Games of the Heart Read online

  Father and son stood in front of the Japanese restaurant, surveying the celebrity traffic flowing in and out of Sapphire Entertainment. Renegade, an East Coast rapper, swaggered toward the parking lot surrounded by a squad of dark, burly men who looked like a broke-down SWAT team. Their eyes anxiously circled the lot, as if they were expecting to be ambushed at any second.

  “Renegade, you’re the man!” Khari shouted, stepping forward. “You’re the best rapper in the game!”

  The rapper turned and favored Khari with a gold-tooth grin. “You spittin’ the truth, son. Keep buying those CDs and supporting real music.”

  Marshall gripped his son’s forearm, preventing him from approaching the group.

  “Dad, it’s Renegade!” Fumbling with his cell phone, he snapped pictures until the stretch limo cruised out of the parking lot and faded into traffic. “Wow! Wait until I tell the guys I met Renegade! I wonder if Sage can hook me up with an autograph or something. That would be…”

  Marshall tuned out. He had more important things on his mind than Khari meeting some washed-up rapper. Staring down at his recently purchased leather shoes, he took a deep breath, second thoughts looming in his mind like ominous storm clouds. Sage wasn’t kidding when she said Las Vegas was an attractive city. Everything from the pristine, tree-lined streets, to the majestic hotels and office buildings, to the healthy, vibrant-looking people made Marshall feel out of place. Brushing off his doubts, he told himself Sage would welcome him with open arms. And she’d love his look too. After all, she’d picked out the linen button-down shirt and slacks during one of their many shopping excursions.

  As Marshall strolled toward Sapphire Entertainment, he felt a sudden and intense bout of fear. He was on her turf now, and they hadn’t spoken since the day he’d declared his love for her. He knew his confession had shocked her, but why hadn’t she returned any of his calls last week? Marshall took a deep breath, restoring his self-confidence. He had something in his favor: Khari. Sage might be angry at him for showing up unexpectedly at her office, but she wouldn’t disrespect him in front of his son. That he was sure of.

  Inside, a slim woman with outrageously long hair extensions greeted them. “Welcome to Sapphire Entertainment. May I help you?”

  “We have a delivery for Sage Collins.” Marshall slipped off his sunglasses.

  “She’s tied up at the moment,” she explained, motioning to the table to her right. “Leave them there and I’ll see to it that she gets it.”

  His mind raced. Surprising Sage at work had seemed like a romantic and caring gesture, but he’d never anticipated this fork in the road. He tightened his grip on the bouquet. “We’ll wait.”

  Khari spoke up. “We’re from out of town, but we’re really good friends of Sage. We’d really appreciate if you could help us, Miss.”

  Her face brightened. “Oh, I just love surprises!” She hopped out of the seat and came around the desk. “Give me five minutes and I’ll see what I can do!”

  “Damn!” shot out of Sage’s mouth when she opened her e-mail. Renegade had only left her office twenty minutes ago, but in that time he’d managed to send her ten lengthy messages, all pertaining to his birthday bash. Sage read the revised guest list and when she saw the last name on the page, the frown slid off her face. Will Smith was Marshall’s favorite actor. Maybe she’d introduce them. That was sure to impress him, and after all the drama she’d put him through in the past, he could probably use a good laugh.

  After an hour-long meeting with Renegade and his dimwitted entourage, she’d booked the caterer, mailed out invitations and arranged to have his beachfront home cleaned from top to bottom.

  Planning a birthday party for Renegade had taken over her life, but the more time Sage spent time with the rapper, the more she liked him. Beneath the chains, tattoos and baggy jeans was a street-savvy guy who was destined to top the Forbes 100 List. After the disastrous Source magazine interview, Sage had called him and put him on notice. “Embarrass me like that again and you’re on your own,” she warned. He’d been an angel with gold teeth ever since.

  Sage only wished her coworkers weren’t such a pain. Thanks to Nadine, everyone knew she’d met and fallen for a guy in Indianapolis, and they teased her relentlessly. Then yesterday, Leo ruined her day with a surprise announcement. She’d be teaming up with Brian to sign DeeLuv, the newest teen R & B sensation. Sage would rather shave off her hair than work with the obnoxious jerk, but she had no choice. Brian loved to hear himself talk, and had to have the last word, and everytime they met, Sage gave more thought to opening up her own agency.

  Sage forwarded Renegade’s messages to the party planner, left a brief message with his publicist and ordered ten more cases of Cristal champagne. Yawning, she stretched her hands high above her head. Exhaustion clung to her limbs and her eyes were heavy with sleep. She was due in Brian’s office at one o’clock, and if she was going to make it through their meeting without strangling him, she had to have a clear mind. A catnap would perk her up. Twenty minutes was all she needed. Then she’d be ready to take Brian on. Folding her arms in front of her, she lowered her head on the desk.

  “Her office is at the end of the hall,” Cashmere whispered, indicating with a flick of her hand. “Go on and I’ll give Khari the rest of the tour.”

  Nodding, Marshall watched his son leave with the bubbly receptionist. So much for backup, he thought, contemplating his impending fate.

  Stopping outside of her cubicle, he pressed his ear to the wall and listened intently. The chug of the air conditioner, the whirl of female laughter and a hundred different voices fluttered across the room. Marshall cleared his throat and his thoughts. He had nothing to worry about. Women loved surprises and elaborate gestures. And a man in the doghouse could never go wrong with a fine piece of jewelry. He had all the bases covered, so why were his palms slick and his heart thumping?

  Marshall knocked on the side of the cubicle.

  Seconds passed. “Sage, are you in there? It’s me, Marshall.” When she didn’t answer, he stuck his head inside the door. Face the picture of calm, Sage slept soundly at her desk. In that moment, Marshall understood why he hadn’t slept all week, why food tasted like cardboard and why every song on the radio reminded him of Sage. He loved her. He hadn’t set out to find his soul mate, hadn’t expected to fall in love so hard and so fast. He’d protected his heart, but Sage, with her playful nature, tell-it-like-it-is approach and lively personality, had penetrated his shield and captured his heart.

  Marshall planned to play it cool. No pleading, no begging and no matter how bad he wanted to, no touching. He’d hang back and take his cues from her. But when he saw her looking soft and pretty and vulnerable, he couldn’t help himself. He cared about her, what she was doing, what she was going through, how she felt. The scent of her floral perfume assailed his nostrils, stifling him, cutting off his air supply, leaving him helpless. A deep, primitive hunger, one he had never experienced before, pulsed through his blood and settled in his groin with a thump. He ached to feel her, kiss her and smooth the dark circles under her eyes.

  Love propelled him across the room. Resting the pink, heart-shaped gift bag on her desk, he crouched down in front of her and took her in his arms. God, she was beautiful. In a white blouse and slim black skirt, she struck the perfect balance between sexy and sophisticated. Hair swept over in a side ponytail, diamond jewelry and full makeup, she deserved a place on the runway.

  Marshall kissed her forehead. Satisfaction didn’t come, wouldn’t come, until they were alone; but holding her and inhaling her sweet, familiar scent allayed his doubts. He wasn’t going down without a fight. He’d always had a feeling for people, and he’d known from the moment he saw Sage that she was somebody special. “I’ve missed you,” he whispered, burying his face in her hair. “And I’m sorry. Again.”

  “Marshall?”

  He held her at arms length. “You’re awake.” Searching her face for clues, he stared down at her. It was d
ifficult to gauge her mood at the best of times, so he didn’t even try to guess what she was thinking now. “This is a long way from home,” she said, freeing herself from his grasp. “Marshall, what are you doing here?”

  “Surprising you. You haven’t returned any of my calls and I got worried.”

  “I’m sorry. Tangela’s getting married in Maui and I’ve been helping her make the arrangements.”

  “Maui, huh? Can I be your date, or have you already asked someone else?”

  Her eyes filled with shock and she tripped over her words. “Y-you’d come with me to Hawaii?”

  “Of course,” he told her, pulling her back to him. “I can’t have those buff Polynesian brothers pushing up on my girl, now, can I?”

  Unraveling at his touch, she braced herself against the wall. Marshall, her Marshall, was standing in her office, smelling divine and grinning like a rock star. He had pulled off the mother of all surprises. If that wasn’t love, she didn’t know what was. He had character flaws, but so did she. In the pursuit of power and success, she’d lied and schemed her way into his life, never once considering his feelings. Marshall had found it in his heart to forgive her. Couldn’t she do the same? “I’m glad you’re here,” she confessed.

  “Me too.”

  Sage smoothed a hand over his crisp, sea-blue shirt. “And I’m especially glad you didn’t come up here in one of those funky plaid vests, because I would have bolted out the back door!”

  Their laughter filled the office.

  Tilting his head to the right, he cupped a handful of her hair and lowered his mouth for a kiss. There was a time when kissing her wasn’t enough, but after a three-week drought, it was heaven. His desire mounted when she threw her arms around his neck, stroking her chest and her hips against his inflamed body. Delirious with need, he ran his hands down her waist and up her skirt. His muscles weren’t the only thing that was rock hard, and he was rapidly reaching the end of his willpower. Marshall heard his son’s voice in the distance, but didn’t pull away.

  “Looks like someone’s happy to see me,” she teased, her gaze sliding south.

  Groaning audibly, he rubbed his chin against her ear, inciting a purr. “I never thought these words would come out of my mouth, but I wish Khari was at Oakley’s!”

  “Why? So you could take me right here?”

  “Ah, Sage. Ever the romantic.”

  “I’m a straight shooter. I tell it like it is!”

  “I know. That’s what I love most about you.”

  Grinning, she slanted her head to the right, and stared up at him. “Do tell, Mr. Grant. What else do you love?”

  Chapter 22

  In between meetings with university officials and touring dormitories, Marshall, Sage and Khari took in the Motor Speedway, the Stratosphere Tower and after cruising down the Sunset Strip, played ten rounds of miniature golf in the punishing midday heat.

  By the time the trio arrived in Los Angeles, they were pooped. Intent on giving Marshall and Khari star treatment, Sage had booked them into the world-renowned Bentley Beach Hotel. A twenty-four-hour-on-call staff, full-service spa and heated outdoor pools lured guests from all over the word. Infamous for celebrity sightings and surprise weddings, the resort-style hotel’s whenever, whatever policy arranged deep-tissue massages at 3:00 a.m. and gourmet meals served by the live-in chef.

  Anxious to check out the expansive grounds, Khari chucked his bag in a corner and dashed out the open door. “See ya!”

  “Don’t forget, we’re going downtown this afternoon!” Sage called, trailing him out into the hall. “Be back by two!”

  At the same time the elevator doors slid closed, Sage felt strong, powerful arms surround her. “Are you going to stand in the hall hollering like a madwoman, or come in here and spend some quality time with your man?”

  Sage twisted around to look at Marshall, loving his little-boy smile and wondering what she’d done to deserve him. “I have to take a shower first. I stink.”

  Lips puckered like he’d swallowed a lemon, he waved a hand in front of his face. “You’re right, girl, you smell ripe!”

  “Jerk!”

  Marshall chuckled when she pushed him away. In hopes of making amends, he reached for her, but she swatted his hands as if he was a pesky bumblebee.

  “Don’t even think of it, buster! And just for that, I’m not going to invite you to join me in the shower.”

  “We’ll see about that!” Marshall yanked Sage back into his suite and slammed the door with his foot. “You’re not going anywhere. You can use our bathroom.”

  “But my bags are in my suite,” she protested.

  “I still don’t understand why you booked separate rooms.” His mouth swooped down on her. Parting his lips, he lowered his head and sprinkled kisses along her neck. “Money wasted, if you ask me. We both know where you’ll be sleeping tonight.”

  Her eyebrows arched. “I remember a certain someone kicking me out of his house when I got carried away. You practically threw me out on my ass!”

  “I did no such thing.”

  “You did. Playing hard to get and whatnot.”

  His laughter echoed around the suite. “I wasn’t trying to play hard to get. Girl, I’m easy. I was just trying to set a good example for my son.”

  “And now?” she asked, high on life and love.

  “I’m trying to romance my lady.”

  “Having separate suites is a good idea. You can slip into my room and get back in the morning while Khari’s still sleeping.”

  “I like how you think.”

  Sage fed him a saucy smile. “I thought you would.”

  “So, what’s the plan for the rest of the week, Madame Tour Guide?”

  “Khari’s dying to go to Universal Studios, so I figured we’d do that this afternoon. Tomorrow, it’s off to California State University.”

  Marshall massaged her shoulders, awed at how beautiful she looked in a simple tropical-print dress and sling-back heels. Floor-to-ceiling windows provided a stunning, unparallel view of the Los Angeles skyline and bathed the room with a wealth of sunlight, but Marshall only had eyes for Sage.

  “Are you getting all this?” she asked when his hands careened down her back. His chin grazed her cheek and a soft gasp escaped her lips. She couldn’t squash her desire and didn’t even try to put up a fight. When it came to Marshall, her body had a mind of its own. “Try to focus, okay?”

  Nodding, an impish grin on his lips, he said, “Tell me more.”

  “Friday we’re at Strayer University. In the afternoon we have a brief meeting with the dean and academic advisor over at Pep-perdine. If we have enough time, I thought we could go to Spago for dinner before we head to Renegade’s party.”

  His eyebrows spiked. “You’re going to a party?”

  “No,” she corrected, motioning with her hands to him, then herself. “We’re going to a party. All of us.”

  “I can’t. I made plans to hang out with some old army buddies. Guys I roomed with in Kuwait. I’m supposed to call them later to confirm the time and place.”

  Sage didn’t want to go to Renegade’s party alone. How would that look? Like she was desperate, that’s what. Shopping by herself was one thing, but going to a celebrity party solo was another. “Can’t you hang out with them another time?”

  “Friday’s the only night Travis and Bo are free.”

  “Let’s make a deal,” she proposed, leaning in and brushing her lips against the hollow of his throat. “You come with me to Renegade’s party and I’ll go with you to the Civil War Museum on Saturday. I’ll even spring for lunch at the Ivy.”

  “I’ve got an even better idea. You go to the party and we’ll meet back at your room for a nightcap.” He ran his finger along her cheek. “How does that sound?”

  Sage folded her arms under her chest, a pout fixed to her lips. She didn’t want to compromise. She wanted Marshall with her on Friday night, not out with his stupid military friends, doing God kno
ws what.

  “You’re not mad at me, are you, Munch?”

  “No, that’s fine,” she conceded, screening her disappointment behind a tight smile. “I guess it’ll just be me and Khari then.”

  “No, Khari’s staying here. He has to finish reading The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man and…”

  Sage rolled her eyes. In the dictionary, beside the word intransigent was a full-length photo of Marshall. “Nobody does homework while they’re on vacation, not even honor students!”

  “Renegade’s nothing but a glorified gangster, and I don’t want my son around him.” Her gaze tore into him and he cleared the malice from his voice. “I know he’s one of your favorite clients, but the guy’s trouble.”

  “You can’t expect Khari to stay in the hotel by himself. He’ll be fine. We’ll eat, take some pictures with Will and Jada and come home.”

  “Will Smith is going to be at the party?”

  “The one and only.” Sage patted his chest. “It’s too bad you have other plans, huh? I would have introduced you.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me you knew Will Smith?”

  “Oh, we go way back,” she lied. The truth was she had only met the Oscar nominee once and would be hard-pressed to remember where.

  “Could you get his autograph for me? He was incredible in Ali.”

  “You’re not going to cancel your plans?”

  “I’ll make it up to you. Okay?”

  Instead of sulking or demanding that he cancel his plans, which she knew he wouldn’t, she relented. Narrowing her eyes, she cupped his chin with superhuman strength. “No strippers, no clubs and no titty bars.”

  Marshall shook his head, an amused expression clouding his face.

  “And don’t be late,” she warned, her voice stern. “If you’re not here by midnight, I’m starting without you!”

  His shoulders rocked with laughter.

  “Now, where were we?” she asked, grinding her hips against his growing erection. “Baby, you have no idea how much I want you right now.”