Page 4 of The Fake Fiance's Billionaire Adversary
Just as he thought she was going to slam the door in his face, she took a deep breath and said, “Come in.”
As he entered the kitchen, it wasn’t a shock that it was spotless, and he knew she’d cooked for the handful of guests staying there. So far, all the gossip about Reagan had been true, which meant she’d been the cook for years. That didn’t necessarily translate to business savvy. He’d learned long ago that it took more than talent alone to make a company successful.
Hunter’s first year partnering with Stone was filled with mistakes. It was easy to get behind on bills and then realize the funds were barely there to pay them. For that reason alone, he sympathized with Reagan’s situation, but that didn’t change his mind about wanting the place.
His mother would be devastated that he’d be living so far away from Caprock Canyon. Her vision of grandchildren running around wasn’t a secret, but she’d also taught him that independence was a virtue. While she’d understand, he’d be getting plenty of visits, especially when he started having children.
Reagan crossed her arms over her chest as she stood in the middle of the kitchen. “The place still isn’t for sale.”
No beating around the bush with her. “I was hoping we could talk.”
With a large sigh, she dropped her arms to her sides. “Fine. Can I offer you something to drink? Some tea or coffee?” It was as if the small offer had pained her. Had he been that big of a jerk last time?
Well, from her perspective, he suspected he was. “No, thanks. This isn’t a social visit.”
“I know, but Idohave manners.” She motioned to the table and mismatched chairs nestled in the large bay window. “Sit.”
He followed her, but instead of taking a seat, he braced his hands on the back of one of them, and she mirrored him. For a second, he hesitated to park himself because he wasn’t sure he could get back up. Tight deadlines and hard work were taking their toll on him. Finally, he took a seat, thinking that if he were in her shoes and someone of his stature was towering over him, he’d feel intimidated, and that wasn’t how he wanted her to see him.
“I appreciate the offer, but I don’t need anything.” His mother had taught him manners too. “I know the place isn’t officially for sale, but everyone has a price.”
She took in a ragged breath, her shoulders lifting then slumping. “Well, I don’t, and if you keep pestering me, I won’t let you inside anymore.”
Where had that come from? “Pestering you? This is only the second conversation we’ve had about selling the place.”
“It’s two times too many,” she said, catching his gaze and holding it.
The fierce determination in her eyes with the tiny lift of her chin held a challenge. It was brief, but the thought floated through his mind that he wished she’d look at him like she was glad to see him. What would it be like if he was the source of her happiness? Just as quickly as the notion hit, he pushed it away. He dealt in facts, not fantasy. There wasn’t room in his life for a woman, and he certainly didn’t have time to deal with a woman as stubborn as her.
“You could at least listen to the offer. Do you really want to chance losing the property and finding out the new owner wants to level it for a condo project? I can promise you I will not tear it down.”
As she studied him, he wondered what she could be thinking. She had to know her chance of being able to keep it open was slim. Unless she possessed a magic wand, the foreclosure was a sure thing.
Reagan slowly sat across from him. “Why do you want this place so badly?”
Sharing his reasons with a stranger when he hadn’t even mentioned it to his business partner seemed like a bad move. It wasn’t just his life it would affect, and Stone needed to be the first one to know. “Why do you need to know that?”
Shrugging, she said, “Because I’m curious. If I were to sell—and I’m not—I think I have a right to know.” She looked around the kitchen and then back at him. “Wouldn’t you want to know if you were in my shoes?”
“If it were me, I’d figure maybe they have their reasons and don’t want to share them with someone they don’t even know.” For the tiniest second, he wondered if she’d been playing hardball with him because she knew about his money, but he’d been extra careful about hiding his wealth. He wanted to be known for who he was and not what he had.
She cocked her head. “I grew up in this house. If anyone deserves to know what the person is planning, it’s me.”
If she could be unrelenting, so could he. “I could just wait it out.”
“That could take years.”
“Not if the bank forecloses.” Hunter wanted to throttle himself. Why had he said that?
Oh man. With one scathing stare, he knew he’d messed up. In classic Southern-woman fashion, she leaned back, cocked an eyebrow, and pinched her lips together. There wasn’t a man alive that didn’t know what that meant. This woman was about to chew him down one side and then the other. And if he were a kid, after she got done, he’d be picking a switch from a tree.
“Howdo you know about that?” Sheesh, enunciating each word. Good heavens, he was glad she wasn’t a skunk. Otherwise, he’d be taking a late-night dip in tomato juice. “You were eavesdropping?”
Little warnings clanged in his head. He needed to choose his words wisely at this point. “It’s not what you think. The back door was unlocked, and I didn’t think you’d heard me. I stepped in, but as soon as I realized you were on the phone, I stepped back outside.”
“But you heard me mention foreclosure.” There was no way to miss the anger in her tone. If he wasn’t looking to sell off his part of the business, he’d be offering her a job with as formidable as she was. Anyone who underestimated her would regret it.
“I did, and I’m sorry.”
