North Star by Angeline M. Bishop Page B

by her radiance. The look of concern on her face made her endearing, and he wanted reassure her that the caller on the other end of the phone wasn’t anyone to be concerned about, but all he could offer was a reluctant smile and wave of his hand.
    As she began floating around his office, looking at his art and books, he decided Malcolm Khalid wasn’t going to spoil his evening by making him lose his cool. He’d worked too hard to make this night work out.
    “Listen, I’ve already made my decision regarding this matter. There’s nothing you can say that will change my mind.” He listened a moment longer as Khalid explained why Laila had pleaded his case. Fed up, Graham finally stated, “Look, I’ve said all I care to say and I’ve heard all I care to hear.”
    Graham hung up the phone and watched Caresse finger a traditional Japanese puzzle box he’d picked up during his travels. It was designed over one-hundred years ago in the Hakone region of Japan. It required twenty-seven moves to open. A detailed parquetry landscape was featured on the top. He hoped she would be tempted to open it.
    She wore a turquoise slip dress with a matching linen jacket. Her hair was swept up in a topknot with tendrils of curls softly caressing her forehead, neck, and ears. She looked like she’d just stepped out of a fashion magazine. As he stood and walked over to join her, he was tempted to slip her jacket to the floor and get a better look at the tantalizing body that had captivated him at the library. Instead, he glanced at the umbrella in her hand and asked, “How bad is it pouring outside?”
    “It’s not too bad. I made it unharmed.” She had no idea how sensuous her voice sounded. Her closeness was intoxicating to him.
    “Yes, you did, and may I say you look beautiful.”
    The beginning of a smile tipped the corners of her mouth as she placed the box back in its place. “Thank you.
    “Caresse? Is it okay if we use first names?”
    “Of course.”
    “Caresse, there’s been a little change in plans. I already had an engagement to attend this evening when I made our dinner meeting.”
    Caresse stood motionless in the middle of the room as she processed his words. “Don’t worry, we can reschedule this for another time.”
    “Nonsense. My sister invited me over for a home-cooked meal, and I was hoping you would accompany me. I mean, I hope my sister feeding us would be more appealing than a dinner served by one of New Jersey’s brilliant, hot-headed chefs.”
    Caresse asked, “Are you referring to a certain temperamental chef that’s rumored to cause a scene if you send your plate back for any reason?”
    “Ocean County’s best. According to a reliable food critic, if you’re brave enough to do such a thing, he’ll come to your table and demand to know what’s wrong with your taste buds. That is before he wraps up your food and throws you out.”
    “Really?”
    Graham nodded, and with a raised eyebrow, his eyes shifted toward his trashcan filled with takeout containers beside him. The evidence of dining out frequently and the boyish grin on his face took Caresse by surprise.
    Laughter roared from both of them. “I wouldn’t want to spoil your sister’s dinner with talk about the Mason Center.”
    “You wouldn’t. We can talk after. I have my tape recorder right here.” He patted his pocket.
    “Okay, I guess it will beat eating alone.”
    The shock of her statement hit him full force. He couldn’t imagine her sitting at home alone, with the way she was making him feel. Things were looking up. He made a mental note to reward Kathy with a three-day weekend this month. She’d told him to tell Caresse the truth, then make her laugh. It sounded too simple to work, but once again, Kathy was right on the money. “That’s the spirit. Let’s go, we’ll take my car.”
    Caresse froze. She shifted indignantly on her heels as her eyebrow rose inquiringly. “Graham, I’d prefer to follow you.”
    Graham