Chapter 1-Winner Takes All

Danielle Mitchell was sitting at the conference table at FAT Ads Advertising, for the staff’s usual Thursday morning meeting. Everyone was sitting around the table chatting amongst themselves. Danielle was scanning a copy of the Dallas Minority Business News just as she did every Thursday. The paper featured prominent African-American business people in the local area as well as the rest of the state. Once a week, a newly appointed businessperson was featured in an article. Danielle stared at the photograph of a handsome man she had met a few years earlier. She read the article beneath the photograph and couldn’t believe what it said.

“Oh, my god,” she said softly. “No they didn’t.”

“No who didn’t what?” Clarice, her assistant asked, leaning toward her. They huddled together looking at the article. “Ooh, he’s cute. Who is he?” Clarice asked.

Just then, the company’s graphic designer, Yolanda Reed, ran into the boardroom. “Y’all won’t believe who S&J Advertising just hired as their creative director!”

“Barron Weston,” she and Danielle said in unison.

“How did you know?” Yolanda asked.

Danielle held up the paper. “The Enquirer of the minority business world,” she told her friend, who she met when they were interviewing for the same job at another ad agency three years ago.
“They put in the DMB already?”

“Yep,” Danielle said, closing it. She closed her eyes and sighed. Barron Weston. A name that bore a familiarity that she wished she could forget. She knew the charismatic, heartless man all too well. He was a country boy from New Orleans, whose bark was worse than his bite. An intimidating man who would trample over anyone in his way. And yet so smooth that he could ease a woman out of her clothes without opening his mouth or lifting a finger.

Gifted, calculating, and domineering, Barron Weston had been on the fast track for as long as Danielle could remember. He graduated top of his class from Wharton Business School then headed to New York where he started out making six figures as an ad account rep. He was behind some of the best advertising campaigns to date. Ravishing and Refined, like the motto for an 80-year old Cognac company he and his former ad team saved from the brink of bankruptcy. Barron Weston was an advertising genius and not even Danielle could argue with that.

She could see his handsome face clear as day, his mouth nearing hers just before he kissed her and caressed her as if she were made from the finest silk. She was drawn to him like a moth to a flame and then—he dropped her, disappeared, and she never saw him again.

He worked on countless ad campaigns for minority owned businesses, placing his Los Angeles firm in first place on the Black Enterprise Top 20 Advertising Agencies list with their annual billings. Danielle was positive he was about to do the same for S&J. Barron was a go-getter, brilliant, charming, and she despised his very being. Now, he was in her town about to make waves. She didn’t need to know anymore than that.

“Are we done?” Danielle asked, irritated. “I’ve got some calls to make.”

Keith Bates, one of the company’s executives rose from his chair. “We’re done, Miss Mitchell. I know you have something urgent to get back to,” he said with a hint of laughter.

A weak smile crossed Danielle’s face as he exited the room. She slid from her seat, dressed a crème, crepe wool skirt and a ruffled white, silk shell and taupe Louboutin heels. Her shoulder length hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail and her makeup consisted only of Dior mascara and a coat of MAC clear lip glass. She was a minimalist at best. Wrapping her hair around her fingers for a moment, contemplating.

“What’s the matter D?” Yolanda asked.

“Nothing,” Danielle pushing her chair underneath the table.

“Better not be,” Keith said. “S&J is giving a reception for Mr. Weston tonight and the whole team has been invited.”

Danielle’s mouth dropped open. “Excuse me?”

“S&J is welcoming their golden boy, and we’ve all been invited,” Keith repeated. “Didn’t you get your invite?”

“I think Clarice still has them,” Yolanda said.

Danielle sighed. “It’s not like our rivals to invite us to something they’re having. There must be another reason.” Probably Barron’s doing, she thought.

“Well whatever it is, we’re all going to find out. I want to see all of you there. It’s at the Palomino and it starts at eight.

“The Palomino?” One of the other female employees shrieked. “Oh, this must be big. Only the rich folks throw their parties there.”

“I am so not up for this,” Danielle said walking out.

She went back to her office and shut her door. Staring at Barron Weston’s photograph made her angry. The memory of her first meeting with him still lingered in the back of her mind. She had met him years ago at an advertising conference in Miami after they had just graduated from college. She had just received a B.A in Communications from Spelman, and Barron had just gotten his B.S. in Business Management from Howard. Both were destined for success in the big world of advertising but it was their personal lives that would get them off track.

A secluded beach had been the backdrop for their fiery flirtation. One passionate kiss led to another, then another, and then to the ultimate act. Danielle could not forget his touch or the way he sent her body into overdrive with his skilled lovemaking. It was the damndest most wonderful thing she had ever experienced. No man in her life could compare to Barron Weston. She shook her head to free herself from the thought. Barron Weston was now an enemy not a lover—or even a friend for that matter.

“Knock, knock.” Clarice appeared with a small ivory colored envelope in her hand. “I have something for you.”

“What?”

“It’s addressed to you. A messenger just delivered it.”

Danielle took the envelope. “Thank you.” Danielle opened the envelope and read the card inside: Dearest Danielle. You’ve been on my mind since I last saw you. I hate I lost you. Barron.

Danielle buzzed Yolanda. “Yo, can you come in here for a minute.” She arrived a few moments later.

“So give me all the goodies,” Yolanda said, sliding the card across Danielle’s desk “Because clearly you’ve all ready given him yours.”

“I do not want to see this man again.”

“Well, he wants to see you. And those words prove it. How ironic that he landed in the D. Girl, it must be fate.”

“Barron is up to something. He’s always up to something. How does he land the most sought after ad job in Dallas? I applied for that job.”

“You did?”

“Yeah but it was just because. I would never leave FAT Ads without a little bargaining first. It was just for fun. I had no idea, he would get it. Now he’s trying to be my friend.”

“Friend would be an understatement. If he’s seen you naked, it’s gone way past that. Clearly.”

“I’m serious, Yo. I don’t want him here.”

“Well hon, I’m afraid that isn’t your choice. But be comforted knowing that you’re the best creative director in town, a beautiful woman, and my closest friend. Besides, it’s only natural for him to come after you. He probably wants to make amends because I get the feeling something didn’t go right and since you never told me I’ll let my imagination wander.”

Danielle rolled her eyes. “Men that arrogant don’t apologize for anything. Everything is done on their terms.”

“So what really happened between you two?” Yolanda asked. “Just a clash of the minds or something else?”

Danielle shrugged and looked up at her friend. “Something else.”

“What?” Yolanda asked.

Danielle stared at the envelope, ignoring Yolanda’s question. “He’s up to something. I can feel it…”

“What happened!!”

“Nothing, just a big mix-up...”

“Details!?”

Danielle shook her head. “Let's just say this man is…He’s manipulative, he’s sexy, he’s charming, and he’s a real bastard. End story.”

“Well, he got you into bed, so he must’ve done something right. I know you don’t just let anyone into your bed.”

“True.”

“Well, call him and clear the air before you see him tonight. Otherwise prepare to be pleasantly surprised. I gotta run. I’ll see you later.”

Danielle nodded then focused her attention back on her computer screen.

Barron checked his watch again. He couldn’t wait until his meeting was over. He was so ready to see Danielle he couldn’t think straight. It had been too long since they crossed paths. He was ready to move rectify things between them. The last time they were together, he left her alone on Miami Beach searching for her underwear amid a sea of tourists taking their early morning walk on the beach. Admittedly, it was childish thing to do, but he had a good reason. One he would tell her about later over dinner. His whole plan was to see her tonight and then coax her to meet him later. He knew she would have never agreed to a meeting with him. So he didn’t balk at his boss’ decision to host a reception for him. It would provide him with the perfect opportunity to get some alone time with Danielle.

He remembered her lips against his flesh, the feel of her soft thighs grazing his head as he slipped his mouth between them. Her small fingers digging into his back as he rocked their bodies gently in the sand. Yes, Danielle Mitchell was something he needed more of. But one night would never be enough. He wanted her in his life, pure and simple. And whatever he needed to do to make that happen, he was going to do it. He always got what he wanted. Barron was a man with a plan and he was far too driven to let anyone tell him no.

After lunch, Danielle focused her attention on finishing her advertising plan for the Dallas Tornadoes basketball team. The team’s new owner was desperate to find and agency to boost the teams image and get the city excited about them. He had plans to turn their pitiful past into a winning future. He was looking for the right firm to do it, so naturally Danielle and FAT Ads was a leading contender. She had to land the account. If she did, it would mean a boost in her paycheck, the agency’s billings, and her client list. She liked to win. And no buppie country boy was going to stand in her way.

Sure, she thought. I’ll go to Mr. Weston’s little shindig. I know just what to wear too.

She buzzed her assistant. “Clarice?”

“Yes, Danielle.”

“Can you have the cleaners bring up my black Armani dress as soon as possible? I’d like to wear it tonight.”

“Sure thing. I’ll get right on it.”

One look at me in this dress and Barron Weston will forget his own name, Danielle said grinning. He won’t be ready for me tonight. It was time to put her investigative skills to work and find out what Barron Weston was really up to. Sure she’d show a little skin to get Barron to talk, maybe even let her in on the projects he was working on. Then once she had him wrapped around her finger, she would go in for the kill and have him begging for her to leave him alone. He wasn’t the only one with a plan.

“Miss Mitchell?” It was Clarice.

“Yes?”

“I have a call for you.” She cleared her throat.

“Who is it?”

“A gentleman with a nice voice who won’t give his name. Shall I put him through?”

Danielle knew it was Barron. She smirked and took a deep breath. “Put him through, Clarice.”

“Will do.”

“This is Danielle,” she said, pressing the speaker button.

“Hello Danielle, how are you?”

“I’m fine, Mr. Weston.”

“Ah, how did you know it was me?”

“I know you.”

His smile was felt through the phone. “So how have you been?”

“Better than ever.”

“Good. Looks like FAT Ads is doing well.”

“We are. And no one in this town is going to change that. You included,” she said firmly.

“Ouch, that hurt. If I didn’t know better, I would think you were still mad at me for what happened in Miami.”

“Why would I be mad? We were both adults and we knew the night meant nothing. I’m over it and you should be too.”

He was hurt mildly by her statement, but heard the squeak in her voice. She was bluffing. “I don’t know too many women who could forget their first lover.”

“Whoever said you were?”

“Are you telling me different?”

“I’m not telling you anything. It was years ago and I’d rather not discuss the past.”

He quieted. There were parts of himself then he would rather forget too. But there were some things that lingered on. “Well, tell me one thing.”

“What?”

“Do you remember our kiss?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Not really. I’ve kissed other men since you, and they still acted like a gentleman afterward.”

“Damn, that’s cold.”

“Not as cold as you’ll be tonight.”

“Damn, can I get any more insults? You’re on a roll tonight aren’t you?”

“I’m always on a roll. I thought you knew.”

“Have you ever been made love to the way I did it?”

Danielle groaned. Playtime was over. She lifted the receiver to her ear. “What the hell do you want, Barron? I have work to do.”

“What do I want? You want to hear the truth or the censored version.”

She was afraid to answer. “Why don’t you just cut the crap Barron. We both know you’re the king of playing games.”

“I’m not playing games with you Danielle. I just wanted to see if we could have dinner…some conversation.” His voice was low and smooth.

“Conversation about what? You and I don’t have anything to talk about, and dinner is out of the question.”

“Why?”

“Because it isn’t going anywhere and we don’t have anything to talk about. I don’t even know why you called me.”

He decided to come clean. “Honestly Danielle, I’ve missed you. The night we spent together was the most beautiful night I’ve ever had with a woman.”

“Bullshit. It was nothing more than good sex, you know it and I know it. If it weren’t those damn Mojitos we had, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation! And don’t act like you’re doing me a favor by telling me you’ve missed me. I haven’t missed you one bit.”

“Okay, okay. But answer one last thing…”

“What?!”

“Was the sex really good to you?” he asked seriously.

“You and I both know it meant nothing.”

“Answer the question, querida.”

Danielle felt warm as heat filled her veins. Hearing him call her darling in Spanish brought back the memory of their tryst in Miami. “Why don’t you go back to wherever it is you came from Barron. There’s enough egotistical men here in Dallas.”

“Can’t, baby girl. They’re paying me too much money—way too much. Besides, I can’t wine and dine you and lavish you with gifts from Neiman Marcus if I’m somewhere else, now can I?”

“I’m sure you have some other females you can wine and dine and lavish gifts on.”

“I’d rather spend my money on you.”

“I’d rather you not.”

“I was feeling you way before that night…Can’t we just forget the past. We were young then—everyone is entitled to one mistake.”

“Oh, so it was a mistake?”

“No, Danielle. You know that’s not what I meant. Why do you have to twist everything I say? You know me and you are better than that.” She let out an exasperated sigh. “So you think you can check your calendar and fit me in for dinner next week?”

“I’m not having dinner with you, Barron. Have dinner with someone else.”

“There is no one else. I want you.”

Danielle trembled inside. “Well you’ll have to find someone else because you’re never going to sit at a table with me.” Her voice was shaky. “I’m not interested in having dinner with you. I’m not interested in being your friend, your lover. Nothing. Get that through your head!”

“I would, but I can’t.”

“You always want things your way, Barron. I can’t just forget everything you did to me,” she said, trying to disguise the pain in her voice. “You left me alone on the beach, making me look like a fool. It’s not going to happen again!”

He let her vent then asked calmly. “Will I see you tonight?”

“Yes you will. And stay the hell away from me!” Click.

As the dial tone rang in his ear, he smiled. Danielle Mitchell was still in love with him.