Avery watched Macy weave her way across the room, taking everyone’s attention with her. In the warm lights of the ballroom her brown skin glowed like a bronzed statue waxed to perfection. Her ruffled mini-dress hugged her behind, and her strappy sandals accentuated her shapely legs. He wasn’t the only man ogling her as she made her exit.
He’d rattled her. But his comments were all about business, she shouldn’t have taken them personal.
“Well, isn’t Macy flying out of here like the place was on fire?” Celeste’s sultry voice sounded like a cat purring. “Why do I get the impression that she’s always trying so hard, always sucking up to you, Roxy? There is something about that girl that I don’t like.”
“Macy seems a little distracted lately,” Roxy said. “That’s not like her. She’s usually so focused.”
Celeste turned to him. “Roxy always says the nicest things about Macy. Even when they aren’t warranted.”
“That’s not true. I treat everyone who reports to me the same. And, I have the same expectation of each of them,” said Roxy.
“Sometimes, I think you like her better than you like your own sister.” Celeste pouted just enough to look seductive. “If you want, I can talk to her tomorrow and see if I can figure out what’s going on.”
“Good idea, Celeste. Let me know if there is something I need to be concerned about with Macy.” Roxy turned her attention to Avery. “As you may have read in the literature I gave you about the company, we’ve started our Dragon negotiations. During these negotiations, we will renegotiate over half of our customer contracts. It’s onerous on the staff, but we find it’s a proficient way to evaluate our offering all at once. Macy knows our customer base better than anyone. I want you to spend some time with her, to get a better understanding of what kinds of customers are attracted to our products. That knowledge will be beneficial as you work on expanding our market share.”
Avery nodded. “Don’t worry. I’m on it.” Working with Macy could pose a challenge. There was something in her eyes that spoke to him. Something in the way her curls framed her face and came to rest on her shoulders, like silk that made him want to touch her hair.
“I can be helpful too.” Celeste reached for his hand and held on to it. “Even though I don’t handle anything as glamorous as the customer portfolio, I have all the systems knowledge. We rely heavily on our customer portals, so you’ll need to understand them.”
He pulled his hand from Celeste’s. She was like a vine, locking him down, threatening to overtake and choke him. Roxy and his parents wanted him to find something appealing about Celeste, but it wasn’t happening.
He sipped his wine. “I’ll set up some time on your calendar, Celeste.” He offered an excuse and made his way through the crowd, hoping it wasn’t too late to spot Macy one more time.
Celeste caught up to him and slipped her hand back into his. He groaned loud enough for her to hear. “What can I do for you, Celeste?”
“Roxy is always talking about customers. She has very little interest in the Information Technology side of the business. My domain. But without my staff, the business would be crippled.”
“I’ll make sure to spend some time understanding the systems.”
“Good.” She slipped her arm through his. “Now that you officially work for English, I want you to spend more time with me.”
“Why is that?”
“Roxy is watching, and she expects us to make a love connection.” She rose on her toes and planted a wet kiss on his cheek.
“Do you always try to please your sister?” He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and, with one broad swipe, he wiped his cheek.
“I do if it keeps the checks flowing. Want to kiss me so we look authentic?”
“Let’s not and say we did.” He turned his attention to the door.
“Maybe we can go on an official date soon. That would make Roxy happy.”
“Making your sister happy is not a reason for us to go out.”
“When Roxy is happy, she’s much more generous. My life is good when my sister is generous. And lately, she hasn’t been pleased with me. But since she’s got it in her head to match the two of us, she’s practically giddy, and I want her to stay that way. You do want to keep the English account, don’t you?” She stopped and stared at him.
“Whether you and I are dating has nothing to do with our law firm and English International.”
She pressed her index finger into his chest. “You see, that’s where you’re wrong. Of course, the two are connected. If I’m happy and out of Roxy’s hair, then she’s happy. You’re kinda like my goose with the golden egg. So for now, let’s pretend we have something in common.”
Avery pulled away from her just as his father approached.
“Good evening, Celeste, I’m glad you could stop by tonight.” Dad planted one of those fake air kisses near her cheek and produced his infamous campaign smile.
“Councilman! Of course, I’d be here. I’ll do whatever I can to help you get reelected.”
“You hear that, son?”
“Yes, another supporter,” he said weakly.
“I can’t have too many of them.” His father nodded.
Avery frowned. Celeste didn’t need encouragement.
“I’m happy your firm will be working with English now,” Celeste said.
“It’s not my firm anymore.” He slapped Avery on the back. “Malveaux and Malveaux belongs to Avery and his brothers, now. My job is serving the constituents of Philadelphia. Sealing the deal with English was all Avery’s doing. It’s about time we were able to bring our businesses together. This partnership should be beneficial for both parties.”
“I’m sure it will.” Celeste’s tone was a little too sweet.
Avery watched his father place his hand on Celeste’s shoulder. “Avery will have to bring you to the house for dinner. His mother and I would love to have you.”
“I think that’s a lovely idea. We’ll come up with a date, and I’ll call to set it up,” Celeste said as she wiggled her hips next to Avery and flashed the Councilman her dazzling veneers.
Avery watched his father walk away before turning to Celeste. “You can be quite manipulative, I see.”
“I’ve got all kinds of skills.” Celeste pulled him toward the bar. “How about you buy me a drink?”
“It’s an open bar.”
“Not for the brand I want.” She looped her arm through his. “Besides, we could have fun for a little while. Who knows where this could lead? You’re certainly cute enough. So, here’s the deal.” She pushed her hair behind her ear. “Play along for a while. Let’s let Roxy think we’re interested. It will keep her from meddling in my life for a while. I’m working on some ideas and I don’t want her asking me a lot of questions yet.”
“I don’t play games.” He shook his head. Not anymore. He’d been burned by women who liked to pretend one thing while doing another. He’d come across enough of them to know when they were using him. Celeste wanted something more than what she was saying, and it wasn’t to spend more time with his easy-going personality.
He paid for her premium drink and left her at the bar cozying up to a wealthy investment banker. At least with Celeste, he knew she wanted something. There was no guessing with her. His steps quickened as he maneuvered his way across the room, shaking hands and greeting his father’s guests along the way.
He took long strides towards the hotel lobby. Everything came with strings attached. Why couldn’t the English account just be about business? Now he’d have to deal with Macy, who was pretty and probably competent, and Celeste who was incompetent and probably devious.
He spotted Macy standing outside the hotel in a cab line at least ten people deep.
When was the last time a woman had grabbed his attention so quickly? He slowed his pace, enjoying the view of her backside for a moment. Yes, his last relationship had turned out disastrous. But maybe Macy was worth another try.