Never Like This (Christian Romance)

IF ANYTHING could go wrong, it was happening this Tuesday. Kavin Reigns crossed the office to snatch up the desk phone. Staring out the floor-to-ceiling window to the tops of historic buildings, he listened to news he’d rather do without.

He hung up, reclaimed the receiver, and paused with a frown. What was the extension he needed? Since he’d just shut down his computer to head out to a meeting, he didn’t want to log on to it again, nor did he want to scroll through the endless list on his phone to find it in an email. Grimacing, he dialed his company’s director of Foreign Relations instead. Hi. I need to speak to Sherri Harbor.

The problem with this Paris takeover wasn’t something he worried about, but he was definitely annoyed. Overseeing operations, he made it his job to find the truth, weed out and terminate corporate problems, then get someone to establish protocol so it wouldn’t happen again.

This one had an extra twist that prevented him from treating it as usual. For starters, he didn’t know what the truth was, and he sure couldn’t terminate this nuisance as he deemed fit.

I think she stepped out of the office a minute ago, Mr. Reigns, the director explained. I’ll keep an eye out for when she gets back and ask her to give you a call.

Sliding the phone into its cradle, a shuffling noise reached him from his open office door. His executive assistant had freedom to his space, so the atypical hesitation had him turning to the intruder. He retracted a wide-eyed reaction when he focused on the African American woman standing at the threshold waiting to see if he’d give the go-ahead to come in.

Attractive, he thought, as other words describing her looks ran through the back of his mind. And the eye-catching visitor wasn’t a stranger off the street. She carried a blue, legal-size file folder, not a shoulder purse. That alone should have given him pause from further inspection.

Annoyed and preoccupied as he was, he decided he hadn’t hit anywhere near being so distracted as to not admire the woman’s chin-length, wave-tossed hair; eyes and eyebrows that would stand out in one of the company’s ads; and long, slender figure wrapped in a purple, half-sleeve blouse and dark grey pants.

Being a leader in the cosmetics and fashion industries had its perks. He was staring at one of them now, and she’d just taken three seconds of his time he wished he’d prepared for.

Hoping his examination hadn’t been obvious, he neutralized his gaze and waited for her to speak.

There’s—there’s no one here, she said, waving a hand over her shoulder into his assistant’s office. Sorry to intrude. A cute, unsure smile, softened by a subtle shade of dusty rose, graced the light hazelnut face.

He wanted to smile back. If he’d seen her somewhere after hours, he’d have communicated to her across the room—even with her entourage of friends around—and approached to strike up a very different kind of conversation.

As it stood, this was his place of business so he hooked his hands in his trousers pockets, tensed his jaw, and hardened his stare. And? The look spoke for itself. The one reserved for moments like this. For anyone so bold as to come unannounced to the office of the Chief Operations Officer of the cosmetics and fashion mogul, Revealing.

The unsure smile faltered into a hesitant quirk. Mr. Reigns, I’m Sherri Harbor… the soft voice announced.

This was Sherri Harbor? Two more seconds of his life gone.

You asked for the report. I didn’t want you to wait, so I brought it up myself. Hope I’m not disturbing…

Her eyes blinked, then strayed past him to the panoramic Hamptons view from eleven floors up. It was a nice view, but he realized she likely chose to continue sightseeing to avoid his outright stare. A woman like that. Watching her was probably a pastime for some of the men on the eighth floor.

Thanks for taking the time. He held out his left hand for the file. Long strides brought her face to face and she passed over the report, leaving her right hand free for his handshake. Nice to meet you, he said, confirming he’d been right about those eyes and lips.

Two seconds. Embarrassed, he released her hand and lowered his gaze, flipping through the folder’s contents while his unwillingness to move kept them standing only a couple of feet apart.

In his peripheral he caught her rubbing her right hand, head turning to take in his office. Since he had to check up on her employee record recently, he knew she had worked for Revealing for over a year in the Foreign Relations department. A law degree and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Business rivaled his own CV, but, until problems arose in the Paris Project there’d been no reason for the two of them to communicate, let alone meet.

He suspected if he’d known what he knew now, he may have found excuses to travel downstairs.

As words strung together like alphabet soup on the page, Kavin stared at indecipherable sentences. He felt his skin heating, probably advertising he’d become too aware of the woman beside him. Scratching a finger behind his ear, he aimed for professionalism.

Thanks for this. It’s good work. He owed her at least that. The flash of a smile, and her nod said she was relieved. Just one thing. We don’t need it anymore, we have a new problem.

OF ALL THE…if anything else went wrong today Sherri would pull out her hair! On second thought, it was a first being this close to Kavin Reigns, and she certainly wanted all her hair to be looking her best. He was lean. Taller than expected, must be at least six feet. Newspaper articles, journal spreads, even the one-time glimpse across the parking garage hadn’t prepared her for this.

Trying to recall any articles of matrimony, her eyes discreetly travelled the scenic route to his left hand for the thrill of confirming bachelorhood. She didn’t know what she’d expected when she marched up here, but it wasn’t to be propelled by a silly, giddy effect only a true powerful man could exude. Power that had nothing to do with his industry rank.

Time to look away again. Heaving deep covert breaths, Sherri once again scanned the paintings, accredits, and framed magazine exploits coloring the natural-light flooded office. He wouldn’t catch on that she intermittently stared at him, would he? Strange. She’d had it all together before stepping into this office a minute ago.

Duncan, the account manager, just called. His eyes darted to the door behind her and back. Our target company’s become evasive about when we can finalize the contract. I hate to be the one to tell you, but you’ve wasted the last three days on this. Paris is getting cold feet.

Eyeing the folder that held her overtime-laden hard work since last week, she hid her disappointment. This takeover wasn’t even related to Revealing Raes; not really, just the cosmetics line branching out. She hated being unproductive. She hated not spending time wisely even more. A backlog of neglected accounts awaited her downstairs because of this request. Not exactly something to tell the big boss.

I wouldn’t say time’s been wasted, Mr. Reigns. It was relevant at the time.

He pinned her with an amused flicker of his clear blue eyes. Nice save, Harbor. But your frank opinions are as welcomed in person as they’ve been in your emails.

Despite her bold opinions in their latest exchanges, she doubted her unexpected arrival at his office an optimal place to voice them. Besides, he really couldn’t fathom the recesses of her mind right now. One side work, one side checking him out.

Who knew Kavin Reigns would turn out to be the type of man she and her girlfriends would prattle on about without fear of their uncensored speech reaching the tabloids. In fact, she was going to mentally record every second of this frustrating Paris Project moment because the girls would get the briefing no matter how it turned out.

Sherri curled her fidgety fingers. Well if it turned out that she’d still be involved, she wouldn’t be happy. She’d actually whooped when she’d finished the report thinking she was free and clear. Mr. Reigns and Revealing’s owner—Aaron Gilyard—had asked for her input. Done. Contributing more threatened to drag her down a rabbit-hole she’d tried desperately to close these past two years.

Sherri?

Her eyes snapped to him waiting for her reply. She took a mental shake and replayed her internal processor. He’d started off with the proposal Revealing had outlined, drifted to comment on the very hot summer they were having, then, asked if she wanted something to drink.

Water. Thank you. In her three-inch heels she looked up about another three to striking eyes that roamed her face.

Uncomfortable and baffled by the abnormal, swelling attraction to a complete stranger, she turned away and surveyed his office once more. You’re better than to be rattled like this. Definitely better than to have her mind turned to mush at the site of a good looking man.

When he led her to the small suite of dark leather chairs on the far right side of the office, she wondered why she was still there. He didn’t need the report. And she’d already received ‘the stare’ for her intrusiveness.

A woman’s voice floated from the door connecting to the assistant’s area. Aha. There you are. One minute slower, and Sherri could have met up with Reigns’s assistant, and eliminated this awkward moment altogether.

He tossed the folder onto the coffee table and reached inside an elegant Cherry cabinet, his face still tense holding that irritated flush. She couldn’t blame him. She’d crashed his office and knew what it was like to have an overcrowded executive’s schedule unforgiving of someone dropping in to interrupt the flow.

He handed her an ice cold tumbler. She eyed a couple of designer glass water bottles sitting atop the cabinet and wished she’d voiced her preference for room temperature beverages. Uttering a weak thanks, Sherri set the cold drink on a coaster decorating the low coffee table the moment his back turned.

Mr. Reigns, does Monsieur Bonneau believe we’re trying to cheat him, or do you think he’s fielding other offers and wants us to counter?

I think he wants us to believe his company is worth more than what we estimated. But, Mr. Reigns perched on the arm of a neighboring chair. Why he thinks we’d believe that is beyond me. We’ve had an army go over his books, projections, as well as the foreign market. I don’t know what he’s holding out for, but I’m not putting the Raes division on the line to find out.

Revealing Raes. Sherri held off musing that Mr. Reigns was a blue eyed, wavy blond haired exec right at home as second in command of the cosmetics line for women of color. How thorough were your bank background checks? she asked.

Very. And back ten years. It’s clean. If it was anyone else pulling this stunt so late in the game, we’d seriously consider not going through with it.

What makes this one different?

What are our options?

Sherri’s spine stiffened at his deflection. You’re aware I’m not privy to all the details of this takeover. Which was most likely a factor in his avoidance, and her prayer to keep it that way.

He folded his arms, not answering that question either; but the gesture had all the makings of a test. She perked up even more. Walked right into an interview, didn’t I?

Her current job had nothing to do with Revealing’s acquisitions. It’s not like she practiced law anymore, she was more BA than bailment. But her manager, the Foreign Relations Director, started including her in his emails to Mr. Reigns and Mr. Gilyard. Then the owners started asking her questions, giving her bits and pieces to review, requested a report.

Sherri reminded herself that Revealing was only using its greatest resource at the moment. But old instincts kicked in staring at the crossed arms in front of her. She mentally gauged her surroundings, and barely restrained a simultaneous laugh and cry at realizing she’d already begun to sink in that enigmatic rabbit hole.

We’re in too deep, the greatest resource told him now with her situation as the backdrop. A, continue negotiations to an unsure end. Or B, cut your losses now at a cost Revealing may not be willing to afford. Which option are you, Mr. Reigns?

His eyes contemplatively trailed down her to an unchartered point in space. Frank enough for him? After leaning over and pouring his own water, he took the adjacent chair before his face broke with a shy, one-sided grin.

You can call me Kavin.

Her body prickled. Um…

You didn’t call the chief operations officer of a worldwide conglomerate by his given name. One didn’t slide from saying Mr. Helú or Mr. Trump three minutes after meeting.

Covering her discomfort, she reached for her water, the ring on her left hand clinking disrespectfully against the glass. Kavin, she tried on for size; and took a sip at the same instant his assistant walked in, making it a notably sloppy sip.

The cute, middle aged woman had long, dark hair clipped in a low ponytail, and her attire was dark conservative yet smart. She’d obviously heard Sherri call her boss by his first name. She threw a glance at them sitting in one end of the room, but continued to Mr. Reigns’ desk, skimmed through a few papers, and helped herself to some. Turning, she smiled at the silent occupants on her way out.

She looked happy, jovial, glowing, probably due to the large baby bump claiming a final trimester. The sudden appearance of a heavily pregnant woman, and switching to a first name basis with Mr. Reigns, made the unexpected meeting with the man uncomfortably intimate.

Sherri curled a finger over her water-pocked chin and checked her blouse. She pulled and squeezed at the few drops darkening the asymmetrical folds, then returned the glass to the coaster. As she’d feared, Klondike blue eyes seemed to have watched every move.

Uhm, she tried again. An apology loomed, on its way, but embarrassed heat singed it on her lips.

I’d been about to suggest we get together to discuss our options, her boss said in a clipped tone. But I’ll find out if Aaron wants to shut this down altogether. He stood. Sherri stood in response, and Mr. Reigns skirted the far side of the coffee table to precede her to the door.

Oh dear, had she dribbled her water so badly that he couldn’t take another minute sitting next to her? A little more embarrassed and a lot more confused, she decided her girlfriends weren’t getting a rundown of anything that transpired here today.

At the door, he turned and showed her a guarded gaze before he looked away. With him thoughtfully scowling at the floor, hands on his hips and feet apart, the tailored grey trousers with tailored white shirt made Kavin Reigns look like the money making shot in a wedding catalog.

Sorry for the trouble, he said, meeting her eyes above a terse smile. I’m still trying to work my head around… He shook his head and reached out his hand. I have a meeting to get to, but it really was a pleasure to meet you.

Yes, she hesitated. Mr. Reigns.

Heat flooded her stomach. If she hadn’t seen his GQ pose she would have had her wits about her for a sensible response. Yes? When she got home this whole awkward scene would be buried under mounds of raspberry swirl ice cream.

Sherri offered a small smile as indifferent as she could muster, reluctantly pulling her hand from his fingers’ comfortable, lingering embrace.

CHAPTER TWO

KAVIN THOUGHT he should go home and practice repentance with sackcloth and ashes. He didn’t know anything about Sherri. And here he stood, flat out smitten trying to find something behind the eyes of the woman who’d intrigued him for the past two weeks. He’d caught the flash of the Ichthus while she’d adjusted her blouse waiting for him to finish scanning the report. It suggested Sherri was a woman of faith.

Encouraging.

Hearing and seeing the gold ring on her left, third finger when it clanked against the glass cured him of any fantasy put to mind.

He tried to reel in this unfamiliar reaction. Married? He shouldn’t be surprised. Sherri seemed considerate and thoughtful; or perhaps her emails had painted that picture. Either way, she didn’t come close to the image he’d formed when first hearing of the former corporate lawyer who now handled some of their delicate overseas suppliers.

It was silly, but he’d been hooked. Kavin had looked forward to meeting her simply because he’d been charmed by a couple weeks’ worth of emails. And she had a husband.

Briskly ushering her through the office door, he paused them at his assistant’s desk. Bren was talking. Always talking. And it may have surprised Sherri that there was no one else in the room while Brenalin conducted her monologue. Any response? he asked, keeping his eyes off of the woman beside him.

Bren’s hand contoured her womb. Two kicks and a weird dip that looked like an alien transformation. She made a gag face. But he said I could have smores and ice cream for lunch, then salt and vinegar chips for dinner.

I’m buying, Kavin teased.

She flashed her eyebrows up, then looked at his guest with a bright smile. Hello.

Bren, this is Sherri Harbor from Foreign Relations.

He shouldn’t have turned to face her. Sherri’s unavailable status did nothing to curb the way those dusty rose-coated lips enticed a primal part of him. He may have been staring. The shapely lines were parted in a soft smile. Lips with curves like that needed—

"Brenalin has been my assistant for the past nine years, she could quote you my resume backwards. If you need anything and I’m not around, just let her know. She’ll take care of you.

Bren, Ms. Harbor will be joining us in the next conference call with Bonneau. Set that up as soon as possible. If Bonneau is serious, he’ll want this cleared asap. We’ll decide then if we want to cut him loose. And please send Ms. Harbor the paperwork to get the ball rolling on full security clearance for the Paris files, but we’ll get her some so she can look it over beforehand.

Sherri, please, Ms. Harbor said to Bren.

Bren nodded, taking in the information, shooting it back out as notes on her computer’s calendar. Kavin didn’t know what he’d do when Bren went on maternity leave. She knew his every move inside and out.

She was definitely coming back, she’d promised. Raising a child as a single mother in the face of tragedy was difficult enough. She needed this job to support said child, and Kavin had no qualms about obliging her request. Nearly ten years his senior, she was part mother, part friend, every ounce executive assistant.

Aaron and I need to meet with the board of directors next week to fill them in. Push up our meeting as early as you can. Monday, if they can handle it. Or, if he could. Sometimes the few family members forgot they were gathered for business.

Avoiding turning back to Sherri, he gestured towards Bren’s office door, and they started a slow stroll.

We need to draw on your talents and background for the next little while, he said. Nothing he hadn’t informed her of when he’d first asked for the now useless report sitting in his office. Now that Bonneau is testing our patience, you may be in this for longer than expected. Padmakshi will see if he can lighten your workload. We’ll explain more once the meeting with Bonneau is set up.

I’ll help any way I can. It sounded like she’d just fallen short of calling him Mr. Reigns again.

He dared a look at her face. I appreciate that.

Burnt-brown eyes held him for a second. He liked that they held a glimmer all on their own, almost as though he and she were old friends sharing a humorous secret. Kavin had a feeling she could tell him a good joke or story and he’d be laughing about it long after they’d parted ways.

At the back of his mind he worried about how long this Bonneau trouble would keep the distracting woman in his way.

He led Sherri to the elevator, then avoided Bren by returning to his office through the corridor entryway. Close to his sister’s age, sometimes Kavin saw a sister’s concern or rebuke on Bren’s face. Two minutes ago he’d read amusement, but he hadn’t wanted to explore that discussion with Sherri there.

Kavin rubbed his head at a phantom itch. Disappointment draped him. Sherri was married. When he saw the ring it felt as though an unintended flirtation had come to an end.

He could kick himself for falling so hard; ashamed that he felt he was falling still.

DON’T let it go to your head, Sherri warned in a self-imposed pep talk. By the next morning her situation more or less fell into perspective at her verbal commands.

The self-help chatter had started yesterday before the elevator doors had even closed on Mr. Reigns and his crowding presence. He’d kick started her adrenaline. Her new job assignment ignited her blood in a way she both loathed and craved. It’s not like it’s a promotion, she’d informed her friends downstairs once they’d learned who she’d gone to visit. Far from it, this project had no job advancement to it whatsoever.

But simply having her mind sharpened in this familiar vein was exhilarating.

Today—time check, eight forty-five—she’d be professional.

She waited by the elevators with her boss, Padmakshi Mohammed. Their nine o’clock meeting would soon begin on the eleventh floor. The very meeting Reigns, only yesterday, requested she attend. Not that it was a real request. Revealing had purchased other small businesses, but this particular takeover seemed to make everyone jump. She suspected it held a lot more significance than anyone first believed.

And today she’d get a peek into the mystery. She clutched the security forms Bren had forwarded her yesterday which would hurry her temporary security clearance. Meanwhile, fingers of anxiety clutched her heart as she stepped onto the elevator. Her mind sank into the familiar riot.

Eight-forty seven.

Stop looking at your watch, Pad’s spicy voice teased.

She dropped her arms to her sides and smiled at him as the car rose to the top floor. Armed