Burned by Passion (3 page)

“To stay, I wonder?” mused Terrence as he sipped from his wine glass.

Kira was shaking her head. “I have no way of knowing. He’ll probably want to return back home to his mother.”

“His mother,” Terrence repeated speculatively. “She was some British chick, wasn’t she? She and your boss still divorced?”

Kira’s eyes shifted as she nodded in response, beginning to feel uncomfortable discussing her boss’s personal affairs. Not that she was telling Terrence anything he didn’t know or couldn’t find out himself. It just felt that she owed her boss loyalty enough to keep his private matters private.

“You know; I think it’ll be a good idea to accompany you to this party tomorrow,” Terrence surprised Kira by saying. “I mean I’ve always been curious to see how the other half lives, so to speak. Would your boss be cool with that?”

“Of course he would,” Kira said with a somewhat guilty start. She figured her boss wouldn’t expect her to show up alone especially since he knew Terrence; they’d met a few times. “I didn’t think you’d be interested in such an affair.”

Terrence grinned, the flash of white gleaming against his smooth dark skin. “Yeah I know; it doesn’t seem like my kind of scene, huh? I mean a bunch of snotty white folk with more money than they know what to do with – hiding their many secret foibles beneath their designer clothes and high class personas.”

Kira groaned deeply. “If you’re coming with me you’ve got to promise to be on your best behavior, Terrence. No snooping around for your next celebrity scoop. If some starlet or billionaire gets drunk and makes out with the family help I don’t want to read about it in your little gossip column tomorrow.”

Terrence’s expression looked pained and he lifted both hands in defeat. “Okay, okay. How could I possibly refuse when you plead so nicely with those big, brown eyes and soft, pouty lips? I got you, honey. I’ll be the soul of discretion and leave my inquisitive mind at home.”

Kira shook her head and smiled, unable to resist Terrence’s wicked charm. She was glad to have a man like him. He wasn’t dominant in any way; totally respected her and let her make all her own choices even though he was older and more experienced when it came to life issues. He acted like the big brother she’d always wanted and she was grateful she could count on him to be there when she needed him.

He’d make a great crutch tomorrow tonight, she decided, knowing she’d be nervous as hell and the handsome Terrence’s arm would be nice to lean on as she faced the world of the rich and mighty. Working as Bretton Carter’s secretary had exposed her to a lot of things that had broadened her horizons but she’d never been in a situation where she’d be in the company of his well-heeled friends and business associates. It would be an eye-opening experience, one she was looking more and more forward to as the hour drew near.

Chapter Three

Blake stood in front of the mirrors running one wall of his dressing room, adjusting his dark suit and conservative tie. He hoped he was appropriately dressed since it was meant to be a black tie optional dinner party. He still couldn’t believe he’d agreed to this.

He’d have expected that the last thing his father would do was make a big fuss about him. He was twenty-eight, not fifteen. But another part of him felt he should be glad his father was proud enough to want him to meet his special guests.

Blake looked back at his reflection and shook his head at the picture he depicted. Did he look as reluctant as he felt? He knew he had to get this over with. Especially since his father had already been at his door earlier to knock and ask if he was going to take forever because the guests were soon to arrive.

Blake had assured him he’d only be a few more minutes. Now he wondered if there was one last ditch chance he could get out of showing up for this ‘party.’ He really didn’t see himself getting along with any of his father’s friends and couldn’t imagine having to endure a whole evening trying to act out a farce like he was some beloved, prodigal son come home to roost. His father – the renowned takeover king and hedge fund billionaire, had valued his precious company and business life over his own family and it had cost him a wife and a son. Blake’s mother was dead and Blake could well have been dead to his father too for all the interest the old man had shown him since he’d left when he was ten years old.

But Blake wasn’t a kid anymore, acting out because his mother had taken him away from the home he’d known. Sophie Harrington had dedicated her life to her son, never remarrying but focusing on building a home of love and support that had raised Blake into the person he was now. He’d never needed his father and sure as hell didn’t now. He was doing this for Sophie. She’d wanted him to come back. Subtle hints and the things she’d said as she’d started to lose her fight against the disease ravaging her body. Her wonderful soul had shone through until the very end and Blake had been there when she passed, holding her frail hand and planting a kiss on her soft, withered cheek. Even in death, her face still held traces of the blonde beauty she’d been.

Blake would go along with the evening’s plans but that would be it. He was done playing happy reunion. He’d only wanted to see his father this one time and let the man see how well Blake had done without him. Then they could keep going along just fine apart from each other like they’d been doing all these years. Case closed.

***

“Damn! What a slammin’ joint!” Terrence whistled as he pulled up in front of the Carter villa that evening.

Kira had to agree. The palatial, all-white three-story villa was a sight to behold. It was floodlit and stood in the backdrop of well-tended greenery plus enough real estate to make it look like a movie set.

They soon began to make their way up the lengthy driveway to the main house from where the sound of soft music reached them. They walked past the rows and rows of state-of-the-art cars parked there by the other guests who’d obviously arrived earlier. Kira couldn’t help thinking that Terrence’s respectable Kia coupe looked dwarfed in the presence of all those six-figure Benzes, Lamborghinis and Audis. The thought almost brought a smile to her lips.

Her sense of excitement increased ten-fold as they were let into the house and she viewed the palatial interior. Just before she started to get overawed, her boss Bretton Carter appeared, a warm smile on his face.

“Welcome to my home, Kira…Terrence.” Bretton’s smile cooled somewhat when it landed on the other man and Kira squirmed slightly, half-sure she imagined it. She always had a vague impression her boss didn’t like Terrence but couldn’t tell why for sure. Terrence was the type to act aloof in the face of what he considered ‘uppityness’  of any sort and he looked just as unimpressed even as he politely returned the older man’s greeting.

“Thank you, Mr. Carter,” Kira breathed; glancing into the brightly lit ballroom-type hall beyond, where she caught a glimpse of several expensively dressed guests. She turned back to her boss who looked even more distinguished and handsome than ever in his black tux. Her brow wrinkled slightly with worry. “I hope we aren’t too late?”

It was her first time in her boss’s home and she hadn’t expected such grandeur even knowing how rich he was. Mr. Carter had never remarried and had no family living with him that she knew of. The place looked big enough to comfortably house as many as fifty people without a stretch. Every piece of décor seemed chosen with ultimate class and style. She felt overwhelmed and impressed at the same time.

“Not at all, my dear; you’re right on time. In fact I was hoping to have a little word with you before we go in. I’m afraid there’s a small favor I’d like to ask you. Well, maybe not so small.” Mr. Carter smiled engagingly.

Kira raised her eyebrows, ready to help. “I’ll do what I can sir.”

Bretton Carter sighed. “The thing is, Gina was meant to play hostess tonight, but she just called to say she’s down with a sudden bug and wouldn’t be able to make it. And I was wondering…”

“I know,” Kira said with a smile, “You were wondering if I could step in and take her place.”

Her boss grinned; seemingly glad at her willing response. “Just this once, Kira. It can’t be too difficult especially for a young woman with your poise. Easy as pie in fact. You already know most of the people in there and I’m positive I can trust you to catch any important details I’d miss.”

Kira looked to him and then back at the imposing room with all those prominent guests surrounded by the music and the caterers serving cocktails and wine. It was a big task, taking on such a duty even if just for a few hours. She’d attended very few dinner parties and certainly had never been the hostess at one. But Kira was the type to rise to any challenge in her path. It was the same way she tackled her job as secretary to one of the richest men in the city. Just this once she was sure she could handle the pressure of whatever lay in store.

“I think I can manage quite well, Mr. Carter,” Kira said finally, her smile fading slightly as she quickly turned to the hovering Terrence. “That is if you wouldn’t mind being left on your own for a while?” Her eyes beseeched him to understand even as she felt sure he certainly couldn’t expect her to disregard her boss’s predicament, so to speak.

Terrence’s smile was somewhat twisted as he shrugged. “Don’t worry about me. You do your thing and help your good old boss out.” He gave her a wink. “I’ll go in and…mingle.”

Kira turned to Mr. Carter while hiding her helpless feeling beneath a ready smile. Terrence excused himself and made his way into the adjoining room where the party was in full swing. She felt her boss’s hand rest on her shoulder and she looked up.

“Good thing we’ve gotten rid of him – for now anyway,” he teased. “He’d have totally cramped your style. Seriously though, I appreciate you doing this for me. And you look exceptionally pretty tonight. I’m glad you took my advice and bought something extra nice to wear. I definitely have to introduce you to my son – but later. I see some more guests have arrived. We’ll have to receive them.”

Kira took a steadying inner breath and then drew on an easy, welcoming smile as she turned to the newly arrived guests walking into the hallway.

***

Blake fought to keep his expression attentive as one of his father’s old friends, an eccentric and aged widow who lived next door, Mrs. Wilkins began to tell him about her eldest daughter. About how she was beautiful, an accomplished lawyer and so on. He had to smile though as the old woman who was dripping with enough costly diamonds to feed a third world village for a year, added confidentially, “And she’s a fantastic cook too. Knows the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach and she’s not afraid to show off her many skills in and out of the kitchen.”

Okay, thought Blake as he tried not to wish himself anywhere but right here, in the middle of the crowded room filled with people he didn’t know. And yet he found himself searching the large hall for his father or anyone who could rescue him from this aggressive matriarch intent on foisting her evidently fabulous and matured daughter on him even before they’d met - not that he had any intention of meeting her. Finding a wife was not on his agenda on this visit and he didn’t know how to break it to the nice old woman that he wasn’t interested.

At last, he found his dad. Standing close to the arched entrance leading into the capacious room that had been set up for the dinner party. There was a young African American woman at his side and they were both smiling and talking with a couple who’d only just arrived. Blake almost groaned out loud. Not more guests, surely, he thought in concealed dismay. His father had said ‘small’ but then look at this! The room was filled with no less than fifty people, all intent on having a good time judging from the way they mingled and enjoyed the many drinks on offer.

Blake couldn’t help sending his father one last look that was more of a hidden glare – only for his dark look to fade as his eyes focused on the woman standing next to his father, greeting the guests. He’d barely noticed her before but now she’d turned fully to face him and suddenly something smacked him right where he lived.

Damn! That dress. She had the looks and body the outfit was made for. It was some kind of sheathe in a flattering shade of burgundy that played well on her deep-toned skin. Hers was a classic black beauty with the bright brown eyes, glowing ebony skin and full, pouty lips promising a raw sensuality that some women were born with. To Blake, her entire body exuded sex appeal and her eyes radiated a sultry, bedroom look that brought the attention of many of the men at the party who couldn’t help but take another look, and then another. And she didn’t even notice. Didn’t know what a bombshell she was just standing there, totally clueless of the effect she had on any male in the vicinity with red blood in his veins.

Some people might consider her a little ‘heavy’ but damn she was heavy in all the right places. Blake had always had a thing for curves and that was something she was amply blessed with. Her high, generous bust and full, rounded hips were balanced by her trim waist and long, shapely calves. Those gorgeous brown legs ended in stiletto heels that gave off all the kinds of signals to set Blake’s libido stirring.

Sure as hell she was pretty - the kind of pretty that smacked you in the guts and made you ache. In places you never even realized a man could ache.

But it was more than the physical; something about her drew him like nothing Blake could explain. It was like an epiphany of the senses which told him his primal side had been awakened and this was a woman he’d like squirming underneath him, taking him deep, giving to him until he’d imprinted his being within the deepest recess of her feminine core.

Right then she threw her head back and laughed gaily, the sound natural, musical and downright…sexy. It carried to him across the room and even over the live classical music. Blake watched the long line of her throat, unadorned except for the thinnest gold chain with some sort of charm hanging at the end. Even the shape of her neck made him throb.