“I’ve heard that.” Piper jumped into the action. “The paparazzi do seem fascinated with your dating exploits.”
“And it’s because of my exploits that celebrity reporters such as yourself do so well, yes?” Ethan responded, taking a sip of his scotch.
“Touché.” Piper nodded.
“Can I get you ladies another drink?” Ethan asked cordially as he noticed their flutes were empty.
“I’m fine,” Piper answered, “but Kayla here could use one.” She could feel tension emanating out of Kayla’s every pore. “Matter of fact, why don’t I leave you to catch up? I have to mingle and find my cameraman.”
Kayla glared at Piper. She couldn’t believe she was deserting her and leaving her alone with him, but she was. Piper was already making her way through the crowd while Ethan was fetching the bartender.
When he’d finished ordering, he returned to face Kayla. “Well, that just leaves the two of us.” He smiled down at her.
“Unfortunately.” She tried to calm the shivers that were running through her at his breathtaking grin.
“Now who is being impolite?” Ethan’s brow rose.
“C’mon Ethan, you and I haven’t seen each other in years and have nothing to catch up on.”
“What if I’d like to change that?” Ethan handed her a glass of champagne from the bartender.
Kayla chuckled but accepted the flute. “Oh, really?”
“Yes. I think you could use a man like me right now.”
“A man like you?” Kayla swallowed the lump in her throat. Could Ethan tell she was still attracted to him?
Ethan watched the color drain from Kayla’s face. She thought he meant sexually and he did. But clearly she wasn’t ready for a little flirtation, so he switched gears. “Adams Cosmetics is in need of capital, correct? And since I am the head of Graham International, it might behoove us to talk. You can tell me what’s going on with Adams Cosmetics. I think I caught wind of some new fragrance line Shane is developing?”
Kayla blinked a moment to snap herself out of the daze she was in. Of course he meant business. Ethan Graham hadn’t been interested in her when she was seventeen and tonight was no different. He was used to gorgeous celebrities like his ex-girlfriend Noelle Warner. Noelle was a beautiful, Oscar-winning actress with a killer figure who was rumored to change partners just as easily as she changed roles.
“And why would I do that?” Kayla asked. “I don’t want Graham International to have any part of Adams Cosmetics.”
Ethan didn’t like her tone. “And what’s wrong with my company?”
“It’s what’s wrong with every large international company. It’s a cold, unfeeling, impersonal corporate mammoth. Adams Cosmetics is a family business that puts out quality product.”
“So does Graham International,” Ethan huffed. “We wouldn’t have gotten to where we are without it. How do you think I’ve expanded into clothing, perfume and leather goods in the overseas markets without producing quality product?”
“Precisely,” Kayla said. “You’re doing so much that you’ve lost focus. I care about my employees and consider them part of the family. I bet you don’t even know half the people that work for you.”
“And you do?”
“I know every person who works for me,” Kayla stated emphatically. She was proud that she was an approachable boss. Although Adams Cosmetics was a boutique company with several hundred employees, Kayla had always made a point to get to know everyone who reported directly to her, as well as the secretaries, cafeteria workers and janitors who kept the company running smoothly.
“Well, perhaps that’s the problem,” Ethan responded. “Perhaps you need to focus more on business and less on being liked by your employees.” As soon as he said the words, Ethan wished he could take them back. They were harsh.
“How dare you? You know nothing about me, less than nothing!” Kayla was livid, and forced herself to put the champagne glass down on the bar rather than throw it in his face. She stormed toward the nearest exit, which just happened to be the terrace.
It was a chilly spring night and couldn’t have been more than fifty degrees, but Kayla didn’t care. She needed the cold air as her blood was boiling. Kayla started when she heard footsteps. Ethan was behind her. His large looming presence filled the ballroom doorway and gave her system one hell of a jolt. She hadn’t expected him to follow her.
“Go away!” She turned her back. “I want to be alone.”
Ethan didn’t listen and came toward her. “Listen, I’m sorry, Kayla,” he said. “I crossed the line a moment ago.”
“You sure did.” Kayla didn’t look back at him. She hated that she’d lost her cool. She wanted to show Ethan that she was no longer affected by him, but instead she was acting like a schoolgirl. She was a businesswoman after all, and used to healthy rival talk, just not from him.
“I did, but you must realize that your company needs me now,” he whispered softly in her ear.
When had he come so close? Kayla instantly moved a step away. “My company doesn’t need you. I will find other investors. I don’t need you or your interference.”
Ethan refused to have a conversation with Kayla with her back to him. He laid his hand on her shoulder and gently spun her around to look him. “Are you sure about that?”
Kayla’s skin was tingling from where Ethan was holding her; she didn’t want to look at him. Heat was emanating from his body and stirring sensations deep inside her. She could feel her breasts begin to swell and a warm sensation begin to spread through the lower half of her body. It was the same heat she’d felt inside, which was why she’d had to escape, but a powerful force propelled her to look up at him. And when she did, she wished she hadn’t. His dark brown eyes smoldered with…dare she say passion? And it scared her, so she closed her eyes. Had she gotten it wrong? Was Ethan Graham interested in her?
“Look at me Kayla.” Ethan’s index finger hooked under her jaw, forcing her to raise her head and meet his gaze again.
When she opened her eyes, Ethan was looking at her so intently that it was wreaking havoc on her body.
“I think it’s time I finally found out how you taste.” Ethan was ready to fully savor what those sweet full lips of hers had in store. He lowered his head, intent on having his heart’s desire, when another couple came out onto the deck.
“Sorry, sorry,” the man said when he realized he’d interrupted something. But it was already too late. The moment was broken and Kayla quickly pulled away from Ethan and ran inside.
As she stumbled into the ballroom, Kayla realized she’d almost succumbed to Ethan’s world-famous charm. How had he shattered her defenses so quickly? She’d thought she was immune to him. Clearly, she’d been wrong.
Outside, Ethan’s mouth widened into a grin. Kayla Adams still wanted him? He was glad, because tonight she’d lit a flame inside him that no woman had done. He hadn’t been with a woman in well over six months. That may not seem long for some men, but for him it was. He had a high sex drive that hadn’t been met by any of the women he’d encountered, so he’d stopped trying. Until Kayla. Was it the soft luscious curls that hung down her sleek back or that she had just the right amount of curves: high pert breasts and a round shapely bottom? Whatever it may be, she’d aroused him and now he had to have it all. The woman and her business.
Chapter 3
Kayla knew what she had to do. On Monday, she scheduled a lunch meeting with Michael to discuss prospects.
“How’s the progress