Chasing Glory (6 page)

Tal stood on the porch until she closed the door, then turned and walked to his car. The fact that he needed his other arm to keep them from falling was the only thing that had prevented him from taking Glory in his arms and kissing her. She’d seen the look on his face, pushed away from him, and ducked into her house. He could have sworn that for a split second, though, she was as interested in kissing him as he was in kissing her.

That would have screwed up everything.

He jabbed and missed his seatbelt lock, then made another frustrated attempt before he latched it. Glancing at the house, he saw diffused light outline a shadow on Glory’s upstairs window before he drove away.

Slow down and analyze the situation, he commanded after his adrenaline eased. First of all, she was his employee. Not only because he had controlling interest in Kingston Limited, but also because of this extracurricular activity he’d dreamed up. It was bad policy to mix business with pleasure, and Glory was there to help him win Alyssia, not because he was drawn to her on a physical level.

That was it. He had to keep his goal in mind. Keep everything businesslike. He could do that.

Chapter Eight

Persistent buzzing violated Glory’s restless
sleep. One bleary eye squinted at the five – three – o. Decision time. Going in to exercise meant getting blood to her extremities and endorphins in her system. Hitting the snooze button could mean REM sleep. Something she’d gotten very little of last night.

Oh, hell. She turned off the alarm, sat on the edge of her bed and sighed. This never happened when she traveled. Early mornings, long days sightseeing, and restful sleep were the norm. Glory slumped. Falling into a handsome, unavailable man’s arms wasn’t.

• •

At six-thirty, her gym bag was packed and she still had ten minutes before the bus came. She called Catherine.

“Helg.” The grunt came across as an attempted greeting. Catherine was not a morning person.

“Hi, it’s Glory.”

“Why?”

Glory chuckled. “Because I’m doing you a big favor. Are you listening?”

“Mmumpf.”

“Pay attention. Wear that gorgeous red suit you bought last month, today. It will look stunning with your cream silk shell and that faux Aztec gold collar necklace.”

Catherine yawned loudly. “I told you I was saving that for a special occasion. What’s the deal?”

“Gotta catch my bus. Just trust me and do it, okay?”

“’Kay. See you at nine.”

At work, Glory ran an extra mile on the treadmill, but it didn’t help. Her gaze kept drifting to the closed door of the workout room and conjuring Tal standing there all damp and bright-eyed.

Two cups of coffee a day was usually her limit, but she was on her way to get a third when Catherine walked in. Glory was right. Her friend looked gorgeous.

As soon as they settled at their desks, Glory’s phone rang.

“I don’t see anything special, or did I dream your call?” Catherine asked.

“Be patient. You’re going to have lunch with a new acquaintance. By the way, do you know a broker who could find some exclusive office space downtown and a great residential spot?”

“Of course.”

“Then my instincts are still sharp.”

“Your instincts? What happened last night?”

Glory sighed. “I promise to spill all later this afternoon. We’ll both be busy at lunch. I hope.”

“I’ll hold you to that. ‘Bye.”

• •

At twelve sharp, Glory saw Alyssia’s line ring. A minute later she came to the door of her office and spoke to Catherine. Catherine nodded, then walked to Glory’s desk. “Watch my phones for a minute? Alyssia wants me to escort Mr. Welker up. Odd that he doesn’t have an appointment.”

“Be my guest,” said Glory. “I’ll be right here.”

A few minutes later, Catherine and Pryce Welker got off the elevator. The look on Catherine’s face was well worth Glory’s plotting. Her friend was beaming. Pryce nodded at Glory, but never left Catherine’s wake.

Pryce entered Alyssia’s office with a look of regret. After Alyssia closed the door, Catherine hurried to Glory’s desk.

“Oh my God, you knew. Why didn’t you tell me?” Catherine squealed.

“Because you look your best when you’re first smitten.”

“I do not. I mean I am not. He took me off guard, is all. I was expecting Philip Welker.”

“So was Alyssia,” Glory said. “But the new account for Welker International will be handled by Pryce. Which means he needs office space. Since he just got into town and doesn’t know anyone, he’ll need help from say, a native.”

“Done,” Catherine said. “I happen to know the right woman. What else can you tell me? And how come you’re assuming he and I are going to lunch? Or do you mean you, him, and me?”

“One at a time. He’s a terrific dancer, and he’s looking for a woman with a passion for life. He asked me to lunch last night, but Tal is going to come up with an emergency, so poor Pryce will be left dateless. From what I’ve seen, all you have to do is look available.” Glory heard Catherine’s console buzz.

“That’s CTB. Talk to you later.”

Glory watched Catherine take the call, then carry a contract folder into Alyssia’s office. Pryce must have concluded the signing in record time, because he came out shortly thereafter. She was beginning to wonder if Tal remembered his promise, when the elevator opened and he stepped off. His hair stuck up like he’d been running his hand through it and his shirt had a berry stain by the elbow. Tal’s face remained neutral when he saw Pryce approaching Glory’s desk.

Pryce crooked a GQ eyebrow when he took in Tal’s attire, but smiled big at Glory. “Ready?”

Glory nodded and started to stand, when Tal interrupted. “Sorry if this spoils your plans, but that documentation you started day before yesterday has to be finished and out in today’s mail.” He tipped his head at Pryce. “She can take a rain check, right?”

“I did promise,” she said. “Maybe my friend Catherine could fill in for me this one time.”

Undisguised joy at his good fortune was swiftly followed by comprehension on Pryce’s face. He took Glory’s hand and leaned in, speaking softly. “You are a genius.”

Alyssia chose that moment to leave her office. She gave the men at Glory’s desk a quick appraisal, then headed their way. She ignored Tal and spoke to Pryce. “Is there something else we can do for you?”

Pryce shook his head. “I made a luncheon engagement with Glory last night, but it seems she’ll be working through lunch with your Mr. Kingston. I was about to ask Ms. Winters to take her place.”

Glory held her breath. Just their luck that Alyssia was sticking her nose in. The VP had a frozen smile for Glory that neither Tal nor Pryce saw.

“Unfortunately, Catherine will have to watch the phones while Glory is working downstairs,” Alyssia said. “We can’t have our calls go unanswered. Can we?” She turned her attention to Pryce. “There’s a new bistro around the corner that I’m told is quite adequate. I’ll be glad to accompany you.”

Tal’s face flickered with disappointment. Glory realized Alyssia couldn’t see him as he desperately wanted her to, as an available man.

“I asked Shelly to cover the phones in case there was a problem,” he said.

It was hard to tell if the VP thought this was good news or not as Catherine approached the group. “Alyssia, the lobby guard buzzed. Darren and Tricia McWhirter are waiting. You have lunch scheduled with them at twelve thirty.”

The VP waivered. Glory and Catherine knew Alyssia couldn’t blow off the McWhirters: they were one of Kingston’s oldest clients. She turned to Catherine. “Let them know I’ll be right down.” She held out her hand to Pryce. “I’m sorry, but it looks like I’m unavailable today. Since you’ll be moving to the area, call me and we can reschedule.”

Alyssia sucked at reading expressions. Pryce looked irked at her interruption, but was too polite to say so.

Glory was impressed, though. She’d forgotten to take phone coverage into consideration in her eagerness to see her plot through. She joined Catherine and Pryce in giving Tal a look of thanks.

He could have sided with Alyssia to make himself look good, but he didn’t. He kept his word.
Glory decided loyalty was a very sexy trait.

Alyssia spoke to Catherine. “See to it you don’t exceed an hour.”

“I’ll be responsible if Ms. Winters incurs any extra time,” Pryce said. “Put it on my first bill.”

Yes sir, Glory thought. Pryce Welker was used to getting his own way.

Alyssia gave a curt nod and left.

Shelly arrived and got the coverage information and Glory and Tal headed for the elevators. When they entered, Tal sighed. “Poor Alyssia.”

Glory turned her head slowly and raised her eyebrows. She couldn’t help the sarcastic tone. “Poor Alyssia?”

“Yes. She has so many responsibilities. It must be frustrating to try and balance them all and still remain fair.”

“Yes, fair,” Glory said in bewilderment, checking the lenses of his glasses for a rose-colored hue.

Tal snapped his fingers. “I almost forgot. Last night when I mentioned my wardrobe, I’d intended to ask you to help me out with something as part of our deal.” He paused, his gaze slipping away, and Glory felt her face flush. “Um, could you spend maybe a half hour tomorrow helping me shop for the type of clothes you think Alyssia would like?” he said.

Glory considered the pleading hazel eyes and the fact that she loved her free time on weekends. She smothered a smile at Tal’s idea of the time it would take to make a major shift in his wardrobe, then caved. A deal was a deal. “I’ve got a friend coming in the morning to do some drywall work, but I could meet you downtown in front of Nordstrom’s at two.”

That attractive grin showed itself and he rocked on the balls of his feet. “Great. Thanks.”

She didn’t speak again until they were almost to Tal’s office door. “I left my lunch in the workout room and my key is in my purse upstairs. If I could borrow yours, I’ll eat there and not bother your meeting, I …” She stopped talking when Tal opened his door. A short, dark man sat at his desk with the biggest burger, fries and shake on McDonald’s menu. When he saw Glory he jumped up, and grinned giving her an obvious once-over. “Whoa, prime womanhood. Hey, babelicious.”

Glory was taken aback. Had a construction worker lost his way?

Tal frowned. “Knock it off, Rudy. Ms. Danvers is my guest. Glory, this is Rudy Soreno, one of the best noses in the business when it comes to blending flavors. His unacceptable behavior is the result of a wife who thinks every woman is after him and four little girls who rule him unmercifully.”

The whys and wherefores of his lack of manners didn’t faze Rudy. He started to street strut around Tal’s desk toward Glory.

“Enough,” Tal said. “Glory is leaving, and you and I are going over this month’s test results.” He walked around the other side of his desk and reached in the lap drawer for a key, handing it to Glory. Rudy started to speak, but Tal leaned toward him. “Say good-bye.”

“My heart is broken,” Rudy said as he bowed to Glory. “If you ever decide to run away from it all, my life is yours.”

Glory, still recovering from babelicious, mumbled “Nice to meet you,” as she made a hasty retreat.

Tal turned to Rudy. “Someday your blatant flirting is going to get back to your wife, or you’re going to pick on the wrong woman. Either way, it won’t be pretty.”

Rudy sat and took an enormous bite of the hamburger. As he chewed, his dark brown eyes crinkled. He swallowed. “It’s so much fun, though. And Ms. Danvers is very hot. Sure you wouldn’t rather spend lunch with her?”

His first thought was that he certainly would, then Tal shook his head and remembered his goal. “Not letting you off the hook. I also meant it about your attitude. I’m not willing to risk losing an otherwise good man to a harassment suit. Clear?”

The little guy tried to look contrite and failed as Tal signaled him out of the chair. “A man has only so many pleasures,” Rudy said. “But yes, that’s clear.”

Tal tipped his head toward the food. “Speaking of pleasures, I thought your wife didn’t allow you to eat fast food.”

The humor returned to Rudy’s eyes. “She doesn’t, but she’s not here.”

Tal opened his email, then tapped a short stack of paper beside his monitor. “Enjoy your contraband, then. I’ll go through these before we review the tests.”

His correspondence was predictable. Invoices, reports, memos, and questions from growers he favored for their high quality. He also had a second notification that an employee evaluation was due. His eyebrows furrowed as he read a handwritten letter forwarded from customer service.

Dear quality control supervisor, I’m writing to let you know how disillusioned I am with Kingston Limited. I recently went on vacation to an expensive new resort in Antigua, Hotel Deux. The restaurant served my husband and me a dessert that was spoiled by a bitter fruit glaze. When I asked to speak to the chef, he admitted using one of your products that the hotel had recently purchased for the gift
shop.

I have used Kingston Limited products in the states for years, and am disappointed at the blatant lack of quality control in those you export. I will no longer buy your products.
It was signed
Claire Bothell, Providence, Rhode
Island
.

Tal read it again. “What the hell?”

Rudy peered over the top of the letter. “What’s wrong?”

“Some woman is complaining about one of our sauces ruining her dessert at a resort in Antigua. None of our distributors exports to that island that I know of. How are they getting our products?”

Rudy grinned and shrugged. “Why don’t you send me to find out? I could use some time on a beach with hot babes.”

Tal flicked his hand at Rudy. “Not gonna happen. This is serious.”

If there was some kind of illegal importation of his company’s foods and they were being used even though spoiled, his and his company’s reputations could be irreparably hurt. Even worse, if someone got sick, they could be sued. He turned the letter over and made some notes to go online and research the resort. He’d also have an expensive gift pack of Kingston products shipped to Ms. Bothell, with his apologies.