She wasn’t sure how much time had passed before she found a thread of equilibrium.“I’m…surprised to see you here.”And why was he?
In his dove-gray suit, starched shirt, red tie and polished wingtip shoes, the man was impossibly handsome, made even more so by the slight shadow of stubble on his strong jaw.And his voice… It wasn’t just his words, but his deep, well-modulated tone that made her think of summer nights and hot, hot sex.
His eyes, though, accentuated by the color of his clothing, were as chilly as she recalled.
Slowly, slowly, he released her.She took two small steps back.Where he’d touched her, she throbbed.
“I was sorry you didn’t let me give you a lift home a few weeks ago.”
“I’m sure you’re a busy man.”
“I always take time for the important things and people.”
Was she ridiculous for thinking that he, too, felt the attraction between them?She shook her head.He was a powerful man, of course he had a strong sex drive.It didn’t mean anything.
Under his scrutiny, she was hyperaware of her bare skin, the damp tendrils of hair curling against her nape, the way her silk shirt showed her silhouette.She wished she’d kept her blazer on.
Lara mentally took hold of herself before his power consumed her.“I was having dinner with your sister.If I’d known you had business with BHI, I would have rescheduled.”
Something dark ghosted across his eyes.“I had understood I’d be meeting with the board of directors.Or at least with youandPernell.”
She adjusted her grip on her bag to cover the shock that her father hadn’t said a word to her.
“At any rate, my proposal is no longer on the table.”
“What proposal?”
“Regarding your communications division.”
One that had been losing money, one she wanted to sell.Lara took in his pricey leather briefcase, no doubt containing a file folder with papers, or, more likely, a flash drive.“And you’ve changed your mind?”
“Pernell made it clear he wasn’t open to discussion.”
“I see.”Her knees went weak.Was this another instance of her father’s stubbornness?“I wish I had been there.”
“I do, as well.Things might have worked out differently.Better.”
She scrambled for time.Perhaps her father had been out of line.On the other hand, maybe Connor’s offer had been a bad one.And she needed time to sort it out, learn what was going on, and mostly, think it through.“Are you open to continuing the negotiation?”
“Under my original terms?No.”
Connor took another step closer to her, and she remained in place, waiting, wondering.
He was close enough that she could once again inhale his scent…that of relentless determination spiced with masculine power.
Her heart seemed to pause then raced when he reached for the elevator call button.
“If you’re interested in hearing more, contact me.”He paused long enough to pull out a business card.“My personal cell number is on there.”
She accepted the card.
“Good evening,” he said when the doors slid open.
Her voice suddenly constricted by the thundering of her pulse, she nodded and watched him enter the car.
Within seconds, he disappeared from view.
She exhaled, feeling simultaneously relieved and disappointed.What had she expected?
