A Tempting Proposal
Sherelle Green
Winner Takes All? Workaholic event planner Imani Rayne needs to slow down or she’ll surely burn out before she reaches thirty. Fulfilling her beloved grandmother’s last wish could be the closure she needs. But purchasing a breathtaking lake-view estate in her Chicago hometown comes with one string attached. His name’s Daman Barker, and he’s bidding on the same property.Worse, Imani has to team up with Mr. Sexy And He Knows It to plan Atlanta’s gala of the year. When Daman goes after something he wants, he usually gets it. And his latest venture is no exception. Only this time he has a partner. Vibrant and savvy, Imani is arousing desire Daman knows he should resist.But when a family revelation threatens all that he cherishes most, Daman will risk everything to turn a business merger into a passionate union between two loving hearts.
Winner Takes All?
Workaholic event planner Imani Rayne needs to slow down or she’ll surely burn out before she reaches thirty. Fulfilling her beloved grandmother’s last wish could be the closure she needs. But purchasing a breathtaking lake-view estate in her Chicago hometown comes with one string attached. His name’s Daman Barker, and he’s bidding on the same property. Worse, Imani has to team up with Mr. Sexy And He Knows It to plan the gala of the year.
When Daman goes after something he wants, he usually gets it. And his latest venture is no exception. Only, this time he has a partner. Vibrant and savvy, Imani is arousing desire Daman knows he should resist. But when a family revelation threatens all that he cherishes most, Daman will risk everything to turn a business merger into a passionate union between two loving hearts.
Taking his hand, Imani pushed from the seat and lost her footing. Daman caught her by the elbow and pulled her into his embrace.
After she regained her balance, she remained in his arms, mere inches from his face. His eyes ventured to her glossy pink lips. He’d never noticed how great lipgloss looked on a woman before. He wanted to kiss her lips until there was no shine left. There was nothing sexier than a thoroughly kissed woman, and he could imagine that Imani’s lips looked even better after being kissed.
He felt her breath quicken as her eyes darted from his eyes to his mouth, as if mirroring his own thoughts. He wanted to kiss her, nibble on her lips. All he needed was one taste to feed his curiosity. He slowly eased her onto the desk to secure her balance. He kissed her neck, softly at first and then with a little tongue. She moaned in pleasure, grasping his head to keep him close. He didn’t want to only kiss her neck, he wanted more....
SHERELLE GREEN
has a dynamic imagination and a passion for reading and writing. As a young girl, she channeled her creativity and manifested her thoughts into short stories and poems. Although she loves to read all genres, romance holds a special place in her heart. Her love for romance developed in high school after stumbling across a hot and steamy Harlequin novel. She instantly became an avid romance reader and decided to pursue an education in English and journalism. Nothing satisfies her more than writing stories filled with compelling love affairs, multifaceted characters and intriguing relationships. A true romantic, she believes in predestined romances, love at first sight and fairy-tale endings. Sherelle is a Chicago native.
A Tempting Proposal
Sherelle Green
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Dear Reader,
Meet Imani Rayne and the proud owners of Elite Events, Incorporated. I enjoyed writing Imani and Daman’s story. One of the key qualities I admire about Imani is her love and devotion to her family. While writing this fictional story, it was easy to reflect on the loss of my own grandmother—the inspiration behind Gamine. I have always been a firm believer in fate and predestined relationships. Through forces unbeknownst to them, Imani and Daman embark on the love of a lifetime and are able to let go of their pasts and embrace their future…together.
I hope you fall in love with Imani and Daman as I have. I’m currently working on the second and third installments in the Elite Events series. Cydney Rayne’s story is next. I love to hear from readers, so please feel free to contact me.
Much love,
Sherelle
www.sherellegreen.com (http://www.sherellegreen.com)
sherellegreen@yahoo.com
@sherellegreen (https://twitter.com/sherellegreen)
To my grandmother Gladys, whose words of wisdom, language of encouragement and expressions of counsel inspired me to pen my thoughts for a book series. Your knowledge, faith and unconditional love reached out to the hearts of many.
You may be gone, but you’re in my heart forever and always.
May you keep shining down on us from Heaven.
To my loving and supportive family. You all are truly a blessing and I couldn’t imagine my life without each and every one of you.
Contents
Chapter 1 (#u2214c6d5-d8ed-5df8-be6f-c3df49138985)
Chapter 2 (#ua73a12b2-0250-5367-944f-6731d958119c)
Chapter 3 (#uc0643f2e-458c-5168-af86-2c38a924139e)
Chapter 4 (#u84744583-cc6a-50e8-b284-81ce649f5f57)
Chapter 5 (#ude23c317-1ce6-5748-8e54-2084ae475561)
Chapter 6 (#u892807fd-79be-507f-aead-417cb1f82cef)
Chapter 7 (#u6a61ed20-69b6-55ce-8f41-9cfa78ac3199)
Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 16 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 17 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 18 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 19 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 20 (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 1
“This cannot seriously be happening,” Imani mumbled as she tried to keep what was left of her patience. The speedometer in her gold Lexus hadn’t gone over five miles per hour since she got stuck in this bumper-to-bumper traffic. Morning traffic in downtown Chicago was something she had never gotten used to. Her meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Sims was scheduled to begin any minute. She had thought she would make it in time if she left her condo two hours prior, but clearly she’d thought wrong.
The Simses owned several luxurious estates in Illinois and were founders of one of the best job-resource agencies in the country. Imani was meeting with them to discuss buying one of their top estates—the one that had the gorgeous view of Lake Michigan. She had promised her grandmother she would act fast when the Simses were ready to sell.
Imani’s family and the Simses were close friends, and although many people were trying to get their hands on the estate, the couple had narrowed down the list of prospects to Imani and one other buyer. Unfortunately, the other buyer was willing to beat her price.
“Come on, move out of the way!”
Yelling alone didn’t seem to get her point across, so she honked her horn for good measure. She didn’t care what the other drivers thought of her. Her morning had begun badly when she’d realized her flat iron was broken, resulting in her having to straighten half her hair with a curling iron. The day became progressively worse after she spilled coffee on her favorite black business suit, and had to settle for a suit that fit her backside a tad tighter than she’d liked. The awful traffic wasn’t helping matters. But just as she’d almost given up hope of ever making it off Lake Shore Drive, traffic finally started moving, and she reached her destination.
She entered the corporate building ten minutes late. “Hello. My name is Imani Rayne, and I have a 10:00 meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Sims.”
The French receptionist waved her manicured hands toward two grand doors. “Mr. and Mrs. Sims are waiting for you. Please go right in.”
Imani stepped into the conference room. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Sims. I’m so sorry I’m late.” Imani gave a soft smile.
“No problem, sweetie.” Mrs. Sims took Imani’s hands in hers, stepped back and appraised her from head to toe. “Just look at you. It seems like just yesterday, you were a little baby girl holding your grandmother’s pinkie finger. My, how you’ve grown.”
As a teen, Imani felt like she’d never mature out of her awkward phase. She no longer had the look of an adolescent girl unaware of how to accentuate her curves and master her feminine walk. Now, she embraced her beauty and had confidence in her stride.
“We haven’t seen you in so long, Imani. You seem to be doing fine, just a little sad in the eyes,” Mr. Sims said.
“I’m fine. It gets a little easier every year. I still miss Gamine, but everything is going well.”
It had been five years since her grandmother, Faith “Gamine” Burrstone, passed away. At times, she still felt the same gut-wrenching ache she felt that fateful day she’d gotten the news of her passing.
Mrs. Sims softly squeezed Imani’s hand. “It takes time, and she wouldn’t want you to be sad.”
She gently stroked Mrs. Sims’s hand. “I know.”
“Let’s get down to business,” Mr. Sims suggested. He stepped aside to escort Imani to a nearby chair. Until that moment, Imani hadn’t noticed the handsome gentleman with smooth chocolate skin sitting at the end of the conference table.
“Imani Rayne, I’d like to introduce you to Daman Barker, the other buyer vying for the estate.”
Daman stood and walked toward her. “Ms. Rayne, it’s a pleasure.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Barker, but please call me Imani.” She was surprised at how low and sexy her voice had gotten.
“It’s nice to meet you, too, and you can call me Daman.”
She grasped his hand a little longer than she should have, surprised by the electric spark. The way his masculine hands encased hers shot shivers through every part of her body.
Daman Barker is your competition. Pull yourself together, girl. You got this!
Easier said than done. Daman was tall and muscular. And God bless the tailor who draped his body in that stylish, blue, pin-striped suit. The man had swagger. She’d noticed that much in his short stride from his seat to her side of the conference table. But that wasn’t all she’d noticed. He was arrogant; she could tell by the way he carried himself. But goodness, he made arrogance look sexy.
She scanned her memory, trying to recall why his name seemed so familiar, but she came up short. He was observing her so closely that it was hard for her to keep her breathing under control. It felt like he could see right through her business suit. Is he attracted to me, or is he just assessing his competition? As if he knew her thought process, he winked and gave her a sexy smile, catching her off guard.
Yes, it was definitely attraction.
“Shall we get started?” Mr. Sims asked, interrupting the silent exchange between Imani and Daman.
“Yes,” she and Daman both replied.
Mr. Sims tapped a small, disorderly bundle of paper on the desk until it lined up into a neat stack. “Okay, we have called you both here today because of your interest in our estate. We’re having a difficult time making a decision. Therefore, we have a proposal for you both.”
Imani sat and calmly glanced from Mr. Sims to Mrs. Sims. “And what would that be?”
“Well, you both are aware of the leading Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference and Expo that takes place every year, allowing African-American entrepreneurs and business owners a chance to network and receive recognition for their work. I believe you both have members in your families that have been honored at previous conferences. This year, Black Enterprise is throwing the First Annual Performance and Achievement Awards Gala that will honor business owners and entrepreneurs on a much larger scale. Are you both aware of the gala?”
“Yes,” Imani replied. Daman nodded his head in agreement.
Mr. Sims pushed back from the table just a bit, placing one long leg across the other and laying his hand over his ankle. “My wife and I are on the Black Enterprise executive board, and we were asked to choose event planners to organize the gala. We expect this event to be the premier destination event for business owners. It takes place on July 20th, three months from now, and requires the confirmation of approximately fifteen hundred guests, catering plans, pre- and post-party plans...the list goes on and on.”
Imani looked at Daman. Since he appeared as confused as she felt, she asked the obvious question. “I’m sorry, Mr. Sims, but I don’t follow. What does the gala have to do with our interest in the estate?”
Mrs. Sims smiled. “What my husband is trying to say to you both is that we’ve received approval from the board and would like to ask you both to plan the gala...together. Afterward, you two will decide who will get the estate. If you accept the challenge, we have numerous volunteers to help you.”
Having numerous volunteers wasn’t important to Imani. What was important was finding out why the Simses thought it was such a good idea for her and Daman to work together on this.
Mrs. Sims poured herself a glass of water from the carafe sitting near her side of the table. She took a quick sip before continuing. “I guess you should also know that last week we decided to sell one of our smaller estates. Although it isn’t as exquisite as the estate with the lake view, it’s definitely a beautiful property. Whoever does not get the lake-view estate will get the smaller estate.”
Mr. Sims nodded his agreement. “We understand how you both must feel, and if you accept, the board will be happy to have you on the planning committee free of charge.”
“Free of charge? Why wouldn’t we get paid for this event?” Daman asked.
Mr. Sims smiled slightly before continuing. “As a consolation prize for your doing us this huge favor, we are willing to give those properties to you for a minimal fee.” He handed Imani and Daman each a piece of paper detailing the prices for the estates.
“Why would you charge us so little?” Daman asked.
“Mr. Sims and I have made some very wise investments, so we have all the money we could ask for.” Mrs. Sims softly touched her husband’s arm. “This is something that we want to do, and we’d appreciate it if you took us up on our offer. Selling the estates was never about the money. It was more about ensuring that the estates were in very good hands.”
Imani hated surprises, and she really wished the Simses would have taken her aside to explain their proposal before having the meeting. But as a friend of the Simses, she knew better than to debate them on the issue. “I need a day or two to think about this,” she said.
“I do, too.” Daman stood and moved toward Imani’s chair. “Imani, I usually work in Detroit this time of year, but I will be in Chicago for a while. May I suggest that you and I talk about this over dinner tomorrow?”
Daman was right; they had a lot to discuss. But at the moment, she couldn’t even think about the Simses’ proposal because the man towering over her was making her heart skip a beat.
“Sounds like a plan,” she said, satisfied that her voice wasn’t as seductive as before. “Here’s my card. Call me, and I’ll meet you at the restaurant of your choice.”
Daman nodded as he took the card in one hand and reached out his other hand, waiting for her to return the gesture. She hesitated outwardly, but inwardly she was certainly responding to him. She reached out her hand, lightly gripped his and was once again caught off guard by the magnetic spark she felt. The heat reflected in his eyes mirrored what she was feeling.
When she rose out of her seat, he let go of her hand but still stood close by. “Mr. and Mrs. Sims, it’s been a pleasure. Imani and I should have an answer for you in, oh...” He looked Imani’s way to allow her to say when.
“In a couple of days. As always, it was nice seeing you both,” Imani said.
Mrs. Sims opened the door for them. “Imani, tell your family we send our love. We look forward to hearing from the two of you very soon.”
Chapter 2
Daman rocked his head to the beat of smooth jazz music as he sat in a popular downtown Chicago steakhouse, awaiting Imani’s arrival. He’d called her earlier that day to settle on a location for them to meet and discuss the Simses’ proposal. However, the business side of him had some strong apprehensions about accepting what they had offered. He knew there was a catch, but he didn’t know what the older couple had up their sleeves. Regardless of his apprehensions, he knew he had to accept their offer and partner with Imani to plan the gala. He’d promised his father he would buy the property when Mr. and Mrs. Sims were ready to sell, and he couldn’t disregard a promise. On his deathbed, his father told him that the estate would be the best investment he’d ever make. He also told him that it held answers to questions he didn’t even know he had. Daman never got the chance to ask his father to expand on his request. So, Daman not only wanted the estate, he needed the estate. He knew there would be something there from his father. What it was, he wasn’t sure.
Taking a sip of wine to calm his nerves, Daman pondered the proposal. He was anxious about his business dinner with Imani. This wasn’t like him. He never got anxious about meeting with a woman. Then again, he had never gone months without sex, either. Dealing with pressing personal issues had recently forced him to put everything else on the back burner—even his physical needs. But meeting Imani ignited an inferno under that back burner.
Partnering with her wouldn’t be the worst thing that could happen. He was irritated, though, at the way his body reacted to her. Even now he felt like he needed a cold shower. Maybe it was the way her body had sweetly filled out her business suit. Her luscious curves and fair golden-tan complexion were causing him a lot of discomfort. He’d closely assessed her when they were introduced, and the fact that she had boldly assessed him in return every time she caught his eye had made it hard for him to look away.
He glanced at his watch and took another sip of his wine just as he spotted her being escorted to his table. She walked like a woman on a mission.
“Daman, it’s good to see you again,” Imani said. She gave a soft smile but remained professional.
Any man could tell she was poised and she exuded confidence. He usually avoided overly confident women. In his experience, he found them to be too much work, even though his friends would say he never gave that type of woman a chance. On her, however, he had to admit that he liked the confident air.
He stood to pull out her chair. “Good to see you, too, Imani.” The attraction was strong, and so was his anxiety. The faster they got down to discussing business, the better off his body would be.
“I’m sorry I’m a little late,” Imani said as she took her seat. “My mom needed me to run an errand for her. Sometimes I think she’s oblivious to how much work I do. But as she always says, ‘A Burrstone’s work is never done!’”
“No problem. I understand.”
As she ordered her wine, he couldn’t help but observe her natural beauty. Then a thought struck. “Hold on. You said Burrstone. I thought your last name was Rayne.”
“Yes, it is. See, my mother is a Burrstone. My father’s last name is Rayne.”
“Oh, okay. By Burrstone you don’t mean...” His voice trailed off. Imani was smiling a little too hard. Something about the way she smiled made him want to suck her lips and really give her something to smile about.
“If you were going to ask me if I was a Burrstone as in the Burrstones, then the answer is yes.”
Oh, so she’s one of the infamous Burrstone women. The Burrstone family was well-known across the county. Its members consisted of educators, business owners, famous actors and actresses, sports icons, politicians and entrepreneurs. They had founded several charities for children and less-fortunate families, and were highly involved in community events. They were greatly admired, and Daman had always liked the fact that they were a close-knit family.
It dawned on him to whom the Simses were referring when they spoke of the loss of Imani’s grandmother during their meeting the other day. He remembered reading about her death a few years ago. From various articles and interviews, he knew that Faith or “Gamine”—as close family and friends affectionately called her—was a remarkable woman.
“I’m sorry about Mrs. Burrstone.”
Imani grew quiet before speaking. “Thanks. I miss Gamine a lot, but I know she’s in a better place.”
“I know the feeling. I lost my father a while ago.”
Daman wasn’t sure why he had shared that information with her. He didn’t share personal information about himself readily. He watched her trying to read his face and wanted to tell her to give up, since he wasn’t an easy person to read.
“I know,” she replied. “I did a little research on you before I got here. It must be hard for you. I couldn’t imagine losing a parent.”
Shrugging his shoulders, he blew off her words. The waiter stopped by their table, took their dinner orders and left again. After silent seconds ticked into minutes, Daman decided to get to the business at hand.
“So I’ve been thinking a lot about Mr. and Mrs. Sims’s proposal and I don’t think there’s any harm in planning the gala and deciding who will get the estate.”
“I agree,” Imani replied. “I think good things can come out of planning the gala, and Mr. and Mrs. Sims have done more than their fair share for the community over the years. Have you ever planned an event this large before?”
“Yes. I’ve planned many client events and conferences for my company, Barker Architecture. I double majored in college so I have my bachelor’s in both hospitality management and architecture. After college, I got my master’s in business and marketing so I guess you can say I’m a jack of many trades.”
“That’s good to hear,” Imani said.
“I heard you own an event-planning company, but rest assured I’ll be able to handle my part of the planning,” Daman added.
“So you’ve heard of me?” Imani asked, appearing impressed.
Daman had researched her after their initial meeting and clicked on the first link that popped up. He didn’t know much, but the article he read was about her company.
“I heard a little something,” Daman responded. “Then we have an understanding? We’re planning the gala?”
“Yes, we have an understanding. But we need to decide how to split the duties, which days we have to go to Atlanta and who will go.”
“I guess you didn’t check your email?” Daman asked.
“No. Why, did you send me a message?” She reached for her iPhone and started scrolling through.
“Mr. and Mrs. Sims did. It’s filled with information we would need to know just in case we decided to accept their proposal. We can change the schedule slightly, but not much. This is going to require a lot more effort than I thought, but I can adjust my schedule to manage it.”
Daman pulled out a printed copy of the email and passed it to Imani.
He watched her expression as she glanced over the schedule. “There will hardly be any free time between work and organizing the gala.” She seemed a little concerned.
Daman nodded in agreement. He liked the way her face wrinkled as she read the schedule. She didn’t seem like the spontaneous type, so he figured the proposal threw her for a loop. He knew her type, and once you met one, you’ve met them all. Everything she did was probably calculated. He was the complete opposite. He lived for the moment and never thought too far in advance. He’d glanced at the schedule long enough to know a lot of work was ahead, but that was all.
“Imani, are you okay?” Daman asked. She had continued to look at the schedule even after they’d eaten the dinner that had been served.
She finally looked up from the paper after hearing Daman’s voice. He could see the wheels in her brain turning.
“I’m sorry. It’s just that if we have to follow this schedule, it seems we’re going to be together a lot.”
Her face became apprehensive. Interesting. “Do you have a problem being around me?” He smiled slyly. “I know I’m sexy and all, but I’m sure you can keep your hands off me long enough for us to plan the gala.”
He didn’t know why he was provoking her. It usually took longer for a woman to strike his interest enough for him to even participate in any type of banter. She was different from most women he dated...not that this was a date, he reminded himself. The more he flirted with her, the angrier she got, and he liked the effect he was having on her.
“By no means do you affect me, Daman Barker, and you won’t distract me from my work. I’m going through with this proposal because I want my estate. I simply didn’t know it required so much of my free time.”
Hmmm...she doesn’t intimidate easily. I like that. “By my estate, I hope you’re talking about the smaller one.”
Imani took another sip of her wine and adjusted the sleeves of her soft coral blouse. Leaning over the table, she stated in a clear voice, “No, I’m talking about the larger estate that you will agree to let me have after we plan this gala.”
He laughed at Imani’s bold statement. He had no intentions of letting her have the larger estate. “You know something, you seem very confident. Maybe too confident.”
“I don’t seem confident, Daman. I know the estate will be mine.”
He winked at her and laughed when she rolled her eyes. He was sure she was usually very professional, but he was throwing her off her game. She obviously didn’t like the look he was giving her, or probably any of the other looks he’d been giving her all evening.
“Daman, when I set my mind to something, I usually get what I want. And in this case, I want that estate, even if it means working long and excruciating hours with someone as arrogant as you.”
It wasn’t the first time he’d been called arrogant, and it probably wouldn’t be the last. He was only arrogant when backed into a corner. Imani hadn’t done much, but he felt a growing need to push her buttons.
“You’re clearly used to winning competitions. Well, I guarantee you that this is a competition you’ll lose. Besides, you can’t help that you’re attracted to me. Most women are.”
With a laugh, she looked him dead in the eye. “Daman, from what I’ve read about you on the internet, I know I’m not your type. Your name has been linked to the ditzy type—you know, women who can barely think for themselves. You’re handsome and all, but you’re definitely not my type. And I’m calling you on your crap because yesterday you were so into me that you could barely listen to the Simses. I saw it in your eyes—looking me up and down as if I were a plate of meat. You see me as a challenge, but trust me when I say that you can’t handle a woman like me. So do us both a favor and get off your high horse.”
He could hardly contain his smile at seeing Imani’s look of satisfaction. She was right about one thing. Even today, she looked good enough to eat. But he refused to let her get the upper hand.
“You’re right. At one point you had my complete attention yesterday.” He dropped his voice even lower before continuing. “But it’s only fair that I call you on your crap, too. You’re attracted to me. You know it. I know it. I’m sure Mr. and Mrs. Sims know it. The difference is that you are playing with fire, Imani. You’re definitely not too much for me to handle and I’m not afraid to act on the attraction. No matter how confident you seem today, I remember how our chemistry caught you off guard before. If you want to play this game, then be prepared to be eating out of my hands. I’m good at what I do.”
He was forgetting his manners, and for a minute, he regretted what he’d said because he knew it could be taken more than one way. Then he remembered that anything he could do to throw her off her game was a plus, since he really needed to get the estate.
“Well, I have to go,” Imani said, clearly appalled by his egotistical comments. But like the pro he could tell she was, she quickly recovered and continued their conversation. “I’ll be busy rearranging my schedule, so it won’t conflict with planning the gala. How about we meet Friday?”
Daman needed to make arrangements at work, too. “I’ll call you and work out the details for Friday.”
Imani stood to leave and placed the schedule in her purse. “I look forward to it. And hopefully, you’ll check your arrogance at the door next time we meet,” she stated in a sharp tone.
As Daman watched her walk out of the restaurant, he couldn’t help but admire how gracefully her juicy behind swayed in her suit. Her thickness should not be hidden under clothes.
When he’d promised his father he would buy the estate with the lake view when the Simses were ready to sell, he didn’t think he’d be going up against such a beautiful woman. He settled the check and left the restaurant, knowing his body wouldn’t let him get any sleep tonight.
Chapter 3
“So Mr. and Mrs. Sims want you to plan one of the biggest galas of the year with one of the most sought-after bachelors in Detroit?” Mya Winters, one of Imani’s business partners and best friends walked into Imani’s office and sat in a chair near the desk. At twenty-nine, they were proud owners of Elite Events Incorporated, along with Imani’s twenty-seven-year-old sister, Cydney Rayne, and cousin, Lexus Turner.
“You know Daman Barker?” Imani asked as she poured herself a cup of coffee.
“I’ve heard his name around.”
“And we’ve seen a picture or two,” Cyd added, as she and Lex walked into Imani’s office and took a seat on her sofa. “We also presented him with an offer to be featured in the most-eligible bachelors’ edition of our magazine in a few months. Didn’t you read the documents I placed on your desk?”
“No, I didn’t. Sorry.”
“That’s okay. I know you’ve been busy.”
Truthfully, they’d all been busy, and Imani wished she hadn’t taken on so many additional projects. Although each woman ran their respective divisions, Imani knew that she sometimes took on more than she could handle in her own division. The same could be said for her involvement with her family.
“So what are you going to do?” Lex asked the question, but all three women appeared to be listening intently.
“I told the Simses and Daman that I accepted the proposal, but I don’t like feeling obligated to work with anyone. Regardless, I know I need to suck it up and play nice. Although Gamine never told me why she needed me to purchase the estate, she did say it would hold the answers I’ve been searching for. The estate is finally in my reach to purchase, and I’ve been waiting five years to see what answers may lie inside. Whether it be a box or a letter, I need to know.”
The look between Cyd and Lex didn’t go unseen by Imani so she decided to divert from talking about Gamine.
“Plus, my initial meeting with Daman didn’t go so well.”
“Why not?” Mya asked.
“He’s arrogant, cocky and thinks he’s God’s gift to women.”
“Seems like most of the men we know,” Mya said with a laugh.
“That may be true, but something about him gets under my skin. If last night was any indication of how working with him will be, then I need to really think about this.”
“Hmmm...usually you’re so good with words that even the cocky guys eventually quit with that nonsense,” Cyd stated. “Could it be that your attraction to him is what’s really aggravating you?”
Imani looked at Cyd in disbelief. “What makes you think I’m attracted to him?”
“Oh, come on, girl,” Mya chimed in. “We’ve all seen his picture. Daman’s your type. Simple as that.”
Imani sighed as she stood and glanced out her office window before turning her attention back toward the women. “That’s the other problem. When the Simses first introduced us, the attraction between us was obvious, and you all know my policy about fraternizing with men I work with.”
The three women shook their heads at Imani’s comment.
“You can’t constantly work hard and never allow yourself time to relax,” Lex said. “I can’t even remember the last time you were attracted to a man.”
“That’s because I don’t have time for them.”
Cyd walked over to Imani. “Last time I checked, you didn’t need a lot of time to enjoy a man’s company. Plus,” Cyd continued while nudging Imani’s shoulder, “you and Daman will only be partners for a short time.”
“I know, but I need to stay focused. No one thought that four women as young as us could have built such a successful company so fast. That’s part of why you all don’t date, either, because deep down we know men equal trouble. And trouble makes us lose focus of our goals.”
“I disagree,” Mya said. “At least we choose to date every now and then. But you haven’t let loose in a while, which is crazy considering how you used to be. Don’t you miss it?”
Imani glanced up at her friends and business partners because she knew there were words left unspoken. Since Gamine’s death, Imani was far from the person she once was. She used to be more carefree and had no problem enjoying a man’s company or living in the moment. Gamine had always encouraged her to follow her dreams and start her own event-planning business. The fact that her best friend since college, sister and cousin all shared a similar dream was a huge plus. Each of them had talents in different areas, and their business took off like wildfire. Besides being founders of a successful business, they also owned several Boys & Girls Clubs and published their own bimonthly magazine. Each alternated as head planner per event and actively managed a different part of the company. Imani’s focus was on business management and sales; Cyd did marketing and advertising; Lex handled communications and public relations, and Mya worked on educational training and sponsorships. They were a force to be reckoned with, each having accomplished so much before the age of thirty.
Coming out of her trance, Imani noticed that they were still waiting on her response to Mya’s question.
“Yes, I do miss having male company, and you’re right, I haven’t let loose in a while. I know it’s time for me to try to make some changes to get out of this funk I’m in, but unfortunately, that’s easier said than done.” Sitting down at her desk, she took a sip of her coffee, thinking she’d added just enough cream to make her coffee almost the exact color of Daman’s velvety, chocolate skin.
“Enough with all the serious talk,” Cyd said in an attempt to lighten the mood. “Let’s get down to the real business. Just how sexy is Daman in person?”
Imani shook her head as she thought about the right way to describe her first encounter with Daman. “Honestly, besides being arrogant and cocky, all I can tell is that he’s confident and successful.”
“Seriously?” Cyd asked, with a look of disbelief. “That’s all you got?”
Imani exhaled. “No, that’s not all. He’s also tall, nicely groomed and has smooth, chocolate skin, which I definitely like. His eyes remind me of dark chestnuts and his smile is so sexy. And goodness, what a body. If you could have seen how he looked in that suit...” Her voice trailed off when she noticed how quiet her friends were. The knowing looks on their faces proved that she’d said too much already.
“But that won’t change anything,” she quickly added.
All the women laughed. “Oh, yes, it will,” Lex said. “There is only so much a woman can handle. You’ve always been a sucker for Daman’s type, so I don’t see why this situation will be any different.”
“Lex has a point. The sooner you admit that we’re right, the easier he will be for you to handle,” Mya added. “We already know how the corporate world works and Daman wants the estate, too, so he’ll pull out all the stops to get it. You don’t need to suck it up and play nice. You need to get your head in the game and go out balls blazing. The two most important things are to help plan one of the biggest events that Elite Events has ever been a part of and win the estate.”
“You’re right,” Imani replied, allowing Mya’s positive energy to rub off on her. “Organizing such a grand event will be amazing and beneficial. Besides, I can work on convincing Daman that I should get the lake-view estate. Y’all know how convincing I can be when I want something.”
“Hell, yeah! Now you need to keep that attitude,” Cyd stated.
“And pull out all the tricks because you know he will, too,” Mya added.
“Cyd and Mya are right. But please don’t stress about your attraction to Daman,” Lex said with a smile.
Imani wondered if there was anything they didn’t know about her. She was still apprehensive because she usually liked to plan ahead before diving into things, but she would never have turned down such an important proposal as the one from Mr. and Mrs. Sims.
“You’re all right,” Imani replied.
“Then it’s settled?” Mya asked. “You already said yes to the Simses’ proposal. Give Daman a run for his money. Even if that means seducing him, like he probably will try to do to you.”
The situation really didn’t seem settled at all, but Imani always prided herself on seeing the bright side. Fidgeting with the nameplate on her desk, she tried to hide her apprehension. But she never backed down from a challenge, and Daman Barker was definitely a challenge. “Yes, it’s settled.” Let the games begin!
Chapter 4
When Daman walked into R&W Marketing Tuesday morning, he immediately felt at ease. Every time he walked into the firm that his boys, Taheim Reed and Jaleen Walker, had successfully established, he felt a sense of accomplishment. Two months ago, he decided to partner with his best friends full time to bring R&W to the next level. If Taheim and Jaleen could run a successful business and also be junior partners in their family businesses, he didn’t see any reason why he couldn’t, too. Daman had been traveling between his Detroit hometown and the windy city of Chicago almost every week by plane or car, but planned on making Chicago his permanent home by the end of the year. At thirty, he was proud of what he’d accomplished so far. Although Daman’s career was thriving with R&W, he couldn’t say the same for his feelings about Barker Architecture.
His father, Stan, and uncle Frank had opened Barker Architecture when they were in their early twenties. Now, Barker Architecture had grown to an astounding fifteen offices. They were responsible for much of the beautiful architecture and amazing landmarks throughout the Midwest. When Daman’s father passed away eight years ago, his uncle took over as president and chief executive officer of the company. His uncle had never had children of his own, so he treated Daman like the son he never had. Daman had just graduated from college and was working on his master’s, but his uncle picked up where Daman’s father had left off and began showing him all the ins and outs of the company. When Daman became vice president of Barker Architecture, he began noticing inconsistencies with some of the accounting documentation. Barker Architecture was one of the companies affected by the 2008 economic crisis.
In order to keep the company afloat, Barker Architecture reached out to several investors, many of whom were old friends of Daman’s father. When Daman became vice president in 2011, he wanted to focus all his energy into ensuring Barker Architecture would never be a victim of another economic crisis, so he began looking into the company’s accounting files. His uncle was quick to try and divert Daman away from his personal investigation, but Daman continued to question his uncle about certain accounts and customers. Was Barker Architecture really in trouble in 2008? Or was his uncle hiding something? A few months ago, Daman decided it was finally time for him to step away from the office to figure out what was really going on. Since their second largest office was in Chicago, Daman told his uncle he would work out of that office and return to Detroit weekly or biweekly as needed. His uncle agreed, considering he was also aware of Daman’s new partnership with R&W.
As Daman walked into R&W, he tried to put Barker Architecture out of his mind for the moment, but a phone call earlier that morning had been filled with disappointing news concerning just that.
“Hello, Mr. Barker!” the perky front-desk receptionist said, breaking his thoughts.
“Hi, Sherry. Are there any messages for me?”
Flipping her auburn hair behind her ear, she shuffled through a stack of papers. “Yes, you have several. Mr. Kingsberg called to recap last week’s meeting, and Mrs. Remmy called about her upcoming meeting. Also, Glamour Cosmetics, Franko Industries and William’s Whole Foods are all interested in starting an account with R&W. Mr. Reed and Mr. Walker would like you to begin working on those accounts.”
“Thanks, Sherry.”
“You’re welcome, Mr. Barker.” She snapped her fingers. “Oh, and I almost forgot! Imani Rayne from Elite Events Incorporated called your connected line and asked if you could call her back when you got a chance.”
Daman smiled. He’d wondered if she would call. His connected line was the private line displayed on his business card for Barker Architecture. That was the only line connected to both Barker Architecture and R&W Marketing.
“Is that all she said?”
“Yes, Mr. Barker. She left her work number for you to call back.”
“Thanks again, Sherry.”
Daman looked at the clock sitting on Sherry’s desk to see how much time he had before his meeting with Taheim and Jaleen. Noticing he only had three minutes to spare, he placed the paper displaying his messages in his suit jacket and headed down the hall.
He walked into the large conference room and was immediately greeted by both men.
Taheim was the first to speak. “Man, Jaleen told me about the proposal to plan the gala. That would be great exposure for R&W. You agreed, right?”
“Of course.”
“Great. Did you decide when you want to announce your partnership with R&W?”
“I’m not sure, exactly. I’m still trying to tie up a few things at Barker Architecture before making the announcement, but I will definitely do it before the gala.”
Taheim and Jaleen nodded in agreement.
“Who are you planning the gala with?” Jaleen asked. “I don’t remember you telling me on the phone the other day.”
Daman wished he’d been able to stop thinking about Imani.
“A woman, and a very attractive woman at that. We didn’t get off to the best start. She thinks I’m arrogant and cocky. But you know me. I’m determined to show her my softer side.” He gave his best “all-American boy” look and placed his hands over his heart in exaggeration.
Taheim laughed. “Already on the prowl, huh?”
“Well, yeah, but there’s something about her. She’s educated, successful and confident, and I know she wants the gala to be a success, too.”
“D, no offense, but the women you mess with are never educated, successful, or confident. Well, a couple have been, but not many.”
“I know. She’s different.”
“What’s her name?” Jaleen asked.
“Imani Rayne.” No sooner than her name left his mouth, did Taheim spill his coffee on the table.
“Is everything okay, man?” Daman asked.
Taheim and Jaleen shared a look that didn’t go unseen by Daman. Taheim cleaned up the spilled coffee.
“Yeah, man. I’m good. Have the two of you met yet?”
Daman didn’t like not knowing what was up with his boys. He tried to squash the tinge of jealousy he felt. “Yeah, we met. Why? Did one of you date her or something?”
“No,” both men replied in unison. They didn’t date each other’s exes, and he didn’t even know why he cared. It’s not like he wanted to date her. Daman Barker didn’t date; he entertained.
Jaleen began to speak, but he was cut off by Taheim.
“The truth is that we’ve heard of her and her family. Not much happens in Chicago that her family isn’t involved with socially or politically.”
Jaleen nodded in agreement. “Not to mention she’s attractive, and so are all the women in her circle.”
Daman felt like there was more to the story than either man was telling him, but he chose to ignore it.
“Okay, well, she called me about the gala, and I was going to return her call right after this meeting. Could we talk more after I finish the call?”
“Sure, man. We’ll talk at lunch or something.”
* * *
Daman walked into his tastefully decorated office, sat down at his desk and began dialing the number Imani had left in her message.
“Thank you for calling Elite Events Incorporated. How may I direct your call?”
“Hello. May I please speak with Imani Rayne?”
“May I ask who’s calling?”
“Daman Barker.”
“One moment, Mr. Barker.”
Daman enjoyed the upbeat R&B music that played in the background. It was much better than the dreadful elevator music most companies played when they put you on hold.
Imani’s voice suddenly filled the line. “Hello, Daman. Thanks for returning my call so promptly.”
“You’re welcome. I assume your call has something to do with the gala?”Although I wouldn’t mind if it were about something more personal.
“Yes. I was wondering if we could meet tomorrow instead of Friday to discuss the plans. I’m going to make an appearance in Atlanta next week. So I figured I could introduce myself to the team when I get there.”
“Okay, that sounds good. One of us should go to make sure we know the people we’re working with. Where do you want to meet?”
“How about 6:00 p.m. at my place?”
Daman was shocked. After dinner the other day, he figured most of their meetings would be in public places. “Your place?”
“Yes, my place. Is that okay with you?”
“Oh, yeah, that’s fine. I’ll be there. What’s your address?”
After Daman hung up the phone, he thought about what tomorrow had in store. He knew Imani would try her best to remain collected around him, but he enjoyed making her nervous. She probably thought she hid it well, but she didn’t. He would use their mutual attraction to his advantage, and persuade her to give him the estate. One thing was on his side: women could be just as cutthroat as men, but they had more difficulty separating business from pleasure. Daman knew better. He played the game with his mind. Emotions only stood in the way and made you lose touch with reality. A woman didn’t stand a chance against a determined man, and after only two meetings, seducing Imani was at the top of his to-do list.
Chapter 5
Imani spent a full two hours trying to get ready for her meeting with Daman. She didn’t know why she was making such a big deal about seeing him. She kept reminding herself that it was strictly business and to ignore the discomfort she always felt in his presence. He was due to arrive in ten minutes, and she still felt mentally unprepared for his visit. She looked at herself in the mirror for the twentieth time.
Man, I look good! She had chosen to dress casually. A clingy mahogany maxi dress softly hugged her curves and complemented her flawless complexion. The dress was sure to make his mouth water, putting her at a great advantage.
The buzzer to the condo’s security desk rang.
“Yes, Bernard?”
“There’s a Mr. Barker here to see you.”
“Thank you, Bernard. Please send him up.”
With one more glance in the mirror, Imani took a deep breath and made her way to the door. Here goes nothing.... Opening her door, she was greeted by Daman’s seductive smile.
“Hello, Imani. Nice to see you again.”
“Likewise, Daman. Please come in.”
As he made his way into her condo, she heard him take a deep breath. His eyes were burning a hole in her dress, causing her stomach to flutter. She moved to the couch and bent over, pretending to fluff the pillows as she motioned for him to take a seat. She was fully aware that he was watching her every move. She knew what she was doing, and even though this was only their third meeting, she could tell he appreciated a woman with a nice butt.
“Did you get here all right?”
Daman cleared his throat before answering. “Yes, your building was easy to find.”
“Great. Would you like anything to drink?”
“Yes, a Coke would be fine.”
“Coming right up.”
Imani made her way to the kitchen, making sure she swayed extra hard while she had his undivided attention. She heard him mumble something under his breath that sounded a lot like damn. She had to admit, he definitely looked handsome in his blue sweater and dark jeans, but she felt a sense of power in seeing his reaction to her seductive dress.
“One point for me,” she said to herself when she reached the kitchen, licking the tip of her finger and swiping an imaginary number one in the air.
When she returned, she noticed her short trip to the kitchen had allowed Daman enough time to regain his cool.
“Here you go.” She handed Daman his drink. “Shall we get down to business?”
“Yes. When are you leaving for Atlanta?”
“I’m leaving this Friday, but I’m only staying over the weekend. I’ll work with the gala volunteers over the weekend. Then I have to be back in Chicago because I’m interviewing on The Jimmy King Morning Show on Z105.”
Imani sat on the couch a little closer to Daman than she had originally planned.
“That sounds great,” Daman responded, taking a sip of his drink.
She watched the movement of his Adam’s apple as the liquid slid down his throat.
Imani shifted to adjust her dress, aware that Daman’s eyes had now ventured to her breasts. She perked them outward, glad she’d worn her new Victoria’s Secret push-up bra.
“I met Jimmy King at a party we planned for Jennifer Hudson a couple months ago, so originally I was going on his show to advertise and discuss Elite Events. Now, I’m going to discuss the gala, as well. I’ve talked to the Simses and it’s been approved for me to discuss the event.”
“I’m sure you’ll do well,” Daman said with a smile. “So are you proud of everything Elite Events has accomplished so far?”
“Of course I am. Nothing beats going into business for yourself. What about you? How do you like being the vice president of Barker Architecture?”
She noticed the slight tightening of his jawline before he told her that he enjoyed it. Sensing he was uncomfortable with the subject, she decided to let it go—for now.
“Okay, so I figure the first thing I’ll do the morning after I check in to my hotel is head down to the location of the gala. I have a contact list that Mrs. Sims emailed me, so I’ll make a few calls and see who can meet me there.”
“Sounds good. Be sure to see if the volunteers are as excited about helping as Mr. and Mrs. Sims made it seem. What’s next?”
“Well, I think we should start with the guest list. I have no idea exactly how many people have RSVP’d, so I’ll need to talk to Vicky Gordon, the head volunteer. I was under the impression that catering, decorations and media are all in the works, but nothing is finalized.”
“Same here. Mr. Sims emailed me with strict instructions for both of us. The issue that seems to need immediate attention is the media. The same news shows and television stations that always televise and broadcast the gala will be there. However, we need to make sure that we still maintain a certain amount of privacy for our guests during all the pre-gala events. We want everyone to be comfortable.”
“Yes, we do. I have some contacts in the media that I can reach out to. I think I emailed so many questions to Mrs. Sims that she decided to send me a really detailed to-do list. This list covers more of what we need to do for the pre-gala events.”
Imani handed Daman the list, and her hand briefly grazed his. At the previous dinner, they hadn’t had any physical contact, making this only the third time they’d touched. She couldn’t help but enjoy how stimulating the sensation was. The glazed look in Daman’s eyes told her that he had felt it, too. She couldn’t help but wonder what sensations other body parts could create if she almost melted by the light touch of his hands.
They spent the next two hours discussing Imani’s list of things to do and calling volunteers. Much to Imani’s surprise, most of the meeting remained professional.
“Imani, I must say it was a pleasure discussing business with you.”
“It was surprisingly a pleasure for me, also,” she replied with a sly look on her face.
Daman liked the look Imani gave whenever she was being sarcastic, yet flirty. He just laughed at her comment.
“I’ll give you an update on the gala when I return next weekend.”
“Great. I look forward to it.” As Daman began walking toward the door, he saw something flicker out of the corner of his eye. He looked in that direction and noticed a gold frame on the fireplace mantel that caught the light. For some reason, he needed to get a closer look at the photo in the frame.
Daman could tell that Imani was wondering what had caught his attention. He walked over to the photograph and studied the picture with intense concentration.
“Daman, is everything okay?” Imani asked, breaking his concentration.
He couldn’t explain why he kept staring at the photo. The little girl in the picture was undoubtedly Imani. Her facial structure and features looked the same now as they did when the photo was taken, only more mature. Yet there was a slight difference he couldn’t place that had nothing to do with maturity.
“I’m fine. Who’s the woman in the picture with you?”
Imani walked over to her fireplace. “It’s Gamine.” She picked up the photo and lightly touched the frame. “It was taken when I was seven. Gamine had taken me out of town on a shopping trip. We had the best time.”
Daman knew Imani and Gamine were extremely close, so it was hard to see her look so lost as she stared at the photo. Imani set the frame back down and quickly glanced at him before her eyes settled back on the photo. In that short second, he saw the flicker of despair in her eyes.
That’s what it is. Imani’s eyes had noticeably changed since her youth. In the photo, her eyes were filled with love and happiness, yet in the few times Daman had seen her, they lacked the same elation that the photo captured. She had been a carefree child, and she now carried the weight of adulthood on her shoulders, but his inner voice told him it was something deeper than that.
Imani abruptly stepped back from the fireplace. “Shall I walk you out?”
Her voice sounded pleasant enough, but she wore a plastered smile on her face that might have appeared genuine to many. Daman knew the difference, but luckily for Imani, he wasn’t the type to interfere in other people’s business. He didn’t even know why he cared so much, and the fact that he was so curious about how she felt worried him. He decided it was best if he left before he did or said something he would regret.
“Thanks for a good evening, Imani. Have a safe flight, and feel free to call me if you need anything while you’re in Atlanta.”
“Thanks, Daman. Have a good weekend.”
After the door closed behind him, Daman tried to process his reaction to the photo. “What is it with this woman?” he asked to no one in particular before heading home.
Chapter 6
As Daman walked toward his private jet at the Chicago Aurora Municipal Airport, he massaged the back of his neck, trying to work out the knot that had developed. He didn’t know if the cause of his discomfort was due to all the commuting between Detroit and Chicago, or to the couple in the hotel room next to his who’d constantly argued until 3:00 a.m.
Yesterday, he’d called his friend Thompson Davis, better known as “Tommy” on The Jimmy King Morning Show, to see if he could be a surprise guest the same day Imani would be on the show. Daman was honest with Tommy, knowing that he would jump at the chance to pull something unexpected on the show. He wasn’t surprised when Tommy agreed.
He didn’t tell Imani he was going to be on the show and he couldn’t wait to see the look on Imani’s face when she realized he would be in Atlanta at the same time she was. After the night they’d met at her place, after that dress she’d worn to purposely throw him off his game, he knew he had to regain some ground. And keeping his appearance on the show a secret might help give him a leg up. He needed to throw her off balance, and he suspected she hated surprises.
Reaching for his phone, he quickly dialed his mom. He and his mother were extremely close. His parents had experienced several miscarriages early in their marriage, but then on his mom’s thirty-eighth birthday, she’d gotten pregnant with him.
“Good morning, Mom! How are you?”
Patricia Barker yawned softly. “Daman, baby, it’s 5:00 a.m. I love hearing from you, but why are you calling me so early?”
He laughed at his mom’s comment. “I thought you’d be up already.”
“Daman, I’m an old retired woman. I don’t need to get up at the crack of dawn—especially on a Monday.”
“I just wanted to let you know that I’m leaving for Atlanta in a few minutes. The jet is waiting now.”
“Is this for the gala?”
“Yes, it is. I’ll be in Atlanta with my partner this week. Then I was thinking about dropping by to see you.”
“I would love that, baby. I’ve been waiting for you to come down here.”
“I know, Mom. My visit is long overdue.” Daman had not been by to see his mom since she moved to Florida two years ago. She usually visited him in Detroit.
After a few more minutes, he ended the conversation and boarded the jet.
He would be at his destination shortly, so there was no time for a nap. He had to make a quick stop in Detroit before going to Atlanta.
Daman composed himself as he exited his jet and walked toward his rental car. The meeting he was about to have would, no doubt, impact his life. Regardless of the outcome, he needed to figure out what was going on with his uncle.
He pulled into the secluded parking lot of a forest preserve for his meeting with Private Investigator Malik Madden.
“It’s good to see you again, Malik,” Daman said.
“Same here. Shall we get right down to it?”
“Yes. My uncle has been very good about covering his tracks. I’m hoping you’ll be able to provide me with enough evidence to bring him down once and for all.”
Malik looked at him with concerned eyes. “Daman, I appreciate your confidence in me, and you’re right, I am very good at what I do. If your uncle is keeping any secrets, I’ll find out, but you have to be prepared for all outcomes.”
“I understand completely. The pros outweigh the cons. For the past few years, I’ve watched my uncle carefully and something isn’t right. I need to find out what he’s got up his sleeve. It’s about time I stand up for my father’s dream.” Daman understood Malik’s concerns, but he knew this was the right thing to do. He was sure Malik had seen many people back out of investigations that turned ugly. But Daman would stop at nothing to reach his goal.
“I will contact you periodically as needed.” Malik handed Daman a large manila envelope.
“Here is an outline of your case. Everything you need to know or do is explained in this envelope. Like you said, your uncle did a very good job of covering his tracks.”
“Right,” Daman agreed. “And my father was a great businessman. The company was extremely prosperous when he was alive. It’s hard to believe that Barker Architecture wouldn’t have had enough funds to stay afloat.”
“I understand your concern and sooner or later we will figure out what your uncle’s hiding,” Malik replied.
Daman took the folder from Malik, hoping the case would get cracked sooner rather than later.
* * *
Imani eased into the luxurious hotel bathtub just as her iPhone rang. “Hello?”
“Hi, sweetheart. How was your flight?” Hope’s happy voice floated through the phone.
“Mom, I’m so glad it’s you! It was fine. How’s Fiji?”
“Oh, baby, Fiji is wonderful. Your father and I just spent all day on an amazing tour of the island.”
“That’s great, Mom.”
Imani grinned as her mom told her about the trip so far. She was happy for her parents, especially her mom. She had taken Gamine’s death the worst of all, yet she was finally returning to her old self.
“I’m happy for you and Dad. You two needed a vacation. And you seem happy.”
Imani hoped her mom hadn’t heard the slight break in her voice.
“Baby, you have to get out of this funk you’ve been in. Ever since Gamine’s death, you’ve been like the Energizer bunny, making sure everyone else is okay. I’m worried that you’re not taking care of yourself.”
Her mother was right. She couldn’t explain how she felt and knew that her mother would see through her lie if she told her she was fine.
“I know, Mom. I want you to enjoy the rest of your vacation. When will you get back to the States?”
“Your father and I are thinking about extending our vacation and going somewhere else after Fiji. But we’ll make sure we get back before the family barbecue.”
“Wow, I’m jealous,” Imani said with a laugh. “Retirement suits you both really well. I love you, Mom. Tell Dad I love him, too, and I’ll talk to you both later.”
“Okay, sweetie. I love you.”
* * *
Hope hung up with her daughter and sighed deeply.
“Is everything okay with Imani?”
She turned to her husband, who still looked every bit of sexy at his age.
“I guess she’s fine. I just wish I could help her out of this dismal mood she’s been in lately. I know Gamine’s death was hard on all of us, but Imani has always been the emotional and nurturing one...just like Gamine. It seems that when Gamine passed away and Imani took on her role as the nurturer of the family, she put her emotions on hold. She hasn’t been the same since. She puts up a good front, but I know better. What she needs is a man in her life instead of only focusing on her career.”
“Well, honey...” Her husband’s voice trailed off as she continued to talk.
“You and I both know there’s a reason why she really wants that estate, David. Gamine told her to invest in that estate, and Imani tries her best to fulfill all the dreams Gamine had for her. You know how much Imani hates to fail, and this man she’s working with may not let her get the estate. Even Cyd and the girls avoid her at times now. They say she’s at work twenty-four-seven, and if the girls can’t get through to Imani, I don’t know who can. Both my girls have issues with men. They need to find somebody and not focus solely on the company.”
David draped a comforting arm over her shoulders and pulled her into his embrace. “Your compassion for others is one of the many reasons why I fell in love with you. But you have to realize that Imani needs to find her own way. And in due time, she will. Both of our daughters will. We have to be patient. Don’t you agree?”
Hope listened to her husband. He always knew what to say to calm her down.
“You’re right, honey...you’re right.”
“Well, let me show you just how right I am.”
With a smile, he placed a passionate kiss on his wife’s lips in hope of easing her worries.
Chapter 7
Imani’s hour-long soak in the tub had been much needed. After her bath, she put on her black satin nightgown and caught up on a little reading. Sitting on the balcony of her hotel room with a warm cup of chamomile tea, she listened to smooth R&B music playing in the background.
The night was so warm that it reminded her of a hot, summer night when she and the girls had taken an impromptu trip to Barbados. Ever since the company took off, they hadn’t taken many impromptu vacations. Well, Cyd took trips like that, but they hadn’t taken a trip together in a while. When she got back to Chicago, she’d be sure to mention that to the girls.
They all desperately needed a vacation. She decided she would use any downtime she had in Atlanta to relax and go shopping.
The evening breeze caught hold of her nightgown, causing her to shiver. She had requested to be on a floor with few guests, and a quick glance around the outside perimeter of the hotel seemed to confirm that the hotel had honored that request.
Imani knew she shouldn’t be wearing so little clothing on her balcony, but clothes had always been a bother to her, anyway. She preferred to feel comfortable and free. And she loved looking at the lit city skyscrapers.
Her thoughts drifted to Gamine. She quickly ran into her room and got a feather out of her stash—her personal way of connecting with Gamine. Closing her eyes, she said a silent prayer to Gamine, letting the feather catch in the wind and drift into the night sky.
When Imani opened her eyes, she saw a light turn on in the room next to hers. When the receptionist at the front desk had asked her if she would mind adjoining rooms, she figured it was okay since she was assured no one else was occupying the room. Imani wished she’d made the receptionist guarantee that the room would remain unoccupied throughout her stay because clearly, someone was there now. Since Imani wasn’t decently dressed, she slowly made her way back into her room. She was just about to slide into bed when there was a knock on her door.
Slipping on her robe, she gasped as she looked through the peephole.
“It can’t be,” Imani said aloud.
She rubbed her eyes to see if she was imagining the person on the other side of the door. Only one way to find out...
She exhaled deeply and slowly opened the door.
“Hello, Imani,” Daman said in a deep, husky voice. No one ever said her name like he did.
“Hello, Daman,” Imani stated, her voice full of displeasure. “What are you doing in Atlanta? And more important, how did you know where I was staying or what room I was in?”
“You left that information with Vicky Gordon, the head of the volunteers. She informed me that she set up these arrangements for you and was more than happy to tell me where you were staying. I managed to book myself the connecting room.”
The smoldering look Daman was giving her wasn’t helping to calm the rising heat overtaking her body. Vicky obviously wouldn’t have known that she shouldn’t give out Imani’s room number to her co-gala planner, so she couldn’t be upset.
He was leaning on the outside of her door, smiling at her, knowing that she was annoyed he’d so casually stopped by.
“How long are you staying?” she asked in a dry tone.
“Since it’s the weekend, I’m staying for a few days.”
“Oh.” Imani wasn’t keen on his being in Atlanta at all but figured he knew that much.
“Vicky mentioned that you two had a meeting set up tomorrow morning at the location of the gala, so I took the liberty of inviting myself along. Is that okay with you?”
Imani knew Daman was baiting her to express her annoyance, and she refused to give him the satisfaction. “That’s fine,” she said through clenched teeth.
“Great. I’ll knock on your door at 8:00 tomorrow morning so we can head to the next meeting together. Have a good night.” And with a sly smile, Daman walked back to his room.
Imani slammed her door and went to lie down in the comfortable bed. She disliked anyone telling her what to do and she disliked it even more when she couldn’t get a word in edgewise to protest.
“The nerve of that man!” she yelled out loud.
* * *
The next morning, Imani and Daman walked into the Georgia World Congress Center and were greeted by an older couple and a group of five young men and women.
Vicky Gordon introduced herself to Imani and Daman and then the older woman introduced them to the man beside her. “This is my husband, Pete. Welcome to Atlanta, Ms. Rayne and Mr. Barker.”
Imani and Daman exchanged handshakes with the couple.
“I’m excited to be here, and please call me Imani.”
“And you can call me Daman,” Daman replied after Imani. “I’m happy to be here, as well.”
“That’s great to hear, Imani and Daman,” Vicky responded. “I’m the lead event manager here at the Georgia World Congress Center and my husband manages the facilities department. I will introduce you to a few people who flew in from Black Enterprise later today. As you know, they are hosting the gala and are very interested in discussing plans with you all and the rest of the team.”
Imani had met a lot of entrepreneurs at last year’s annual conference and respected the organization a great deal.
“I would like you both to meet a few of our student volunteers,” Vicky said, motioning toward the younger adults.
Imani noticed that each of the volunteers wore a T-shirt from The University of Georgia.
“Imani, Daman, my name is Jared Booker, and I’m the president of the Black Student Union campus organization at The University of Georgia. This is our vice president, Stephanie Rogers, treasurer, Michael Adams, editor of our monthly magazine, Paul White, and event and marketing director, Joan Griffin. We have many other volunteers from our organization who will be here to help with the gala, as well.”
Imani shook hands with the enthusiastic five, reflecting on her own drive she had in college to make a difference. “It’s very nice to meet you all. It means a lot to have student volunteers willing to dedicate their time.”
Daman seemed equally impressed with the students. “We’re glad your organization has offered to help with the gala. I look forward to working with you all.”
“Now that introductions are out of the way, we can give you two a tour of the center,” Vicky said to the group. “We’ll start with the Thomas Murphy Ballroom, where the gala will take place.”
When Imani had first walked into the Georgia World Congress Center, she’d admired the design, but thought it looked like many other conference centers. As Vicky led them deeper into the center, Imani was blown away by the breathtaking beauty of the ballroom.
The architectural design of the high ceiling was distinctively modern and the theater-style room had geometric carpeting with warm, brilliant tones. Unique sculptural designs were symmetrically stationed throughout the entire room. The overall effect was stunning.
The tour continued throughout the center, each room offering the same gorgeous decor; however, the Georgia Ballroom, where the pre-and-post-cocktail parties were to be held was Imani’s favorite. It was also the room that received Daman’s utmost approval.
“Vicky, this room is exquisite!” Daman exclaimed in complete awe.
Imani watched as he carefully viewed all the minor details of the room’s decor. His strides were slow and precise and the concentration in his eyes was mesmerizing to her. She was so intensely consumed in watching Daman that she failed to notice the observant glance she was receiving from Vicky.
“I’m interested to know the history of this place,” Daman said out loud to no one in particular. “The decor is modern so it must have been remodeled recently.”
Vicky gleamed. “My husband would be able to answer all of your questions,” Vicky said motioning toward the man beside her. “As facilities manager, he knows everything about this place.”
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