Page 18 of Worth the Risk

‘So I’m special? I’m pleased to hear it.’

Her lips pursed, then she took the high road. ‘I’m willing to forget that...that happened if you are?’ A faint blush kissed her cheeks.

I bit back a grin, knowing she wouldn’t appreciate it if I said exactly what was on my mind right then. ‘Your generosity is much appreciated, Leonora.’

Her eyes widened a touch at my use of her full name. ‘It’s Leonie.’

‘I prefer Leonora. For all sorts of reasons.’

She opened her mouth, no doubt to berate me again, but then changed her mind. I hid my disappointment and gulped my coffee, hoping the caffeine would shock my brain into full efficiency.

‘Do you have the leasing agreement?’

She gave a brisk nod and plucked it from the folder. I’d read an electronic copy of it on the plane so I signed it and handed it back.

The breath she released was tinged with relief I was a little envious of because I had a feeling the coming weeks weren’t going to be a piece of cake for me.

Damn Vadim and his feet dragging. Damn my blasted family...

‘You were going to give me a list of your guests earlier.’

I paced the window and turned around, again finding her gaze on me. This time she was quicker to neutralise her expression.

‘By order of importance, my client, Vadim Ilyev, four or five of his cronies and various hangers-on. They’ll be aboard from anywhere between a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on how our negotiations go, although I bloody well hope it won’t be that long.’ I ignored her startled glance and continued, ‘At some point, some of my family members may drop by.’ Again she sent me a wary glance, no doubt at my less-than-enthusiastic tone. ‘Florence Mortimer is to be given priority above everyone else if she makes an appearance.’

Leonora paused her furious scribbling. ‘Is that your mother?’

‘In all the ways that count except by birth,’ I replied.

She stared. Attempted to read between the lines. Then she went back to making her notes. ‘And you? Will you be entertaining any special guests?’

‘Is that your way of asking me if I’m bringing my lover aboard?’

She shrugged, her gaze fixed on her notes. ‘I’m simply gathering as much information as possible.’

‘Leonora...’ I waited till she looked my way. ‘It wounds me that you consider me a man who entertains a beautiful woman in his bathroom when he’s involved with someone else.’

Her gaze didn’t waver. ‘Technically, I invited myself,’ she rebutted firmly.

That brazen way of stating the unvarnished truth impressed the hell out of me. Penny had been economical and manipulative with the truth, right up until her ultimate, unforgivable betrayal.

‘But I also think you’re the kind of man who enjoys getting under people’s skin.’

My grin came away a little stiff. ‘Do you think I’m spoilt, Leonora?’

‘I think you’re impatient and opinionated and domineering and a little entitled. But not spoilt.’

‘Why not?’

A triumphant smile played around her luscious lips. ‘I know how spoilt, rich people behave. For starters, they don’t write letters of recommendation for doormen. It’s clear that you can be generous and accommodating when you want to be.’

Bloody hell, she was fucking adorable. And sexy and intelligent in a way that pressed all the buttons that had grown a little rusty in my bid to use superficial pleasure to dull my pain.

Ignoring the resurgent twitch in my groin, I strolled over to perch on the arm of the sofa. She angled her head towards me, her delicate jaw tilted in open defiance that turned me on even more.

‘And do you want to know why, Leonora, you in particular—with your charming little suit, your prissily knotted hair and your ballpoint pen—have brought out the worst in me this morning?’ I demanded softly, finally giving in to the urge to stroke my finger down her jaw.

She sucked in a sharp breath through slightly parted lips. Her eyes widened but she didn’t move away. She stayed exactly where she was, taunting me with her warm, silky skin. Taunting me with what I couldn’t have.

---