want to. For just a little bit longer she wanted to stay enveloped in his scent and let her imagination roam as she wondered who the owner of the rich masculine voice and sensual cologne was.
“Yes, it’s very timely,” she commented.
“Undoubtedly.”
Naomi frowned. The masculine voice beside her sounded familiar. Like she’d heard it dozens of times before, like when he’d told some bullies in high school to leave her alone. Except now the voice had matured and was stronger, more confident. Naomi turned and stared directly into the dark brown eyes of Lucius Knight.
* * *
Does she recognize me? Lucius wondered. Or does she just know of me? Is she aware I’m after her company?
Naomi didn’t speak for several seconds; she just eyed him warily before turning back to face the front of the room. He could feel her tense beside him almost immediately. He’d hoped their first meeting would be smoother. He prided himself on his ability to charm the socks off almost anyone, including most women, but it seemed Naomi wasn’t interested.
Instead of replying to his earlier comment, she continued to focus on the lecture until the hour was complete. When it was over, Naomi rose and so did Lucius. “So where are you headed?”
She glanced over her shoulder at him. “To gather info and maybe learn something like everyone else.” And without another word, she left his side and walked up the aisle to speak with the professor. Lucius had no choice but to take action.
He purposely walked toward the duo. “Professor Duvall, great talk,” Lucius said.
“Coming from you, Mr. Knight,” the professor said, “that’s quite a compliment.”
Naomi said nothing from his side. Lucius could see she was fuming, because he hadn’t taken the hint to take a hike. “Lucius Knight.” He turned to her and offered his hand.
She would have to shake it if she didn’t want to appear unprofessional. When she did, Lucius was surprised by the reaction he felt when their hands touched. There was a spark, but she also didn’t offer her name. Instead, she snatched back her hand.
“I’m eager to hear more, professor. Perhaps we can have coffee sometime later?” Lucius reached inside his suit jacket and produced his business card. “Call me.” He nodded to the professor and strode purposely toward the door. He’d accomplished what he’d intended. Naomi knew he wouldn’t be ignored.
Lucius stepped away to take an emergency call from Adam about another acquisition and missed the next few lectures and a chance to catch up with Naomi.
After he’d put out the fire and grabbed some lunch, he was ready for the trade show that opened at 3:00 p.m. He showed his badge and was allowed entry into the show. He was perusing many of the exhibit booths that ranged from agriculture and beauty to fitness products when a certain curly-haired updo caught his attention.
Naomi.
Lucius made a beeline in her direction.
She was bent down, smelling some cocoa beans, when he approached.
“Smell something you like?”
* * *
You, Naomi thought when Lucius’s familiar scent drifted toward her. He probably tasted just as sweet as one of the organic milk chocolates in front of her. Why did she have to run into him now? She wasn’t ready and hadn’t had enough time to put on all her armor. Nor was she in any way prepared for the depth of the attraction she’d felt at the merest touch of his hand earlier.
It had startled her. That now, nearly sixteen years later, Lucius Knight would still have an effect on her. She was no young ingenue anymore.
“Did you hear me?”
Naomi blinked several times, bringing Lucius back into focus. “Excuse me?”
“I asked if you smelled something you like.” He inclined his head to the cache of cocoa beans she was holding.
“Oh, yes, it has some interesting notes that might work well for one of my product lines.”
“You own your own business?”
Naomi rolled her eyes. Really? Were they really going to play this game? Well, if he wanted to act like he didn’t know who she was, she would do the same. “Yes, I do. I own a line of organic personal and home care products, among other things.”
“So this expo is right up your alley.”
“Yes, and you? Why are you here?” Naomi realized her question was blunt, but it was to the point.
Lucius smiled but answered. “I own a variety of businesses and am interested in expanding my reach. The rise of organic products and healthy living has really caused me to evaluate what I want to venture into next.”
“Sounds reasonable.” Naomi handed the beans back to the exhibitor and began moving to the next table.
Much to her chagrin, Lucius followed. “How long have you been in business?”
“Eight years.”
“Impressive. Not many start-up businesses make it past the first year.”
Naomi shrugged. “We had a lot of support from the community. And you? How did you get your start?”
Lucius stared at her sideways. He seemed surprised by the question but answered her anyway. “I had a knack for determining companies worth investing in.”
“How vague,” Naomi replied.
An amused smile crossed his face as he looked down at her. And Naomi swallowed, shifting uncomfortably in her sandals.
A strange invisible pull was between them, and Naomi didn’t like it. Nor did she like the way Lucius stared at her like he wanted to gobble her up with a spoon or something. What was happening between them? It didn’t make any sense. She hadn’t seen him since she was fifteen years old, when he’d graduated from high school. She shouldn’t be feeling this way. Not again. And not now. Not when Lucius wanted to take away something very precious to her.
“I have to go.” She walked to another table several feet away.
“Why?” Lucius asked to her retreating back. “I thought we were finally getting somewhere.”
“Oh, yeah? Where was that?”
“If we’re both lucky, to a bedroom.”
His arrogant and shameless words caused Naomi to turn on her heel to face him. “What did you just say?”
Lucius’s smile was devastatingly handsome and also a bit devilish as he walked toward her. “You heard me. But if you want to act like you didn’t feel what I felt when we touched earlier or just now, I’ll bite and play the game.”
“Of all the nerve.” Naomi refused to even give what he said credence—even though he was right. If the simplest of touches could cause that kind of reaction, it was obvious there
