Читать книгу Evidence of Desire - Pamela Yaye - Страница 12

Chapter 2

At six o’clock, Azure sailed into Table 13 and after a brief chat with the curvy, blue-eyed hostess, strode through the packed-out waiting area. The word swank came to mind every time Azure entered Philly’s newest hot spot, but after attending last month’s grand opening, she quickly realized that all that glittered wasn’t gold. Table 13 was a place to see and be seen in. That was it. The ceilings were high, and the décor flashy, but the overpriced entrées were smaller than a McDonald’s Happy Meal and the service was painfully slow. But the scathing reviews by local critics didn’t deter the crowds. In the lounge, dozens of young, fabulously dressed patrons with money to burn and not a care in the world sipped champagne and smoked cigars.

Azure was an hour early for her meeting with Harper, but she planned to use the time to develop her new plan. She hoped that once she had a couple of cocktails, and her nerves settled, the ideas would flow freely, because right now she had nothing. Mr. Watson’s words circled her mind, and although it had been hours since her boss had marched into her office and reamed her out, she could still hear his harsh voice in her ears. “Shape up or ship out, Ellison. And for goodness’ sake, quit writing boring fluff pieces that your own mother wouldn’t read!”

Sliding onto the swivel stool in her slim-fitting Gucci dress took more skill than winning Jeopardy’s Tournament of Champions, but once Azure was seated at the bright, circular bar, she felt herself start to relax. The bartender smiled at her, and as he approached, Azure decided she had nothing to worry about. She looked good, felt even better and had a feeling Harper would open up to her. Or at least that’s my hope, she thought, reaching for one of the drink lists displayed beside the decorative napkin holder.

“Funny seeing you here....”

Azure glanced to her right. When she saw Harper, sitting two seats over, her eyes widened. Her heart fluttered like a butterfly, and when his gaze moved over her with deliberate slowness, her lips parted wordlessly. Realizing how utterly ridiculous she must look, Azure closed her mouth and wiped the dreamy, love-struck expression off her face. “You’re early.”

“So are you.”

Harper gestured to his iPad. “I thought I’d get some work done while I watched the Sixers game. What’s your excuse?”

“I was planning to work, too,” she lied, nervously combing a lock of hair behind her ears. “I have a deadline fast approaching, and as usual I’m hopelessly behind.”

“Let me buy you a drink.”

The deep timbre of his voice, and the way he was staring at her, made it impossible for Azure to speak. Not in complete sentences, anyway.

“What would you like?”

To kiss you. Desire singed her flesh. Azure shook the outrageous thought from her mind. Clearly, being in close proximity to this gorgeous corporate attorney was wreaking havoc on her good sense. But smart, intelligent guys with perfect teeth and great bodies had always been her weakness, and Harper Hamilton was the prototype of her dream guy. Only he wasn’t a dream. He was a living, breathing hunk of a man who smelled divine. “I’ll have a Coke,” she told the pierced bartender, when he sidled up to her. “No, on second thought, make that a dry martini.”

“Good choice.” Harper raised his glass. “That’s what I’m having.”

Azure nodded, watched as he packed up his leather briefcase and set it on the floor. His rich, wonderful fragrance wrapped itself around her in a sweet, sensual hug, and, oh, did he ever look good, too! Azure loved his casual, polished style and had a hell of a time keeping her eyes off his body and on her menu. Harper was off the clock, but he still looked like an acclaimed attorney at the top of his game. His white dress shirt and eye-catching burgundy tie warmed his flawless, smooth complexion, his dark slacks were tailored to perfection and his diamond wristwatch outshone the chandelier hanging above the bar.

Anxious to get down to business, she gestured to the dining area with her hand. “We should probably go grab a table. It’s starting to fill up in here.”

“I’m fine here at the bar, if you are. There’s a line down the block to get in, and I’m not interested in waiting outside.” Harper glanced at the floor-to-ceiling windows. “I used to deliver flyers when I was a teenager, and to this day, every time I have to walk more than a block or two I moan and grumble!”

“You had a part-time job in high school?”

“You mean jobs,” he corrected, chuckling good-naturedly. “My parents wanted me to understand the value of a dollar, so once I was old enough they encouraged me to work. Or rather, forced me to! I shoveled snow, mowed lawns, walked dogs. I did it all, and hated every minute of it.”

“Now I don’t feel so bad about working at Fat Burger. At least I wasn’t outside!”

“You used to work at Fat Burger? Wow, back in the day that place was my second home.” He wore a wistful expression, but his tone was filled with humor. “There was one across the street from my prep school, and my friends and I would head over there whenever we had a spare. I had the same thing every day. A—”

“Triple King Meal, ten-piece chicken nuggets and a chocolate milkshake.”

“Yeah,” he said, raising a thick, perfectly groomed eyebrow. “How did you know?”

Azure shifted around on her stool. “Just a lucky guess. I worked at Fat Burger for years, and that seemed to be everybody’s favorite.”

“You’re probably right. My buddies ordered the same thing, too.”

In the lounge, chuckles rang out, the scent of fresh garlic bread filled the air and patrons danced to the pop song playing. When the bartender returned to refresh their drinks, Harper ordered an appetizer platter and a bottle of wine.

“I hope you’re eating for two,” Azure quipped, hiding a smirk that threatened to overwhelm her mouth, “because that platter serves six and I’m not hungry.”

“Don’t tell me you’re one of those weight-obsessed, calorie-counting types who’s strict about what she eats.”

“Isn’t every woman?”

Harper tasted his drink, then rested it on his coaster. “It’s not the size of a woman’s waist or the length of her hair that makes her beautiful. It’s how she carries herself, how confident and comfortable she is in her skin. I’ve dated sisters of all shapes and sizes and—”

“You have?”

“Of course, I’d be a fool not to. Contrary to what the fashion industry thinks, beauty comes in plus-size packages, too, and I’m tired of only seeing toothpick-thin models on billboards and magazine covers.” He wore a smile. “No offense.”

Azure held up her hands. “None taken. And I agree with you. I’ve been pushing the powers-that-be at Eminence to hire more full-figured models, but my new boss, Leland Watson, isn’t on board. All he cares about is turning the magazine into a glossier, more scandalous version of People magazine.”

“On that note, I’d love to hear more about the piece you’re working on.”

You and me both, Azure thought, clearing her throat. Facing him, she arched her shoulders and crossed her legs. Sucking in her stomach hurt, but she clasped her hands around her knees and wore a winning smile. Perfect. Now he couldn’t see her hands shaking.

“I must admit, I was shocked when you asked me to meet you here tonight.”

“You were? Why?”

“Because you’re a beautiful woman who I’m sure has no shortage of admirers.”

Azure felt her eyes bulge out of her head. Harper thinks I’m beautiful? For real? No way! The idea was shocking, mind-boggling, as unbelievable as shoulder pads coming back in style, but Harper looked dead serious. His gaze was intense, smoldering with such heat, her heart skipped two beats. For a split second, Azure considered telling Harper who she was. It was obvious he didn’t remember her, so why not come clean?

Because if I confess to being frumpy ol’ Alice Ellison, it might ruin my chances with him.

Shaking her head helped Azure come to her senses. She had to be professional. This was business. Strictly business. And once she gained Harper’s trust and tricked him into revealing family secrets, she’d be on her way because being around this strong, virile attorney was too much temptation for a single, celibate girl like herself to take. “My boss wants me to produce a story that breaks new ground, a piece that will get the whole country talking, and I think I may have found what he’s looking for. But to write the story, I need to interview someone inside the Hamilton family dynasty.”

“And that would be me,” he offered, his expression guarded, his tone tight.

Azure nodded. To lighten the mood and put him at ease, she spoke from the heart. “We’re a lot alike, you and me, and I think—”

“Is that so? In what way, Ms. Ellison?”

“For starters, we’re both keen observers who don’t automatically buy what we’ve been told. We’re hard workers who never take the easy way out, but we’re often overshadowed by louder, flashier colleagues who believe their own hype.”

Harper stroked his jaw reflectively. He was impressed. Azure Ellison had described him to a T. No one had ever done that before, but the longer he stared at her, the more convinced he was that she was hiding something. There was something familiar about her, mysterious, too. Was it possible they’d met before last month’s photo shoot? Through an acquaintance or business associate maybe? Instead of playing a solitary game of twenty questions, he decided to lay his cards on the table. “Who are you really, Azure Ellison, and what are you after?”

“I sensed a bit of animosity between you and Jake during last month’s interview,” Azure said, sidestepping his question. “I’m curious if there was more to that argument I witnessed than you led me to believe.”

His eyes narrowed, lost their luster and the veins in his neck pulsed.

Bingo! Tempering her excitement, she paused to taste her cocktail and waited a half second before moving in for the kill. “I’d love to profile you, Harper. Just you. We could do a full-page spread with pictures, quotes and a list of your most high-profile cases.”

Interest sparked in Harper’s eyes as he straightened in his seat.

“I suspect that you’re the unsung hero of the firm, and I’d love to give you a chance to tell the world what’s really going on behind the scenes at Hamilton, Hamilton and Clark.”

Azure was spinning her tale as fast as she could, saying and doing all the right things, but Harper didn’t respond. He looked amused, as if he were watching a kitten chase its tail around in circles, and his broad grin was growing by the second. “Will you do the interview?”

Several long, tense seconds ticked by.

“I’ll do it, but only if you agree to have dinner with me tomorrow.”

“Lunch,” she countered. “In my office on Friday.”

“Dinner. Six o’clock sharp.”

“Brunch. Eleven-thirty.”

Harper wore an arch grin. “Tomorrow night. The Clearwater Grill on Sixth Street.”

“Why not somewhere around here or in Mount Airy?”

“Because I’d love a good steak, and no one does it better than the head chef at the Clearwater Grill on Sixth.”

Azure frowned. “Really? I’ve heard of the place, but I’ve never been there.”

“You’ll love it. Everyone does. It’s quiet, the service is great and the manager is the funniest guy you’ll ever meet.”

“I’d rather interview you in my office. It’s a more professional setting and we won’t have to worry about being interrupted or distracted.”

“The Clearwater Grill,” he repeated, his tone calm, cool. “Take it or leave it.”

“I’ll be there.”

What just happened? Azure thought sourly, wishing she hadn’t given in so easily. That went real well, Azure. Are you sure you’re the one in charge? She was beating herself up for giving Harper the upper hand when she caught sight of a slight man in a striped fedora and matching sports coat in the waiting area.

Azure blinked hard, tried to get a better look at the stranger’s

profile. Perspiration drenched her palms and clung to her dress. No. It couldn’t be. Her boss wouldn’t do something as sneaky as spying on her, would he? A former tabloid reporter, with a remarkable gift for sniffing out the truth, Leland Watson was as cunning as he was brilliant, and he never let her forget it. He was an acclaimed journalist, and well respected in the field, but Azure wouldn’t put anything past him. And the more she considered it, the more likely it was her boss in the tacky fedora and sports coat. After all, he’d asked—no, ordered—her to track down Harper and been the one to suggest they meet for cocktails at Table 13, too.

Azure peered over Harper’s shoulder. The stranger strode through the bar, and when he disappeared into the lounge and out of sight, she released a sigh of relief. Hopefully someone rich and famous had caught his eye. Either way, it was time to call it a night. She had a long day ahead of her, and now a brand-new interview with Harper to prepare for. It wasn’t time to sit pretty. It was time to go on the attack. And when she met with the famed attorney tomorrow night, that was exactly what she was going to do.

“See someone you know?” Harper asked, sliding several crisp bills into the leather billet. “Or are you trying to get a better look at Drake and his ten-man entourage?”

Azure dismissed his question with a wave of her hand. “Drake’s cute, but he’s way too young for me. Besides, I like my men the way I like my coffee. Strong and dark.”

Harper rocked with laughter. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“You do that, Mr. Hamilton.”

“Call me Harper.”

“Only if you call me Azure.”

He nodded, leaned in so close she could smell his spicy, masculine cologne. “So, what do you do when you’re not working?”

“I’m always working. Aren’t you?”

Another hearty chuckle. “Yes, but I make time to hang out with my family, to watch my beloved Seventy-Sixers and I travel several times a year. You should see my passport. It looks like a dog’s chew toy!”

“I’m so jealous. I’ve never left the States, and all the travel I do is for work.”

“I’ll have to do something about that, then.”

Their eyes caught, and held, and Azure was so overcome by the intensity of Harper’s gaze and his heady scent that all she could do was stare at him.

“You should come with me to the Cabo San Lucas Music Festival. I go every year, and the concerts, cuisine and atmosphere are out of this world.” Harper added, “But don’t take my word for it, come and see for yourself.”

“My boss will never give me the time off.” Azure felt guilty for lying to Harper—again—but she didn’t feel comfortable sharing her business with him. She couldn’t afford to go to Cabo, or anywhere else for that matter. Not until she paid off her bills. But Harper had given her something to think about. A trip to the famed celebrity hot spot sounded divine, something worth planning once she straightened out her finances.

“Is there a special man in your life anxiously waiting for you to return home?”

Azure was caught off guard by the question, but she didn’t show it. “No, just my cats.”

“Your cats?”

“Yup, Darius and Lovehall.”

Harper thought for a moment, then released a deep, hearty chuckle. “You named your cats after the male character in Love Jones?”

“I sure did.”

“You must really like the movie.”

“Who doesn’t? It’s one of the greatest romantic movies of all time!”

“The movie came out when I was in high school, and my female classmates went wild for Larenz Tate. The editor of the school newspaper even devoted an issue to the movie.”

Azure couldn’t believe it. Harper remembered the column she’d done for the school newspaper? Who would have thought? He didn’t recognize her, but he remembered her article, and that made her feel proud. Although they’d never had any classes together or traveled in the same social circles, Harper had always greeted her when they’d passed each other in the halls. And once, when she’d been caught in a rainstorm, he’d been kind enough to share his umbrella with her.

Azure remembered that afternoon as if it were yesterday.

Outwardly, she’d remained calm as they’d stridden toward the tree-lined campus side by side, but inside Azure had been a maelstrom of emotion. Fear, excitement and sheer, unadulterated joy. They’d walked and talked, and although her legs had been shaking under her painfully tight school uniform, she’d held up her end of the conversation. After that, Harper Hamilton—the upperclassman voted most likely to one day be president—starred in all her teenage fantasies. Once he graduated and went off to law school, Azure never saw him again, but every time it rained, she wondered what had happened to the kind, great-looking guy who’d shared his umbrella with her.

Memories flooded her mind, and when Azure thought about the day she arrived at Bryn Mawr College, a smile warmed her face. Studying at the highly acclaimed women’s college was the best thing to ever happen to her. During her sophomore year, she’d shed some weight, traded her hideous, Coke-bottle-thick glasses for contacts and found her confidence, her voice. Azure made friends with her über-rich classmates and soon discovered that brains always trumped breeding. In the space of a year, she went from being a novice reporter to an editor of the school newspaper and ultimately editor in chief. After graduation, and a series of starts and stumbles, Eminence magazine hired her, and once she changed her first name to Azure her career took off like a meteorite.

Pride filled her. Life was good. Better than she could ever have imagined. She was sitting across from Harper Hamilton in the most exclusive restaurant in Philly, and he was flirting with her! Azure wanted to pinch herself. The attorney had it. Charisma, charm, that indescribable quality that drove women wild. He had it in spades, and there was something so powerful between them, something so crushing, her head was spinning.

“I hope what I’m about to say doesn’t offend you, Azure, but you look amazing in that dress. It’s sexy but tasteful and the emerald-green color is perfect for the season.”

Azure raised her eyebrows in a questioning slant. “Don’t tell me you’re a male fashionista,” she teased, unable to resist poking fun at him. “You’re a great dresser, but I pegged you more as a sports guy than a shop-till-you-drop one.”

“You’re right, I am, but my mom is a fashion designer and I’ve learned a thing or two from her over the years. We all have. My brothers, my cousins, even my dad, and he used to live in cheap, tacky polyester!”

Harper stood, slid up behind her and when he rested a hand on her lower back, her knees went weak—again. Damn it, why does that keep happening?

“Let me walk you to your car.”

“I’d like that,” she said, taking the hand he offered and easing carefully off her stool. I’m also dying to know if you’re a good kisser, but for now, the walk will do.