One Special Moment - Brenda Jackson [1]
Colby looked up into the face of the older gentleman who stood when she entered the plush office. He was a little on the heavy side, slightly bald and had a square wall of a forehead with heavy brows for a base. His face, although firmly set in deep thought, was friendly.
“Please have a seat, Ms. Wingate, and thank you for coming,” he stated, coming forward to shake her hand.
“Thank you for agreeing to see me, Mr. Stewart,” she said, smiling and taking the chair he offered.
He nodded. “How was your flight to L.A.?”
“Fine.”
“And your hotel accommodations?”
“They’re excellent. I didn’t expect you to take care of my flight nor my lodging.”
He gave a warm chuckle. “Of course we took care of them. We sent for you to come to California, didn’t we?”
Colby drew in a deep breath of excitement. “Yes.”
“Well, then,” he said, placing a folder in front of her. “The proposal is ready. I’ll cover all the specifics with you in detail before you leave my office.”
Colby’s head came up. “It’s ready? But I haven’t given you all the information you’ll need to make a sound decision.”
Edward Stewart smiled, waving off her words with his hand. “There’s really no need. Sterling was quite taken with the history and background investigation that was done.”
Colby was surprised. “You did an investigation?”
“Of course. Under the circumstances, such measures had to be taken. This is very important to Sterling.”
Colby was stunned. It was a known fact that on numerous occasions Sterling Hamilton had refused to endorse or have his name linked to any products. She’d been prepared to vigorously plead her case. Why was this endorsement very important to him? Why did he suddenly have a change of heart about doing them?
She was assaulted with a satisfying sense of relief. Whatever his reasons, she was grateful for them and glad Wingate Cosmetics would ultimately benefit.
“After our meeting, I’ll give you a copy of the proposal. I suggest you look it over carefully. Although, I’m sure you’ll find everything satisfactory and in order. When Sterling decides to do something, he doesn’t do it half-measure. And I do hope you understand that due to the nature of this matter, you’re not to disclose this business arrangement between you and Sterling with anyone. That stipulation is included in the proposal and will be outlined in the final contract.”
“But what about my brother? I’m sure you’ll want to meet with him.”
A confused frown covered the older man’s face. “I don’t understand. Why would we?”
Before Colby could answer the door behind her opened.
“Sterling? This is a pleasant surprise,” Edward Stewart said, smiling at the man. “I didn’t know you were back.”
Colby glanced over her shoulder to look at the bearded man who entered the room. She took a deep breath as her eyes collided with Sterling Hamilton’s. Even with the window blinds slightly closed, his very presence in the room radiated light…and something else she couldn’t help but notice, sensuous heat. The very idea that she could think such a thing surprised and fascinated her.
He was distinctively dressed in a pair of charcoal-gray, triple-pleated slacks, a colorful printed shirt and a double-breasted navy blue blazer. Tall and masculine, his clothes fit his body well.
Their eyes held. Apprehension touched Colby’s body. An emotion she couldn’t put a name to flooded through her with a force that left her speechless. For the first time in her life, a man had evoked an immediate and tangible response from her. She was vaguely aware of Edward Stewart making introductions and found herself getting to her feet on wobbly knees.
“Colby Wingate, how are you?” Sterling Hamilton’s deep masculine voice seemed to radiate through the room.
Colby suddenly found her soft, fragile hand encompassed in the strong firmness of his. His eyes held her spellbound and seemed to probe deeply