‘No problem.’ Her PA looks at me, hesitant. ‘Can I get you one too, Mr Waring?’
I force my attention off Eva’s elegant curves as she strides away—she’s so damn sexy when she’s pissed off. ‘Black, no sugar. Thank you,’ I say, and follow her in.
Her office is contemporary. A geometric pattern adorns the grey walls, but there are splashes of colour everywhere. Splashes of her. It has a bright couch with co-ordinating chairs, and a glass coffee table adorned with industry magazines. Her desk is large, a mixture of modern glass and old twisted oak. Interesting, fascinating...just as its owner.
I close the door behind me and wait for her to offer me a seat. Actually, I’m waiting for the eruption that I sense is coming.
She’s standing at the room’s only window, looking out. From here, I can’t make out what she sees, but I’m guessing it’s the park across the road. Her building is in a residential area of the city—it’s pleasant. Especially on a day like today, when the sun is out, not a cloud in sight.
Her shoulders lift as she takes a long, drawn-out breath. ‘It’s a shame you didn’t have the decency to let me know about your little arrangement with Houston.’
Her voice is brittle. As if I’ve done something to offend her. As if it’s me who kicked her out and not the other way around. My teeth grind.
Control, Lucas. Today is about business.
Except it’s not.
If it was purely work I would have left it until next week to prove my company’s worth. Instead I’m here now, t
rying to push past Friday night.
‘An oversight—my apologies.’
My tone is careful, restrained, and she turns to me.
If looks could kill...
‘I like to feel prepared for my meetings, don’t you?’ she asks.
She has a point. ‘Of course.’
She walks to her desk and wakes up her computer. ‘Then you’ll understand my request to rearrange.’
I laugh before I can stop it and her eyes flash to me.
‘Something funny?’
‘Look, I’m here with the perfect deal, tailored to your product—there’s nothing you need to prepare. Unless...’
I look at her—really look at her. The quick undulation of her chest is giving away her rapid breath, and there’s a persistent flush to her skin. I had it tagged as annoyance, but now I’m not so sure.
I close the distance between us and she backs up, her eyes widening. ‘What is it, Evangeline? Did you want more time in the hope that whatever this is between us would go away?’
She scoffs and looks back to her screen. ‘So bloody full of yourself, aren’t you?’
I raise my hands in defence. ‘You’re the one acting all angry. A simple switch in meetings shouldn’t warrant this. Although, let’s be honest, it’s me who got the brutal rejection—a naked one at—’
‘Stop it, Lucas.’
‘What? Reminding you of the truth? Of what we were about to do before that—’
‘Look, you want to talk business? Fine. Let’s do that.’
She drops into a seat and gestures for me to do the same. She won’t look at me, though, and I’m itching to push my luck, to walk around her desk and lift her chin, force her to accept it’s still there, riding strong.
‘But stick to business, Lucas, or you’re out.’
I move to the seat she’s offered me and stand before it. ‘Just tell me one thing...’ I shouldn’t ask, and part of me doesn’t want to know, but... ‘What changed?’