plush bed. “I’m here, safe and sound in a wonderful suite.”
“Mama called earlier.”
“I know; I just wanted to tell you not to worry. I know what I’m doing.” They all took their cue from Luke.
“Can’t. It’s written someplace in the big brothers’ handbook,” he told her. “I wish you were here, but I understand you have to do this. Despite everything, we’re all pulling for you.”
No matter what, family stuck together. A lump formed in her throat. “Thank you.”
“You met your competition yet?”
“We’re all going out to eat at seven. I’ll meet everyone then.”
“Including Blade?”
Her hand clenched on the phone. “I’m not sure.”
“If not tonight, he’ll show up eventually, and when he does, if he gets out of line, remember the left hook I taught you.”
“I can handle myself,” Sierra insisted.
“With any man except Blade Navarone I might agree. He’s gone to a lot of trouble to get you where he is. I might admire his tenacity if the woman he was after wasn’t my little sister.”
Sierra moistened her lips. “Blade might pull certain strings, but he won’t leave me without a choice.”
“What if your choice is the one he wants to hear?”
There was a long silence. She always knew her big brother was smart. Could she be just as smart? “Then I’ll call my big brother to come get me.”
“And I’ll be there.”
She didn’t have a doubt. “I’d better get dressed. Tell the others I’ll call when I get back tonight. We can do a conference call.”
“Will do. Now go and do what you do best. Charm the socks off the competition.”
Al Biernat’s was a wonderful restaurant with flagstone flooring, aged beams, an impressive wine list, delicious food, and superb service. Two of the realtors, a man and a woman, were from San Francisco. Another man was from Palm Springs. The fourth realtor was a woman from Tucson. Sierra was the youngest and the least experienced.
All of the other brokers had been in the business at least fifteen years and had sold multiple properties listing for over $5 million. Although all were cordial, they all wanted to grab the job of being the exclusive broker for Navarone Place. Sierra had expected the competition to be tough. Blade might give her a chance, but she had to prove herself.
By the time she arrived back at her hotel, she planned to do just that. She was so involved in her plan that she hadn’t thought about what the other realtors would think when she didn’t get off on their floor.
“Sierra, this is our floor.” Mel was in his mid-forties, handsome, trim, and suntanned from Palm Springs. He was also a bit of a flirt.
“There was a mix-up and Sierra is on another floor,” Delores put in smoothly. “We’ll meet in the morning at nine in the lobby and then go to the sales office of Navarone Place. Good night, Sierra.”
“Good night.” The door closed on Mel’s speculative expression. Sierra simply smiled and waved.
Perhaps it was a good thing Blade hadn’t attended the dinner. She didn’t want any doubt that she had won fairly. She might be the youngest, but she was also the hungriest.
In her room, she called her family, then afterwards spent the next hour going through her client list. As soon as she saw the models, she planned on making phone calls and e-mailing photos of what she was sure would be magnificent. If humanly possible, she was going to win.
The four model estates, ranging from twenty-two hundred square feet, two bedrooms, to over eight hundred square feet, two bedrooms, to over eight thousand square feet, four bedrooms, were spectacular. Instead of the usual 3-D models, they had the real thing to immerse themselves in. Prospective residents had multiple choices to make their home in the high-rise their own, including finish-out packages grouped under Classic, French, Modern, and Retro.
Standing in the sales office with the other realtors, Sierra couldn’t wait to start.
“In the leather-bound folder each of you hold are the specs, amenities, everything you need to sell these luxury estates.” John looked at each of them. “As you noted, construction is continuing on the upper floors, but the scaled models in front of you will allow the prospective buyer to be able to see the exact location of each property.
“This sales area will be available to you from nine to five daily. The person with the most contracts signed with cleared checks as of five P.M. Friday is the winner. In case of a tie, the person with the first sale afterwards will be declared the winner.” He glanced at his watch.
“I will be available to you until twelve P.M., when my assistant and I will return to Tucson. It is important that you be self-motivating and able to work independently. Any questions?”
Sierra hadn’t expected there to be any after John’s statement about independence. No one said a word.
“Well. We’ll meet at seven o’clock Friday night at the Stark, a private dining room in the W, to announce the winner. Good luck to each of you.”
The other applicants piled out of the room; Sierra took her digital top-of-the-line camera and began taking pictures of the scale models. She quickly covered all the angles. She had squatted to take a picture of the terrace floor that was open to all the residents when her skin prickled. Slowly she straightened, turning as she did so, knowing she’d see Blade.
She viewed him through the lens, larger than life, bold, daring. Gorgeous, from the jet-black hair tied away from his face to the expensive Italian loafers on his feet. She took the shot, then lowered the camera.
She thought she was prepared, then knew there was no way her body could ever get used to the sheer sexual impact of the man watching her with unblinking eyes. He wore a gray pin-striped suit that probably cost a small fortune, but it couldn’t hide the intense magnetism.
“Hello, Blade. I wondered when you’d show up.”
His eyebrow lifted. “One of these days I’m going to surprise you.”
“You have quite a setup here.” She looked at the scale of the residence to give herself time to gather her fraying nerves. She was smart. She could handle any situation. Then his fingers threaded their way th
rough her unbound hair and she couldn’t stop the shiver that raced through her.
Her gaze sought his. All her truths and certainties went out the door.
“I took your suggestions for Navarone Place,” he said lazily.
“I hope you gave me credit for them,” she said, glad her voice wasn’t as breathless and as weak as she felt.
His lips curved upward just a fraction and Sierra waited for him to really smile. When it didn’t happen, she felt sadness all the way to her soul.
“What’s the matter?” he asked
“You might not like the answer.”
“I’ll take that chance.”
The eyes that had been almost tender became hard. Blade wouldn’t be an easy man to get to know, but then no one in her family liked easy. “I wanted to see you really smile, and when you didn’t, it made me sad.”
Raw emotions flashed in his eyes. His long fingers speared through her hair, cupping her head and arching her mouth upward toward his. Intent was in every line of his body.
She wasn’t aware of the pressing closer, of whispering his name. His head lowered. Her breath caught. His mouth took hers with carnal pleasure. She locked her arms around his neck and let him take her to the edge of reason.
“Blade.”
The intrusion of Shane calling Blade’s name brought Sierra hurtling back to where she was, in a sales and information office with John and Delores nearby. Embarrassment flushed Sierra’s cheeks. She pushed against his chest. It was like pushing against a warm mountain.
“Please.”
His fingers clenched, then uncurled. He stepped back. “John and Delores left when I came in.”
Sierra didn’t know if that made her feel better or worse. At least Shane had disappeared. There was only one thing that she was sure of. “I plan to win, and when I do, I don’t want there to be any talk about favoritism.”
“I don’t care what people think.”
“I do. I think it’s best if you were to visit one of your other properties until the competition is over.”
Incredulous, he stared at her. No one, absolutely no one, told him what to do. Shane and Rio tried, but ultimately Blade did as he pleased. He didn’t plan to change. “If I don’t?”
“I won’t be able to stay.”
He laughed, but it was a cold sound that raked over her. “Are you threatening me?”
She flinched inside, but she held her ground. She had wanted to hear his laugh but hoped never to hear that cruel mocking sound again. But she wasn’t a Grayson for nothing. “No one but a fool would do that. I’m simply telling you under what conditions I can and cannot work.”
She meant it.
Standing there with her lips still moist from his mouth, the remnants of passion still lingering in her beautiful black eyes, she thought to dictate to him. “And if I say I’m staying here?”
She lowered her head. He sensed defeat, yet deep inside something in him rebelled at the idea of her losing to him or anyone.
He wanted her happy and willing in his bed. He was about to accept her terms when her head lifted.
“Good-bye, Blade. I won’t need this.” She pitched the notebook on the table, then walked from the room. “Hello, Shane,” she said on passing as he reappeared at the door.
“Don’t interfere again, Shane,” Blade said, his temper spiking. He didn’t like ultimatums or being interrupted. His body still hummed, still desperately wanted.
Shade grunted and went to the table to pick up what Sierra had tossed. He whistled.
“So she tossed her notebook. It’s not irreplaceable,” Blade said. No woman dictated to him.
“But this is.” Shane lifted the memory card to the digital camera. “I guess the lady doesn’t bluff.”
Blade cursed long and hard.
FIVE
Sierra was too angry to cry.
Yanking her suitcases out of her closet, she began tossing clothes inside. Her first priority was to get out of the hotel as quickly as possible. Once she was packed and, she hoped, calmer, she’d call the airline to see what was available. She’d fly standby if necessary. Her cousin Dominique was on a photo shoot, so Sierra couldn’t hang out with her. And, despite what Sierra had told Luke, there was no way she was calling him.
She had gotten herself into this mess, she’d darn well get herself out. Banging one suitcase shut, she whirled to the closet for another load of clothes. Why had she packed so much?
To look good for Blade. She ground her teeth.
So she’d made a mistake. It wasn’t her first. At least she hadn’t made the ultimate one by caring for a heartless man. Her hand clenched a pair of linen slacks.
Blade wasn’t heartless. He could care. He’d been tender and passionate with her. He hadn’t tried as others had to take their kiss further than she was willing to go. But he didn’t understand she needed this, needed to know he had enough faith in her to win.
She ignored the knock on her door. She didn’t want to see Blade. Or Shane, although if things hadn’t turned out the way they did, she might have thanked him for interrupting the kiss.
Or maybe not. She’d wanted that hot, mindless kiss that swept through her body like wildfire, hot and passionate. To her annoyance, she still did.
Tossing the linen slacks into the suitcase, she reached for the matching blouse. The phone on the nightstand rang. “Go away, Blade.”
Moments later there was a pounding at her door. She clenched her fists and briefly shut her eyes. Graysons didn’t run from a fight. She’d tear a strip off Blade Navarone that he’d never forget; then she’d leave.
Righteous anger and indignation carried her to the door and she swung it open. Her mouth snapped shut on seeing Delores.
“He didn’t think you’d strangle me.”
Sierra blew out a breath. Almost as quickly as it had come, her anger evaporated. “I’m so mad I just might.” She stepped aside and the other woman came in and closed the door behind her.
“People don’t disagree with Mr. Navarone, at least not to his face, and they certainly don’t toss a once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity back at him.”
“Perhaps it’s time they did.” Sierra folded her arms.
“You’ll forgive me if I don’t agree. He asked that I give you this.” Handing Sierra a sealed letter, Delores went to the door. “For what it’s worth, he’s a good man.” The door closed softly.
Sierra looked at the sealed letter, took a firm grip with both hands and started to rip it, then stopped. Her family always accused her of acting before she thought. It wouldn’t hurt to read what he’d said. She could still catch a plane and go home.
Going to the desk, she picked up the brass letter opener and slit the top. Unfolding the sheet, she discovered the memory card she’d left in the sales office. She began to read.
If you want to see me smile, win the competition. Blade
There were no words of apology, but the disk was enough. He understood. “I’m going to win and hold you to it.” Taking the memory card, she uploaded it to her computer, then scanned the list of prospects she’d printed out the night before. At the top of the list was a man who could well afford any of the condos.
She’d never tried to sell to him, but if anyone could appreciate long-range investments, the draw of nearby American Airlines Centers to sports and music enthusiasts, the West End, and the famed Arts District, it was Daniel Falcon.
The pictures she’d taken materialized on the monitor along with the one of Blade. Her fingers traced the curve of his sensual mouth, the strong jaw. “What have I gotten myself into?”
No answer came to her. She hadn’t expected one. She copied the photo and stored it in a separate file. Finished, she erased it from the others of the scale model. She was ready. Pushing Blade to the back of her mind, she picked up the phone and dialed. She was about to make her first pitch.
“Falcon residence.”
Sierra had heard Higgins, the butler/friend of the Falcon family, answer
the phone dozens of time, but for a moment her hand clenched on the receiver. This was the most important sales call she had ever made. “Hello, Higgins. How are you?”
“Hello, Sierra. I’m fine, thank you. Daniel or Madelyn?”
“Daniel, please,” she answered, her gaze going back to the photos.
“Hello, Sierra,” Daniel greeted her a short time later. “How are you?”
“Fine,” she told him. “How about Madelyn and Daniel Junior?”
“Great. I’m a lucky man,” he said proudly.
“So is your family.” Too tense to sit, she stood. “If you have time, I’d like to talk to you about purchasing a property. As you know, I’m one of the Realtors for Navarone Place in Dallas.”
“You’ve never tried to sell me a property before,” he said. “What’s so special about Navarone Place?”
He’d given her the opening she’d needed, and since Daniel was an intelligent man, it wasn’t a coincidence. “The fifty-five estates will possess elegance, luxury, and comfort in an upscale residence that will only increase in value. Situated within walking distance of American Airlines Center, you can watch your hometown Houston Rockets outscore the Dallas Mavericks.”
“The division championship will be ours this year,” he predicted with annoyance.
“There’s also a helipad.” Daniel was as apt to fly as he was to drive. “The large terrace has a gas fireplace for warmth and romance, and a four-foot-high bricked wall for safety.” The welfare of his son would be foremost in his mind. “The interior can be designed to fit your specifications. You’ll be near Dominique and less than an hour away from your parents’ ranch in Oklahoma.”
“When can we see the property?” Daniel asked.
“Is tomorrow too soon?” Sierra tried to contain her excitement, but she knew Daniel had heard it when he chuckled.
“We’ll all be there around one. Please check to see if the helipad will be available.”
“I will. Thank you, Daniel. I’ll see you all then. Good-bye.” She hung up the phone and pumped her fist. She was going to win and get that smile from Blade.