“The launch party for Hypnotic tonight is going to be off the charts,” Ethan said as he and Kayla dressed to go to the party that evening. The advertising department had fast-tracked the photo shoot of Noelle and a commercial to ensure they could get Hypnotic in stores in time for the holidays. He was amazed at what they had accomplished in several weeks. Even more amazing were the small strides he’d made with the Adams family. He’d even attended their annual Fourth of July weekend in the Hamptons, something he hadn’t done since his late teens. Though they hadn’t spoken to him much, they had included him.
“I’m hoping it’ll be a success.” Kayla was excited, yet a little apprehensive about branching out into a new arena. She’d felt the same way when Adams Cosmetics had branched out to body washes, lotions, shampoos and conditioners, except this time she had the full support of Graham International’s financial strength behind her.
“Are you concerned?” Ethan asked. He’d never seen Kayla express any doubt. She was still wearing her robe and putting on her makeup.
“I know Shane’s put together a quality product,” Kayla replied, adding a touch of blush to her cheeks, “but you never know how it’s going to be received by the general public.”
“The focus groups loved it,” Ethan returned.
“True, but the Adams Cosmetics customer, although loyal, might be a little skeptical at first.”
“Kind of like you were about the merger?” Ethan inquired.
Kayla merely smiled. She’d been more than a little skeptical about merging a corporate goliath like Graham International with her smaller company. She never wanted to lose the sense of family she had with her employees, but surprisingly they were getting along well.
“Apparently, I’m not the only skeptical one. We have others banking on us falling flat on our butts,” Kayla returned. “Oh, yeah?”
“I received a congratulatory bouquet at the office today from Jax Cosmetics.”
“Considering the history with your father, that seems disingenuous.”
“Exactly! Andrew Jackson is just waiting for us to fail, so he can rub it in my father’s face. I’m sure he’s hoping Hypnotic’s launch is a disaster.”
“Well, he will be wrong,” Ethan responded. “I never lose. Are you almost ready?”
Kayla loved Ethan’s confidence. Some might call it arrogance, but at times it was sexy as hell. “Just about.”
“I don’t want to be late to your parents’,” Ethan replied. Ethan would have preferred to go separately with his wife and meet the Adamses at the launch party, but they had a tradition of attending every party as a family unit. And if he broke tradition, Byron Adams would have his head.
When Kayla emerged from the master bathroom, Ethan sucked in a deep breath. She was wearing a scarlet strapless dress with a tightly fitted bodice that fit her curvy body and flared out with a long train behind her.
Kayla liked what she saw as well and gave Ethan a catcall. He was standing tall in a classic black one-button tuxedo with satin collar, skinny satin tie and matching pants.
“Thanks, babe.” Ethan smiled, “But nothing compares to you in that dress.”
“Oh, this old thing?” Kayla lied. She’d spent a great deal of time finding the right dress. She and Piper had gone to several stores the past weekend trying to find just the right dress for the launch tonight.
Ethan offered his arm. “Ready to go?”
“Absolutely.” Kayla grabbed her clutch purse sitting on the bed and they were on their way.
Her parents were in the great room as usual and waiting for Kayla when she and Ethan arrived. Her father was pacing near the mantel as he always did.
“Baby girl, you look beautiful as always.” He kissed her on the cheek. He held both her hands and stood back to look at her. “You get more beautiful each time I see you.”
Kayla blushed. “Oh, stop it, Daddy.”
“Oh, no, please do fill her head,” Shane said from the opposite side of the room. “She needs the praise.” He loved teasing his big sister because he knew how much it irked her.
Kayla turned to her brother and made a face.
“All right you two,” her mother said. “Play nice.”
“Byron.” Ethan held his hand out. That’s when Kayla realized he was still waiting by the mantel to be acknowledged.
Her father glanced over at him. “Graham.”
“Why don’t you try calling him Ethan, Daddy?” Kayla offered. It was much less hostile than calling him by his last name.
“Very well,” Byron said, turning to his daughter. “For you, I will. Ethan, thank you for bringing Kayla over. It’s always been a tradition for us to attend Adams Cosmetics functions together as a family.”
“It was pleasure as we are a family now,” Ethan commented.
A loud “ahem” was heard from behind them and Ethan turned and found Courtney standing behind her. “Courtney, you’re looking ravishing tonight.”
Courtney stood with her hair done up like a princess in a white strapless gown with a ruffled organza bottom from waist to feet. A simple black tie sash was the only detail. “Apparently, not ravishing enough,” she said underneath her breath as she passed by Ethan and walked into the room toward her sister.
“Kayla, it’s good to see you, sis. We’ve missed you. Your time has been monopolized these days.”
Ethan heard the first dig, but Kayla hadn’t and she responded with, “I’m sorry. Let’s plan on a game of tennis this weekend.”
“Sounds good. So is everyone ready to go?” Courtney inquired, glancing around.
“Now that you’ve finally graced us with your presence,” Shane said, laughing, “we are.”
“Put a sock in it!” Courtney sniped back.
“I just love having the entire family together again,” their father stated. “Everyone grab a glass of champagne.” Half a dozen glasses were already waiting on a nearby table, thanks to Victor. The entire Adams family came forward and grabbed a glass.
Byron Adams held up his flute. “Let’s go show the world that nothing can keep us down and we stand strong.”
“To family.” They all raised a glass.
The press snapped photos of the family as they exited the limousine and fired rapid questions at them left and right. “When will the perfume debut in stores? Is Adams Cosmetics working on another one?”
“Soon,” Kayla answered the first question.
Shane followed with, “You’ll have to wait and see.”
Inside, the launch party was a huge success. The ballroom of the hotel where the party was being held was filled to capacity. All the major media outlets in Atlanta were present.
A prominent editor from one of the top women’s magazines stopped Kayla. “I absolutely love Hypnotic,” she gushed. “I think the fragrance will be a hit with our readers. You really must give a sample for an advertisement.”
“Absolutely!” Kayla smiled and squeezed Ethan’s hand at her side. From what she could tell, everyone loved Hypnotic. Kayla had heard only positive responses from both the media and the other guests.
Ethan and Kayla made the rounds, smiling at photographers, greeting guests and making small talk. Ethan never seemed to leave her side; he played the dutiful husband with his hand lightly on the small of her back, causing Kayla to wonder if he was developing genuine feelings for her.
When it was time for her to thank everyone for coming and introduce Hypnotic as well as their spokeswoman, Ethan stood beside her onstage along with the entire Adams family. Ethan felt it only appropriate that she as CEO of Adams Cosmetics make the announcement.
“I would like to thank you all for coming tonight. I think I speak for the entire Adams family when I say that we are excited to have you here tonight. We’re excited to debut Hypnotic to you first,” Kayla said, microphone in hand. “It’s a brand-new area for Adams Cosmetics that we think our loyal customers will love. We invite you to partake of the samples around the room. Heck, take some home with you and introduce it to your friends.” She was wrapping up her speech when Ethan whispered for her to mention Noelle. “And of course, meet our new spokeswoman, Noelle Warner.” Kayla motioned to Noelle, standing in the center of the room with a spotlight on her. “In the meantime, enjoy the delicious food and champagne we’ve had catered for tonight’s event. To Hypnotic!” Kayla held up her champagne flute.
All the participants raised their glasses. “To Hypnotic!”
Ethan came over and gave Kayla the most public kiss they’d ever had. It caused the crowd to clap in ovation. “We are newlyweds, after all…” Ethan said into the mike.
Later on, when Kayla was getting some canapés, Piper rushed over to give her a big hug. “Girlfriend, I love it!” she gushed, smelling her wrists. “This fragrance is going to put AC back on the map.”
“You mean it?” Kayla asked, putting down the small plate she’d been piling high with food.
“Of course I do!” Piper hit Kayla on the shoulder. “You know I would never lie to you. Shane has outdone himself.”
A smile spread across Kayla’s face. “Thanks, doll. That means a lot.” Kayla plopped an hors d’oeuvre into her mouth. She was starved. Actually, she’d noticed her appetite had increased of late, but she suspected it was due to all the stress she was under, as she was an emotional eater.
“And Ethan…well, that kiss up there was hot stuff,” Piper commented. “Seems like the two of you are on the right path.”
Kayla nodded and put her hand over her mouth as she finished chewing. When she was done, she said, “We’ve come to a meeting of the minds.”
“I’d say a meeting of the bodies,” Piper chuckled.
Kayla blushed. “That, too.”
“Have you told him how you feel?”
Kayla shook her head furiously. “Absolutely not. His knowing that I love him would change nothing and would only make it awkward between us. It is better I keep those feelings to myself.”
“For how long?” Piper asked. “How long do you think you can keep up this ruse that you care nothing for the man, when you’re sleeping and living with him day after day?”
“As long as it takes for Ethan to let me out of this sham of a marriage.”
“Is that honestly what you want?” Piper inquired. “To be let out of the marriage? You love him!”
Kayla grabbed Piper by the arm and pulled her aside so no one could hear their conversation. “And he doesn’t love me,” she whispered. “So can we drop this? No good can come from talking about this.”
“No good?” Piper said. “I hate to spoil your night, Kayla, but you’re bottling your feelings up inside and eventually they are going to erupt. And when they do, it won’t be good.”
“I won’t let that happen.”
“Oh, that’s right. Strong, competent Kayla, always fighting to stay in control, right?” Piper asked. “Well, there are some things that even you can’t control, Kayla. Like love.”
“I can control it,” Kayla responded. She had to, because if Ethan truly knew how she felt, he would have too much power over her. She couldn’t allow that to happen.
“What are you so afraid of? Maybe he’s feeling the same way about you. But you’ll never know unless you take a chance and tell him how you feel.”
The entire conversation was making Kayla uncomfortable and she had to make a quick exit. “You know what, I see someone I have to speak with,” Kayla said, looking over Piper’s shoulder at an imaginary person. “I must go say hello.” And before Piper could object, Kayla was making her way through the crowd.
She passed by Shane, who was talking to a woman who appeared to be enraptured by his every word. Courtney, as usual, was talking to reporters, and her parents were seated at a table eating hors d’oeuvres. The only person she didn’t see was Ethan. Kayla continued searching the crowd for her husband.
Ethan was speaking with a colleague on the terrace of the hotel when Noelle approached him.
“Noelle, you’re looking well,” Ethan said when she joined him. He gave her a hug and tried to pull away quickly, but she held on a little longer than he expected. “How are you, my dear?” He tried to sound lighthearted.
“Ethan, it’s been a long time,” Noelle replied. “Where have you been hiding yourself?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve been suspiciously absent of late at the photo shoot and then at the commercial for Hypnotic.”
“My wife is CEO of Adams Cosmetics, Noelle.”
“Oh, please,” Noelle shushed him. “Everyone knows that’s merely a formality and you’re the real one in charge.”
“No, it’s not,” Ethan challenged her. “Kayla is in charge.”
“Really?” Noelle raised an eyebrow. “So she chose me to replace her sister as spokeswoman for this campaign? I don’t think so.”
“You just won an Oscar, Noelle,” Ethan replied, smiling and catering to her ego. “You’re hot right now, and we’re capitalizing on that.”
“Clearly, but that’s not why I accepted this job.”
“And why did you?”
Noelle slid closer to Ethan and tugged his tie. “You, of course, silly.” She came forward until her lips were inches from his. “I wanted to see if we could rekindle the past.”
“Noelle.” Ethan looked down at her. “I am a married man.”
“And I’m seeing Mitch Blake,” she responded. “But that doesn’t mean anything. What they don’t know won’t hurt them.”
From the other side of the terrace behind the bushes, Kayla fell back against the building, completely floored. Although she couldn’t hear their conversation, Noelle was cheek to cheek, hip to hip with Ethan and he didn’t seem to mind. It was clear they were carrying on an affair right under her nose. How could she have been so blind? Ethan had no intention of ever making this a real marriage. He’d used her to get her father’s company probably as a way to right an old grudge between their fathers, and she’d been caught in the middle.
And to make matters worse, her “husband” was cozying up with their spokeswoman where any passerby could see them. It was humiliating, and Kayla couldn’t stand to watch it another minute. She wanted to go over and confront them both, but what purpose would that serve but to mortify her even further? Though she doubted it was possible to sink lower than she felt at this moment.
With leaden feet, Kayla forced herself from bushes she’d crouched behind, brushed herself off and went back into the launch party to salvage what she could of the evening. Adams Cosmetics would be a success despite Ethan Graham.
“Listen, Noelle.” Ethan grabbed both Noelle’s hands, which she’d been trying to circle around his neck, and pushed her away. “I’m not interested in rekindling anything with you. Ours is a professional relationship only. I’m sorry if you got the impression that there was more to this opportunity, but there isn’t.”
“Are you saying you’re in love with her?” Noelle pointed to the ballroom.
Ethan stared in the direction of the party and then back at Noelle. Love? He’d certainly considered the idea before, but now that she’d said it, it sounded so real and probable. But even if he did love his wife, he was certainly not about to tell Noelle. He needed to sort out his feelings first. “That’s none of your concern,” Ethan finally answered. “All you need to concern yourself with is the Hypnotic campaign and nothing further.”
Noelle shrugged. “If that’s the way you want it. It seems like such a terrible waste. I doubt that prim and proper girl even knows how to please a sexual man such as you.”
Ethan smiled to himself. That prim and proper girl more than knew how to please him, and he was already looking forward to the end of the evening. “Noelle, since we’ve known each other so long I’m going to let that slide, but don’t ever speak about my wife in a derogatory manner again or you will not like the outcome.”
“Fine!” Noelle pouted and then stalked off into the ballroom.
Ethan stayed out on the terrace for a moment longer to think about the question posed to him. Was Noelle right? Was he falling in love with Kayla? And if he were, how was he going to handle it?
“That was a long night,” Ethan said in the limousine on the way home. It was nearly midnight and they were making they were way out of Atlanta and back into the outskirts of the city.
“Yeah, it was,” Kayla said, rubbing her shoulders as she looked out the window.
Ethan leaned over and began massaging her shoulders. “You’re tense as hell.” He used his thumb and fingers to massage several pressure points.
Kayla was tense because Ethan, cheater that he was, was touching her, but what could she do? After she’d left him and Noelle on the terrace, she’d thought about her situation. She was in between a rock and a hard place. Ethan had her exactly where he wanted her. He had all the power. He’d forced her into this marriage and taken advantage of her unrequited crush to get her into bed, and to make matters worse he’d tired of her. He’d resorted to taking a lover, and what could she do?
He had majority interest in Adams Cosmetics. If she left him, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t dismantle Adams Cosmetics and leave her and the family with nothing. She had to force him to let her go, but how? Of that she wasn’t sure, but she would come up with a game plan to force his hand. There was no way Ethan Graham would get away with making a fool out of her.
Once they were back at the house, Kayla feigned illness.
“Is there anything I can do?” Ethan asked, concerned. She’d seemed fine earlier.
“No, I just feel like I’m coming down with something, so I’m going to sleep in one of the guest rooms,” Kayla said with a straight face as she stared at her husband. “I wouldn’t want you to come down with it.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Ethan said. “I’m as strong as an ox.” He didn’t want to sleep alone. He’d rather gotten used to having Kayla by his side. Even when they didn’t have sex, when he rolled over and felt her soft body, he was instantly comforted. And after Noelle’s comments tonight, he wanted to be with her. He needed to be.
Kayla shook her head. “No, I think it’s best.” When he went to touch her forehead for a fever, Kayla pulled away. “It could be the flu or something, and don’t you have the big meeting in a couple of days? You wouldn’t want to get sick and have to cancel, would you?”
“I guess you’re right,” Ethan said reluctantly as Kayla began to walk down the hall to one of ten guest rooms in the mansion. “Are you sure you don’t want me to tuck you in?”
Kayla turned around. “That won’t be necessary.” And seconds later, she was inside the safety of the guest room. Kayla leaned against the door. The sick card wasn’t going to work for long. Ethan was a smart man and he would call in a doctor.
But after seeing him with Noelle, Kayla couldn’t bear to have him touch her. The thought of him wanting to make love to her tonight made her physically ill. She’d come up with an excuse to have some time to herself so she could figure out a game plan. Ethan Graham may have beat her once, but he wouldn’t again.