A Brevia Beginning. Michelle Major

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СКАЧАТЬ the door.

      Oh.

      Oh, dear.

      Scott Callahan loomed in the doorway, irritation and a healthy five-o’clock shadow etched on his handsome face. He was still wearing the same casual sweater and wrinkled jeans from the night before. She looked for the resemblance to Julia’s husband, Sam, figuring it was too much of a coincidence to have two Callahans in the same small town.

      She’d been shocked when he’d told her his name as she was putting together the contract for sale last night. Although Scott’s hair was dark, the two men shared the same brilliant blue eyes, strong jaw and towering height that made them both intimidating and undeniably male.

      She took an involuntary step back, hating the blush creeping up her cheeks. Why did this man rattle her so much?

      That was easy enough to answer. Just the sight of him made her long-dormant imagination kick into high gear. His hair just grazed his collar, his blue eyes made brighter by the contrast to long lashes that any woman would envy. He was beautiful, the kind of handsome that would attract female attention wherever he went.

      Men who looked like Scott Callahan didn’t notice Lexi, and last night he’d certainly noticed her. At least it had felt that way. He’d leaned in and his eyes had caught on her mouth as if he wanted to kiss her. She’d imagined what that kiss would feel like as she lay in her bed in the wee morning hours, watching dawn through the curtains in her bedroom. She could almost taste his lips on hers even now.

      Now.

      She blinked and cleared her throat. “What are you doing here?”

      He lifted one long arm to rest on the door frame, muscles bunching under his sweater. A smile played at the corner of his mouth. He seemed a lot less irritated than he had a few moments earlier. “What’s your story, Lexi Preston? You look shy and talk like an academic, but you’ve got a wild side. I can tell.”

      She hugged her arms more tightly around herself. “You can tell no such thing.”

      “I can tell you want me to kiss you.”

      She sputtered, “I do not.”

      “Liar.” He took a lazy step toward her. “But that’s not going to happen. Yet.”

      Lexi was shocked by the ripple of disappointment that rolled through her. “What do you want?” she repeated. “I’m guessing this isn’t an official employee meeting.”

      He pulled a sheet of paper out of his back pocket. “I want to know why you let me sign this damn contract.”

      “You told me to write it up. I didn’t let you do anything. In fact, I advised you not to sign it.”

      “I was drunk.”

      She cocked her head to one side and studied him. The rumpled clothes, the hint of bruising under his eyes. “You said you weren’t.”

      “I hide it well.”

      No wonder he’d been flirting with her. It was the alcohol, not attraction. Of course. A guy as hot as Scott would definitely need beer goggles to flirt with her. “I warned you about due consideration. You assured me you were in full control of your faculties and able to make a rational decision.”

      “I want out.” He came all the way into the apartment, filling it with his large, muscular body and...sheesh, she had a one-track mind.

      “The bank has to draw up the final contract. Maybe you won’t be approved for the loan.”

      “I can guarantee I’ll be approved, so I want out now.”

      A whistle sounded from behind her. “It’s not that easy.” She turned on her heel and padded to the kitchen, pulling two cups from the cabinet. She dropped a tea bag in each and poured the hot water. Turning back, she handed one to Scott. He eyed it suspiciously. “What’s this?”

      “Green tea. It helps me think.” She took a small sip. “Explain to Luke Trujillo that you were inebriated last night. The contract won’t hold up if you signed it under the influence. I’m sure Tina will vouch for how many drinks you had over a normal limit.”

      “That’s the problem. No one can know I was drunk.”

      “Why not?”

      He brought the mug to his mouth, sniffed and made a face. “You’re kidding with this, right? Where’s the coffee?”

      “I don’t drink coffee. Green tea is full of antioxidants.”

      “You’re an attorney and a health nut? That’s some combination.”

      “My father says... Never mind.” She took another drink. “Don’t be a baby. It’s just tea.” She studied him intently. “Why do you want to hide that you were drunk?”

      “I’m not a baby,” he said and took a huge gulp of tea. “That’s disgusting.”

      “You’re avoiding my question.”

      “You’re such a lawyer.” He shook his head and reached around her to place the mug on the counter. “My brother’s already given me grief about last night. I don’t need him on my back for anything else.”

      “Are the two of you close?”

      “Not a bit.”

      She raised the cup to her lips again, then lowered it as her mind raced. “If you’re not close, why do you—”

      “It’s complicated.”

      Lexi could just imagine. She’d known him for less than twenty-four hours, but Scott Callahan was already the most intriguing man she’d ever met. At first glance he was all alpha-male bravado, but she sensed something more. His eyes had a haunted look that wasn’t related to a hangover, but might have everything to do with a bone-deep loneliness. The kind of lonely people felt if they thought no one in the world truly loved them. As if they had no home.

      The kind of lonely Lexi often saw reflected in her own eyes.

      She had nothing in common with this man, but she wanted to reach out to him. She yearned to understand what made someone who appeared so sure of himself at the same time give off waves of uncertainty.

      She wanted to really know him.

      As if he could read her intention, his eyes turned cold. “Never mind. I’ll figure something out.” His voice cut through her thoughts. “Luke gave me a fair price and I’ve got the time and money to deal with it. Maybe I’ll redo the whole thing and sell it for a hefty profit.” His words were sure but his tone still held a hint of uncertainty.

      “If you didn’t want to own a bar, why did you buy it?”

      “I don’t know.” He ran his hand through his almost-black hair. “I’m known for being impulsive. It’s my trademark.”

      There must be more to the story, but as much as she wanted to know, it wasn’t any of her business. Yet. “I never do anything impulsive.”

      “That’s СКАЧАТЬ