Love tangle, p.9
Love Tangle, page 9
part #4 of The Seduction Factor Series
“What’s going on?”
“I can’t come tonight to meet your man.”
“Are you ditching us to spend more time with Darius?” I say jokingly.
“I wish, but it’s way more serious than a hot black guy. My sister had another fight with her asshole of a husband and he kicked her out with the three kids. She has nowhere to stay, so she’s going back to stay with my parents in Brooklyn and I’m going there tonight.”
“I’m so sorry, Harley.”
“It’s not your fault. I’ve been telling her for years he was a loser, but every time I turn around she’s pregnant with another one of his kids.”
“Please don’t tell me she’s expecting again.”
“She is, Ciara. She’s having twins this time. She’ll have conceived five kids with the idiot. He throws her in the streets and throws all her clothing out the window along with all the kids’ toys. She was crying so hard on the phone I swear I’m going to punch the guy for putting her through so much pain and agony.”
“How can I help?”
“You can’t. My sister is beyond help. She needs a divorce, but she’s too caught up to see it. Please apologize to Nikolaj on my behalf. I would have loved to meet him, but I have to take a rain check. Family calls.”
“He’s in the same boat as you. He’s on his way to Copenhagen to deal with a family business crisis.”
“He’s leaving now?”
“Yeah.”
“You don’t sound too good either.”
“I’ll miss him, Harl.”
“You’re totally into him?”
“I’m afraid so.” There’s no point in lying to myself or anyone else about the way I feel about him.
“I think it’s incredible.”
“It doesn’t feel so great right now.”
“I’m sure he’ll fuel his jet in the direction of the Big Apple before you know it. What are you going to do tonight?”
“I’m taking the red-eye to Milan tomorrow night, so I’m going to take it easy tonight given two of my favorite people are dealing with so much shit.”
“Let’s catch up when you get back.”
“You’re on. If you need to talk, you can call me any time.”
“You’re a good friend, Ciara. Your Danish billionaire prince is lucky he snatched you.”
“He has a name, you know,” I tease.
“I know, but it’s not nearly as much fun.”
“I love you, Harl.”
“I love you right back, Ci.”
BOOK 4—LOVE TANGLE
Chapter Nine
I can’t believe seven days ago Walter Thomas Caldwell was sitting in my boardroom desperate for help and here I am a few hours before the most influential press outlets in the city cram this elegant room for his long-awaited press conference. I’m so proud of my team. They impressed the heck out of me with their quick thinking and their dedication to get us to the finish line on time.
This place came together spectacularly well. I’m sure the press will be blown away by the transformation.
I’m on my way to spend the evening with my sister and brother-in-law, but I decided to pop in to make sure Walter was happy with everything. Sofia and Bryce insisted on having me over because I’ve been a bit of a wreck since Nikolaj left. He kept true to his promise and he’s called me several times a day, he’s showered me with the most beautiful flowers and he’s sent me the most opulent gifts any girl could ever wish for, but it doesn’t make up for his absence.
I’d give anything for him to be with me longer than a few days.
He was so certain he was going to be able to fly back for tomorrow’s evening gala, but this morning his brother pulled another fast one guaranteed to kill any chances of Nikolaj attending the event. Jakob is creating havoc around him and he doesn’t care who he affects with his callous decisions.
Walter’s warm Southern drawl pulls me away from my thoughts.
“I didn’t expect the CEO herself to come in at the last minute to make sure everything was running smoothly.”
“My staff is the best and I’m not here checking up on them. I know they over-delivered. I’m here because I still can’t believe how lucky we got with these lamp fixtures. I don’t think they would have looked better had my team designed them. Then again, most of what we do is Italian-inspired, so it’s no wonder these leave me in awe.”
“Ciara, you impressed me something rare, as my grandmother used to say. My daughter wants to quit working for me and join your team.” He chuckles. “She thinks you walk on water. These are exquisite and they represent this city’s energy so well.”
“They do, Walter. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished in the last week.”
“I’ll be honest, I was worried we wouldn’t be able to get these delivered on time.”
“Flying to Milan in person ensured they’d deliver on time. The minute they saw me with Euros in hand, they knew I was serious. I didn’t want any delays and I know for a fact in Italy, money goes a long way in ensuring promptness. This night is way too important for you.”
“You deserve the big fat bonus I sent you via courier this morning. You’ve earned it because you saved my ass.”
“I appreciate it a lot.” I smile.
“Have you seen the desserts in the kitchen? The pastry team is almost as talented as your people, but don’t tell them I told you.” He flashes me a complicit wink.
“Mum’s the word.” I wink back.
“Georgia Manning’s dessert menu is a home run. They’ve prepared a decadent sugary feast comprising of recreations of the city’s best desserts. I was blown away by the presentation. The press is going to eat this up—literally and figuratively. I’ll get my daughter to send you a picture of the sweet table when they roll it out later tonight and I’m pretty sure she’ll have this all over social media, but before you go, you must peek your head in the kitchen. Tell them I sent you and they’ll give you a bite to taste.”
“I don’t know if I can resist your tempting offer, Walter.”
“Good, I like a woman who loves dessert.”
“Are they planning on doing the same for tomorrow night at the gala?”
“No, tomorrow we go Texan big.”
I cock my head, puzzled.
“Remember we’re adding a New York City twist to well-loved Southern meals? Tonight we’re doing a lot of very ornate desserts, but tomorrow is more home-style desserts like my grandmother used to make, but those pastry chefs are doing a real fancy presentation like you folks like it up here in New York City.”
“I’m definitely keeping room for dessert.”
“You’re going to die when you eat their pecan pie. They brought us one a few days ago to see if we liked it.”
“Did you?”
“Let’s just say my wife had to restrain me in order to prevent me from finishing the whole pie in one sitting.”
My phone rings and I glance at the screen.
“Walter, it’s my sister. I’m going to her place right after I leave here, so I should grab this call, but it will only be a minute,” I say, lifting my index finger. “Sofia, I’m finishing up with Walter, give me a sec,” I say before returning my attention to the Texan standing in front of me.
“Nonsense. Your work here is done. Enjoy your evening with your family. I’ll see you tomorrow night. Are you coming with a date or do you want me to present you to any of our very rich club members?” he says, chuckling.
“I will be coming alone because my boyfriend can’t make it. He had to fly to Europe for business.” I wish Nikolaj could have been by my side tomorrow night.
“Figures a gorgeous woman like you couldn’t possibly be single.”
“You flatter me too much.”
“Come on, Ciara, you know you’re stunning. Don’t leave without taking a treat with you.”
“I will. I’ll head to the kitchen while I talk to my sister.” I wave goodbye.
“Hey, Sofia, I’m back. Are you home yet?”
“No, I’m still stuck at the office for at least another hour.”
“Should I go back to my office and come later?”
“Nah, traffic will be crazy. Bryce is at home and he knows you’re on your way. He’s already airing a beautiful bottle of red he picked up in Cali before coming back last week. He also bought some French cheese and a baguette and he’s looking forward to catching up with you until I arrive.”
“What should I bring? I’ll ask the cab driver to make a detour and I can run in and pick up a few things.”
“Oh, Ciara, you don’t need to bring anything. This morning the personal chef prepared everything including the desserts. If you bring your beautiful self, we should be good.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course, I’m…”
Suddenly, I hear a very familiar voice behind me.
“Damn, your ass looks good enough to spank in those tight-fitting leather pants.”
My blood freezes as my sister is still talking on the other end. My heart is beating so fast and I fear if I turn around and face the man speaking to me it will all be real.
“I still remember how you liked a little rough action, Ciara.”
Fuck, this is not a figment of my imagination.
I slowly turn around with my phone still glued to my ear and I can’t believe my eyes. I blink like a lost tourist in the Sahara desert hoping I’m looking at a mirage, but every fiber of my body knows the man standing in front of me is flesh and blood.
This is my worst nightmare.
“Luke?”
My voice cracks when his name escapes my lips.
“Who else could it be, darling? Christ, I feel like I’ve missed out ’cause you look better than ever,” he says, licking his lips like a predator.
His Southern accent always had an effect on me. I was hoping after so many years I would have become immune to it.
“Luke? Did I hear Luke’s voice? Please don’t tell me Luke Elliot Rutherford, the asshole who walked out on you four weeks before your wedding day to marry his Southern belle, is standing in the same room as you right now?”
My sister is frantic on the other end, but my heart is pounding so hard I can’t string together a coherent sentence to calm her down.
“Sofia, I have to call you back.”
How can this be happening to me?
TO BE CONTINUED…
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The Story Continues In The Seduction Factor—Book 5 Sinful Desires.
Will Ciara’s feelings for Nikolaj change now that she’s face to face with Luke? Will the Southern charmer be able to draw her back into re-kindling what they once shared?
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