by Lilly Cain
“Ms. Mathews, I’m David Sherman. I’m glad to finally meet you.” He extended his hand. His large, tanned fingers enclosed hers and she felt a tingle of attraction. She smiled at him, but sternly reminded herself of the many, many reasons she could not possibly become involved with anyone just now.
“Welcome, Mr. Sherman. I must apologize for not getting back to you sooner. I’ve been away on a business trip, as I’m sure my assistant informed you. I did, however, review the preliminary figures of your proposal.”
Helen offered a chair with a wave of her hand as she lied though her teeth. She took her own seat, plunging into the details of the proposal. Without giving him an opportunity to comment on her absence, she lifted the page she thought indicated profit estimates, grateful that she’d at least had the time to pull the report from the pile of work on her desk and skim it before he arrived.
David reached for the paper, tugging it gently from her fingers. “Great percentages, don’t you think? The lead indicators are well over the norm, and the market polls more than prove the need for these facilities in this location. It’s hard to believe no one has acquired the land as yet.” He smiled, looking pleased. His smile transformed his face from arrogant businessman to a ruggedly handsome man, and again she felt that zing of attraction.
“Yes, the numbers look interesting,” Helen hedged. She had no idea what the percentages actually were, other than good.
“I’m glad to see you aren’t letting a great deal slip away from Multoma. I was beginning to wonder if you were planning on passing it over to another firm.” He looked at her calmly, apparently ignoring the fact that he was practically accusing her of stealing his pitch and perhaps even going behind the back of her own company. After a tense moment, his eyes shied to the left in a self-conscious movement.
“I see. Multoma does not operate that way, Mr. Sherman. Nor do I,” she stated calmly. “My time is better spent as a negotiator than a thief.” She kept her face composed, but her stomach clenched. So much for attraction. This was only the first of the problems and accusations she’d likely face by having a forced monthly absence from the company. At least the man before her had the grace to eventually look embarrassed by his suggestion. There were many who wouldn’t care that they were being offensive, not when it came to business.
“Well, you can hardly blame me for my suspicions. Not after you seemed to disappear. Let me take you out to dinner tonight to make up for it.” His attitude changed perceptibly. He was apparently going to accept her at her word. “We can discuss the proposal then, and you can have today to catch up on all the paperwork that built up while you were away.”
He stood, and handed back the paper. “This page, by the way, doesn’t have any percentage numbers on it.” He smirked, just a bit, and lifted an eyebrow. The scent of his cologne—woodsy and male—reached her and the attraction returned, sharper now. “Perhaps you could read the report before tonight. I’ll send you my car.” He didn’t wait for her answer, pressing the advantage of having caught her unprepared for his visit.
“That would be fine,” she said as he walked out the door. “Just fine.” She slumped back into her chair and held her head in her hands. “Shit. Cocky asshole. Sexy, cocky asshole.”
2
David walked out of the office and into the elevator without losing his grin. He’d caught Helen Mathews at a disadvantage. Hard to say what her reason for being away really was, but it didn’t seem to have anything to do with stealing his ideas, nor, he reflected, with business in general. That thought made him frown. Why had she endangered her career over the last three months? She was on the rise, but disappearing three times without a trace would put her accounts in jeopardy and make her a target for those who would want her position. He had to admit he hoped she hadn’t run off to meet with some man. She presented a challenge—a powerful woman with a mystery, secrets that didn’t seem as simple as an affair.
He hadn’t expected her to be so sexy. He’d heard she was beautiful, but to be brutally honest, there weren’t too many unattractive women who made it this far up the corporate ladder. In fact, not too many women made it this far at all, not that he agreed with the policy. But Helen Mathews was enough to make a man drool. She wasn’t his normal type. He’d always preferred curvaceous little blondes. She was just about as opposite to his usual quarry as you could get: tall, with long, slender limbs and curves that were sweet, if trim. Her long black hair would look fantastic against his green satin pillowcases.
Now that was going too far. Provided she took up his business proposal, Helen Mathews would be a partner, if not his boss. She’d want control, of both the business and the personal side of things, he was sure. Just because she’d been caught off guard today, didn’t mean she wasn’t the steely-eyed witch he’d heard about.
Her eyes though…they were incredible. Had he ever seen eyes that color, so golden? They weren’t contact lenses—he’d looked when he’d leaned over her desk to take the page of the report she hadn’t read. They were huge and stunning, and they reflected warmth like it was a color of its own. They hid something though, and if they were going to be in business together, he’d have to find out what.
* * *
A bright red canopy capped the Ruby Foo’s entrance. Although a good-sized line-up of people stood before the red and black lacquered doors waiting to get in, David ushered Helen past them and inside to the headwaiter’s desk. They were motioned immediately to follow the Maitre D’. Helen had only a moment to take in the main dining area, but what she saw spiked her interest.
Red and gold colors dominated the room. Candles burning in black lacquered holders on each table accented the tablecloths and the Japanese symbols painted on them. Scarlet banners hung from the painted ceiling, and delicate watercolor and ink paintings graced every wall. The dark color of mahogany showed here and there on the leg of a table or chair.
She took a deep breath to absorb the enticing aromas that teased her senses. Hot and heady spices mingled with the cool scent of seafood. As they proceeded deeper into the restaurant, they passed a huge sushi bar. Two chefs stood before an open glass panel making seaweed rolls of fresh fish and rice. A constant hum of conversation, clinking utensils and subtle music rumbled in her ears. The room was packed with people—Ruby Foo’s was a very trendy place to be. If David Sherman was trying to impress her with a private room here, he had achieved his goal.
She glanced around the room, movement drawing her attention in one direction after another. The noise began to ring in her ears. This was the first time in months she’d entered such a huge public place, and the atmosphere threatened to overwhelm her. She shifted closer to David, nearly stepping on the heels of the Maitre D’.
When they reached the end of the main dining room, the Maitre D’ waved David and Helen in before him through a heavy looking, mahogany colored door. Inside was a tiny private dining room. The small room did not disappoint. It was decorated as generously in Japanese art as the main room, and the relief it provided Helen from the overpowering clashes of sensations of the larger space was more than welcome. She released a breath that she hadn’t noticed she’d been holding. She smiled quickly as David caught her eye.
“I didn’t know Ruby Foo’s offered private dining rooms,” she commented as she seated herself at the intimate table, the waiter hovering close by. “Since you base your operations out of Philadelphia, I’m surprised you know the place. They’ve only been open for a few months.”
He simply raised an eyebrow at her. Cocky man.
As he pulled out his chair, she admired the cut of his dinner jacket and admitted to herself that she’d looked forward to the dinner, and the conversation. Since her problems began three months ago, she hadn’t had a moment’s relaxation.
The waiter attentively pushed in Helen’s chair and laid a napkin across her lap. He handed them each a tall menu booklet, trimmed in the same red and gold of the décor.
“The menu is gigantic,” she commented,
simply to have something to say. “I can’t decide what I want.” As soon as she said that, she regretted it. After all, this was a business dinner, and she’d just shown a form of weakness to the man opposite her, even if it was a tiny indecision.
David looked up from his own menu and smiled knowingly. “I’m for some negitoro temaki sushi to start, and then I want the ginger shrimp with peppers and Savoy cabbage. It’s wonderful.” His smile deepened. “Want some suggestions? Or are you familiar with Japanese food?”
“I’m fine, thanks. I think the chef’s choice dim sum appetizers and the tempura crab are for me.” She regained her composure, and took charge. “So you’ve been here before.”
“Yes, a couple of months ago, when I was here checking up on your firm.” He smiled, taking the sting out of the reminder of his accusations that afternoon. “Everything here is good.”
“Were you alone?” she asked, and then flushed, knowing how that comment must have sounded. Why did she want to know, anyway?
David hesitated then spoke, his voice a low, sexy drawl. “That’s a mighty personal question, Ms. Mathews. Are we talking business or pleasure tonight?” His eyes slid to her mouth, and she fought a shiver.
“Business, of course.” Helen straightened her shoulders, glad she’d decided against a more revealing change of clothes for the evening. A business suit was a shield, of sorts. She reached for her briefcase and pulled out a sheaf of papers. As she laid them on the table, she thought she saw a flash of disappointment cross her companion’s face. She didn’t comment on it. It would be best if she could keep this meeting as professional as possible, relaxation be damned. The waiter chose that moment to arrive to take their drink orders, breaking the tension.
After she ordered a glass of white wine, and David ordered a bottle of hot sake, Helen cleared the centerpiece from the table and spread out several reports. “I think, with what you have proposed, this office center could be very successful. However, Multoma has a somewhat different agenda than the retail areas you have in mind. We’ve had some great successes combining community planning with office planning or retail development.”
“What I see, when I look at your concept, is a gap. You have office spaces and retail spaces, but similar developments are already located and underused nearby. What I think would create a better draw to the office environment is a professional center, a location to draw in a series of doctor’s offices, perhaps legal facilities and, if we’re lucky, a spa.” She paused, and looked up from the papers to find David staring intently at her.
“Is there a problem, Mr. Sherman?” Helen considered his expression and wondered if he was going to reject the idea of Multoma putting its own stamp on the project. If that were the case, he could look elsewhere for a developer, and it wasn’t too likely that he’d find one that would accept his proposal without making a few changes.
David took a mouthful of sake, his expression vague, as he savored the rice wine for longer than necessary.
“No,” he said, and poured another tiny glassful for himself and a second, which he pushed in front of Helen. “I’m considering the motive behind this suggestion. It wouldn’t have to do with the fact that Multoma owns a good chunk of that nearby, underused retail space, would it?” He raised his eyes to Helen’s.
A second waiter arrived to take their meal order and Helen breathed an inaudible sigh of relief. Of course Multoma owned those shops, and her directive was to ensure that any new development would bring more public traffic into the area. More retail space would do that, but wouldn’t necessarily increase the rental value of their properties. David surely knew that. He was simply baiting her, trying to imply that Multoma was only interested in his project as a means to improve their own holdings.
“Of course it does. It also has to do with the fact that the government is planning on building its first seniors’ center in the area, one planned to be a nearly self-sufficient town. These facilities will go hand in hand with the government’s project, increase foot and local traffic, and everyone will benefit.” Helen gave him a straight look, daring him to continue to taunt her. She ignored the drink he’d poured for her. This was a good project, but not the only fish in the sea.
“Okay, so we agree on the development of the area, and the office complex, and I am willing to review your plans on the professional center. Is your company officially interested?” David waited.
“If it weren’t, I wouldn’t be here. Do we have a deal then?”
“A probationary one at least, while we work out the details.” David held out his hand to shake on the deal and seal it. Helen clasped her hand in his and for a moment, neither said a word, and neither let go.
His skin was warm, his hand large on hers. Attraction sizzled up her arm and down her spine. It was a challenge, the way he was staring, daring her to be the first to break eye contact or let go. She let a small smile play over her lips, trying to show him she recognized his intent without having to comment on it. After all, she knew all about alpha male attitudes. The first one to look away would be admitting they were the weaker of the two. Since she never could give up a challenge, this would make for an interesting partnership, as they felt each other out and looked for any weakness. And, if nothing else, this moment allowed her to appreciate his gorgeous eyes.
The early arrival of the waiter carrying their appetizers drew the contest to an end, with Helen and David exchanging a sardonic smile as they both let go. A simple staring match would never settle dominance in their partnership, and they both knew it, but it was difficult to resist. They quickly set aside the proposal papers and Helen turned her attention to the steaming dish of dim sum before her. Steam rose from the ceramic bowl of dumplings; the delicate aroma of fish and spices made her mouth water. She almost wiggled in anticipation of the subtle flavors that were sure to match those scents.
It was then that she noticed an equally interesting aroma coming from David’s plate. As she focused her attention on his plate of sushi, the wild scent of raw fish and pressed seaweed became overpowering. She couldn’t prevent her tongue from slipping between her teeth to lick her lips. David made an odd noise and she glanced up at him. The masculine odor of his skin mixed seductively with his cologne. She breathed him in, absorbed his particular scent, stronger now than it had been in the office. It was heady stuff, and she smiled at the one newfound ability her curse provided her that she actually enjoyed—a stronger sense of smell.
David leaned toward her over the dinner table. “Don’t stop. I love it when a beautiful woman looks at me like she might devour me.” His voice was husky, and drew her eyes to his lips. They were full and sensual, and she thought she might like to bite them. He tapped her lips with a pair of chopsticks, breaking her flash of desire.
“Sorry. Your dinner looks wonderful, and I was wondering if perhaps I should have ordered sushi as well,” Helen hedged. What was she thinking? Yes, he’s handsome, and powerful, and intelligent. He’s also a business prospect, and a known womanizer. Get a grip!
“Try some.” He offered a roll carefully with his chopsticks, and she had little choice but to accept it from him. He fed her carefully, dragging the chopsticks over her lips and watching her as she chewed the delicate morsel slowly. Without a doubt he was teasing her. She couldn’t resist it—she licked her lips again, this time giving him a provocative glance beneath lowered eyelids. Her own appetizer lay cooling in front of her, but she ignored it, preferring to prolong the mocking sensuality that bounced between them. Some things, even things she knew couldn’t go anywhere, were meant to be enjoyed.
They returned to their separate meals, eating in a not-quite-comfortable silence. It was too electric to be comfortable. She stole glances at him, while he stared at her lips. Did he want a kiss? Helen wanted one…and yet, she didn’t. Teasing was one thing, but a kiss would take them over the edge of what was allowed professionally. And after all the craziness of the last three months, well, she wasn’t sure what would happen if she tried t
o take things to a physical level.
David leaned closer, looking at her eyes, and Helen looked away. She could only imagine what he thought of her odd eye coloring. Perhaps he thought she wore special contact lenses to appear more exotic. The color certainly wasn’t natural, but it was one of those things she was slowly becoming accustomed to. Time to cut dinner short.
“Thank you for introducing me to Ruby Foo’s. It’s been interesting. My office will be in contact with yours on Monday to send you our revised proposal.” She opted for her most businesslike tone and stood up from the table, and it seemed effective in backing him off a little. If anything were going to happen between them, she would be the one in control, not him.
David stood as well and grinned. “But I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ve got one more day in New York, and I expect you to spend a little of it with me, as my new partner…and all.”
Helen pursed her lips in frustration. How could she say no? He was laughing at her, but she had to comply. “Fine. Why don’t we meet for lunch?”
“Sounds good. After we take a look at the site, of course. I like to get my bearings physically before I make any final decisions about building. I’ve been there before, but I’d like to see it through your eyes. I’ll pick you up at ten o’clock.” He swept his fingers through his hair, his voice charmingly smooth.
“No, I’ll meet you at the site. I’d rather take my SUV.”
“Ooh, a woman who enjoys the feeling of power under her. My mom always said to look out for women who drove big trucks,” he teased.
She shook her head, having trouble associating the laughing man with the serious businessman, the same way she’d thought it difficult to associate the demanding and accusing agent with the sexy man before her.
“Right then,” he said, stepping away from the table. “I’ll meet you at my site in the morning.”
He was pressing her again, pushing her to follow his lead. His site. For now, she ignored it, but tomorrow would be different. She’d show him it would be her plans, not his, that directed the development. Having another successful project under her name would shut everyone up, absences or no.