Dark and Stormy: Sacred Hearts Coven (3 page)

REGINA AND REDDICK walked around the lower-level sales floor and talked with various couples to see what they were coming up with. They decided to each stick to one side of the room so they had a chance to touch base with everyone. Each pairing had one person from each team and there was no reason they needed to double talk to everyone.

They were very efficient in that way. It also guara
nteed that they wouldn’t have to talk to each other. This time there would be no way out of it. Serena expected one presentation from both of them, not from
each
of them.

Reddick and Regina didn’t always see eye to eye on things. Regina knew she was going to need to take charge of this project to make sure it was done right. PowerPoint wasn’t Reddick’s strong point, but he did have a way with talking to people. He could sell a steak to a vegetarian. The only one who wasn't buying from that cow was Regina.

At the end of the meeting, Reddick took the lead in telling the sales force about Serena’s generous sales contest for the next few days. It got everyone hustling back to his or her desk and on the phones with their pipeline. There was a buzz around the office that everyone was taking advantage of.

“I’m going to grab a cup of coffee before we head up. We can talk about a plan for when and what we’re going to do about this presentation,” Regina declared to Reddick.

“You drink too much coffee. I’ll join you. I need to make myself a protein shake anyway.” Reddick followed her to the small kitchen just behind Serena and Michelangelo’s office.

He reached for a giant jug of protein powder that he kept on top of the refrigerator. While Regina was standing at the counter making her cup of coffee, he made sure to reach his shake cup above her head. He pressed against her just enough that she felt his breath in her hair. “Girl, you’re always in my way.”

His arm glided through the air across her face. He left his usual scented trail that was reminiscent of honeysuckle growing deep in the forest. Regina couldn’t help but take a whiff. Before she would allow herself the moment to enjoy his scent, she pushed him away.

“Whatever! You’re going to make me spill my co
ffee,” Regina scolded him like a child.

“I think you need to lighten up. Perhaps we should work on this presentation tonight over something a little stronger than coffee?” Reddick was ready to get her going.

“Umm, how about no? I have a lot of work to do, and if you must know, I have a date tonight.” She lifted her shoulder as she looked over it at him.

The only date Regina had was with her seventy-pound chocolate Labrador, Crunch. He was who kept her co
mfy and warm at night as of late. If he weren’t enough to hit the spot, she would munch on some bite-size chocolate crunch bars of course.

“So you’ll be heading out early tonight, then?” Re
ddick questioned her.

“I guess if you call nine o’clock early. Honestly, I don't know how you go out so much.”

“With an endless supply of ladies and liquor, why would I want to stay home? What would I do, sip on some tea and read a book?” Reddick finished shaking the heck out of his gross protein drink. “Come on, we have work to do.”

“You’re such a pig. If those women even had a clue.” Regina shook her head. “Maybe we can come up with a new campaign and include a nice little pig icon for you.”

“Not a bad idea. You know how everyone loves to indulge in bacon. Bacon makes everything taste better. My gosh, they even have chocolate-covered bacon now.” Reddick sipped on his shake as they walked up the stairs to their desks, with a few other hand-selected and least annoying sales associates.

“Yeah right. People don't eat that.” Regina laughed at such a thought.

“They do. They make it over at Swanson's Bakeria. Maybe I’ll bring some in tomorrow. You know how everyone here loves them some free junk food.”

“Hey, Regina!” Serena called from the bottom of the stairs. “I wanted to catch you before you got se
ttled.”

“Sure. What’s up?” Regina turned and started back down the stairs. She didn’t say a word to Reddick. He, on the other hand, watched her as she turned and sashayed herself down the stairs in her signature red heels
.

CHAPTER THREE

Broken Shoes

“THANKS FOR COMING down. I wanted to get your opinion on something.” Serena grabbed her by the arm and started to escort her out to the small parking area in the rear of the house. Although the once backyard had long since been paved over with blacktop, the areas surrounding the property were metic
ulously kept. There were huge hydrangea bushes all along the white picket fence that separated their property from the law office next door.

There was a lot of charm to where they were lucky to call their workplace. There was even a patio with a few tables and benches under a large white arbor for entertaining clients or having lunch when weather permitted. Reg
ina assumed Serena had another new idea for some new plantings that she wanted to share. Serena did most of the gardening, but of course she paid a hunky guy to come mow the lawn and trim the trees.

On the other hand, maybe she just wanted an excuse to go out and watch Sam mow the lawn. She asked him to use the push mower instead of the big industrial ones most landscapers used. She claimed it would be more delicate for her grass, but Regina suspected it was because she enjoyed the way his mu
scles flexed while he pushed the old thing around.

He didn’t do the best job, but all the ladies in the o
ffice admired his working habits—he never wore a shirt and his tanned chest glistened above his tightly packed abs. There was something about a guy that worked hard and was covered in sweat and dirt that could get your motor running.

Regina started to picture how he would need to be stripped down and soaped up at the end of the day. She wouldn't mind giving him a hand with that.

“Reggie?”

“Yeah, sorry.”

“Sam is something to take a good look at, isn't he?” She winked at her. “But I wanted to show you something I got for my weekend away with Michelangelo.”

“Okay, and yes, Sam is quite nice on the eyes.” Reg
ina gave him a wave.

While she was busy drooling over the landscaper, Serena tossed a bit of that enchanted ash from her spell the night before out onto the ground in Regina’s path.

“Sorry to drag you out here in the heat. I forgot to bring my shopping bags in the office.”

Just as they were approaching Serena’s car, the heel of Regina’s left pump got caught in a crack in the pav
ement. Before she realized her foot was stuck, she attempted to continue her stride. The heel snapped off and she almost tumbled to the ground.

The coffee in her hand went flying up in the air. She reached out to grab hold of Serena for stability. Luckily, Serena caught her arm and although the coffee cup sha
ttered, no one was a victim of the spill.

“Holy crap, what just happened?” Serena asked

“My shoe, my friggin’ shoe got stuck. Look at this.” Holding up her shoe with no heel, she started to laugh. “It’s broken.”

Regina put the heelless shoe back on and started to hobble over to the car. “How hot is this? Don't be jealous. You could have this look too. With only a small alteration to your pumps, every man will turn his head to look your way.”

“Ha, yeah, wondering what's wrong with me. I’ve never seen that happen. Take them off. I have a pair of slippers in my office you can borrow. I have to head back to the mall to return one of these nighties, so I can pick you up a new pair. Size seven if I remember correctly?” Serena smiled and was proud that her spell was working already.

Serena had that Nordstrom’s bag in the trunk of her car. Her plan was coming together better than she could have expected. Once she got those shoes onto Regina’s feet, it would all be up to destiny. Her spell could only push things along just so far. If it wasn’t meant for Regina and Reddick to be connected, no spell could make it ha
ppen.

“Always a size seven and red.” Regina winked at Serena. “Now let's take a look at that sexy lingerie you got stashed away in your fancy car.”

Serena was very professional at work, but she and Regina were friendly enough that Serena didn’t hide her sexuality. She was maybe a little too open about her past experiences and the things she and Michelangelo did to each other in their spare time. Regina wasn’t the type of person to judge them. She envied Serena for not being ashamed of who she was.

“We’re so excited about our trip this weekend. You know how I love to surprise Michelangelo with my sexy little outfits.” Serena opened the back door and reached in to pull out several bags.

Regina was expecting to see a little bag from Victoria’s Secret. There was that and then some. Serena was most excited about a large, black bag. Serena’s eyes lit up like she was about to crack open a piñata.

“First of all, I think I got a little carried away.” Serena almost blushed as she started pulling items out of the bag. The flush in her cheeks was more about how many things she bought, because a prude she was not.

“Serena, that’s a pretty big bag, and these outfits—if that’s what you want to call them—they are smaller than tiny.”

“I know. Isn't it great? It makes packing so much easier. More room for shoes. Next time I go to the boutique, you have to come with me. We’ll have so much fun.”

“I wouldn't have anyone to wear this stuff for even if I would dare to put one of these on. What is this anyway?” She held up something that looked like two strips of lace and a bunch of strings.

“Isn't it hot? Look, this is how it goes.” Serena held it up in front of her over her snug lavender dress. She showed Regina how the lace strips tied around the neck and they met at the crotch. The lace panels were just wide enough to cover a nipple. The strings crisscrossed, making three X's between the breast line and over the center of the ribs. Two more strings were there to curve over the hips and meet just at the top of her butt crack with a cute little bow.

A loud noise startled them both. Serena threw the stuff back in the black bag. They turned and found that Sam hadn’t been paying attention and ran the lawn mower into the side of the arbor.

“Oh, for goodness sakes,” Serena said as she grabbed her bags and shut the door.

“Well, it is probably your fault. What did you expect the guy to do when you’re out here pulling sexy lingerie across your body? The shmuck couldn’t help himself.”

“I know, right. I love it.” Serena turned, but Regina was a few steps behind, doing a cross between a waddle and a hop with one shoe on.

“I told you to take those off. Here, take my bags into my office and grab my slippers. I’ll deal with Sam.”

“Okay. Don't ride him too hard. You wouldn’t want him to start crying.” Regina laughed to herself and ran barefoot back into the office.

Regina came in the back door. It entered into the kitchen, which was closer to Serena’s office than if she’d gone around to the main entrance. Avoiding the staff was a moot point since she was going to have to put on a pair of slippers.

Regina tossed the bags on Serena’s desk and started to look around for the slippers. No such luck. The problem was that Regina was looking for a pair of fluffy slippers or maybe a pair of Isetoners. The only thing she found was a pair of pink marabou house slippers. As if the thought of having to walk around the office in a pair of house shoes wasn’t bad enough, she now knew she would be walking around in pink-feathered pumps.

Regina sighed and removed her torn thigh-highs and tossed them in the trash before slipping on the fuzzy pumps.

On the bright side, if there was one, Regina wore mostly black and white, so today being no different, she at least sort of matched. It did occur to her that she might have a meeting later. The thought had her rushing up to her desk to check her agenda.

Before she got to her seat, she looked out the window at the top of the stairs. She saw Serena still talking to Sam. The arbor was still standing. Hopefully there was little to no damage. She didn’t want to be pulled into a conversation with Michelangelo, explaining what happened out there.

A whistling noise had her spinning around. She could feel the bottom of her dress flare up a little from spinning so fast. She smoothed it down and pushed the idea out of her mind that maybe she was leaning to far over and her skirt hiked up.

Reddick was sitting at his desk with his feet kicked up on the corner of the cherry veneer. “Looking hot, Reg. I am so digging those shoes.”

Regina looked down at her feet and held up her other shoes in front of her. One still intact, the other missing a heel. “I had a bit of a mishap in the parking lot. Can you believe this? The heel of my shoe got caught in a crack and snapped right off.”

“I like it. Playful looks good on you. You should try it more often.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I have to go check my schedule. I can't meet a client with these furry things on.”

Regina glided over to her desk and pulled up her agenda for the day. No meeting. She had two client meetings tomorrow. She breathed a sigh of relief.

She could smell Reddick before he could open his mouth with another comment. He must have fo
llowed her over.

“I can take
your clients if you need me to,” Reddick offered, knowing it would piss her off. Regina would never hand away a chance to make a sale. There was no emergency too big that she couldn’t finagle.

“I'm fine, thanks. Lucky I don’t have to see anyone else until tomorrow.”

“What about your date?” Reddick probed.

“My date. My date would love these shoes. He’ll gobble them up.” Which was true. Crunch loved to get his hands on anything fluffy. She never left any of her shoes out where he could get to them. “Serena is actually hea
ding back to the mall for a return and is picking me up a new pair. So no worries there.”

He shook his head, acknowledging her story. She wasn't sure if he bought it, but what did it matter what he thought?

“Is there anything else? I have to get to work. Did you collect the proposal sheets from everyone?”

“Yup, they’re on my desk. Are you sure you wouldn't like to review them tonight over martinis?”

“What part of ‘I have a date’ don't you understand? How about this. You give me half of them, and I’ll read them tonight when I get home. You can buy me a salad for lunch tomorrow and we can talk about what we have to work with for our presentation.”

Reddick stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out the moonstone. He held it in front of her. “Show me yours.”

The sides of Regina’s full red lips curled up. She almost forgot. She reached in her drawer and put it in Reddick’s hand. They were identical, although if she didn't know any better, the stones appeared to shimmer when she put hers in his hand.

“They’re pretty,” she said as they both stared down at them.

Without lifting his head, he looked up at her. He was sizing her up. He didn't want to get caught saying something inappropriate about their boss. He might have gained his position based on his sales history, but at the end of the day, he knew they were girlfriends too.

“I don't even know what to say or what to do with this thing.” Regina broke the silence. “She is very colorful, to put it nicely.”

“You can say that again.”

Regina reached into Reddick’s palm to retrieve her stone. He grabbed her wrist and held both stones and her hand in his own. “Don't forget to put this under your pi
llow tonight.”

Regina gently slid her hand back, along with her stone. “I guess it can't hurt.”

“Just remember I’ll be sleeping with mine under my pillow too. It will be like we’re sleeping together.” He pursed his lips in a devious but sexy little smile.

“You wish. Go get me those papers and for heaven
’s sake, do some work before I double your sales for the month.”

“Ha! You wish.” Reddick went back to his desk and buried himself in emails and calls.