Page 37
“I might regret it if I let you pursue me.” I leaned against the back of the sofa, detailing all of my current problems in my head. Did I really need one more complication? Well, maybe if the complication looked like a sexy, silver fox with tattoos, muscles, and a Harvard education, I could make an exception.
“Let’s compromise.” He strode across the room and stood in front of me, burning a blazing hole into my soul with his intense blue eyes. No one had ever looked at me with such passion. “Go out with me. Wear the dress.” He ran his fingers along my collarbone. “You haven’t even seen the shoes.”
“I’m sure they’re spectacular.”
“You can keep them when we’re done.”
“Because I’ll have so many opportunities to wear them again.” I rolled my eyes. “What’s the rest of the compromise?”
“Have I intrigued you?”
“Maybe.” What am I doing?
“After our date, if you’re not interested in taking this any further, I’ll accept that decision.”
“I don’t believe you.” I leaned into his touch. “You don’t seem like a man who gives up that easily.”
“I’m a busy man who doesn’t like to waste time.” He wrapped his arm around me and yanked me to him, molding his solid frame against mine. “After our night together, I’ll accept wherever we end up, but right now, I’m not going to take no for an answer. Give me a chance.”
“One night?”
Why do I feel like we’ve been here before?
ELEVEN
Huxley
Time got away from me with meetings and negotiations. My razor-sharp focus didn’t fade as I closed three deals before noon. There were never enough hours in the day, and today wasn’t any different.
I had to arrange for a car to take Ivy to the dinner where she would meet me. I left from my penthouse in the city and barely made it on time. If I hadn’t stopped at the jewelers on Fifth Street, I would have been there sooner, but my latest purchase was a must.
As I waited in the elaborate lobby of the modern, high-end hotel for my driver to bring Ivy to me, I took in the architecture. The stunning building impressed several guests as they made their way into the hotel. Soon, these same people would have a resort community to spend their money in. By next Christmas, I envisioned horse-drawn carriage rides around the lake, ice skating, and five-star restaurants strategically placed in a quaint, holiday-decorated neighborhood.
“Huxley,” Angelica called to me as she came through the doors. “I didn’t think you were going to get here on time. How did you manage to arrive before me?”
“Motivated.” I glanced over her shoulder, searching for my car.
“You didn’t have a hair and makeup appointment.” She motioned over herself. “This doesn’t happen by accident.”
I couldn’t deny that my attorney was a beautiful woman. Her long, auburn hair and emerald eyes enhanced her unique tall and toned frame. On the cusp of her thirtieth birthday, she hadn’t managed to find anyone to spend her free time with. Not that working for me afforded her a chance to have a social life. We racked up long hours and often spent most of our weekends attending charity functions and parties at associates’ homes.
“I’m glad you were able to get here,” I said. “I need you to scope out potential business associates for the Harlow project, but I want you to be discreet. This should be an overt operation until I finalize my plans.”
“I love this town.” She smiled. “You really knew what you were doing when you set your sights on Harlow.”
“I’m going to put it on the map.”
“I have every confidence in you.” She hooked her arm around mine. “Should we go get a drink?”
“You go ahead.” I untangled myself from her as my SUV pulled up in front. “My date has just arrived.”
“Your…” She followed my gaze to the front of the building. “Are you kidding me? You invited her, didn’t you?”
“I did.” I shot her a stern glare. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t talk business in front of her tonight.”
“When do you ever not talk business?” She smiled at me as some sort of realization came over her. I could practically see the ‘ah-ha’ moment behind her eyes. “You’re brilliant.”
“What are you talking about?”
