North Star (9 page)

“That’s right.”

Graham laughed as he took in her mischievous smile. “What’s the catch? You’re going to fight me the whole time?”

“On the contrary, I’ll welcome your attempts to woo me. I’m looking forward to seeing a proper gentleman romance a woman.”

“Oh, I get it. You don’t think I can be a gentleman. You think my pursuit is all about sex, don’t you?”

Caresse’s eyebrows rose inquiringly as she peered down at him.

“You listen here, Miss. I want
you
. And I promise if you’re truly up for this, I guarantee you’ll be so in love with me, you will be begging to get into my bed.”

Caresse laughed at the absurdity of his words. She had been through too much to want any romantic entanglements, so he would soon learn he was way off base.

“We’ll see.”

“Yes, babe, we’ll see,” he purred. “So when does this arrangement start?”

“I was thinking you could drop me at my home and call me for a proper date.”

“Ah, yes. A gentleman would start at the beginning, wouldn’t he?”

“A man that wants to win me would!”

“Fair enough, but I’ll do you one better. I’ll call my car service, and they’ll take you home since you never told me where you live, and I don’t want you to feel obligated because Yvette placed you in my care.”

She nodded and uncapped his pen. “Okay, I’ll leave my number.” She smiled as she wrote her number on a post-it, then stuck it on the front of his computer screen. “I better get my things from your laundry room. I’m sure they’re dry by now. Till tonight’s phone call?”

“What makes you think I’ll call you tonight?”

“A gentleman doesn’t make a lady wait, remember?”

“The rogue in me forgot that rule. I hope I can remember to behave myself.”

Caresse flashed him a seductive grin that went straight to his groin before waving and exiting his office.

Graham’s gaze fixed on the post-it, and the implication it held sent waves of excitement over him.
She may think she’ll be able to keep me at bay for a few weeks, but she has no idea what’s ahead
.
Let the games begin!!

Chapter 7

Caresse listened as Egypt Sherrod dispensed advice to a lovelorn radio listener trying to get her man to appreciate her.
She shouldn’t be asking a radio personality
.
Everyone knows you don’t go to someone that doesn’t know you for advice on fixing your broken relationship.
Caresse wasn’t an expert in love, but she knew what she adored and abhorred about men.

Last night had proved to be one of the times she loved dating. Graham had kept his word and called her to set up their first official date. He told her he planned to woo her, starting with a lunch date today. She looked forward to getting out of the office so she could enjoy the nice summer weather.

As if he knew her thoughts, Graham appeared in the doorway. “Did you missed me?” he whispered as his mouth curved upward.

Caresse’s lips parted in surprise as she took in his appearance. His massive shoulders strained against the gray pinstriped Armani suit. His handsome dark eyes held a secretive expression. If she weren’t mistaken, she would have sworn it was mischievousness. “I may have, if you didn’t talk my ear off last night,” she teased.

“Stop complaining, you loved it,” he said as he leaned against her office doorway and sized her up.

With a few springy steps, she stopped in front of him and whispered softly, “Are you ready for me?”

Graham inched toward her, looking like he wanted to kiss her senseless, but he stopped when he noticed his presence had caused a sudden congregation of women in the hallway behind him. Instead, he took Caresse by the hand and motioned her toward the elevator. When the doors of the once empty lift closed in front of them, he pulled her to him and breathed in her ear, “I’m ready for anything you are willing to give,” and planted a tender kiss on her lips.

An entrancing, sensuous magnetism passed between them as her cheeks warmed from his touch. She fought an overwhelming desire to ask him to kiss her again by searching her purse for her sunglasses. She needed to shield her eyes from the sunshine outside and Graham’s intuitive ability to read her lustful thoughts. “Where are we headed?” she asked when they neared his car.

“Cattus Island?”

“Where’s that?”

“You’ve never been there? Then I’ll be your tour guide.” Graham helped her into his car. “It’ll be a short tour since I have to get you back in an hour, but if you’re nice, I’ll show their Butterfly Garden.”

Caresse’s face lit up. “I can be nice, Graham. Very nice.” She crossed her legs toward him and flashed a winning smile.

“Have mercy,” Graham mumbled as she closed her passenger door and he hurried to the other side.

They ate a gourmet catered picnic lunch on a beautiful vista overlooking the adjacent Silver Bay. She was impressed by the picnic table, dressed with fine linens and china and wondered how many helpers had assisted him to pull it off. She took a seat and absorbed the beauty of her surroundings. Graham used the time to ask her about herself.

“Yvette mentioned that you were divorced. How long were you married?”

Caresse’s jaw tensed visibly. “Eight years. The marriage officially ended a year ago.”

“You seem too young to be married that long. College sweethearts?”

“No, I met him when I moved to New Jersey. I was barely twenty when I wed. How about you? Have you ever been married?”

“No, I’m a self-declared workaholic. I guess you can say
Psyche
has been my constant companion.” Graham stole a slice of pineapple from her plate and popped it in his mouth. “I don’t know even know if she’ll like our little arrangement. She’s quite a taskmaster.”

“I bet.” Caresse laughed as she claimed one of the tomato slices from his sandwich.

“Hey, I was going to eat that!”

“I could say the same thing to you, Pineapple Boy!”

“All right, all right, I can see you aren’t going to let me get away with anything, are you?”

“Why should I? You know how to behave.”

Graham averted her gaze. She wondered if she saw a hint of apprehension because she knew how to throw men off center, but the instance was so brief she decided to dismiss it.

“That all depends.”

Caresse took a long sip of her raspberry iced tea. “Depends on what?”

“On you,” he stated as he gently pulled her sunglasses from her eyes. “Are you really going to let me romance you, or is this a stalling tactic?”

“I’m here, aren’t I? I’m enjoying your company and this beautiful picnic, so why do you doubt me now?”

“You’re right. I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”

Her lips puckered in annoyance. “Are you comparing me to a horse?”

“Please! If anyone looks like horse here, it’s me eating so fast. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to eat a meal in an hour’s time,” he stated as he reassured her with a smile.

She laughed. “I have to admit, I was wondering if you skipped breakfast?”

“I only eat breakfast on the weekends.”

“That’s not good for you. I can’t leave the house without a meal.”

“Maybe I should stop by one morning and eat with you,” he purred as he brushed a piece of her wavy hair from her face.

“No!” she said, surprised by his unpredictable suggestion. “I-I wouldn’t–I mean, I won’t make it to work on time if you did.”

The thought of Graham showing up at her home unannounced caused her words to get stuck in her throat. Her brow furrowed as they exchanged polite, simultaneous smiles.

“You don’t have men visit you at home, do you?”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Yeah, but don’t worry, I won’t come by unless I’m invited.” His expression grew serious. “I have sisters, Caresse, and I know how important it is for a woman to feel safe in her home. I promise you, I’ll never do anything to make you feel uncomfortable.”

“Thanks.”

“And I’d say anything to place a genuine smile back on your face.” His grin was boyishly affectionate, and he winked when he caught her eye. “So are you ready to head back to work?”

“In a minute. The view is beautiful.”

“Come, let’s go near the water. I want to show you something.”

Graham helped Caresse down a small path to the river’s edge, and showed her to bench near a tree surrounded by wildflowers. He brushed some dust from the seat and motioned for her to join him.

“I come here to watch the sunrise sometimes.”

“Maybe we’ll come back and do that together?”

“Of course we will.” Graham pulled Caresse into his arms and gazed into her warm gray eyes. “I can’t wait to pick you up in a few hours. I have a surprise for you.”

Caresse encircled her arms around him possessively. “Tell me, so I can dress appropriately.”

“There’s no way I’m getting between a girl and her closet. You can wear anything you want. It’s all about enjoyment, Caresse. Let’s have fun tonight.”

“Okay, fun it is.”

Graham gathered her face in his hands and kissed her. His kiss was gentle as he savored the sweet and sensuous taste of her mouth. She craved him and let him explore her mouth relentlessly, demanding her to release control, and enticing her to kiss him back.

Heat stirred within her as his demanding lips caressed hers. The kiss ignited a shockwave through her body as she arched against him, deepening his assault. She could feel her heart fluttered wildly in her breast as his hands grabbed her hips possessively.

The kiss continued for a moment, until Graham lifted his head. “I better get you back to the office before I’m tempted to take you home,” he breathed as he buried his nose in her hair. “I don’t know how I’m going to concentrate on work this afternoon.”

“Hey, the sooner we get back to work, the sooner we can pick up where we left off.”

A smile touched Graham’s lips as he quickly led her back to the car. He placed his hand on the small of her back and helped her steady her steps. She enjoyed the warmth his protectiveness stirred in her. Could she be someone he would want to cherish?

The drive back into town was quicker than she wanted. She got out of the car and leaned into Graham’s passenger window. “I’ll be ready at five-thirty, okay?” She leaned forward and removed the tint of her lipstick from his lips.

He nodded, and his smile held a touch of eroticism and invitation. “I wish it was five-twenty-nine.”

Caresse returned his smile, then hurried inside the building. Heart pounding, she noticed that he waited, his gaze never leaving hers, until the lobby elevator doors closed. She took a long breath as her heart swelled with a feeling she had thought was dead.

“And what do you expect me to do, Laila? I’m doing the best I can!” Malcolm seethed as he flipped cable channels to find the latest sport score reports. “I never thought my woman would work so hard to hold me back. You don’t understand what I need.”

“I’m not holding you back. Graham won’t publish your article, so it’s time to look for other publications.
Psyche
isn’t the only outlet for your writings.”

“You think I don’t know there other magazines out there? We both know a few more
Psyche
articles will strongly influence Graham’s competitors. I need to get in next month’s issue!”

“I can’t help you.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

“For the moment...Both!”

Malcolm hung up and threw the cordless phone at Laila’s 75-gallon custom aquarium, causing a large crack to splinter the side. He rose from the couch slowly and tried to assess if it could be fixed without Laila discovering the damage. He finally decided the best course of action was to rotate the tank and place the aquarium backdrop over the cracked window.

Malcolm lifted the top off of the aquarium in order determine the best way to remove the backdrop when a sudden shift of water weight rushed toward the crack. Immediately, water began leaking on the plush tan carpet under his feet.

Panic struck. Malcolm ran to the kitchen to retrieve a large mixing bowl to catch the water. When he reached the kitchen, he heard a loud crash. Malcolm peered back into the living room to discover glass, fish, sand, and water covering the condominium’s floor.

He thought about dialing Laila to tell her, but he knew it would spell the end of their living situation.
It doesn’t matter
, he thought as he walked toward the bedroom. He had no reason to remain with Laila. She no longer supported his career. He removed his suitcase from her closet and quickly packed.

As he walked back into the living room, he noticed the dying fish flapping wildly on the damp carpet. Most of the water was gone. He shrugged off the feeling of wanting to save their lives. “Don’t look for me, babe, and I won’t look for you,” he said, snickering as he strolled out the door.

Laila was busy finalizing her editorial comments on the Sean John layout when her assistant stated one of her neighbors was on the line. “Laila Sheridan speaking,” she answered, hoping it wasn’t about another tenant’s association meeting.

“Ms. Sheridan, I hate to bother you at work, but I thought you should know the police are trying to gain entry to your home.”

Her heartbeat spiked. “What? What’s going on?”

“I’m not sure, but the neighbors have gathered, so I think you should get home immediately.”

“Thank you for letting me know. Please tell the officers I’ll be right there.”

Laila raced from her office and plowed right into Graham returning from lunch.

“Ow, I’m sure, tackling was against company policy, La La.” Graham helped her regain her balance.

“I’m sorry, Graham, but I have to get home. The police are trying to get into my house.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know!” she explained, worry covering her face. “An hour ago I had a fight with Malcolm, and now the police are at my front door.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take you home,” he said calmly as he took her hand in his. “Sheridans can handle anything together, right?”

She agreed weakly. “Right.”

When they arrived at the complex, there were a few neighbors gathered on the sidewalk and two police officers on her landing. They quickly approached when a third officer stopped them. “I’m the owner of that unit,” Laila replied, and they were allowed to pass.

“Officer, I’m Lalia Sheridan, and this is my brother, Graham. I was told you need access to my unit.”

“That’s right, Miss. We received a call about a water leak. It seems to have stopped, but substantial damage has been done to the unit below. Your neighbor wanted us to gain access to determine the cause of the water.”

“I’ll let you in.” When Lalia opened the door, a damp smell filled her nostrils as she found the source of her neighbor’s anguish. Her heart sank. A very broken fish tank.

“We’ll need to file a report. You can pick up a copy at the station at the end of the week.”

Laila stood paralyzed as she stared at the dead fish on her beige carpet.

Graham placed a comforting arm around her shoulder. “Hey, why don’t you sit down while I check the rest of the apartment out with the officers?”

Laila nodded as the men entered the various rooms of her home. She could hear the officers yell that no other water source was leaking and no one else was in the condominium. One officer picked up a very broken cordless phone and glanced at the aquarium tank top resting on the couch. “Either someone threw this at the tank, or they sent it crashing to the floor,” a young officer reported to his colleague.

“We’ll need a statement from you, Ma’am,” he said as he wrote quickly.

Graham returned to her side. “She’ll give one tomorrow. I’ll see to it personally. This matter has been quite overwhelming for her.”

“Yes, I see. Here’s my card.” He placed it on the coffee table near Laila’s legs. “If you believe this wasn’t an accident, give me a call.”

When the officers left, Lalia dropped to her knees near her fish, surveying them for survivors. Tears pricked the back of her eyes, then slid down her cheeks. All of them, dead. How could Malcolm do this? Did he hate her that much?

Graham touched her hand. “Careful, honey. There’s glass everywhere.”

She brushed his hand aside and gently lifted the fish their mother had nicknamed, ‘Diva Angel,’ and headed toward the bathroom. Her mother had given her the fish when she’d decided to have the fish tank installed.

“She’s pretty and demands attention, just like you, La La.” Her mother beamed as they decorated the tank together. “She was the last one left.”

Laila knew her mother had a soft spot for bargains and rare, exotic items always delighted her. The fish was a brightly-colored Passer Angel fish, blue with orange strips, reminding her of her alma mater, the University of Florida.

Graham and Keith had often teased her that Diva Angel would be eaten when Villanova beat the Gators in the basketball regional finals, but UF won and Diva Angel lived to swim another day. Laila saw Diva Angel as her lucky charm and a treasured gift from her deceased mother. Now
she had another thing that had been taken from her too soon.