Body Chemistry (7 page)

She blinked at him as if she were bored. “May I go now?”

His gaze locked into hers and she could see him measuring how far he was going to push her, then he stepped back. “We start next week. You have a few days to prepare.”

“For what?”

“The fact that I’m going to seduce you.”

“You can try.”

The corner of his mouth kicked up in a wicked grin. “You know me better than that, Brenda. I don’t
try
. I succeed.”

She wasn’t scared, Brenda told herself on her drive home. That wasn’t her problem. No, she wasn’t scared, she was aroused. Dangerously so. But that had always been her weakness when it came to Dominic. However, this time she was determined to resist. She could handle him. And no matter what seductive ploy he used she would fight it.

As she changed her clothes, his kiss still lingered on her lips. If she licked them she was certain she could taste him. She was afraid that if she looked at her body she’d see where his hands had been as if he’d imprinted himself on her, not that she needed to see anything, her body remembered everything. Thank God she still had a working shower—cold water was all she needed.

Thomas stared at Dominic, stunned. He leaned on the desk. “Are you out of your mind?”

Dominic tossed his yo-yo in the air. “No, I’ve made my decision.”

“You want to forgo the opportunity of a lifetime so you can write a book?”

He directed the yo-yo to the ground. “Yes.”

“Okay, what about the other deal we discussed?”

Dominic caught his yo-yo in a quick decisive motion. “I’m saying no to that too.”

Thomas took a deep breath. Dominic and his damn yo-yo. He could strangle him with it. But then again, the guy was making him rich so he couldn’t do that. He had to reason with him. “But this is TV. This is the next level for you.”

“TV is nothing new for me.”

“This is the National Geographic channel and they want you to be their technical advisor on a major new series.”

“I’m not interested.”

“You don’t understand what this means. Think about the money.”

“I have plenty of money.”

“The prestige.”

“I have that too. I’ve been on radio, TV, in magazines, newspapers, trade journals. I’ve traveled the world and met fascinating people. I’ve done a lot of things, but after doing them, I go home alone.”

“Is that what you want? A woman? I can get you one. Hell, you can get one yourself, but if you’re too busy I’ll find one for you. Just tell me the type you like and she’s yours.”

“I found my type years ago and I plan to get her back.”

“You mean Brenda?” he said with such disgust that Dominic sent him a look as powerful as a punch. He cleared his throat. “You know second chances are rare.”

“But not impossible.”

“Improbable.”

“But not impossible,” he repeated. “You should have seen her last night. She was amazing and she did it all for me. She doesn’t know it yet, but she’ll find out soon enough.”

“I don’t mean to poke holes in your theory, but have you considered that there could be someone else she’s trying to impress?”

“There’s nobody else.” He paused, suddenly unsure. “If there is, he won’t last long.”

“She could just want your money.”

“Brenda’s not like that. It’s as I told you. She’s changed and I’ve changed and it’s going to work out for the two of us. I’m going to get my wife back. And my first plan starts with fixing her water heater. I want you to handle that for me.” He opened a drawer, then placed an ad from the newspaper on the table. “Make sure it’s the best and I want it to be one of these. I want it installed immediately. See that it happens.”

Thomas pasted on a smile. “You can trust me.”

Thomas stuffed the ad in his pocket and swore as he walked to his car. He hated Brenda Everton. He had hated her ten years ago and he hated her even more now. Too much was at stake for her to get in his way again. Before, when Dominic was just getting started, she’d managed to confuse his priorities, making him feel guilty if he missed a couple dinners or their anniversary.

He’d been glad when she’d cut Dominic free by giving him a divorce. Finally, Dominic was all his and he’d worked with him to make him the success he was today. It was his effort that had got them there and he wouldn’t allow Brenda to get in the way. She was messing with his plan. He was going to make Ayers Corporation even bigger than it was, and he couldn’t have the president and CEO flake out on him now, not over a woman. He had to get Brenda out of the picture.

Thomas pulled out the ad and stared at the listed amount. Dominic was too generous. He’d get her the water heater, but it wouldn’t cost this much.

He called a friend. “I have a job for you. I want it done quick and cheap.”

“D
o you think this is a joke?” The voice on the phone was female and angry.

Brenda pulled the receiver from her ear and stared at it a moment, she’d had a long day and didn’t want to deal with prank calls. She placed the phone against her ear and demanded, “Who is this?”

“Marci, and you haven’t worn any of your new items to work.”

Busted. “I did wear the outfit you suggested on my date.”

“That was over a week ago.”

“How do you know?”

“I told you we have spies.”

“At least I wore it.”

“That’s not good enough. You wanted to see your life change, but you have to change too. I’m thinking of putting in a request to have some of your privileges revoked.”

“What privileges?”

“You won’t know about them if you don’t get them.”

“Now wait,” Brenda said, feeling hurt. “Change takes time.”

“You’re wasting my time with your excuses. Tomorrow you’re going to start dressing as the new Brenda. If you don’t, you’ll be sorry when you hear from me again.” She hung up.

Brenda replaced the receiver, annoyed. Marci could have given her credit for at least wearing the suit. But she didn’t want to get in trouble again. She didn’t want to fail.

What am I supposed to wear to work?
Brenda wondered as she stood looking at her closet. Never before had she seen so much color in her wardrobe. She wasn’t against color. She liked color on flowers, cars, houses, but not on herself. When she was in art school, she wore primarily black despite the brilliant watercolors she loved to paint. She admired the other students who could casually mix and match. But with her height, she stood out enough; she didn’t need or want to emphasize her presence.

Last week had been a hectic week and clothes hadn’t been a priority, but at least she’d gotten her water heater fixed. Brenda frowned. There were too many choices and no Marci to help guide her. Brenda stepped back and took a deep breath. She would create a color-coded system matching all the items with each other.

I can do this. I don’t want to hear from Marci again.
Brenda worked into the evening, creating a color-coded fashion file. She translated her notes, detailing which color went with which basic item, such as a skirt, pants or jacket. Nothing in her wardrobe was left out, including accessories such as handbags, of which she only had two, belts, scarves, which she rarely wore, sweaters and shoes. She found shoes particularly challenging. While she had agreed to select several pairs with moderate heels, she wasn’t sure she would feel comfortable wearing them.

Once she was finished, Brenda arranged the cards in a large file box. Although she was exhausted, she felt accomplished. No more anxiety. She didn’t have to worry. She would always get an outfit right.

Her sense of accomplishment dwindled when she looked at the five leftover pieces of clothing on her bed. They were items Marci had
insisted
she needed: a backless silk halter top, a pair of brown leather straight-legged pants, a floor-length ball gown and a pink and black lace bra and panty set, which had made her blush when Marci handed it to her.

Brenda decided to put them in a large metal trunk she kept in her basement. It was unlikely she would wear any of them anyway. She had never worn anything like the backless halter top, and did not plan to start now. As for the leather pants, they reminded her of a girl she knew in college who only wore short leather skirts and tight leather pants, and probably hadn’t kept them on very long.

The floor-length ball gown seemed like a trivial item, although it was gorgeous. She hadn’t worn anything like it since attending her high school prom. Where would she wear something like that? Even when she was married to Dominic, their schedule had always been busy and they never attended any event where such an extravagant outfit would be needed. Last, but certainly not least, while she was not one to be prudish, the two-piece panty set verged on risqué. She’d really have to trust Mr. Ideal before she wore it for him.

For work the next day, Brenda carefully selected a dark blue straight skirt hitting just above the knee, a fitted long-sleeved light gray shirt touched off with a red leather belt, a pair of three-inch dark blue sling back shoes, and a hand-painted pastel silk scarf draped around her shoulder. She wore her hair in a ponytail and put makeup on.

Brenda looked at herself. She looked and felt fantastic. Life was good. She had the money to fund her project and her water heater had been fixed. She hadn’t heard from Dominic, but that was probably best, she’d been thinking about him more than she should. She needed the distance. It helped put everything into perspective.

“Wow,” Chuck said when he saw her. Brenda stood at her bookshelf giving him a full view of her new look. He’d never seen her out of a lab coat. “What’s the occasion?”

She shrugged and pushed a book back in place. “No special occasion. When I left Madeline’s funeral, I realized that I need to live now, not later.”

Sonya burst into the room. “I heard about it, but I had to see it for myself and prove they weren’t lying.” Sonya approached Brenda as though afraid the image before her was an apparition that would disappear. “I can’t believe it. You’re gorgeous. Have you ever modeled before? I’m sure you could model now. Older models are in now. Not that I’m saying you’re old or anything.”

“I understand.”

“You don’t even look like you. You look like you should be standing on the edge of a mansion with a piña colada in one hand.”

“Not quite.”

“Or in a boardroom with a room full of men and a whip—I mean pointer—in one hand.”

Brenda repressed a laugh. “Thank you.” Someone knocked. She glanced at Chuck, then at Sonya amazed: she’d never been so popular before. “Come in.”

Kendell entered. “I have a gift for you—” He stopped and stared at her.

“Yes?” she encouraged when he didn’t speak.

He stepped back and looked at the sign on the door. “Sorry, I was looking for Dr. Everton.”

“That would be me.”

“Doesn’t she look great?” Sonya said.

Kendell made a gurgling noise in his throat.

Brenda folded her arms. “You have something for me?”

He came out of his stupor. “Right. Yes, a gift card as a thank-you for your help.” He held it out as though offering her roses.

She took it and rested it on her desk. “I was glad I could.”

He flashed a teasing grin. “I’m sorry I can’t ask you for any more favors.”

“Why not?”

“My wife might get jealous.”

Brenda raised her eyebrows in mock censure. “Careful, Dr. Baldwin.”

“I saw her first,” Chuck said.

“You’re married.”

“So are you.”

Brenda raised her hands and laughed, flattered by the attention. “That’s enough, you two. We came here to work and that’s what I plan to do.”

But she didn’t get much of an opportunity. Her new look brought her a fleet of male admirers. She welcomed the attention, hoping her ideal man was hidden among them. In only one week she had gotten three offers of marriage from complete strangers, had her lunch and breakfast, which she usually ate in the cafeteria, paid for the entire week by an unknown admirer, and had two dozen roses delivered to her office by someone named Romeo.

Being practical, Brenda did not follow up on any of them. Her ideal man would not be so uncreative or secretive. He would be bold and speak to her directly. He would not send her flowers anonymously or propose marriage, based solely on lust. Lust was fine, but not for the long term. It had gotten her in trouble before. She’d know him once she met him.

A week later Chuck came to her office and asked, “Have you been able to secure the funding we will need?”

Brenda hesitated, she hadn’t heard from Dominic but knew she could trust him. “Yes. I spoke to an individual willing to provide us with funding to complete the project.”

“Who?”

“He prefers to remain anonymous.” She didn’t know if he did, but since it was up to her, he would.

“That’s great, I can’t wait to tell the team.”

“Not just yet. I prefer to wait until I’ve signed the papers and the money is in the bank. By the way, as part of the funding, I added a new position so that you will have someone to help you. You have never complained about all the time you have put in and I am grateful for your dedication and commitment, but you have a family.

“With an assistant, you will be able to spend more time with them and you’ll be in charge of hiring him or her.”

He stared at her with hope. “Does this mean…?”

“Yes, you’ve been promoted.”

“I knew today was my lucky day. Now everything is perfect. There’s nothing to worry about.” He left.

But he was wrong. Everything wasn’t perfect. Another week passed and she still hadn’t heard from Dominic. Brenda reminded herself that he wouldn’t let her down, but as the days passed she started to worry. What if he’d forgotten his promise? What if he didn’t realize how desperate she was? What about the illustrations she was supposed to do for him? Part of her had looked forward to the project. Had it just been a ploy? She hated being disappointed.

Brenda thought about buying another package of cigarettes, then thought of something better: work. Work always kept her mind occupied. It had saved her sanity through her divorce and it would save her now. She wasn’t like Madeline, she assured herself. She wasn’t depressed and she’d never take her own life. But she wouldn’t be put on hold either, not for a man and definitely not for Dominic. Waiting patiently was never a strong trait of hers. She would work hard and when she worked hard she expected others to do the same.

“I need the final report next week,” she told Chuck a few days later. “Will you be able to complete it by then?” She did not look up from her desk so she couldn’t see his nod and the odd way he looked at her. “Yes,” he said.

“Can you please schedule a meeting for me with Dr. Ramsey for Thursday, and make an appointment with the scientific supply company in Tacoma? I’d like you and me to go and look for some new equipment.”

“Brenda?” Chuck said.

“Yes.”

“We have a problem.”

That caught her attention and she looked at him. “What is it?”

“You.”

She set her pen down. “Me?”

“We’d all hoped that the new look meant you had a new view of life, but you’re working harder than before.”

“No, I’m not,” she said, insulted. “I’m excited about all we’ve been able to accomplish.”

Chuck stared at her, seeing through her lie. “I care about you. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“You haven’t been yourself since Madeline’s death.”

She took a deep breath before her temper got the better of her. “This has nothing to do with Madeline. So she died—that was her choice. I’m not like her. We were friends, not twins. I’m not prone to the same depressed disposition she was prone to. I wish people would leave me alone.”

“Something’s bothering you and it’s affecting the project.”

“I thought the project was progressing well.”

“The project is, but we’re not. The team’s morale is low. You have been going non-stop and pushing us non-stop too. You want this and that, you are going here and there, you’ll burn out. But we will probably burn out before you do.”

“Chuck—”

“Take a week off.”

Brenda stared at him, stunned. “What?”

“Take the week off.”

Brenda sat speechless. Who was he to talk to her like that? She was the boss and he was the man who crumbled in a crisis. She opened her mouth to protest, then realized the courage it took for him to stand up to her. She shrugged, resigned. She didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize the project at this stage. “Fine.”

His tone softened. “You need it.”

Although she knew he cared, she felt betrayed and didn’t look at him when she left.