Beyond the Velvet Rope. Tiffany Ashley
out, immediately suspicious of his intentions. “Why are we meeting there and not here, in your office?”
Elliot folded his hands in his lap. Thandie could tell he was not use to being questioned. Although his face remained a mask of cool indifference, his silver eyes flashed with what looked like annoyance. In spite of this, his voice was even-tempered when he spoke. “We are meeting at Peppers because I enjoy the food and I have a reserved table there. The timing of our meeting is because of my schedule. My day is filled with meetings. The only block I have available for you is while I’m dining.” He arched a dark brow. “Is this going to be a problem?”
Feeling embarrassed for having jumped to the wrong conclusion, Thandie immediately shook her head. Mercifully, there was a heavy tap on the office door seconds before it opened. The large, beefy head of Michelle appeared.
“Elliot, Warren is here to see you.”
“Thanks. Let him in.” He stood, brushing his hands across his perfectly pressed pants. “Any last questions, Ms. Shaw?”
“No,” she said quickly, avoiding eye contact.
“Before you leave, I should mention the Tower of Babel is off-limits during business hours. Take my word for it and just don’t venture up there.”
The office door opened wider, and Warren Radcliffe entered the room. In his sixties, he was a man who’d aged well. His pure white hair was worn long enough to brush the collar of his shirt. It was stylishly cut, and professionally highlighted. His mustache and beard were trimmed low, and well groomed. Adorned in a colorful Hawaiian shirt and khaki shorts, he looked as if he didn’t have a care in the world. If Elliot were an exotic car, Warren was more like a lovable childhood toy, worn in presentation but holding all the jubilance of its younger days. In spite of his features, weathered from years of hard partying, his boyish nature could not be ignored. He was a great reminder that life never got boring because one grew older.
When Warren smiled at her, Thandie resisted the urge to run and curl herself up in his natural sunshine. As if reading her mind, he pulled her to her feet to give her a tight hug. “You’re finally here. It’s great to see you, Thandie. You look great.”
She kissed his cheek. “So do you.”
He shot a curious glance at Elliot. “I see you two have met. I hope he hasn’t seduced you yet.”
Elliot gave a dry laugh. “I’ll leave the seducing to you, Romeo.”
Ignoring Elliot, Warren looked down at Thandie. “We need to get you settled in. Adam loaded your bags into my car. Where are the girls? I’m here to help, but you’ll need them. Damn, listen to me rambling like a woman. Wow, it’s good to see you, Thandie. I feel as if I’m five years old again on Christmas morning.”
“That was a long time ago,” Elliot remarked.
Warren slanted his eyes in his direction, before returning his attention to Thandie. “Fun times, kiddo. This is going to be the adventure of a lifetime.”
There was a knock at the door and Michelle popped his head in again. “Elliot, your next meeting is here.”
Elliot checked his watch, then waved his hand. “Let him in.” He turned to Thandie. “Until tonight, Ms. Shaw.”
The door swung open, and a tall, dark-haired man entered the office.
Before Thandie could figure out who this new visitor was, Warren ushered her out of the office. Michelle quickly closed the door behind them.
Warren huffed. “No need for us to get caught up in that stuff.”
“Who was that?” she asked.
“Your guess is as good as mine. Elliot has his hand in so many ventures, it’s difficult to say.” Warren was about to add more, but before the words could escape his lips, a beautiful Asian woman with long dark hair wrapped her arms around his neck.
Surprised and obviously grateful, Warren grinned from ear to ear. “Susan, how are you, honey?”
“I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” she said.
“Well, I’m all yours now.”
“Did you forget your promise to me?”
Warren paused for a moment and then snapped his fingers. “Of course not. How could I forget you?” His eyes ran over her long legs. “You’re always on my mind.”
“I better be,” she laughed lightly. “Tonight, right?”
“I’ll have to see if he’ll be available.”
“You promised,” she reminded him in a slightly irritable tone.
“Okay, okay,” he said calmly. “Tonight. I promise.”She gave a triumphant smile and then glanced toward the office door that led to Elliot’s office.
“I’m counting on you, Warren.”
Thandie watched the woman saunter away, still baffled by what had just happened. “Please tell me you’re going to explain that.”
Warren waved his hand and guided Thandie toward the door. “Susan’s a dear friend.”
“How long have you known this dear friend?”
“Ever since she started working here?” he hedged.
Thandie gave him a questioning look.
“Okay, okay, kiddo. She’s been working here for nearly a month,” he admitted.
“What kind of promise did you make her?”
“It’s silly,” he said with a shake of his white head. “Forget you ever heard that.”
“Uh-uh.” Thandie shook her head teasingly. “Tell me everything.”
Warren blushed. “I kinda promised her I’d introduce her to Elliot.”
“Kinda?”
“Ok, I did—I promised her I’d introduce her to him.”
“And in return?”
He wiggled his eyebrows.
At this, she had to laugh. “You haven’t changed a bit.”
Warren shrugged. “Why shouldn’t I profit from his good fortune? I’ve got to give it to the guy; he’s good. He’s a great business partner but an even better womanizer. Speaking of which—” he turned serious eyes on her “—heed my warning, Thandie. Stay away from him.”
She cocked her head to the side. “Would it surprise you that you aren’t the first person to tell me that?”
“No, but it would surprise me if I were the last.” Tucking her hand into the crook of his arm, like an old-world gentleman, Warren led her to the exit. “I’m so glad you came.”
“Me too.”
“Excellent. I promise you won’t regret it.”
The drive to Warren’s home was relaxing, complemented by the subtropical climate. Thandie spent most of their trip being entertained by her host. He caught her up on the latest happenings with him and Wife Number Five. He was eager for the divorce, because he was already dating potential Wife Number Six. Thandie listened, thinking Warren was a fun guy who was desperately looking for happiness. She felt a little sorry for him, but his stories were too comical not to laugh at.
Twenty minutes later, Thandie stared up at a majestic estate. She’d always known Warren was well off, but she never imagined he lived so extravagantly. His beachfront home had a million-dollar view of the ocean. Inside, it had a minimalist design, abstract art and many white walls. He gave her a tour of the home before eventually guiding her to a guest room.
Placing her bags near the door, he said, “There are empty bedrooms down the hall for your staff. Make yourself at home. If there is anything you need,