No Other Lover Will Do

by Hodges, Cheris

  “Model Kinsley Monroe may be one of Maxim’s hottest women, but the staff at the trendy W Hotel saw what else is hot about the sexy model—her temper. Monroe was arrested early this morning after trashing a suite at the boutique hotel. Sources at the Times Square hotel say Monroe entered the hotel after the Maxim party with hotel mogul Solomon Crawford. Crawford was not at the scene when the trouble started. Crawford’s company is about to open a luxury resort in North Carolina, despite the troubling economic times. The Crawford chain of hotels has remained profitable this quarter, but insiders in the industry wonder if Solomon Crawford is stretching his company too thin by venturing into resorts when people are opting to stay at home rather than spending money for luxury vacations.”

  Solomon snapped the TV off and plopped down in his desk chair. Getting linked to Miss-Model-Gone-Wild wasn’t the way he needed to launch the opening of the resort in the Carolinas. As he rose from his seat to take a shower, his office door burst open.

  “Thanks for knocking, Richmond,” he said, without looking at his brother.

  “This is how you kick off the resort opening, by getting caught up in yet another scandal?” Richmond raged.

  “What scandal?” Solomon asked flippantly. “There are no pictures and I didn’t destroy a room. Whatever Ms. Monroe did is her sin, not mine.”

  Richmond shook his head. “When are you going to settle down and stop with the conquests of women? This is why Mom and Dad should’ve trusted me to run this company.”

  “Why, because Vivvy has your balls in her purse? Say what you want about what I do after-hours, but you would never have been able to expand this business the way I have. The only bad publicity is no publicity,” he snapped.

  Richmond shook his head. “My marriage has nothing to do with this. If I were the one sitting in that chair, I would’ve known better than to undertake a resort expansion in this economy. And the mountains down south? How profitable do you think this is going to be?”

  Solomon reached into his desk and pulled out the research he and Carmen had done prior to purchasing the resort. “If you would stop reading Page Six and read the reports I send you, you’d know all of this.”

  Richmond flipped through the thick folder, not reading the research. “So, this was Carmen’s idea? What do you really know about this woman?”

  “That she’s a hell of a business partner who has vision—something you lack.”

  Richmond narrowed his eyes at his brother. “Let me guess, you’re sleeping with her too.”

  “Actually, big brother, I don’t mix business with pleasure. Again, why are you so worried about my bedroom activities? Must be boring being with the same boring woman every night.”

  “Because they always seem to make front page news,” Richmond said. “I’m stepping back. This resort is yours and Carmen’s to ruin. Hopefully when you lose enough money, Mom and Dad will come to their senses and let me run the company and take the Crawford name off the gossip pages.”

  Solomon shook his head and fought the urge to punch his brother in the face. “You wouldn’t know what to do with this company if it was handed to you. Ever think that’s why the firstborn was passed over?”

  Richmond’s hazel eyes sparkled with anger. “You asshole. I can’t wait to see you fail.” He threw the folder across the room and stormed out of the office.

  CHAPTER 3

  It was noon before Kandace woke up, and her first impulse was to head into Hometown Delights. Instead, she got out of bed and headed for her laptop. She typed VACATION SPOTS into her Google search bar. An ad popped up for Carolina Serenity and its grand opening this week.

  “Wow, the mountains…I never thought about going there,” she said as she clicked on the colorful image.

  Soft sounds of jazz played through her speakers as the Web site loaded. Kandace clicked on the details of the new resort and found plush suites with king-size beds in half of the rooms, marble fireplaces, wall to wall carpet, and garden tubs. There was a full service spa, which offered one complementary service with a week’s stay. Ski lessons were available with professional skiers.

  “I guess I could try the skiing lessons, but I don’t know if I want to risk falling on the slopes,” she said as she clicked on the reservation tab. Kandace was excited to get away as she entered her information into the computer. As she clicked the reserve button, her BlackBerry rang.

  “Hello?” she said, without looking at the caller ID screen.

  “Is it true? You’re finally getting a life?” Serena joked.

  “Whatever. Let’s see how you heifers get along without me for two weeks.”

  “Just fine,” Serena said. “Besides, I’m going back to Atlanta now that Jade has this place and motherhood under control.”

  “What about you and Antonio?” Kandace asked as she printed her reservation confirmation.

  “You know, I don’t want to talk about that,” she said, but Kandace heard something in her voice that she’d never heard before—emotion. She wanted to ask Serena more questions about her “relationship” with Antonio, but Kandace let it go, knowing her friend would blow her off and keep whatever was wrong close to her chest.

  “So,” Serena said, “where are you going?”

  “Sugar Mountain. Just made my reservation at Carolina Serenity. Doesn’t that just sound heavenly?”

  Serena laughed. “Yeah, if you like snow. I figured you’d go some place tropical or back to Las Vegas.”

  “No more Vegas trips for me—and who goes to Vegas to relax? Do you find gambling relaxing?”

  “That’s true. Well, have fun, be safe, and please leave the laptop at home. I’ll call you when you get back,” Serena said.

  After hanging up with her friend, Kandace read more about the resort. It was a new property in the Crawford Hotel chain. The Crawford family business was nationally known for its boutique hotels and customer service. Kandace was sure she was going to have the best and most relaxing two weeks. If she had as much fun as she thought she would, she might even stay until Thanksgiving.

  After logging off the Internet, Kandace decided to treat herself to some vacation clothes, including a pair of Uggs. After all, she was going to be in the snow and that’s just what those boots were for. She dialed Jade’s number as she reached for her car keys.

  “Yes, Kandace?” Jade said when she picked up.

  “What do you say we do some shopping?” Kandace asked. “I’ve got to get some ski gear.”

  “Ski gear? You’re taking your vacation in the snow? That’s funny.”

  Kandace smacked her lips. “Look, I grew up in Guam. It doesn’t snow there. Besides, the resort where I’m staying looks divine. I’ll probably just watch the snow fall from the spa.”

  “Where are you going, Vail?”

  “No, Sugar Mountain. It’s not that far a drive from here and it’s supposed to snow next week. The Web site said that it’s cold enough to make snow anyway.”

  “I don’t see the big deal about snow, but I’m glad to hear you excited about a vacation. Wish I could take this shopping trip with you, but James and Maurice are done playing super dads. I knew they wouldn’t last all day. Kenya owes me a trip to Starbucks as soon as Jaden starts drinking a bottle.”

  Kandace laughed. “That’s why women are the caregivers,” she said. “Well, I’m going to get my Uggs. Maybe I’ll stop by the restaurant to make sure everything is okay.”

  “Don’t you dare. Shop, then go home and get ready for your trip,” Jade cautioned. “You’re banned from work.”

  “Fine,” Kandace said with a chuckle. When she and Jade said their good-byes, Kandace headed outside to her car and SouthPark Mall. Two hours later, she was all shopped out with enough winter gear for her trip, including a pair of chocolate brown Uggs.

  Kandace unpacked her shopping bags, ready to hit the road. Morning couldn’t come soon enough.

  Sweat poured off Solomon’s forehead as he ran on the treadmill. The day had started out horrible a
nd gotten worse. First, his office was bombarded with calls from reporters about his dalliance with the Maxim girl. Then Richmond returned with a message from their parents. “Straighten up,” he’d said his parents had warned. “Finally, they are tired of seeing our name dragged through the mud because you can’t control your libido.”

  He was sure that Richmond had been leaning on his parents for months, despite the success of the business and the new direction he and Carmen were taking the company in.

  “Thought I’d find you here,” Danny Jones said as he climbed onto the treadmill beside his best friend. “You’ve been all over the news today.”

  “Yeah, I know,” Solomon said as he slowed down to a brisk walk. “I have got to stop attracting crazy women.”

  “Crazy hot,” Danny said. “Kinsley Monroe. Damn.”

  “Please, her looks are all that she has going for her. I guess I was supposed to be impressed by her cover. She didn’t know who she was dealing with.”

  “And speaking of not knowing who you’re dealing with, have you considered my random background check offer?”

  Solomon stopped his machine just as Danny was getting his started. He smiled at his friend, who was more like a brother to him than his blood relative. Danny was a private detective who had spent five years on the force with the NYPD before he struck out on his own. Truthfully, if it wasn’t for Solomon and so many of his indiscretions—tracking down false paternity claims and keeping scorned women quiet—Danny wouldn’t have been in business over a year. Now, he was one of the most sought after PIs in the city.

  “Yeah, you can get started on that while I’m down south,” Solomon said.

  “So, who’s the Southern babe that’s sending you down south? Or are you trying to get out of the media spotlight until the thing with Kinsley blows over?”

  “I’m going to check out my new resort and make sure it meets Crawford standards. And who knows, I might run into a few hot snow bunnies.”

  “Somehow I knew women would come into play at some point. Are you ever going to settle down?”

  Solomon ran his hand across his damp chest. “How about no? I’m having too much fun. And there is enough of me to go around.”

  “What happens when you meet a woman who knocks you off your feet?”

  “Will never happen. I’ve come to this conclusion about New York women: they want my money and I want their bodies. Like the Rolling Stones said, ‘You can’t always get what you want,’ unless your name is Solomon Crawford.”

  The men broke out laughing. “That’s bullshit,” Danny said. “Tell me something…You and Miss De La Croix, that’s strictly business?”

  “Yes.”

  Danny shook his head. “That woman is fine. And her body is sick. An ass you can sit a beer can on, and the way she fills out a top. I just want to lick her.”

  “What’s stopping you?” Solomon asked as he began lifting free weights. “She’s a great girl. I’m making her rich, so you don’t have to worry about her pulling out a shovel and digging for gold.”

  “All women aren’t bad,” Danny said. “You didn’t get like this until…”

  “Don’t say it,” Solomon cautioned. The last thing Solomon wanted to think about was his broken marriage to Alyessa Cartwright. He’d loved her more than he wanted to admit. They’d met at a concert in Central Park during the summer of 2000, back when he was more carefree and studying filmmaking at NYU. Alyessa had the SoHo look down, from her wide afro to her platform-sandal clad feet. Her cocoa skin and shimmering brown eyes took his breath away. That night, they’d sat down and talked through the concert. By the end of the night, Solomon was falling in love. Over the next three years, he and Alyessa had fallen deeply in love and Solomon was about to premier his feature film at the New York Film Festival.

  Beauty’s Embrace had been the fictionalized account of his love affair with Alyessa. The crowd loved it, especially the ending, which Solomon had described as yet to be written. As the credits rolled, he’d dropped to one knee in the crowded theatre and asked her to marry him. When she’d said yes, Solomon had been ready to give Alyessa her happily ever after and lots of babies. His family had been slow to warm to Alyessa, however, feeling that she was too common to be a Crawford. But Alyessa had been anything but common. She was of British decent and had come to New York to escape her domineering family. Had it not been for the headlines of her engagement crossing the pond, Alyessa and Solomon would’ve been able to have the dream wedding that they’d planned.

  But on the couple’s wedding day, a man showed up at the church claiming to be Alyessa’s husband.

  “Husband?” Solomon had demanded. “How in the hell can you be married when we just took our vows?”

  “Solomon, I’m sorry, I didn’t think it would matter,” she’d said as she attempted to close the space between them. “I don’t love him.”

  He’d pushed her away from him. “Get the hell away from me, you lying bitch. So, was I just the means to an end for you? You wanted to get away from your terrible family life and I was your sucker? Hey, man,” Solomon said, “take your wife and get the fuck out of here.”

  Right then, Solomon had sworn that he’d never trust another woman again. One of the first cases he’d given Danny had been to track down Alyessa. When Danny reported that Alyessa was living a life of luxury and was happily married to a duke, Solomon resolved that women weren’t to be trusted and he’d never allow another one to get close to him. He’d switched his career focus from filmmaking to the family business, which shocked his family and the Los Angeles studio executives who’d been interested in putting his movie on the big screen.

  At first, Solomon had allowed Richmond to take the lead at work. He’d watched his brother and learned everything he needed to learn about the industry. Looking back on it, Solomon was pretty sure Richmond hated the fact that he was such an excellent teacher now that he was taking orders from his little brother.

  “You all right over there?” Danny asked as he stepped off the treadmill.

  Solomon dropped his weights. “Yeah, I’m just thinking about what I need for this trip. I’m probably going to make a regular reservation and see how smoothly things run. My workers don’t need to know I’m looking over their shoulder.”

  “That’s a good idea. Maybe while you’re gone, I can get Carmen to go out on a date with me,” Danny said as he wiped his face with the bottom of his T-shirt.

  “Good luck on that,” Solomon said. “I don’t think I’ve seen her go out on a date since she’s been in New York. She needs a life.”

  Danny flexed his muscles. “And I’m just the man to give her one.”

  CHAPTER 4

  When Kandace pulled up to the mountain resort, she thought she’d found the route to heaven. Snow quietly fell on the lush green grass, and in the background of the eight-story resort was Sugar Mountain in all of its snow-covered glory. Kandace couldn’t tell if it was real snow or manufactured, and it didn’t matter one bit. She turned her gaze to the classic building in front of her. It resembled a castle, with frosted windows, two towers, and what looked to be a giant snow globe over the entrance. Inside the globe was the Crawford crest, which adorned all of the hotels in the chain. This one was covered in snow. “Wow,” Kandace said as she put her car in park. “I can’t wait to see the inside.” As she stepped out of the car, she was met by two porters dressed in gold and cream uniforms.

  “Hello, ma’am,” the taller man said. “We’ll take your bags and Tony can check you in curbside if you’d like.”

  Impressed by their customer service, Kandace smiled brightly and popped her trunk. “Thank you, Cal,” she said, reading his name tag. “I don’t have my reservation number handy, so I’ll go inside.”

  “All right, ma’am. Enjoy your stay at Serenity,” Cal said as he and Tony lifted her bags from the rear of her rented SUV. Kandace smoothed her ponytail and headed inside. Entering the lobby was another breathtaking experience. The lobby was decorated in lush
earth tones. The plush carpet was a cocoa brown color, and in the corner, the fire inside the fireplace roared. Kandace wanted to snuggle up in the lavish love seat across from the fireplace and read a good book.

  “Good afternoon, ma’am,” the desk clerk said. “Are you checking in?”

  “Yes. Kandace Davis.”

  The clerk pushed her blond hair behind her ears and began typing Kandace’s name into the computer. “Yes, Ms. Davis, I have your reservation right here. You’re going to be in our Wonderland Suite. It is a beautiful room with a private balcony and a fireplace.”

  “Great, Brandi,” Kandace said, after reading the clerk’s tag. “I have to say, this place is beautiful.”

  “Isn’t it? You’re going to love your room,” Brandi said as she passed Kandace her key card. “It’s on the fifth floor and three doors down on your right. Would you like me to schedule your spa appointment for you?”

  “That’s all right. I’ll take care of it later, but thank you.”

  Cal and Tony approached the desk with Kandace’s bags and Brandi told them where to take them. Kandace had expected the porters to ride on the elevator with her, but they didn’t. When she arrived on the fifth floor, she saw the porters leaving her room. Did they run up the stairs? she wondered as she entered the room. As soon as she stepped through the doors, any thoughts of the porters were replaced by the lavishness of the Wonderland Suite. Her feet sank into the white carpet as she made her way to the center of the room to take it all in. Her king-size bed looked as if it were three feet off the ground, and it was covered with a gold and cream goose down comforter. A twenty-seven-inch plasma TV hung on the wall. Kandace’s gaze fell on the marble fireplace in the middle of the sitting room. It was already stocked with wood, and in front of it was a sofa similar to the one in the lobby. Turning back to the bedroom, she saw the cherrywood wardrobe was open and her luggage was resting on the shelves. Unable to resist the call of the bed any longer, Kandace plopped down on the comforter and closed her eyes. So far, her vacation was wonderful.