Five-star Seduction (5 page)

Langa fixed astonished eyes on him. “I don't know what to say, Gordon. It sounds like a wonderful opportunity.”

He leaned forward. “But? If you're worried about your remuneration, I assure you there's no need.”

“No, no but. I guess it's just really unexpected. Moving to Hong Kong would be a very big step.”

“Do you have anything tying you here?”

Langa sighed. “I don't.”

Gordon Cohen watched her in silence for so long that she started feeling a little uncomfortable.

Finally, he nodded. “Feel free to take some time to think about it. I need to fill this post soon, though. But I'm sure you'll see what an amazing opportunity this is once you've allowed it to sink in.”

She thanked him for his interest and headed straight back to her office.

* * *

Langa spent the rest of the week buried in her work. Whenever thoughts of the other job offer came up, she pushed them aside. She told herself it was because she was too swamped to do justice to such a serious decision. While the thought of leaving her life in Joburg worried her some, the thought of having a bigger reason to stay frightened her even more.

“I need to be with you,” he'd said.

5

Langa was early; the conference room was still empty when she entered. She liked allowing herself extra time to set up and prepare for meetings she would be heading.

Minutes later the other invited members filed in with their assistants and took their seats. She'd completed her second quarter on the ROCH plan. The success of her work was overlapping into other sections in the company. Robert had called together the heads of department to gather status updates from each.

Once everyone was seated, Langa greeted the room and prepared to address them. After reporting on the marketing department's successes, she launched into her ideas on how to tackle future goals. At one point she noticed Robert nodding approvingly at her. She was making him proud.

Two hours later, all the relevant points and queries had been covered and the meeting concluded. As soon as one of the assistants announced that the pre-ordered lunch had arrived, Langa started planning her escape. She had a tub of yoghurt waiting on her desk, along with a folder of market research reports.

Before she'd voiced her feeble excuse, however, the door opened again. It was behind her so she did not see who had entered, but goosebumps spread across her skin.

No, it's not . . .

Only one person made her react so instinctively, simply by being near her. She wouldn't have believed it possible, but excitement was rippling along the back of her neck and skating down her spine. It had to be him.

Lazola's unique scent wrapped itself around Langa as he strode past her to greet Robert. They talked for a minute before Lazola turned away, seeming to scan the large conference room. He looked magnificent in a dark-blue business suit and white shirt. Clearly the weeks apart had dealt him none of the havoc they had thundered upon her.

Langa felt her irritation rise as some of the women brightened visibly. He smiled at each one.

Langa caught herself watching jealously as Olivia, one of the single ladies, sauntered up to Lazola. She had a reputation around the office for having every man at her beck and call, and Lazola didn't seem to be putting up much resistance either. He made no move to put distance between them when she lightly touched his lapel. Instead, he laughed at something she murmured softly.

Langa grabbed her documents and quickly tossed them in her file. The best thing would be for her to get as far away as she could from this man. At least until she felt equipped to handle being around him again.

“Langa, there you are. I do hope you'll spare me some of your time. Have lunch with me.”

Langa wasn't sure who was more surprised, she or Olivia, who blatantly disregarded the concept of personal space. She gritted her teeth when she turned to see that Olivia now had a possessive grip on Lazola's arm. How could he act like he wasn't encouraging this sickening flirtation?

“I appreciate the offer, Mr Rhadebe, but I still have a long day ahead.”

“Cut it short. Robert agreed with me when I mentioned how you push yourself far too hard.”

Langa flicked an annoyed glance at her oblivious boss. “Robert had no business giving you the impression I'd be free today. We're having our software upgraded and –”

“He did say that someone needed to be here to meet the IT supplier in the afternoon, and I'm not suggesting you cancel the appointment. Olivia here assures me that her diary is completely open. I'm sure she'd be happy to stand in for you.”

Olivia's eyes widened. “That's not what I –”

“Please, Olivia.” Lazola smiled at her. “Langa is going to wear herself out if we don't step in. And I regard it as my personal duty to take her out for the rest of the day and pamper her as much as I can. After all, I am the reason she's been taxing herself these last six months. You do understand, don't you?”

He lifted Olivia's hand from its hungry grip on his arm and patted it coolly before releasing it. She knew she'd been had; there was no way she could refuse McMann's most important client. Her blue eyes turned icy as she turned to nod at Langa.

“Good, you found her,” Robert said as he joined them. “If I know her as well as I think I do, she would've disappeared to eat a measly energy bar at her desk.”

“Yoghurt,” Langa grumbled.

Robert frowned. “No offence, but you look like you need a break. Consider it a work lunch if that'll ease your compulsive conscience. A long work lunch. See you Monday, Langa.” Robert's cellphone rang and he left to answer it privately.

Lazola stepped forward. “I hope you won't make me beg, Langa.”

She felt herself slowly melting in the warmth of his smile. “I suppose I can't turn down a so-called work lunch with a valued client.”

“My car's downstairs. We'll start at your place, as you'll need to pack an overnight bag. Thomas tells me you didn't spend your full weekend at the hotel the last time I invited you.”

Langa cringed visibly. Olivia and a couple of other assistants were still in the room and eavesdropping quite conspicuously. She was sure that Lazola's words would have spread through most of the company by the end of the day, powered by the gossip airwaves. The only thing likely to save her reputation was her attachment to her desk. She'd been too busy to arrange clandestine meetings. Langa hoped that would be enough to stem any speculation about an affair between Lazola and herself.

He seemed nowhere near as fazed as she by the possibility of being the topic of the latest office gossip. He helped her into her suit jacket and guided her from the room.

“That was terrible of you, playing poor Olivia like that.” Langa felt herself leaning into the hand he placed at the small of her back as they made their way to the lifts.

Lazola's full lips curled. “Olivia played herself. Is she always that . . . forward?”

The lift doors opened and they stepped inside. Langa shot a small smile at him as the doors slid shut.

“What? You've never struck me as the type of man to be intimidated by an assertive woman – Oh!”

The vehemence with which he grabbed her was unexpected, and Langa's breath left her body in a whoosh. His strong arms wrapped around her and one hand came up to undo her loose knot.

“Lazola?”

“I've missed you, Langa. Just give me a moment.”

Despite her bewilderment, Langa's body rejoiced at being in the embrace of the one person who made her feel complete.

“Why did you leave the way you did?”

Langa sighed. “How could I stay, Lazola? You left first, remember? I couldn't wait around indefinitely. I have a life of my own and a career to tend to.”

She didn't want him to know how hurt she'd been. That was why she had avoided this very talk during their recent night-time phone calls. She was afraid he'd figure out how deep her feelings for him were, how she'd fallen madly in love, like a naïve girl. That was the last thing she wanted him to know.

She leaned back in his arms and offered up what she hoped was a casual smile.

“Look, Lazola, we've made each other no promises, and that's fine by me. We're both adults. We work well together and that's all that matters. Let's not jeopardise a good thing by overanalysing our status quo.”

Something dark flitted across his handsome face, but he cleared his expression before Langa could define it.

“Very well. Let's just enjoy ourselves, shall we?”

He released her as the lift doors opened onto the ground floor and led her out to his car.

An hour later Langa's eyes widened in surprise. “This is where we're having lunch?”

Lazola grinned. “You're surprised. I thought you'd enjoy it, but if you'd prefer to go somewhere else I'd be happy to. Name the place.”

“No,” she quickly replied. “This is perfect.”

Lazola got out and opened the door for her. The sun warmed her instantly and all around was the sound of small children playing.

“Let's get a move on. I've reserved the best spot in the whole park.”

Lazola took a picnic basket from the back seat and grabbed her hand before leading her to the shade of some large trees near the lake. He spread out the blanket and started unpacking the food. They sat and ate together, chatting and laughing comfortably. It was the first time Langa had seen him so relaxed.

She also couldn't help but notice how easily he drew attention. He, on the other hand, seemed unaware of the women sitting on benches, flitting glances his way while reading or eating lunches of their own.

“. . . Of course, the obvious answer is that you're in love.”

Langa nearly choked on an olive. “What?”

Lazola was watching her from beneath hooded eyes. “I'm talking about your behaviour lately. I've been wondering why you've been keeping me at arm's length.”

Langa felt the panic clutching at her heart. “I'm not – I haven't been avoiding you. We've both just been busy, you know that.”

“That still doesn't explain how agitated you get around me. Don't worry about it. I respect your feelings.”

“You do?”

“Naturally. I don't know what you see in Nkosi, though; you two don't quite match.”

Langa wondered how the conversation had gone downhill so fast. “Ben?”

Lazola put his hands up. “Don't snap, I'm not being critical. Okay, I am a little. I'm just surprised.”

“Why would you think . . .?”

“If you're hiding behind Nkosi so you won't have to deal with how well you and I suit each other, you're not the woman I thought you were.”

“I'm not hiding,” she said.

“You know, you were right about challenges exciting me. You challenge me, and you've shown me a different side to myself. Could it be that I've done the same for you? Is that why you're looking for someone safe? Because, somehow, I just don't see someone as soft as Nkosi satisfying you – all of you.”

Langa felt the heat in her cheeks. He thought she wanted Ben? How absurd. She considered confirming his suspicions, then realised she'd have to keep the act up whenever Ben was around. The last thing she wanted was to drag innocent bystanders into the wreck that was her love life.

“I'm not in love with Ben; I never have been. You and I have spoken about this. If my behaviour's been erratic lately, I apologise. But work is the only thing in my life right now.”

Lazola's expression didn't change. “Then today was long overdue. Let's enjoy it.”

* * *

After lunch he took her to an art studio. There was an open exhibition on and Langa noted that the oil paintings were a similar style to the one she'd admired in his penthouse suite.

When they arrived at the Sandton ROCH late that afternoon, Lazola grabbed her overnight bag and led her straight up to his suite. Langa hesitated in the entrance hall. They hadn't spoken about her spending the night with him, but she realised that the day had been leading to this all along.

Langa admitted to herself that she wanted to be there; she wanted to spend time with Lazola. She'd seen a considerate side of him today that had touched her. Once she'd completed the remaining months on his account, she would have to walk away. That dark truth made her want to savour every moment that she could grab with him. She would just have to be careful to keep her deepening feelings well hidden.

Lazola took her out for dinner that evening to a quiet restaurant in Bryanston. The wine there was very good and it helped Langa relax somewhat. She was surprised to find Lazola very easy to talk to despite their little confrontation in the park. He didn't bring up their relationship again; instead they covered everything from hobbies to most treasured achievements. He made her feel like everything she had to share was interesting, and Langa found herself revealing more than she'd intended.

It was quite late by the time they made it back to the suite. Lazola opened the door for her and Langa stepped in, only to have all her worries storm back at her. What did he expect from her now? Was theirs to be a relationship of occasional, casual sex until he saw fit to end it? How could she do this and still face him confidently in the boardroom?

“Stop that right now.”

Langa started at Lazola's firm command. He was in the kitchen and the coffee machine was humming away. She hadn't even noticed him move. He turned to eye her darkly. Strangely enough, his stance seemed cautious, but Langa knew she had to be mistaken. Lazola Rhadebe was most definitely not nervous of her.

“Stop what?” she asked hesitantly.

“You think too much. The constant turning of those cogs is ruining my peace.” He said it with a slight smile before turning to pour a cup of coffee.

Once ready, he took her hand and led her to the lounge. He settled her on the large sofa and handed her the coffee before sitting at her feet. Langa raised an eyebrow when he reached out to slip off her sandals.

Lazola smirked up at her. “Are you always this uptight, Miss Cima? Or is it simply my presence that activates your fight-or-flight instinct?”

“What are you doing?”

“I thought that was obvious: massaging your feet. We've had a long day and I thought they might be sore. Now relax; I have yet to botch a foot rub.”

Langa thought of a dozen responses, but let them slide in the name of peace. She sipped from her mug, watching him closely at first, wondering what was going through his mind. Before long, however, the magic of his touch made her unwind and she dropped her head back and gave herself over to the moment.

They sat in silence as he worked, and Langa found that comfortable too. She finished her coffee and nestled into their silent cocoon. He worked diligently until the rest of her body cried out for the same attention, but Langa knew she'd rather wrestle alligators than ask him to go further. Despite the amicable day they'd shared, she would always be aware of Lazola's power. He was like a beast, caged only when he allowed himself to be and devastating when released. So she closed her eyes and bit her lip and enjoyed the rest of her foot rub.