Read Online Deceive Her With Desire by Nina Pierce - Free Book Online
Authors: Nina Pierce
Tags: Family & Relationships, Literature & Fiction, Short Stories, Contemporary Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies, Parenting & Relationships, Single Authors
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said, we’re both businessmen, Jameson. I’ve done my research as well. Rob assured me we had the right guy to fit our needs.”
Rob shrunk in his chair at Jameson’s withering look.
Ayden didn’t have time to spin his wheels and needed Jameson to step up to the plate if he was their guy. If not, the DEA had to move on. “But if our information is wrong and you can’t help with our product supply and distribution problems…” Standing, Ayden kept his gaze steady on the man holding all the cards, gauging his reaction. “Well, then, Mr. Jameson, we won’t take any more of your time.”
Jameson laughed. “ Touché , Schaeffer. Nice volley. Sit. Let’s talk. I have a feeling we’ll make great business partners.”
The knot in Ayden’s stomach released its grip. He’d cleared the first hurdle.
* * * *
Deirdre’s frustration mounted as she maneuvered her hands around the engine. She’d be damned if she’d let the ancient piece of equipment win this battle. “Hand me the three-quarter-inch ratchet.” She held her hand out to Mark. Like a precision surgical team, they were working on the motor of the wood chipper that had coughed its last billow of smoke and died.
She’d tinkered with the motor in the driveway until she realized it would take more than a swift kick to the drive train to get it started again. Deirdre had finally relented, sending Rachel and the students to work on the gardens and backed the rusty old piece of crap into Jameson’s huge garage. Of course, she had to move out of the way for the two vehicles squealing their way off the property. Stupid, rich idiots always thought they had the right of way.
She’d stared at the Jag still parked in the dooryard, attempting not to think about Austin or why he was here. But truthfully, thoughts of him were the only thing churning her brain and making it hard for her to concentrate on the task at hand.
“Deirdre, I thought I saw you come in here.”
The sound of Shawn’s voice echoing through the stillness startled her. She jumped, coming up hard on the flange of the chipper.
“Shit.” She had the grace to blush as she turned and saw Austin standing next to Shawn. His presence was like a swift kick to her gut, which was stupid since she was the one who had walked out on him two nights ago. “Shawn. Hope you don’t mind. You said we could store our equipment in the garage.” Her words came out in a staccato burst of noise. “We have a small maintenance issue with the wood chipper, and I needed to park it in here to fix it.”
Both men’s gazes slid down the length of her body, blazing a hot trail. Their eyes settled momentarily on her heaving chest before lifting back to her face. She felt very exposed. How stupid of her not to throw her T-shirt back on over the damp tank top. But then modesty hadn’t been foremost on her mind as she’d stuck her head in the infernal engine.
“Not a problem. You all right?” Stepping forward, Shawn’s fingers replaced hers, rubbing through her hair. “Oh, you already have a lump. Let me get you some ice.”
She moved away from him. He’d actually found the spot where she’d hit her head on Saturday. “No, I’m fine. Happens all the time.” Her gaze skittered to Austin, then back at Shawn.
“Oh, forgive me. Austin Schaeffer, my business associate, meet Deirdre Tilling, landscaper extraordinaire and…” He stretched his hand out to Mark.
“Mark Pearson,” she said, heat filling her cheeks again. She’d forgotten Mark was even there. “Mark Pearson is the coordinator for the Kids at Risk curriculum at Delmont High School. The three young men you’ve seen working with us today are in his program.”
She had never known Mark to be intimidated by anyone, but he stepped forward with an awkward hesitancy and a tremulous smile as they all shook hands.
“I just walked with Austin down the length of the driveway. The trees are really shaping up. I didn’t realize how badly they needed
Rob shrunk in his chair at Jameson’s withering look.
Ayden didn’t have time to spin his wheels and needed Jameson to step up to the plate if he was their guy. If not, the DEA had to move on. “But if our information is wrong and you can’t help with our product supply and distribution problems…” Standing, Ayden kept his gaze steady on the man holding all the cards, gauging his reaction. “Well, then, Mr. Jameson, we won’t take any more of your time.”
Jameson laughed. “ Touché , Schaeffer. Nice volley. Sit. Let’s talk. I have a feeling we’ll make great business partners.”
The knot in Ayden’s stomach released its grip. He’d cleared the first hurdle.
* * * *
Deirdre’s frustration mounted as she maneuvered her hands around the engine. She’d be damned if she’d let the ancient piece of equipment win this battle. “Hand me the three-quarter-inch ratchet.” She held her hand out to Mark. Like a precision surgical team, they were working on the motor of the wood chipper that had coughed its last billow of smoke and died.
She’d tinkered with the motor in the driveway until she realized it would take more than a swift kick to the drive train to get it started again. Deirdre had finally relented, sending Rachel and the students to work on the gardens and backed the rusty old piece of crap into Jameson’s huge garage. Of course, she had to move out of the way for the two vehicles squealing their way off the property. Stupid, rich idiots always thought they had the right of way.
She’d stared at the Jag still parked in the dooryard, attempting not to think about Austin or why he was here. But truthfully, thoughts of him were the only thing churning her brain and making it hard for her to concentrate on the task at hand.
“Deirdre, I thought I saw you come in here.”
The sound of Shawn’s voice echoing through the stillness startled her. She jumped, coming up hard on the flange of the chipper.
“Shit.” She had the grace to blush as she turned and saw Austin standing next to Shawn. His presence was like a swift kick to her gut, which was stupid since she was the one who had walked out on him two nights ago. “Shawn. Hope you don’t mind. You said we could store our equipment in the garage.” Her words came out in a staccato burst of noise. “We have a small maintenance issue with the wood chipper, and I needed to park it in here to fix it.”
Both men’s gazes slid down the length of her body, blazing a hot trail. Their eyes settled momentarily on her heaving chest before lifting back to her face. She felt very exposed. How stupid of her not to throw her T-shirt back on over the damp tank top. But then modesty hadn’t been foremost on her mind as she’d stuck her head in the infernal engine.
“Not a problem. You all right?” Stepping forward, Shawn’s fingers replaced hers, rubbing through her hair. “Oh, you already have a lump. Let me get you some ice.”
She moved away from him. He’d actually found the spot where she’d hit her head on Saturday. “No, I’m fine. Happens all the time.” Her gaze skittered to Austin, then back at Shawn.
“Oh, forgive me. Austin Schaeffer, my business associate, meet Deirdre Tilling, landscaper extraordinaire and…” He stretched his hand out to Mark.
“Mark Pearson,” she said, heat filling her cheeks again. She’d forgotten Mark was even there. “Mark Pearson is the coordinator for the Kids at Risk curriculum at Delmont High School. The three young men you’ve seen working with us today are in his program.”
She had never known Mark to be intimidated by anyone, but he stepped forward with an awkward hesitancy and a tremulous smile as they all shook hands.
“I just walked with Austin down the length of the driveway. The trees are really shaping up. I didn’t realize how badly they needed
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