Alina was floored. She really wanted some dirt on the man. She wanted every reason to dislike him. After all, he was taking away her home. And then there was this man who was more than willing to sing the man’s praises.
But that couldn’t be the truth. She’d read some articles online about the Toliver company being ruthless in business. That was the man she needed him to be so they could go to war over the apartment building. So what if the driver had a different view of Toliver. It didn’t mean it was the right view.
The car dropped her off in front of the Diamond Building and she stepped out onto the cleared sidewalk. She lifted her head, trying to see the top of the building. It rose higher and higher until the top floors got lost in the night sky. This man owned all of this? Wow.
Not that she was going to let herself be impressed. He owned all of this because he plowed over people’s hopes, dreams and homes to be the biggest and the best.
The uniformed guard behind the impressive reception desk directed her to an elevator that took her to the top floor. She’d be lying to herself if she said she wasn’t nervous. There wasn’t one thing about this evening that didn’t lead her to believe this man had untold power, from his fancy chauffeured car to his company’s impressive building. But none of that was going to stop her from speaking her mind.
Graham Toliver might have a lot of power and even more money but he needed to be reminded that his actions had consequences. And though she’d much rather be at home watching a romantic comedy on television while eating Chinese takeout on the couch, she would stand here in her rarely worn little black dress and black heels. She would speak her mind. And she hoped he would really hear her.
She could do this. She thought of all the people in the building who were counting on her to save their homes. She had to do this.
The elevator dinged and then the door rolled back to reveal a big white lobby with a crystal chandelier. Whatever this place was, it was meant to impress people. She was impressed. But it wouldn’t deter her from fighting for her home—for her family.
There was only one doorway, so she headed toward it. It was a long hallway that opened into a great room. The walls were black and the floor was white marble. It was quite stunning. And she was starting to suspect that she was in the wrong place.
The room was empty except for one long solitary table. But where was Mr. Toliver?
“You came.”
The male voice had her turning to the left and there stood Graham Toliver. He was wearing the same charcoal suit and blue shirt that he’d been wearing earlier that day. How was it that he still looked as fresh as he had hours ago? If she’d have worn the same thing all day, it would look utterly disheveled.
And yet Mr. Toliver stood before her looking like he’d just stepped off the pages of a glossy fashion magazine. And for a moment, her mind stuttered. In that moment, she forgot he was the enemy. And for the briefest second, she imagined what it might be like to meet the man for a dinner date. Her heart picked up its pace. Oh, yes, he would make some lady very happy. But it wasn’t to be her. Her feet came back down to earth.
“Of course I came,” she said, blinking away her daydream. “We have things to discuss.”
He approached her. His eyes were dark and unreadable. “Yes, we do. Please come this way.”
She wanted to ask him where they were going, but she resisted the urge. She had no doubt it would be his office. His very big, very impressive office where he would try to bulldoze over her with what he needed and what he wanted.
“Come in,” he said.
“What is this?” She glanced around.
“This is a conference room. All of the walls are removable so that the top floor can hold everyone in the office. It’s where we host guest speakers and hold training seminars. But for tonight, I had them shrink the size of the room. I hope it’s adequate.”
“It’s very nice.” She was drawn to the wall of windows.
She gazed out over Manhattan, which at the moment twinkled with all of the city lights. “I don’t know how you get any work done here. I’d be staring out the window all of the time.”
He moved next to her. He was so close that she could reach out and touch him, not that she would, or anything, but her pulse raced just being so close to him. It was though an energy force pulsated off him.
“It’s an amazing view.” His voice was deep and rich, sending waves of awareness throughout her body.
She had to concentrate on anything but how her body responded to him. “Too bad you can’t see the Christmas tree in Times Square.”
“I’m afraid not. I take it you like that sort of thing.”
“You mean getting into the Christmas spirit?” When he nodded, she asked, “Doesn’t everyone enjoy the holidays?”
“No.”
She turned to him and recalled their discussion at the restaurant. “That’s right. You hate Christmas?”
“Hate might be a bit strong, but I could live without it.” He cleared his throat. “However, that’s not what you’re here to discuss.”
She looked at him, taking in his serious expression. She felt bad for him and his complete lack of holiday spirit. She wanted to dislike this man. After all, he was tearing down her home, but there was a part of her that felt sorry for him. What had happened to him that he’d lost his joy of the season? Or was it possible he’d never been excited about Christmas?