Lovers Premiere (Kimani Romance) by Adrianne Byrd Page A

tossed a glance over her shoulder to see that Ramell had entered the room. She felt a twinge of disappointment because he actually had the nerve to put on more clothes. How ridiculous was that?
    She continued to watch him while he moved through the room, talked to a few people and even shared a laugh or two. Despite the conversation streaming through her Bluetooth and her nodding to the caterer, Sofia found her self mentally undressing Ram. She remembered vividly what those muscles beneath that T-shirt looked like, just like she was sure that she could probably grate a block of cheese across his abdomen. Suddenly, she was unbearably hot.
    â€œIs the air conditioner working in here?” She fanned herself.
    â€œExcuse me?” her client asked through her Bluetooth.
    â€œSorry, Larry. I wasn’t talking to you.” She glanced around and then reluctantly waved Stewart over.
    He rushed over like an overeager puppy. With his big, brown, bewildered eyes, he actually sort of looked like a puppy, too. “Yes, ma’am? You need something?”
    Sofia hit the mute button on her call. “Check with someone about the air conditioner. It’s hot in here.”
    He frowned. “Really? I was just thinking it’s a bit chilly.”
    She huffed and rolled her eyes. “Will you please just go do what I ask?”
    â€œYes, ma’am. I’ll get right on it.” He actually saluted her and ran off.
    She turned back toward the caterer only to see that shehad moved over to Ramell along with the party planner, seeking to get his final approval on Sofia’s changes.
    What the hell?
    She took her call off mute and said, “Larry, I hate to do this to you again, but I’m going to have to call you back.”
    â€œDoes that mean we have a deal?”
    â€œI’ll call you back,” she insisted and then walked over to Ramell. “Did I miss something?” she asked, interrupting Caryn midsentence. Both sets of eyes zoomed over to her. “I put the party together every year.”
    Ramell smiled. “And I’m sure that you’ve always done a wonderful job. But this year I’m here to help.” He signed something for Caryn and then asked. “Do you mind giving us a few minutes alone?”
    Caryn nodded and then flashed a smile at Sofia before tiptoeing off.
    â€œWhat gives?” she challenged.
    â€œNothing.” He shrugged. “I’m just giving you a hand since two doesn’t seem like it’s quite enough.”
    Sofia’s spine stiffened. “What does that mean? Are you saying that I dropped the ball or something?”
    Realizing that he’d put his foot into his mouth, Ram tried to backtrack. “No. No. We’ve already been over this, remember?”
    â€œYeah.” She stretched the tense muscles in her neck. “We’ve also been over the fact that I didn’t ask for your help.”
    Ram’s smile melted off his face. “That’s because you’re stubborn.” When her face darkened he knew thatshe was just seconds from exploding. “Can’t you just relax? Or don’t you know how to do that anymore?”
    â€œI—” Her phone rang. She reached for it only for Ram to snatch it out of her hand. “What are you doing?”
    â€œThey can leave a message. We’re talking. You and me,” he informed her.
    She blinked and started sputtering.
    â€œI need you to understand something. I gave you back your client list, but my objective is still to lighten your workload. You can go along with it or we can upend that truce we’ve had for the last—” he glanced at his watch “—two hours and go back to our respective boxing corners.”
    She sucked in a breath and lifted her chin. “I just don’t like being pushed around.”
    â€œAnd I don’t like pushing you,” he said in a softer tone. “I really don’t, but I feel like