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She stiffened, then waved an elegant hand. ‘That’s none of your business. You refused my request. I don’t owe you an explanation.’
His insides clenched. It was the same sort of dismissiveness he’d been subjected to as a child. The sort of treatment he’d tried—and succeeded—in throwing into a vault and tossing away the key. Now that unpleasant box was rattling, threatening to fly open and throw up all his bitterness and resentment about his childhood.
Only if you allow it. Only if you dwell on this.
Deeming him dismissed, she started to quiz him about his plans for her algorithm.
The subject was close enough to his heart that he could rattle away answers without guise or reservation. Her algorithm would direct the scientists and environmentalists where to focus their energy in reversing the ecological damage being done to Cardosia. Amongst many other advantages. But even as he rattled off his country’s many needs, his unanswered questions loomed larger as they ate their main course, then the dessert Genie ordered and the espresso he chose for himself.
By the time she sank her silver spoon into the strawberry and cream concoction and lifted it to her mouth, Seve couldn’t hold back any longer.
‘You’re going to sell to me. We both know that.’
Her green eyes sparked and something ignited within him. ‘I wouldn’t be so presump—’
He held up a halting hand. ‘If this was going nowhere you wouldn’t have ordered dessert.’
She looked down at the concoction as if surprised it was in front of her. ‘Perhaps I have a near-addictive sweet tooth that needs servicing.’
‘Which you can indulge in the privacy of your home once you get there. You’re not that undisciplined.’ She opened her mouth again but he beat her to it once more. ‘This is a social cue I can help you out with, Miss Merchant. You’re lingering because you’re not ready for this dinner to end. You’ve done your homework on me, and it was more than satisfactory because you would’ve cancelled if you had deep enough reservations. Don’t forget, I know you threw Frank Graham out within five minutes. You know I’m the most viable candidate. So it begs the question, why are you holding back from giving us both what we want?’
She set her spoon down and folded her hands in her lap. Seve was beginning to recognise that cue, too. She did it to guard herself from the gravity of her needs. To collect herself before she gave too much away.
It stood to reason that a woman with her level of intelligence would need to, otherwise she would be taken advantage of. And why did thattoosend a pulse of fury through him?
Perhaps he needed his own head examined.
‘This is my life’s work thus far. It’s logical that I give it more than a meal’s duration worth of consideration, don’t you think?’
Something snagged in his chest, but he dismissed it. He was done with entertaining peculiar feelings. ‘Yes, it is. And while you do I have questions of my own.’
Shock, then wariness filmed her eyes. ‘You do?’
He shrugged. ‘I have some burden of responsibility too. One of which is to know why a young woman like you is eager to offload her life’s work. And before you say it’s none of my business, I must insist that your answer is contingent on whether this deal goes forward, of course.’
‘Why?’
‘Because I’d be a fool to go in blind only for you to turn around and build a similar code a year from now and sell it to my competitor.’
Affront quickened her breath, causing her breasts to strain against her dress. It was enough to flood him with red-hot desire. Enough to thicken his shaft and trigger potent craving he hadn’t experienced in a long time.
‘I would never do that.’
‘I haven’t got this far in life by taking people at their word, Miss Merchant. I’m sensing you have experience of the same.’
She swallowed and, again, he couldn’t stop himself from following the graceful line of her throat, wondering how that curve in her neck would feel beneath his lips. On his tongue. Her scent filling his nostrils.
Por l’amor de...
‘I can put that in writing if you want.’
They both held still.
Because, in that moment, the gravity of her words, her capitulation, needed its presence acknowledged.
After a full minute, she exhaled, her shoulders relaxing a fraction. She looked away momentarily before her bold gaze met his again.
Still, she said nothing.
