Kiss Lonely Goodbye (14 page)

“Thank you, Mr. Phoung. We intend to earn and keep your trust.” Nicole hung up the phone with a wide grin. “Life is perfect.”

“Hello.” Russell's latest flame, Aliyah Manning, stood in her door.

“Hi.” Nicole rocked back in her chair and waited.

“I just happened to be passing by and thought we might have lunch,” Aliyah said.

“I'm sorry, but I have plans.” Nicole didn't have to think about her answer.

“Maybe you and Marcus could meet us, sort of a double date.” Aliyah made the comment sound casual.

Nice try, sugar.
“Marcus would have to make his own social commitment. I don't know his schedule,” Nicole said mildly.

“Oh, I see.” Aliyah arranged a silk oblong scarf across one shoulder. Her royal blue dress was impeccable and obviously expensive.

“Is there anything else I can do for you?” Nicole sat forward.

Aliyah didn't seem put off. “No, thank you,” she replied with a polite smile. She opened a leather case containing a planner. “What about lunch next Wednesday? I'm free then.”

Nicole suppressed a sigh of aggravation. This woman got the hint—she just had no intention of taking it. “What exactly do you do again, Aliyah?”

“I'm in freelance fashion marketing. Right now I'm between projects, thank goodness. I'll put us down for Wednesday at one.” Aliyah's sugared manner was a thin cover for an iron will.

“Let me see.” Nicole tapped a few keys as though checking her calendar. “Oops, can't do it. I'm booked. So exactly what do you market?”

“I've worked on projects for several hip-hop artists who have branched out into clothing, jewelry, and footwear lines.” Aliyah took Nicole's question as an invitation to sit down. “The African-American and Latino communities love to style, you know.”

“Must keep you busy,” Nicole said. She gazed at Aliyah.

“Never too busy to get to know Russell's family. Russell and I have become very much a couple.” Aliyah flashed her expensive dental work at Nicole.

“Is that right?”

“Between us girls, we're at the meet-the-relatives stage. At least that's what I think.” Aliyah nodded to her. “With Russ's parents gone, I'll have to pass the test with his sister and aunts, I'm sure.”

Nicole smiled. She'd pay to watch Jolene slice and dice Aliyah. Still, Nicole had a feeling Aliyah could probably hold her own. But she had too much work for such diversions, no matter how entertaining they might be.

“They're not all that bad.” Nicole struggled not to laugh at the lie she'd just told. “Anyway, let me know how you make out.”

“I was hoping you could give me some insight, maybe even a few tips. Being a woman in a man's world, you know what it's like to feel like an outsider.” Aliyah nodded. “By the way, I really admire the way you've taken charge.”

“Thanks. I didn't have much of a choice.” Nicole had to admire Aliyah's technique. She slipped in the brownnosing with the right amount of subtlety.

“Choice or not, you've done a darn good job. Of course Russell isn't happy, but I'm sure you two can work things out.” Aliyah beamed at her again, then stood. “Well, I've taken up enough of your time. I really hope we can be friends.”

“Give me a call about lunch and we'll work something out.” Nicole smiled back.

“I'd love that, Nicole. Bye-bye now.” Aliyah turned to leave just as Marcus arrived.

“Nicole, I just talked to—” He broke off when Aliyah walked to him. “Oh, hi.”

“Hello, Marcus. How are you today?” Aliyah nodded to him. “I was just on my way out.”

“Don't rush off. All I wanted was to drop this off with
Nicole. Specs on the latest security system AlertCom is trying to sell us,” he said to Nicole.

“Okay.” Nicole took the binder from him.

She kept her tone professional. Yet she enjoyed watching him move with fluid grace. The fabric of his light green shirt and tan chinos molded to his muscular body. She wasn't the only one looking, either. Aliyah couldn't resist giving his fine masculine frame a quick once-over. As good as Aliyah was, Nicole didn't miss the appreciative gleam in her eyes before she shut it down. She'd just overstayed her welcome, Nicole thought.

“Thanks. Bye, Aliyah,” Nicole said.

“Bye again.” She fluttered perfectly shaped and lacquered dark pink fingernails in the air. Aliyah strolled out as though in no hurry.

“Let me ask you a few questions before you go, Marcus.” Nicole gestured at him to close the door.

He looked puzzled, but he complied. “I've just got a few minutes.”

“Won't take long.”

Nicole came up with what she thought was just enough delay to allow Cat Woman time to get on the elevator. She ignored the worrisome thought that she was acting like a jealous girlfriend. He leaned over her to read something she pointed to, and her reservations were promptly forgotten. His warm, spicy scent filled her senses and blocked out rational reflection. She wanted to be close to him, not play games. Which meant she was in serious danger of losing her heart. Not exactly what she'd had in mind. Marcus had turned the tables. And she liked it.

M
arcus stared down at the dark hair a breath away from his cheek. Nicole was reading the technical description in the binder he'd brought in. He was reading her. Every inch of her excited him. There was no use denying it. Knowledge was power, however. Owning the attraction would help him build an effective defense. He had no intention of becoming her ghetto boy toy, one she'd discard when an acceptable breeding partner came on the scene. Despite knowing the reality, he wanted her. Despite having his choice of dates for the past two years, no woman had inspired anything close to a grand passion. Until now.

“This system is expensive. I don't see anything here that sells it to me. What's the advantage over, say, the standard security system? I see lots of fancy extras.” Nicole flipped a page to a glossy color photo from the alarm company's sales catalogue.

Marcus breathed in the fruity fragrance from her hair when she moved her head. “Hmm.”

“I have to admit, it is one grand set of bells and whistles,” she said and turned another page. “Look at this set of up
grades. Voice recognition entry, a tie-in to software that protects a company's computer files.”

“Right,” he mumbled.

Nicole wore a slight frown. “Okay, so you disagree and want to push ahead. I'm still not sure.”

Her full mouth was moist and coated with lipstick the color of burgundy wine. Marcus was suddenly very thirsty. “Okay.”

She glanced up at him. “What's up with you today? Don't tell me you're having doubts about my emerging management style.”

Marcus forced himself to move away and out of her direct line of fire. “Uh, no.”

“Then what?”

Under scrutiny, he managed to pull it together. “Clients like Joe Daigre need those fancy extras. This is more suitable for big sites. We'd have to have our own response station to make it profitable.”

“We've got a lot more planning before we get into monitoring. Let's concentrate on opening branch offices first.” Nicole looked up at him.

“No problem.” Marcus lifted a hand to rub his face, then thought better of it.

“You seem distracted.” Nicole studied him closely. “Or maybe you're coming down with a cold or something. Feeling feverish?”

Fever was a good way to describe how he felt, he mused. He would have to find a remedy real soon. “I'm fine.”

“You've been putting in a lot of long hours. Take a day or two off if you really need to, Marcus.” Nicole's brown eyes danced with amusement. “Russell will be happy to help me run the place.”

“You just cured me. I couldn't do that to you,” Marcus joked.

Nicole's rich laugh flowed over him like warm sugar cane syrup. He gave up pretense and wiped beads of perspiration from his forehead. She was seriously messing with his mind.
Lord, help me.

“I appreciate the thought.” Nicole stood and walked to him. “I can put up with Russell in small doses. That's better than having you collapse from exhaustion.”

Marcus was already in trouble. More distance was needed. He backed toward the door and looked at his wristwatch. “I'm okay. Really. Gotta get moving.”

“Sure. We'll talk later?” Nicole followed him.

He kept going to maintain a safe space between them, if there was such a thing. “If I get through in time.”

“Oh. You've got plans this evening?” Nicole kept coming at him.

“No, yes. I'm pretty sure I do. I think.” Marcus wanted to kick himself in the butt. He sounded like a stumbling idiot.

“I get the feeling you're trying to avoid me.” She pursed her full lips.

“Of course not,” Marcus replied, still moving back.

“Okay. Call me on my cell phone and we'll meet for dinner, to discuss only business. Feeling safer?” Her dark eyes now had a devilish gleam.

He let out a rasping laugh from his suddenly dust-dry throat. “Funny. I'll call.”

“Good.” She grinned at him. “Bye, bye.”

Marcus gave her a short wave, then made his getaway. He brushed past Aliyah without seeing her at first. Her voice stopped him.

“Hello again.”

“Hi. I'm on my way out,” Marcus said without thinking. “Sorry, but I'm running late.”

“No problem. I'm leaving myself.” She walked beside him
to the elevator. “I've been telling Russ what an asset you are to Summers Security.”

“Really?” Marcus fiddled with his car keys. His mind was still on Nicole. Damn, he must be crazy to let a woman turn him inside out.

“Sure. He can't let his anger toward his daddy blind him to your value. The customers trust you.” Aliyah brushed a hand through her shoulder-length copper hair.

Something in her tone got his attention. Marcus really looked at her for the first time. “Thanks.”

“I know. You're wondering why I'm sticking up for you. Can we talk?” The elevator doors opened, and she stepped into the empty car.

Marcus followed her on and watched her punch the floor number to the parking level. “All right.”

“I'm being practical. Nicole will get bored with her new toy, if the family doesn't toss her out first. He has a right to resent her. So do
you
.” Aliyah tapped a long fingernail against his chest.

“Interesting assessment.” Marcus felt cornered by a carnivore in designer clothing.

Aliyah appeared to interpret his observation as tacit agreement. A smile spread across her sharp features, giving her an even more predatory feline look. She nodded. “Once Nicole is gone the real brains can take over. Don't get me wrong—Russell is a sweetie, but he needs you to run this company.”

The elevator came to a smooth stop and the doors opened. Marcus allowed her to get off first. “I'm surprised you're being so candid with me.”

“Oh, you won't tell Nicole. I know you've got your own plans.” Aliyah faced him.

What did she know that made her so confident? Marcus
gazed at her steadily. “How far do you and Shaun go back anyway?”

“We've got history. Just like you two. Listen, Marcus, we can help each other.”

Marcus mused at how relaxed she seemed with him. Apparently her little chat with Shaun had taken care of any anxieties that they would blow her cover. “I don't think so,” he replied.

She walked up close to him, ran her tongue over her lips, wetting them, and tilted her head up. “Think some more. You'll see I'm right,” she murmured in a throaty tone.

Intrigued by her offer, Marcus decided to play along. He smiled. “I will?”

Aliyah's almond-shaped eyes flickered bright with satisfaction. She put a hand on his arm. “We'll talk more.”

The elevator bell pinged and the doors opened. Nicole, Jacinta, and Imani were in animated conversation as they got off. Nicole started to laugh at something Jacinta said. Her smile froze, then melted away when she saw Marcus and Aliyah. Imani, standing right behind them, glanced at Nicole, then peered over her shoulder.

“Well, the parking garage seems to be the place to meet up.” Nicole looked from Aliyah to Marcus. “I thought you were long gone to take care of business.”

Marcus thought he saw a flash of anger in her pretty eyes, but it was gone in an instant. “I'm on my way. See y'all later.”

“Yes, if you're not too busy,” Nicole said in a dry tone.

She nodded to Aliyah and left with the two women in tow. Jacinta and Imani looked back with curiosity stamped on their faces. Aliyah laughed softly.

“Your boss is a bit possessive toward you. Oh well, such
is life. See you soon, Marcus.” She sauntered off humming a tune.

Marcus let out a hiss of frustration. He took out his cell phone and dialed Shaun's mobile number as he walked toward his Acura. He muttered a curse word when Shaun's voice mail message came on. “Shaun, Marcus. Get in touch with me. I wanna talk to you.”

 

“Dinner was delicious. We could share the bill. It was my idea after all.” Nicole drank the last of her wine.

They sat in Pappadeaux's seafood restaurant. Marcus had barely been able to get down his shrimp Creole, so intent was he on controlling his reactions to her. Nicole could lift an eyebrow and start a fire. He should have made some excuse that he couldn't make dinner. He needed to keep her at arm's length. She smiled at him and his pulse rate skipped up. A few miles would be more like it, he thought. He looked away and pushed hard against her allure.

“Actually you could pay the entire thing, since it was your idea.” Marcus cocked his head to one side.

“Smart-ass,” she tossed back.

Her sassy attitude was like gasoline on the flames. He squirmed in his seat. “So, what was the business we were going to discuss?”

“I'm making you nervous?” Nicole waved at the passing waiter.

“More wine?” the young man said with a smile.

“No, bring me a diet cola. Thanks.” Nicole turned back to Marcus when the waiter scurried off.

“Not nervous, just curious,” Marcus replied. He drank more of his sweet tea.

“Okay, business it is.” Nicole propped her elbows on the
table. “I'm worried about the Phoung incident. I know there's no indication we were at fault, but something about it just bothers me.”

“Dayna tracked down the cigarettes and made two arrests. She thinks it was gang related.”

“Okay, but still…” Nicole sighed. “I've got a bad feeling. Then the art gallery alarm goes off.”

“Jesse and I have examined each incident. Stuff happens. Sometimes it happens in spells.”

“Russell is using every little thing to build a case that I shouldn't be CEO. I can even feel Jolene's fine hand in some of his scheming. She's got a few more functioning brain cells than he does,” Nicole retorted with a scowl.

“You're being paranoid, don't you think?”

“I know my family. We're a bit different from most. Everyone has a separate business, but they're all considered part of the Summers empire. Mama's folks are even more clannish.” Nicole broke off when the waiter came back.

“Which explains why Mr. Summers wrote his will the way he did,” Marcus said when the waiter left.

“You got it. For over a hundred years my family has made passing on the wealth a mission. Most African-American families haven't been able to hold onto land or keep a business going across generations.”

“Seems almost an obsession.” He really was curious now. Learning more about Nicole's family would help him understand her.

“Oh, yeah. It worked, too. If kids decided they wanted to start a different kind of business, the parents supported them. My great-great-grandfather even closed up his dry goods store when my great-grandfather became a doctor. They sold some of the first health insurance policies to African-Americans in the early nineteen hundreds.”

“Forward thinkers.” Marcus shook his head. He had to admire them. “Federated Insurers is huge today.”

“My cousin Philip runs it. I come from a long line of overachievers. I've been mostly taking it easy.”

“You finished college and grad school.”

“Trust me, I found time to party. I took off a few months to rest after graduation. Then I got a job with one of my father's friends. Love those long business lunches.” Nicole grinned.

“If you don't mind my saying…” Marcus looked at her before going on.

“Please.” Nicole waved a hand.

“Mr. Summers had his quirks, but he was no fool. Your family knows that, too. He wouldn't have selected you if he didn't think you were up to the job. They also know Russell.” Marcus raised an eyebrow at her.

Nicole laughed. “I love your gift of diplomacy. Yes, they know very well that Russell is a total screwup. Jolene doesn't want to bother with the dreary details of business, but she does want the money.”

“Your uncle could have chosen anyone else. He picked you, and there must be more than one reason.” Marcus turned this thought over in his mind for the first time. What potential had the crafty old rascal seen in her?

“Sure, he wanted revenge for all the times I kicked his shins as a kid. He dropped me right into a snake pit. Present company excluded,” Nicole added when he looked at her sharply.

“It took time, but the employees came around.” Marcus tapped out a beat with his fingertips and looked away.

“And have you?” she said in a soft tone and leaned forward.

Yeah. That's my problem.
He risked gazing at her again. The muted lighting of the restaurant gave the brown skin of her bare arms a burnished look. Her silver bangle bracelets
tinkled when she brushed a hand through her thick hair.
No fair
, he thought with an inward groan.

“I think we've established a good working relationship,” he said.

“Oh please.” Nicole titled her head back and laughed.

He clenched his back teeth and drummed his fingers faster. “What's so funny?”

“You.” When he continued to stare at her without smiling, Nicole stopped laughing. She tried with limited success to assume a serious face. “Sorry, I didn't mean to be a—”

“Spoiled, pretty sorority girl used to teasing guys to get anything she wants?” he clipped.

Nicole batted her eyelashes at him and pursed her lips. “Who, me? I wouldn't dream of pulling such an act.”

“Cut it out.” Marcus squirmed even more, something he seemed to do a lot around her.

“Okay, bro. Let's get down to it then,” she said in a lower voice. “You're attracted to me, but you don't like it.”

“I never said…” Marcus avoided her penetrating gaze.

“So, you do like it.” Nicole tilted her head to one side.

Marcus wondered at what point he'd totally lost control of this situation. Probably the first day Nicole strolled into his life with that brash attitude and smart aleck mouth. “Yeah, something like that,” he murmured.