Secret Relations: Women in Hollywood, Book 1

Business and pleasure don’t mix…until emotion enters the scene.

Women in Hollywood, Book 1

Charlotte Richards didn’t get to be one of Hollywood’s top talent managers by dating her clients. When it comes to her career, her heart is not part of the contract—no matter how enticing the star.

From the moment she steps into Sean Maxwell’s fabulous home, though, the cool, professional persona she’s worked so hard to build threatens to melt in desire hotter than Sean’s sexy R&B lyrics.

Sean’s attraction to Charlotte is nothing new, at least not to him. He fell for her the moment he spotted her at a celebrity gala years ago. Now, with his old manager kicked to the curb, it’s the perfect time to bring her into his life.

The sparks between them blow Sean’s plan to take things slow right off the charts. And his determination to win her runs into overtime when the ghosts of his past threaten to destroy their one chance at love.

Warning: Contains a reformed playboy determined to do things right this time, and a career woman equally determined to keep her eyes off his sexy-as-sin body. Oh well, their intentions were honorable…

Secret Relations

Shelia M. Goss

Acknowledgements

I thank God for His grace and mercy. Without Him, none of this would be possible for me.

I can’t do a dedication without mentioning my parents who inspired me to be the best I can be: Lloyd (1947-1996) and Exie. To my two brothers, Lloyd F. (Jerry) and John, who I love dearly.

A special shout out to my Goss and Hogan family near and far.

Thanks to my editor, Latoya Smith, for working with me on
Secret Relations
so that it will shine.

A special shout out to Carla J. Curtis, Stacy Deanne, Kandie Delley, Paulara Hawkins, Peggy Love, Michelle McGriff and Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Gill. Thank you all for your words of encouragement during those bleak hours.

Thanks to all that have shown their support to me over the years. I don’t have space to list everybody, but here are a few names: Kemmerly Beckham, Sharon “Shaye” Gray, Linda Dominique Grosvenor, Deborah Hartman-Fox, Sheila L. Jackson, Shelia Lipsey, Angelia Menchan, Emma Rodgers, Mrs. Til, Black Pearls Keepin’ It Real Book Club, Charlotte Blocker, Gwyneth Bolton, Tina McKinney Brooks, Crystal Brown-Tatum, Jennifer Coissiere, Ella Curry (EDC Creations), Essentially Women, Eleuthera Book Club, Brenda Evans, Pat “Sister Betty” G’orge-Walker, Yolanda Gore, Bettye Griffin, Cynthia Harrison, LaShaunda Hoffman (Shades of Romance Magazine), Lawana Johnson, Troy Johnson, Yolanda Johnson-Bryant, Deatri King-Bey, Kim Knight, J’son Lee, Live, Love, Laugh and Books, Lutishia Lovely, Rhonda McKnight, Alfreda McMillan, Mindful Thinkers Book Club, Darlene Mitchell, Michelle Monkou, Celeste O’Norfleet, Debra Owsley (Simply Said Reading Accessories), Onika Pascal, Joey Pickney, Farrah Rochon, V Anthony Rivers, Tee C. Royal (RAWS.I.S.T.A.Z.), Brian W. Smith, Olivia Stith, Joyce Swint, Pat Tucker, Tanisha Webb, Tu-Shonda Whitaker, Lutishia Lovely, Vanessa Davis Griggs, Carla Maxie, Erica Vinnett, Shantal Young and all my FaceBook and Twitter friends and the list goes on and on.

If your name wasn’t mentioned, it’s not that I forgot about you, I just ran out of room. Thank you ____________(fill in your name). I appreciate you all.

Shelia M. Goss

Chapter One

All eyes were on Charlotte Richards’ chestnut-brown, oval face as she ended her fifteen- minute speech on the importance of giving back to the community. She’d been the main speaker at the Los Angeles Rebuilding Our Community Charity event where many of the city’s politicians as well as celebrities were in attendance. Her speech was spot-on which garnered a standing ovation from those in attendance including his sister, Marie Maxwell, his personal assistant, Priscilla Franklin, and himself.

Charlotte seemed to have a way about her that captured a room. He’d seen her at events before, but tonight she’d mesmerized him to a point where he couldn’t keep his eyes off her. The red fitted knee-length dress she wore accented her curves and the diamonds around her neck matched her beautiful sparkling hazel eyes.

“She’s beautiful isn’t she?” Marie whispered to him after they took their seats.

“Yes, she is.” Sean picked up the program and scanned the back of it. “I was looking at her bio. Very impressive.”

“You do need a new manager. Why don’t you ask around to see what people have to say about her?”

Priscilla cleared her throat. “Are you sure you want another female manager? You know what happened with Dana.”

Sean ignored Priscilla and watched Charlotte work the room. “Please. Let’s not talk about her right now.”

“At least set up a meeting. She could be what you need,” Marie said.

Sean thought about it. “I’ll check her out.”

“I can ask around too,” Priscilla said.

Marie turned to Priscilla. “You don’t have time. I have a late night flight. I need you to take me to the airport.”

“I wish I could convince you to stay,” Sean said.

“I’ve been gone a month. It’s time for me to get back to my life in Houston.”

Sean hugged Marie tight. “I’m going to miss you.”

“I’m going to miss you too, but you know you’re always welcomed to come visit. Now go handle your business. I’ll call you when I land.”

Sean said his good-byes and then went to inquire about Charlotte Richards.

Charlotte smiled and took a seat in between her two best friends, Mona Johnson and Kem Phillips. Charlotte met Kem and Mona in college. They all had attended the University of California in Los Angeles. Kem was from Louisiana, Mona from Texas. Since Charlotte was a Los Angeles native she became their tour guide of the city, which later developed into a lifelong friendship. With her busy schedule and high profile job, she valued the relationship she had with Kem and Mona. They’d been through triumphs and tragedies together, one of which being the loss of Charlotte’s parents. With her being an only child, Kem and Mona were the closest things to sisters as she could get.

“I don’t know if you noticed but you seem to have an admirer,” Kem said.

“Who?” Charlotte asked, while picking up a glass of tea and taking a sip.

“Sean Maxwell and don’t act like you don’t know who he is,” Mona responded.

“You should go talk to him. I read somewhere he’s looking for a new manager,” Kem disclosed.

Charlotte looked around and her eyes locked with Sean’s. The tall man with deep dimples and short, black wavy hair walked in their direction. Charlotte felt the heat intensify. She picked up her glass of iced-tea and drank the rest of it in an attempt to cool off.

“Here he comes now,” Mona leaned over and whispered.

“He sure knows how to increase the temperature in a room,” Kem said.

Charlotte stood to leave the table but she wasn’t quick enough. “Mrs. Richards,” Sean said, as he towered at least six inches over Charlotte’s five-foot-eight-inch frame.

“Mr. Maxwell.” Charlotte responded.

“Can I have a minute of your time?” Sean asked.

“A minute...an hour. She has the time,” Mona said from in her seat.

Charlotte turned around and mouthed the words, “Stop it.” She turned back to face Sean. “Sure. Let’s walk.”

“I’ve spoken with a few of your clients and they give you a glowing recommendation. I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but I’m in the market for a new manager,” Sean said in his baritone voice with its slight Southern twang.

“I’d heard something like that,” Charlotte responded. By now, they were standing off to the side while others were mingling amongst themselves.

“I would love to meet with you later to discuss the possibilities of hiring your firm.”

Charlotte smiled. “Give me a week and I’ll have a proposal I think you won’t be able to refuse.”

Sean reached into his pocket and pulled out a card from his wallet and handed it to her. “This has my address and phone number.”

Charlotte held on to the card as if her life depended on it. “I will see you next week.”

Charlotte exhaled as she walked back to her table and took a seat.

“Girl, he couldn’t keep his eyes off you. He’s still watching you,” Mona said.

“Really. He
is
hot. But you know my rules. I don’t mix business with pleasure,” Charlotte stated.

“With Mr. Naughty, I would make an exception,” Kem said.

“So I saw him give you a card...are you going to call him?” Mona asked.

Charlotte laughed. “Nothing gets past you, does it? If you must know, he inquired about my business and we are scheduled to discuss the possibilities of me being his manager. Nothing more.”

“Keep an open mind. He looks like he’s interested in more than your managerial skills,” Kem said.

“Have you two forgotten what happened with Darryl? After that fiasco I will never date a client. So if I sign Sean Maxwell, it’ll be strictly business,” Charlotte said.

Mona and Kem looked at each other with eyebrows raised.

“Yea, right!” They said in unison.

Chapter Two

A week later, sweat dripped down Charlotte’s face as she rushed up the walkway to Sean’s exquisite two-story house. She was seconds from being late to her ten o’clock appointment. She wouldn’t have been late but accidents on the busy Los Angeles 405 San Diego Freeway made the normal rush hour traffic come to a standstill. She paused for a moment in front of the closed door and whipped out her compact mirror and tissue from her purse, wiping her face dry before throwing the items back into her purse. Charlotte reached out to knock on the door just as it opened.

“Mrs. Richards,” Sean said.

“It’s Ms. Richards.” Charlotte shifted her purse on her shoulder and extended her hand.

Sean gripped her hand, the handshake lasting longer than necessary. Charlotte’s heart rate increased and she could feel the sweat forming on her forehead. Time stood still as they both stared into each other’s eyes until someone from behind Sean cleared his or her throat.

A petite woman dressed in a too-tight mini dress walked around Sean and extended her hand.

“I’m Priscilla Franklin and we’re glad you could make it.”

Sean added, “Priscilla is my assistant. She’ll be helping me make the decision.”

“That’s fine,” Charlotte responded, in a matter-of-fact voice.

A smirk came over Priscilla’s face but Charlotte ignored her and focused her attention back on Sean. His voice hypnotized her. Charlotte couldn’t help but stare at his full lips. The suit he wore fit him perfectly. She knew it had to be custom made because he had such a broad chest.

“For a minute, I thought you weren’t coming and as you know, I’m a busy man,” Sean said, as he led her through his home and into his home office.

“You have a beautiful home,” Charlotte acknowledged, as he held a chair out for her to sit down.

Priscilla smiled but gritted her teeth as she plopped down in the seat next to Charlotte.

Sean took a seat behind the desk. “Ms. Richards, I’ve checked out your current and past client lists and I’m impressed.”

“Please, call me Charlotte. I hope it means you will consider hiring me as your new manager. As your manager, it will be my job to grow your brand. You have a solid fan base but I don’t think you’ve maximized your earnings potential. My team and I have already come up with several ideas to increase your exposure as well as your financial portfolio.“ Charlotte retrieved her iPad from her handbag. After opening a file, she handed it to Sean. She jumped a little in her seat. She wondered if he felt the same electric current she felt when their hands brushed against each other during the exchange.

Sean took a minute to review what was on the screen. “This looks good. This is the direction I would love to go in.” He placed the iPad in front of Charlotte.

Charlotte eased to the edge of her seat. “I do have one question before we go further. After ten years, why did you decide to change managers?”

Sean’s eyes shifted. “Let’s just say Dana and I had a difference in opinion on the direction I want my career to go. It’s best we parted ways.”

Priscilla coughed; one of those fake coughs.

“Do you need to go get some water or something for your irritating cough?” Sean asked.

Charlotte smiled. Priscilla didn’t.

“I’ll be alright,” Priscilla responded.

Sean looked back at Charlotte. “As I was saying, I want to take my career in a different direction. With that being said, after reviewing some of your plans, I think you may be the woman to take me there.”

Priscilla coughed again.

Sean looked at Priscilla. “ I think you should take the rest of the day off and do something about your cough.”

“But...” Priscilla said.

“It’ll be paid time off. Go on. I’ve got a concert coming up and I can’t afford to catch your cold. In fact, take the next couple of days off.” Sean turned his attention back to Charlotte. “I think I’ve made up my mind. Charlotte, send my lawyers the papers and it’s a deal. Welcome to Team Sean.”

Charlotte smiled not only because she got a new client but also at the sight of seeing Priscilla march out of the room upset. Charlotte shouldn’t have been gloating about the other woman’s misery. Priscilla may actually be getting sick. But Charlotte’s own insecurities reared their ugly head. Priscilla was slim and petite compared to Charlotte’s taller, more voluptuous frame. Priscilla reminded her of the woman she’d caught her ex-fiancé in the bed with. Darryl was quick to tell Charlotte if she lost weight, he wouldn’t have to step outside of their relationship. She’d tolerated Darryl’s emotional abuse until the day she caught him sleeping with a woman in the bed they’d shared together.

Charlotte wasn’t surprised that Sean surrounded himself with someone who looked like Priscilla. She was sure Priscilla was more than Sean’s personal assistant. She probably assisted the chocolate Adonis in sexual ways too. Most of the men she’d been involved with preferred women who looked like Priscilla. Sean was an attractive man with super star status, so she couldn’t imagine him not wanting to be with someone who looked as good as he did.

Charlotte had to snap out of it. She shouldn’t be thinking of Sean in that manner; especially since he was about to sign a lucrative deal with her management firm.

“Charlotte, are you okay?” Sean asked. “You’ve been mesmerized with whatever is on your iPad.”

Charlotte blushed with embarrassment. “Oh, I was just thinking of an idea I want to share with you. Not now, but once we get the legal work ironed out.”

“You can share it with me, now.” Sean’s dimples seemed to get wider as the sly grin swept across his face.

Charlotte looked directly into his eyes. “If you must know, I’m concerned about your playboy image. Every time I look online you’re pictured with a different woman.”

“Who I’m sleeping with shouldn’t be anyone’s concern.” Sean leaned back in his chair.

“You’re absolutely correct, however, the companies I plan on pitching ideas to have moral conduct in their contracts and being a playboy isn’t a good look.”

“Are you sure that’s why you’re concerned or is there another reason?” A sly grin crossed Sean’s face.

“It’s strictly business,” Charlotte attempted to convince him.

“You can’t always believe what you read online.” He looked at Charlotte without blinking and said, “I’m a one woman man. When I’m committed, I’m committed. I only need one woman to satisfy my needs and I can reassure you, I will be the only man she needs to satisfy hers.”

His voice sent chills down Charlotte’s spine. She shifted in her seat, crossed and uncrossed her legs. His eyes seemed to see straight to her soul. If she didn’t know any better, she would think he was talking about satisfying her. She really needed to get a grip. She was acting like one of his legion of fans.

Charlotte turned off her iPad and slipped it back in her designer handbag. “If there’s nothing else, I think I should be going. I’ll have the contract drawn up as soon as possible.”

Charlotte stood and Sean did the same. They shook hands across the desk. This time there was no mistaking the magnetic pull but Charlotte chose to fight it. She rushed out the room, down the hallway and out the front door.

Sean didn’t need to meet with Charlotte to know he wanted her as his new manager. He’d seen her at various events but after last week’s charity dinner he couldn’t seem to get her out of his mind. She filled his thoughts during the day and he dreamed of her at night. Most of his friends were into women who were way too skinny; however, he preferred women with a little meat on their bones. Charlotte, with her curvaceous body, definitely fit the bill. He could imagine ravishing every single inch. He watched her walk down the walkway and get into her black Mercedes.
A classy car for a classy woman
, Sean thought to himself.

Sean hated that Charlotte thought he was a playboy. With her being in public relations, she should know better than anyone you couldn’t always believe what you read. He was attracted to Charlotte, but not just physically. When they connected the week before, he’d experienced an immediate desire to protect her and heal any of her open wounds. He hadn’t felt that way about a woman in far too long, especially with the shallow women he’d come across lately.

Sean needed someone in his life who he could trust and depend on. But he also needed someone who believed and trusted in him, not just his money. His heart was tugging in Charlotte’s direction, yet his mind raised red flags. He wasn’t sure why but he was determined to find out.