Yahrah John - Taming Her Tycoon

“Oh, my God!” Alexis’s hand flew to her mouth. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“You as well,” Lucius said and turned back to stare at Naomi. His eyes pierced hers, and Naomi felt her heart hammer foolishly in her chest. She hated that she was having such a reaction to his obvious interest in her. If this had been sixteen years ago when she’d loved his rebel-without-a-cause image, she would have welcomed it, but not today.

“You could learn a lot from this woman,” she caught Lucius saying. “Naomi and her partner started this company from nothing and have grown into a multi billion-dollar enterprise, or so I’ve heard, while I’ve just gambled on the right companies.”

“Clearly your gambles paid off,” Naomi responded.

Lucius laughed heartily. And Naomi had to admit she liked the sound of it. “They usually do.”

“Arrogant,” Naomi muttered underneath her breath.

“What was that?” Lucius asked.

“Oh, nothing,” Naomi said. “Alexis, I’m going to get back to the trade show. The salespeople are available—” she motioned to her sales team, who’d finished with their customers “—as am I if you need me again, all right?”

“Sure thing, Naomi.” Alexis smiled.

Naomi retrieved her purse and started toward the other table, but stopped. “Are you coming?” she asked Lucius. Since it was obvious she wasn’t going to shake him, she might as well try to use his interest to find out more about what he had in store for Brooks and Johnson.

His face creased into a sudden smile. “Love to.”

* * *

Lucius was happy that Naomi softened toward him as the afternoon progressed. If she’d kept the hardened stance from earlier this morning, he would have his work cut out for him. But this more laid-back Naomi was more his speed. And if he played his cards right, their relationship would be more than just business.

When he’d seen her sitting there in the workshop, he couldn’t believe his luck. It was an opening for him to get to know Naomi and how she’d changed from awkward teenager to brilliant businesswoman. He hadn’t found out everything he wanted to know about Brooks and Johnson that afternoon, but he enjoyed her company. Perhaps it was because he found Naomi extremely attractive.

A luscious mane of spiral curls was piled atop her head, allowing him full view of her delicate neck and shoulders. Or was it the way she carried herself now? She was more confident and assured in that pencil skirt that hugged all the right places. The white shirt, though professional, gave him just a hint of cleavage that he was dying to find out what secrets were underneath.

Lucius didn’t know this version of Naomi Brooks. He remembered a gangly teenager who was so socially awkward the students in their high school made fun of her. He’d protected her once when a gang of bullies razzed her. Adam probably thought he didn’t remember, but he had. She’d looked so small and innocent back then, unable to take care of herself.

But this new Naomi Brooks was a force to be reckoned with. Lucius had a feeling that a takeover of her company wouldn’t be as easy as he’d thought. Naomi wasn’t just going to lie down and roll over. She was going to fight him, but Lucius was more than ready for the challenge.

“How about a cocktail?” Lucius asked when they’d both seen enough of the east wing of the trade show and everyone was starting to pack up for the end of the day.

“I don’t think so.”

“C’mon,” Lucius said. “What are you going to do? Go back to you room and order room service?”

Naomi chuckled, and Lucius suspected that was exactly what she was going to do. “Only if I get to take off this outfit and put on something more comfortable.”

Visions of Naomi naked sprang to Lucius’s mind, but he blinked them back. “Deal. How about I meet you downstairs in the lounge in fifteen minutes?”

“You’re on.”

* * *

Ten minutes later, Naomi paced her hotel room after she’d changed into jeans and a tank top and let down her hair. It was her usual attire after a long day, but the reason why wasn’t. Why had she agreed to a drink with Lucius? The man couldn’t be trusted. He’d already acted like he didn’t know who she was when she knew darn well he’d done his research on her. Did he remember they’d gone to high school together? Did he remember when she’d followed him like a lovesick puppy dog after he’d saved her from some bullies?

Of course he didn’t. He was Lucius Knight, international playboy and heart stealer. Why would he remember a gangly, pimple-faced teenage girl?

It was no wonder her heart had palpitated around 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?”