Read Online Required to Wear the Tycoon's Ring by Maggie Cox - Free Book Online Page A

‘Would you like some coffee?’
    â€˜Are you saying that you’ll agree to talk?’
    She should say no, she told herself. If she did, then that would probably be the end of it. But, as though swept away by an unexpected tide she didn’t have a hope of fighting, she found herself agreeing. ‘I don’t suppose it can do any harm...’
    â€˜It won’t. I’m hoping that what I’m about to discuss might be of benefit to us both. And yes, I think I will have that coffee.’
    * * *
    Waiting for Imogen to return from making their drinks seemed interminable. As Seth sat on the sofa, resting his elbows against his thighs, he attested to having a serious amount of butterflies in his stomach. It wasn’t something that happened to him very often— if at all. But the step he was considering taking was momentous. It would change the way he lived his life completely if it came to fruition.
    Yet he had two very good reasons for contemplating it. The first was his friend’s suggestion. It would open many doors for him. And the second was more personally fortuitous. He wanted to live his life differently. And the basis of that desire was the need to share his life with someone—to have a proper connection with another human being that would ensure he didn’t grow old and embittered because of the heart-rending loss he’d endured in his early life.
    â€˜Here we are.’
    Carrying a round wooden tray with their drinks on, Imogen briefly stooped down to the coffee table to arrange the crockery. As she did so the recalcitrant neckline that was proving near impossible to keep in its position glided provocatively down over her shoulder. Not only did Seth get an even closer glimpse of her translucent bare skin, he also caught sight of her arresting cleavage encased in an ebony lace bra.
    The sight couldn’t help but stir his blood. Loosening his tie a little, he watched her hastily straighten up and knew that she’d caught him studying her... How refreshing to find a woman who blushed so naturally, who didn’t use it as an artifice to come on to him, he thought.
    â€˜Thanks.’ He smiled.
    â€˜I made some chocolate cookies earlier. Would you like to try one?’
    Before he could reply, Imogen had disappeared into the kitchen again. Seth likened her to a mini whirlwind and the observation made him smile.
    When she sat down again a delicious waft of engagingly sweet perfume briefly enveloped him and made his insides clench. She pushed a small plate of mouthwatering biscuits towards him and, already caught in the spell of her femininity, he couldn’t resist sampling one.
    The sublime taste that filled his mouth immediately elicited his appreciation. ‘Mmm. These are terrific. You didn’t tell me what a witch you were at baking. Got any other temptations I should know about?’
    Raising her cup of coffee, Imogen temporarily shielded her expression from his glance. Intuiting that his last comment had rattled her, Seth could hardly believe the woman could be so innocent. Most women would have taken it as an invitation to at the very least flirt a little...
    â€˜I don’t bake to try to tempt people. I do it because I enjoy it. If you want to take a couple with you, go ahead.’
    â€˜Maybe I will.’ His candid gaze leisurely roamed her face. What man wouldn’t enjoy staring into those big brown eyes? ‘Are you ready to have that talk now?’
    â€˜I suppose so. What’s on your mind?’
    â€˜Well...’
    Holding the hot mug of coffee firmly between his hands, he took his time thinking how best to phrase his proposition. He had no idea how Imogen would receive the suggestion. She might immediately tell him to leave for all he knew, but he hoped she wouldn’t...
    â€˜I’ve been reflecting on our situations. It came to me that we’ve both been badly hurt in the past, and understandably neither of us wants