A Fortunes Of Texas Christmas. Helen Lacey

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ style="font-size:15px;">      “Intrigued,” he replied. “Conceptually, it’s an attractive idea. But I’m still not convinced my...image, as you put it, would be enough enticement as a selling tool.”

      “You’re being modest.”

      Amersen laughed. “Once you get to know me, Ms. Fortune, you’ll discover that modesty isn’t something I’m known for.”

      Her mouth curled. “I’m quite aware of your image, Amersen. And your reputation. You’re successful, hardworking, arrogant, opinionated, brash and cynical. And that’s what this product and campaign needs. I think you possess that elusive Midas touch. And I want to capitalize on that, because it’s good business.”

      Kate was frank, which he liked, but her confidence didn’t entirely allay his concerns. “And what if these arrogant, spendthrift workaholics don’t come to the party?”

      “They will,” she assured him. “I have a sense about these things. So do you,” she said pointedly. “That’s why you’re a millionaire many times over. And why you pour so much effort into your nightclub and your wine brand. Young men will buy this product because they want to be like you. And young women will buy this product because they want their young men to be you.”

      He raised a brow. “That’s quite an endorsement.”

      “It’s all in the proposal,” she said and motioned to the folder in his hand. “We tested the market, did some core group evaluations...the results all came back positive. But if you need more, let’s say, immediate assurance, just bear with me a moment.”

      She stood and walked toward the small writing desk by the fireplace. She made a quick call, fiddled with a few files on the desk and then turned back to him. Amersen got to his feet and was about to speak when the door opened and a young woman suddenly stood at the threshold.

      It was her.

      Only this time she wasn’t wearing a white dress. She wore jeans, a shirt and boots and held gardening gloves in one hand. Still, he’d never seen a more beautiful woman in his life. Her eyes were brilliantly blue, her long hair cascading down her back. And she had curves that were so damned sexy that his libido did a wild leap.

      “So,” Kate said, looking toward the younger woman. “What do you think?”

      “What do I think?”

      The sexy drawl made his blood surge.

      “Of him,” Kate replied, waving a hand. “First impressions. And be brutally honest.”

      Amersen ignored the notion that he was suddenly about to be studied like something under a microscope. His ego was healthy enough to take a little visual assessment. Plus, it gave him time to look her over in return. And he did look. Every second stretched like elastic. She didn’t say a word; she simply let her eyes roll over him, up and down, and he did the same, missing nothing, lingering in places that in other circumstances might be considered highly inappropriate.

      When his gaze returned to her face, she was waiting for him, and the connection was so hot it was visceral. He didn’t imagine how her mouth parted fractionally, or how her cheeks were now tinged with color. But she didn’t back down. She met him stare for stare. She had gumption by the bucket load, and he suddenly discovered that he liked gumption...a lot.

      Finally, she spoke. “Ms. Fortune, this man is hot.”

      Amersen bit back his amusement at her outrageous response. Because he was hot...right under the collar. And she knew it! There was flirtation in her dancing blue eyes. And awareness. And mischief. He knew those things well. They were usually his trademark when confronted by an attractive woman. Only now, with this woman, he felt as though the tables had been well and truly turned.

      “Amersen, this is Robin Harbin,” Kate said. “She’s the master landscape gardener here at Sterling’s Fortune.”

      Robin.

      “Good morning, mademoiselle,” he said, hoping he wouldn’t find any kind of ring on her left hand. He didn’t, which pleased him. Still, a woman who looked like Robin Harbin wasn’t likely to be unattached. “It’s a pleasure to meet you...again.”

      “You’ve met before?” Kate’s voice was filled with interest.

      “Briefly,” Robin replied, her gaze still locked with his. “Yesterday, in the rotunda. I was telling Mr. Beaudin how you like people to be on time for appointments.”

      Kate laughed softly. “Such a reputation I have.”

      “Sometimes,” Robin said and smiled, “reputation is enough to make an accurate assessment.”

      Amersen held her gaze. It was a very pointed remark, and they both knew it. She knew enough about him to come to some kind of judgment. Certainly, it was easy enough to click a few buttons on a computer and discover who he was, since he spent much of his time working social media to his advantage. But he knew what she’d find if she dug a little. Gossip and innuendo. Inflated facts about his lifestyle. Sure, he lived his life to the fullest, but if he slept around as much as the media reported, he’d have little time for anything else.

      “And sometimes you shouldn’t believe everything you read,” he said and smiled lightly.

      “True. But I generally trust my instincts.”

      Amersen bit back a grin.

      “So, Robin,” Kate said quietly, “Amersen was just saying how he wasn’t sure his image is enough to sell a high-end fragrance. What do you think?”

      She looked him over again, and Amersen felt himself twitch all over. He was sure this woman, with her sexy drawl, worn jeans and gardening gloves, wouldn’t have any kind of clue what it took to successfully market a product like an expensive fragrance.

      But she didn’t look the least bit overwhelmed by the question. She shrugged one shoulder and tilted her head a fraction. “Well, he’s certainly attractive enough. And has a distinctive online status. All things considered, I can’t see why it wouldn’t be a successful venture. And sometimes good business is about risk, correct?”

      Now Amersen laughed. “You know this, do you?”

      Her chin came up, defiant and annoyed. “I know opportunity when I see it.”

      For a moment, he wondered if she was talking about the fragrance...or something else. The awareness between them was undeniable, and Amersen was astute enough to recognize a woman’s interest.

      “Yes,” he said, briefly motioning to her appearance, “I’m sure you see much opportunity from your position out in the garden bed.”

      Her chin rose again, higher, more defiant, more annoyed. And then she laughed, as though she found him hilarious. “And I’m sure you’re one of those men in love with the sound of their own voice.”

      Kate cleared her throat, as though sensing the sudden tension developing. “Ah, Amersen,” the older woman said quietly, “Robin is more than simply a gardener. She has a degree in plant biology and often—”

      “I’m sure Mr. Beaudin isn’t interested in my qualifications,” she said, gently cutting Kate off.

СКАЧАТЬ