Provocative Territory

“I wanted to meet with you guys to assure everyone that jobs are secure. I’ve got no intentions of closing down or selling off the clubs.” Clarissa gave the news a few seconds to settle.

“I’ll never be able to replace my aunt in your eyes and I don’t want to. I will strive to give you the same sense of contentment and security you’ve always felt as employees of Jazmina Beaumont.” She managed to laugh although it was clearly shaky.

“I’m, uh, not one for speeches so I’ll just end it there. Either Rayelle or I will be in touch with the details about—” Clearing her throat that time did no good. The ball of emotion was wedged deep. She waved off Rayelle, who was moving close to offer more comfort.

“We’ll let you know about the funeral service,” Clarissa got the words out.

“All right, ladies, that’s it for now.” Rayelle gave a clap to rouse the young women from their spots on the sofas and settees. “You can head on to rehearsal, makeup or anything else on schedule. We open in three hours.”

The girls took time to kiss and embrace Clarissa again on their way out of the office. Rayelle watched until the last dancer had gone.

“You’re right,” Rayelle said, pulling her hands through her shoulder-length hair and clasped them behind her neck. “I think they were better off hearing that from you.”

“Hell, Ray.” Clarissa leaned against a corner of the white oak desk. “I don’t know a damn thing about running a business let alone a strip club.”

“Gentlemen’s oasis,” Rayelle corrected, using Jaz’s preferred description.

The words brought a smile and then laughter. The desire to laugh held on to Clarissa far longer than the actual humor the comment merited. It just felt so good to give into the urge.

“You know you’re wrong about that,” Ray said once they had sobered from the laugh attack. “What do you think you’ve been doing for Miss J all these years? I can’t think of a better person to handle this place.”

“I can.” Clarissa cast a pointed look toward Ray, who again laughed.

“Oh, no, Miss Clay. I am not the one for schmoozing and hobnobbing and grammatically correct speech.”

Clarissa’s brow rose. “Could’ve fooled me.” She shrugged when Rayelle waved her off.

“I don’t know half of what it takes to operate this place.” Clarissa glanced at the folders she’d been browsing before the meeting with the dancers. “I don’t even know the ins and outs of who might’ve been giving her problems...nothing....” She knocked a fist against a jean-clad thigh.

Ray laughed one more time. “What are you talkin’ about? This place runs like a lean machine. I never heard Miss J complain about any problems.”

“Yeah, remember this is the same woman who didn’t tell us she had heart disease and bypass surgery, either.”

Ray folded her arms at her waist. “What are you getting at, Clay?”

Clarissa spent the next few minutes talking of “the day” when she spoke to Jaz over the phone and how insistent the woman was about talking to her in person.

“That is weird, even for Miss J.”

“So, in other words you and the girls haven’t noticed anything strange. She wasn’t acting funny...before?”

“Nothing I can put my finger on.” Rayelle’s fair features appeared shadowed by worry. “I’ll keep an ear open around the girls anyway.”

“I don’t even know what appointments she needed to keep.” Clarissa was staring at the files again. “Only thing I was kept in the loop on was the new construction project. Jaz wanted me on hand to take any necessary trips.”

“Guess that’s where it pays not to be a control freak.” Rayelle referenced Jaz’s penchant for organizing all aspects of her business calendar. Working for Jazmina Beaumont, a secretary or assistant was left with little to do.

“Know what?” Ray began to leer indulgently. “That’s the perfect excuse for dinner out on the town.”

Clarissa frowned. “What is?”

“Miss J’s appointments. We can go through her planner and get a better idea of her upcoming commitments. I’m pretty sure you won’t want to be hanging around here when this place opens in a few hours.”

“Mmm...” Clarissa leaned her head back as though she were envisioning the meal. “Add drinks to that offer and you’ve got a deal.”

“Now we’re speakin’ the same language.” Rayelle hurried over to Clarissa. They exchanged kisses and hugs over the stack of folders.

* * *

“You threw us for a loop here, sir. We weren’t expecting that,” Elias told Cleveland Echols when they spoke by phone later that afternoon. Eli had wasted no time asking the man about his decision to back out on the construction of the new bank.

“I am sorry about it, boy, but it’s like I told Tigo and Linus. A sudden loss of investors.” The man sighed. “Can’t say I’m all that surprised given the shaky state of the economy.”

“Right,” Eli agreed then massaged his eyes. “So that was the logic behind their decision to pull the plug.”

There was silence from Cleve Echols’s end of the line.

“Mr. Cleve?”

“It’s a complex matter, son.”

Eli bowed his head then, regretting the strain that came through in the man’s voice.

“How long have we known each other, Mr. Cleve?”

Cleveland Echols’s soft chuckling came through the line. “Since your mama brought you to the bank to deposit your first twenty dollars.” Cleve’s laughter continued as he recalled a then seven-year-old Elias Evan Joss refusing to leave his money until Cleve had come out from his office to personally assure him that he’d have access to his funds at all times.

“You should know that I only want to help, sir,” Eli cautioned once the laughter had settled. “It should go without saying that you can trust me.”

“That’s really all I have to tell you, Elias. The investors pulled out and went in with Waymon Cole.”

“Cole...how do I know that name?” Eli murmured.

“He’s made money for a lot of folks in this town. These days a quality investment banker is a godsend.”

“Investment banker—that must be it.” Elias didn’t sound totally convinced.

“Cole’s probably best known though as Jaz Beaumont’s business manager,” Cleve added after a few more seconds of silence had held the line.

“Right.” Elias realized that was the connection he sought.

* * *

Rayelle decided that her friend could use dinner, drinks and a little dress up to brighten the evening. They wangled a last minute reservation to Via!, a restaurant that specialized in hearty grilled foods served in an upscale atmosphere. Jackets were required of all male patrons while female diners frequented the establishment in their sexiest attire.

“Did I do good?” Ray asked as she and Clarissa stood just inside the dining room near the host’s stand.

Clarissa smiled brightly and nudged Ray’s arm. “Better than good,” she said.

The maître d’ greeted the women by letting them know how “delicious” they looked. Offering an arm to each, he escorted the ladies into the spacious dining room that blazed golden from the electric candles that were spaced across the area.

Most women who visited the restaurant visited on the arm of a male patron. When two women arrived together as dining partners, the overwhelming population of male customers couldn’t help but take notice. This was amplified with respect to Rayelle and Clarissa, who took sexy-chic to another level. The stunning duo drew more than their fair share of attention. Rayelle showed off her dancer’s legs in a strapless lavender number. Clarissa’s breathtaking curves were gloved in an asymmetrical peach frock that blurred the lines between elegant and erotic.

“Now, how the hell do they expect us to focus on a thing when they dress like that?” Santigo queried, making no effort to mask his delight.

“Guess it depends on what we’re supposed to be focusing on,” Elias noted, his vivid blue-green gaze locked on Clarissa.

“Who’s that with her?” Linus asked.

Tigo shrugged and tossed his napkin to the table. “Guess that means we should go over and introduce ourselves.”

“Show some restraint.” Elias’s advisement was soft. “The woman just lost her aunt.”

Santigo stood and dropped several bills to the table as payment for the dinner he had promised his friends. “In that case we should go and pay our respects.” His demeanor was serious now.

Eli and Linus rose together and the three made their way across the plush dining area. The partners captured interest in much the same manner that Clarissa and Rayelle had upon their arrival. The male trio had always snagged feminine appreciation quickly and with full awareness. While Tigo and Linus made great use of their attributes, Elias proved to be the more selective member of the group. It was difficult, if it was even possible, for him to put into words what truly intrigued him enough about a woman to pursue her.

Whatever it was, Clarissa David possessed it in droves, and that disturbed him. Elias Joss was not a man who liked to be disturbed.

* * *

Rayelle let loose a low wolf whistle when she spotted the sexy threesome heading in their direction. When Clarissa glanced up from her menu, Ray cast a pointed nod in the direction she looked.

Clarissa did a double take when she saw that Elias Joss was part of the group that had garnered such praise. It was unnecessary to say that he had her interested. Whether that was because he was so scrumptious to look at or because he’d reserved a distinctly chilly look for her, she couldn’t say.

Nevertheless, a smile did curve her mouth when she saw Santigo Rodriguez and Linus Brooks on either side of Elias. Clarissa pushed her chair away from the table and went to greet them.

Linus was first to take Clarissa’s hand and pull her into a hug. “So sorry to hear about Miss Jaz.”

“Thanks, Linus.” Clarissa patted his jaw when he kissed her cheek.

Tigo moved in next to offer condolences, when he noticed Eli’s expression. The look was an effective warning to keep the contact brief. Clearing his throat, Tigo stepped back but kept hold of Clarissa’s hand.

“We were very sorry to hear about this. We’d just spoken to her a few days ago.” Tigo nodded toward Linus. “She looked like a picture of health.”

Clarissa could feel her throat tightening on the now-familiar sensation of emotion crowding it. “She, um... I know she enjoyed working with you both. I hope you won’t mind working with me for the duration?”

“Oh, no,” Linus said while Tigo shook his head. “That won’t be a problem for us, um...Mr. Joss—” he tilted his head in Eli’s direction “—has requested to be your go-to person.”

Clarissa pivoted on the seductive transparent pumps she wore. “Why the hell would Mr. Joss do that?” she blurted, having forgotten all sense of decorum and politeness.

Santigo bowed his head to hide the grin he feared was about to emerge. Linus covered his mouth and Rayelle hid her face partly behind a menu.

Elias studied Clarissa with a cool look. But for the narrowing of his electric gaze that just hinted at the stirring of his temper, he seemed unfazed. “Will that be a problem for you?” he asked.

“Could be,” Clarissa threw back.

Elias allowed more temper to filter his stare. “Then maybe we should discuss it.” The words weren’t phrased as a request, and he extended a hand which curved around Clarissa’s elbow before she could move past him.

“Great,” Linus muttered, watching as the tense couple walked away.

Chapter 4

Clarissa began to regret her outburst when she realized Elias Joss wasn’t simply pulling her off to the side for a measure of privacy. He was escorting her completely from the dining room.

He seemed to know everyone they passed along the way, which wasn’t surprising. Joss Construction had erected an impressive percentage of the buildings in that city. Nationally, their project portfolio was just as impressive.

Clarissa had taken the time to learn more of the business when her aunt first told her of the new renovation endeavors for the club. Elias Joss had been groomed since elementary school to take over his father’s brainchild.

So what? Clarissa silently noted that her own business sense was just as noteworthy. If Elias Joss had set his sights on bullying her, he was going to see that it wouldn’t be an easy task.

“Let me guess. You own this place?” Clarissa was saying when she stepped inside an empty, understatedly elegant office on the top floor of the establishment.

“I don’t.” Eli closed the room door. “My company only built it.”

“I see,” she said as she removed some of the steel from her voice. “So is this what we’ll have to look forward to after the construction’s done on my aunt’s clubs? The head man in charge just taking residence when he feels like it?”

Elias smiled and walked past Clarissa, causing her to turn and follow his move with her eyes.

“We close a lot of deals here.” Eli ran his finger along the glass edge of a round red oak conference table. “We bring clients over here for dinner. Sometimes we come up here to handle other things best discussed in more privacy than the dining room offers. There’re about eight other rooms like this.” He eased a hand into the pocket of the black trousers he wore.

“It’s a service the restaurant provides. Your aunt knew about it. I think she had her own office on retainer here.” He watched her curiously. “Didn’t she tell you?”

Clarissa blinked. “No.” She studied the short carpeting beneath her pumps for only a second before locking gazes with Eli again. “There were a lot of things my aunt didn’t tell me. Like why you don’t—didn’t like her or...” She reared back on one leg. “Maybe it’s me you have an issue with even though I don’t know what the hell I could have done to wrinkle your shorts when I didn’t even know you existed before yesterday.”

Elias took his turn at studying the simple patterns in the carpeting. He felt his mouth twitching on a smile that he didn’t want to give. “You think I’ve got a problem with you?” He began to stroll the room with its soothing burgundy, black and olive color scheme.

“Oh, please, Mr. Joss, that’s more than obvious. You act like I stole something off your dinner plate!”

Elias didn’t care. He had to laugh then.

Clarissa folded her arms across the draping front of her dress and tried to remain unaffected by the sound, but she couldn’t. The deep rumble of the gesture was quite affecting and she couldn’t resist giving in to the smile that faintly enhanced the curve of her full lips.

“I’m sorry,” Eli managed to say when he recovered from his amusement.

“Sorry?” Clarissa let her arms fall to her sides. “That’s an interesting word to get from someone who dislikes you.”

Becoming more sober, Eli went to sit on the edge of the table. “You look very much like your aunt,” he said next, his striking features shadowed by the dim light provided by the small stout lamp on the conference table.

Clarissa shook her head dazedly and took a step closer to him. “What is it with you about that?” Her wide eyes narrowed noticeably then widened as discovery flooded them. “Did you and my aunt...” She left the inquiry unfinished. The meaning was clear as she indulged in a moment to ogle his provocative face and body.

Elias rolled his eyes. “No,” he stonily confirmed.

Clarissa moved closer, saying, “Then...”

“It was my father who she...had something with.”

Since she didn’t know what to say to that, Clarissa said nothing.

“I only want to know if all you have in common are your looks?”

That admission didn’t fare any better with Clarissa and she merely blinked in response.

Elias winced over his word choice, as well. “I apologize for being blunt but you did ask.”

“Right. So—” she slapped her hands to her sides then “—will your conclusions have you not wanting to work with me on this project?”

Eli shook his head, stating, “I already gave my partners the go-ahead.”

“So why request to work with me? Why do you care about what kind of person I am?”

Working his thumb against his palm, Eli lowered his gaze to follow the circular moves. “Not sure,” he admitted.

That was partially true. He knew that from the brief time they’d spent in the fitting room, she’d infatuated him. He could admit to himself that he wanted to know what she was like in bed. That unnerved him for a different reason given what he knew of Clarissa’s heritage. Had the apple fallen far and rolled out of the yard, as Tigo mused, or was she indeed the physical and spiritual embodiment of the woman he hated for tearing his family apart?

Clarissa gave a wan smile accepting that an actual answer to her question wouldn’t be forthcoming.

“I think we’ve both got too much going on right now to put ourselves through more tension and aggravation,” she reasoned.

Elias took his time running his eyes over her body. “I hate it that you think it’d be that way.”

“Mr. Joss.” Clarissa laughed his name. “What else can I think when you can’t even stand the sight of me?”

“Oh, I can definitely stand the sight of you.” He left the table and walked toward her with a determination that seemed to fuel his steps and his expression.

Clarissa stood her ground. She knew that he was testing her and unfairly keeping his motivations to himself. She acknowledged that it would require a little more effort to persuade him to be frank with her.

“I should take you back,” he said once he was standing but a few inches before her.

Clarissa regarded the arm he offered with skepticism.

“I’m not in the habit of biting,” he said.

She let him see her smile. “Does that habit apply when you’re around someone you can’t stand?”

He reciprocated her smile. “Haven’t made up my mind yet.”

Clarissa kept her gaze locked with his. “So what’s in store when you make up your mind?”

Eli’s uncommon eyes surged with something dangerously potent. “What would you like to be in store?”

“I’m afraid I haven’t spent much time thinking about it.”

Eli’s smile returned and he observed her hand on his arm. “Let me know when you’ve thought about it and I’ll make every effort to hurry and make up my mind.”

“Oooh, I wouldn’t want you to rush that.”

“Somehow I believe it’ll be worth it.”

“Guess that depends on how much like my aunt you discover I am.” Clarissa slipped her hand from his arm. “Good night,” she said as she left him in the office.

* * *

The car had been quiet ever since Rayelle left the parking space in front of Via! some ten minutes prior. Ray eventually decided it would be up to her to get the conversation rolling.

“Was it that bad?”

Confusion pooled in Clarissa’s eyes when she looked toward Rayelle.

Ray shrugged. “Or that good...” She noted the internal debate that seemed to linger in Clarissa’s eyes and sighed. “Get off it, girl, you’re not that innocent.”

“Please, Ray, the man hates me with a passion.”

“Humph.” Ray checked her blind spot before changing lanes. “Hate is not what I saw in that man’s expression when he walked you away from the table.”

“Nah...” Clarissa raked her fingers through her short locks. “He says he wants to know if I’m like my aunt.”

“In what way?” Ray blurted as she jerked to a halt at a red light.

Clarissa maintained her silence and when Rayelle maintained hers, as well, Clarissa sighed. “In the only way it could if it involves my aunt.”

“Are you... Elias Joss and Miss Jaz?”

“No.” Clarissa slapped Ray’s arm across the gear shift. “Not him, his dad.”

“Ugggh...” Rayelle rolled her eyes. “Not another...”

“’Fraid so.”

“Did he say that?”

“He didn’t have to.”

Rayelle sighed again. “Honey, just try and remember all the good Miss Jaz has done. She hasn’t been that ‘other woman’ in a long time.”

“I know...” Clarissa rolled her head against the rest. “But as long as men like Elias Joss keep those memories alive, that woman won’t ever be a thing of the past.”

“So where’d you leave things?” Ray asked after they’d ridden in silence for a time.

“It was weird.” Clarissa shivered. “Like we were challenging each other...he is different, though. Never lets anybody onto what he’s really thinking.”

“Probably why he’s so successful.” Ray changed the radio station. “I remember Miss Jaz saying he’s quite a negotiator according to his partners.”

“All I knew about the project was the scope. Aunt Jaz didn’t share any details about her business associates.”

“Aah...” Ray waved dismissively. “No big deal. Girl, Miss Jaz was very proud of you. She was always talkin’ about you making Jazzy B’s more than a gentlemen’s club.” She took the exit for Media, PA. “Miss J always said she wanted Jazzy B’s to be the premier spot for exotic entertainment and the study of dance. She knew that’d be possible with you. You could take us there. People would respect you. You wouldn’t be coming in with a black rep following you like the rest of us.”

Clarissa rolled down the passenger window and breathed in the night air. “How long will it be up to me to be responsible for the club’s image?”

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