“I have been looking after my family’s company for a long time, and I most certainly don’t need you to bail me out.”

Ethan placed the decanter on a side table and walked toward her. Kayla stood up ramrod straight. She refused to be bullied by Ethan and was determined to stand up to him even though butterflies were jumping around in her stomach at his nearness. She took a deep breath and calmed herself.

“No, I don’t imagine you need me just yet.” Ethan’s fierce brown eyes focused on hers, and Kayla found she couldn’t turn away from his piercing gaze that was drenched with hunger. “But you want me.”

Kayla swallowed hard.

“Oh, yes.” He watched Kayla nervously look downward. “You want me, but you’re afraid to show it. That’s all right. I have no problem going after what I want.” Ethan grabbed Kayla by the shoulders, and his mouth slammed down on hers, stealing her breath and fracturing her thoughts into a million pieces. Before she knew what was happening, he had her up against the bookshelves and was pressing his body against her. He cupped the back of her head as his mouth kissed her with fervor.

YAHRAH ST. JOHN

is the author of nine books and numerous short stories. A graduate of Hyde Park Career Academy, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Northwestern University.

Her books have garnered four-star ratings from RT Book Reviews, Rawsistaz Reviewers, Romance in Color and numerous book clubs. A member of Romance Writers of America, St. John is an avid reader of all genres. She enjoys the arts, cooking, traveling, basketball and adventure sports, but her true passion remains writing.

St. John lives in sunny Orlando, the City Beautiful.

Need You Now
Yahrah St. John

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dedicated to my 2nd mother, Asilee Mitchell, for imparting wisdom, comfort and care when I needed a friend.

Dear Reader,

I came up with the idea for Need You Now by watching The Young and the Restless. I loved the fact that the characters fought for their family business, a cosmetics company…and so an idea was born. Kayla, Shane and Courtney Adams would fight corporate raider Ethan Graham to save Adams Cosmetics. I’d stir the pot by having Ethan and Kayla form a marriage of convenience.

Stay tuned for more exciting drama in the second book of the Adams Family trilogy featuring Shane Adams and saucy perfumier Gabrielle Burton.

Spoiler alert: I introduced rival company Jax Cosmetics—owned by Andrew Jackson—in Need You Now. He will play a major role in the second and third books.

Feel free to visit my website, www.yahrahstjohn.com, for the latest updates. Contact me via email at Yahrah@yahrahstjohn.com, become a fan on Facebook or follow me on Twitter, twitter.com/yahrahstjohn.

Best wishes,

Yahrah St. John

This hasn’t been an easy year physically, so I would be

remiss if I didn’t thank the people who’ve encouraged

me to keep writing in the face of life’s big obstacles.

Thank you to my Dad Austin Mitchell for being a

rock of strength, Beatrice Astwood for her warmth

and support and Demetrea Bishop, who is truly part

of my family. And of course, I have to thank my girls

Tonya Conway, Dimitra Astwood, Therolyn Rodgers

and Tiffany Griffin—You keep me grounded! And my

special friends: Bhushan Sukrham and Kiara Ashanti.

Lots of love to my readers for all their support.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 1

“Adams Cosmetics is in trouble,” Michael Cartwright said during an emergency Monday-morning meeting with the executive members of the board. As CFO, he was privy to the finances and knew what dire straits the company was in.

Present were Kayla Adams, Shane Adams and Courtney Adams, along with several high-level executives.

“How bad is it?” Kayla asked, tossing her silky mane of curls over her shoulder.

“We’ve lost revenue in the past consecutive six quarters,” Michael answered. “Blame it on the economy or consumers just spending less at Christmas, but we’ve seen a drop-off the past year.”

“What about our reserves?” Kayla suggested.

“We’ve already been dipping into those for well over a year to keep the company afloat. Add the lost revenue and we’re going to have to start laying off staff,” Michael replied.

Kayla shook her head. “I refuse to do that. The employees of Adams Cosmetics are like members of the family. There has to be another way.”

“Investors,” her brother, Shane, said.

Michael nodded in agreement. “We can contact your parents on their cruise. I’m sure given the situation the company is in, they would agree to part with shares.”

“Absolutely not!” Kayla stood up resolutely, walked to the conference-room window and folded her arms across her chest. “This company has been privately owned for over twenty years.” Not to mention how it would look to her parents to know that their eldest child had lost a company it had taken their entire lifetime to build. Kayla just couldn’t let it happen.

“Kayla, we’re running out of options,” her baby sister, Courtney, spoke up in a low, firm voice. She may have been the youngest and considered the prettiest, but she also had a degree in marketing and finance from Duke University.

“What about the new fragrance line you’re developing?” Kayla threw out to Shane. He was the head chemist at Adams Cosmetics and was not only brilliant but handsome, as well. “That’s sure to be a winner.”

“Kayla, do you have any idea what it would cost to launch a new line?” Michael replied.

“Of course I do,” she whipped back. “I’m not a novice, Michael.” She’d been CEO for the past five years since her father retired. She was one of the youngest CEOs in the business and proud of it. She’d gotten her master’s in business administration from Harvard and had studied Adams Cosmetics from the ground up.

When she was little, her father, Byron Adams, would bring her into the office with him. She loved cosmetics and loved the idea that just a little bit of makeup could transform a woman from an ugly duckling into a swan. Even though she wore very little makeup herself, having been blessed with exceptional mahogany skin from her father, she’d made it her life’s work to know every intricate detail of each line and how they came into existence.

Michael smiled despite her tone. Kayla had a razor-sharp tongue that would test the best of men. “I recognize that, Kayla,” he returned calmly. “But it’s going to cost millions for the kind of campaign we would need to launch Shane’s line, which quite frankly the company doesn’t have.”

“Michael is right,” Shane agreed.

“Whose side are you on?”

“This company’s,” Shane returned and turned his hazel eyes on his sister. The rest of the executive members might kowtow to his big sister, but he was not one of them. “Everyone, can you give Kayla and me a moment alone?”

“Try not to break anything,” Courtney whispered to her older brother on her way out the double doors of the conference room. She was used to them fighting like cats and dogs, and she was in no mood to be peacemaker.

“Never fear.” Shane stood up and buttoned his Italian suit. “Kayla doesn’t scare me.”

Once the doors had closed, Kayla wasted no time laying into Shane. “How dare you?” she whispered angrily, folding her arms across her chest. “You’re supposed to back me up.”

“Not when you’re being unreasonable.”

“I am not.” Kayla pouted even though she knew there was some semblance of truth to Shane’s words. “I am trying to save this company.”

“That’s why we’re all here, Kay,” Shane replied, pointing to the door the executives had just left through. “You’re not the only one who loves this company. Like you, I’ve been working here for as long as I can remember. It’s in my blood, too.”

Kayla inhaled sharply. “I’m sorry, Shane. It’s not you I’m upset with. It’s this entire situation. You know as well as I do that the vultures are going to be circling us. Once word leaks, they’re going to be swarming, ready to acquire us at a moment’s notice.”

“Since when do you give up without a fight?”

“Honestly, I don’t know how to get us out of this mess,” Kayla replied. “I mean, what’s Daddy going think?” Kayla lowered her head and braced it in her hands. She felt like a failure.

“Kayla—” Shane grabbed her chin and forced her to look up at him “—this company was in trouble long before you took over.”

“That’s not true.”

Shane shook his head. Kayla was such a daddy’s girl. She hated to think that perhaps their father had made some less-than-desirable decisions near the end of his tenure as CEO and that now his children were left to clean up his mess. Kayla had put a bandage on the bleeding by curbing spending and implementing cost-cutting measures on production, but even she couldn’t stop the inevitable. They were facing financial ruin if they didn’t take immediate action.

“It is, even though you refuse to admit it,” Shane said. “We need private investors willing to part with some serious capital.”

“And put it into a sinking ship?” Kayla huffed. “Who would be foolish enough to do that?”

“We’ve received an interesting offer,” Daniel Walker, vice president of Graham International told Ethan Graham in a closed-door meeting on Tuesday at their corporate office.

“What do you have?” Ethan answered, standing up and buttoning up his charcoal Italian suit. He walked over to his wet bar to pour himself a glass of water and drank liberally.

“We’ve been approached by the CFO of Adams Cosmetics on whether Graham International would entertain purchasing shares in Adams Cosmetics.”

“Oh, really?” Ethan’s brow rose inquiringly. He’d known the Adams family since he was a child. Byron Adams had worked at Graham International with his father before starting his own company. The Graham and Adams families had been close once.

Byron Adams had been the father Ethan had never had, probably because Carter Graham hadn’t known what to do with a young son at the age of sixty. He’d been shocked when his forty-two-year-old wife announced she was pregnant with their first and only child, considering they’d tried for a number of years. She’d given birth to a healthy baby boy, but a late-in-life child was not what Carter had been looking for and it was evident in his treatment of Ethan.

Once when he’d won a lacrosse championship, he’d come home with his trophy eager to show his father how hard he’d worked, but Carter had been cold and indifferent. No matter how hard he tried to please him, Carter refused to give him any praise. But that had only made Ethan work harder to win his approval. His mother, Eleanor, had tried to show him enough love and affection for the both of them, but Ethan had never felt like Carter cared about him one way or the other.

Ethan supposed that’s why he respected Byron Adams. Byron was a wonderful, attentive father who cared about his children. Ethan was admittedly jealous when he would spend the night over at the Adams’s residence and see how much love they had for each other. He envied them.

Then everything changed. Byron left Graham International to start Adams Cosmetics, which had devastated his father. Carter considered it an act of betrayal on Byron’s part and thus the divide between their families began. He’d thought after his father died, his relationship with Byron would return to normal, but Byron seemed to think Ethan was a carbon copy of his father. When Ethan would see Byron upon occasion, he was always civil, but the bond between them had been broken. Ethan had also lost his mother a few years after Carter’s death, and he was now alone.

“Adams Cosmetics could go under,” Daniel stated. He didn’t believe in beating around the bush. Ethan knew him to be a straight shooter and he didn’t intend on changing that one bit.

“Why? What happened?”

“They’re in need of capital,” Daniel replied, leaning forward in his chair. “If someone doesn’t bail them out soon, they’ll be out of business before the year is out. They’ve extended themselves as much as they can with the banks, and if they want to go forward with any of the new products Shane Adams is creating, they’re going to need investors.”

Ethan nodded. “Is Kayla Adams agreeable to an outsider investing in her company?” he inquired. Byron’s eldest daughter was CEO of Adams Cosmetics and he doubted she would appreciate an outsider owning a piece of her pie. Matter of fact, she would be livid. Kayla had never liked Ethan since he’d declined her attempt at seventeen to lure him into bed. He’d been six years her senior, and having any kind of relationship at the time would have been completely inappropriate. Though now would be an entirely different matter altogether.

“I’ve heard she’s amicable,” Daniel returned. “If they don’t get funds soon, they’ll have to take the company public and submit an IPO. You and I both know that is not only costly, but the Adams family would also lose control of their company.”

Ethan smiled. “I highly doubt she’s accepting this lying down.” Kayla Adams was a fighter.

“So are you open to buying the shares the Adams family might put on the market?”

“Of course, but I want more than a few shares. I want to own the majority interest,” Ethan replied. If he was going to invest in a sinking ship, he needed complete control to bring it back from the brink of disaster. “Start inquiring with our bank on raising capital.”

“Ethan, the Adams family will never give up control.”

“Then find a loophole.”

“You sure don’t want much,” Daniel returned, closing his file. “I wouldn’t think you’d be so ruthless, considering your history with the family.”

“You know me, Daniel. Since when have I ever let personal feelings get in the way of business? I want the whole pie or nothing at all, and this circumstance is no different.”

“Understood.”

“Treat this as extremely confidential,” Ethan added. “I don’t want word of this leaking out.” He had to strike while the iron was hot and prevent any other corporate mammoths from snapping up Adams Cosmetics. Their cosmetics company would fit in nicely with Graham International, which specialized primarily in fashion and perfume but had a small cosmetics division.

“Absolutely.” Daniel nodded and headed toward the door, but stopped short. “You know, Kayla Adams is going to consider your interest in the company as hostile. Especially considering you’re asking for majority shares.”

“Oh, I know,” Ethan responded. Kayla was not going to cooperate with him. In fact, since that incident in the stables when she was seventeen, Kayla had made a point of keeping a wide berth from Ethan every time they met. At first he’d thought he was imagining it. He assumed Kayla was embarrassed at her juvenile seduction attempt, but after the last party they attended a few years back, when she’d pointedly refused to dance with him, Ethan knew he wasn’t. How could she go from wanting him to not wanting to be near him? Ethan suspected that Kayla was as far from immune to him as she portrayed. “I will handle Kayla.”

“Are you sure about that?” Daniel asked.

Ethan chuckled. Kayla was a spitfire, and she wouldn’t take kindly to Graham International owning a stake in Adams Cosmetics, but Ethan was determined.

“Daddy, what are you doing back?” Kayla asked when she came down to breakfast the next morning and found her father sitting at the dining room table. It was a beautiful spring day in mid-March, and the flowers on the family’s eleven-bedroom estate in Atlanta’s Buckhead division were blooming. But Kayla didn’t feel as cheery as the weather.

“And where’s Mom?”

“Went to the spa,” her father replied, looking up from his paper. “She wasn’t too pleased that we cut our extended vacation short.”

“Of course she would be upset. You promised.”

“I know, but once I heard about Adams Cosmetics, I had to come back.”

“So you came back because of the company?” Kayla asked thoughtfully and rose from the table to serve herself some yogurt and fresh fruit from the buffet table behind them. Victor, their butler, always had a delicious spread for breakfast.

“Don’t be upset, Kay,” her father said, using the nickname he’d given her as a child. It was usually when he wanted her to do things his way, but it wouldn’t be that way this time.

“You don’t think I can save the company on my own?” Kayla asked as she sat down with her plate. She reached for the coffee carafe in the center of the table and poured herself a cup. She brought it to her lips and took a sip. It was as she liked it, strong and black, much like her men.

“No, of course not.” Byron rose from his chair and came to sit beside her. “That’s not it at all. I just know how much you want Adams Cosmetics to stay in the family.”

“It’s how it’s always been,” Kayla responded. “And now, Shane and Courtney want to bring in ‘investors.’” She used her hands to make quotation marks. “They want to bring outsiders into the company.”

“It’s what has to be done.”

“Then why did you never do it?” Kayla returned, a little too harshly for her liking.

“Because I was a fool,” Byron admitted to his daughter. “I didn’t want to admit that I could be wrong. I don’t want to see the same thing happen to you.”

“You weren’t wrong, Daddy. This is a family business,” Kayla persisted.

“One that could go bankrupt due to the bad decisions I made in the past. Kay, if you want to save Adams Cosmetics, we’re going to have to do what needs to be done and sell some of our shares.”

“I can’t let you do this. You and Mama started this company. How does Mama feel about this?” Kayla inquired. She doubted her mother would be happy to hear that they could be losing a part of the business it had taken them a lifetime to build. Not to mention the long working days and late nights they’d endured during the early days to make the company a success.

“She has given me carte blanche to do whatever is necessary.”

Kayla shook her head in resignation. “I just can’t believe it’s come down to this, selling off our shares for the almighty dollar.”

“It will keep the company solvent. More than that, it will give you the much-needed capital to invest in the new fragrance line Shane has created, as well as expand our skincare line. These are all projects you’ve wanted to do for a very long time, but didn’t have the finances.”

Kayla respected her father’s opinion and knew he was right, but it hurt all the same. “Okay.” She shrugged her shoulders. “You’ve convinced me. Now what?”

“Now what?” her father asked, stroking her cheek. “Once the company is back on its feet, it can finally allow you to have a personal life and give your mother and me our first grandchild.”

“Children!” Kayla huffed and pushed back her chair. “Where did that come from?” She took another sip of her coffee.

“It’s about time you started working on a family, old girl.” Her father patted her shoulder. “You’re not getting any younger.”

Kayla’s mouth upturned. “Thanks a lot, Dad.” She knew she was getting up there in years. At thirty-four years old, she was no spring chicken in the female reproductive world. Until now, she’d never really thought about having a child. She’d always been so focused on her career. Sure, there had been a number of men with whom she’d had casual affairs, but none of them had held a candle to her first crush, Ethan Graham.

She knew it was silly that she compared the men she’d dated to Ethan, but compare she had. Ever since he’d returned from boarding school at the ripe age of fifteen and picked her up when she’d fallen off her pony at nine years old and kissed her knee, she’d been infatuated. And as she got older, it only grew stronger. How could she forget those six-pack abs in swim shorts and those muscular arms as they swum in her family’s pool? Ayden Turner, her ex-boyfriend, had tried but failed to live up to Ethan’s dark good looks and rippled physique.

She’d seen Ethan in the years since and had effectively kept him at a distance. She’d had to. She’d made a fool of herself when she’d come on to him when she was seventeen and he’d turned her down flat. And since then, he’d dated a string of beauties and wealthy socialites, so even if she would have approached him again, he was too full of himself to even notice. So she focused on her career.

“I didn’t mean that how it sounded.” Her father spoke at her silence. “You know you have always been the light of my life, Kayla, and I only want what’s best for you.”

“I know that, Daddy. And maybe one day your wish will come true.”

“I’ve put together a great list of potential investors,” Michael said when he called another meeting of the executive committee of Adams Cosmetics on Thursday morning, “and quietly started putting the word out that we’re looking for capital.”

Kayla perused the names on the list and was startled to see Ethan Graham’s name. “Ethan Graham,” she said aloud, shocked. That’s the last name she’d expected to see. Hadn’t she just been thinking about him this morning?

“Of course,” Shane said. “I gave Michael his name. Ethan is a former family friend and he might be willing to lend a hand.”

“You know Daddy’s not going to like this idea,” Kayla responded. Actually, she knew how she felt. She hated the idea. She didn’t want arrogant Ethan Graham to have any part of the family business.

Shane’s brow furrowed. “Well, Dad isn’t running this company, you are. Whatever beef he had with Ethan’s father should never have translated outside of business. Ethan used to be practically one of the family.”

“Well, he’s not now.” The moment the words were out of her mouth, Kayla realized how juvenile she must have sounded. Shane and Courtney were both looking at her strangely.

“What do you have against Ethan?” Shane asked. “He’s a brilliant businessman.”

“Oh, leave her alone,” Courtney said, seeing how flushed Kayla’s mahogany skin was becoming. She may have been a few years younger, but even she had seen the monumental crush Kayla had had on Ethan back in the day. Trust her brother, being a man, not to notice.

“Have you thought about how many shares you’re all going to put on the market?” Michael inquired, breaking into the sibling conversation.

“What do you mean you all?” Kayla inquired. “I imagined the shares would be minimal.” She wanted to keep as many as possible.

“The shares have to be significant in order to get an investor interested. I spoke with your father this morning and he and your mother, Shane and Courtney will sell 12.5 shares each and you would retain 25 percent as president.”

Why hadn’t her father told her about this decision at breakfast? “What about you two?” Kayla looked at Shane. “This hardly seems fair.”

“We know how much Adams Cosmetics means to you,” Shane responded. “And we’re fine with the arrangement.”

Kayla pondered Shane’s words. “Okay, I can accept that, but that would potentially give a single investor 37.5 percent interest of Adams Cosmetics.”

“True, but think of the reward,” Michael responded. “Or the shares could be divided among several investors.”

“Money isn’t everything,” Kayla returned.

“Since when?” Courtney asked. She’d seen the financials. Now was not the time to play it safe.

“Fine.” Kayla’s mouth went into a grim line. She hated this, but she didn’t have much choice; she was in the minority.

“How are you coming with raising funds?” Ethan asked Daniel later that afternoon.

“Slowly,” Daniel replied. “Because Adams Cosmetics is a private company, their financial statements aren’t public record, so the bank is hesitant to lend funds.”

“Continue to work on it. If necessary, I’ll place a call to the head of finance. If they want to keep Graham International as a customer, they will back this venture.”

“Sure thing,” Daniel said on his way out.

It left Ethan time alone to peruse a dossier on the Adams family. Over the past several years Graham International had expanded into several overseas markets, which had taken Ethan out of the country. He needed to catch up on what the Adamses were up to.

The youngest, Courtney Adams, was spokeswoman for the Adams Cosmetics line. But she was also a force to be reckoned with. She had a degree in marketing and finance. Yet there was an impetuous streak in her. When she’d run off with her boyfriend to Vegas for a quickie marriage when she was eighteen, Byron had reined in his hotheaded daughter and had the marriage annulled.

Shane Adams might be the middle child, but he was by no means overshadowed by the eldest or youngest. Shane was a brilliant chemist—he had been classically trained in Paris and was now vice president. He’d revolutionized Adams Cosmetics with the development of the skincare line when he was only twenty-five. Ethan was sure that with proper funding, the new fragrance line he was developing would be a success.

And finally there was Kayla Adams, CEO. Gone was the awkward young girl with long gangly legs. The Kayla he saw in the photo was breathtakingly beautiful. Kayla had matured into a cool, sophisticated businesswoman.

He turned the page and focused on her accomplishments. Poised and driven to succeed at all costs, Kayla had started working at Adams Cosmetics when she was fifteen and never left. She became CEO of Adams Cosmetics at twenty-nine when Byron stepped down. Her decision-making skills were said to be exemplary, which would be both an asset and a curse.

Kayla wasn’t going to give up control of Adams Cosmetics easily. That’s why Ethan had to be ruthless and insist they sign over additional shares. Right now they were only offering 37.5 percent to investors, but that was not going to do. Graham International must have controlling interest in Adams Cosmetics. It was the only way.

Chapter 2

“Are we attending the Tyler Perry movie premiere this evening?” Courtney asked her big sister Saturday morning as they prepared to square off in a game of tennis on the family estate. The Adams family estate was equipped with a pool, basketball and tennis court as well as a stable for the horses that Kayla used to ride during championships.

The sisters had dressed for battle, Kayla in a pink-and-gray tennis dress that hit her thigh while Courtney wore a purple tank top and tennis skirt. Both wore their hair in unsophisticated ponytails.

“Of course,” Kayla returned, stretching her arms behind her. “We have to present a united front to the world. Just because word is out that Adams Cosmetics is in trouble doesn’t mean we are going to slink off into a corner somewhere.”

“I never thought we were,” Courtney responded. “We’re fighters. So when is the limo picking us up?” As spokes-woman for Adams Cosmetics, Courtney attended every public function.

“Six p.m.” Kayla picked up her racket from the ground and headed to her side of the court.

“Oh, I’ll be ready.”

“Are you ready to lose, little sis?” Kayla yelled over the court. “Because I’m about to give you a spanking.”

“Those are big words for someone who’s five years older than me.” Courtney laughed as she removed her jacket and tossed it on the green.

“Oh, I’m going to make you eat those words.” Kayla chuckled. She gave an overhead serve and sent the tennis ball flying in the air.

They played a hearty game before coming to a deuce.

“You realize once I serve, I have the advantage?” Courtney yelled over the net.

“Enough talk, Courtney. Let’s get on with it,” Kayla responded. Courtney served the ball and Kayla hit it with such force that Courtney had to go flying to reach it. But she still missed the point. “Whatcha gotta say about that?” Kayla teased as she did a victory dance.

“Oh, shut up,” Courtney said. “Can we just agree to disagree?” she asked, walking toward the net.

“Sure.” Kayla smiled back at her sister. “If you’ll agree I’m the better player.”

“Like hell I will.”

“Then we’ll have to have a rematch.” Kayla ruffled Courtney’s hair with her hands. “Now come on, I’m starved and it looks like Victor put out a great spread.” As a longtime employee, Victor was like a member of the Adams family and always took care of them. He’d put out a platter of sandwiches, pasta salad, fruit and a pitcher of ice-cold lemonade in the gazebo next to the tennis court.

“And I’m ready for it,” Courtney said as they strolled toward the gazebo.

Once there, they piled up their crystal plates with sandwiches, salad and fruit and sat down to the table.

“You’re very quiet,” Courtney remarked.

“I’m not happy about having to bring outside investors into Adams Cosmetics,” Kayla said, and then put up her hand. “And before you start enumerating the reasons why this is the right thing to do, don’t. I know what’s at stake, but I’m still disappointed that I couldn’t prevent this from happening.”

“You’ve done everything in your power, Kayla, to preserve Daddy’s vision, but even you aren’t Superwoman.”

Kayla gave a halfhearted smile. “Since when? When you were little you believed I could do anything.” She could easily remember Courtney following her around like a puppy dog and being annoyed that her little sister wanted to hang around her teenage friends.

Courtney laid her hands over her hips. “And I still do. There isn’t anything you can’t do when you put your mind to it, Kayla, and that’s why I know you’re going to make this work.”

“Thanks, doll.” Kayla patted her hand and then proceeded to take a big bite of the chicken salad on croissant that Victor had made for them.

“No matter who the investor is?” Courtney asked, and placed a forkful of pasta salad in her mouth.

Kayla wiped her mouth with the nearby napkin. “What do you mean by that?”

“Ethan Graham?” The name landed like a missile in the air.

“What about him?” Kayla looked down.

“Oh, nothing.” Courtney shrugged. “It just seemed like back in the day, you may have had a thing for the man.”

Kayla laughed nervously. “That’s utterly ridiculous.”

“Is it?” Courtney asked, twisting open the cap on her water bottle and taking a generous sip. “The man is handsome as sin. Are you blind?”

Kayla inhaled sharply just thinking about him. Was it obvious even to her sister that she’d once had feelings for Ethan that had gone unrequited?

“No, I’m not blind…” Kayla responded. She remembered every detail about the man, even if it had been a year or so since she’d seen him. Who could forget those smoldering dark eyes of his or that broad expanse of shoulders? She sure couldn’t. She had fantasies about what it would be like to have his arms wrapped around her.

“But I feel there is a ‘but’ coming in there,” Courtney finished her sentence.

“I don’t feel that Graham International is the right fit for us,” Kayla replied. “They have their hands in so many markets—clothing, perfume, leather goods. Their cosmetics division is small.”

“Which is why Ethan will jump at the chance of being part of Adams Cosmetics. Why are you so against this, Kayla?”

“I’m not, but there are tons of investors out there. Why does it have to be Ethan?”

“Because he’ll have not only a monetary investment but a personal stake, as well. I doubt Ethan wants the company to fail.”

“Are you sure about that?” Kayla asked. “Look at the way Dad treats him. He’s always thought that the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree.”

“That’s because of what happened with Dad and Ethan’s father. It doesn’t mean Ethan is as ruthless as his old man.”

“Courtney, you are so naive. Ethan Graham is exactly his father’s son, how else do you think he grew Graham International? He has to be as cutthroat as Carter Graham ever was, if not worse.”

“Everything is coming along nicely,” Daniel told Ethan later that morning after a late lunch and game of racquetball. They were sitting in Ethan’s study and discussing his strategy.

“So you’ve put the word out to potential investors that Adams Cosmetics is mine?” Ethan asked.

“Yes,” Daniel stated. “I got my hands on their short list. I will make some confidential calls and advise you are prepared to match any offer an investor may make for shares in AC.”

“Good.” Ethan nodded. “And the bank?”

“Still on the fence.”

“Then it’s time I place a call to Perry Lee,” Ethan said, rising from the sofa and walking toward his desk.

“You’re going to call Perry on a Saturday?” Daniel asked.

“Why not?” Ethan asked. “My banker should always be ready for the unexpected.” Once he’d called Perry and asked him to wire a quarter of a million dollars to Monte Carlo for a poker game he was playing. Perry had thought he was out of his mind, but when Ethan had doubled the money and wired back the cash, Perry had learned to never underestimate him.

Daniel shrugged.

Ethan dialed Perry’s personal cell phone number. “Perry, it’s Ethan.”

Daniel listened to snippets of the conversation and knew that Ethan would soon go for the jugular.

“We need to discuss this Adams Cosmetics deal…hmm…yes, I understand I am asking for a large sum…The bank is concerned about the risks…Have you ever known Graham International to default on a loan…Then there should be no problem with you getting this deal approved…Well, if you don’t think you can handle it…Then perhaps I should start looking at other banks…Great, I look forward to hearing from you. Please do tell Annette I said hello and enjoy the rest of your weekend.”

Daniel watched Ethan walk back to the couch with a smug expression. “Now that’s how you get things done.”

“A threat here, a threat there…”

“Perry just needed an incentive to get the job done.”

“If you don’t mind my asking, why is this so important to you?”

“If not for my father, there would never have been an Adams Cosmetics. Carter refused to compromise and so our fathers went their separate ways. We should have all been one great big happy family. The times I spent with the Adams family were some of the best of my life. There was room for everyone at the top, but my father was too pig-headed to see that.”

“And now you’re trying to make things right?” Daniel inquired. “It sounds altruistic, but I think there’s more to it than that, otherwise you wouldn’t be asking for majority interest.”

Ethan rubbed his jaw. “Well, yes, I will get something out of this arrangement.”

“When are you going to make your move?”

“Soon. In the meantime I need to get ready for the Tyler Perry premiere this evening.” He was sure a certain statuesque beauty would be present for the festivities.

Kayla stared back at her reflection in the pedestal mirror in her room. She was Daddy’s girl and looked just like him, while Shane and Courtney were the spitting image of their fair-skinned mother. She looked darn good in a one-shoulder black charmeuse gown that ruched tightly at her waist and had a front slit from floor to thigh. The silky fabric clung to her every curve. No one was going to miss seeing her this evening. Was it a little over the top for her? Yes. Courtney was usually the provocateur, while Kayla dressed more conservatively. So why was she pulling out all the stops tonight? Kayla told herself she was dressing this way for her own benefit, but in the back of her mind, she knew she was dressing this way because a certain someone was sure to attend tonight’s event and she wanted to show him what he could have had.

“You ready, sis?” Shane knocked at her door.

“Come in.”

“Wow!” Shane’s jaw dropped.

Kayla smiled at the bemused expression on Shane’s face. “You like?” She twirled around.

“You look gorgeous, but I might have to beat the men away with a stick.” Shane came to stand behind her and Kayla glanced at the reflection of them in the mirror.

Her brother was a tall drink of water in any woman’s book. He stood several inches taller than her five-foot-nine inches and had the most stunning pair of hazel eyes she’d ever laid eyes on. They never knew where he’d inherited them from, as both their parents had brown eyes. But Kayla was sure that pair had seduced many a women. And looking as dapper as he did in his tuxedo, she was sure Shane would be on the prowl tonight.

“Let’s go.” Kayla tucked her arm in his and headed for the door. When they walked down the winding staircase to the bottom of the foyer, their parents, Byron and Elizabeth, and Courtney were waiting for them.

Kayla knew some people would think it was crazy that she and her siblings hadn’t moved out of their parents’ home, but why should they move? They were a close-knit family that did everything together, and until one of them got hitched there was no need to move out. There were more than enough rooms in the eleven-room mansion that each of them had their own wing and plenty of privacy to come and go as they pleased.

“Mom.” Kayla kissed her mother. “You look beautiful.” Her salt-and-pepper hair was swept up in an elegant chignon and she wore a metallic ruffle belted jacket over a simple sheath with pearls.

“And you, missy—” Kayla glanced at her sister “—will be the belle of the ball as always.” The black animal-print gown clung to Courtney’s size-four figure before sweeping out like a mermaid’s tail to the floor. Trust her sister to show up her attempt to be a little mischievous with her front slit.

“Well, you’re not too bad yourself.” Courtney laughed. “I wholeheartedly approve.”

“Enough with all the compliments,” their father said from the front door. “We have to get going. We’re already late.”

“Hey, you can’t hurry perfection,” Kayla responded. “It takes time, Daddy, to look this good.”

“Amen!” Courtney chorused on their way out of the door.

When they arrived at the hotel where the premiere was being held, it was already in full swing. Actors, directors and the cream of Atlanta society were already milling around the ballroom in grand attire.

“Tonight would be the perfect night to mention your new perfume line,” Kayla whispered to Shane as they exited the vehicle. “You know, generate some buzz.”

“I agree,” Shane responded in her ear.

“So what’s new for Adams Cosmetics?” a reporter for the local newspaper asked once they hit the red carpet.

“It’s funny you should ask,” Kayla said, laughing, “because Adams Cosmetics will be debuting a fragrance in the coming months.”

“Perfume, that’s a new arena for Adams Cosmetics,” the reporter replied.

“True, but Adams Cosmetics has always been about beauty,” Kayla stated. “We’re in the business of making women feel good about themselves. We already have shampoos, conditioners and body products.”

“Perfume is a natural progression for us to expand into,” Shane added.

“I’m sure the public is eager to see what you have in store for us.”

“And we look forward to bringing them quality products,” Kayla replied.

Once they were done with the press bit, the Adams family separated and worked the room. Her parents went in the direction of some old friends while Courtney continued her due diligence with the press.

Kayla watched her younger sister toss her hair around for a photo op. “That went well,” Kayla said to Shane at her side.

“Yes, it did,” Shane said. “Now all I have to do is deliver a knockout fragrance.”

“Which you will.” Kayla squeezed his shoulder. “You know I have absolute faith in you. So let’s talk to Perry Lee. He’s the head of one of the banks I’d like to approach.”

“Kay, can you for once not think about business and let your hair down and have some fun? I sure intend to.” Shane went rushing off toward a group of beautiful women nearby that were ogling his good looks.

The dress was her letting her hair down, Kayla thought to herself. Kayla glanced around the room anxiously, wringing her hands. Why was she so nervous? It wasn’t like she hadn’t been to a hundred of these events before. Deep down, she knew why. Ethan Graham was expected to attend. All the gossip blogs were talking about who the elusive bachelor would attend the gala with. Would he be like his father and wait until later in life to marry? Kayla didn’t know.

She recalled their encounter in France a few years ago, when she’d made polite pleasantries and retreated as fast as she could from his overpowering male presence. But recently, despite all her best efforts, the man seemed to be haunting her daytime thoughts and nighttime dreams. It had to be because he’d suddenly shown interest in Adams Cosmetics, because she refused to believe it could be something more.

Kayla was happy when her eyes fixed on a certain redheaded entertainment reporter working the room with her cameraman. “Piper!” She waved enthusiastically at her oldest and dearest friend. Piper was petite, barely reaching five feet, with shockingly vibrant red hair and freckles spread over her fair skin, but no one could deny that when she was on-screen, you couldn’t take your eyes off her.

“Kay.” Piper stopped short when she crossed the room to her friend. “I’m loving the dress!” She turned to her cameraman. “Let’s take a quick break. I’ll find you in a bit.” He nodded before walking away.

Kayla blushed, but gave a twirl. “You like?’

“Oh, yeah.” Piper nodded. “Do you have your eye on someone tonight?” she asked, glancing around the room.

“Why would you say that?” Kayla chuckled nervously.

“Because you never show all the goods.” Piper motioned to the side slit.

“What’s wrong with being a little sexy?” Kayla inquired. “There’s a time and a place for it.”

“And clearly tonight is the night.” Piper laughed. “Let’s grab some champagne. They have the good stuff.” She tugged at Kayla’s arm.

“Sure, sure.” Kayla glanced over her shoulder uneasily. It felt as if someone was watching her, but when she turned around and found no one she brushed it off and joined Piper at the bar.

“She’s here,” Ethan stated from across the dance floor. Photos had done Kayla little justice. They didn’t capture just how sexy and beautiful the executive truly was. Luscious full lips, a mass of sexy wavy hair and legs that went on for miles. Ethan could feel his body temperature rising just looking at her.

He watched Kayla glide to the bar in a delicious confection of a dress. When she walked, it showed a very nice expanse of leg that was causing blood to rush through his veins. He watched as she sipped her champagne flute. Oh, how he wished he was that glass to receive those full lips of hers.

“She is, as are all the Adamses,” Daniel returned.

“Of course.” Ethan nodded, drinking his scotch. “And I think it’s time I reacquainted myself with Ms. Adams.”

“Good luck,” Daniel said as Ethan strolled toward the women.

Kayla and Piper were discussing Piper’s latest report about an up-and-coming actress who couldn’t seem to get off drugs and alcohol. Suddenly, Kayla felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand at attention.

Kayla swung around and found herself staring up into a pair of dark brown eyes that were intensely focused on her. Although she’d known Ethan Graham might attend, she’d wanted their first meeting to be on her terms, so she could be prepared. Not like this—she wasn’t prepared to have the full magnitude of those sexy brown eyes on her. And the years, well, they had been good to him. She surmised he’d just hit forty, but that didn’t matter, because he was still the most magnificent specimen of a man she’d ever laid her eyes on.

Ethan still had a sinfully sculpted face with a square jaw that would make any woman weak at the knees. He towered over her at six foot three and looked debonair in a black tuxedo minus a tie. What was the saying, the suit made the man? In this case, it was the opposite—the man absolutely made the suit look good.

Piper was the first to speak. She was used to being around gorgeous celebrities as an entertainment reporter. “Ethan Graham.” She extended her hand. “Pleasure to see you again.”

“You, as well, Piper.” Ethan smiled at the redhead. “It’s been a while. I remember you running around in your knickers with Kayla.”

Immediately Kayla flushed at the memory of Ethan catching her and Piper running around in their boy-short pajamas when he and his father stopped by for a visit to their house.

“So very gentlemanly of you to remind us, Ethan.” Kayla finally found her voice.

Ethan smiled broadly, showing a perfect smile and straight white teeth. He’d ruffled her feathers. “Well, I’m no gentleman.” His voice was low and masculine.

“I’ve heard that.” Piper jumped into the action. “The paparazzi do seem fascinated with your dating exploits.”

“And it’s because of my exploits that celebrity reporters such as yourself do so well, yes?” Ethan responded, taking a sip of his scotch.

“Touché.” Piper nodded.

“Can I get you ladies another drink?” Ethan asked cordially as he noticed their flutes were empty.

“I’m fine,” Piper answered, “but Kayla here could use one.” She could feel tension emanating out of Kayla’s every pore. “Matter of fact, why don’t I leave you to catch up? I have to mingle and find my cameraman.”

Kayla glared at Piper. She couldn’t believe she was deserting her and leaving her alone with him, but she was. Piper was already making her way through the crowd while Ethan was fetching the bartender.

When he’d finished ordering, he returned to face Kayla. “Well, that just leaves the two of us.” He smiled down at her.

“Unfortunately.” She tried to calm the shivers that were running through her at his breathtaking grin.

“Now who is being impolite?” Ethan’s brow rose.

“C’mon Ethan, you and I haven’t seen each other in years and have nothing to catch up on.”

“What if I’d like to change that?” Ethan handed her a glass of champagne from the bartender.

Kayla chuckled but accepted the flute. “Oh, really?”

“Yes. I think you could use a man like me right now.”

“A man like you?” Kayla swallowed the lump in her throat. Could Ethan tell she was still attracted to him?

Ethan watched the color drain from Kayla’s face. She thought he meant sexually and he did. But clearly she wasn’t ready for a little flirtation, so he switched gears. “Adams Cosmetics is in need of capital, correct? And since I am the head of Graham International, it might behoove us to talk. You can tell me what’s going on with Adams Cosmetics. I think I caught wind of some new fragrance line Shane is developing?”

Kayla blinked a moment to snap herself out of the daze she was in. Of course he meant business. Ethan Graham hadn’t been interested in her when she was seventeen and tonight was no different. He was used to gorgeous celebrities like his ex-girlfriend Noelle Warner. Noelle was a beautiful, Oscar-winning actress with a killer figure who was rumored to change partners just as easily as she changed roles.

“And why would I do that?” Kayla asked. “I don’t want Graham International to have any part of Adams Cosmetics.”

Ethan didn’t like her tone. “And what’s wrong with my company?”

“It’s what’s wrong with every large international company. It’s a cold, unfeeling, impersonal corporate mammoth. Adams Cosmetics is a family business that puts out quality product.”

“So does Graham International,” Ethan huffed. “We wouldn’t have gotten to where we are without it. How do you think I’ve expanded into clothing, perfume and leather goods in the overseas markets without producing quality product?”

“Precisely,” Kayla said. “You’re doing so much that you’ve lost focus. I care about my employees and consider them part of the family. I bet you don’t even know half the people that work for you.”

“And you do?”

“I know every person who works for me,” Kayla stated emphatically. She was proud that she was an approachable boss. Although Adams Cosmetics was a boutique company with several hundred employees, Kayla had always made a point to get to know everyone who reported directly to her, as well as the secretaries, cafeteria workers and janitors who kept the company running smoothly.

“Well, perhaps that’s the problem,” Ethan responded. “Perhaps you need to focus more on business and less on being liked by your employees.” As soon as he said the words, Ethan wished he could take them back. They were harsh.

“How dare you? You know nothing about me, less than nothing!” Kayla was livid, and forced herself to put the champagne glass down on the bar rather than throw it in his face. She stormed toward the nearest exit, which just happened to be the terrace.

It was a chilly spring night and couldn’t have been more than fifty degrees, but Kayla didn’t care. She needed the cold air as her blood was boiling. Kayla started when she heard footsteps. Ethan was behind her. His large looming presence filled the ballroom doorway and gave her system one hell of a jolt. She hadn’t expected him to follow her.

“Go away!” She turned her back. “I want to be alone.”

Ethan didn’t listen and came toward her. “Listen, I’m sorry, Kayla,” he said. “I crossed the line a moment ago.”

“You sure did.” Kayla didn’t look back at him. She hated that she’d lost her cool. She wanted to show Ethan that she was no longer affected by him, but instead she was acting like a schoolgirl. She was a businesswoman after all, and used to healthy rival talk, just not from him.

“I did, but you must realize that your company needs me now,” he whispered softly in her ear.

When had he come so close? Kayla instantly moved a step away. “My company doesn’t need you. I will find other investors. I don’t need you or your interference.”

Ethan refused to have a conversation with Kayla with her back to him. He laid his hand on her shoulder and gently spun her around to look him. “Are you sure about that?”

Kayla’s skin was tingling from where Ethan was holding her; she didn’t want to look at him. Heat was emanating from his body and stirring sensations deep inside her. She could feel her breasts begin to swell and a warm sensation begin to spread through the lower half of her body. It was the same heat she’d felt inside, which was why she’d had to escape, but a powerful force propelled her to look up at him. And when she did, she wished she hadn’t. His dark brown eyes smoldered with…dare she say passion? And it scared her, so she closed her eyes. Had she gotten it wrong? Was Ethan Graham interested in her?

“Look at me Kayla.” Ethan’s index finger hooked under her jaw, forcing her to raise her head and meet his gaze again.

When she opened her eyes, Ethan was looking at her so intently that it was wreaking havoc on her body.

“I think it’s time I finally found out how you taste.” Ethan was ready to fully savor what those sweet full lips of hers had in store. He lowered his head, intent on having his heart’s desire, when another couple came out onto the deck.

“Sorry, sorry,” the man said when he realized he’d interrupted something. But it was already too late. The moment was broken and Kayla quickly pulled away from Ethan and ran inside.

As she stumbled into the ballroom, Kayla realized she’d almost succumbed to Ethan’s world-famous charm. How had he shattered her defenses so quickly? She’d thought she was immune to him. Clearly, she’d been wrong.

Outside, Ethan’s mouth widened into a grin. Kayla Adams still wanted him? He was glad, because tonight she’d lit a flame inside him that no woman had done. He hadn’t been with a woman in well over six months. That may not seem long for some men, but for him it was. He had a high sex drive that hadn’t been met by any of the women he’d encountered, so he’d stopped trying. Until Kayla. Was it the soft luscious curls that hung down her sleek back or that she had just the right amount of curves: high pert breasts and a round shapely bottom? Whatever it may be, she’d aroused him and now he had to have it all. The woman and her business.

Chapter 3

Kayla knew what she had to do. On Monday, she scheduled a lunch meeting with Michael to discuss prospects.

“How’s the progress coming with finding investors?”

“Interest is definitely there,” Michael replied, closing the folder he was reading, “But as I indicated, the amount of shares you’re willing to sell is vital to any deal.”

“I need you to start setting up some meetings,” Kayla replied.

“What’s the rush?”

The rush was she didn’t want Graham International anywhere near Adams Cosmetics, or Ethan Graham anywhere near her. The easiest way to prevent a catastrophe from happening and having to grovel to him to save her company was to find another investor.

“The sooner we get moving on this, the better. I don’t want word spreading like wildfire.”

They were perusing their menus when Andrew Jackson and his stepdaughter, Monica Jackson, approached their table. Had they been lurking in the shadows listening to their conversation and smelled blood?

“Kayla Adams,” Andrew Jackson greeted her. “How are you, darling?”

Kayla hated Andrew’s fake country accent. It went right along with his smarmy slicked-back hair and cowboy boots. He towered over the table at six foot six, but he did not intimidate Kayla. Andrew Jackson owned Jax Cosmetics, which was one of their competitors. Up until the economy went bad, Adams Cosmetics had consistently beat Jax Cosmetics in sales in the Southeast.

Although a smaller operation than Adams Cosmetics, Jax Cosmetics was showing rapid signs of growth. If Andrew and his stepdaughter Monica, who ran the company, knew they were in trouble, who knew what shenanigans they would pull?

“I’m well, thank you, Andrew. Monica,” Kayla inclined her head to his stepdaughter standing beside him. Although she might seem mousy at five foot three in a black trouser suit with designer glasses and a simple ponytail, Monica was a she-devil. Kayla supposed she had to be aggressive given that Andrew had always wanted his son, Jasper, to run the company, so Monica constantly had to prove herself. Jasper wanted nothing to do with his father and his stepfamily and had gone to live with his mother when he was a young boy. No one had heard from or seen him since.

Kayla was thankful that her relationship with her father was totally different. “Can I do something for you, Andrew?” Kayla inquired.

“No.” Andrew shook his head. “I wanted to congratulate you. We weren’t able to make it to Tyler Perry’s premiere as we were in the South of France, but we heard that Adams Cosmetics might be starting a new fragrance line. That’s quite ambitious, given the state of the economy.”

“True, but with great risk comes the biggest reward,” Kayla responded.

“Good luck,” Monica replied. “You’ll need it.” She stalked away, and Andrew chuckled as he followed her to their table.

Kayla turned back around to face Michael. “See what we’re dealing with? They are waiting for us to fail. We have to strike now. I need you to set up those meetings immediately.”

“Will do.”

“Are you in a better mood than you were on Saturday?” Daniel asked when he ran into Ethan in the hallway of Graham International on Monday morning.

Ethan laughed. He had been rather perturbed about being interrupted when he was about to kiss Kayla. He’d been on the cusp of seeing exactly what it was he’d passed up all those years ago in the stables. Of course, now things were different. Kayla Adams was a grown woman, a woman that he desperately wanted in his bed.

“Yes, I am. Today is a new day.” As he’d drifted off to sleep, Ethan had determined to pull out all the stops to get Kayla.

“When you have that look in your eye, it’s usually one of two things—a business deal or a woman. Which is it?”

“It’s both,” Ethan answered. “I want Adams Cosmetics and I want Kayla Adams.”

“Since when?” Daniel asked. “As I recall, Kayla had a thing for you when she was younger, but I would imagine her schoolgirl crush is over.”

“I may not have given her the time of the day in the past, but I will now. And she is most definitely not a schoolgirl anymore,” Ethan replied, “which means she’s fair game.” Back then, he’d had to turn her down, because it wouldn’t have been right or legal, but now, there were no limits.

“So what are your plans?”

“Well, first I want you to place some calls and see how their quest to find potential investors is coming along, and then I want you to squash them. I want to be the only option, the only company that Adams Cosmetics can turn to.”

“You mean the only man Kayla can turn to.”

“That’s one and the same.”

“And how do you plan on breaking the ice between you and Ms. Adams?”

“I’m going to do what every man does when he’s trying to woo a woman. I’m going to ask her out on a date,” Ethan responded.

“I could kill you for the move you pulled at the premiere,” Kayla told Piper, plopping down on the bed in her best friend’s apartment after work. She’d arrived moments ago to help Piper pick out an outfit for her blind date after receiving an SOS text from Piper earlier that day.

“What move?” Piper asked innocently, even though she knew the move in question.

“You left me alone with Ethan Graham.”

“And?” Piper raised a brow and glanced at Kayla as she held up a pantsuit. “What was wrong with that? Didn’t you tell me years ago, after seeing the string of beautiful women Ethan dated, that you were over pining for him?”

“I know what I said. And I am not pining for him,” Kayla replied testily. “And that suit is godawful. This is a date, not a business meeting.” She snatched the ensemble out of Piper’s hand and handed her another option. “Try this on.”

Piper took the garment out of Kayla’s hand and slid it down her slender frame. “Are you saying you lied to your best friend of twenty years?” She held her chest as if crestfallen.

“No,” Kayla answered. She rose from the bed and zipped up the back of Piper’s dress. “It’s just that I thought I was over the man, but then…” Her voice trailed off as the image of Ethan’s lips slowly starting to descend on hers came to mind.

Piper turned around. “But what?”

Kayla plopped back down on the bed and was silent. She hated to admit it, but she had no choice. “He still gets to me.”

“Did something happen between you two when I left?”

Kayla nodded. “We almost kissed.”

“What do you mean almost?” Piper asked. “You either did or you didn’t.”

“Well…we were interrupted because another couple burst onto the terrace,” Kayla replied. “If they hadn’t, I would have acted like a teenager and made out with the man. I can’t believe this, Piper.” She jumped up. “Ethan was supposed to be in my past.”

“Sounds like you two have some unfinished business,” Piper mused. “Because clearly Ethan has tapped into some hidden desire you still have for him.”

“No!” Kayla shook her head. “I refuse to give in to some teenage fantasy. I’m a grown woman who is capable of controlling her emotions, and I have to do that.”

“Why?”

“Because…because I don’t trust Ethan Graham one bit. He knows Adams Cosmetics is in trouble and he’s ready to swoop in like the vulture his company is. I’ve heard what he’s done to smaller companies that have merged with Graham International. I refuse to let Adams Cosmetics be a casualty.”

“But don’t you need the capital Ethan could provide?”

“I need capital, but there are other investors,” Kayla replied. “And it’s just a matter of time before I convince one of them to invest in Adams Cosmetics.”

Kayla returned home to find the family had already gathered in the formal dining room for dinner.

“Kay, we didn’t think you were joining us, so we started without you,” her mother, Elizabeth, said as she entered.

“No worries, Mom.” Kayla kissed her cheek before taking a seat at the table next to Shane.

“Where were you?” Courtney asked.

“I was at Piper’s. She needed help choosing an outfit.”

“I’m surprised Piper would need help in that department.” Her father chuckled. “She seems to have a handle on…er…her personal sense of style.”

That was her father’s diplomatic way of saying Piper’s taste bordered on eccentric, but that was okay with Kayla. They’d been best friends for twenty years and there was no one she trusted more.

“It’s a blind date,” Kayla offered. “And she wanted to make a good impression.”

“You know I was surprised Andrew Jackson wasn’t at the premiere,” her father said. “He always did like a good show.”

A silence came over the table, as the Jackson family was persona non grata in the Adams household.

“I ran into him last week,” Kayla responded. “He was really interested in the fact that we were starting a new fragrance and mentioned that he just so happened to have been in France.”

“The fragrance capital of the world.” Shane rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Jackson could be up to something.

“Watch out for him,” Byron said. “He’s always been envious of our success.”

“Oh, trust me, Daddy, I’ve got an eye on him at all times,” Kayla said, laughing.

“That’s good to hear. You’ll need it,” her mother said. “Anyway, you received a dozen calla lilies. They are on the table in the foyer.”

“Really?” Kayla asked. She couldn’t fathom who might have sent them. “From whom?”

“That’s what we were wondering,” Shane responded. “Do you have a secret admirer?”

Kayla rose from the table, but Victor was already on it and bringing her the card from the flowers. When had he sneaked out of the room? “Thank you, Victor.”

“You’re welcome,” Victor said.

“So, who are they from?” Courtney inquired. “A new beau, perhaps?”

“Yeah, right. That’s the last thing I need right now,” Kayla said, pulling the card out of the envelope. She was surprised at the name on the card and had to read the message twice for fear she was hallucinating. The card stated, “Dinner. Tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. Will pick you up. Ethan.”

Why was Ethan sending her flowers? And did he think he could just order her to dinner and she would comply? “Anyway, it’s no one important.” She placed the card back in the envelope and slid it inside her purse.

“Hmm…if it’s no one important, you should tell us,” Shane said from her side.

Kayla glared at Shane before rising from the table. “Umm, I don’t think I’m hungry after all.” She grabbed her purse. “I’ll see you all later.” She quickly rushed out of the room. She had business to attend to, namely, setting Ethan Graham straight.

Ethan had just prepared himself an after-dinner cocktail and was relaxing in his living room when his doorbell rang. He had a loft in the city, but after living abroad the past few years while expanding Graham International, he much preferred his nine-bedroom, nine-bath mansion in Tuxedo Park.

He answered the door himself because he’d told the staff they could retire for the evening. So not only was the visitor shocked to see him answer the door, but he was equally shocked to see her. “Kayla!”

“Ethan.” Kayla pushed past him into the foyer. “I need to talk to you.” She stood in the hallway, then began pacing back and forth.

Ethan smiled. She must have received his flowers, and if the furious expression on Kayla’s face was any indication, she was not happy about it. “And this couldn’t wait until our dinner tomorrow night?”

“No.”

“Well, then, by all means let’s talk.” He motioned with his arm for Kayla to follow him. He led her down the hall to the study where he’d been reading.

Once in the study, Kayla let him have it. “You have no right to send me a summons.”

“A summons?” Ethan’s brow rose. “I believe you’re mistaken. It was an invitation to dinner.”

Kayla pulled the envelope from her purse. “This was not an invitation because you did not expect to be turned down.”

Ethan sat down with his decanter in hand and folded one leg over the other. He sipped before speaking. “And I presume you are here at this hour—” he looked at his Movado watch and it read eight o’clock “—to decline my invitation.”

“I will not be ordered around, especially by you.”

Ethan’s mouth formed an O. “Especially by me. Why is that, Kayla? What do you have against me? Correct me if I’m wrong—” he rubbed his beard thoughtfully “—but had we not been interrupted the other night, you and I would have finally shared that long-awaited kiss you’ve always wanted. So what exactly is so abhorrent about sharing dinner with me?”

“You’re wrong!” Kayla responded even though her face turned several shades of red.

“Am I?” Ethan rose from the chair. “I think it’s time we find out exactly what’s between us. Don’t you?”

Kayla took a step back. “I wouldn’t share a meal with you if I was dying of hunger.”

Ethan chuckled. “Well, fortunately, you’re not.”

“Which is why I’m declining.”

“I refuse to take no for an answer.”

“You may not be used to hearing the word no, Ethan, but I meant what I said the other night. I want no part of you or your company.”

“Those are mighty big words for a woman in a bind. I would think you’d be chomping at the bit to pitch your investment strategy to me personally, as I am Graham International.”

“I have been looking after my family’s company for a long time, Ethan, and I most certainly don’t need you to bail me out.”

Ethan placed the decanter on a side table and walked toward her. Kayla stood up ramrod straight. She refused to be bullied by Ethan and was determined to stand up to him, even though butterflies were jumping around in her stomach at his nearness. She took a deep breath and calmed herself.

“No, I don’t imagine you need me just yet.” Ethan’s fierce brown eyes focused on hers, and Kayla found she couldn’t turn away from his piercing gaze that was drenched with hunger. “But you want me.”

Kayla swallowed hard.

“Oh, yes.” He watched Kayla nervously look downward. “You want me, but you’re afraid to show it. But that’s all right, I have no problem going for what I want.” Ethan grabbed Kayla by the shoulders and his mouth slammed down on hers, stealing her breath and fracturing her thoughts into a million pieces. Before she knew what was happening, he had her up against the bookshelves and was pressing his body against her. He cupped the back of her head as his mouth kissed her with fervor.

Kayla was unprepared for the onslaught of Ethan’s mouth on hers or the rush of excitement that coursed through her. She’d thought the kiss would be hard and fast but instead his lips were surprisingly gentle and soft as they searched hers. His tongue traced the outline of her lips and despite herself, she parted them, allowing him entry. His tongue slipped inside and he began plundering the inner recesses of her mouth. The kiss sent the pit of her stomach swirling and caused spirals of ecstasy to shoot straight through her. When he began sucking on her tongue voraciously, drawing her to him, Kayla gripped his arms and a moan escaped from her.

Ethan didn’t stop at kissing her. His hands were everywhere, touching her, caressing her breasts over her trench coat and cupping her bottom firmly against him as he deepened the kiss, fusing their two tongues as one. He tantalized and teased her equally, leaving her weak with need.

It was a slow, drugging kiss and when it was over, Kayla was shocked by her eager response. She dragged her mouth away from his and stepped away, embarrassed by her own wantonness. Was he right? Had she been waiting, wanting this all along? Her heart was pounding and her body ached for fulfillment. What was wrong with her? Her senses were reeling as if short-circuited.

“Now that was a proper kiss,” Ethan said. “And long overdue.”

His response snapped Kayla out of her kiss-induced daze. “You just had to put your foot in your mouth, didn’t you?” He’d broken the intimate moment between them and made Kayla realize just how close she’d come to losing control. She reached for her purse that had somehow fallen on the floor in the kiss and headed toward the door.

“Where are you going?” Ethan asked.

Kayla spun around. “Did you think that the next logical step was for us to go upstairs to bed? Because if so, you were dead wrong. The kiss was pleasant enough, but if you think it’s enough to render me free of my faculties, then you had better think again. I am not easily seduced, either out of my clothes or out of my company. Consider this your notice that I am declining your invitation to dinner. Have a good night.” Kayla stalked out of the room with as much dignity as was possible after she’d so easily succumbed to his charms.

On the other side of the wall, Ethan was stunned. Kayla Adams was a spitfire. And he loved it. She’d set his body ablaze, which was why a certain member was straining in his trousers.

He’d only meant to have a little taste, but instead her full lips had released a passion that had been lying dormant, and her well-defined rear end had him horny as hell. He could only imagine what it would be like to make love to such a siren. Kayla was like a wild Arabian horse. But he would look forward to riding her, because to tame her would be no fun at all.

Tonight, she’d shown her hand. That kiss had told him everything he needed to know. Kayla wanted him as much as he wanted her, but she would not come to him of her own accord. She was determined to show she was unaffected, which meant he was going to have to up the seduction.

An idea suddenly began to form in his head. He’d secretly wanted Kayla for years, but the rift in their families had never given him a chance to spend much time with her. But the more he saw of her now, the more convinced he became that she was what he’d always been looking for. He was well overdue to settle down and start a family. He needed a woman by his side who would complement him, who understood the business but was passionate enough in the bedroom to make him forget about it. A woman he could respect and who would be an excellent mother to his children. A woman who was beautiful yet confident, strong, intelligent, stubborn and sexy as hell. Kayla Adams fit the bill perfectly. If this idea came to fruition, he could have Kayla and correct the mistake Carter had made years ago with Byron. Kayla would hate him for it, but Ethan had a proposition for her. One she wouldn’t be able to turn down if she wanted to save her family’s company.

Chapter 4

Kayla was still lying in the bed the next morning and it was well after seven. She knew she should be getting ready for work, but how could she? She’d slept fitfully the night before. Visions of Ethan and the sudden surge of lust he’d evoked had kept her awake.

She told herself it was just curiosity from finally having the object of her teenage infatuation. Or maybe it was because it had been a long time since a man had roused that kind of passion in her. But she knew better. The sexual chemistry between them was so strong it had consumed her and shattered her resolve to keep him at bay. She was furious with her body’s betrayal. In the cold light of day, it was impossible to ignore that every part of her had wanted Ethan last night. The question was, what was she going to do about it?

Kayla was anxious. The prospectus listing the shares of Adams Cosmetics had gone out confidentially to several private investors and companies, but it had been over a week and she hadn’t heard a thing. She was beginning to worry that their company could be going up in smoke when her assistant, Myra, poked her head in the door.

“Kayla, are you free?”

Kayla smiled warmly at Myra. She had come a long way in the past two years. She’d started out as a mousy mess, but now after working with Kayla she was poised and confident and had no problem calling her by her first name. “Yes, what is it?”

“Ethan Graham is here to see you.”

“Excuse me?” Kayla’s head popped up from the file she was reading. She hadn’t expected to hear that name so soon, especially after their encounter last night. Sure, she suspected they would reconnect at some point, but not so soon.

“Umm, umm,” Kayla stammered and began shuffling the file around to close it. Myra stared back at her, clearly stunned to see her boss at a loss for words. “Tell him I’ll be with him in a minute.”

“There will be no minute,” Ethan said from the door of her office. “We’ll talk now.”

Kayla’s eyes rose to meet his and when she did, she inhaled sharply. Ethan’s mesmerizingly dark, deep-set eyes, the ones she’d gotten lost in as a naive young girl, were directly on her.

“Kayla.” Ethan walked toward her, commanding her absolute attention from his six-foot-three presence.

Kayla managed to tear her eyes away from Ethan for a second to tell her starstruck assistant, who was also staring at Ethan, “That will be all, thank you.”

“Ethan.” Since they were in a professional setting, Kayla offered her hand as she rose, which Ethan shook.

“You’re looking good,” Ethan stated, standing back to admire her in the two-piece navy suit she was wearing. It was completely professional, showing little of what he knew to be a curvy body underneath all those clothes.

“Ethan!”

“I don’t believe in wasting time,” Ethan returned as he sat across from her. “I believe in getting down to business.”

“And you think I’m your business?”

“Not yet, but you will be,” Ethan responded. “I’m here to discuss Adams Cosmetics.”

“I told you I was not interested in Graham International as a potential investor,” she countered icily.

“I think that would be a grave mistake. Why don’t you try treating me as you would any other investor? You might be surprised at what I have to offer you.”

“Fine.” She sighed. She was tired of fighting. “Have a seat.” She motioned to the chair in front of her large executive desk. “All right,” Kayla said, folding her arms across her chest. “Well, we have some great projects in the pipeline, but have run short of capital, as I’m sure you’re aware. If you’d like, I can contact Shane and bring him in to discuss some of the plans we have.” Kayla reached for the phone on her desk, but Ethan placed his large masculine hand over hers. His touch sent a tingling sensation shooting right through her core and she pulled her hand away suddenly.

“I don’t need Shane,” Ethan returned. “I only need you.” Kayla was chattering endlessly because he’d caught her off-guard, which was good. She wouldn’t expect what was coming next.

Kayla swallowed hard and suddenly became uncomfortable. Ethan was looking at her with the same intent gaze he’d had last night before he’d kissed her.

“What is it that you want, Ethan?”

“I want what you offered me seventeen years ago but I couldn’t collect on then.”

Kayla laughed falsely. “What are you talking about?”

Ethan smiled broadly, revealing a set of perfect white teeth behind his large succulent lips. “You know what I’m talking about.” He stared her directly in the eye and watched Kayla’s cheeks burn in acknowledgment of the memory.

“Are you kidding me? I was young and clearly out of mind when I came on to you. And I can’t believe you would dare to bring that up.”

Ethan popped out of his seat to lean across the desk. He gave her body a raking gaze. “I’ve been wanting you since that day, and we both know I’m used to getting what I want.”

Kayla’s eyes narrowed and she smirked. “Yes, we do.”

“You were too young for me to act on our mutual attraction, but we’re both adults now…”

Understanding started to dawn on Kayla. “Oh, I see, in exchange for a romp in the sack with me, you’ll invest in Adams Cosmetics. Get out of my office!”

Kayla hurried to the door to show him out, but with long purposeful strides, Ethan reached her in no time and grabbed her arm. “I’m offering you a darn good deal. Not only do you get me, but Graham International will pour millions into Adams Cosmetics and save it from bankruptcy.”

“There are no limits to your audacity, are there?” She snatched her arm away. “You have no right to come into my office, manhandle me and demand I sleep with you or else you won’t invest in my company. It’s despicable.”

“I have every right.” Ethan stepped closer to her and Kayla could smell his musky masculine scent. “You want a great deal of money to save this sinking ship, and it comes with a price.”

“Sleep with you or else?”

“No,” Ethan returned. “Marry me or else.”

Shane burst through her office door seconds later. “Sis, I heard Ethan Graham is in the building—” He stopped short, blinking in bafflement that he’d clearly interrupted a moment.

Ethan walked toward him and shook Shane’s hand warmly. “Shane, it’s good to see you again.”

“You, as well,” Shane responded and glanced over at his sister. “Kay, are you okay?” he asked, because all color had gone out of her face.

“I…I…” Kayla glanced at Ethan’s smug face and then back at her brother. She was experiencing a gamut of perplexing emotions. “I…I need a glass of water.” With leaden feet, she walked over to her wet bar and with trembling hands opened a bottled water. Marry Ethan or else? What the hell was he thinking? He was the last person she wanted to marry.

She brought the bottle to her lips and turned to face them.

“Are you here to talk about investing?” Shane inquired.

“More or less,” Ethan glanced at Kayla, whom he’d struck into silence with his bold offer. He’d thought long and hard and realized that Kayla was the only woman he’d ever known who shared his love of money and thrived on power. He’d spent years searching for someone who could hold her own with him, when Kayla had been that someone all along.

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