Page 28 of Not the Plan

“I don’t think you would either, Karim.”

Okay. This is bad. I’m sitting here flirting with this man, and we are supposed to be enemies. Get it together, Isadora. A gorgeous man isn’t any reason to lose your head.She cleared her throat.

“You mentioned something in our last meeting,” she said. “When we were getting to know each other.”

“Yes?”

“I believe we share the goal of using politics to help people. But our bosses’ goals usually originate from different perspectives. So, I think you understand we have a little problem here.” She crossed her palms at the edge of the table and leaned forward.

“I do.”

“I don’t see how I can go to Daniel with these…suggestions.”

“I’m not surprised.” He met her gaze. “Would you do me a favor?”

“Maybe, what is it?”

“Do you think Daniel might be willing to negotiate on points five, eight, and fourteen?”

She reviewed her copy of the list. They were bulleted, not numbered.

“Here,” he said, reaching for her page. “I’ll show you.”

She turned it so he could read as he scooted his chair closer to hers.

“Point five,” he underlined it. “About the contractors eligible for the work. Point eight refers to private funding. And point fourteen concerns the environmental impact assessments.”

Isadora studied each point. A touch of the lace along the edge of her bra was visible, so she took her time.

“And Julian won’t push hard for point sixteen?” She caught his gaze flash back up to her face when she looked up.

“Julian is going to push hard for all eighteen. But, faced with the prospect of Daniel refusing these changes or scrapping the entire project, I think I can convince him to be more reasonable.”

She leaned back into her seat. “You’re that sure I’d advise Daniel to scrap the entire project?”

Karim leaned back as well.

“You’re brilliant and skilled at what you do, Isadora, but not impossible to read.” His voice was soft, a deep, masculine rumble. “And nothing on this list is in Daniel’s interest. You and I both know that. Julian does too—he just doesn’t care.”

She was speechless for a moment. That was a lot of information at once. And his tone sent a wave of heat through her that made her breath catch.

“Well.” She cleared her throat. “Thank you. And thank you for understanding our position.”

“I’d like to understandeverythingabout you, Isadora,” he said, his voice warmer. The phone rang in the outer office. “If you’ll excuse me, I’d better get that.”

She needed a deep breath to get herself under control.

It’s time to get out of here.

Then he was back.

“I’m sorry, I’m afraid this call is going to take a while. Could you speak with Daniel and get back to us?”

“Certainly,” she said, gathering her things. She was about to step into the hallway when he called out to her.

“Are you headed back to the district this weekend?”

“No,” she said. “I’m staying here.”

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