Page 32 of Sweet Siren
She cocked herhead.
"You thought I'd argue with you?" His luscious mouth spread withamusement.
"Idid."
He lifted a shoulder. "Anythingelse?"
"Yes." She rushed to her next consideration before she was disarmed by his agreeable nature. "The foundations are solid cement blocks and cannot be re-arranged without greatexpense."
"True. Did you want to make each housebigger?"
"No. But gas and plumbing specifications have changed and much improved in the past fifty years. I want your assurances that you will permit Roger and his staff to design thenewest."
He nodded. "Electrical equipment, as well,yes."
"And that you will hire a local Sussex builder whom herecommends."
"I will not stand on my prerogative. I want the best. That's why I've hired Roger and you." He lifted those long dark impressive brows. "How else to gain top price for thesale?"
"Precisely." He would think that, wouldn't he? He was Black-hearted Killian, wasn't he? Her father had been right. So right to name him that. "If I am to work on both projects simultaneously, I must live in Brighton. But also I must travel to suppliers in London andParis."
"You're right. I hadn't thought oftravel."
She stuck out her chin. "I must have a living expense in addition to myfee."
"I agree. What would you considerappropriate?"
"One hundred pounds amonth."
"One-twenty."
She bristled. He could not buy her. "I don't need that. One hundred willdo."
"Then I shall add the twenty per month to Camille's school fees. Let the headmistress deduct it from hertuition."
She could not argue with that. More fool she, she welcomed it. "You make this very difficult forme."
"I hope to make it all very easy for you," herejoined.
"Killian..." Oh, she was mistaken to call him by his givenname.
He beamed at her. That familiarity broke innumerable barriers and allowed for too much intimacy to flow betweenthem.
"I want this work, Killian. Both the townhouses and the separatehome."
"Good. I thought you might find the challengeattractive."
"The house on the cliff is to be yours, isn't it?" she asked, unable to ban the wistfulness from hervoice.
He nodded. "I've looked for a setting that spoke to me. This does. Like you, I find the sight and sound of water soothes my soul. You are the best person to create the right tonethere."
"You must consult with me," she said because she wanted his perspective, his preferences to form the core of her work for him. She was doing exactly what she'd do for any other client. Even as she realized it would put her in close contact with him on far too many occasions. "You will have to tell me what you like. What pleases you. Not only colors, fabrics but furniture that excites you or soothesyou."
"I will. But I must say, on much, I will only state what I like and leave the implementation to you. There is one aspect of the private plot that I must have exactly as I envision it. I enjoy the stone windows to the sea. I will not have themchanged."
She met his stirring silver gaze and thrilled to his reference. "The old monastery arches? Oh, I agree. No changes to them. They are incomparable, aren'tthey?"
"So you've seen them and rememberthem?"
