Bachelor Unforgiving

by Brenda Jackson

  He knew where those long legs began and especially where they ended. And he was well aware of those curves—intimately. Every single one of them. And the firm breasts under her blouse...he knew them, too. Very well. He knew how they felt in a man’s hand and how they tasted in his mouth.

  She glanced over in his direction and their gazes met, then held much too long to suit him. He sighed deeply and wished he could break the connection and look away, focus his attention on something or someone else, but he couldn’t. He could only sit there and stare at the woman now walking toward him. Stare and remember. However, for some reason he wasn’t thinking about what had torn them apart, but his mind was remembering things they’d done together, especially in the bedroom. After a hard day at work, the bedroom—either his or hers—had been their playground. And they’d played a lot. He could vividly remember all the positions they’d tried, the games they’d played and the talks they’d had. Sexual chemistry had a way of overpowering them whenever they were together, and heaven help him, he was feeling it now with every step she took toward him.

  Virgil was beginning to see that suggesting a business dinner might not have been a smart thing to do. He should have found a way to work her into his workday schedule. He tried not to notice how her hand was clutching a leather briefcase—the same one he’d given her for her birthday. He was surprised she still had it. He could remember the night he’d given it to her and how she had thanked him. Just remembering how she’d thanked him made his lower body ache.

  Of its own accord his gaze lowered to her legs again, and he couldn’t help but remember the last time they’d made love. And how those same legs had flanked him, locked him between her thighs while she rode him hard. Damn. That should be the last thing he was remembering. What he should be thinking about was how Kara had caused him so much misery and pain.

  With the latter thought flaming through his brain, he stood to pull out her chair for her, pasted a smile on his face and said in a tight voice, “Kara. Glad you could make it.”

  “Thanks,” Kara said once she was seated across from him. She immediately picked up on his mood and knew it wasn’t good. Just her luck it would be a carryover from yesterday.

  She glanced around. “Nice place.”

  At least he hadn’t chosen someplace where they’d dined before as a couple. This restaurant had recently opened and was part of the new development on this side of town. Since taking office as mayor of Charlotte, Morgan Steele had kept his campaign promise to grow the city by attracting new businesses and major corporations. While driving here she’d passed a huge medical technology complex as well as several communications firms.

  But it wasn’t the town or the restaurant she was focusing on right now. It was Virgil. And he was staring at her. “Is something wrong?” she asked him.

  “No. Why do you ask?”

  She shrugged. If he hadn’t realized he’d been staring then she wouldn’t be the one to enlighten him. “No reason.”

  Kara averted her eyes, looking down at the menu that had been placed in front of her. Moments later she glanced back up at him. “If it’s okay with you, we can skip the meal and just discuss my action plan.”

  He frowned. “No, it’s not okay with me. I skipped lunch and I’m hungry. Have you eaten something already?”

  “No. I haven’t eaten since breakfast.”

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  She could give him a list but decided the less he knew the better. “There’s no problem, Virgil. I just don’t want to take up any more of your time than necessary.”

  Virgil’s penetrating stare deepened. “Trust me, Kara. You won’t take up my time, mainly because I wouldn’t let you.”

  He caught the glare in her eyes as she stared at him and it didn’t bother him one way or another to know she was irritated with him. In a way, it should. She had a job to do and he was well aware that his unpleasant attitude wasn’t making it easy for her. But then why should he make anything easy for her?

  Sighing deeply, he placed his menu down. Hadn’t he decided last week that he needed to move on, and in order to do that he had to get beyond all this anger he had for her? He looked over at her. “Kara?”

  She glanced over at him. “Yes?”

  “That apology you made six months ago. I accept it.”

  For a minute she didn’t say anything but continued to stare at him. “I’m curious as to why you’ve decided to accept it now,” she finally said.

  He shrugged. “That shouldn’t be so hard to figure out. We need to work together.”

  “And can we try to be friends?”

  “No, I wouldn’t go that far. I doubt we’ll ever be friends. Forgiving does not mean forgetting.”

  She narrowed her gaze at him. “Then why bother?”

  “Do you prefer I not accept your apology?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Do whatever you want to do, Virgil. I don’t care anymore.”

  He really didn’t care that she didn’t care. “Now that I’ve accepted your apology, let’s decide what we’re having for dinner.”

  * * *

  After giving the waiter her order, Kara took a sip of her ice water. While Virgil was telling the waiter what he wanted for dinner, she took time to think about his acceptance of her apology.

  Did he honestly assume she believed just saying he accepted her apology meant his attitude toward her would change? She knew better and like she’d told him, she really didn’t care.

  So why are you letting it bother you if you don’t care? a voice inside her head asked.

  “So how are things going at the office, Kara?”

  The sound of his husky voice intruded into her thoughts. Why was he asking her that as if he really cared? However, since he was making an attempt to be civil, she would tell him. “Everything is going fine. Cassandra no longer works for me. She and Eric moved to San Diego to be closer to his family. That way she could get help with the baby.”

  Cassandra was the young woman who’d been her administrative assistant during the time they’d been a couple. But Cassandra had been more than just an employee, she had been her friend, as well. Cassandra and Eric had been two of the first people she’d met upon moving to Charlotte. The couple had lived in a condo a few doors down. Kara had been looking for office help at the same time Cassandra’s job had been downsized.

  “Baby? Cassandra had a baby?”

  Kara couldn’t help the smile that touched her lips. “Yes, a beautiful little girl named Regan. Regan is about two years old now.”

  Virgil smiled and Kara knew this smile was genuine. “I’m happy for her.”

  “So am I.” Kara knew he would be happy for Cassandra because her former administrative assistant would bend the rules for Virgil. Like allowing him to sneak into her office when she was away to leave special notes on her desk, drop breakfast off for her or personally deliver her flowers...no matter how many times she would tell Cassandra she didn’t want to be disturbed. And Kara would also admit Cassandra had been the one person who hadn’t believed Marti’s lie about Virgil.

  She banished the thought from her mind. She was here for a business dinner, she reminded herself, so best to get to business. “I sent copies of my proposed action plan to both you and Matthew. I assume you looked over it.”

  “Can’t speak for Dad but I haven’t had the chance. So please enlighten me. What kind of strategies did you come up with, Kara?”

  She wished there wasn’t a tingling sensation that moved up her spine each and every time he said her name. Leaning back in her seat, she said, “Usually when I take on a client, I have three areas to concentrate on for improvement. What I consider the ABC’s. Appearance, behavior and communication. There’s nothing wrong with the way you dress and your communication skills are excellent. That means we need to zero in on your b
ehavior.”

  “What do you suggest?”

  “I note that, although your company is involved in a lot of worthwhile causes and is a huge benefactor to a number of charitable organizations, you’re rarely seen supporting them.”

  He frowned. “I beg to differ. Just last week I was seen at that banquet for cancer research.”

  “Yes, you were. It was a black-tie affair. What about the cancer walk?”

  “What about it?”

  “You didn’t participate in that. Your senior and junior executives did but you didn’t. You only make appearances at the galas and balls, as if to court your clients there. You never appear where people in the community can see you, get to know you.”

  When he didn’t say anything, she pressed on. “My recommendation is for you to be seen at a lot more of those types of events. Several of the major corporations around town will be getting together for a back-to-school extravaganza. I believe your company will be giving away book bags. I suggest you put in an appearance there instead of sending one of your executives.”

  Again, he didn’t say anything, as if mulling over her suggestion. “Okay, I can do that.”

  “And there’s a 5k walk for cancer research next month. I suggest you sign up for that, as well.”

  “Fine. Prepare a list of such activities you think I should participate in and pass the information on to my administrative assistant to add to my calendar.”

  Her next recommendation wouldn’t go over so well with him. “I did my research and you’ve garnered quite a reputation around town with women.”

  She quickly held up her hand. “And before you try giving me that same spiel you gave your father about being single and dating whomever you please and not being accountable to anyone, you might want to rethink that assumption.”

  “Why should I?” he asked coolly.

  “Because your image as a womanizer is hurting your company. It’s giving Marv Hilton the ammunition he needs to make you seem worse than you really are. I agree that as a single, unattached bachelor you should be free to date whomever and whenever you want. However, to curtail what Hilton is saying, you need to tone down your social life.”

  “What do you mean ‘tone down my social life’?”

  “I strongly suggest that, for the next few months, you’re seen around town with the same woman and no one else.”

  Chapter 6

  Virgil’s glacier-cold eyes narrowed. “That’s not going to happen. There’s no way I’ll establish an exclusive relationship with any woman. Ever again.” And he figured she knew the reason why. She had been the first and the last woman he’d claim exclusivity with and look where it had gotten him.

  “It won’t be permanent, Virgil. You’ve dated a lot of women over the years. I’m sure there’s one you wouldn’t mind being seen with for a while on a regular basis.”

  “There’s not a single one. Besides, I don’t want to give any one of them ideas that our relationship might one day go somewhere.”

  “Then we can hire a woman from a legitimate escort service. I happen to know someone who owns such a discreet company out of DC. She only hires educated women, some who speak several languages. They are poised, classy, sophisticated and—”

  “No. There has to be another way. I just won’t date as many women as I’ve done in the past.”

  She shook her head. “In order for this plan to work, Virgil, you will need to restrict yourself to being seen with one woman. It’s a lifestyle change you temporarily need to make. Men feel threatened by you and want to keep their wives, sisters and daughters away from you. Some of those same men are potential clients. Is that what you want?”

  “No. Hilton has become a pain in the ass that I plan to take care of.”

  Kara lifted a brow. “Take care of how?”

  “Two can play his games.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’m using York’s investigative firm to dig into Whitney Hilton’s past. Like I said. Two can play Hilton’s game.” Marv Hilton hadn’t known the mistake he was making by messing with him. Virgil had never hesitated to retaliate before and he certainly wouldn’t now.

  “Digging up information on Whitney might serve your purpose of stopping Hilton from spreading his lies, but it won’t help the issue of your image. You need to do something now even if it’s nothing but a temporary fix.”

  He leaned in to make his point clearer. “Dating any woman exclusively for any amount of time is out of the question.” He sat back when the waiter brought their meals and quickly departed.

  “All I’m saying, Virgil, is you should think about my suggestion.”

  He picked up his fork and put an end to the conversation. “There’s nothing to think about.”

  * * *

  Virgil had finished his steak before he noticed conversation between him and Kara was nonexistent. And he was okay with that. He’d needed to gather himself anyway. As much as he didn’t want them to, memories of other times they’d shared a meal were nearly suffocating him. Granted they’d never dined at this particular restaurant, but there had been others.

  He glanced over at her and saw she was looking everywhere but at him as she ate. That was fine because he had no problem looking at her. And he did so as he took a leisurely sip of his drink. A spike of intense awareness shot up his spine. He wasn’t surprised by the sudden reaction, just a little annoyed. How could he still desire a woman who’d hurt him the way she had? Slowly inhaling a deep breath, he drew her scent into his nostrils and the lower part of his gut ached with the familiar scent. And why was he concentrating on her lips?

  She glanced over at him and caught him staring. She didn’t say anything for a minute and then she smiled and asked, “How are your godbrothers?”

  Virgil placed his glass down. Her smile was unexpected and for a quick second it threw him off-kilter. He rebounded quickly.

  “Everyone is fine. Even the married ones.”

  “Why wouldn’t they be? Even the married ones?”

  “No reason.”

  “They seem happy.”

  He lifted a brow. “You’ve seen them with their wives?”

  She shrugged and his gaze moved to her shoulders. He recalled the times he had kissed those shoulders and how they had felt beneath his lips and hands.

  “Only from a distance,” she said. “At that party six months ago.”

  Virgil nodded. “Yes, they are happy and I am happy for them. They married good women.” He figured he would leave it at that, deciding not to add that his godbrothers had married women who trusted them. A hell of a lot more than she’d trusted him.

  “And how are your parents?” he asked, trying not to recall the last time he’d spoken to her father and the names the man had called him.

  “They’re fine. In fact I talked to Dad last week. I hadn’t known he’d called you when we broke up. He said he tried calling to apologize but couldn’t reach you. You’d changed your number.”

  “Yes, I changed it.” He didn’t explain that he did it to end all ties with her.

  “Yes, well... Dinner was great, Virgil. I hope we were able to agree on a number of things.”

  “We did. Once my personal assistant provides me with that list of events you prepare, I’ll see how many I can add to my calendar.” He gestured to the waiter for the check, then turned back to her. “As far as the other suggestion, I think there has to be another way, so cross that one off your list.”

  * * *

  Virgil had barely made it inside his condo when his cell phone rang. It was Xavier. “Yes, X?” he asked after clicking on the line.

  “Just checking in with everyone about next month when Winston comes home. He’s arriving a week before the party so all of us can hang out. You game?”

  “Yes,”
Virgil replied, pulling the tie from around his neck and removing his jacket. “Zion and I should be asking if you, W, Y and U are game since you four are married and have to check in with your wives.”

  “Don’t be a smart-ass, V.”

  There was a pause and then Xavier asked, “So what’s this I hear about your company hiring Kara to do an image makeover for you?”

  Since he hadn’t mentioned it to anyone but Winston, he figured Winston must have mentioned it to the others. “It was Dad’s idea.”

  “Um, makes perfect sense. She’s good at what she does. Cameron has used her firm to do group training for his employees on more than one occasion. He thought she did a fantastic job. Has she come up with a game plan?”

  Cameron Cody was the founder and CEO of Cody Enterprises. Xavier was not only the executive attorney for Cody, he was considered Cameron’s right-hand man and the two were very close friends. “Yes, she came up with a game plan,” Virgil said, kicking off his shoes. “Her recommendation that I become more visible around town during charity events is doable.”

  “You do that already.”

  “Not to the extent she thinks that I should. I do a lot of black-tie affairs. I’m never seen walking marathons for charities or in the soup kitchens helping to feed the homeless. She thinks that’s a good way to improve my image in the community.”

  “I agree. Cameron and the Steeles are always visible that way. It’s good PR. There’re a lot of new businesses moving to town, and when they’re new to the area and want to size you up, their best level of measurement is how well you’re thought of in the community. What else did she recommend?”

  “The other thing she suggested is something I won’t go along with.”

  “And what’s that?”

  “To began dating exclusively for a while to give the impression that my bachelor days are winding down.”