Read Online Combustion by Elia Winters - Free Book Online

been two months ago when the IFCT first green-lighted the whole endeavor. Which was worse, to associate himself with Astrid’s products, or to be branded a failure for the entire town?
    Looking her up and down again, he considered. Yes, these devices were risqué, but she insisted they were legal. Perhaps he could lend a bit of respectability through his endorsement. After all, his family had been business owners in London since before the Revolution, and the name of Rutledge was only associated with quality products. Plus, she was tenacious, fiery in a way he had always lacked. Her passion made him painfully aware of his own predictability. The partnership could be good for both of them.
    â€œAll right, I’ll partner up with you.”
    Astrid raised an eyebrow. “So you’re assuming I’m going for this?”
    He blinked. All that debating, and she might say no? “Why wouldn’t you? I’m a pillar of this community. You’re lucky to get my endorsement.” He may be predictable, but he was the kind of predictable that was the backbone of the London Business Council.
    Astrid put both hands on her hips, her mouth open in incredulity. “Good thing you haven’t gotten a swelled head. God, you’re so full of yourself. Why should I want to share credit with you when I’m the one doing all the work here? And I get, what? Your name?”
    â€œYou get a workshop and supplies, and you also get an entry into the World’s Fair. Which—let’s face it—you’re not going to get without me.” He folded his arms.
    For a long moment, she stared at him across the space between them, considering. Then her body seemed to sag. “Fine. But I don’t much like it.”
    â€œWell, I don’t much like it either, but it’s probably the best we’re going to get.” Eli looked at her handbag on the mantel, the place into which she’d dropped the massager. “So I’m assuming your invention has something to do with those naughty toys, then?”
    â€œIt does.”
    â€œAre you going to tell me what it is now?” She’d piqued his curiosity, and now he wanted to know the depths of this enterprise. How many devices like this could there be?
    Biting her lip, she shook her head. “Not yet. You’re not seeing my collection until I have your name on that paperwork. When are you free?”
    â€œWhat’s today, Tuesday? I’m free tomorrow. I have a shopgirl who runs the business on Wednesdays and Thursdays.”
    She nodded. “Tomorrow morning, then. Meet me downtown at the bank building at nine, right when they open, to submit paperwork. Once everything is official, then I’ll take you back to my flat. We’ll have civilized toast and tea, and I’ll give you a tour of my workshop.”
    â€œAnd then we’ll be business partners?”
    She hesitated. Was she still so uncomfortable with him? “Yes, then we’ll be partners. Good night, Eli.”
    As she pulled open the door, he called after her. “Wait.”
    Her hand on the doorknob, she turned back; he was already hurrying toward her. “It’s late. You shouldn’t be out alone. I’ll call you a hansom.”
    He stepped out onto the street and flagged down a passing cab out of the fog. After slipping the driver a generous fare, he helped Astrid into the cab, his hand lingering on hers. “I’ll see you in the morning, Astrid.”
    She smiled. “I look forward to it.”

Chapter Eleven
    As Astrid waited outside the bank building for Eli, she was torn between a desire for him to hurry up and arrive, and an equally strong desire for him not to show at all. She was in over her head already; his behavior was unpredictable. He unsettled her. When she first pulled that little vibe out of her purse, the “sample” she would show to prospective clients, her intent had been to see if he frightened