“Ah.” Laina rolled her eyes. A womanizer was the last thing she needed to welcome into her life right now, but showing up at the wedding of the decade alone while her snake of an ex flaunted his new girlfriend in front of her? Just the thought of it was enough to make her crawl into a hole. “Would he even agree to it? If he can have his pick of anyone...”
“Ha! If he sees a picture of you, I guarantee he’ll jump on it.”
Laina felt herself blushing. She couldn’t help it—she just wasn’t a seductress by nature, and the idea of being in the company of a man who was used to getting his way with any woman he wanted... It was intimidating.
But the alternative was even worse.
“Okay,” Laina heard herself say. “But he has to understand it’s just for show, okay? The last thing I need right now is some guy who thinks I’m going to fall at his feet for whatever he has in his pants.”
* * *
“Oh, my God. It’s beautiful,” Jennifer breathed in wonder as she stared. “Bigger than I was expecting, but...perfect.”
James grinned. “It always looks bigger in real life. Months of photos can’t compare to the real thing.”
“You’re telling me. Makes me wish I could enjoy it for myself. But I know for sure that it’s going to make a lot of women extremely happy.”
“My goal exactly,” James said with a smile, looking around the space with satisfaction.
This was the moment he lived for, the unveiling of the result of years of work to a happy client. Three years ago he’d partnered with Jennifer Liu, a Hong Kong investor, to formulate the development of Revive Fitness Centers. The one they were standing in was only the first of eighteen that would be built across Florida and Georgia over the coming years, and he already knew the huge risk he’d taken to finance it with Jennifer was going to pay off in a big way. Much more than just a gym, Revive featured an Olympic-size pool, sauna, minispa, Keto-inspired restaurant, fitness shop and day care with complimentary childcare—like a county club that was exclusive to women. Membership wouldn’t be cheap, but he knew the clientele would be able to afford it. He’d positioned his flagship center right in Bal Harbour, just blocks from James’s beachfront home in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Miami.
When Jennifer turned to face him, a quick image of her naked body flashed through James’s head. It had been five years since he’d slept with her—only once, and before they’d officially formed a business relationship. But from the way she was dressed—body-hugging dress, nude heels, black hair swept back to reveal her slender neck—he was pretty sure she was hoping for a repeat performance. Jennifer was a beautiful woman and he’d enjoyed their night together, even if he hadn’t given her a second thought outside of business since. Not only were clients and business associates off-limits, replay encounters made things complicated. And James did relationships only one way: simple and straightforward with no expectations on either side. Somehow that didn’t seem to stop a lot of women from trying to be the one who changed his mind, which James put down to his unavailability. His work was his life, and though many of his conquests showered him with compliments on his looks, he supposed he just didn’t see what they did when he looked in the mirror. With his sun-streaked hair, permanent stubble and tanned skin, all James saw was the same kid who’d spent his life at the pool, paying his way through university with his lifeguard certificate.
“What about the cat story?” Jennifer asked, gazing up at him under lash extensions. “We’re opening in a month. We don’t need any bad press right now.”
James smiled reassuringly. Several months ago, his workers had bulldozed a small section of naturally occurring vegetation to make way for the center’s planned outdoor gardens. But it turned out that five stray cats lived in those bushes, and the woman who fed them every day went ballistic, calling the press and raising a huge animal rights– and environmental-fueled stink. James got it; when he was little, he and his mother used to feed the stray dogs that hung around their concrete apartment complex, and he remembered crying when his favorite mutt failed to turn up one morning. After the woman complained, James had gotten his staff to take immediate action, turning the whole thing into a tall, cool glass of lemonade.
“It went away,” James assured Jennifer. “I personally visited Mrs. Lopez with photos of the cats in their new homes. When she finally realized they were much better off, she took the protest signs down from her lawn and even called the Herald to share the story. It was the heart-warmer of the day.”
Jennifer tilted her head at him. “And just like that, Ellison Enterprises was golden again. You must have the magic touch.”
“I believe that would be you,” James said sincerely. “Both projects I’ve done with you so far have surpassed our projections.”
“Let’s hope this one does the same,” Jennifer said, glancing around. “As well as the Moretta project. When do you break ground on that one?”
James’s smile didn’t slip. “I think I mentioned that I’m still working out a couple of details. But I’m going there in two weeks, and I should
be able to work it all out then.” He searched his brain for a safe change of subject. The truth was that the Moretta project was currently stressing him out for a number of reasons, but that was information better kept to himself.
“I’m sure you will,” Jennifer agreed. “You know me, James—I hate delays. Once I make a decision, I like fast and furious.” She crossed her arms over her chest to squeeze her breasts together slightly.
“That I do,” he replied, keeping his eyes on her face. He extended his hand to the side. “Would you like to see the restaurant?”
Jennifer ran a hand down her ponytail and glanced at her watch. “Actually, I was thinking that a celebration drink is in order.”
James groaned inwardly, his brain scrambling to find an excuse. Just then his phone vibrated in his pocket. Saved by the bell, he thought as he glanced down at the screen: Kiki Becker. His cousin—nothing urgent, and he hated the rudeness of taking a call in the middle of a meeting, but right now he really needed an out. Excusing himself to Jennifer, he walked a distance away from her and picked up. “Kiki.”
“Cuz. You still single these days?”
He grinned. Same old Kiki—no pleasantries, just a quick cut to the chase. “As if I’d have it any other way. What’s up?”
“Just that I’m about to make your day. How would you like to go to my wedding with the hottest woman in Atlanta?”
“As in a blind date? No can do, cuz—you know that’s not my scene.”
“I’m betting you’ll make an exception when you see her.”
“You sound pretty confident.”