“What’s the progress on the warehouse, Tania? The client is up on arms about it. They want the deal to be finalized as soon as possible.”
She gulped. He gaze roamed over Riley’s face who was sleeping peacefully as if he didn’t have a care in the world. She walked out of the room. “I am working on it, sir. It should be done this week.”
“Why is it taking so long? I thought you said it was perfect for their requirement.”
Tania couldn’t hold back any longer. “There is another group that’s interested in the same property and Xavier is in negotiation with them at the same time.”
It was obvious that he didn’t like it because he huffed with annoyance. “Who are they?”
“I don’t quite know, sir, but the man who is working for them, Riley, has met me. They appear to be very keen. May I suggest that we look at some other warehouses that are perfect for our client? Just in case, you know,” she suggested.
“I don’t operate with just in case, Tania. You know better than that. This is the warehouse they want and you’re supposed to get it for them. Is that clear?”
She flopped on the couch. Damn it! If this deal didn’t go through, her career might be in more jeopardy than she realized. “Yes, sir.”
When she placed the phone down, there was only one thought in Tania’s head; she had to convince Riley to somehow back out of this deal. If Xavier didn’t have another option, he would tell the owner to sell them the property. Her job would be safe and she might even get the promotion that she was so desperately working towards. Telling Riley to leave was the first step; she couldn’t afford to get more involved with him. If Brin found out, he would throw a fit. Marching over, she put her hand on his arm and shook him slightly. “Riley.”
She expected him to wake up, talk, and move out but what he did shook her. His arm encircled her waist and pulled her down. He shifted on the bed and made her lie beside him. His hand rested on her belly while he snuggled into her.
Damn him to hell!
She didn’t quite know what to make of this man who made her blood tingle with desire. He was truly good at what he did – business, bed, and conversation. But was there more of a substance to the man? She wasn’t sure – but she was game to discover more about him. She didn’t want this. Much to her consternation, she no longer had the urge to get rid of him, not when his lips hovered inches beyond her shoulder. The soft breath that he released felt warm against her skin. It was so wrong in so many ways – and yet it felt perfectly fine. She allowed her eyes to close. Tomorrow was another day. She would deal with this problem later.
Chapter Seven
Riley woke up. Something didn’t quite feel right. Actually, it felt perfect but it was different. A while later, he realized that he was sleeping next to Tania, their bodies spooned against each other as if they were meant to be. He took a few moments to enjoy the blissful feeling.
Her hair smelt so nice. He inhaled deeply. Although he was reluctant to move and end this pleasure, he rolled out of bed and marched into the bathroom. After a while, he got out, gathered all his clothes, and then walked out. He could leave just now and it would seem perfectly normal. He definitely didn’t want anything long-term to establish between them. She was just another woman and, although he was having fun, he didn’t intend to tie himself down to her, or to anyone else. He was a free agent, a wandering soul. Never did he ever feel the need to settle down with one woman and make a life together. Up until now.
For a few minutes, he stood still in her living room, waiting for his mind to clear. Surely, he wasn’t serious about this. He didn’t actually intend to have a life with her. What was he thinking? How did he feel about her? Love? The word was harsh and hit him like a punch in the gut. No way was he thinking along those lines. Love was such as alien concept, such a strange one, that his mind couldn’t comprehend it.
He should leave right now and never look back. The woman was a witch. She had ensnared him in some kind of a love spell that was bound to doom him. This was his chance to make a break. It was important that he not get trapped in this net that she was spreading around him.
His people could handle the rest of the deal. He didn’t need to be here. It was better to move far, far away in another town and take over some other deal. His work here was quite done.
When she sauntered out of the room an hour later, he was making pancakes in the kitchen. Bewildered, she stared at him. He could see the snap of anger in her eyes and the softening of her mouth as she saw him flip the pancake. “What are you doing?”
He should have gone. That would have been the best thing to do, but, of course, he couldn’t do it. He gave up his last chance for freedom for this opportunity to see the mistrust in her eyes as she walked forward and saw the full plate of hot pancakes.
He kept his tone light and easy. “I’m cooking breakfast. Do you want some?”
She settled on the stool. “Okay.”
Taking out a clean plate from the cupboard, he arranged two on it and presented them to her. The maple syrup and pot of chocolate sauce was already on the counter. “You’ve a well stocked pantry and kitchen. I hope you don’t mind, but I took a good look around before settling on this. Felt like having something sweet for breakfast.”
Instead of answering, she picked up her fork and knife, cut off a piece, and put it in her mouth. She chewed. He saw the delight in her eyes. “This is good. Is there no end to your talents?”
“You haven’t tasted my smoked salmon and my Delicious Death chocolate cake yet. They will melt in your mouth.”
“So you cook?”
“I do what I can. Got tired of eating in the restaurants alone. It was better to learn the basics and, of course, once I started, there was no looking back.”
She ate her breakfast. Once all the pancakes were ready, he poured two cups of coffee. What the hell was he doing here? The scene was far more domesticated than anything he ever experienced before. There were few opportunities for him to wake up next to a beautiful woman, and fewer instances when he lingered long enough to share a meal. Riley was choosy – and that was the reason why his heart was still intact. This woman was going to change things, though – and he wasn’t quite sure how he felt about that premonition.
“Sugar?” he asked, giving her no hint about the conflict that raged in his heart. He didn’t want to give her the satisfaction of knowing that she had wrapped him around her finger.
This woman was dangerous. If she ever got to know that she held so much power over him, she wouldn’t hesitate to use it to manipulate him, and he couldn’t allow that. This was a treacherous, risky game and, even though he quite enjoyed it, Riley was a bit rattled by it.
“I don’t take sugar,” she said as she took a sip.
He could see the speculative gleam in her eyes as she viewed him from above the rim of her cup but he didn’t give any indication that he was aware of her gaze. Instead, he set a plate for himself and joined her on the counter. For a while, they ate in silence. It felt perfect, right, but he was aware that this was just a lull in the storm. There were too many differences between them. She was dynamite, a woman who could take care of herself and her needs. She wouldn’t just allow him to creep into her life without a fight, but he was determined to stay.
“This was pretty good.” Picking up her empty plate, she took it to the sink and washed it. “I can’t wait to taste your other delights.”
He finished his pancakes. His heart beat with joy to hear her say that. Although he could tell that she was shocked to find him in her house in the morning, he could tell that she was pleased, too. Maybe she wanted this as much as him but didn’t quite know how to express herself. That was the problem with independent, strong people – they got so used to being on their own that it was impossible to admit that it would be nice to have someone else in their lives once in a while. But he wasn’t thinking about short term. He wanted to be with her for as long as he could – for as long as his heart desired and until on
e of them drove apart the other.
But what if this was true love? No way. He didn’t know her well enough to fall for her. This wasn’t some movie in which people spent a little bit of time together and then couldn’t imagine their lives without each other. He didn’t feel like that. Not a chance in hell.
Picking up his plate, he carried it over to the sink. She took it from his hand. “Thanks,” he said and turned away. The scent of her, the sight of her, was enough to send desire careening through his heart. He wanted to carry her back to bed and make love to her. His body ached to feel her skin, her hands, and her delicious curves.
“No problem. After all, you are the one who cooked me a breakfast. I don’t remember the last time someone did that for me.”
Good. That meant that it wasn’t often that she woke up with a man in her house. He liked it. “Any time, sweetheart.”
“Why do you keep calling me that?”
Riley raised an eyebrow. Why, indeed? Sure, it was a term of endearment that he used sometimes, but he never actually did so for any of his girlfriends or the women he slept with. But he couldn’t admit that to her without confessing that the way he felt towards her was so much more different than his feelings for other women who came before her. “It’s because you are sweet, and because you are after my heart.”
“You can keep your heart,” she snapped. Startled by her tone, he turned to face her. She didn’t look up. Instead, she washed her hands and then wiped them on a towel. Carefully, she glanced at him. “Sorry. It’s just…this whole thing is making me nervous.”
He knew exactly what she meant but he wanted her to say it. “What thing?”
She glowered as if she could tell that he was being deliberately obtuse on purpose. “You and me…this thing. This strange relationship that we have developed.”
“There is nothing strange about it.”
“Maybe you are in the habit of falling in bed with strangers, but I am not,” she said in an abrupt manner. “This is new territory for me and, frankly, I don’t like it.”
Delighted as he was by her words, Riley couldn’t take too much pleasure in them. He felt pretty much the same. “I don’t pick up women at random. You’re…a different ballgame even for me.”
“So what are we going to do?”
A good question, indeed. His instinct was to tell her that they should call it quits. Nothing good could come out of it. “The easiest thing would be to not see each other again. You don’t have complications, and neither do it.” Was that disappointment that gleamed in her eyes? Or perhaps relief? He couldn’t be sure. “I’ve steered clear of such issues all my life. You can say that I’ve made a career out of it.”
She put a hand on the counter. “So have I.”
He stared at her, not sure what she was really thinking. If he put his heart out there and she stomped on it, he would lose his dignity along with his sanity. But the woman was well worth the pain. He would never ever find someone quite like her. It wasn’t just her beauty that held him captive, but also her inner strength, her sharp mind, and her attitude. If there was someone for whom he could risk his independence and freedom, she was the one.
“But if we were to try and see how this ended, it would be far more exciting.” There he said it. She didn’t speak. He felt compelled to add something. “Not that I am sure where it would lead us, but I am just saying that it might be a good idea to continue to be together for some time. What do you think?”
The silence stretched out, long and heartbreaking. Maybe she thought that he was an idiot. Perhaps inside, she was laughing at his audacity. He gave up hope as she didn’t say anything. It was a mistake. He should leave now while he still had some shreds of his ego.
As he turned to collect his things, she spoke. “I think it’s a good idea.”
He whirled to face her. What did she just say? “You do?”
She nodded, and he could the see the amusement that lurked in her eyes. She could sense that he was desperate to hear this. Was she toying with him? “I want to see how this ends. I like you, Riley. A lot. It’s kind of crazy because I’ve never let a man become so important to me, but, now that we’ve reached this juncture, I want to continue the journey.”
He whooped, picked her up, and twirled her around. “Sweetheart, you’re not going to regret this.”
Although he meant those words, Riley didn’t know that he would soon feel sorry that he ever uttered them. Being with him wasn’t good for Tania – but she didn’t know it, and neither did he.
Chapter Eight
As they talked and laughed, time flew with an amazing speed. Once, she had thought she would never find a man with whom she would be content to stay at home and do nothing for hours, but now that was all she wanted to do. It felt good to sit with him and discuss topics like their favorite TV shows, or actors, or the mayhem that gripped the world, the wars, politics, and food.
Riley was a man of various interests. After much pleading and begging, he finally started to teach her how to ride a bike. Initially, he sat with her every time she took it out, but, lately, he was beginning to trust her a little more with it. She could sense he loved his bike with a passion that she found amusing, but she shared it a little bit. It was heady to ride a bike and feel the wind behind her. It made her feel strong, powerful.
It was the fifth day since they began to openly date. Well, dating was perhaps the wrong word since they spent most of their time with each other. Tania didn’t like staying in his apartment so he was over at her place most evenings and ended up staying the night. She didn’t know what he did during the days because she was busy in the office. Presumably he contacted his mates or the people for whom he worked and did his job.
“Xavier has not been picking up my calls,” she said. It was Saturday afternoon and they had spent half the day lolling in bed. Although Tania told herself she didn’t want to discuss this with him, it was high time they did so. Unless the warehouse deal was sorted out, she would never be able to truly relax. “Have you tried to call him?”
He didn’t quite meet her eyes. “I have, but he hasn’t been picking up my calls either.”
“Do you think he decided to go with another buyer?”
He chewed on his bottom lip, looking worried. It wasn’t often that she saw him in this state, so, naturally, Tania was a bit concerned. Was there something that he wasn’t telling her? Maybe it was silly of her to trust him so implicitly when he was in direct competition with her regarding this warehouse. If her boss knew, he would hit the roof.
“I’ve no idea what’s going on. Although I called my board members to tell them, they didn’t appear that concerned. I told them that they needed to release some advance…perhaps that would turn him around, but they told me not to bother too much,” he said.
“An advance?” She stood and stretched. “That’s not the norm. How can you give some money when no papers have been signed? And he agreed to sell it to you verbally?” She frowned. Had he cracked the deal and not told her? That would be a breach of her trust. If she heard form Xavier, she would tell him. Why couldn’t he be just as honest?
“I’ve not talked to him.”
She didn’t quite know whether to take his words as truth or not. What if he was stringing her along and finalized the deal without her knowledge? She had not told him her career hung in the balance. The pressure on her was building up. If she didn’t manage to sign this deal, she might lose her job. It was a sobering and scary thought. Her career was what sustained her for a long, long time. She wasn’t willing to bid it goodbye just because she had a man in her life.
As she stared at him, she could tell he wasn’t feeling all that comfortable. It could be because they decided early on not to discuss this topic again and again, or because he was hiding stuff from her. She didn’t quite know what to do say or do.
“What should we do?” she asked him in the hopes of getting some response from him regarding this situation with Xavier.
He sto
od and walked over to the window. Lifting the curtain, he peered out. “It’s a beautiful day. We should go out.”
She frowned. “What?”
“There is a fun fair at the park. Let’s go there.”
She didn’t quite know what to make of this weird statement. As he turned to face her, she was taken aback by the excitement on his face. Did he actually mean it? Or was it just his excuse for changing the topic? “Fun fair? How old are you?”
“Never mind that.” Marching forward, he thrust out his hand at her. “It will be fun. Come on. You’ll love it.”
Tania didn’t quite remember the last time she went to a fun fair. It had to be way back when she was in school. Crazy as this idea was, it also appealed to her. It would get them out of the house and anything she did with Riley was always bound to be exciting. Taking his hand, she stood. “What will be next? A circus?”
“That might not be a bad idea. Come on, you felt the same way about bikes and now I can’t get you off mine.”
This Savage Love: A Bad Boy Romance Boxed Set Page 102