Pure Harmony (16 page)

“You’ve found me. Cut out the Miss stuff. It’s Katiya. And you’re Calix. Right?”

“Yep.”

“Sorry, I was supposed to meet you in my office. We got a little sidetracked.”

“No prob.”

Katiya stood straight. “Let’s go. I don’t want to keep you from something else.”

“I’m almost done with Rhianna’s set-up. Just waiting for everything to download.” Calix shrugged.

“Okay. Rhianna, I’ll catch up with you later for you to bring me up to speed on what has been going on.”

Rhianna nodded. Katiya walked over to Calix. He straightened and stepped out of the way as she passed him.

“Rhianna,” Calix said.

“Calix.” Rhianna’s tone was cool and dismissive.

Surprised, Katiya looked between the two of them. Calix had a smile on his face and Rhianna was turned away from her so she couldn’t see her expression.

“After you,” Calix said to her.

Katiya walked with him down the hall. As they passed the computer room she glanced in. The man was still in there, typing on one of the systems.

“What is his name?” She gestured to the door they’d just passed.

“You mean Giga?” Calix asked.

Katiya frowned. “The man setting up systems in there? Giga, as in gigabyte?”

“Yep, that’s Giga,” Calix replied.

They continued down the hall, stopping briefly as she spoke with various people along the way. Finally reaching her office, she unlocked her door and went inside.

“Sorry about the delay.”

“It’s what you do. Being the head of a centre this large you’re in high demand. I know the feeling. Wow. That’s a beautiful desk set you have there.”

Katiya looked around her spacious office. It was richly decorated in her favourite colours—pale yellow, burnt orange and dark brown. Two sofas were on opposite walls with lots of pillows. Her desk was massive and made of six different kinds of exotic wood, including ebony and Carpathian elm, and pieces of custom glass.

“Thank you, it was a gift from my good friend Iona—she designed it. Iona’s a descendant of the family the town was named after.” She glanced at the floor-to-ceiling matching credenza with hutch and bookcases built into the walls—all with the same design. It was the first thing most people mentioned about the office.

Going to her desk, she started to boot up her computer. “So what’s your job at Taylor Bytes?”

“I run the Research and Development area of Taylor Bytes. The head honcho did it to punish me.” He gave her a puppy dog look.

Katiya snorted. “I can imagine you probably did something to deserve it.”

“Yeah, I did. At least that’s what he said. It’s a lie—he just likes being the big brother and messing with the little brother,” Calix said matter-of-factly.

Startled, she glanced at Calix. “Taylor is your brother?”

“Yep, when I choose to claim him.” Calix laughed then said, “Are you booted up?”

She glanced at the screen. “Yes.”

“May I?”

“Oh, sure,” she said moving from behind the desk out of his way.

Calix went behind the desk then sat in the chair and started typing. She leaned against the desk and watched his fingers move fast over the keys. When he started humming, she tried to make out what song it was. Calix attached an external drive to her computer.

“Okay. This will take about two hours. I’m downloading your files and any software you added to your computer onto this.” He patted the drive.

“Don’t I have to tell you what I did?”

“Nope, I checked your configurations and know already. Before we install the new one we’ll double-check that everything is on this. Don’t touch the computer while this is running.” Calix stood.

“I won’t.”

“I’ll be back in a bit to check on how things are doing,” he said striding across the office to the door.

“Calix.”

He stopped and looked at her.

“I want to thank you and Taylor Bytes for all you are donating to us. I plan on thanking your brother personally when I finally get to meet him. This is so generous of you all.”

Shock filled Calix’s face then a huge grin curved his lips. Katiya shook her head. It was similar to the one Rhianna kept giving her. She didn’t know what was going on but she would get to the bottom of it.

“Okay, I’m tired of these weird grins. What is everyone finding so funny?”

“Everyone?”

“Rhianna gave me the same type of grin you are. So, what is up?”

Calix bit his lip. “It’s probably because—”

The walkie-talkie crackled. “
Calix, come in
.”

She recognised Giga’s voice.

Calix picked up the walkie-talkie clipped to his belt. “Calix.”

“
I need you in the comp room
.”

“Got ya. On my way,” Calix replied. He clipped the talkie back to his belt then glanced at her. “Gotta go. I’ll be back to check on things.”

Before she could reply he turned and strode out of the door. She stared after him and sighed. She hadn’t got the man’s name or an answer to her question. The phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. She strode over to her desk and answered the phone. “The Oasis.”

She sat and listened to the caller. Before she knew it she was busy. Throughout the next few hours she was swamped with work. Calix came and went a few times, checking on the download and bringing in her new computer system, printer, scanner and fax. He placed the boxes on the floor next to the desk. Katiya raised an eyebrow. She’d known about the computer but the rest was a surprise.

“We’re a full service crew,” Calix said cheerfully. He winked and left the room.

Katiya got up to check the boxes and whistled. All the equipment was top of the line. She had checked them out longingly but knew they were not part of the budget. She returned to her seat on the couch and went back to work.

“Ready to get your computer back?”

Startled, she glanced up at Giga, the man from the computer room. He leaned against the office doorway. She kept her gaze on his face.

“Sure, come on in.”

He glanced around as he strode inside. “Nice.”

”Thanks.”

Giga went over to the desk and started setting things up. Katiya watched him and marvelled at how, for such a large man, he moved with an innate grace. He glanced at her and she quickly lowered her head, getting back to work. Absently she listened as he set up her system. He worked silently, the only sound was of boxes being ripped open, equipment being moved then set up.

“You’re all set,” he said.

She looked up then stood before walking over to him. Giga stepped back and gestured. She went to her chair and sat, seeing her system was up. She searched to make sure her files and programmes were all there. After ensuring everything was, accounted for, she glanced up and stifled a gasp. He was sitting on the desk close to her but she hadn’t heard him move.

“Everything there?”

“Yes.”
Why do you sound like a flighty teenage girl, Katiya?

“Good.” He studied her intently.

She returned his stare. Something about his eyes seemed familiar.

“Have dinner with me—tonight.”

She raised an eyebrow. He hadn’t asked, instead had phrased it as a statement. Almost like it was already going to be.

She opened her mouth to say no. “Yes.” Katiya’s eyes widened. She didn’t date and hadn’t in over fifteen years.

He smiled and cupped her cheek. His hands were soft and tender and the unexpected touch made her shudder. His eyes darkened as he looked at her lips. Katiya wondered if he would kiss her. She wanted him to, despite the fact they hadn’t even gone out. She didn’t even know his name but yet wanted to feel his lips on hers.

“Is six-thirty okay to pick you up?” His voice was husky and even deeper than before

“Yes, that is good. Here is my address.” She looked away from his compelling gaze.

His hand lowered from her face and she almost whimpered at the loss of his touch. She quickly wrote her address on a sticky note then removed it and handed it to him. He took the information then shifted, putting it in the pocket of his jeans. The fabric stretched tight and she held back a sigh.

“Six-thirty,” he stated.

“Six-thirty,” she echoed.

He ran a finger down her cheek then stood, turned and strode across the room.

“Hey, why do they call you Giga? And what is your real name?”

He stopped and turned to her.

“I’m good with computers. You don’t know my name?” An enigmatic smile curved his lips.

She got an uneasy feeling. “No.”

“Call me Warwick,” he said.

Shocked, she sat back shaking her head.

He nodded. “Six-thirty. It’s too late to change your mind. I get what I want.” His look was scorching.

He strode out of the door, closing it behind him. Katiya leant back against her chair and stared. After a few moments she started to laugh. No wonder Rhianna and Calix had looked at her like she was crazy. How had she missed the air of charisma and take charge attitude that was all around him?

“I’ll be damned. Warwick Taylor in the flesh. The guru behind Taylor Bytes.”

From what she had heard and read about him, he had started Taylor Bytes when he was eighteen. He was a genius—his IQ tested off the charts. Some had called him a brash young man. It didn’t matter—in less than eighteen years he had taken a small, little known company and made it into a multi-billion dollar corporation. He’d developed cutting edge computer technology and software. She tapped her pen against the desk. In all the articles she had read and research she had done, none had had his picture. She had searched for it but it had seemed as if he was a ghost. After meeting him, she knew for sure he wasn’t. No ghost would or could make her pulse race like that or have her break her rule and agree to a date.

“Why did you agree?” Her voice echoed in the office.

She didn’t have any idea but it didn’t matter. She and Warwick Taylor were from two different social circles. Yes, she could interact with the rich class to get donations but she knew where she belonged. Katiya glanced around room. She preferred simple things. No matter how much he enticed her, she would let him know when he picked her up that their dating would never work. She ignored the pang of sadness the idea caused and got back to work.

Warwick Taylor strode down the hall, his thoughts on the sexy woman he had just left behind. From his first look of her, her light, hazel gaze emanating sharp intelligence and—although she tried to hide it—attraction, he had been captivated. It was a startling feeling. The sassy sway of her walk was tempered by a slight limp. He had seen her wince. He had almost asked her if he could help ease her pain before he’d remembered they had just met. The way she moved had her hips swaying in a fashion that made his cock hard. He fought the need to bury himself inside her where he imagined it would be warm and wet. He shook his head. He usually had better control than this. Yet all he could think of was taking the sienna skinned enchantress on the closest flat surface.

The emotion and fire in her gaze as she spoke of The Oasis only enhanced her allure. The sexy tilt of those biteable lips beckoned, causing his tongue to ache for a taste. Her sculptured cheeks, full nose and round chin only added to her air of confident sensuality. The complete package—that lush curvy frame that made him think all manner of sins. He knew it was foolish to even contemplate it, much less act on what he was imagining. She made him feel primal.

Usually he turned attention away. Women threw themselves at him, trying to land his wallet and not him. He remembered the expression on her face when she had realised who he was. With her, he knew it would be the opposite. His money would be a detriment in winning the luscious Katiya Wright.

Warwick’s grin widened. Yes, he wanted to lay her down and have her in every way imaginable but that wasn’t all he wanted. He wanted all of her—heart, soul, mind and body. No matter how foolish it might seem, he already knew they would be more than lovers. Convincing her would be a challenge. He was just the man to change her mind. She would soon learn. When he set his sights on something, he was not dissuaded from his course. And winning Katiya was what he would do.

* * * *

As he stood in front of her door, Warwick took a breath for control. He pushed the bell. The door swung open. He forgot to breathe. Earlier her hair had been pinned up in a bun but now it hung loose in kinky curls that almost rested at the top of her cleavage.

Her yellow sundress hugged her bountiful breasts. It was tied at the waist with a dark brown and yellow belt made from what looked like the same fabric as her dress. The belt accentuated the lush flare of her hips. The yellow of the dress stopped at her hips and changed to white then just before her knees it became dark brown. Peekaboo flower cut-outs were scattered on the white and brown area. The dress kissed the top of her knees, exposing toned legs and dainty feet in strappy, pale yellow, heeled sandals. Her matching toenails highlighted by the shoes. God, he loved sexy toes. He raised his gaze to hers.

The stark desire in her eyes made him gulp. Warwick tried to remind himself that his parents had raised him as a gentleman. His body, on the other hand, was hard and ready to do lots of decadent things to her body.

Her expression went leery then resigned.

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About the Authors

McKenna Jeffries has loved the written word from time she picked up her first book. Soon she was creating tales of love and family. Although McKenna used to make up stories, she never thought to put them on paper until…she realised the stories would keep filling her until they were written.

Since then she’s been writing and sharing her books. There is always some new story floating around her head. An itchy feeling in her fingers fills her until she can get a piece of paper to write it down. She writes because it’s a love affair. Writing is in her blood and she enjoys taking readers on a journey. With so many ideas filling her, McKenna is always hard at work.