The Dare Collection November 2018. Christy McKellen

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СКАЧАТЬ shrugged, her gaze fixed on her notes. ‘I’m simply gathering as much information as possible.’

      ‘Leonora...’ I waited till she looked my way. ‘It wounds me that you consider me a man who entertains a beautiful woman in his bathroom when he’s involved with someone else.’

      Her gaze didn’t waver. ‘Technically, I invited myself,’ she rebutted firmly.

      That brazen way of stating the unvarnished truth impressed the hell out of me. Penny had been economical and manipulative with the truth, right up until her ultimate, unforgivable betrayal.

      ‘But I also think you’re the kind of man who enjoys getting under people’s skin.’

      My grin came away a little stiff. ‘Do you think I’m spoilt, Leonora?’

      ‘I think you’re impatient and opinionated and domineering and a little entitled. But not spoilt.’

      ‘Why not?’

      A triumphant smile played around her luscious lips. ‘I know how spoilt, rich people behave. For starters, they don’t write letters of recommendation for doormen. It’s clear that you can be generous and accommodating when you want to be.’

      Bloody hell, she was fucking adorable. And sexy and intelligent in a way that pressed all the buttons that had grown a little rusty in my bid to use superficial pleasure to dull my pain.

      Ignoring the resurgent twitch in my groin, I strolled over to perch on the arm of the sofa. She angled her head towards me, her delicate jaw tilted in open defiance that turned me on even more.

      ‘And do you want to know why, Leonora, you in particular—with your charming little suit, your prissily knotted hair and your ballpoint pen—have brought out the worst in me this morning?’ I demanded softly, finally giving in to the urge to stroke my finger down her jaw.

      She sucked in a sharp breath through slightly parted lips. Her eyes widened but she didn’t move away. She stayed exactly where she was, taunting me with her warm, silky skin. Taunting me with what I couldn’t have.

      When my thumb brushed the corner of her mouth, her lips parted wider. ‘What—’

      The knock on the door made her jump. I gave an inner groan, dropped my hand and downed the rest of my coffee.

      ‘That would be my next appointment.’

      She blinked, then frowned. ‘We’re not done, Gideon. I need more information.’

      ‘I can fit you in tonight,’ I said as I walked to the door. ‘We’ll meet back here, but be prepared to go out. We’ll do dinner first, then... Who knows?’

      ‘I thought you had plans with a roulette table,’ she snipped as she slammed the folder shut and rose.

      I shrugged. ‘She’s a cruel mistress when she wants to be. But she’s also very patient.’ I looked over my shoulder, paused with one hand on the doorknob. ‘And, Leonora, wear something that’s...not that suit you’re wearing.’

      Her eyes narrowed. ‘There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this suit.’

      ‘No, there isn’t. And that’s exactly my problem.’ I didn’t think I could handle being in the same room with her without ripping that single, naughty little button holding in her assets.

      I pulled the door open before I changed my mind about ending our meeting. On the threshold stood a tall, leggy brunette in a very short dress.

      ‘Bonjour, I’m Monique. I’m here as requested, Monsieur Mortimer,’ she said with a toothpaste smile.

      Behind me, I heard Leonora choke before she covered it with an unnecessary throat-clearing.

      I hid a smile. ‘And right on time, too. You’ll do, sweetheart. Come in.’ I pointed down the hall. ‘First door on your right.’

      ‘Merci.’ She sailed into the suite with a wide smile, which faltered when she spotted Leonora.

      The two women eyed each other before Leonora tugged on her sleeve and fixed me with a baleful stare. ‘Would it be better if I deal with your assistant back in London? That way I can save us both time?’

      ‘No, Leonora. You deal with me and only me.’

      I walked to the lift and held it open for her. She slid past me, trailing an evocative scent of lushness I wanted to inhale long and deep from all her pleasure points.

      When she reached the back of the lift she executed a sexy little turn, her gaze fixed on my chin for a moment before she flicked it up to mine. ‘Thank you for your business, Mr Mortimer. I aim to do everything I can to make your time on board La Sirène exceptional.’

      I held the door open as it went to shut. ‘I’m sure it will be one way or the other. And it’s been an interesting experience meeting you, too, Leonora. Expect my call tonight.’

      The lift doors shut on her warily speculative gaze.

      I gave in to my grin for as long as it took to re-enter the suite and head down the hall to the study.

      Monique was already stationed at the spare desk, her laptop opened and the files I’d brought with me set out beside her. She looked up as I entered, a professional smile fixed on her face.

      I returned it with a nod and moved to my desk. ‘How’s your Russian, Monique?’

      ‘Still fluent, Monsieur Mortimer.’

      ‘Excellent. Start with translating the report that I printed off last night. Then we’ll make amendments to a few subcontracts.’

      ‘Right away, monsieur.’

      I slid open my own laptop, answered a few emails and made a couple of urgent phone calls. Then my mind began to drift to a certain curvy blonde.

      The bold challenge in her eyes as she’d demanded I say please.

      The touch of vulnerability she’d tried so hard to hide that made me want to dig until all her secrets were exposed to me.

      The business savvy that had seen her land the sort of deal that was usually reserved for much larger outfits than hers.

       That pretty pink mouth.

      How the hell was I going to survive weeks with her on board a yacht without going insane, breaking my promise to Aunt Flo and acting on the growing list of every fucking filthy thing I wanted to do to the prim and proper Miss Leonora Branson?

      Leonie

       Stop staring at your bloody phone!

      I glared at the mobile in my hand as if it carried the blame for remaining stone-cold silent. Then I went one better and tossed it on the sofa as I passed it in another fit of restless pacing. It was my own fault for coming up with the brilliant idea to get dressed a whole hour before Gideon was supposed to call. If he called.

      More than likely he had his hands full with СКАЧАТЬ