silkily.
Her nipples hardened. She licked her lips, murmuring softly, “I hope you will, Mr. Wolf.” And, oh, how she meant it.
“That said,” she continued after a moment, “in the spirit of full disclosure, I did have another reason for showing up at the university that night.”
“Ahh, yes. Of course.” Straightening from the desk, Marcus tucked his hands into his pockets and wandered over to the window. “The Fannie Yorkin Institute.”
“Yes.” Samara drew a deep breath. “As you probably know, we’ve experienced some financial setbacks over the last few years, and now we’re facing the possibility of bankruptcy.”
“That’s too bad,” Marcus said quietly. “You’ve done a lot of positive work in the community.”
“Yes, we have. But if we don’t receive some funding very soon, we’ll be forced to close shop.” She paused. “I went to Georgetown to talk to you about donating to the organization. But after the way I treated you in New York, I knew there was no way I could come right out and ask for your help.”
He glanced over his shoulder at her. “So you decided to seduce me instead.”
Samara hesitated, searching his face for any signs of anger or hostility. But his expression was unreadable. She said meekly, “Let’s just say I thought it best to soften you up a little before I petitioned you for money.” When he turned back to the window without a word, she hastened to add, “If you’d prefer, I can call and schedule an appointment with your secretary. And then I could come to your office and give a presentation for you and your senior associates—”
Marcus shook his head. “They’ve gone back to Atlanta to tie up some loose ends at headquarters and won’t return until the end of next week, when we officially open for business. I’m still trying to get the office organized, so it’s not really ideal for visitors yet.” He turned slowly, his dark gaze roaming across her face with an intensity that made her breath quicken. “Have dinner with me tonight.”
“Dinner?” she echoed.
“Yes, dinner.” Wry humor lifted the corners of his mouth. “I know we’ve already tried that once before, but this time we’ll call it a business meeting. You can bring as many materials as you need and give your presentation. You’ll have my undivided attention.”
Samara smiled, hope blooming in her chest for the first time in weeks. “All right, Marcus. That sounds like a plan.”
He glanced at his Rolex watch. “I have a meeting with the city council this afternoon. I can pick you up afterward, say around sixthirty?”
“That’s fine. I still have a lot of paperwork to catch up on, so you can pick me up here.” No way was she inviting Marcus Wolf to her house. They’d never make it out the front door.
She rose from her chair and escorted him downstairs to the lobby. Melissa was behind the reception desk manning the phone for Diane, who’d left early to attend a function at her grandson’s elementary school.
Melissa’s hazel eyes widened in shock when she saw Marcus. Samara quickly performed the introductions, praying her friend wouldn’t say anything to embarrass her.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Mr. Wolf,” Melissa said, eagerly shaking his hand. “I’ve followed your career since you worked for the ACLU here in D.C. I really wanted to attend your presentation the other night, but I’d already made plans with my husband. But I heard from my friend, a law professor at the university, that you were absolutely wonderful. Do you know Louise Fletcher?”
“As a matter of fact, I do,” Marcus answered easily. “We met a few years ago through the D.C. bar association. She and her colleagues were generous enough to take me out to dinner before the lecture.”
Melissa beamed. “Well, she speaks very highly of you. What brings you here this afternoon?”
He glanced lazily in Samara’s direction. “Ms. Layton and I had a few things to clear up.”
“Really?” Undisguised
Her nipples hardened. She licked her lips, murmuring softly, “I hope you will, Mr. Wolf.” And, oh, how she meant it.
“That said,” she continued after a moment, “in the spirit of full disclosure, I did have another reason for showing up at the university that night.”
“Ahh, yes. Of course.” Straightening from the desk, Marcus tucked his hands into his pockets and wandered over to the window. “The Fannie Yorkin Institute.”
“Yes.” Samara drew a deep breath. “As you probably know, we’ve experienced some financial setbacks over the last few years, and now we’re facing the possibility of bankruptcy.”
“That’s too bad,” Marcus said quietly. “You’ve done a lot of positive work in the community.”
“Yes, we have. But if we don’t receive some funding very soon, we’ll be forced to close shop.” She paused. “I went to Georgetown to talk to you about donating to the organization. But after the way I treated you in New York, I knew there was no way I could come right out and ask for your help.”
He glanced over his shoulder at her. “So you decided to seduce me instead.”
Samara hesitated, searching his face for any signs of anger or hostility. But his expression was unreadable. She said meekly, “Let’s just say I thought it best to soften you up a little before I petitioned you for money.” When he turned back to the window without a word, she hastened to add, “If you’d prefer, I can call and schedule an appointment with your secretary. And then I could come to your office and give a presentation for you and your senior associates—”
Marcus shook his head. “They’ve gone back to Atlanta to tie up some loose ends at headquarters and won’t return until the end of next week, when we officially open for business. I’m still trying to get the office organized, so it’s not really ideal for visitors yet.” He turned slowly, his dark gaze roaming across her face with an intensity that made her breath quicken. “Have dinner with me tonight.”
“Dinner?” she echoed.
“Yes, dinner.” Wry humor lifted the corners of his mouth. “I know we’ve already tried that once before, but this time we’ll call it a business meeting. You can bring as many materials as you need and give your presentation. You’ll have my undivided attention.”
Samara smiled, hope blooming in her chest for the first time in weeks. “All right, Marcus. That sounds like a plan.”
He glanced at his Rolex watch. “I have a meeting with the city council this afternoon. I can pick you up afterward, say around sixthirty?”
“That’s fine. I still have a lot of paperwork to catch up on, so you can pick me up here.” No way was she inviting Marcus Wolf to her house. They’d never make it out the front door.
She rose from her chair and escorted him downstairs to the lobby. Melissa was behind the reception desk manning the phone for Diane, who’d left early to attend a function at her grandson’s elementary school.
Melissa’s hazel eyes widened in shock when she saw Marcus. Samara quickly performed the introductions, praying her friend wouldn’t say anything to embarrass her.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Mr. Wolf,” Melissa said, eagerly shaking his hand. “I’ve followed your career since you worked for the ACLU here in D.C. I really wanted to attend your presentation the other night, but I’d already made plans with my husband. But I heard from my friend, a law professor at the university, that you were absolutely wonderful. Do you know Louise Fletcher?”
“As a matter of fact, I do,” Marcus answered easily. “We met a few years ago through the D.C. bar association. She and her colleagues were generous enough to take me out to dinner before the lecture.”
Melissa beamed. “Well, she speaks very highly of you. What brings you here this afternoon?”
He glanced lazily in Samara’s direction. “Ms. Layton and I had a few things to clear up.”
“Really?” Undisguised
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