Read Online The Firefighter's Appeal (Harlequin Superromance) by Elizabeth Otto - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Elizabeth Otto
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Lily made mental notes, as it was a little hard to write anything down at the moment.
After another twenty minutes, Garrett led her back to the office. He motioned for her to go in first. She did, exceptionally aware of his body heat as she passed by him. Her brain was running numbers, and the preliminary, best-guess scenario would pad Ashden Construction for months to come.
“Of course, this office needs a total overhaul, as well,” he said offhandedly as she passed through the door. Lily smirked.
“No kidding.”
He chuckled, slipping behind the desk and settling into the leather chair. Lily remained standing, laid her pad of paper down and began scribbling notes. He leaned back, hands folded across his firm middle.
“What’s your time frame for beginning this project, Mr. Mateo?”
He rubbed his chin with a thumb before crossing his hands again. “Really? The other night it was Garrett.”
Lily’s spine stiffened. She closed her laptop before placing her palm on top of it and leaning in slightly.
“As far as I’m concerned, Mr. Mateo, I’d prefer if we didn’t let that evening interfere with a professional relationship.” Before he could speak, she straightened even more. “Your uncle called Ashden Construction for a reason. Hopefully because he was aware that we’re the best commercial construction firm in the area. Let us live up to that instead of letting our mishap cloud your judgment.”
His gaze swept over her, leaving behind a warm tingle. “Agreed.” He leaned forward and put his elbows on the desk. “I need someone who will give us a fair price, do exceptional work and start as soon as possible. No pressure, right?”
She thought of the twelve men working under her father and the dozen subcontractors who could be called in to help if needed. That, combined with their stellar reputation and her ability to create a solid budget, meant there was a lot less pressure than there might have been.
“No pressure.”
“Give me a proposal I can’t turn down, Lily.” Their eyes locked. “But before you do, come back tomorrow so I can show you the property lines. There’s more you need to see. I’m sorry Brad arranged such a late meeting. I’m not sure what his initial plan was for this, but in order for you to get the full scope of what we have in mind, you’ll need to be here in the daytime.”
Lily finished writing but didn’t look up. She had plans for tomorrow already. She wanted to say no, she’d have to come another time, but she didn’t want to jeopardize this contract. If Garrett wanted her to come back, she would.
He stood, moving to the doorway as she packed her things.
“What time?” She gathered her bag, pushed in the chair and strode to the doorway. Expecting that he’d move to let her out, Lily’s neck tingled again as Garrett simply remained stationary, filling the space.
“Noon.” A slow grin made a dimple dig deeply into his left cheek, as if he was mulling over a dirty little secret. “There’s more you need to see, but I can’t show you in the dark.”
Despite herself, Lily smiled before she dipped her head and tried to move past him. Immediate warmth wrapped around her, followed by the heady scent of spicy bergamot and sage. Her right shoulder brushed against him, sending sparks through her entire body. Before she could withdraw, Garrett scooped her elbow in one hand and turned her. Her back pressed against the door frame opposite him so they faced each other, his heat washing over her. Jacking up her blood pressure. Sending her pulse skyrocketing.
When was the last time she’d had such a spirited reaction to a man? Even her ex-fiancé hadn’t affected her this way. When Garrett had tempted her with his inviting gaze across the bar last week, something had felt different. The way her heart had jumped in her throat after battling a minefield of nerves had been different. The way her skin had flushed at the sound of his voice...it had all been
After another twenty minutes, Garrett led her back to the office. He motioned for her to go in first. She did, exceptionally aware of his body heat as she passed by him. Her brain was running numbers, and the preliminary, best-guess scenario would pad Ashden Construction for months to come.
“Of course, this office needs a total overhaul, as well,” he said offhandedly as she passed through the door. Lily smirked.
“No kidding.”
He chuckled, slipping behind the desk and settling into the leather chair. Lily remained standing, laid her pad of paper down and began scribbling notes. He leaned back, hands folded across his firm middle.
“What’s your time frame for beginning this project, Mr. Mateo?”
He rubbed his chin with a thumb before crossing his hands again. “Really? The other night it was Garrett.”
Lily’s spine stiffened. She closed her laptop before placing her palm on top of it and leaning in slightly.
“As far as I’m concerned, Mr. Mateo, I’d prefer if we didn’t let that evening interfere with a professional relationship.” Before he could speak, she straightened even more. “Your uncle called Ashden Construction for a reason. Hopefully because he was aware that we’re the best commercial construction firm in the area. Let us live up to that instead of letting our mishap cloud your judgment.”
His gaze swept over her, leaving behind a warm tingle. “Agreed.” He leaned forward and put his elbows on the desk. “I need someone who will give us a fair price, do exceptional work and start as soon as possible. No pressure, right?”
She thought of the twelve men working under her father and the dozen subcontractors who could be called in to help if needed. That, combined with their stellar reputation and her ability to create a solid budget, meant there was a lot less pressure than there might have been.
“No pressure.”
“Give me a proposal I can’t turn down, Lily.” Their eyes locked. “But before you do, come back tomorrow so I can show you the property lines. There’s more you need to see. I’m sorry Brad arranged such a late meeting. I’m not sure what his initial plan was for this, but in order for you to get the full scope of what we have in mind, you’ll need to be here in the daytime.”
Lily finished writing but didn’t look up. She had plans for tomorrow already. She wanted to say no, she’d have to come another time, but she didn’t want to jeopardize this contract. If Garrett wanted her to come back, she would.
He stood, moving to the doorway as she packed her things.
“What time?” She gathered her bag, pushed in the chair and strode to the doorway. Expecting that he’d move to let her out, Lily’s neck tingled again as Garrett simply remained stationary, filling the space.
“Noon.” A slow grin made a dimple dig deeply into his left cheek, as if he was mulling over a dirty little secret. “There’s more you need to see, but I can’t show you in the dark.”
Despite herself, Lily smiled before she dipped her head and tried to move past him. Immediate warmth wrapped around her, followed by the heady scent of spicy bergamot and sage. Her right shoulder brushed against him, sending sparks through her entire body. Before she could withdraw, Garrett scooped her elbow in one hand and turned her. Her back pressed against the door frame opposite him so they faced each other, his heat washing over her. Jacking up her blood pressure. Sending her pulse skyrocketing.
When was the last time she’d had such a spirited reaction to a man? Even her ex-fiancé hadn’t affected her this way. When Garrett had tempted her with his inviting gaze across the bar last week, something had felt different. The way her heart had jumped in her throat after battling a minefield of nerves had been different. The way her skin had flushed at the sound of his voice...it had all been
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