The bear handed her a glass of the ruby liquid, and she took it, trying not to touch him because that would be awkward.This close, she could smell his bear and the spicy sweetness underlying the animal.She found it strangely unsettling because sitting here at the table with him felt too personal.Her awareness of him had grown, and she noticed little things like his easy way with Angus.She recalled his enthusiasm for honey and the animated discussion of marketing and the process.He loved his business, and his passion for honey was a driving force in his success.
Each layer of this man intrigued her, and she yearned to learn more, to learn everything.
“I don’t even know your name,” she said.
His gaze lifted to hers, and his lips curled in a charming and wry smile.“I thought you must know, given my initial suspicion was that you were a spy.You truly don’t know my name?”
“No.”She stared at him, her heart beating immeasurably faster.
“Niall Sinclair.”
“I’m sorry to have caused so much trouble for you, Niall.”Sincerity came through in her voice, and she meant every word.“Thank you for sharing your dinner with me.”
His expression was nonplussed for a fleeting second.He cut a corner off a slice of roast beef and popped it in his mouth.She tried not to notice his capable hands and smooth throat as he swallowed and set down his knife and fork.
“This honey project is significant for me.It is an amazing product and a breakthrough in sports training.I can’t afford to let any information slip that might alert the competition.Once my honey hits the shelves, that will be different, but now I need to control every step of production, including who receives information.”
“But I understood the gravity of signing a non-disclosure document, and I certainly can’t afford for you to sue me.I’m a student.I put my signature on your paperwork with every intention of keeping my mouth shut.That still applies.”She met his gaze and held it.“I am not a dishonest person.”
Niall kept his attention on her, his expression serious, and damn if she didn’t find that appealing too.
“I called Saber Mitchell and spoke to him.”
Suzie straightened abruptly.“You did?”
“Is that a problem?”
“No.”She bit her lip.“What did he say?”Did he tell Niall about the mischief she and Edwina had gotten into during their teens?How they’d been in trouble with the police because of their behavior?
“He vouched for your honesty and said you’re trustworthy.He also told me you’re curious, and your explanation was probably exactly what had happened.”
“You believe me now?”
“I haven’t decided.”Niall started eating again, and Suzie followed suit.“I have a proposal,” he said after the silence had continued for several minutes.
“Yes?”
“I need a personal assistant.My last one left to have a baby and doesn’t wish to return.I understand her priorities, but it means I require a replacement.A trustworthy one.”
“But I’m returning to New Zealand soon.I’m a student, and my university course starts in two weeks.”
He cocked his head, interest flitting across his face.“What do you intend to study?”
“My best friend and I applied to study music at the university in Wellington.We both received scholarships.”She hesitated before deciding the truth about her family’s lack of support would work best.Honesty in all things with this bear.“Neither of our families approve of us studying music, which means we have saved to support ourselves.I’ll have to get a part-time job once my course starts to pay for the expenses the scholarship doesn’t cover.I have secretarial skills because our families insisted we have a qualification behind us.My parents hoped we’d give up our pursuit of frivolous music, but now that we’ve done what they wanted, they’ve run out of ways to stop us.”Her thoughts drifted to Edwina.She badly wanted to learn what was happening with her friend.“My friend discovered her mate here at the gathering, so it will be me going to university alone.”
“I’m afraid you won’t be going either.”
“What?”The word escaped and hit screech territory.Her hands clenched her cutlery, and for a second, she was tempted to stab him.
“I want you to stay and work for me until my honey goes to market.You already know a little, and using you as my assistant makes sense instead of hiring a new one or trying to find a temp.”
“No.No, I won’t do it,” Suzie said, the charity she’d been feeling toward Niall detonating in a fiery blaze of anger.
“I’m afraid I must insist.”
An implacable tone if ever she heard one.“But your honey isn’t hitting the market for another six months.That was in your notes.You said you wanted to do further tests on the health benefits and structure your marketing before you go public.I start university intwoweeks.I’ve worked so hard to get there and jumped over numerous hurdles.Please, don’t do this.Don’t tear my dreams away from me.”
4
