Not Looking for Love: A Cowboy Romance (21 page)

Two weeks later, the Warren family jet scooped Kara up at her home in Florida and brought her to headquarters in Dallas.

Feeling nervous, Kara smoothed down the nonexistent wrinkle on her charcoal colored skirt and pulled down the hem of the matching jacket, refusing to look at the round mirror with a mirrored starburst frame on the wall just outside the double doors of the conference rooms. Her eyes instead focused on the large W in script on both doors.

Her nerves were shot. Just before boarding the plane the day before, Richie called and backed out. He said he was asked to fly to California for a walk-through and a meeting at their San Diego hotel which was in the middle of a major renovation. It would be the only time all involved in the project would be able to get together for a while and because he hardly ever done anything hotel related anymore he felt obligated to go.

She wound up being alone in the hotel room that night and all she was capable of doing was going over her spiel, opening and closing her leather portfolio case and looking at the setup and pictures. Upon arrival at the hotel a courier had stopped by and picked up a copy of the contents of that portfolio so she wanted to make sure she didn’t miss anything in it when it came time to present.

No amount of preparing was enough. She was a basket case by the time she picked up the portfolio she had placed on the floor in-between her feet before she pulled opened one of the doors.

Her eyes automatically went over to the head of the table and a ghost of a smile played on her lips, happy to have recognized Richie’s uncle, Ted.
Don’t call him Ted. Don’t call him Ted.
“Mr. Warren.” She smiled as she made her way over to him with her hand out as he rose up.

“Kara. How lovely to see you again.” He did take her hand but he also kissed her on her cheek. Just that little gestured relaxed her a bit.

“Everyone—” He turned to the board members which comprised of family.

She looked to them noting a few new faces.

“—this is Kara Storm. Some of you had the pleasure of meeting her a few weeks ago.” He looked to Kara then to an unfamiliar face and started the intros.”

She nodded to each one and was overwhelmed. She’d never be able to remember their names. And did she dare go over to Richie’s father and say a personal hello? How would that look? She decided to do it at the end of her presentation, but she did dip her head and smile at him in acknowledgement.

Fiona sat at the first seat by her father. All the other chairs were taken save for the chair opposite Fiona. Uncle Ted gestured for her to sit. Will, who occupied the seat next to hers, got up and pulled out her chair.

“Thank you.” She looked to him than to the table as she pulled her chair in.

“Can we get you anything? Coffee? Soda? Water?” Ted asked.

“Water, please.”

Kara took in the stunning room as Uncle Ted made small talk. The room was light and airy. Behind Ted’s seat was a wall of windows with the view of downtown Dallas. The beautiful glass structure known as Fountain Place stood front and center. Its multi-faceted structure gave it a different profile when looking at it from different directions. The table’s light wood gleamed as did the matching chairs and wall table.

She sensed his secretary, Ms. Liddle, who she had met when she first arrived at headquarters, behind her. She looked to Ms. Liddle when she set down a bottle of water. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Ms. Liddle backed away and sat by the wall table, ready in case Ted needed anything else.

When Ms. Liddle handed Kara a remote, she took it with a question in her eyes and looked to Ted.

“Ms. Liddle created a Power Point from your portfolio. Just makes it easier for all to follow along.”

“Oh.”

He smiled. “Whenever you’re ready.”

“Oh, yes, of course.” She sucked in a breath as she rose up and looked to Ms. Liddle who then pressed start.

It was a bit nerve-racking at first, but soon Kara got into it. She believed in her designs and did her homework. She pointed and clicked, pausing to elaborate her vision, picking up signals from the board to move on. When someone asked about the texture of a bedspread, she pulled out a couple of swatches of the material and passed them around. Her pallets of creams, taupes, and whites, as well as the textures she picked screamed luxurious. The presentation ended with crystal lighting fixtures.

When asked about costs, Kara was pleased that she had added it at the end of the papers in her portfolio and when she clicked again, the slide with the breakdown appeared. Here is where she worried. She had an idea of a budget because she and Richie discussed it, but she did go over a little bit.

She looked to Ted when she had no more to say. He looked to his secretary then gestured for Kara to take her seat. Ms. Liddle took the clicker and shut down the equipment, while questions were being thrown at Kara. Will, for some reason, gave her a hard time with the price and the extravagance.

“Nonsense. That is what the Warren is known for and our guests will expect nothing less,” Richie II said, addressing Will. He turned to Ted. “I think she captured the look, Ted. What say you?” He glanced at Kara and smiled before giving Ted his attention.

Ted paused as he looked around the table. As he was about to speak, his daughter jumped in. “I understand what Will means. It just seems to be over the top. If we want to see more of a profit from that property we should think about cutting back a bit. What’s wrong with going a bit more modest?”

Ted brought a hand up to his face and rubbed, his sigh – audible. “It’s not all about the profit, Fiona. Have you read the financials on that property?” Just watching her reaction, her father knew she didn’t read it. He raised his voice. “I expect everyone to be prepared before coming to these meetings.” He looked from Fiona to the rest of the board. “Miss Liddle doesn’t need to waste her time drawing up a packet for each of you. Anyone else not read it?” He looked to each person at the table.

The Warren brothers had a younger sister who had passed away from an overdose seven years prior. Her husband, whom they believed was an enabler, received nothing, but her two kids, Lilly and Stephen, were on the board. Then there were two people from accounting and a junior lawyer from the firm they retained. Lucille and Bella, though they were on the board, were not present. They were needed to represent the company at a benefit in New York.

When Ted was satisfied no one else claimed they didn’t read it he continued. “Before, we didn’t have much competition. Now, we’re competing with the Park Avenue hotel. We need to step up our game. Are we all in agreement?”

He waited for everyone to nod and threw a hard look at Fiona when she didn’t agree right away. After she nodded he looked to Kara who looked a bit uneasy. Should she have been listening in on this conversation?

“Kara, thank you for the presentation. We like what we see.” He didn’t even have to consult many around the table, he knew just by his brother’s face that this was the direction they were going to go in, but they were businessmen nonetheless and they didn’t rush into anything. “We still have one more presentation to get through and then,” He looked around the table. “Well discuss it and make a decision.” He warmly smiled at her.

“I understand. Thank you for the opportunity to present my ideas.”

He nodded, still smiling as he pushed his chair out and rose up. Everyone else followed suit, even Kara. The meeting was over. He shook her hand and told her ‘job well done’ before stepping back when Richie’s father went over and shook her hand and kissed her cheek at the same time.

As Kara and he exchanged small talk, she causally looked around the room and spotted Will leaning up against the wall with a drink in his hand, staring at her, and he grinned wide when he saw her looking at him. He raised his glass and tipped it to her then downed the drink and walked a few steps to place the glass down on a rolling bar sitting in a corner of the room. She watched him turn and walk out.

Kara stepped out of the bathroom in just a bathrobe and reached for a clean pair of panties from her suitcase. She picked up the bra, thought about it and put it back. Why bother. She dropped the robe and slid on the panties, thinking about Richie, excited that he would be there soon.

When she phoned him and told him about the meeting he was thrilled for her and told her he was on his way, they needed to celebrate. She had to remind him she didn’t get the job. He didn’t care, he still wanted to have dinner with her, and then he’d have to fly back out to California and asked that she join him, but she had to be back at school the next afternoon. Arrangements were made for the private jet to take her back in the morning.

She gasped and grinned when she heard the knock on the door. She thought she had a little more time to get ready. She ran to the door thinking, no, knowing he’d enjoy her welcoming him in just her panties and a smile.

“Well, isn’t this a nice greeting.” Will’s eyebrows lifted as he grinned, staring at her breasts when she opened it.

She slammed the door closed, mortified. “What are you doing here?” she asked loud enough for him to hear on the other side of the door.

“I came to congratulate you on a performance well done, sweetheart.”

She grabbed her robe and as she walked back to the door it struck her that he called her sweetheart, but she didn’t dwell on it. “Sorry about that,” she said as she reopened the door. “Thank you, but you didn’t have to come all the way down—”

“Oh, yes I did,” he cut her off as he walked past her and let himself into the room.

She turned around, noting he smelled of liquor. “No really—”

He placed his hand on the door and slammed it closed, almost catching Kara in the process and she jumped back. The look in his eyes was alarming. With nowhere to move, she stepped aside.

“I know, Kara.”

She tilted her head. “Excuse me?”

He licked his lips as his eyes traveled to her cleavage and she tightened the robe. I, I, I’m gonna have to ask you to—”

“Or should I say Simone.”

And there it was. Her heart sank.

“I just finished watching your last video downstairs in my car. It’s an older one. You were much younger. I’d love to see your latest one.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Hah! I thought you’d say that.” He reached in his jacket pocket and pulled out a DVD. Two naked women graced the cover with their legs opened wide and fingers spreading their pussies. One looked very much like her. He showed it to her before throwing it on the bureau. “As I said before, congratulations on a performance well done,” He said as he took off his jacket and threw it on a nearby chair and then loosened his tie. She kept shaking her head. “You’re still gonna deny it, huh?” He smirked as he walked over to her and captured her between him and the door. “Now let’s see that beautiful cunt in person. My cousin is one lucky son-of-a-bitch.” He sucked in a breath.

“You have to go. He’s gonna be here any moment.”

“Yeah, right,” He said as he dropped a hand down and tried to snake it inside her robe.

She flinched as she pushed it away and sidestepped.

“He’s in California. I know, because I was the one who suggested he go.” His hand traveled to her hair and he pulled it. “See my father wanted to send me but after I stumbled across your debut porn movie the other day, I didn’t want to miss you in action at the board meeting nor here.” He leaned in to kiss her, holding her head in place as he pulled the strip of material that held the robe together with his other hand.

“No! Stop it! Get out!” She screamed as he wrapped his arm around her and squeezed her ass while he pulled her over to the bed.

“You’re not gonna want to scream again.” His face went hard. “Unless it’s when I’m making you come.” Even though his lips curled up, his face still bore a harshness to it.

“Please, please don’t do this. Richie really is going to be here any moment. Please leave.”

He ignored her and the hardness in his face softened as he smirked. “What would happen if it came out that the Warren family is associated with a porn star?” He tweaked one of her nipples.

She slapped his hand away and tried to free herself from his grasp one more time as he laughed. When he slipped inside her panties instinct took over. She lifted her knee to his groin and pulled away.

“Oww.” His face became hard again as he cupped his crotch.

She went no more than two steps before he grabbed her and flung her onto the bed. She bounced and was too winded to scream as her robe slipped off her shoulders.

“Do that again and I’ll beat the shit out of you… Got it?”

She didn’t answer as she tried to get up.

“What’s going on here?”

Will turned around and she looked up, past Will, to see Richie standing just inside the doorway with a key card in his hand and the door closing.

She jumped up off the bed and ran to him, tying her robe. He threw an arm around her but there was no embrace as he stared at his cousin.

Will twisted his mouth and smirked. “I was just leaving, Cuz.” He picked up his jacket and walked in their direction to get to the door.

Richie felt Kara move closer to him as he put his hand on Will’s arm and stopped him. “What are you doing here?”

Will shook Richie’s hand off. “She’ll explain it to you.” He walked to the door and left.

“What am I missing here, Kara? Why the hell are you in a robe with my cousin here?” He didn’t even let her answer. He removed his arm and moved away from her. “Aw, geez. What the fuck, Kara?” He watched her look from him to something on the bureau and he followed her eyes. He walked over to the bureau and picked up the DVD. “You fucked him?” He flung the DVD and it bounced off of the bureau and fell to the floor as he started walking to the door.

“No, Richie! You got it wrong.” She caught up to him and grabbed onto his arm.

He looked back to her. “Do I, Simone?” He shook his arm and she dropped her hand.

“I thought it was you at the door and I wasn’t dressed yet and I thought you’d get a kick out of me in nothing but—” She put her head down. “—my panties.”

“What’s with the DVD?”

“He brought it. Said he knew who I was.” She began to pace. “Oh, God. I’m never gonna shake this.”

“You two watched it together?”

She stopped pacing. “No.” Angry at him for believing the worst. She brought a finger up to her head. “Think, Richie. I knew you’d be here soon. Why would I risk getting caught with your cousin?” She huffed out a breath and her robe fell open. She was too wound up to even notice.

Richie on the other hand, shifted his eyes to her body. He blew out a breath. “He barged in here?” He looked back up to her eyes.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know? He said he found out who I was and that he watched the video down in his car before coming up here.”

“I’ll be right back.” Richie stepped to the door and opened it.

“Richie?”

He quickly turned his head. “I promise.” Then he ran out.

Kara was dressed in a pair of jeans and a sweater top when Richie came back in the room almost twenty-five minutes later. She was squatting by her suitcase, zipping it up and looked up at him. Things just felt awkward now. She noticed his right hand was red. “What happened to your hand?” she asked as she straightened up.

He ignored her question. “I’m sorry he showed up here, Kara.” He walked to her and hugged her. “Did he hurt you?”

She stepped back and shrugged. “A little. I’m okay. Where did you go?”

“I went to confront him.” That’s all he said as he tried to hug her again. And this time she sidestepped away from him.

Each didn’t know what to say at this point. With a sigh, Richie spoke. “I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions. I just, I didn’t know—”

“Yeah. It’s all right, Rich.” She cut him off and went to the closet and brought out the garment bag that held her suit. It wasn’t all right. It would never be all right. No matter how much she thought she moved on from the porn industry it would always come back to bite her. “I’m gonna head home.”

He clicked the roof of his mouth. “Come on, Kara. We had plans for dinner.”

“I’m not hungry.”

He stared at her, and it made her nervous. She turned around and picked up her purse from the night table.

“Come on, Ka, don’t do this,” he whispered by her ear as he placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her to him.

His smooth, bedroom voice by her ear sent a warm sensation through her body, like it had since the beginning of their— what? Relationship? She didn’t know what they had, other than getting together every so often, no commitment, no strings. Why? Where was this going?

“Look at me.” He turned her and with his hand under her chin, lifted her head. He smiled as he looked at her face hoping she’d smile back. The look of hurt was still evident in her eyes. “You gonna make me go back to California hungry?”

She shrugged.

“Come on. Let’s go to dinner and have a couple of stiff drinks. We both could use it.”

“Okay.” She nodded

He brought his lips to hers and tenderly kissed her. She didn’t pull away but he knew she was holding back. “Let’s go, I’m starving,” he said when he broke the kiss. He smiled to himself thinking he’ll have to work a little to win her back.

They ate dinner at an upscale Chinese restaurant and Richie listened as Kara told him all about the meeting. He noticed she seemed to hesitate at times. Especially when he said ‘don’t worry about it. You got it’.

Richie canceled his flight back to California that night to be with her, feeling bad he jumped to the wrong conclusion. In bed, after he went down on her and she came hard from his tongue, he mounted her. When he flipped them and she rode him, she rode him slow and long, almost like trying to savor the moment, but Richie didn’t catch it. He was inside her and that was all that mattered.

They rode to the airport together the next morning. His commercial flight had left before her private flight. They kissed and he had said he’d talk to her later.

But Kara knew she had to let him go.