He touched her arm, the barest graze sending a sizzle of heat shooting through her like a jolt of electricity. "Not so brave now, huh?"
Bravery had nothing to do with it. Self-preservation did. This instantaneous spark between them was too powerful, too potent, too potentially troublesome.
She didn't need complications in her life, not now when savingSeabornhad to be her number one priority. And a delicious-smelling, beyond-gorgeous, bad boy was one giant complication waiting to happen.
"I flirt with everyone, you shouldn't take it personally."
"Is that right?" He took a step forward, bringing him tantalisingly close. He didn't touch her. He didn't need to, her pebbling skin a dead giveaway how his proximity affected her. “You better learn to control that habit, because some guys may get the wrong idea."
She shouldn't bait him, she really shouldn’t, but she couldn't resist. There was something about him, something untouchable, that made her want to ruffle his assured poise.
"What idea's that?"
"That you're offering more than you're willing to give."
His innuendo rippled over her like submerging in the warmest, decadent bubble bath, and she clamped the urge to see exactly how willing she could be.
She tilted her head up. "I'm offering coffee. Take it or leave it."
He searched her face, and it made her uncomfortable to the point of squirming.
On the verge of retracting her offer, he slowly lifted his arm and gestured towards the back of the showroom.
"Lead the way."
Chapter 3
Jax lucked out.
His reasons for attending tonight had been twofold: show the Melbourne snobs he'd returned, ready to infiltrate their closed ranks, and plant the takeover seed in Sapphire Seaborn's mind.
Sadly, theSeabornspokeswoman hadn't been in attendance but he had the next best thing: her sister.
Glancing at Ruby, matching him stride for stride as they headed towards the rear of the showroom, he amended his earlier assessment.
Maybe he hadn't lucked out after all. The younger Seaborn was a firecracker. All mouth and defiance. Not his type at all, but for a few decadent hours he'd like her to be.
He didn't intend on getting physical, not with so much at stake. He had big plans for a proposed takeover, but for a moment, with the lights making her hair shimmer like spun gold and her breasts straining against satin with every step she took, he wished he didn't have so much to lose.
"You've never been toSeabornbefore."
A statement, not a question and he admired her bluntness.
"No, why? Because you would've remembered me?"
Her lips quirked at his teasing. "I remember all our customers."
"All?"
"Each and every one."
"I find that hard to believe."
She chuckled and held up her hands in surrender. "Okay, I lied. I remember each and every piece I've ever created and, in turn, the people who acquire them."
"Impressive."
As impressive as the showroom she led him through. The long, cavernous room gleamed, from its honey polished boards to soft ivory walls to spot lights strategically placed to highlight the merchandise.
