Lost in a Stallion's Arms (Kimani Romance) (12 page)

J
ohn and Matthew stood at the back of the oversize conference room, arms folded over their chests as Luke and the team he’d pulled together presented the final details of the rejuvenation proposal.

When every aspect of the project had been explained, analyzed and critiqued, Luke shut off the overhead projector and closed his laptop. Silence filled the space as everyone waited for the senior partners to react. Luke held his breath in anticipation.

Matthew cut an eye at John as he moved to the front of the room. “How soon before you’ll be ready to initiate stage one?” Matthew asked, meeting Luke’s stare as he sat down.

“All the permit applications can be filed today. I have assurances from the zoning department and the permit office that they’ll have them completed within two weeks. There are contracts on the table already for us to officially purchase the necessary property, and we can close in forty-five days. The rest is gravy. All we need is the go-ahead.”

Luke looked from Matthew to John, his expression hopeful. He knew he’d done a good job, exceeding everyone’s expectations, but he was anxious to hear John say so. He was eager for his older brother to give him the okay to proceed.

John said nothing, a pensive stare focused intently on the younger man. A slow smile finally pulled at John’s mouth, lifting it easily. He nodded his head as he strode slowly to the head of the oversized conference table, moving to stand in front of Luke. The two men eyed each other briefly, then John extended his hand, the two men shaking.

“Congratulations, Mr. Vice President. I’ll expect a complete progress report every thirty days.”

Luke tipped his head in acknowledgment, a wide grin filling his face. “Not a problem.”

John lifted his leather portfolio from the table. Moving toward the door, he turned back to the group assembled. “Let’s get to work, people. You all have a neighborhood to rebuild.”

The three men were like proud fathers celebrating a son’s greatest accomplishments. Luke had lost count of the number of times they’d slapped him on the back with joy. Each look of pride bolstered what Luke had known all along. He was ready and capable of doing good things in the world.

He lifted his glass of champagne in another toast, Dom Perignon flowing with ease. “To the rejuvenation project,” he chimed cheerily.

His brothers lifted their glasses in response. “To you, little brother,” Mark chimed. “A job well done.”

“And much success,” John added. “We’re very proud of you, Luke.”

“Thank you.”

“So, what’s on your agenda tonight?” Mark asked, leaning back in his seat. “Are you planning to celebrate your promotion by doing something special?”

“I think Joanne and I are just going to go to dinner,” Luke answered.
“Jo-anne!”
Mark said teasingly, emphasizing the syllables in her name. “You and
Jo-anne
have been spending a whole lot of time together lately.”

Luke shrugged, a goofy expression painting his face. “Not really.”

“Really,” Mark said. He looked toward Matthew and John. “The woman is at the house every night
and
every morning!”

“Don’t hate,” Matthew laughed. “What happened? Now that you’re this responsible husband and soon-to-be father, you forget what it’s like to be young and carefree?”

John laughed. “Oh, he hasn’t forgotten. He just never thought our baby brother would ever be getting more loving than
he’s
ever gotten.”

Mark waved him off. “I still hold the record, thank you very much.”

The brothers all laughed warmly together.

“So,” John said, spinning around in his executive’s chair. “Are you and Joanne getting serious?”

Luke smiled. “We’re enjoying each other. Neither one of us is interested in rushing into anything.”

“That’s a good thing,” Matthew responded. “Don’t be like these two. Take your time with it. If she loves you, she’s not going anywhere.”

Mark cut an eye toward John. Both men grinned widely. John shook his head. “And if you love her…well…” he paused, his broad shoulders shrugging.

“Do what any good Stallion man would do. Don’t let her get away,” Mark finished for him.

John lifted his champagne glass. “Preach, my brother!”

The Peony Gardens was a cute little Asian bistro that Luke had insisted she meet him at for dinner. He’d promised a surprise, and the excitement in his voice had been palpable. Joanne had arrived early and was seated at a table that was said to be Mr. Stallion’s favorite. Glancing around the room, Joanne could easily see why. From where she sat she had a marvelous view of the water fountains that trickled softly over slate and sandstone. A saltwater fish tank filled an entire wall. Joanne marveled at the brightly colored aquatic life that seemed oblivious to their stares. As soft music billowed from perfectly placed speakers, Joanne could easily understand what Luke found so appealing about the place. The décor was ultra serene and comfortable.

She heard her name being called from across the crowded room. Recognizing the shrill tone, Joanne suddenly wished she could crawl right under a table and disappear. Unfortunately, there would be no avoiding the prim and proper Mrs. Preston Ragsdale III.

“Joanne? Joanne Lake! How are you, darling?” the woman droned, saddling up to where Joanne was seated. The robust woman leaned to air-kiss both of Joanne’s cheeks.

Joanne forced a polite smile on her face, glancing over the older woman’s shoulder to the restaurant’s front door. “Mrs. Ragsdale, how are you?”

“Just peachy, dear, just peachy! Are you dining alone?” the woman asked, looking around as if a date might mysteriously appear in the seat across from Joanne.

“No, ma’am. I’m meeting a friend.”

The older woman nodded, her eyebrows raising ever so slightly. “We haven’t seen you in ages, dear. I was just saying to your father that it’s been ages since we last saw you.”

Joanne nodded. “I’m sure my father told you that business has been keeping me quite busy.”

“Charles was saying you’re toying with some design thing for us big girls.” The woman chuckled as if there was something humorous about that fact.

Joanne could feel her mouth threatening to pull into a dark frown as Mrs. Ragsdale continued.

“I told Charles to just leave you be. My daughter tried her hand at all sorts of frivolous activities before she finally settled down and married. And that center? Are you still volunteering all your time down there?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“That’s so admirable. But you’re not going to find a husband down there, Joanne.”

“I wasn’t really looking for a husband, Mrs. Ragsdale. I just enjoy serving the community.”

“Huh,” the woman grunted, as if the thought of helping someone other than herself was difficult to comprehend. “I keep saying I need to make a donation of some kind. Donations are tax deductible, aren’t they?”

Joanne fought to keep the annoyance from showing on her face. She quickly changed the subject. “How is Danielle?” she asked politely.

“She’s doing quite well. She married Harold Rollins you know,” the woman said, pausing to take a deep breath. “The senator from Maryland,” she added, when Joanne’s expression failed to register her son-in-law’s name. “And they’re expecting any day now,” she added for good measure.”

“How exciting,” Joanne exclaimed. She stole a second glance toward the door. To her dismay, Luke was stepping over the threshold. Joanne could feel her stomach tighten into a knot.

“Well, it was very nice to see you again, Mrs. Ragsdale,” Joanne added quickly, reaching up from her seat to air-kiss the woman back. “I’d love to do lunch with you and Danielle after she has her baby.”

“That would be very nice. I’ll definitely call you,” Mrs. Ragsdale was saying just as Luke reached the table.

“Mrs. Ragsdale, what a surprise,” Luke gushed politely, greeting the matriarch warmly.

“Luke Stallion! Imagine running into you. What brings you to this side of town?”

Luke leaned down to kiss Joanne’s lips. “Hey, you,” he whispered softly before lifting himself back up. “Just meeting my favorite girl for dinner,” he said aloud.

Mrs. Ragsdale looked clearly amused. “My, my, my, Joanne. I was worrying about you finding a husband, and here you are keeping company with one of our more eligible young men. This one comes from some fine Texas stock,” she teased, reaching to brush a palm across Luke’s cheek. “Some very fine stock, indeed!”

Luke laughed. “Do you two know each other?”

The woman looked from him to her and back again. “Oh, my, yes. I’ve know Joanne since—”

“Forever!” Joanne interrupted, her voice rising slightly. A nervous giggle bubbled past her lips. “Well, I’ll keep an eye out for that donation, Mrs. Ragsdale. And yes, they’re all tax deductible.”

“Then the check is in the mail,” the woman answered, nodding her head enthusiastically. “Well, you two young people enjoy your meal. The sushi is absolutely divine. Make sure you try the sashimi appetizer. It’s a wonderful display of tuna and salmon.”

“We’ll do that,” Joanne said, waving goodbye. “And thank you!”

As the woman walked away, Luke couldn’t help but notice the blanket of relief that seemed to wash over Joanne’s spirit. Her expression was amusing as she tried to not let the emotion show.

“Mrs. Ragsdale is quite the character. Where do you two know each other from?” Luke asked curiously.

Joanne smiled a weak smile. Lifting her glass of iced water from the table, she sipped it slowly before answering. “The community center,” she answered, a little white lie slipping off her tongue.

Luke nodded his head. “Her husband and my brother John have had some business dealings.”

“So, how was your day?” Joanne asked, wanting to move the conversation as far from the subject of the Ragsdale family as she could. “What was your exciting news?”

Luke grinned, his broad chest seeming to widen where he sat. “You are looking at the newest vice president of Stallion Enterprises. I’ll be overseeing the rejuvenation project as well as establishing a whole division dedicated to community restructuring and development.”

Joanne’s face beamed with pride. “Oh, sweetie, that’s wonderful!” she exclaimed, jumping from her seat to wrap her arms around his thick neck. “That’s so exciting!”

Luke hugged her warmly, enjoying the feel of having the woman in his arms. He returned the kiss she planted on his mouth, allowing his lips to linger against the warmth of hers. Joanne settled herself down beside him, snuggling beneath the weight of the arm he wrapped around her.

The moment was interrupted by the petite Asian woman who arrived to take their order. “Mr. Stallion, would you and your guest like to start with drinks and an appetizer?”

“I’d love a cup of green tea,” Joanne said, looking toward Luke for assistance. “But you order the food.”

Luke chuckled warmly, placing an order for selections of raw fish with rice-and-veggie combinations.

As the waitress walked away, promising to return quickly, Joanne shook her head. “As you can probably tell by the width of my rear end, I’m more of a meat-and-potatoes kind of girl.”

Luke ran a warm palm over her thigh, the heat from his fingers tickling the flesh beneath her linen slacks. “I like your rear end, and I love every one of your curves. If meat and potatoes did that for you, then you can trust I’ll be keeping you in full supply whenever you wish. You’ve been well blessed, my darling!”

Joanne laughed. “On that note, I’m going to excuse myself to the ladies’ room. Don’t eat all the bait before I get back.”

Inside the immaculate chamber, Joanne stared into the mirror. She had to tell Luke the truth, she thought to herself. The deception had clearly gone too far. Nor did it truly make any sense to her. Joanne couldn’t begin to imagine Luke not wanting to be with her just because of who her father was. Mrs. Ragsdale had been too close a call, and it was only a matter of time before another one of their mutual acquaintances mentioned that she had a father in Luke’s presence.

Joanne splashed her face with cool water. Luke would understand, she mused, pondering the conversation the two would have about her history. She pressed a paper towel against the moisture. Luke wouldn’t take offense at her not having opened up her personal life to him so soon. Besides, it wasn’t like she actually lied. Joanne hoped Luke would understand. She heaved a deep sigh. She would make him understand, she thought, still staring at herself in the mirror as she navigated that conversation in her mind. Joanne took a deep breath, moving toward the exit. There was no time like the present she thought, before she had a change of mind.

Back at the table, Luke was engaged in conversation on his cell phone. He smiled as she sat down, gesturing with his index finger that he’d be done in a quick minute. When he disconnected the call he looked less than pleased about something.

“Is everything okay?” Joanne asked, concern tinting her tone.

The man nodded. “Just a negotiation snag with one of my contractors. Nothing that can’t be fixed.”

At that moment the waitress returned with their meal, two exceptionally large platters of well-formed Asian delicacies for them to enjoy. Joanne’s eyes widened at the sight. Looking at Luke, she could only shake her head.

The man lifted a shrimp-and-rice combination from the plate with a set of wooden chopsticks, dipping it into a tiny dish of soy sauce. Guiding it toward her mouth, he encouraged her to give the treat a try. “Taste this,” Luke said softly. “I promise you’ll love it.”

Pressing her palm to the back of his hand, Joanne guided it past her lips, chewing it slowly. It tasted better than anticipated, as she savored the delicate combination of flavors. “Not bad, Mr. Stallion, not bad at all,” she said.

“I’d never steer you wrong, Ms. Lake. Never.”

Joanne was suddenly moved by Luke’s brilliant smile. She adjusted the napkin in her lap, folding it over and over again. “Luke, there’s something I need—” she started, just as the cell phone on the table chimed for attention.