“You’re a real estate agent, not a contractor. What do you know about renovating buildings?”
A tinge of doubt entered Heather’s eyes and Scott pounced on it. This woman was too freaking confidentin most areas.
“You have no experience with structures like this and what they need. Take my word, this won’t be the cake-walk you think it is. I’ve been inside. The work is extensive. Leave this to the people who know what they’re doing. If you’re real nice to me, maybe I’ll list the property with you when I finish with it.”
“What are your plans? You’ve been redoing mostly college dorms and office buildings lately.”
Scott slid his hands into his front pockets trying to move away from her tantalizing scent. It was playing havoc with his thought process. “Which still makes me more qualified than you to take on the renovation. I plan to make it into high-end condos.”
“That’s great, but not the most feasible plan for the area.” Shuffling the file in her hands, she peeked inside then shut it again. “Be nice tomeand maybe I’ll contract your company to do the renovations into upscale shops and offices.”
Conversation halted in the room as several people stepped up on the podium to begin the auction. When Heather moved to sit in a row near the back, he followed, dropping into a chair next to her. Not the smartest thing if he wanted to focus on the proceedings. His common sense always took a hit when she was near.
“It’s not exactly the typical location for Silvaggio’s.”
Narrowing her eyes, she frowned then faced front and whispered, “I don’t plan to put a Silvaggio’s in there. That’s my father’s company, not mine.”
The buzzing up front grew louder and Scott moved his focus to the auctioneer. There were several buildings on the auction block today. He didn’t want to lose out on his chosen one because he wasn’t paying attention.
Heather pushed her shoulders back, ignoring him as the first property was described. He took the opportunity to glance at her peripherally. The updo left her long, slender neck exposed. Imagining his lips skimming along the soft skin was not helping his case. The fact he knew exactly how sweet she tasted, remembered that long hair, loose and tickling his chest, almost made him walk away and let her have the building.
But he wouldn’t give in to some spoiled, pampered princess no matter how hot the sex had been. Besides, that night with Heather had been three months ago. He’d put himself out there but no response. When he’d called several times and they’d seen each other at Jack and Callie’s wedding and a few other occasions, she’d always brushed him off. Was his blue-collar status that muchof a turn off?
“Is Daddy giving you the money to buy this?”
She glared at him but remained silent. He couldn’t help but throw that at her. Being the daughter of the man who owned the Silvaggio’s empire, Heather probably had some big cash behind her. Must be nice having easy access to thatkind of money.
Even though his business was debt-free, it had been a lot of work to convince the bank to loan him the money for his new project. They were taking a risk on him. He’d never tried something like this before. Every project he’d done in the past had been paid for as he went along by whomever he was renovating for. It would take some work as the building hadn’t been updated in ages, but he was willing to put in the time and effort. Once it was done, he could turn a tidy profit selling each unit for a hefty fee.
Heather straightened in her chair so Scott snapped to attention. They were starting bids on the mill building. The auctioneer called out an opening bid and it climbed higher much faster than Scott had wanted. Several hands flew up and down. Shit. He’d hoped there weren’t too many bidders.
Sitting up straighter, Heather flipped through the papers she had in her lap. More bids were called out and Scott waited. He didn’t want to tip them off that he also wanted the property. He’d slip in when they gotto final bids.
“Damn, this is higher than I thought.” She shifted in her seat and glanced at him. “Why aren’t you bidding? I thought you wantedthis building.”
He clenched his teeth. “I do. I thought it would go for lower than this also. You aren’t bidding yet either.”
Her mouth turned down at the corners as another bid shot the price up again. Her fingers tapped nervously against thefile she held.
“What’s the matter? Daddy give you a limit on this? His pockets aren’t deep enough for his littlegirl’s whims?”
“Shut up. My father isn’t giving me any money. He doesn’t even know my plans. It’smyproject andmyfinancing.”
“You got some banker on a string then? What do you haveto do for him?”
The look she threw at him should have left him in ashes.
“Heather, I—”
“Screw you.”
His mouth turned into an automatic smirk. “You already did. Must not have been satisfying since it wasn’t repeated.”
* * * *
Heather’s head snapped up at Scott’s words. Not satisfying. Hardly what she would have called their one night stand. Too satisfying if she was being honest. So much so that she’d avoided the man if she could. The emotions that had filled her when they’d had sex had been too intense, too needy. She didn’t ever want to need someone that badly. Her independence was the most importantthing she had.
She ignored what he’d said and focused on the bidding going on in the front of the room. This project would make her father finally see that she could make it on her own, and didn’t need the family money. Okay, most of the money for the building was from the trust fund her maternal grandmother set up for her, but she would be the one to arrange for renovations and turn the old mill into something amazing.
