Read Online Merger By Matrimony by Cathy Williams - Free Book Online

feelings. ‘I’m spending a week there going through things with the directors and Derek; then I’m going to talk to the accountant and try and get an honest opinion of whether the company’s salvageable or not.’
    â€˜It’s not, without a huge injection of capital—which you haven’t got. You don’t have to talk to your accountant for that information. You can just talk to me.’
    â€˜I hope to have come to some kind of decision once I’ve done that,’ she carried on, ignoring his interruption. She reached out to open the front door and he grasped her wrist. Her eyes, he noticed, were still pink, even though her voice was steady. She had lost control and hesensed that she had surprised herself. Surprised herself because she was not a woman who frequently lost control or resorted to any feminine wiles such as the random shedding of tears to stir the heartstrings. For a minute she’d allowed him into her world, and he could taste his own desire to find out more like a drug coursing through his veins.
    Her wrist caught between his fingers felt hot and his breathing was sluggish.
    â€˜Would you mind letting me go?’ Her green eyes were polite and cautious, and for a second he wondered how she would react if he told her that he really would mind.
    â€˜Why don’t we meet over dinner to discuss details of…the company?’ he said. He edged towards the door, opened it slightly and nodded to his driver. ‘Hate getting you out here at this ungodly hour but it won’t do a thing, George. Completely useless piece of machinery. Give it a go, would you?’ His hand was still gripping hers.
    â€˜There’s nothing to discuss until—’
    â€˜I want to show you some of the plans I have for the company, should you sell.’
    â€˜Could you let me go, please?’
    He obediently dropped her hand but remained strategically placed in front of the door, which he had quietly shut back.
    â€˜Dinner tomorrow night. I’ll pick you up around seven thirty.’
    â€˜I have no intent—’
    â€˜It’s really a good idea to get all your facts in place before you make any kind of decision.’
    â€˜Derek—’
    â€˜â€”has no say whatsoever in your decision. He might want to puff himself out and hold your hand but there’sno need for you to stroke his ego by going along for the ride…’
    â€˜I’m doing no such thing!’
    â€˜No? Sure? No girlish, helpless giggles while he pontificates and throws his weight around?’
    â€˜I am not a helpless, giggling girl, ’ Destiny informed him hotly.
    â€˜Then why are you so afraid of meeting me without him around as a chaperon?’
    â€˜I am not afraid of meeting you, ’ she said through gritted teeth.
    â€˜Good. Then tomorrow at seven thirty.’
    â€˜And what would Stephanie say to that?’
    â€˜I’m proposing a meeting to discuss business,’ Callum interjected smoothly, gratified to see a tell-tale flush spread across her face. He savoured it for a few seconds, then continued, ‘I’m sure she wouldn’t have any objections.’
    â€˜My wardrobe is a bit scant,’ Destiny objected weakly. Had she just been bulldozed into something? It certainly felt like it although, when she recapped their conversation, she couldn’t pinpoint why.
    â€˜You’re going shopping tomorrow, though.’
    â€˜Oh, so I am. And how do you know that, anyway?’
    â€˜You mentioned it to Stephanie over dinner.’
    For someone who had not seemed highly riveted at the time, the man had a keen listening ear, she thought.
    â€˜You should take her along with you. I know she’d be thrilled. There’s very little Steph appreciates more than several hours spent tramping in and out of stores and spending money like water.’
    â€˜In which case, I’d better not.’ An involuntary smile flitted across