Page 31 of Sweet Siren
She marched over and perched on the edge of one chair. Hands in her lap, she willed herself to stone. "I've read thecontract."
He looked her over, his perusal tingling her flesh as his gaze passed her lips, her breasts, her hands and lingered over each again as he returned to dwell on her eyes. "I assume because you are here and you know it is I who hires you, you have signedit."
"Ihave."
He relaxed backward in his chair. "Tell me what youwant."
"I need you to know I dislike the means by which you had me sign. Your anonymity wasunprincipled."
He had the integrity to look guilty. "Given the numerous times you've rebuffed me, I imagined few other means to influence you to work forme."
"I accept your praise, your wish to have me work with you on your houses, but I don't approve ofskullduggery."
"I don't approve of mine, either. You have a stellar reputation, madam. I would not hire you because you refuse mycompany."
She stared athim.
"Nor would I hire you to induce you to share mycompany."
His frankness insulted her as much as it soothed her. "Thankyou."
"You'rewelcome."
"But I won't be manipulated on anything else." She had to demand that ofhim.
"Such as?" His face grew stern, the lines of his jaw firm, his eyes steel. This was the robber baron. This was the blockade runner. The brutal negotiator, infamous.Ruthless.
"I use the best materials. I demand excellence from plasterers and plumbers, the stone cutters and even the painters. Once you see the selections I've offered you and you have chosen and approved, you will notmeddle."
He pursed his lips, examining her minutely. "I believe in allowing the experts to do their work as they seefit."
She'd advised on many a house design outside and in. Yet no one had ever termed her an expert. The word complimented. It also implied excellence. "It is what Idemand."
"I'm honored that you would still come to require it of me," he said with less ferocity in hismanner.
She hooted in laughter. His change of tone could drive her to climb the wall. "You shouldn'tbe."
"Still...you have the look of a woman who has stepped into the lion'sden."
She snorted. "If I were in my right mind, I wouldn't behere."
"But you are," he said with delight in his voice. "Tell mewhy."
She sucked inair.
Humor twitched about his mouth. "If you come here to berate me for manipulating you, the least I can expect in return is yourhonesty."
That I rejoice at the chance to be near you. That I will not want more. That I want minutes in which I can dream of your lips on mine and wish—She shook herself. "I want this contract. The work is exciting. All the latest home improvements. I want to be a part ofthat."
Pride gleamed in his marvelous silver gaze. "I'mglad."
"But there ismore."
"Continuethen."
"The twenty-four townhouses were originally planned in the eighteen-thirties. While the foundation remained dormant and the plot of land undeveloped, the houses erected around it are fronted of gault brick. The look is very antiquated. The town council constantly criticizes them for their staid appearance. So I wish to recommend a livelier style of red brick and half timberedgables."
"If Roger agrees with you, so doI."
