by Meghan March
I swallowed, and my heart hammered a staccato rhythm in my chest. Pressed so tightly against me, there was no way Con could miss it.
Fixing my eyes on his, I decided that being on the defensive wasn’t going to gain me any ground. So I asked the question burning on my tongue.
“Why?” I asked. “Why would you want a chance with me? You don’t even like me.”
His lips quirked up into a sardonic smile. “I don’t really remember if I like you or not.”
I glared at him. “You’re a pig, you know that?”
The smile faded, and a hard look settled over his features. My attention cut to the door. Con didn’t miss it.
“Oh, no, princess. I told you—you ain’t going anywhere until I’m ready to let you go.” He leaned in until I could feel his breath against my temple as he added, “And I wasn’t joking when I said I might never be ready.”
I refused to look up, knowing that his expression would be smoldering, promising me things I couldn’t have.
“No.” My tone was implacable.
“Look at me.”
“No,” I repeated.
“Then you’re screwed. And not in the way that ends with you coming all over my dick.”
His crude taunt worked. I ripped my gaze away from the studs of his tuxedo shirt and up to his face.
“Like I said before, you’re a pig.”
“And it turns out that you’re not a whore.” He shifted his grip on my wrists to one hand and lowered the other to brush a lock of hair away from my face. “Good to know.”
“Then if you don’t want me to whore myself out, what do you want from me?”
“Like I said, a shot.”
I huffed out a frustrated breath. “But what does that mean?”
“What would you do if I told you I wanted to pick you up at your front door and take you out on the town?”
My blood froze. If that was his requirement, then it was out of the question.
A perfectly executed project wouldn’t matter if my reputation were in tatters. When I didn’t answer right away, Con released my wrists and pushed away from the wall. He crossed to the other side of the coatroom as though wanting to get as far away from me as possible.
“That’s what I thought,” he said, spinning back around to face me.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“That look of horror on your face said it all.” He punctuated his words with a humorless laugh, and I felt my chance slipping away. But the strange part was, I didn’t know if it was the chance at the property or the elusive second chance with Con that I was going to be more devastated to lose.
That can’t matter. But I could be honest with him.
“It’s not personal. I couldn’t publicly date any guy with the kind of reputation you’ve carved out for yourself. Right now, I’m an asset to the foundation. Even if I were to get the property, if at any time my reputation were to become… a liability, I’d kiss my chance at running the place goodbye.”
Con’s eyes lit with something I couldn’t identify. But I was pretty sure it wasn’t defeat. It looked a lot more like… victory.
“So the flip side of your statement means that you wouldn’t have a problem dating someone like me under the radar.”
When had a shot with me moved to dating? Was that really what he wanted? Con didn’t even like me. None of this made sense.
“Why would you even want that? I mean, if I were you, I wouldn’t bother with someone who wasn’t willing to stand beside me in public.” I knew I was damning my own cause with that statement, but it had to be said.
He leaned back against the paneled wall and watched me. With the licks of ink escaping from beneath the crisp, white collar and cuffs of his shirt, his unruly hair, and relaxed stance, he looked like he should be posing for the Toss Me Your Panties calendar. Stop thinking about him like that, dammit.
“I’m not a regular guy, Van. I’ve spent years in the shadows, and I have no problem with staying there.”
“And what exactly does that mean?” I asked.
“You don’t need to know. Suffice it to say, whatever happens between us, for now, I don’t want it to be any more public than you do.”
My mouth fell open into a little O, and a small, vain part of me burned to know why Con Leahy wouldn’t want the world to know he was dating me.
Con pushed off the wall and strode toward me. Three steps and he was once again too close for comfort.
“So what do ya say, princess? Ready to make a deal?”
A deal. I could make a deal. Holy crap, am I really considering this? Yes. Yes, I was.
“Give me your terms, then.”
Con grinned. “You agree to be where I say, when I say, for the next… let’s say… six weeks.”
“Six weeks?” My voice pitched higher with surprise.
“You think I can melt the ice queen faster than that?”
I glared at his use of my least favorite nickname. “I can’t do six weeks. I need the deed before the demolition.”
“One month,” he offered.
“Three weeks,” I countered.
“Done.” The word was a decree, but I wasn’t satisfied yet.
“What if you don’t feel like you got your ‘fair shot’ with me? Would you back out and leave me hanging?”
“Guess you’ll just have to trust me. And actually give me that shot.”
I arched a brow. “Trust you? You want me to put my entire career on the line, and your only reassurance is ‘trust me’?”
“It’s called a leap of faith, princess. Besides, you got any better alternatives?”
I didn’t—and he knew it.
I inhaled a shallow breath and asked, “What about sex? Because if you think that’s a given, you’ve got another thing coming.”
His lazy grin was pure sin. “Sweetheart, if I can’t get you in my bed in three weeks, I don’t deserve to call myself a man. And when I get you there, it won’t have jack shit to do with that deed.”
Heat streaked up my body, licking at my chest and neck. I was getting in way over my head. He was too confident. But what other choice did I really have?
I held out my hand, pleased to see it wasn’t shaking. “It’s a deal.”
Con came toward me slowly, and took my hand but didn’t shake it like I’d anticipated. Instead, he backed me into the corner one more time.
“This ain’t the kind of deal you seal with a handshake.”
Shock prevented my protest from forming, because the only thing I could focus on was Con’s mouth descending on mine. His big hands cradled my jaw and angled my head. His lips were hot as they took mine, his tongue delving inside. It wasn’t a polite kiss. It was a show of dominance. Memories of that night rushed back, and goose bumps prickled along my skin. By the time Con lifted his head, we’d sealed the deal so well I was going to need to change my panties.
I made my way back to the table, legs shaking and mind racing with what I’d just done. With what I’d just agreed to do. I was dating Con Leahy in secret… Sweet baby Jesus.
Before I’d left the coatroom, hopefully a discreet few minutes before he did, Con had programmed his number into my phone and texted himself. Given that our schedules were both relatively flexible, he’d said he would text me the time and location of our first rendezvous.
Oh God. Our rendezvous. The forbidden thrill that shot through me almost had me stumbling on the carpet in front of five hundred people.
When I reached the table, I’d completely missed the first course and was arriving just in time for the main course. Waving off the server with his plate of chicken and keeping the salad that had been laid at my place, I offered up some lame excuse about getting stuck on a call and apologizing for my tardiness. I purposefully did not look for Con, but a fanciful part of me thought I could feel his eyes on me.
I went to pull out my chair, but Lucas beat me to it.
“Let me.” I smiled up at him as he pushed it in while I sat. He had
pretty manners; even though I had a feeling he didn’t grow up in circumstances where they would have been emphasized.
I reached for my napkin and jumped when the woman to my left asked me to pass the salt and pepper.
“Is everything okay, Ms. Frost?” Lucas’s voice was smooth and concerned.
“Yes, just fine. A little distracted from my… phone call. A million things to worry about with this… building project.”
“Yes, I often have… calls… that are distracting. And you’re very diligent if you’re continuing to work well into the evening while you’re here representing your family as well as the foundation.”
“We all do what we have to do, I suppose. I’m sure you are no less diligent than I am.” I turned to face him. He really was almost too handsome for words. Smooth, put together, a sheen of polish over his ambition-honed sharp edges.
“Indeed. I’m diligent in a great many things, Ms. Frost. One of which has been trying to get your attention since I joined the board, but I’ve failed miserably at it.”
Well, that’s awkward. And polite manners would dictate it not be discussed in this venue. “I’m sorry, I hadn’t realized…”
“It’s fine. If I’m going to be overlooked by a woman, I prefer it be by one as stunning as you. At least now I’m starting to understand why.”
His tone had become less than complimentary at the end. I decided to ignore it, but Titan didn’t take the hint.
“I had a call of my own take me away for a few minutes during our first course.”
A feeling of dread pooled in my belly. He couldn’t have seen… Heat burned at the back of my neck, and the field greens on my fork fluttered back to my plate.
“We both have the habit of working too much, then,” I replied lightly.
Turning away, I intended to join the conversation of the woman seated on the other side of me in hopes Titan would just drop whatever point he was trying to make.
My attempt was fruitless. He placed a hand on my arm and leaned closer.
“So was it your relationship with Leahy that ended yours with Duchesne? Or was it your relationship ending with Duchesne that allowed Leahy to move in?”
I gave him my best sugar wouldn’t melt in my mouth smile. “I’m sure I don’t have the faintest idea what you’re talking about.”
His expression twisted into something predatory. “And I’m sure you do. Although I have to say I’m surprised; I wouldn’t have thought you’d put your entire career on the line for a quick fuck in a coatroom.”
All of the blood drained from my face. I straightened my shoulders, unwilling to show any other outward signs of distress.
“Does this conversation have a point? Or are you just trying to ruin my appetite.”
“Oh, rest assured, I always have a point.”
“Then I’ll thank you to make it and move on, Mr. Titan. I’m finding your company is growing tedious.”
His green eyes flashed, and he lowered his voice. “Would you find it less tedious if I took you into the coatroom for a second round?”
I embraced the burn of anger. I turned my head so I spoke directly into his ear. “You can go fuck yourself, Mr. Titan, and I don’t give one good goddamn where you do it.”
His grin stretched across his face as he leaned back. “I knew I liked you, Vanessa.”
Stunned by the rapid change in his behavior, which only moments before had been downright crude, I refolded the napkin on my lap.
“The feeling isn’t mutual,” I clipped.
He chuckled and draped his arm over the back of my chair. “I wondered if you were truly the ice queen they call you behind your back.”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s not behind your back when you’re well aware of the nickname.”
“I think they’ve got it all wrong. I think you’re more fire than ice. And I think that’s why Leahy can’t keep his eyes off of you… even now. He probably wants to break my arm.”
My only response was to stab the field greens and dried cranberries on my plate.
“I’ve heard the rumors about your relationship with Duchesne and how it wasn’t really a relationship at all.”
At his abrupt change in subject, I lowered my fork and reached for my water glass, wishing it were wine. “This really isn’t the proper time or the place for this conversation, Mr. Titan. In fact, I’m fairly certain there is no proper time or place for this conversation.”
He eyed the remaining guests at our table. The dinner conversation around us was vibrant and loud, with the award recipients telling fascinating stories of life growing up on the other side of the proverbial tracks. As one of them was a boy from Con’s gym, I would have much preferred to spend my meal hearing what he had to say, but Titan wasn’t backing down. As a member of the board of directors, he had all of the leverage he needed to torpedo the future of my career. But he wanted something—that was clear. I just had no idea what it was, or whether I’d be able to deliver it in a way that extricated myself from this situation.
“Call me Lucas, please, Vanessa.”
I took another sip of water. “I think I’ll pass on that delightful invitation, Mr. Titan.”
His smile faded, and I got a glimpse of the man who wasn’t afraid to go toe-to-toe with Louisiana’s toughest negotiators on unpopular positions. “I don’t think so, Vanessa. In fact, I think you’re going to be accompanying me when we leave so we can discuss exactly what I want from you.”
“And I think you’re crazy if you believe I’m going anywhere with you.”
In an almost inaudible tone he said, “If you want to keep your fling with Leahy under wraps, you’ll do exactly what I say.”
“Why are you doing this?” I turned to stare him straight in the eye.
“Because I find that I need a service you can offer, and knowing what I know now, I doubt you’ll do it willingly. But because of what I know now, you’ll probably do it anyway.”
I was fairly certain flames shot from my eyes.
Titan rolled his. “Not that, Vanessa. Spending too much time in the gutter has rubbed off on you already.”
We sat in silence as those around us finished their meals and our plates were cleared. When Titan’s name was called for his keynote address, he turned to me.
“Don’t go running off. We have a date when I’m finished.”
I gritted my teeth and stared longingly at the exits. Well, all but the one in Con’s direction. I deliberately avoided looking that way. I didn’t need to give Titan any more ammunition. Although it seemed he already had plenty.
As Titan gave his speech, I couldn’t stop myself from trying to figure out what the hell he could possibly want from me. He made it clear it wasn’t sex. But he also made it clear that it wasn’t something I’d do willingly. True to his word, he kept it short, and ten minutes later he was rejoining me at the head table. The award-winners received their recognition from the executive director, and the event was officially over. I stood, desperate to get the hell out of the room, but Titan grabbed my elbow.
“This way, my dear.” He led me toward the door, directly past where Con was speaking with the boy from his gym.
Con’s expression darkened when he saw Titan’s hand wrapped around my elbow, but I just smiled and placed my hand over it. I didn’t want Con to think I was being manhandled, which I was, out the door. There was no telling what he’d do. I’d have to explain it later.
I stood next to Titan at the valet stand and waited while they brought around both of our cars.
He helped me into mine and told me to follow him to Emeril’s Delmonico. Given the public nature of the location, I wasn’t as uneasy as I would otherwise have been. But still, I really had no idea what I was walking into.
I caught a glimpse of Con striding toward the valet as I pulled away. His eyes were hot and hard.
I had a feeling my explanation had better be good, or this deal of ours would be over before it started.
Ten minutes later, I pulled
up in front of another valet stand and handed off my keys. Titan once again took my arm, but didn’t speak as he led me to the maître‘d. A few words exchanged and we were ensconced in a private dining room. So much for thinking a public location would be safer. But I supposed this might be better if we were going to argue, and he was going fling around accusations about Con and me.
I declined when he offered me a glass of wine, but he filled it anyway, saying, “You’re probably going to need it.” I was finding his high-handed nature incredibly annoying.
I purposely didn’t speak. I waited in sullen silence while he sat back and eyed me.
“Oh come on, Vanessa. That’s a thousand dollar bottle of wine you’re shunning.”
“And you think that impresses me?”
His boyish grin was almost infectious. “I guess that’s a no. I’ll be taking notes, in case you’re wondering.”
“The only thing I’m wondering is what the hell you want.”
He nodded and sipped his wine. “I think that’s pretty simple. I want you.”
“Well that’s a problem, because I’m not interested.”
“Right, because you’re fucking the one guy who shouldn’t have been allowed in that room tonight.”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about.” Nor would I be filling him in.
“Maybe not, but I watched him haul you into that coat closet. If you didn’t have something to hide, you wouldn’t be sitting here right now.”
“If you’d be so kind as to cut to the chase, I’d like to get home and get my beauty sleep.”
“I kind of like it when you pull out that bitch tone on me.”
“I don’t give a damn what you like.”
As though I’d flipped a switch, Lucas Titan’s joking mood evaporated.
“All right, then. This is the deal: essentially, I need you to do for me what you were doing with Duchesne.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I need access to the upper circles of New Orleans’s society. For instance, the one your father orbits.”
The reason I was sitting here became much clearer. “And you’ve managed to burn the bridges that would have let you get there on your own.”
He lifted his wine glass as though toasting me. “You’re not only beautiful, but smart.”