“Is there a reason you’re counting?” Winter asked.
“Two fifty. As a matter of fact, there is a reason I was counting.”
She waited for Autumn to continue and quickly realized that she wasn’t going to explain further. She really wasn’t surprised. Autumn spoke only when she felt it necessary or when she wanted to rattle off about a statistic or her point of view on certain topics. Her sister was the walking dictionary definition of brains and beauty. Winter could appreciate her uniqueness.
“And what reason were you counting, Autumn?”
“I was counting the number of seconds it took you to not so discreetly gape at Taheim. At thirty seconds your eyes showed interest. At 105 seconds you began to admire things about the way he looked tonight that I assume you hadn’t allowed yourself to notice before. At 195 seconds your heart rate increased when you noticed he was staring at you just as intently. At 250 seconds you finally noticed I was counting.”
She opened her mouth to say something about Autumn’s observation but closed it when no words came out. She scrunched her eyes together instead before crossing her arms over her chest. A chill went down her spine when she thought about the fact that her sister’s stats also meant that she and Taheim had spent almost a full minute just staring at each other.
“Don’t give me that look,” Autumn said. “Especially since you really aren’t that upset at me, since your first coherent thought was obviously the fact that you and Taheim could spend that much time staring at each other. Pretty odd for enemies, don’t you think?”
Winter finally let out a frustrated breath. “You don’t know what I’m thinking.” In response to Winter’s statement, Autumn smiled. Truth be told, Winter and Autumn had been reading each other’s minds since they were kids. When Summer felt left out, Winter had to remind her that she and Autumn were Irish twins since they were born eleven months apart.
“Whatever,” she said with a wave of her hand. “He’s easy on the eyes, so I just got a little distracted.”
“Since your breathing still seems to be labored, I believe you meant to say that you got sexually aroused at the sight of him. Not distracted.”
Winter uncrossed her hands and placed them on her hips. “For once, can you try not to state the obvious?”
“I didn’t know I was stating the obvious,” Autumn said in a serious tone. “I mean, I could tell you were sexually aroused and I wouldn’t put it past a few others to notice the same chemistry whenever you both are in the same room. But I stated my observation because I didn’t think it was obvious to you.”
Winter dropped her hands to her sides and let out a deep sigh. She really didn’t like the fact that Autumn was right yet again. She’d had no idea people could sense the sexual tension between her and Taheim.
“I’m stepping outside to get some air,” she said as she pointed to the rooftop terrace. Maybe the cool late-October air would help lower her body temperature.
“Taheim, did you hear what I said?”
Taheim tore his gaze away from the five-foot-seven cappuccino beauty with the luscious hips and round hazelnut-colored eyes in time to catch the intuitive glances of his friends Daman and Jaleen.
“Come again?” Taheim asked Daman. His friend shook his head.
“Never mind. It wasn’t that important and I wouldn’t want to stop you from watching Winter walk across the room.”
“Man, I’m not even looking at that woman.” Just as the words left his mouth, Winter glanced over her shoulder before stepping out onto the rooftop terrace. He instantly felt that familiar kick in his gut whenever she looked at him. That kick had gotten even stronger since he’d found her in his bedroom last week. Of all the women for him to be attracted to, it had to be the only woman in Chicago he didn’t get along with.
“Oh really,” Jaleen said, taking a swig of his beer. “So if your eyes weren’t trained on Winter, who I must say is looking good tonight in that sleek black skirt and red blouse, then do tell who has your attention.”
Taheim pinned Jaleen with an irritated stare before he quickly masked his feelings. He didn’t like the fact that Jaleen sounded as if he was checking out Winter, even though he clearly didn’t have any claims on her. In fact, his reaction was downright ridiculous considering his nonexistent relationship, and friendship, with Winter.
“With all the sexy single ladies in this room, Winter Dupree is definitely not getting my attention.” He waved his arms around the room to emphasize his point.
Daman and Jaleen shared a look of disbelief that didn’t go unnoticed by Taheim.
“Seriously, guys, that’s a headache I don’t need right now.”
“Problems with your clothing line?”
“No, sales are great and I even have a big city tour scheduled for next spring to visit the retail stores that will start carrying the line next year.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
Taheim took a sip of his tequila. “It’s the men’s nightwear line that I want to debut before the end of the year. I’d like to get it in stores early next year and talk to retailers about it during the big city tour. T.R. Night will be different from the clothing line, and I guess I’m just trying to figure out the perfect time for a debut.”
“If you’re worried about the market accepting T.R. Night like they did Collegiate Life, then I don’t think you have anything to worry about. The release will be successful.”
He nodded his head at Daman, glad that he had friends who knew just what to say when it came to his diving into another project. Taheim was an entrepreneur in every sense of the word. In addition to being a cofounder of R&W Advertising and the creator of Collegiate Life, he handled all the marketing, promotions and advertising for his brother’s chain of nightclubs and lounges, as well as his parents’ Midwest restaurant chain. Even with all his success, every now and then he ventured into a project more personal than the others. In this case, T.R. Night was that project.
“Thanks, man. The nightwear line has been a little more challenging than the clothing line, but I’m really excited about this.”
“You should be,” Jaleen said. “And if you’re stuck on any designs, there is this one designer who specializes in nightwear who I’m sure could offer you some great ideas.”
“In Chicago? I’m pretty familiar with all the designers in the city. Besides, I think I’m okay on the designs.” There were a few things he questioned, but for the most part, he knew he would figure it out.
“I was referring to Winter.”
Taheim shot Jaleen a look of disbelief. “Is there a reason you keep bringing her up today?”
“I’m just saying. She’s got talent and if you are struggling with any designs, she could probably help.”
“I don’t and never will need the help of Winter Dupree. We can barely stand being in the same room with one another, let alone discuss business. I’ll pass on that.”
Jaleen shrugged. “So did you decide on a date for the debut?”
“I actually have a meeting tomorrow morning with Ajay to discuss something he had in mind for the grand opening of his night lounge in December.” His brother had worked hard to be the most successful club and lounge owner in Chicago and Taheim was glad to see he was finally reaping the benefits of all his hard work.
He was about to continue when he felt a jolt in his pants. Crap. He already knew that Winter had returned from the rooftop terrace without even