“Shit,” Scott swore under his breath and his face tightened even more. Anxiety was zapping through her too. This was the only building that was situated in that urban renewal neighborhood. It was almost out of her range. Sounded like it was outof Scott’s too.
The price rose again and disappointment flooded her. She couldn’t go any higher. Not without some other funding. Where was Scott getting his money? His construction company did well, but she knew he wasn’t pulling in millions. Too bad they couldn’t pool their money.
Pool their money?What the hell. No, that would be crazy. He purposefully egged her on. Taunted her every chance he had. She’d strangle him before they got any of the renovations done. As he shifted, she got a whiff of that manly scent he always exuded. When did the smell of sawdust become an aphrodisiac?Maybe when you let the man go down on you and he sent you into the stratosphere?She had to stop her mind from going back there.
His shoulders rose then fell and he clenched his jaw. Was he getting ready to leave? Give up? There had to be a way for them to get this building. She must be crazy to consider working with him.
Theyhadmanaged to get along the last few years when they’d been helping Callie and Jack. But the excuse for them to be together was married, living in suburbia. Could they work with each other now? It would be business, plain and simple.
The price went up and the auctioneer started toward the final countdown. Damn, and double damn. She needed this building, this project. When Scott made to stand, she grabbed his arm pushinghim back down.
“What if we went in together? We pool our money and outbid the others?”
His eyebrows went up and he scowled. “You and Iwork together?”
“We did it for two years. We can do it if we really want this.”
“I do want this, but a whole building of offices and stores won’t make us as much profit.”
If they rented them, in the long run they might. She needed the stores there. It was part of her plan.
“Going once.” The voice of the auctioneer rang out like a death knell in her head.
Compromise. You’ll both lose if you don’t.“Stores on the ground floor, offices on the second. Condos on the third andfourth. Deal?”
Scott paused and Heather wanted to slug him. Now wasn’t the time to debate. Opening her file, she showed him her bottom line.
“Going twice.”
His eyes flicked back and forth between her andthe auctioneer.
She shook his arm. “We can do this. It’s the only way we both getwhat we want.”
Throwing his left arm over her shoulder, he raised his right and called out a price above what the others had bid. The auctioneer looked at the men who had been bidding and they both shook their heads.
“Sold to Holland Construction. Please see the clerk outside for details.”
“We did it!” Her excitement bubbled over and she jumped up, pulling him along behind her toexit the room.
Her heart raced as she thought about the project. Once they were in the hallway Scott turned and she slipped right into his arms. He’d donethis with her.
Leaning into him she pressed her lips to his. He stiffened for a second then his hands slid up her back. Pulled close to his chest, she could feel his heart beating. Fast like hers. The kiss deepened and the memories of touching him this way surfaced and swarmed over her like cicadas.Too intense.
Easing away, she looked up. His eyes devoured her like the night they’d had sex.Shit.Had she just made the biggest mistake of her life?
