Page 1 of The Heart of a Capricorn (BLP Signs of Love #19)

I sipped my piping hot coffee from my favorite mug as I looked around the room.

Eight pairs of eager eyes were on me, waiting for my next direction, but I needed a minute to get my bearings.

My team and I had landed in Las Vegas a few hours prior, and we wasted no time getting to work.

I actually got there an hour or so before them so I could check out where we would be working for the next ninety days.

I wanted to ensure they had everything I asked for ahead of time.

I needed my team to be as comfortable as possible because we would have some long days and nights ahead of us.

I wanted to get started right away, but I had to consider the needs of others. They needed time to check into the hotel and get their things situated. There was also a two-hour difference from Texas, where we came from, and I was sure a few of them had jet lag.

After taking another long sip, I stood up from the seat and adjusted my clothes. Normally, I wore pantsuits or skirts, but today I wore a sundress with six-inch heels. The weather in Vegas was hotter than I expected, so I had to switch up my attire. It was still professional but cooler.

I picked up my mug and walked around the room.

“Good morning, everyone. I know it’s early, and with the time change, I’m sure some of you are tired, so I won’t keep you guys long. At least I’ll try not to.” A few people laughed, and I did the same.

I tended to tell them that things would be a minute, when they took a lot longer. Most of the team was used to it by now, but some of the newer people were still getting acclimated to my ways.

“Kim will be the immediate point of contact for this project. Any issues or concerns, you go to her first. If she can’t fix it, she will reach out to me.

Or if for some reason she can’t be reached, then feel free to contact me.

” I looked toward Kim, and she nodded. Kim had been with the company for the last five years, and I had been slowly getting her acclimated to being a leader.

“Shelly, I want you to oversee the schedule and make sure everyone is where they need to be at the right time. Make sure you sync the calendar with mine so I can be aware of everything.”

Shelly pushed a few buttons on her iPad, and I assumed it was her sending me the calendar link. My suspicion was confirmed when I heard my tablet ding.

“This is our biggest assignment yet, but I’m confident we can get it done in the allotted time, if not sooner.

I think it would be best if we work in teams of two for each department.

If anyone gets done sooner, please help anyone who needs help.

Remember, we are a team and the best at what we do.

We have to show them that we are worth the hire. ”

Multiple yeses sounded around the room. I stopped at the head of the table and looked at the women who were on my team.

I was an IT manager for Tech Angels, an all-black, women-owned tech company. Every day that I went to went to work, I was proud of all the work we had done over the years. Constantly, I was surrounded by intelligent, beautiful, melanated women.

Multiple IT companies wanted the contract we had, but we got it because we were the best.

“I’m proud to have you all on my team. I know we are in Vegas, so I want you all to enjoy yourselves when you can, but don’t forget why we are here.”

Addison tried to hide her eye roll, but I caught it. She did the same thing in most meetings, but I was used to it. She and I didn’t have the best history.

I rested against the wall because I knew if I sat down, I would get even more tired than I was. It had been so long since I had a break, and I was exhausted. Once this thing was over, I would take a mini vacation or something before I worked myself to the ground.

Some of the women had husbands and children at home, and I knew they looked forward to the break. I mean, what fun was it being in Sin City if you couldn’t have fun?

We had a few more things to discuss before I could dismiss them, so I walked around the room to sit back down. That was until the conference room door opened.

I smiled at my boss, Ciara Dawson, as she entered the room as her long black ponytail swung.

She was dressed down in jeans and sneakers with a crop top.

She was the CEO and had truly built an empire.

Her vision was to get as many black girls and women into tech as she could.

Over the years, she set up scholarships through multiple high schools and colleges, and we ran an intern program every summer for the girls.

Ciara was in her early forties and had been a beast in the tech world since she was in high school.

“Hey, ladies. I just came to check on you and all. I ran into my godbrother and thought it would be cool to introduce you all to him.” She turned to face the door. “Come in here.”

I felt my heart drop into my panties, as my ears rang, when a man I thought I would never see again walked through the door wearing black jeans with a green T-shirt and black and green sneakers to match. The gun in his waistband was visible for everyone to see.

Damn, time sure had been good to him.

I noticed out of the corner of my eye that a couple of the ladies had sat up straight and fixed their clothes. All of a sudden, multiple sets of breasts were on display.

“Ladies, this is my godbrother, Chauncey. Chauncey, this is the best of the best at Tech Angels.” Her face beamed as she introduced him.

How did I not know that was his godsister? Probably because we didn’t do too much talking back in college. At least not about family stuff.

Chauncey ‘Tank’ Baldwin was a man I had met in college, and we had a fling that didn’t last long, because at the time, we wanted two different things.

As Ciara introduced him to each of the ladies, I thought about the last time I saw him.

“ Your lips are saying one thing, but this pussy is telling me another,” Chauncey whispered in my ear.

“I just came to talk for real.” I had to inhale to keep myself from moaning.

“You say you only came to talk, but if that were the case, where are your panties?” Chauncey questioned as his rough hand found my clit and rubbed it.”

I shivered at the thought of what happened afterward and didn’t realize Chauncey and Ciara were standing in front of me until a smirk appeared on Chauncey’s lips.

“And this is the best manager I have, Lyric. Lyric, this is my godbrother, Chauncey.”

Chauncey stuck his hand out, so I shook it and immediately pulled back when I felt a spark.

The air around us shifted as I stared into his coal-like eyes. Chauncey had gotten bigger over the years. My throat dried as I took in his brown sugar skin. He had seen the inside of a tattoo parlor over the years because he was covered in ink. I tried not to stare too hard.

I noticed the earrings he wore and the silver dog tag around his neck. The mustache and beard combo that surrounded his lips made my panties wet. I recalled my juices glistening on his face a couple of times. He had less facial hair then.

“It’s nice to meet you, Lyric.”

Jesus. His smoky voice flowed through my body as my name rolled off his tongue with familiarity, but I was sure nobody noticed.

The room felt hot, and I needed to undo a button or two, but I didn’t want Chauncey or the rest of the women to see the effect he had on me.

“You as well.” I stepped away from him and went back to my seat. My panties were ruined, and I needed space from Chauncey and his enticing cologne.

“Well, I know you ladies are working, so I won’t hold you up.

Lyric, let me know if you need anything, and make sure you take some time to relax.

You are always working. Typical Capricorn behavior.

” Ciara shook her head and laughed. Ciara studied zodiac signs just as much as she studied computer programming.

Sometimes she could tell someone’s sign just by their behavior.

I sank into the chair a little bit because I hated that she put me on the spot.

“I will.”

I could feel Chauncey staring at me, but I refused to look at him.

The two of them walked out, and I finally felt like I could breathe.

“Damn, that man was fine,” Addison said the minute the door closed.

The rest of the ladies agreed with her, but I kept my mouth shut. I didn’t want anyone to know that I knew him.

“Okay, ladies, let’s get back to business so we can get out of here.”

We spent another forty-five minutes finalizing everything before I let them go. Once they were gone, I gathered my things and headed back to the hotel.

Our accommodations were at the Ferguson Hotel, and I couldn’t wait to get back to my room. The clawfoot tub called my name. So did the bottle of wine I had chilling in the refrigerator.

It only took me a few minutes to get to my room, and I immediately shed my clothes as I waited for the tub to fill. I packed a few bath bombs because I knew I would need them. The smell of lavender and jasmine filled the room, instantly relaxing me.

I also made sure to pack my mini speaker.

Music had a way of relaxing me, and it was an important part of my bath routine.

I tied my hair up, making sure to lay down my edges because I didn’t need the steam from the water messing them up.

Then I poured myself a glass of wine, and when the water was ready, I slowly sank into the tub.

I let out an audible sigh as the hot water surrounded me. For a second, I closed my eyes and took in the moment. I didn’t get many moments like this, so I tried to enjoy it while I could.

An R&B station played on the small speaker, and my thoughts drifted to a different time in my life.

It had been two years since my ex-boyfriend, Brice, was killed in a small plane crash.

I missed him so much, and I hated what happened to him.

I thought Brice and I would have gotten married, but things happened.

We were already broken up when he died, but that didn’t stop the feelings I had for him.

I swiped the tear that fell from my eye as the singer Bliss sang about a lost love. She was happily married, but the song still felt like it was sung from experience. I closed my eyes and listened to the words as more tears fell. I wiped my face and tried to think of something else.

Suddenly, my thoughts shifted to Chauncey.

His popping up after all these years threw me off.

I couldn’t let myself get lost in the thought of him, or him at all.

I wasn’t sure what he was doing in Vegas, but I needed to stay away from him.

I had been focused for all these years, and Chauncey would be the one to knock me off my square.

I prayed that I wouldn’t run into him again, but with him being so close to Ciara, the chances of not seeing him were slim.

Maybe he had someone, and I was overthinking for nothing.

My phone chimed, interrupting my thoughts. I reached over and saw a message from Ciara, asking about meeting at the bar.

I almost told her no, but before I could, she threatened to fire me if I didn’t.

I knew it was a joke, but maybe a night out would be just what I needed.

Reluctantly, I agreed to go. Once she confirmed it was the hotel’s bar and the time, I went back to enjoying my bath.

It was still early in the day, so I had time to nap then eat before I headed out.

Hopefully, I didn’t get myself into any trouble.