LITMIR.BIZ

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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 was something underlying, but Naomi wouldn’t be acknowledging it. Instead, she turned and walked away.

      “Naomi, Naomi.” She heard her name being called and could see Alexis, her intern, waving her over to the Brooks and Johnson table. When she’d hired the interns, she’d told them that they were all on a first-name basis and could call her Naomi.

      “No need to yell, Alexis,” Naomi said when she arrived. Her salespeople were already occupied with other customers, so Naomi headed straight for her. “What can I do for you?”

      “Well, this gentleman wants to know how they might go about carrying our products at his stores,” Alexis replied with a smile.

      Naomi smiled and hid her purse under the table. Now this man she could handle and knew what to do with. She immediately started explaining Brooks and Johnson’s mission statement and how they would be a great addition to his business. It didn’t take long for the man to hand her his card and tell her he’d be in touch to talk terms.

      “That went wonderfully,” Naomi said five minutes later to Alexis, who was standing avidly by, soaking it all in.

      “How’d you do that?” the young woman asked. They’d hired her to help with the trade show and she was still green.

      “Experience,” Naomi replied. “Don’t worry, the more you’re exposed to these types of environments, the more you’ll learn.”

      Applause sounded from behind Naomi. She didn’t need to know who was praising her. Lucius. The man refused to go away. He was like a puppy nipping at her heels.

      “I couldn’t have said it better myself, Naomi Brooks,” Lucius responded. He held out his hand. “Pleasure to officially meet you.”

       Chapter 3

      Naomi thought about leaving Lucius hanging, but since she was in front of her intern, who looked to her as a mentor, Naomi had no choice but to accept the handshake. Lucius’s hand clasped her small one, and a ripple of excitement went up her spine at touching him again. He studied her face, waiting for a reaction.

      Damn him!

      She quickly released his hand and turned to her intern. “Alexis, I’d like you to meet—”

      “Lucius Knight?” the girl finished. “Black Enterprise businessman of the year.”

      “One and the same.” Lucius smiled broadly, and Naomi couldn’t fail to notice he had straight, pearly-white teeth. His charm hit the poor intern like a ton of bricks, and she blushed from ear to ear, her cheeks turning red.

      “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

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