Bachelor Unforgiving

“Just giving all of you a heads-up that I’ll be home next month.”

Virgil chuckled. “You were home six months ago. Getting homesick?”

Winston returned his chuckle. “No. Ainsley and I love it here. Six months ago we were home for her parents’ wedding anniversary. This time it’s for Uriel. Have you forgotten his birthday is next month? I talked to Ellie and she’s throwing a party at the lake and would like all of us there.” He paused a moment and then asked, “How are things going with you, V?”

He knew why Winston was asking. When he was home back in February, Virgil and his godbrothers had been together at the charity ball when Virgil had seen Kara. They knew what Kara had once meant to him and were glad she’d finally found out the truth about her sister. They’d also thought it had taken a lot of guts for her to apologize, considering how he’d been staring her down all night. And last but not least, they all thought he should have accepted the apology she offered. They felt he should be able to forgive Kara even if he didn’t want to have anything to do with her ever again.

Virgil didn’t see it that way. He saw no reason to release her from the guilt of accusing him of something he hadn’t done. “Things are okay,” he finally said. “Tyson’s wedding went off without a hitch. In fact, he had that same lovesick look that you did at your wedding.”

“It’s the ‘I’m in love’ look, Virgil. I recall you once wore it yourself.”

“That was when I didn’t know any better. It was before I talked you guys into forming the club. The one you, York, Xavier and Uriel defected from.”

“Only to pursue happier days.”

“If you say so,” Virgil said, shaking his head.

“Have you seen Kara since that night, V?”

Virgil frowned. “Why would I see her after that night?”

“Um, maybe you’ve had a change of heart. Called her. Asked her out for old times’ sake.”

“Don’t hold your breath. But I will be seeing her tomorrow. Not my choice, believe me.”

“Why? What’s going on?”

He then told Winston about his father’s plan to improve his image.

“Well, I hope you don’t plan to be an obnoxious ass when you see her. She did apologize. And can you imagine having a sister like Marti?”

Most of his godbrothers knew Marti because she’d dated Xavier. According to Xavier, three weeks was all he could take of Marti Goshay, who thought a lot of herself. Even Virgil would admit it was hard to believe Marti and Kara were siblings. They were as different as night and day.

“Can you imagine how Kara must feel knowing her sister lied? If you can’t trust your sibling, then who can you trust?”

Virgil decided not to answer that. In fact he really didn’t want to discuss the Goshay sisters any longer. He deliberately got Winston to talk about something else—namely his work. Winston loved what he did for a living and went on to tell Virgil how his research on the turtles was coming.

When Winston began getting too scientific, Virgil decided it was time to end their conversation. “We’ll get together when you arrive in town, W.”

“You bet. Take care.”

“You, too.”

“And remember to be nice tomorrow, V.”

“I’ll try. Can’t make any promises.”

Virgil clicked off the phone. Dread filled him as he thought about tomorrow. Just like he told Winston, as far as being nice to Kara went, all he could do was try.

Chapter 3 (#ulink_93e930c3-3818-5a30-9f76-772ac7cce34f)

Kara paused to draw in a deep breath, needing to calm her frayed nerves. She was ten minutes early so why were the Bougards already in the conference room waiting on her? And the thought that one them had seen her naked probably just as many times as he’d seen her wearing clothes was enough to rattle her.

Shaking off the memories of all those times, she thought about one of her favorite quotes. You are more stronger than you think. She certainly hoped so because at the moment she felt a little weak in the knees. And what were those sensuous shivers racing through her? Now was not the time to remember any of that. Straightening her spine, raising her chin and pasting a professional smile on her lips, she turned the knob and entered the conference room.

Both men stood and, although she hadn’t wanted it to, her gaze immediately went to Virgil before shifting to the older Bougard. She liked Virgil’s father and could easily recall when Virgil had taken her home to meet his parents. She’d been nervous then, as well.

Like Virgil, Matthew Bougard was handsome. He was also tall, standing way over six feet, and had a muscular build. She knew he liked playing golf and he’d been on the Olympic swim team while in college at Morehouse.

“I hope I haven’t kept you waiting,” she said, and with all the professionalism she could muster, she crossed the room and extended her hand first to Matthew. Instead of taking it, he pulled her to him in a hug. “No, you’re early, in fact. We just didn’t want to keep you waiting on us. It’s good seeing you again, Kara.”

When he released her, she smiled up at him. “Good seeing you again, too, Matthew. How’s Rhona?”

“She’s fine and sends her love.”

Kara then shifted her gaze to Virgil. He was standing beside his father, impeccably dressed in a dark business suit. She wished she wasn’t so intensely aware of him and wished more than anything that seeing him didn’t remind her of how long she’d been without a man. After him and the pain she’d felt at the time, she had sworn off men.

His expression was unreadable when he said, “Kara, glad you could meet with us today.” He extended his hand to her, letting her know that if she assumed he would pull her into his arms for a hug like his father had, then she was wrong.

Kara took the hand Virgil offered and tried not to show any sort of reaction when a frisson of heat raced up her spine. “Glad I’m meeting with the two of you, as well.”

Although he didn’t say anything, something in his eyes told her that her presence here today hadn’t been his idea. She pulled her hand from Virgil’s and then said to both men, “I’m eager to find out why you feel that you need my services.”

“And we’re eager to tell you so you can get started on our problem right away,” Matthew said, smiling. “Please have a seat.”

“Thanks.” She sat down in the chair Matthew had pulled out for her, the one right across from Virgil.

She tried to ignore his intense stare or at least try to. “So what’s the problem?” she asked, darting her gaze between the two men.

It was Virgil who spoke. “It seems my image needs improving.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Your image?”

It was Matthew who then added, rather bluntly, “Yes, his image. Everyone thinks my son’s behavior is that of a manwhore, and it’s hurting business. We want to hire your company to improve his image.”

* * *

Virgil frowned at his father. “Manwhore? I wouldn’t go that far, Dad.”

“I didn’t say you were one, Virgil. I said that’s the perception out there and it’s hurting the company.”

Virgil wished he could say “damn the company,” but he loved Bougard Enterprises just as much as his dad did. He would do anything to make sure the company his father had started years ago did not fail under his watch. Even if it meant making sacrifices. Still, he couldn’t help saying, “I enjoy women and like I told you yesterday, Dad, as a single man there’s nothing wrong with my dating habits.”

Okay, he would admit he dated a lot of women, but being thought of as a manwhore was a bit too much. The only good thing about his father’s statement was that it was painting a picture for Kara that he’d successfully moved on and put her behind him.

But even with all the pain she’d caused him, he could say without a doubt that Kara Goshay was the most beautiful woman he’d ever met. Not too many could go from being a staunch businesswoman to a slinky seductress in the blink of an eye.

It had taken every ounce of strength he had to control himself when she’d walked into the room with that sensuous and graceful movement of hers. Six months ago when he’d seen her at that charity event, she’d been wearing an eye-catching evening gown. Today she was dressed in a tan business suit with matching pumps. He’d always thought he was a stilettos man but he had to admit her legs looked gorgeous in a pair of pumps.