Taming the Wolf (2 page)

“Absolutely not,” Samara said firmly, seated at a table in a private dressing room as she worked furiously to remove the heavy stage makeup. “It’s out of the question.”

Her mother stood behind her, feet planted slightly apart, hands braced on voluptuous hips that defied her forty-seven years. She was the epitome of stylish elegance in one of her original designs, a pale lavender dress with a scooped neckline, narrow skirt and wide sleeves, worn with a pair of matching sling-back stiletto pumps. She was the only person Samara knew who could be subtle and stunning in one breath.

“You are being positively ridiculous,” Asha Dubois charged in the cool, controlled voice that often sent her subordinates scurrying for cover. “It’s only natural that the reporters would want to interview you. You were a smashing success this evening, darling. They’re still buzzing about your performance out there!”

“Be that as it may,” Samara said tightly, unmoved by the compliment. Although the significance of being lauded by the fashion world’s movers and shakers was not lost on her, “I’m not interested in doing any interviews, which I made perfectly clear to you when I agreed to participate in the show.”

“Naturally I assumed you would change your mind after the premiere.”
“I guess you assumed wrong.”
Asha gripped the back of Samara’s chair and leaned down until her reflection joined her daughter’s in the mirror. Slowly, reluctantly, Samara lifted dark eyes to Asha’s face, praying her mother couldn’t hear the traitorous hammering of her own heart.
“You’re behaving like a spoiled brat,” Asha said, her tone low and scathing. “A spoiled, twenty-eight-year-old brat. You’re being unreasonable out of pure spite.”
Samara was silent, studying her mother’s image and marveling, not for the first time, at Asha’s exquisite beauty. The slim nose, the high cheekbones, the classically shaped eyebrows arched over exotic dark eyes. Her straightened black hair was fashionably cut in long, breezy layers that perfectly accentuated the sensual contours of her face. Asha had never been a stranger to male attention, turning heads wherever she went. Her stunning beauty made her the envy of countless women and the fantasy of every man who looked upon her.
And in many ways, it had also been her downfall.
Samara raised a defiant chin. “This is your world, Mother, not mine. I kept my end of the bargain tonight. I trust you to do the same.”
Asha arched one perfectly sculpted eyebrow. “And if I don’t?” she challenged.
“It wouldn’t be the first time.”
Her mother regarded her in shrewd silence, showing no visible reaction to the stinging indictment. “People always comment on how much we look alike,” she drawled in a deceptively soft voice. “What a shame the similarities end there.”
Samara maintained her steely gaze, refusing to be intimidated, refusing to succumb to the bitter tears that burned at the back of her throat. She was not the same fragile little girl she’d once been, craving her mother’s approval, cowering in Asha’s larger-than-life shadow.
She would rather die than become that girl again.
A firm knock sounded at the door. Asha straightened and bit out impatiently, “What is it?”
“The natives are getting restless out here,” came the saucy retort from Asha’s personal assistant, Pierre Jacques. “Will you and the lovely Ms. Layton be joining us for interviews any time soon? The press hounds are becoming quite bloodthirsty, dearest.”
“Tell them I’ll be right there,” Asha said, meeting her daughter’s eyes once again as she added wryly, “I’m afraid Ms. Layton won’t be able to join us. I had forgotten how terrified of strangers she is.”
Pierre gave a snort of disapproval before moving off to do his employer’s bidding.
“Will you at least make an appearance at the cocktail reception this evening?” Asha demanded. “It wouldn’t look right if my own daughter didn’t show up to help celebrate the successful unveiling of my spring collection.”
Samara scraped her hair into a makeshift ponytail and rose from the chair, eager to escape the oppressive tension of the tiny dressing room. She knew, realistically, that there was no escaping the volatility that always simmered between her and Asha.
“Samara? I asked you a question.”
Smothering a deep sigh of resignation, Samara answered evenly, “I’m going back to my hotel room to pack, Mother. I came here and did what you asked me to do, and now it’s time for me to return home where I’m really needed.” She paused halfway to the door, her back facing her mother. “Congratulations on another successful premiere. I’ll understand if I don’t see you tomorrow before I leave.”
Her mother said nothing as Samara strode purposefully from the room.

Marcus started across the plush lobby where celebrities and fashion heavyweights milled aimlessly about, basking in the afterglow of the event. He’d excused himself to take a call on his cell phone, ignoring Walt’s reproachful look. Walt was not the first person in Marcus’s life to complain about his workaholism, and he wouldn’t be the last.

Marcus rounded the corner and walked right into the path of Samara Layton. His arms came up automatically to steady her as she lifted her eyes to murmur an apology.

At about five-seven, she wasn’t as tall as Marcus had originally estimated. She’d abandoned the sheer goddess gown in favor of a simple white shirt and electric blue jeans that molded long, shapely legs that were made for wrapping around a man’s waist and leading him straight to paradise. If he’d thought she was beautiful before, she was even more breathtaking up close. Her rich brown skin was flawless. Lustrous ebony hair stemming from a widow’s peak had been scooped into a ponytail that paid homage to an exquisite face—high cheekbones, a slim nose, a delicate chin that hinted at a stubborn streak and a lush, sensual mouth created for pleasuring a man. Marcus got hard just looking at her mouth. And then there were her eyes. Wide and incredibly dark, thick-lashed and tilting exotically at the corners.

Those mesmerizing gypsy eyes settled on his face, registering surprise and a flicker of recognition. But the look was so fleeting Marcus decided he’d only imagined it.

“I’m sorry,” she offered in a soft, throaty voice that made his mouth go dry. “I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
Marcus forced himself to stop staring, a feat requiring the strength of Goliath. Damn, she was fine. “No problem,” he said softly. “Where’s the fire?”
For a moment she just gazed up at him, as if he hadn’t spoken. The look in her eyes, something soft and smoky, almost brought Marcus to his knees.
And then just like that her expression cleared, and her arms stiffened beneath his hands. “If you’ll excuse me…” she said pointedly.
He let his arms drop to his sides and took a step back. “Of course,” he murmured. “I didn’t mean to hold you up.”
“Just the pair I was looking for!” boomed a hearty voice across the crowded lobby.
Marcus and Samara glanced up to see Walter Floyd approaching, causing several curious heads to turn in his direction. Tall and solidly built, with silver hair sprinkled liberally at the temples, Walt remained an impressive sight at the age of sixty-two. As a prominent businessman who’d recently been voted “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Black Enterprise, Walt could be a shrewd and formidable competitor—and as warm and generous as a beloved grandfather.
As Marcus watched, Samara’s lips curved into a smile of undisguised pleasure, and for one insane moment, he envied his friend for getting such a warm response from her.
“If you’re coming over here to give me another earful about the tiger,” she said lightly as Walt drew near, “you’re wasting your breath. Working with Pandora was the only part of the performance I enjoyed, and as I already assured you; my life was never in any danger.”
Marcus cocked an amused eyebrow. “Pandora?”
“That’s right.” There was a hint of defiant pride in the eyes that swung back to him. “She’s a South African Bengal tiger, on loan to us from the Johannesburg Zoo. I was there when she was born, and her breeders allowed me to name her.”
Walt chuckled, leaning down to plant a fatherly kiss on Samara’s forehead. To Marcus he warned, “Don’t get this young lady started unless you want to hear a sermon on the importance of humane, responsible breeding to maintain the genetic diversity of the endangered tiger species. Samara has been befriending wild animals for as long as I’ve known her, sneaking in strays at every available opportunity. If her mother would have allowed it, Samara would’ve owned a menagerie of pets ranging from parakeets to raccoons.”
Samara laughed, the sound as mesmerizing as her voice. “What an exaggeration!” she protested, looking embarrassed as her glance shuttled away from Marcus. He was more intrigued than ever.
Walt grinned. “Anyway, I didn’t come over here to lecture you on the dangers of playing with wild animals—although I do plan to give your mother a piece of my mind when I find her. I wanted to introduce the two of you, but I see you’ve already managed on your own.”
“Actually,” Marcus said, looking at Samara, “we hadn’t gotten around to that yet.”
“Well, then, allow me to do the honors.” With a gallant flourish, Walt made the introductions, explaining to Samara, “Marcus and I met several years ago when we served as committee chairmen on a community revitalization project in Washington, D.C. Marcus was barely out of Georgetown Law School at the time, if memory serves me correctly, but he was already passionate about community issues and brought quite a lot to the table.” Walt grinned broadly as if an idea had suddenly struck him. “You two have a lot in common. Samara is very active in the community herself. She works as an executive director for a community outreach organization based in D.C.”
“Is that right?” Marcus didn’t know which part of the revelation pleased him more—Samara’s shared interest in civic affairs or the fact that she lived in Washington, D.C., where he’d recently relocated to. “So you don’t live in New York?” he clarified, just to be sure.
Samara shook her head. “I’m only here as a favor to my mother. I don’t model on a full-time basis.”
“That’s surprising,” Marcus said. “You were amazing tonight. Captivating.”
She inclined her head in simple acknowledgment of the compliment, but Marcus had the vague impression she was less than pleased.
Walt was observing them with sharp, discerning eyes when someone across the lobby called out a greeting to him. “You two keep chatting,” he urged his companions as he started away, only too pleased by the diversion. “Get to know each other. You won’t be disappointed.”
In amused silence, Marcus and Samara watched the older man retreat. “Good ole’ Mr. Floyd,” Samara drawled wryly. “The art of subtlety was never lost on him.”
Marcus chuckled. “Walt’s matchmaking attempts aside, would you like to get a drink somewhere? I’d love to hear more about the work you do.”
“I can’t drink,” Samara blurted, then looked as if she wanted to take back the words.
“All right,” Marcus said evenly. “No drinks, then. How about dinner?”
She shook her head. “Look, Mr. Wolf, I’m sure you’re a very nice guy and really deserving of Walter’s high praises—”
His mouth curved with irony. “Which would rationally explain your refusal to have dinner with me.”
She bristled at his mocking tone. “Not that I need a ‘rational explanation’ to refuse your dinner invitation,” she said crisply, “but if you must know, in my experience with doing these fashion shows, there are usually three types of men in attendance. Those with a genuine interest in the fashion industry, or those like Walter Floyd who comes to support a friend or family member.” She paused. “And then there’s your type, Mr. Wolf.”
Marcus lifted a brow. “And what type would that be?” he inquired, a soft challenge in his voice.
“Men who’d rather spend their time anywhere but at a fashion show, but once there, they decide to make the best of the situation by going home with the first decent-looking female they encounter. If it happens to be one of the models, all the better.”
Marcus said nothing.
“Do you deny that Walter probably had to drag you out to tonight’s premiere?”
“Kicking and screaming.”
Point made, she nodded coolly. She hitched the strap of her leather duffel bag more securely onto her shoulder. “It’s been a long week, Mr. Wolf, and I have a five-hour drive back home tomorrow morning. So if you’ll excuse me, I’d really like to get back to my hotel room and hit the sack. Alone.”
Marcus inclined his head in the barest hint of a nod. “As you wish. Good evening, Ms. Layton.” He stepped aside to let her pass, then stood watching as she headed from the building without a backward glance.
Turning away, he drew a deep, ragged breath and blinked several times, but it was no use. He couldn’t ease the image of her round curvy ass squeezed into electric blue denim from his mind. It was permanently stamped upon his brain, like the rest of her.

Samara’s heart pounded as the taxicab she’d climbed into hurtled down the busy street, the bright lights of downtown Manhattan whizzing by. Although she automatically gripped the door handle for support, her runaway heartbeat had nothing to do with the cabbie’s haphazard driving.

No, she could thank Marcus Wolf for that.
Lord have mercy, she silently breathed, closing her eyes and leaning her head back against the seat. No man has the right to be that fine.
She’d first noticed him at the conclusion of the fashion show, as she stood at the end of the illuminated runway surrounded by photographers vying for the best camera angles. Beyond the flurry of flashing bulbs, she’d seen Marcus seated in the front row reserved for VIP guests. Her pulse rate had accelerated almost immediately. He was already watching her—a silent, penetrating appraisal through dark, heavy-lidded eyes that gave new meaning to the term “bedroom eyes.” Rich mahogany skin stretched tight and smooth over chiseled cheekbones, a square jaw. And a firm, sensually molded mouth that made her fantasized about what they’d feel like against her own lips, on her breasts and between her trembling thighs.
As she’d watched from the runway, Marcus slowly stood, unfolding his powerful body from the seat with the fluid ease of a panther. She’d nearly gasped as she took in the sheer size of him, impossibly broad shoulders with a wide chest that tapered down to a trim waist. Samara had attended countless black-tie affairs before. But not once had she been so turned on by the sight of a man in a tuxedo. Marcus Wolf wore the hell out of that Armani tux, putting all the other men to shame. Samara wanted to climb him like an oak tree, all six-foot four-inches of him, and wrap her limbs around him.
Their eyes had held for several charged moments before Samara forced her gaze away, heeding the flirtatious coaxing of a photographer who’d wanted her to smile for the camera. She was sure her smile had been as wobbly as her knees.
Marcus Wolf was sexier than sin, and his deep, velvety voice laced with Southern heat had been as potent as the rest of the package. Although Samara knew better, she’d been sorely tempted to accept his dinner invitation. Almost at once, she’d imagined them dining by candlelight at a cozy, romantic restaurant, then returning to her hotel room for a nightcap. Or his room, whichever was closer.
“Dance with me,” he murmured, taking her half-empty wineglass from her hand and setting it down on the table.
He held out his hand to her, and she went willingly into his arms. She closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder as they began to slow dance to a nonexistent ballad in front of the moonlit window. She reveled in the strength of his arms around her, the hardness of his chest and belly rubbing against her breasts, making her nipples pucker almost painfully. His muscled thighs slid along hers as he turned her slowly in a circle, one hand at the small of her back, the other at her waist. The heat of his touch seared her through her clothes, which suddenly felt too confining. When his hip brushed against hers, she felt the hard, delicious bulge of his erection, and it made her instantly wet.
She lifted her face to his, and found his dark, smoldering gaze already fixed on her. Her lips parted, and before she could draw breath to speak, he lowered his head and seized her mouth in a hot, mind-numbing kiss that sent liquid fire blazing through her body. She arched into him, pressing her aching breasts to his chest as her hips rocked against him, seeking relief from her torment. He deepened the kiss, giving her his tongue and feasting on her mouth until she was breathless and clinging to him. Soon they were both panting hard.