Read Online The Billionaire's Secretive Enchantress (The Berutelli Escape) by Elizabeth Lennox - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Elizabeth Lennox
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was making. “So why did you buy Todd’s firm? Don’t you have a whole team of architects on staff?”
“Of course.”
“So why did you need us?”
“Because your team knows this area better than mine. You’re very successful with the clients and understand the cultural issues that come with entering any new market. Each area of the country is different with fads and preferences that are unique to the region.”
She had to accept that his explanation made sense. It still didn’t explain why he chose Todd’s company though. “So why did you approach Todd to buy out his firm?” She sat down on one of the comfortable stools, propping her chin up on the palm of her hand so she could watch him. A fascinating show, she thought.
He placed a plate of crackers with some sort of dip in a small bowl in front of her. “What would you say if I told you that I bought out Todd because I wanted you on the team?”
She immediately rolled her eyes. “Seriously, what was it about Todd’s group that made you choose them over all the other architectural firms in the city?”
Drake watched with interest as she sampled the creamy pesto dip, gratified when her eyebrows went up in surprise. Since she didn’t believe that her reputation preceded her, he would go with a more simplistic approach. “The talent in Todd’s group is better, he’s ready to retire and I wanted to move ahead quickly. Other firms might not be as amenable to a fast-paced change, but since Todd was already past retirement age, everyone on your team seemed to be anticipating someone else taking over.”
“You realize the person we all expected to take over was Mark Peterson, right?”
Drake nodded. “I’ve already tagged him as a problem issue.”
She was curious, “What are you going to do to neutralize him?” As soon as she said that, she realized what she’d said and how it might come across. More specifically, how it could remind him of that painful period in his past. Her father had repeatedly used the term neutralize when there was a threat. “Neutralize” in organized crime lingo meant “get rid of the guy – permanently”.
“Do you always talk about work in order to avoid personal problems?” he asked, more curious than ever. She was sitting on the bar stool looking like she was ready to bolt and the only thing keeping her in place was his cooking. She was pretty c ute when she peered over the counter to try and see what he was slicing up. She’d never figure it out since it was all going into a pan. But he enjoyed her attempts since, whenever she leaned forward, her silk blouse fell open slightly and he could see the soft, perfect swells of her breasts. Once he even spied the lace of her bra.
“I thought this whole dinner thing was about me asking questions about work.” She hid her face behind her glass as she took another sip of her wine.
He chuckled and tossed in some crushed garlic. “No you didn’t. You know exactly what this dinner is about and it has nothing to do with work.”
Her hand halted halfway to her mouth, the cracker and dip completely forgotten as she watched him, his eyes heating up with anticipation. “I came here because…”
Drake spread his arms out, bracing them on the countertop as he looked into her eyes, not letting her mis-read the message he was trying to convey. “Because we’re both attracted to each other and you wanted to get to know me better.”
She shook her head, but something in her stomach tightened in a very exciting way, a trembling began that she didn’t completely understand. “I don’t…”
“Stop right there, Sierra,” he said firmly, turning the knife so it was laying safely on the wooden cutting board. “You need to be completely honest here. I can see you trembling and I know that you’re just as affected as I am by our closeness.”
“No…” she started to say, only to have him shake his
“Of course.”
“So why did you need us?”
“Because your team knows this area better than mine. You’re very successful with the clients and understand the cultural issues that come with entering any new market. Each area of the country is different with fads and preferences that are unique to the region.”
She had to accept that his explanation made sense. It still didn’t explain why he chose Todd’s company though. “So why did you approach Todd to buy out his firm?” She sat down on one of the comfortable stools, propping her chin up on the palm of her hand so she could watch him. A fascinating show, she thought.
He placed a plate of crackers with some sort of dip in a small bowl in front of her. “What would you say if I told you that I bought out Todd because I wanted you on the team?”
She immediately rolled her eyes. “Seriously, what was it about Todd’s group that made you choose them over all the other architectural firms in the city?”
Drake watched with interest as she sampled the creamy pesto dip, gratified when her eyebrows went up in surprise. Since she didn’t believe that her reputation preceded her, he would go with a more simplistic approach. “The talent in Todd’s group is better, he’s ready to retire and I wanted to move ahead quickly. Other firms might not be as amenable to a fast-paced change, but since Todd was already past retirement age, everyone on your team seemed to be anticipating someone else taking over.”
“You realize the person we all expected to take over was Mark Peterson, right?”
Drake nodded. “I’ve already tagged him as a problem issue.”
She was curious, “What are you going to do to neutralize him?” As soon as she said that, she realized what she’d said and how it might come across. More specifically, how it could remind him of that painful period in his past. Her father had repeatedly used the term neutralize when there was a threat. “Neutralize” in organized crime lingo meant “get rid of the guy – permanently”.
“Do you always talk about work in order to avoid personal problems?” he asked, more curious than ever. She was sitting on the bar stool looking like she was ready to bolt and the only thing keeping her in place was his cooking. She was pretty c ute when she peered over the counter to try and see what he was slicing up. She’d never figure it out since it was all going into a pan. But he enjoyed her attempts since, whenever she leaned forward, her silk blouse fell open slightly and he could see the soft, perfect swells of her breasts. Once he even spied the lace of her bra.
“I thought this whole dinner thing was about me asking questions about work.” She hid her face behind her glass as she took another sip of her wine.
He chuckled and tossed in some crushed garlic. “No you didn’t. You know exactly what this dinner is about and it has nothing to do with work.”
Her hand halted halfway to her mouth, the cracker and dip completely forgotten as she watched him, his eyes heating up with anticipation. “I came here because…”
Drake spread his arms out, bracing them on the countertop as he looked into her eyes, not letting her mis-read the message he was trying to convey. “Because we’re both attracted to each other and you wanted to get to know me better.”
She shook her head, but something in her stomach tightened in a very exciting way, a trembling began that she didn’t completely understand. “I don’t…”
“Stop right there, Sierra,” he said firmly, turning the knife so it was laying safely on the wooden cutting board. “You need to be completely honest here. I can see you trembling and I know that you’re just as affected as I am by our closeness.”
“No…” she started to say, only to have him shake his
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