Read Online The Daddy Decision by Donna Sterling - Free Book Online Page B

said the names with a reverence usually reserved for prayer.
    â€œReid.”
    A dazzling new luminosity radiated from her face and eyes.
    So...she’d responded far more to the artistic challenge than to the lure of big money. He’d have to remember that. He raised an eyebrow. “Are you interested?”
    She edged forward on the sofa. “You realize that the process could take quite some time. Weeks, or months, maybe longer, depending what you want to have done. I’ll have to send a couple of my designers to study the place, and of course, consult with you. If you won’t be available the entire time, you’ll have to give them a key and let them—”
    â€œYour designers?” he repeated. He hadn’t realized she had other designers working for her.
    â€œYes. They’re very good. Once we have measurements and sketches and photos of the rooms, and you’ve selected colors, fabrics and styles, we’ll work as a team to—”
    â€œAbsolutely not.” He glared at her, unreasonably put out that she’d even consider sending someone else to decorate his home.
    â€œPardon me?”
    He leaned forward to bridge some of the distance between
them, his voice soft, but his gaze unyielding. “I want you , Laura. You. No one else.”
    Her mouth opened, but no words came out.
    â€œIf I’m investing in your business, I have a right to see the finished product, and over time, that product will depend on you—not an employee who can leave on a day’s notice. I′ll give you a key, but I’d like you to stay at the house...with me...for as long as it takes to get the job done.”
    She still hadn’t found her voice.
    â€œI don’t think that’s asking too much,” he said softly, “of a friend.” The air between them suddenly felt thick, warm and close. “Besides, Steffie raves about your artistic talent. I’d like to see it for myself. I’m curious to see what you can do. So please...” his gaze played over her face, and his body hardened at the thought of her in his home, alone with him, for days or even weeks “... indulge me. Satisfy my...curiosity.”

4
    C ORT KNEW THE BUZZ had started the moment the group dispersed for the night. Carrying his luggage to the bedroom Steffie had assigned him, he imagined he could hear whispers behind every closed door.
    He wouldn’t escape the buzz for long. They’d find him and discuss their views ad nauseam. Hoping to delay the hashing over of his impulsive propositions until morning, he shut and locked his bedroom door.
    He needed quiet time alone. He felt as if a bomb had dropped on him and he needed to piece himself back together. The aftershocks of Laura’s plans were still jolting him. Astonishment. Opposition. Self-blame. And a strong, irrational sense of impending loss.
    Cursing himself for allowing the feelings at all, he turned to undress for bed, and a quiet knock stopped him. “Cort!” Steffie whispered. “Let me in. I have to talk to you.”
    He closed his eyes, considered pretending he hadn’t heard her, then resigned himself to the inevitable. He opened the door, and his sister sailed in.
    â€œYou are so sweet to invest in Laura and Fletcher’s business. Any business you touch turns to gold, and they really deserve the boost.” She smiled, but anxiety clouded her eyes. “I hope Laura agrees to decorate your house. If she does, can you insist that she start right away? She and Fletcher have an appointment at that clinic next week. We
have to find a way to delay them, so we can talk some sense into them. If she has to travel to Atlanta to work at your house, she couldn’t possibly—”
    Another knock at the door interrupted Steffie.
    â€œCort, it’s me, Tamika.” Steffie opened the door, and Tamika rushed in. “Look, Cort, you may say that this is none of my business, but I