him, because that was Lucius’s appeal. He reeled women in then tossed them aside when he was done. She’d read the tabloids, seen him with gaggles of beautiful women, models and actresses alike. Naomi wouldn’t become one of those women.
But those dark eyes. They seemed to look into her soul. And those lips...they were full and kissable.
Stop. Stop. Stop.
She had to remind herself that she was in control. Of her own destiny and her company’s fate. She would and could resist Lucius, even if he turned on his full charm, which she was sure he would do tonight. But she would be on her guard.
* * *
Lucius rose from his lounge chair when he saw Naomi enter the room. Damn, the woman was fine as hell! She made ripped jeans and a tank look like she was wearing the slinkiest dress ever. As she walked toward him, Lucius was aware of how the jeans rode low and snug around her hips. How the tank clung to her breasts, tapering down to her narrow waist. Lord almighty, he was in trouble.
“Naomi.” He pulled out her chair.
“Lucius.” She sat down and he joined her in the opposite chair.
“What can I get you to drink?” He motioned the nearby waiter over.
“I’ll have a pomegranate martini.”
He rattled off her order to the waiter and turned back to face her. “I like you in casual attire. It suits you.”
“More than my business attire?”
Lucius shook his head. “Not more than, just that you appear more yourself.”
“And how would you know that?” she countered.
He dodged her question. “Am I wrong?”
She laughed and leaned back in her chair. “No, I prefer jeans to suits and skirts, but it’s a necessary evil at times.”
“Agreed. So tell me, Naomi, how does someone as young and vibrant as you decide to take on starting her own business?”
Naomi shrugged. “It might have been a notion to some, but Kelsey and I—that’s my business partner,” she added, even though he already knew this information, “didn’t want a nine-to-five job. We wanted to be in charge of our own destiny.”
“I can understand that,” Lucius responded. “I wanted the same thing. To be my own man.”
“From the looks of it you succeeded,” Naomi replied.
“Wow. That sounds like an insult coming from you.”
Naomi shook her head. “Not an insult, just the truth. You’ve done quite well for yourself, Lucius Knight. Not only are you in the business magazines as a self-made millionaire, but you’re also in every gossip rag, thanks to your dalliances with beautiful women. Unlike most rich men, you’re not spoiled, but you definitely have their confidence and arrogance.”
“And I take it those are traits you don’t admire?”
“Quite the contrary. I admire confidence and believing in oneself.”
“But not my arrogance?”
Her brow rose. “Wasn’t it you who pretty much ordered me to meet you down here for a cocktail?”
“I didn’t order you. You were welcome to decline the invitation.”
“I doubt you would have taken no for an answer.”
He threw back his head and let out a peal of laughter. She was right. He wouldn’t have taken no for answer, not when he suspected that Naomi found him equally as attractive as he found her. “All right, Naomi. I suppose you’re right. Would it also surprise you to know that I knew who you were before we met?”
“Not at all. My vice president informed me of Knight International’s interest in my company.”
The waiter returned with their order and placed the drinks in front of them.
He noted her emphasis on the word my. Naomi knew of his desire to control Brooks and Johnson, which made her a formidable adversary. “So you’ve prejudged me? You should know my interest is not only professional, but personal.”
Naomi chuckled, reached for her drink and took a few calming sips before answering. “C’mon, the only reason you’re trying to charm me is so you can find out more information on Brooks and Johnson.”
“That’s not the only reason.” Lucius sat upright and leaned closer to her. His eyes caught and held hers over the circle of light from the votive candle on the table between them. His dark eyes bored into hers and spoke without words of his desire for her. She dropped her eyes under his intense scrutiny.
Naomi might be confident in business, but just then he’d seen a flash of the old Naomi. The sensitive, innocent Naomi who’d once admired him. Now, however, he didn’t want her admiration—he wanted her to want him.
* * *
Naomi couldn’t hold Lucius’s gaze and lowered her lashes. His eyes had darkened dangerously with what Naomi felt was akin to lust. His face was hard and lean, just like his body. A body that was emphasized by the wine-colored polo shirt that revealed his bulging biceps and black jeans that showed off his trim waist and long legs.
Naomi felt an unwelcome surge of excitement. Her body felt heavy and warm due to his unrelenting gaze. She reached for her drink, and Lucius caught her hand. Naomi’s pulse pounded at the smoldering flame in his eyes.
“Why don’t we stop playing games? Let’s quit acting like there isn’t a mutual attraction sizzling between us.”
“There is no attraction,” Naomi threw back at him caustically.
“Don’t deny it. The chemistry has been there from the moment we reconnected.”
“Only a rich, arrogant millionaire intent on getting his greedy hands all over my company would say that.” She rose from the chair she was seated in. “Neither I nor my company is for sale, Lucius.”
She stalked out of the lounge with as much dignity as she could muster given that he was partly right. There was something there between them. She had to be on her guard with Lucius at all times. She couldn’t—wouldn’t—fall prey to his charms like most of the women he encountered.
She was in the elevator and the doors had nearly shut when Lucius caught up to her and worked them open with his large hands before stepping inside.
They were alone in the elevator.
Lucius glanced at the elevator buttons. “We’re on the same floor, fate is bringing us together.”
Then he walked purposely toward her, and Naomi automatically shrank back a couple of steps. But when she did, her back hit the wall—not a good position to be with a dangerously sexy man like Lucius. His hands splayed on either side of her face, caging her in.
“You do want me,” Lucius countered, “even if you won’t admit it.” He reached for a
