Read Online Three Minutes to Happiness by Sally Clements - Free Book Online Page B

keep clean. Val swallowed and crossed her legs.
    The receptionist took a call, then looked up. “Mr. Logan will be out in a moment.” Her perfect smile was warm.
    Seconds later, a door to the left opened, and Finn walked out. Val stood, and picked up her camera case.
    “Come on through.” She followed him into his office. “Have a seat.” She tried not to notice the elegant fit of his dark grey suit. “Can I get you something to drink? Coffee? Tea?”
    “No thank you.” She’d drunk so much caffeine this morning she was jittery. Although that could just be the adrenalin coursing through her veins at being here. Or of being in Finn’s orbit again.
    “I was surprised when Simon told me he wouldn’t be taking photographs for us.” Finn leaned against the corner of his desk, altogether too near for comfort. If she reached out a hand, she would be able to touch his thigh. “He explained that he had to leave the country on an assignment, but...” His frown was as eloquent as any words.
    “I’m prepared.”
    “It’s not a question of preparation.” Finn said. “All of the photographers we’ve asked to tender for this job have considerably more experience. It’s a valuable contract. Not one I can afford to compromise on.”
    Val smothered her immediate, irritated reaction. He has every right to be cautious. She had a portfolio of work, but he hadn’t seen it. “I’m sure you’ll be happy with my work.”
    Finn spoke slowly and deliberately. “The best candidate will win the contract.”
    “You mean don’t expect any preferential treatment?”
    Finn nodded.
    “I wasn’t. I wouldn’t. It’s not as if we have a relationship or anything.”
    Finn’s mouth twisted with a wry smile. “You’re the only candidate that I’ve kissed.” His gaze fell to her lips, then flicked back up to her eyes again. “In order that I’m not influenced in any way when picking the winner, my partner Connor and I have decided to do a blind pick. The photographs are to be sent to our office manager, Anna. She will remove all identifying information, and present them to us. That way, the winning submission will not be tainted.”
    “I wouldn’t agree to have my pictures considered under any other circumstances,” Val said. “Of course the photographer of the best pictures should win.”
    “Good.” Finn walked around the desk. “Now we’ve got that out of the way, we can talk about other matters.”
    Other matters? Why is my heart pounding? He can’t mean...
    “Like why you called me the other night.”
    She could tell the truth. Explain how Maggie had taken the phone from her hand and called his number. But then she’d have to admit they’d been discussing him. She could pretend she wasn’t interested in following up his offer of dinner. Deny the attraction between them. .
    Or admit to herself that she’d been intrigued at the thought of having a sex-only relationship with him ever since they’d met, despite his dating practices. When he’d said he would be exclusive for the period of their fling, she’d wondered long and hard if she would let her doomed marriage color her relationships with men for the rest of her life. Having a hot affair with Finn might help her move on. The fact that he didn’t want happy ever after—like her, didn’t believe in love, was a powerful aphrodisiac.
    Woman or mouse? Woman . “I wanted to see if your dinner invitation was still open.” It was important to get one thing straight. “I didn’t know about the job offer when I called.”
    “But you hung up. And turned your phone off.”
    He would have to mention that, wouldn’t he? Val felt her face heat. “I had an attack of nerves.”
    Finn walked around the desk. She put her hand in his outstretched one, and rose to standing. She breathed in his scent. Watched the dark centers of his eyes expand, swallowing up the emerald green. “Why?”
    Her skin tingled with nerves. “I don’t know.” She cleared her throat.