Styles of Seduction

It still irked her that Kyle had actually seemed relieved at the news of her leaving RHD. In fact, it downright angered Zoe. She had hoped he would plead with her to stay with the company, but he had said nothing. It was apparent that he didn’t care if he ever saw her again.

She tried to shake the thought out of her mind, refusing to allow such memories to dampen her mood. Things were going well for her professionally. Several of her designs were being featured in Guava’s show. She had worked hard to get to this point in her career.

If only I had someone special to share it with.

Zoe stopped surfing channels when she found the Fashion Channel. The host was interviewing a young designer whose first show was financed by a well-known liquor company. New designers were often dependent on sponsors when it came to runway events, but design houses like RHD and Guava could afford to finance their own shows.

Zoe was lucky to have a company like Guava behind her. Yes, she was very lucky. However, there were times when she wondered how things would have turned out if she had stayed at RHD.

A soft sigh escaped her lips. There was no way she could have stayed. Things were too intense between Kyle and her, and she did not like the woman she had become during that period in her life. Pining over a man who had rejected her—she had no choice but to seek employment elsewhere. She and Kyle had grown pretty close while working together, but after they’d shared a kiss, things had changed abruptly between them.

Now, looking back, she realized that leaving Kyle and RHD was probably the best decision she had ever made. It was hard working with the one man she desired but would never have. She had definitely made the right decision.

So why do I feel so sad?

* * *

“We are meeting with Cameron Childs and his event planner this afternoon,” Kyle announced while going through his calendar. He and Nelson were in his office synchronizing their scheduled appointments. “After that, we will come back here. My dad wants to meet with everyone regarding the show.”

Nelson made notes on his iPhone as Kyle talked. “I met Cameron last year in Philly. He was attending a charity function hosted by Aunt Jeanette.”

“He’s cohosting the RHD party,” Kyle announced. “We need to go by Lincoln Center so I can check out our backdrops. The tents are already up, so we need to make sure the set is completed correctly.”

Nelson finished his notes. “I am going to check on the shipment of colognes that just came in. They’re going into the gift bags, right?”

Kyle nodded. “You can give the cologne to the receptionist. She’s going to put the bags together.”

As Nelson left the office, Kyle picked up the telephone. “Mom, it’s me.”

“How are things going?” Lila inquired. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“We’ve got everything under control. I’m calling to see if you’d like to have lunch with your son tomorrow.”

“Honey, I’d love to have lunch with you.”

He smiled. “Great. I’ll call you later with the details after my meeting with Cameron.”

“Oh, please tell him that I said hello,” Lila requested.

“I will,” Kyle promised. “Love you, Mom.”

“I love you, too.”

He ended the call and Nelson strolled back into his office. “Ready to leave?”

Kyle nodded and they headed out.

“Marissa sent me a picture of the baby,” Nelson said, looking at his phone.

Marissa was the youngest child of Jacob and Jeanette Hamilton, and one of Kyle’s favorite cousins. “Yeah, I got one, too. I can’t believe she’s married and a mother. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, though. Marissa always wanted to be a wife. Remember? It’s all she used to talk about when she was little.”

Nelson laughed. “Her dolls were always getting married. I think they had more wedding dresses than anything else. My mother even designed a couple for her.”

“What about you? Have you thought about settling down?”

“Not really,” Nelson said. “Right now I want to see if I can make it as an actor. I know my dad would have liked it if I had studied law, and my mother would have been happy if I’d become a designer. But I have no interest in doing either.”

“You made the right decision to follow your heart, cousin.”

“I believe I did.”

They walked outside to a waiting town car. Nelson and Kyle got inside.

“Did you tell Aunt Vanessa that you’re my assistant?”

“I did,” Nelson said. “She’s fine with it. I think my mom is hoping that I’ll end up working in this industry full-time.”

“It might not be a bad idea—at least until you can support yourself with acting.”

“I’ll give it some thought.” Nelson stared out of the window at a billboard advertising Fashion Week. “It looks like the whole city is poised to become fashion’s playground for the week.”

“Yeah,” Kyle said.

“My mom loves this hive of activity,” Nelson said. “She thrives on events like this—fashion buyers, editors, paparazzi. This is her thing.”

The car pulled into the driveway of the Childs Hotel and they got out.

They were met in the lobby by Roberta Dallard, the hotel event planner, who escorted them up to the restaurant.

Cameron Childs was already seated at a table near the front. He stood up as they neared the table. “Good afternoon, gentlemen.”

He shook Kyle’s hand first and then Nelson’s. “I saw your mother last week,” Cameron told him. “She’s a very talented lady.”

Nelson nodded in agreement. “Yes, she is.”

They waited until Roberta took her seat before sitting down.

“I’ll be seeing Harper in a couple of weeks.”

“Is he coming to New York?” Nelson asked.

“I’m actually traveling to Philadelphia,” Cameron said. “I have some business meetings lined up.”

“I was wondering if my brother had planned to come to the city without letting me know.”

“He wouldn’t do that,” Kyle interjected as he scanned the menu. “Harper never comes to New York without seeing the family.”

“Roberta, can you give us an update on the preparations?” Cameron took a long sip of iced tea.

“Sure,” she responded with a smile. “The tablecloths are here. I inspected each and every one personally. They are exactly as you ordered.”

Kyle noted that Cameron appeared somewhat distracted, which was strange for the man who was a company sponsor and deeply involved with RHD’s future. He silently wondered at the cause.

“Sounds like everything is on schedule,” Kyle said after Roberta had finished and a waiter had taken their order. “My mom can relax now.”

Cameron broke into a smile. “Lila’s called me twice this week already.”

“I’m not surprised,” Kyle said. “She’s a perfectionist—especially when it comes to stuff like this.”

“Don’t let him fool you,” Nelson interjected. “Kyle is also a perfectionist.”

Kyle couldn’t deny it. “Roberta, please make sure that the florist delivers the centerpieces no earlier than an hour before the party. I don’t want them sitting out any longer than that.”

She nodded. “I’ll give them a friendly reminder the day before the event.”

He stole a glance at Cameron, who clearly wasn’t listening to the conversation.

The waiter returned with their meals.

Kyle blessed his food before diving into his salad.

“I will email you the finalized menu,” Roberta said. “Should I email a copy to your mother, as well?”

He nodded. “You can actually just send it to her. Lila Hamilton knows exactly what she wants when it comes to that.”

When they’d finished eating, Roberta excused herself by saying, “I have a meeting in fifteen minutes, so I need to leave you all. Kyle, call me if you need to change anything.”

“I don’t think we’ll have any changes,” he said. “Thanks for your help, Roberta.”

She smiled. “It was my pleasure.”

After they shook hands with Cameron and Roberta and said their goodbyes, Nelson turned to Kyle. “Do you have that effect on all women?” he asked as they made their way to the elevator. “I don’t think Roberta even realized that I was in the room.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You didn’t even notice the way Roberta was looking at you.” Nelson shook his head. “Or the way that she said the word pleasure.”

Kyle gave a short laugh. “Coz, I think you’re imagining things. Believe it or not, there are some women in the world who aren’t interested in me.”

He could think of one woman in particular.

“Yeah,” Nelson retorted with a chuckle. “The ones who haven’t met you yet.”

Kyle still remembered the day Zoe had walked into RHD, excited about her role as an intern during her college years. His first impression of Zoe was that she seemed to have a chip on her shoulder. Her attitude didn’t scare him, however. It was more of a turn-on. Had she been older, he might have considered pursuing her.

I wonder how things would have turned out if I hadn’t been quite so noble.

The elevator doors slid open.

Kyle was shocked to see Zoe standing there. She wore tan slacks and a crisp white shirt that would have looked severe if not for the amethyst-and-silver choker and matching earrings she wore with it. She smelled divine and Kyle tried to disguise his deep inhalation as a regular breath.

Did I just dream her into reality?

They stood staring at each other for a moment.

Well, he stared while Zoe glared at him.

Almost reluctantly, she stepped to the side to allow Kyle and Nelson entrance.

He cleared his throat. “Hello, Zoe. It’s good to see you. It’s been a while.”

“It’s nice to see you as well, Kyle.”

She was polite, but the look in her eyes was remote. Things had been chilly between them since Zoe had left RHD five years ago. She had obviously been avoiding him since then, although he did not fully understand why.

“I see the years haven’t removed that chip on your shoulder.”

“Or made you any less arrogant,” she retorted.

Nelson was watching them both. After a moment, he offered Zoe his hand. “I’m Nelson Hamilton. Kyle is my very rude cousin.”

Shaking his hand, she awarded him a warm smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Kyle suddenly felt an emptiness. There was a time when he’d felt that Zoe’s smiles were reserved only for him. He stole a peek at her. She had turned her warmth up a notch and was beaming as she talked with Nelson. She did not spare him a glance.

“How long will you be staying in New York?” she asked Nelson.

“I actually live here now.”

“The Big Apple is a great place to call home.”

Nelson smiled at her. “I completely agree.”

Kyle looked from one to the other. They were engaging in a full conversation and completely ignoring him. “How have you been?” he interjected.

Zoe glanced over at him as if she had just noticed he was standing there. “I’m great,” she said coolly. “Couldn’t be better.”

She turned her attention back to Nelson. “I’m sure you know that there’s a lot to do in New York....”

Did she just dismiss me? Kyle wondered when she turned her attention back to his cousin.

Kyle shook his head in disbelief. But he wasn’t sure whether it was disbelief over her actions or the jealousy that he couldn’t deny he was feeling as he watched Zoe Sinclair paying attention to someone else.

* * *

Part of Zoe’s view was blocked by a muscled chest and brawny forearms beneath a black knit shirt, but she was determined to ignore his chocolate-brown eyes and the way sexiness oozed from his every pore.

The first time she’d met Kyle, he had made such an impression on her that Zoe had instantly responded with the eagerness of a teenage girl. However, that connection had short-circuited after the way he’d toyed with her heart.

“It’s really nice to finally meet you, Nelson,” she managed while making a determined effort to ignore the internal heat wave she felt. “I’ve heard a lot about you from Bailey. She talks about you all of the time.”

He chuckled. “All good things, I hope.”

Zoe smiled. “Bailey’s said nothing but good things about you. By the way, I’m also a huge fan of your mother’s designs. She’s incredible.”

Nelson broke into a grin. “She’s indeed gifted.”

Kyle nodded in agreement, but his eyes never left Zoe’s face.

His intense gaze unnerved her, but she was not going to give Kyle the satisfaction of knowing he could still affect her in any way. She wanted him to see that he really did not exist in her world.

“So I hear you are very talented, as well,” Nelson said.

“Fashion design is what I was born to do,” she said. “I love it.”

“What do you do for fun or when you are not in creative mode?”

“I rest,” she said with a short chuckle. “Or my roommate and I check out new movies or we see a play on Broadway.”

Kyle’s eyes were sharp and assessing, but Zoe continued to ignore his presence.

“Perhaps you won’t mind showing me around sometime,” Nelson said smoothly.

“Sure,” Zoe said.

She stole a peek at Kyle. His gaze glittered with anger. The tension between them was drawn so tight that Zoe half expected the lights to go out.

She tapped her foot softly on the floor, silently willing the elevator to the lobby. Zoe did not want to spend another minute with the man who had once crushed her heart without a care. Although she had grown what Zoe considered a New Yorker’s hard shell, she was still affected by the hurt Kyle had inflicted upon her.

She glanced over at Nelson. She shouldn’t have flirted with him like that, but Zoe wanted to see if it would bother Kyle.

Apparently it did.

“RHD is hosting a party on Wednesday,” Kyle said, cutting through the heavy silence. “Why don’t you come, Zoe? I know my parents would love to see you. Jerry’s invited, as well.”

“Only if you consider coming to Guava’s cocktail party,” Zoe said with a polite smile. “It’s actually a couple of hours earlier than your event. Roberta mentioned it when we booked ours. And don’t forget to bring your cousin,” she couldn’t help adding.

“Thank you for the invitation, but I’ll need to check my schedule,” he told her. “If I can make it, I’ll definitely be there.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Nelson interjected. “My schedule’s clear.”

She awarded him another smile. “Good. I’ll be looking for you.”

Zoe was pleased at the sullen expression on Kyle’s face. It served him right after the way that he’d treated her.

Feeling his gaze on her, she pulled out her iPhone and scanned through her emails.

It won’t be long before we reach the lobby. I just want to get out of here. I can’t handle being this close to him.

After what seemed like an eternity in the elevator, the doors opened.

Zoe stepped out first, thrilled to be out of the confined space. Clearly Kyle still had the ability to make her weak at the knees, and the last thing she wanted to do was fall at his feet.

“It was nice seeing you both,” she said coolly before walking briskly away.

She was angry with herself for inviting Kyle to the cocktail party, and for flirting with Nelson to make him jealous. She had often accused Jerry of being childish when it came to Kyle, but Zoe couldn’t deny that she’d behaved in much the same way. It was just...wrong.

Kyle Hamilton seemed to bring out the worst in her.

But then again, Zoe already knew that.

Chapter 3

“What did you do to Zoe?” Nelson inquired as soon as she was out of hearing range. “She acted as if she couldn’t bear to be around you.” He chuckled. “I guess you were right—there is at least one woman who is immune to your charms.”

Kyle was in no mood to laugh about Zoe Sinclair with his cousin. “She used to work for RHD, but Guava made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. I don’t think she really liked working for me.”

Nelson shook his head. “I feel like there is something more between you two. I got the feeling that her interest in me was only to garner a reaction from you.”

“No,” Kyle insisted. “There’s never been anything between me and Zoe.”

He saw no need to mention that they had once shared a kiss one sultry night more than five years ago. Zoe’s undeniable charm had been too much for him to ignore in a weakened moment.

“I don’t know, man,” Nelson said, looking as if he didn’t completely believe Kyle. “There was just too much tension in that elevator. She wasn’t fired, so what happened?”

Kyle shrugged. “I’m not sure. She’s always had a chip on her shoulder.”

“What’s up with you?”

“Excuse me?”

Nelson repeated his question. “I’ve never seen you react this way around a woman.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Kyle would never admit it, but seeing Zoe bat her eyelashes and flirt with Nelson had really bothered him. He wasn’t sure if she was really interested in his cousin or if Nelson’s suspicions were correct. Regardless, he did not like it one way or the other.

* * *

Zoe walked into her office and closed the door behind her. Her purse fell to the floor as she leaned against her desk, then sat. She closed her eyes as vivid images churned through her mind of her time at RHD working under Kyle.

There was a part of Zoe that wanted to hate Kyle for turning her world upside down with a scorching kiss and then acting as though nothing had ever happened between them, but the fact was there was much that she admired about him, such as his love for family. Although her Baltimore upbringing was not privileged in the way that Kyle’s was, Zoe was raised by loving parents with whom she remained close. She had inherited her love of fashion from her mother. Some of Zoe’s earliest memories were of playing in her parents’ closet, trying on her mother’s high heels and scarves. Her mom claimed that the first word Zoe ever spoke was shoe.

Zoe and her mother used to go shopping together almost every weekend as she got older. They never bought much because her parents made just enough money to make ends meet and had very little extra. Still it was fun trying on clothes and putting together outfits. By the time Zoe was in high school, she had started making her own clothes and earning extra money by designing for her friends.

When she was studying at FIT, Zoe devoured fashion magazines and articles on trends in the industry. Although she could not afford a subscription to Women’s Wear Daily, she read every copy in FIT’s library and kept abreast of the industry. That was how she heard about the RHD internship. Zoe had leaped at the chance to work for such a prominent design house.

From the moment she’d first walked through the doors of RHD, Zoe had felt as if she had finally arrived where she was meant to be. Like a sponge, she’d soaked up every detail of the business. Everyone at RHD worked hard, but Zoe worked harder. She was intent on proving her worth, and her efforts did not go unnoticed. There were three other FIT interns at RHD that semester—girls with sterling pedigrees and family connections—but Zoe was the only one who was offered a job upon graduation.

Most of Zoe’s coworkers had embraced her from the beginning, praising her work ethic and her creativity, but Kyle had seemed unimpressed by her talent. He wasn’t insulting or dismissive—he just accepted her accomplishments at face value. Zoe was determined to make Kyle Hamilton acknowledge her.

Maybe that was what led to tension between them.

By the time Zoe was twenty-three, her star was rising at RHD. Kyle had frequently requested Zoe for projects and Zoe took every opportunity to work closely with Kyle, despite their constant bickering. But working in such close proximity to the sensual designer had ignited a smoldering desire within Zoe that she didn’t know how to handle.

Things had come to a head during Fashion Week 2008. After a successful show in Bryant Park, Kyle had invited Zoe to join him and his friends at a party. She wasn’t sure if it was the cosmos they were drinking or the excitement of the evening, but Kyle had kissed her.

Zoe had matched him kiss for kiss, each one more passionate than the last.

Abruptly, Kyle had pulled away, leaving her to try to figure out what had gone wrong. Her humiliation did not end there, however.

The next morning, Kyle pulled her into his office and apologized for crossing the boundary between employer and employee. To add insult to injury, he also had the nerve to say that she was too young for him.

She had to admit that the man was one incredible kisser, but the sting of his dismissal still felt as fresh as the day it had happened.

It bothered Zoe that she had been foolish enough to believe that Kyle Hamilton was tied to her destiny...and that she had allowed herself to fall in love with him.

Jerry stuck his head inside her office, interrupting her turbulent thoughts. “I have a lunch date. Can you review the list of candidates for Fashion Week internships? I sent them to you via email. We need a couple to start as soon as possible because two quit on us yesterday.”

“Sure,” Zoe said.

He was gone in a flash.

She leaned back in her chair and sighed. Zoe had a lot on her plate already, but she checked her email and found the list Jerry had sent.

When she came across one prospect who had interned at RHD last year, Zoe paused. She briefly wondered why the young man had decided not to go back there. It really did not matter, she told herself.

The important thing was for Zoe to put RHD, and Kyle Hamilton, out of her mind once and for all. She had bigger things to worry about than the man she had once been in love with.

* * *

“Have you seen Brianna or Bailey yet?” Kyle asked Nelson as they left his apartment for the weekly Sunday dinner hosted by his parents. “I know Daniel came by to see you a couple of days ago.”

Nelson shook his head. “I talked to Bailey, but Brianna and I have been playing telephone tag. I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone.”

They stepped inside a waiting elevator.

“Miss those family gatherings, huh?” Kyle asked as he pressed the button for the eighteenth floor. Kyle’s whole family lived in separate apartments in the same building co-owned by Kyle’s parents on Central Park West, which had its advantages, particularly when it came to getting together for Sunday dinner.

Nelson nodded. “I do. I enjoy being around family.”

They rode three floors up and knocked on the door when they reached his parents’ apartment. His mother rushed out to give Nelson a hug. “Welcome to New York.”

He laughed. “Hello, Aunt Lila.”

She slipped her arm through his. “I cooked some of your favorites.”

Kyle followed them inside. “Don’t spoil him, Mom.”

Lila looked much younger than her fifty-eight years. Although she no longer modeled and had given birth to four children, she still maintained her slender figure. Today, she wore her long, dark hair in its natural kinky/curly state.

Lila looked up at her son and said, “Nelson’s the guest of honor today. He deserves a little spoiling.”

Kyle’s youngest sister Bailey walked into the room. “We have been graced by a celebrity. How are you, cousin?”

Even in a pair of faded jeans and a black tank top with silver beading, the young model looked like a star, Kyle thought to himself. He had a strong feeling that this year’s Fashion Week was going to launch Bailey’s career, and Kyle was excited for her.

Nelson chuckled. “I’m no celebrity, that’s for sure.”

Kyle’s other sister Brianna, a budding designer in her own right, joined them, followed by a man in his early sixties, bald with a salt-and-pepper beard and mustache. He pushed his designer eyeglasses up the bridge of his nose. “Nephew, it’s good to see you. Although I thought you would’ve come to say hello before now.”

“I’m sorry, Uncle Roger, I know how busy it’s been for you all.”

“There’s always time for family.”