Turns out he does. He asks her gentle, probing questions about different things she likes. He’s a good listener, better than any man she’s known before. It’s like he’s really trying to get to know her in the short time they have together.
“Are you almost done looking into the accounts? I’d like to…” he pushes his fork around on his plate, “I’d like to get to know you more. Take you on another date.”
“Oh yeah?” She can’t help the smile she’s sporting, it’s big and open, and she knows she’s blushing.
“Yes, I’d like to take you to the lake. You haven’t been yet, right?”
“Nope, not yet.”
“It’s a little cold, but we can still go swimming if you like.”
“I didn’t bring a suit.” She can feel her courage building. She leans forward and crosses her arms on the table. “Maybe we can go skinny dipping, though?”
His eyes widen immediately, followed by a deep blush. Like the idea of seeing a naked woman is that astounding to him. He clears his throat twice to speak, then takes a big drink of water.
“We can...we can do that if you want.”
The blush is still high on his cheeks, and she smiles to herself that she caused that reaction in him.
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes, tomorrow.”
Chapter Fifteen
Axel
He’s gripping the edge of the desk so hard he wonders if it will crack. These fucking guys. He’s supposed to be taking Chloe on a date, but here he is arguing with the ass twins about how he’s not selling.
“Just listen, Mr. Henderson. We can give you seven million for the land, that’s two million more than our last offer.”
“I said no. I don’t want your money. We’re not selling the land or the lodge.”
“I believe you misunderstand, Mr. Henderson,” says the thin assfuck Russell with a sneer. “Harvey Development doesn’t want the lodge.”
“What? What do you want the land for then?”
“That’s confidential.”
“Confidential?” Axel practically roars. Russell stays steadfast while his plump counterpart, David, looks a little green.
Axel can’t believe this. His family worked so hard to build up this land, build the lodge. Now he’s losing it all.
“What the fuck could possibly be confidential?”
Russell still has the cold sneer on his face, while David seems to be sweating profusely.
“Axel?” he hears her soft voice and whips his head around to see Chloe standing there with a confused look on her face. She looks almost scared, and he never wants her to be scared of him.
“I think we’re done now.”
“Mr. Henderson, Harvey group will not continue to raise our offer, so if this is some type of ploy to get more money-”
“We’re done.” He puffs out his chest and crosses his arms. He knows he looks intimidating like this. Six foot three, built big and wide. Russell finally takes notice, and David pulls on his arm to lead him away.
“We’re not done talking about this, Mr. Henderson.”
He gnashes his teeth together rather than spit something back in front of Chloe. Once they’re out of his sight, she’s against him. Running her hands up and down his biceps till he opens his arms and she’s pressing her cheek to his chest.
