Tell Me Something Good (24 page)

“Later,” he said.

“After the meeting? Today?” She searched his
face with a desperate expression.

“Yes. Now please, Julie. We’ve got enough to
deal with right now.” Noel put a sense of urgency in his tone.

Julie looked over his shoulder and then into
his eyes again. She smiled. “I’ll be right by your side, Noel.”

“Good. I know I can count on you.”

He turned in time to see Lyrissa standing in
the door. Her expression went hard as she looked at his hand still
on Julie’s arm. There was no time to explain or say anything.

Carlton chose that moment to clear his throat
loudly. “Maybe we should get started,” he said.

“Let’s get down to it, for God’s sake,” Uncle
Laurence rumbled. He walked to his chair with a rolling gait caused
by arthritis in both hips. The other board members took seats
around the table.

Miss Georgina stood in the open door leading
to the executive offices, which were down a short private hall. She
was dressed in an emerald green Carole Little business suit. There
was a black-and-white silk kerchief in one breast pocket. Gold
button earrings gleamed in the fluorescent lighting. Her silver
gray hair was swept up in a French roll.

“Good morning, everyone. Laurence, I’m glad
you’re here.” She fixed a baleful stare on the seventy-year-old
curmudgeon.

“Morning, Georgina. You’re looking hale and
hearty for somebody supposed to be down for the count,” Laurence
said with a grunt. He tossed a glare at Carlton, who blinked
hard.

She gave a composed laugh. “The reports of my
death were greatly exaggerated.”

“Ahem, Grandmother’s trademark sense of
humor,” Carlton said with a watery smile. “As I was saying, we’re
here to discuss proposals to address the viability of this
company”

Carlton’s father marched over to stand beside
him. “My son has a solid grasp on the road we need to take.”

“Careful we don’t end up going off a cliff,
Willie,” Richard said with a lopsided grin. He sat down next to
Noel.

“Dad, please.” Noel eyed his father. “We’re
here to work together.”

“Not if we’re on the wrong track,” William
said. He glared at Richard for a moment before going on. “My son
has a proposal that makes sense.”

“Sounds reasonable,” a distant cousin
said.

“Then get to it,” Uncle Laurence added.
“Don’t waste time shilly-shallying around.”

Augustin raised a hand. “Ah, excuse me.”

“Yes, Augustin,” Miss Georgina said with a
nod.

“Shouldn’t we at least hear details of what
we’re sup-porting?”

“I thought that’s what we came here for. I
don’t like being rushed at this hour of the morning,” Vic said.

“I was simply making a general opening
statement,” William said tightly.

“We got the message.” Augustin had a twinkle
of mischief in his eyes.

Noel moved to shift the group into a more
positive direction. “We can get started now. I believe we both have
solid ideas to put on the table—right, Carlton?”

“For the most part,” Carlton said with a cool
smile.

As chairman, Uncle Laurence officially opened
the meeting. For the next half-hour they reviewed a report of
operating expenses and net profits. Eddie passed out manila folders
as he spoke. Noel made it a point to keep his expression blank. He
could feel glances from other members of the board. Lyrissa sat
across from him. She stared down at a folder before her. The gray
skirt, matching jacket, and crisp white blouse she wore fit her
curves very well. Other women would have looked straitlaced in such
an outfit. Not Lyrissa. Her business suit gave a hint of the
sensual woman beneath the functional clothes. When she used one
hand to brush her hair in place, heat shot through Noel’s
midsection. He smiled at the memory of the way she tasted.

Richard leaned close to him. “Keep your mind
on business, son. William and Carlton are up to something.”

Noel adjusted his tie and looked around the
room. Several pairs of dark St. Denis eyes stared at him. Julie
watched Lyrissa closely. His father was right; he needed to keep
his mind on the present. Still, there was no place Lyrissa could
sit that wouldn’t light a fire inside him. He’d just have to focus,
even with her so close.

Carlton leaned forward, both elbows on the
table. “As I said, my proposal makes good business sense. Jack
Castle, a top consultant in this area, endorses it. We could see a
six percent rise in profit within the first quarter after my plan
is implemented.” Carlton wore a confident expression.

“I like it,” Aunt Aline said promptly. “Well,
this was relatively painless, as dry board meetings go. Very
impressive, Carlton.”

“Not bad,” Uncle Laurence grumbled.

“Are we following Robert’s Rules of Order?”
Augustin asked, an innocent expression on his face.

William’s eyes narrowed. “You know we
are.”

Augustin raised his hand like a schoolboy. “I
ask to be recognized, then.”

“Of course,” Uncle Laurence said.

“Let’s hear from the expert on art,” Cousin
Augustin said, his gaze on Noel.

“Let me conclude first,” Carlton said
quickly.

“You’re not through yet?” Vic blurted
out.

“I just wanted to point out that I did
include the St. Denis art collection as an asset in my proposal.”
Carlton tapped his copy of the report.

“May I give information to the board?” Julie
spoke up.

“Of course,” Carlton said before anyone could
object.

“I can name quite a few Fortune 500
corporations that list art in their asset reports. That’s not
really an issue.” Julie’s voice was neutral.

“Miss Rideau’s appraisal confirms what I
suspected.” Noel nodded to Lyrissa. “The—”

“And I think we can leverage the value of the
collection even more,” Julie cut in with force.

Aunt Aline cast a cool glance at Lyrissa. Her
expression softened when she looked at Julie. “You have something
in mind, dear?”

Julie smiled tightly. “Yes, as a matter of
fact. I even mentioned it to Noel a couple of weeks ago. I think
you could display the art and sell limited edition prints, and even
reproductions of some of the sculptures. Also, I’ve made some
contacts with Sotheby’s in New York. A few of the pieces could be
auctioned for a considerable amount.” Julie looked at Lyrissa as
she talked.

Cousin Harold nodded his approval. “Which
could increase income while we hold onto the art. Clever girl.”

“I even have an idea to sell the
reproductions on a major national shopping channel.” Julie smiled
in triumph as she gazed at Lyrissa.

“I think we should hear Miss Rideau’s report.
She’s a sharp cookie.” Vic winked at Lyrissa.

“We can read it later,” Julie snapped
impatiently. “The point is the collection is valuable.”

Uncle Laurence nodded. “Not exactly news.
Just needed a reliable dollar figure.”

“There’s more to Miss Rideau’s report,” Noel
said. He had to work hard to keep irritation from his voice. “Could
you give us a summary of your recommendations?” Lyrissa cleared her
throat. She looked at the yellow legal pad in front of her. “As Mr.
Rohas has pointed out, there’s no question that the collection is
valuable. However, an accurate appraisal is essential. Of course,
prices can go up at an auction.”

Noel watched as she gave a concise summary of
her findings and recommendations. She spoke with confidence and
authority. He noticed every move she made, remembering the taste of
her skin. Her words faded to a pleasant buzz. Or was it his libido
turned way up? “Finally, I talked to Professor Pat Smith, and—”

“I didn’t know we’d paid for two experts,”
Julie interrupted. She glanced around at the board members.

“You didn’t. Dr. Smith is my dissertation
advisor and mentor. She has a national reputation for her expertise
in African-American art preservation.”

Vic clapped her hands excitedly. “Of course!
She was the driving force behind that slave ship exhibition.
Lyrissa can use university resources since she’s a student.
Brilliant, darlin’.”

“I considered that when I asked Lyrissa to
complete her report.” Noel smiled at Vic and Lyrissa in turn. “And
it’s made all the difference.” Noel gazed at her. She looked
beautiful beneath the starched, buttoned-down veneer. Yet she did
not return his glance.

“Thank you. In conclusion, I suggest an
auction. Certain pieces may bring much higher bids alone.”

Aline sniffed. “I’m still concerned about how
this will look for the family.”

“Some of the finest families in the country,
even the world, have sold art they owned. Their reputations were
even enhanced.” Lyrissa looked around the room. “The pieces you
have clearly show that your family not only had the money to
acquire the best, but the good taste to choose well.”

“She’s right about that,” Uncle Laurence
said, and stuck out his chest.

“I say we compare all proposals,” Cousin
Harold put in.

“Agreed,” Miss Georgina said before Carlton
could speak.

When the others followed her lead, Carlton
sat back with a resigned frown. Julie began a presentation on
rental properties. Noel studied Lyrissa’s face, hoping to find some
clue to what she was thinking. She still stared down at her notes.
He could tell she didn’t really see them, though. There was
something in her large brown eyes but he couldn’t read it. Suddenly
the meeting seemed to have dragged on longer than necessary.

“Noel, I think you have an update on the
Insurance Commission?” Julie said.

Her tone sliced through to him like a butcher
knife. Noel adjusted his shirt collar as the others looked at him.
His aunt wore a frown. Richard gazed at him with one heavy eyebrow
raised.

“Let’s take a break. We’ve been in here for
over two hours now,” Noel pointed out.

“Bless you, child,” Vic said
passionately.

“I agree. My rear end is numb,” Uncle
Laurence said. “Fifteen minutes, folks. Let’s come back in by
eleven. Order lunch from Semolina’s, Eddie.”

Eddie nodded. “Yes, sir.”

The young woman wrote furiously as Uncle
Laurence and the others gave her their orders while they walked.
Then, the board members once more clumped together in groups to
drink coffee. Noel knew he should stay to get a feel for their
mood. Yet the sight of Lyrissa leaving drove him through the door
after her. She walked quickly in the direction of the
elevators.

“Lyrissa, wait a minute,” Noel called
out.

She stopped but did not turn around
immediately. When she did, her expression was impassive. “Yes?”

“I want to be with you tonight,” he said
simply.

“I’m busy. I don’t think it’s a good idea,”
Lyrissa replied promptly.

“Which is it and why?” Noel stared at her
hard. He could feel a distance between them that had nothing to do
with space.

Lyrissa took a deep breath and let it out.
“Different galaxies,” she whispered.

“This is the age of space travel.” Noel took
her by the elbow and drew her closer.

“We’ll talk about it later.”

Noel held on. “Tonight is as good a time as
any.” “Don’t make a scene. People are watching us.” Lyrissa looked
in all directions.

He let go and spoke in a normal tone. “Fine,
then come to my office. We can discuss it in detail.”

“Of course, Mr. St. Denis,” she said in a
crisp, businesslike voice.

They both turned to find his Aunt Aline,
Carlton, Julie, and Augustin looking at them. Carlton wore an
expression of curiosity. Aunt Aline clearly disapproved. Julie’s
eyes flashed lightning bolts of rage.

“This is certainly an interesting day.”
Augustin’s black coffee eyes twinkled at them both.

Noel gazed back at them coolly. “I’ll be back
in five minutes.” He led Lyrissa away.

“Well!” Aunt Aline scraped Lyrissa with a
head-to-toe examination.

“The meeting will start again soon, Noel,”
Julie said in a controlled tone. “We need you back in here
now.”

Noel kept walking. “I’ve got time. Excuse
us.”

Noel guided Lyrissa ahead of him with a hand
firmly planted against her lower back. At that moment he did not
care what they thought. Approval or disapproval from his relatives
meant nothing. What worried him was the sound of “goodbye” in
Lyrissa’s voice. Once the door closed, Lyrissa spun around to
confront him. She tossed her purse and portfolio down onto a nearby
chair.

“Now you’ve done it!” she burst out.

Noel found her pouting mouth irresistible. He
leaned closer. “Done what?”

“You know what.” Lyrissa pushed him away.

He shrugged and folded his arms. “Blame
yourself. All you had to do was say you’d see me tonight.”

Lyrissa frowned at him. “You’re such an
arrogant, spoiled brat. Used to having your way, aren’t you?”

“So you don’t want to be with me?” Noel
cocked his head to one side.

Lyrissa waved her arms in the air. “That’s
not the point.”

“That’s the only point I’m interested in
right now, Ms. Rideau,” he teased. His expression turned serious.
“Forget them.”

“Right. I’ll have one huge knife in my back
before I leave here.” Lyrissa eyed him steadily. “Julie is—”

“There is nothing between Julie and me.”

“Not that I care.” Lyrissa straightened her
blouse.

“I’d be crazy with jealousy if I saw you with
another man.” Noel said the words so easily it stunned him.

“Think you know it all, don’t you?” Lyrissa
said in a small voice. She looked into his eyes like a woman under
a spell.

“Maybe I do.” He planted three small kisses
on her forehead.

“And how do you plan to break this news
flash?” Lyrissa breathed in short gasps.

“Straight and to the point.”

Noel did not want to think about anyone else
at the moment. He lost himself in the scent on her skin. Lyrissa
met him more than halfway. She closed her eyes as he kissed her
face again and again. They swayed to an internal rhythm only they
felt. Lyrissa planted both her palms on his chest.