“They wanted to recall my loan.”
Her arms dropped and her eyes opened wide. “What? Why?”
“Something about a defaulted loan fromten years ago.”
“You defaulted on a loan? How did that not get picked up by the bank before this? And what does it mean for our partnership?”
“I suppose it could mean that you could buy me out of my half of the building and do itall yourself.”
Something flared in her eyes but he couldn’t quite decipher what. Greed? Anxiety? Guilt? Euphoria? The typical smugness of a rich girl getting her way.
“What does the bankplan on doing?”
Let her continue swinging, or fill her in? “Nothing now, as I had the documents to prove I hadn’t defaulted.”
Her brows knit together. “Everythingis fine then?”
“Yup.”
“Then what was the big rush to tell me? You scared the crap out of mefor a minute.”
“Did I? Or were you hoping to be able to continue this all on your own?”
Tilting her head she stared at him. “On my own. How would I do that without both ofour financing?”
“I didn’t know if you managed to coerce some other schmuck into helping fund you.”
“Helping fund…” Anger, swift and fierce, descended over her features. “You thought I had something to do with the loan default? Why you arrogant piece of—”
Stepping closer, he backed her against the table, stopping her tirade. “Admit it, you originally wanted todo this solo.”
“Of course Idid, but now…”
“Now?”
Her jaw tightened and she looked away. Taking a deep breath she returned her gaze. “I understand the project is a lot bigger than I could have handled by myself.”
Leaning in, he put his hands on either side of her. “You mean you need me?”
Her eyes focused on his lips, and he wanted nothing more than to connect his to hers.
“Or someone like you. A contractor.” She pushed at his chest.He didn’t move.
“There’s no one like me, warrior princess, not for you.” His breath swirled around her ear and she shivered. Damn, he loved having this effect on her. Too bad she wouldn’t admit she felt it.
Pushing harder, she managed to slip out of his grasp and move near the window, facing him. Her expressionwas formidable.
“I can’t believe you thought I’d try and sabotage this project. How could you think I’d do something like that?”
Slipping his hands into his front pockets, he rocked back on his feet. “You like things your way. Why not get rid of the guy who keeps questioning everything you do?”
Pushing away from the window, she barreled toward him, her finger pointing at his chest. “Look here, Holland. No, I don’t always like having to debate every little screw and nut that you purchase, but we made a bargain and I plan to stick to it. We’ve known each other for a few years and apparently you still don’t trust me. Haven’t I proved my loyalty by keeping your cousin’s secret all these years?”
His anger deflated. Yes, she had proved her loyalty and faithfulness. To her best friend. No debating that. But she was still a rich woman who likedthings her way.
“I’m sorry for doubting you. But it seems this project is being slowed down every step of the way. You don’t have some gypsy curse on you, do you?”
“I’ll put a gypsy curse on you if you ever act this stupid again. If we’re going to make this partnership work, we have to trust and help each other.”
“You’re right. What are you going to help me with now? Looks like you’ve been studying the plans.”
Walking to the table, she pointed to the blue prints. “I’m making notes on possible locations of outlets and walls depending on who weget in there.”
Standing behind her, he checked out what she’d written. Not that he could keep his mind on the plans with her floral scent filling his nostrils. Her shoulders stiffened as hepressed closer.
“Hey,” he rubbed his hands down her arms. “I said I was sorry. I’m frustrated at how slow this project is moving and didn’t handle this new development well.”
At his apology, her body relaxed. That only made it worse as their bodies came in contact, causing his arousal to grow. It never quite diminished when he was near her. One more thing that hadhim frustrated.
