Page 82 of No More Secrets
“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your date?” Kira asked Summer, her sharp gaze never leaving Carter.
He heard Summer hiss out her breath. “Carter Pierce, this is Kira Nakano. We work together.”
Kira held out her hand to him as if she wanted it kissed. He shook it firmly instead.
“Hmm, rough. I like it rough,” she said, running her tongue over her teeth.
For some reason all he could think of was those Venus fly traps his mother used to grow.
Summer rolled her eyes. “Very classy, Kira. Don’t you have a director or an editor to haunt?”
Kira tore her eyes away from Carter and glared down at Summer. “Don’t get too comfortable at these events. When I’m senior editor, your presence won’t be necessary at all.” She stalked away, sending Carter another smoldering look over her shoulder.
“I feel like I need a shower,” he muttered.
“That’s the one I want to shove off a roof. I just haven’t found a building tall enough, yet.”
“You work with some veryinterestingcharacters,” Carter said.
“Coming from someone who was born and raised in Blue Moon, that means a lot,” Summer teased. “So there’s one last person I need to introduce you to, and then we can start plotting our getaway.”
She led him toward the center of the room where a small group of people clustered around a woman of medium height and medium build. Thanks to what Carter assumed was a very skilled plastic surgeon, her age was indeterminate. He put her on the low side of fifty, with a slick air of elegance. She was dressed simply, preferring to accent her black cocktail dress with bold jewelry. She wore her light brown hair in a sophisticated pixie cut.
Summer waited patiently for the conversation with some expensive suits to end. He saw the woman give her a subtle nod.
“I’d love to discuss this further, Raymond. Why don’t you call my assistant and set something up for next month?” she said, skillfully bringing the conversation to a close. “Lovely to see you,” she said, waving her audience off.
She turned her attention to Summer. “Now, what have you brought me, my dear?”
“Katherine, I’d like you to meet Carter Pierce. He’s the owner of the organic farm we’re featuring in the September issue. Carter, this is Katherine Ackerman, senior editor ofIndulgence.”
She held out a slim, cool hand and Carter thought it wise to kiss this one.
“Summer turned in quite the article on you and your farm.” Her plum-colored lips tilted up in a practiced smile. “Now I understand her fascination.”
He could smell her perfume. A light scent that completed the subtle, elegant package. “Summer, dear, would you mind fetching me a drink?” she asked.
Summer accepted the empty glass that Katherine passed to her and winked at Carter as she hurried off toward the bar.
Katherine tucked her hand through Carter’s arm, and together they slowly wandered to a wall featuring a trio of abstract canvases. Carter was more interested in the exposed brick of the wall than the splashes and slashes of paint.
“Tell me, Carter, why does someone who looks like you do spend his days in barns and fields when you could be doing so much more?”
The question put his back up. “What’s more important than growing good food to feed people?”
She tilted her head to the side, and studied him. “Aren’t you unexpected?”
Carter wished Summer would hurry the hell back. He was saved from answering by a woman with wildly curling hair and a sequined tunic over linen pants.
“Katherine,” she said, extending both hands. “It’s so good to see you again.”
He saw it in the tightness around Katherine’s mouth. She had no idea who this woman was. He could almost hear her mind racing through contacts as she took the woman’s hands in hers.
Katherine leaned in for the double kiss on the cheek. “My dear, I’m so glad you could make it.”
“So am I. Especially if it earns me an introduction to your arm candy.”
“Mary Beth,” Summer rushed up to their little group, clutching a glass of champagne. “Katherine was just saying she hoped you’d be here so she could introduce you to Carter. Carter runs an organic farm upstate. Mary Beth just started a community initiative that helps buildings design and develop rooftop gardens.”
