bodies brushing.
Nick felt the brief contact almost as an electrical charge frissoning through him. This was more than attraction—this was what those of his parents’ generation called “chemistry.” Who would have imagined that the temptress sent to test his willpower and newfound resolve to put aside his player ways and be a better man would take the form of his business opponent’s daughter?
Thinking God must have a sense of humor indeed, Nick shifted Mara in his arms and turned to go. “Sleep well, Stefanie.”
Chapter Four
Thursday, July 3
Why did it have to rain overnight? Stefanie lamented, staring out her screened front door waiting for Nick. Much of Acropolis Village was still a big dig. Any standing water would reduce the unfinished areas to bog land. She schooled herself to stay positive. It was pointless to focus on what she couldn’t change, in this case the forces of nature. To put the best face on the project, she’d try steering her VIP visitor away from the unfinished areas and focus on those that were at least partially built. The private beach was lovely, cleaned up after Hurricane Sandy, and the wildlife sanctuary lovingly restored. And then there was her trump card, her super secret weapon: Mona, a.k.a Mrs. G. Among the current homeowners, the retired office manager from Baltimore City’s Greek Town was the closest to a champion she had. So long as the senior stuck to the script they’d rehearsed, highlighting the development’s very real good points while glossing over the negatives, all should be well.
A gleaming red Ferrari turning onto her street announced Nick’s arrival. By eight thirty, he stood on her stoop dressed in jeans, a collared black shirt, and a cream-colored linen blazer that was clearly custom-made. The crisp fabric fitted him as though sewn to his skin. Imagining anchoring her hands to his broad shoulders and absorbing his steely strength, Stefanie sucked down a steadying breath.
“Good morning,” she said, stepping back for him to enter.
He did, filling her foyer with the same spicy, musky, altogether yummy male scent she’d detected the night before, only intensified. Had he put on cologne with her in mind? She dismissed the flattering thought with the reminder that the other evening he’d come directly from the airport. Today he was freshly showered and shaved, rested and pressed to perfection.
“ Kali mera ,” he said with a sunny smile, handing her a Starbucks bag filled with pastry. “Did you sleep well?”
“Like a rock,” she answered, the lead into what would be a day chockfull of half-truths and deliberate deceptions. The truth was she’d scarcely slept at all, weary and yet too wired to do more than doze. Even when she had managed to drift off, sexy images of Nick had followed her into her dreams.
So far, stepping into the role of player didn’t feel as empowering as she’d expected. Had Pete felt this shitty about gaming her? Of course he hadn’t. Deception was what white-collar criminals did best. For her, however, spieling even little white lies was already proving to be a lot more taxing than she’d thought.
Holding out the takeout bag, the contents oozing grease, she said, “You didn’t need to bring breakfast.”
He inclined his head. “Need—perhaps not. But it is my pleasure. And I thought we might eat on the way.” His gaze flickered over her, warm and searching, the scrutiny making her glad she’d forgone the jeans she usually wore for site visits in favor of a chic floral-print two-piece.
Distracted, it took her a moment to realize that something, or rather someone, was missing. “Where’s Mara?”
He scraped back a lock of damp, dark hair that had fallen forward over his brow. Fixating on his fingers, tapered yet strong, she snapped herself back in time to hear him say, “I was able to arrange for a sitter through the hotel concierge. She was still sleeping when I left.”
So they would spend the day alone
Nick felt the brief contact almost as an electrical charge frissoning through him. This was more than attraction—this was what those of his parents’ generation called “chemistry.” Who would have imagined that the temptress sent to test his willpower and newfound resolve to put aside his player ways and be a better man would take the form of his business opponent’s daughter?
Thinking God must have a sense of humor indeed, Nick shifted Mara in his arms and turned to go. “Sleep well, Stefanie.”
Chapter Four
Thursday, July 3
Why did it have to rain overnight? Stefanie lamented, staring out her screened front door waiting for Nick. Much of Acropolis Village was still a big dig. Any standing water would reduce the unfinished areas to bog land. She schooled herself to stay positive. It was pointless to focus on what she couldn’t change, in this case the forces of nature. To put the best face on the project, she’d try steering her VIP visitor away from the unfinished areas and focus on those that were at least partially built. The private beach was lovely, cleaned up after Hurricane Sandy, and the wildlife sanctuary lovingly restored. And then there was her trump card, her super secret weapon: Mona, a.k.a Mrs. G. Among the current homeowners, the retired office manager from Baltimore City’s Greek Town was the closest to a champion she had. So long as the senior stuck to the script they’d rehearsed, highlighting the development’s very real good points while glossing over the negatives, all should be well.
A gleaming red Ferrari turning onto her street announced Nick’s arrival. By eight thirty, he stood on her stoop dressed in jeans, a collared black shirt, and a cream-colored linen blazer that was clearly custom-made. The crisp fabric fitted him as though sewn to his skin. Imagining anchoring her hands to his broad shoulders and absorbing his steely strength, Stefanie sucked down a steadying breath.
“Good morning,” she said, stepping back for him to enter.
He did, filling her foyer with the same spicy, musky, altogether yummy male scent she’d detected the night before, only intensified. Had he put on cologne with her in mind? She dismissed the flattering thought with the reminder that the other evening he’d come directly from the airport. Today he was freshly showered and shaved, rested and pressed to perfection.
“ Kali mera ,” he said with a sunny smile, handing her a Starbucks bag filled with pastry. “Did you sleep well?”
“Like a rock,” she answered, the lead into what would be a day chockfull of half-truths and deliberate deceptions. The truth was she’d scarcely slept at all, weary and yet too wired to do more than doze. Even when she had managed to drift off, sexy images of Nick had followed her into her dreams.
So far, stepping into the role of player didn’t feel as empowering as she’d expected. Had Pete felt this shitty about gaming her? Of course he hadn’t. Deception was what white-collar criminals did best. For her, however, spieling even little white lies was already proving to be a lot more taxing than she’d thought.
Holding out the takeout bag, the contents oozing grease, she said, “You didn’t need to bring breakfast.”
He inclined his head. “Need—perhaps not. But it is my pleasure. And I thought we might eat on the way.” His gaze flickered over her, warm and searching, the scrutiny making her glad she’d forgone the jeans she usually wore for site visits in favor of a chic floral-print two-piece.
Distracted, it took her a moment to realize that something, or rather someone, was missing. “Where’s Mara?”
He scraped back a lock of damp, dark hair that had fallen forward over his brow. Fixating on his fingers, tapered yet strong, she snapped herself back in time to hear him say, “I was able to arrange for a sitter through the hotel concierge. She was still sleeping when I left.”
So they would spend the day alone
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