Passionate Game (Kimani Hotties) (5 page)

She crossed her arms, clearly waiting for him to continue. Her chin jutted out, ready to take him to task for any perceived slight. Now she made him tense.

The distance between them seemed like hundreds of feet, and a thick layer of frost covered the gap.

“So you want my company to commit to six months with ten guys.” Grant repeated the proposal to ensure that they were still on the same page.

“Yes.” Now her foot tapped. If he waited any longer, he expected to see her explode from the anticipation.

“I want to talk about the young men.” He wasn’t ready to give in just yet.

“What would you like to know?”

“I don’t want more information about them. I want to talk to them—that’s what my assistant should have told you.”

“She did. However, your request is a bit unusual. No one has ever asked to meet them before taking them on.”

“I play by my own rules.”

“Nothing wrong with that. We’re kindred spirits in that regard.”

The term
soul mate
lingered in his thoughts.

“And I never said that I wasn’t taking them on.”

“But you didn’t say that you would,” she accused.

She blinked rapidly, staring straight ahead.

“Then for the record, Benson Technologies will extend an internship offer to ten students whom you’ve preselected. We can begin next Monday.”

“Thank you.” She was already on her feet, and she picked up the phone. “Mitzy, hold a sec.” She covered the mouthpiece. “Do you have time to return tomorrow afternoon? They will be here.”

He nodded without checking his schedule. Short of an emergency, nothing else mattered at the moment.

She returned her attention to the phone. “Mitzy, could you arrange for that list of students to come to the academy tomorrow?” After instructing Mitzy about other tasks, Tamara hung up. “I hope that this doesn’t interfere with your schedule too much.”

“I’ll make the time.”

She nodded, pleased with his response.

The mood lightened considerably. Now Grant felt more relaxed, as if he’d been given a reprieve from the formidable academy owner.

She clapped her hands and issued a fat grin at him.

“I knew that I could count on you.” She pointed at him, and with a squinty gleam continued, “You are the perfect match for these kids. You had me worried a little, though, when I didn’t hear from you. I couldn’t understand how you would not want to help these guys.”

“I’m glad that I can set your mind at ease. But I do have a request. Consider it an exchange for doing business. You may want to sit.” Grant waited for her to resume her seat opposite him at her desk. What he was about to propose might knock her off her feet.

* * *

Tamara took her seat. Her nerves had been rattled from the moment he’d walked into her office. If he only knew how she was one step from melting every time he stood close to her. Grant Benson’s charisma and sexiness made her heart race and took care of pushing her cardio endurance to the limit.

First, he had delivered his acceptance of her proposal with enough drama to make her eye twitch. Now, he was tossing out a request with a sexy mysterious abandon that warned her not to expect the ordinary.

Becky had referred to the sexy meter. From head to toe, Grant was an image of a man who was anything but the computer nerd stereotype. The man could easily grace any runway or magazine cover sporting designer high-end clothing to cool casual wear. He had been blessed with the right package—a lean muscled figure with wide shoulders, tapering down to slim hips and long legs—and an indefinable aura of physical presence. The sizzling-hot, walking sex trap had the power to ensnare unsuspecting females if they got too close. And yet, she wanted to reach out, to get close, to touch the danger. Her body craved that touch. In the confines of the office, she got hot just thinking about having his hands on her body and straddling him. She said a quick prayer for restraint. Her body quivered as his dark gaze swept over her. She adjusted her position in the chair, hoping that any movement on her part could snap the hypnotic pull he seemed to have over her.

“I have a proposition,” he repeated, after clearing his throat.

Tamara remained silent. She wanted to do more than clear her throat. She needed a cold glass of water to put out the flames of desire that burned out of control.

“Since I have been able to help you, I would like to ask something of you in return.”

“This is a charitable institution. I can’t imagine how I could repay you.” She readied herself for whatever ridiculous demand he would concoct.

“I want a rematch.”

“A what?”

“I don’t like losing. I want a rematch,” he repeated.

Tamara had to admit that she hadn’t seen that one coming. “You don’t like losing, or you don’t like losing to a woman?”

“Only losing in general. The fact that you’re a woman doesn’t turn me off.”

Tamara’s heart felt as if it had done a double pump. Plus, had his gaze just slid down from her face to rest a few seconds on her breasts? Thank goodness she’d worn a blazer over her silk blouse. Her nipples were tight and on point.

“I’m sure that I can squeeze in a golf game—” she replied.

“No, no. I want to choose the game.” He leaned forward, planting his elbows on his thighs. His hands and long slender fingers hung over his knees with annoying casualness.

“What game?” Her voice rose a bit.

He paused. “Haven’t decided. I just needed to know that you’d honor the challenge.”

“You’re sneaky.”

“Not sneaky at all. I simply want a do-over. I feel as if you had the advantage over me from the beginning.”

“And now you’re going to turn the tables?”

“No. Just make things even from the start.” He smiled, but she swore that there was more devilishness than innocence in the smile. It intrigued her.

“And is that it?” she asked.

“No.” His smile transformed to a full grin.

She noted the small dimple that surfaced between the corner of his mouth and cheek. Her thumb itched to caress it.

He continued. “I have one more request.”

“No wonder you’re at the top of your industry. You’re in the ‘one for you, two for me’ mind-set. Let me remind you, again, that we are a charitable institution.”

“I seize opportunities as they’re presented. But I don’t mow down my competitors. I don’t eliminate my enemies. And I don’t abuse my friends.” He leaned back in his chair. “I just see this as an opportunity to get to know you. With what I can offer your students, I can’t imagine you’d turn me down.”

Had he just threatened her? Tamara remained silent, but her defenses had already started mounting.

“And because of that, really, I want to take you on a date.”

“Date?” She could muster only the one word because her brain was a jumble of words too incoherent for a full sentence.

“I could have lied and called it a business meeting. But I’d rather lay things out on the table.”

Tamara needed a drink immediately. She popped up out of the chair and got a water from the mini refrigerator near her desk. She filled her mouth with water until her cheeks puffed out like a squirrel hoarding nuts. The reprieve from sitting across from Grant and dodging his scrutiny did her some good. This was one intense conversation, and she could use a few interruptions to collect her thoughts.

Grant hadn’t moved since she’d gotten the water. She stared at the back of his neatly trimmed head, still bewildered by his desire to go on a date. All along, she’d figured that her attraction was one-sided. And was it even a good idea to go on a date with someone she’d be working with?

Chapter 6

“M
r. Benson, I think that a date is too personal.” Tamara resumed her seat. “I can’t go on a date with you.” She took a long drink from the water bottle.

Grant sucked in his breath. “Ack. You’ve gone formal on me. Please, no need to draw the battle lines. I’m still Grant.” He took a deep breath. “Here’s my solution. You call it a business meeting. I’ll call it a date. By the way, I expect that we’ll have many of those meetings to talk about the progress of your students. I’m personally going to oversee their internship.”

“Thank you for that. However, a date is unnecessary. I don’t operate my business in that manner.”

“Very noble. But, I want to understand the woman behind all of this.”

“I’m sure you’re a busy man. So, right here, right now, you can ask me your questions and be done.” Tamara wanted to reach out and strangle Grant. If he only had any idea how much she wanted to be on a date with him and how difficult it was to put her professional integrity before her desire.

“True, I am always busy. Since I’m stretching my staff and resources to accommodate your army of teens, I think I should be allowed this small measure of appreciation.”

Had he just flashed that darn dimple at her again? She had to give him his props. This in-person invasion had all been carefully calculated, and he was doing a good job of portraying her as paranoid and ungrateful if she didn’t take him up on the date.

“How many women have you coerced into going on dates with you?” Tamara didn’t really expect an honest answer.

“Now, that’s an insult if I’ve ever heard one. I hope you don’t think I’m forcing you in any manner.”

She knew that she could have asked the question with more finesse. However, she wasn’t withdrawing the question or apologizing for it.

“I’m curious about you. Aren’t you curious about me?” he asked.

“You think a lot of yourself,” she replied.

“If I don’t, who will? You are being very difficult on a simple matter.”

Tamara made her decision. “Okay, but no strings attached.”

“I’ve heard that before.”

“Excuse me?” She frowned at the unexpected bitter edge to his remark.

“Sorry. I wasn’t inferring anything about you.”

“So you want a rematch and a date?” Tamara stood so she’d be able to look down on him. Grant wasn’t going to be in the driver’s seat on this arrangement.

He also stood, his height towering over her. He casually posed with his hand in his pants pocket, looking relaxed. What was going through his mind right now?

“Why are you looking so intense?” he asked with a maddening smirk.

“Trying to figure out what fate is trying to tell me now that I’ve met a rich bachelor who’s demanding, greedy and self-absorbed.”

“You missed the mark on a few of those descriptors, though.” He offered a cheesy grin.

“What? I think that I’ve managed to sum you up.” Tamara didn’t like that she couldn’t control her own chaotic feelings while he maintained a casual, playful demeanor.

“I’m compelling, dedicated and not hard on the eyes.”

“All of that would matter if I was engaging you for more than this meeting,” Tamara remarked. She could survive one date with him. No guarantees what condition she’d be in after, but she wasn’t going to let him turn her world upside down.

“Are you interested in more than one business meeting?”

“No!”

She suspected that he was toying with her. While he may get satisfaction from this little stunt, she refused to play any part of his game.

“Now, that was said with a lot of passion. Who broke your heart?”

“Don’t have one to break.” Tamara bit her lip, wishing that she could retract her outburst.

“No heart?” He looked puzzled.

“I don’t have a
romantic
heart. And you and your kind that try to fool women with a lot of dazzle and bling can take your gimmick elsewhere.”

“Apologies for the morons of my gender.” He stepped into her space with a bold forward stride. She instinctively took a step back. “But you intrigue me.” His head tilted to the side.

“The feeling is not mutual.” She fidgeted under the scrutiny. The way he looked at her reduced her to feeling transparent.

“Liar.” His accusation came with a chuckle.

“You’re a piece of work.”

“That’s what my little sister says to me when she’s irritated. I’ll take it as a term of endearment.”

“Is this how you operate? Flirting with all your business associates?”

“I’m not a player, not by any stretch of the imagination.” He looked down at his clasped hands. “I only came over to say that I will mentor your students. Standing in this room with all its personality made me wonder about the person behind this vision. And I’m in awe of all that you’ve accomplished.”

“You’re making this professional relationship more difficult.”

“I don’t mean to do so.” He reached above her head and pulled back the vertical blinds. “I tend to speak my mind. Right now on my mind is the memory of the first time that I met you in the clubhouse lobby. There was a wide tract of sunlight that cut across the floor. You stepped into that light and it framed you like a spotlight on stage. You were like a bold brew of dark coffee in the morning—nothing better for the system.”

“Mr. Benson...Grant, now, that’s a first for me. I’ve never been compared to a morning beverage.”

“Let’s just give our business meeting the green light to go ahead.”

She nodded with a quick bob of her head.

His only response was to keep his hooded gaze lingering on her mouth.

If she had any spunk, she’d tiptoe closer and put an end to wondering what it would be like to kiss him. Unfortunately, her feet were too firmly planted for such nonsense.

“I will be on my way now.” He stepped away from her. “Pick you up at seven. I’ll need your info.”

“Seven?”

“Yep. Tonight. Is that a problem?”

Tamara wrote her address, which was difficult since her mind was still in shock over how quickly this was all happening. She’d be lying if she didn’t admit that his direct style turned her on.

“See you later, then.” He exited the room, leaving her standing in place, staring at the space where he’d just been.

Tamara nodded to the empty room. She couldn’t seem to outthink this man and respond to his unusual questions at the same time.

* * *

Leave it up to the successful business owner to step boldly into her office with his brazen proposals. Maybe he wasn’t used to hearing no or having someone push back. So far, she had proved that she wasn’t the type to push back. Well, she’d play along, but it was clear she had absolutely no intention of falling for the easy compliments that had slid from his lips.

Fantasizing about dating him and actually going on a date with him were two very different things. Both stirred up her emotions like a craving for the sweetest piece of fruit.

Mitzy popped her head into the office. “Tamara, I confirmed with Miller-Brown that those students will be here tomorrow after school.”

“Good. Let Grant know the details.”

“Who?”

“Mr. Benson. Please let him know.” Tamara took a pass on calling him herself. No matter how brief, she needed a break from Grant to resettle her thoughts. There was still work to be completed today. Now that her mind was in a muddled state, she’d have to work harder to concentrate. Thoughts about what she’d wear that night were already vying for her attention.

Tamara fought against daydreaming at her desk. Thank goodness for the little children whose fun energy filled the hallways. Before too long, she was huddled next to them, listening to their opinions about their day. A few parents arrived early to pick up their children, and she took the time to chat with them. Their feedback always helped to enhance what she could offer to them. They didn’t have the resources for a large number of children, but the limited size allowed her staff to give more attention to the children and to the finer details of child care.

Watching the clock became an addiction for her. As the afternoon crept to a close, Tamara assisted the day-care leaders with cleaning their classrooms. Activity would pick up again in the next half hour. The after-school youth were due to arrive in waves once the day-care children were picked up. She never left the building at that time if she could help it.

Her lean staff of five had specific tasks, but they didn’t have a problem with rolling up their sleeves to help one another. Their strong team ethic had kept their operation running smoothly. Their loyalty meant everything to her.

At five-thirty, she finally felt comfortable enough to leave. Grant would have to wait if she were late. Playing at date night with him was not more important than her duties at the academy. Anyway, she had already texted Becky, who had had meetings outside the academy that day, to meet her at home.

She gathered up her briefcase with pending files and headed for her car. Work didn’t stop at any particular hour for her. When she came back from her meeting with Grant, she had to get the details of Becky’s meetings. Her friend was meeting with local government officials for their support. All the political maneuvering mattered when donations and grants were largely depended upon to keep the doors open.

Tamara thanked all the green traffic lights that got her to her parking garage in record time. She dropped her briefcase in the living room and ran toward her bedroom, pulling off pieces of clothing and tossing them aside. Her forward momentum didn’t stop until she stood under the forceful spray of her showerhead.

Tamara looked at the array of shower gels in the basket caddy. She could smell like cocoa butter, have soft skin from the shea butter, or avoid dry skin with the heavy cream moisturizer. What difference would it make? His hands wouldn’t be touching her skin. She grabbed the original, unscented shower gel bottle. No need to tempt fate.

“Hey, Tamara!” A round of knocking interrupted Tamara’s musing. Becky had obviously arrived home.

“What?” Tamara called. She turned off the shower.

“Hurry up. We’ve got to figure out your clothes, hair, makeup. You know it’ll take hours to get you together. And you don’t have that kind of time.”

“Thanks for that.” Tamara toweled off and put on her underwear and bra. Her nerves started their hum. Her stomach clenched. The reality that she’d be with Grant in less than an hour made her want to dash back into the shower and run the cold water this time.

She emerged from the bathroom to see Becky grinning as if she’d won a shopping spree at her favorite shoe store. Her hazel-green eyes practically sparkled with happiness on Tamara’s behalf. When Tamara had texted Becky the news, her friend had called back to unload an ear-deafening scream.

“I wish you’d stop acting so weird,” Tamara complained.

“Why? Because my faith has been restored? I was thinking that you needed major intervention to step out there and have a romantic fling.”

“Romance isn’t for everyone, Miss Bleeding Heart Romantic Fanatic.”

“I think you just cursed at me. Whatever! I can’t help believing in love.”

Becky would always be the bright light in the stormy waters of falling in love. No matter how many times she got her heart broken, she got right up on that horse and rode toward the windmills with her happy thoughts. That was a trip that Tamara didn’t plan to take, unless it was on her terms. There would be no
falling
in love. Tamara would very carefully
walk
down that path without the head trip that some women went through.

Becky now lay across her bed, her head propped up on her hand. “Could you move any slower?” Her impatience settled over the room.

Tamara waved off Becky’s irritation. “Stop giving me the evil eye. At least I am out of the bathroom.”

“Took you long enough. You were acting as if you hadn’t showered in months.” Becky sat up. Now her irritation gave way to excitement again. “So where are you going?”

Tamara shrugged. “I was too in shock to remember to ask such questions.”

“Then how can we decide if the outfit should be formal, evening-elegant, casual or torn-jean attire?”

Tamara shook her head. “I told him that this was a business meeting.”

“Yeah, you said that to me, and I don’t get that. Stop playing hard to get. What’s his only crime? That he’s rich?”

“I don’t have a problem with his wealth.” Tamara was okay with the small lie.

“Please, I know how you think. You’re in your Caped Crusader mode, off to save the masses.” Becky wrapped the bedsheet around her shoulders and struck a fierce pose. “He is the powerful tycoon who has done wrong just by enjoying his wealth and success. The poor man won’t stand a chance with your crazy mind-set.”

“That’s nonsense.” Tamara hated when Becky could pick her apart. “Anyway, spare him the sympathy card. You should have heard him earlier today.”

“Heard what you thought he said? Or heard what he actually said? One day, I’ll be so lucky to meet someone like him.” Becky closed her eyes. A dreamy smile wavered on her mouth.

If anyone deserved happiness and a good man, it was Becky. She was a sweet soul, with so much patience and trust that men took advantage of her kindness. Between her and Becky, they hadn’t had too many successful relationships. And yet, Becky wasn’t afraid to dip her toe, her leg, her entire being into that romantic pool of love. Well, one of them needed to stay on the shore to pull the other to safety.

Tamara was up for the role of lifeguard. When she found a mate worthy of her standards, she still didn’t plan to demand marriage vows that would be broken upon the least temptation. She was going in with eyes wide open and the panic button ready to be pushed, just in case.

“I want to go with casual business,” Tamara declared.

“Boring.”

“That’s the idea,” Tamara replied.

“You know, I’m beginning to think that it’s not that you’re playing hard to get.”

Tamara headed to her closet. Becky was about to go on a psychoanalytical rant.

“You don’t want to be swayed by this man. You can play indifferent with someone else, but I’ve noticed how you light up when we talk about him.” Becky walked to the side of her bed and retrieved a hardcover book. “And you read this biography on him as if you were studying for a test.”