Hooked!: A Contemporary, Multicultural Romance Read online

  "You didn't," she said, a little untruthfully. A few of his strokes had been uncommonly deep, but worth the feeling. Pleasure/pain. That was the only way she knew to describe it.

  "Good. I'll try to control myself better next time."

  "Next time?" she teased. "That's three times tonight. I'm too sore to do anything else."

  "Have you again ... and again ... and again. I simply must. But I'll take it slow. I promise I do know how to take it slow," he said, pulling out of her and pulling her down onto the bed beside him. He just had to figure out how, he thought to himself. It's like she possessed some kind of magical power over him. Three times tonight they'd made love, and three times she'd made him lose control. No woman had ever made him do that ... at least not every single time he touched her.

  "Are you okay?" she said, looking up at him from the crook of his arm.

  "Yes. Why do you ask?"

  "Because you have the thinking man's look on your face. Don't worry," she said, putting up a hand, "I'm not one of those women who asks, 'What are you thinking?' after sex. I know guys hate that."

  "Yes, we do, because most of us are incapable of rational thought after sex ... especially the kind of sex we just had."

  "Obviously, women aren't. We could ask and answer a million questions before, during and after."

  "Is there something you want to talk about Kammille?" he asked, not wanting to seem like a jerk. She was right; women did generally like to talk after. He wanted to give her that if that's what she wanted. Another out-of-character thing for him.

  "No. I meant it when I said I'm not up for the big Q&A after. I'm exhausted. All I want right now is some sleep."

  "Then turn that fine little body of yours over and close those inquiring eyes, because otherwise, you're going to be in for round four," he teased.

  "In that case, consider me sleep already," Kammille replied quickly, snuggling into him. It seemed like the most natural action in the world.

  ###

  Kammille awoke to a hand shaking her. “Miss, we’re preparing for landing,” the flight attendant said. “Can you please put your seat up?”

  “Oh yes. Of course. Sorry. I must have dozed off.”

  The flight attendant smiled at her and continued down the aisle, making sure all passengers were in compliance with safety landing rules.

  Kammille looked out the window at the familiar sights of the city she’d come to love. Her flight to Miami had been spent thinking about business and how it had all started.

  This flight back to Atlanta could haven’t been more opposite. It had nothing to do with business, and everything to do with the owner of a stormy pair of grey eyes – eyes she hoped never to see again. Landon had invaded her dreams. It was not going to be easy to dismiss what she’d experienced with him.

  Now she understood why sex was so powerful. It was indeed a drug; one you could easily become hooked on.

  Chapter 9

  Landon went to the reception desk. He inquired about Kammille, asking if she’d checked out. The young woman confirmed that indeed, Ms. Howard had checked out.

  He knew he’d fucked up. He should have left a voice mail or a note or something. But he’d gotten hung up on that west coast call. When he finished, the first thing he did was run down to her room.

  He’d knocked, but no answer, and then he’d gone back to his room to call hers. No answer. That’s when he’d sprinted downstairs just in time to see the cab driver load her bag in the car and pull off.

  If only the staircase in the lobby hadn’t been so darned long, he could have made it. If only she’d looked back. But she never had.

  Landon knew it was more than that though. He hadn’t rightly decided if he should see Kammille again. She was exactly the kind of woman he usually steered away from because she was relationship material – and a relationship was the last thing he wanted in his life right now.

  That’s why he’d left her room without so much as a note. But he did plan to make that clear. He wasn’t the type to just disappear. But he didn’t get the chance. He hadn’t wanted to wake her because they didn’t get much sleep that night; so hadn’t called her room the next morning in case she was sleeping. After all, he’d see her for breakfast, he rationalized.

  Then the emergency conference call had come in; a sticky contract negotiation. It had started at a little after 7:00 – in plenty enough time to finish before their 8:00 am breakfast date – or so he thought. But it had run on and on and on. By the time he got off the phone, everything had changed. He found that he couldn’t wait to see her and spend the day with her.

  And now it was too late.

  He slammed his left fist into the palm of his right hand. The only thing that calmed him in stressful situations like this was a workout. He changed and hit the gym, then the beach.

  ###

  Even a four-hour workout hadn’t helped his sour mood. That was now three things he could attribute to her – and only her – that was out of the norm for him: a good workout didn’t snap him out of his funk; his willingness to have a full-fledged conversation after sex; and he couldn’t even control his fucking dick when he was with her.

  Maybe it was just as well that things had transpired this way, he thought as he sat at the same table they’d occupied the evening before. If that was what caring for someone meant – and he cared, in spite of the fact that he denied it with every fiber of his being - then who the hell needed it? He didn’t want that type of distraction in his life – not when he could have practically any woman he wanted, in any city he landed in, at any time. What man would want to give that up?

  You do, a surely insane part of him answered.

  Landon signaled over the same perky red-head who’d waited on him and Kammille the night before.

  “Will your companion be joining you this evening, sir?” she inquired, holding out two menus.

  “No, it’s just me this evening,” he retorted, somewhat shortly. He softened his tone, smiling at the friendly server. “I’d like to start with a gin and tonic – make it a double please,” he instructed.

  “Yes sir,” she replied.

  “By the time you come back with that, I’ll know what I want to order.”

  The server nodded in a ‘very well’ manner, and headed off. Relationship drama, she said to herself. Although, she couldn’t possibly imagine what someone who looked like him could do to piss a girl off. He was dreamy!

  Chapter 10

  It had been almost a month since Kammille had returned from Miami. And she didn’t know when she’d ever get another chance to have anything even resembling a day off, never mind a vacation. K&L Catering had landed the boutique hotel account and sure enough, in warp speed, their business had taken off.

  They’d immediately doubled the size of the staff they had on call, even hiring permanent servers for the first time. They’d hired an official office manager. She and Liza had usually split these duties, but now they had clearly defined roles and were just too busy to do it all.

  Kammille had never been more content … in her professional life. She was happy for the work, because it kept her mind off Landon. She couldn’t believe that one night with a man could leave such an indelible impression, but it had. He was like a silent ghost who came with her everywhere.

  Out of the blue, she’d smell something that resembled his cologne. She see a man with a big build – fireman, construction worker, maintenance man – and immediately think of him. She’d even start to look for grey eyes on strangers. They weren’t that common, she realized; especially his color. She’d venture to say that he and whomever he inherited the unique color from were the only ones with eyes that color.

  Funny the things you only notice when someone you care about has those traits.

  And Kammille realized that even though it sounded crazy, she had come to care for Landon in that short time. Sure, most of it was probably lust. But if it had been just about the sex, she wouldn’t be carrying this missing around in her
heart a month later. It went beyond the physical. In spite of how things had happened between them, her ruby-red lips curled in a smile when she thought of him, and his teasing about her name.

  So Miss Kammille with a K, two M’s and two L’s … you know what that means don’t you?”

  “What?” she’d laughed at him.

  “That you’re mm mm good, and lickably luscious.”

  “And the K instead of the C?” she’d inquired.

  “Oh, that you’re insanely kissable, of course. That’s an obvious one,” he’d razzed her.

  “Just what is that Cheshire-cat smile about?” Liza said as she entered Kammille’s office. “You do realize that you’ve been vacillating between those kind of smiles and a weird kind of sadness since you got back from Miami, don’t you? What happened? It couldn’t have been much. You weren’t even gone for a whole day!” Liza said, more to herself than Kammille.

  “Nuh ugh, ugh,” Kammille said, waving a French-manicured finger at Liza. “I’m just following your orders,” she explained at Liza’s searching gaze.

  “What orders?”

  “Before I left for that trip you told me to do something sinful; something I’d even be embarrassed to tell my friend about. Something that could make people wonder what I’m smiling about? Well, let’s just say I took your advice and leave it at that.”

  “Oh Kammille you are so unfair. I didn’t mean me keep stuff from me. After all, we’re business partners … and you know I live for gossip. So spill missy!”

  Before Kammille could answer, their office manager stuck her head in the doorway. “The chef for tonight’s banquet is on Line 2. He needs to speak with one of you.”

  “I’ll take it,” Liza said. “And thanks Cheryl,” she threw over her shoulder to the young woman. She was very young and very pretty, but she was super-efficient at her job.

  Kammille had been hesitant about hiring her, but she’d exuded such a sense of maturity about herself – maturity beyond her age obviously. From her years as a social worker, she sensed that the young woman probably had quite the story, and she was a single mom. She loved that they were able to give a struggling young woman like her a job. Heck, a career if that’s what she wanted! K&L was a company that an employee could grow with, she was proud to say.

  “Cheryl,” Kammille said on her way out of the office. “Tell Liza I’m checking on final preparations for the function tonight and that I’ll be over at the hotel, so if the chef needs to speak with someone in person, assure him that I’ll be there.”

  “Will do, Ms. Howard.”

  ###

  Kammille looked around at the room full of sports stars – mostly unknowns, but a few well-known, wanna-be actors, musicians, producers and other creative types these events attracted. Tonight was a signing party for some young athlete; perhaps the next Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods or Tom Brady.

  All she could see though was that everyone seemed to be having a good time, and that there was more than enough food and drink. One thing she’d learned early on about catering is that if guests are well fed and the alcohol is flowing, you’ve won ninety percent of the battle.

  And this hotel’s chef – she wished she could afford to hire him away! His culinary creations were events in and of themselves – from the unexpected pairing of different foods, to the presentation. They always garnered press, which meant more press for K&L.

  No poaching of client talent though; definitely not cool, Kammille thought as she salivated over being able to have someone like that on their staff.

  “Good evening, Kammille.” She felt a warm breath on the exposed skin of the one-shouldered dress she had on. “You’re every bit as beautiful as I remember.”

  Kammille froze. Every cell in her body recognized – and wanted to melt into – the sound of that voice. No. Not now. I can’t deal with him now, her mind screamed.

  “And you’re every bit as stealthy as I remember, Mr. Shaw. Appearing and disappearing at will. At least we’re both consistent,” she said bitingly, turning to face him with an icy smile. No one but him could feel the frost. Just looking at them, you’d think they were friends engaging in polite small talk.

  “I guess I deserve that,” he replied.

  Kammille wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of a response. Willing her feet to move, she started to walk away.

  Landon’s hand shot out and grabbed her. “I’d like to speak to you ... in private.”

  Kammille looked pointedly at his hand on her wrist. Damn him! It was just where the pulse was beating – and dear lord, was it beating. They both stared at it.

  “We have nothing to talk about ... in public or private,” she said.

  “Your body says otherwise,” he responded, looking down at the betraying beat on her skin.

  “Let go of me,” she hissed.

  “I will do no such thing. Not until you agree to speak with me in private. I just need a few minutes Kammille,” his voice dropped to a plea.

  “I’m in the middle of a job Landon.”

  “I know, and my guests are having a wonderful time. So relax; you pass muster with the person picking up the check for this evening.”

  “This is your gig?” Kammille asked, surprised. She hadn’t seen his name on anything. It was handled by The LS Agency. Then it hit her. “You’re the LS in The LS Agency?”

  “I always knew you were smart,” he said, a twinkle of hope that the ice was thawing between them in his eye. “Now, may I please have a few minutes of your time? If for no other reason than we’ll obviously be running into each other a lot if this function is any indication.”

  “We really don’t have anything to discuss,” Landon, she said and started to walk away again.

  “And I say we do,” he said, reaching for her again. “I’m willing to cause a scene Kammille, if that’s what it takes,” he warned.

  “You wouldn’t,” she said, panicking a bit.

  “I would. What I have to say to you is worth it to me. Like I said, I only need a few minutes. Hear me out. That’s all I ask.” His grey eyes had gone from a confident, almost translucent blue, to a pleading, foggy grey.

  It touched Kammille, even though she had no desire to be alone with him.

  “Fine, if you insist. And only if it’s only for a few minutes,” Kammille said, giving in. After all, what other choice did she have? She seriously considered adding a hefty personal consultation fee to the bill for his blackmailing her into this. “It’ll have to be in the hallway here. Unfortunately there isn’t a crevice of privacy anywhere tonight.”

  Kammille led him to the dimly lit hallway between the kitchen and the main ballroom of the hotel. The space was used for waiters to run food, to keep extra stacked chairs, etc. Now that the event was in full swing though, there wouldn’t be any foot traffic there -- at least not every few minutes.

  Landon forced himself to concentrate on what he wanted to say, instead of her on taut bottom swaying before him. It reminded him of the beginning of that one fateful night they’d spent together. She had a natural swish to her walk. She had to know how sexy it was.

  Flashes of palming the smooth mounds of her buttocks in his hands, lifting her up to meet his thrusts caught him off guard. He’d dreamed of her a thousand times over this last month, trying to forget her. He’d even bedded another woman; a steady he’d been casually sleeping with for years who always gave him satisfaction. But not this time. Even she had said to him, “Whoever she is, go back to her. You’re not gonna be any good to any other woman until you get her out of your system.”

  And that’s what scared him … that he’d never be able to get her out of his system.

  Landon was glad for the tuxedo jacket he had on. His nature was rising and try as he might, he couldn’t stop it, especially when what he wanted was swaying delectably right in front of him.

  He’d planned to contact her on this trip; he just hadn’t been prepared to see her tonight. So when he’d spotted her across the room, he thought
that he was hallucinating; that his frequent thoughts had finally conspired to bring her to life.

  He had no idea that it was her firm catering the event. He just wrote the checks; his executive assistant handled all the details of dealing with vendors.

  He’d researched Kammille and had learned that she was the “K” in K&L Catering in Atlanta – the firm that had landed the contract with The X Spot, a hotel chain he did a lot of business with. His research had produced a lot of professional info on her, but he knew precious little about her personal life – and that’s the part that had taken up so much space in his head since their fateful meeting in Miami a month ago.

  Even though he was ill prepared for meeting her like this, what he had to say had to come out right. He had to make her understand that there was something between them, even if he didn’t quite grasp what it was himself.