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She struggled not to laugh at the look of horror on his face. “Exactly. If a tenant has a problem, you fix it, or if it’s too big, you call in experts.”
“It surely can’t be that much work that you can’t handle it in the evenings.”
“That’s the thing. With this being the busiest time of the year at the café, I’m working a lot of hours. I don’t have the extra time like I normally do.”
He shook his head as he sat back in his chair. “I don’t think you understand. I’m the CEO of a large company. I don’t have time to play janitor.”
“It’s building manager.”
“Whatever.” He waved off her correction. “The point is I don’t have time.”
If she didn’t do something quick, she was totally going to lose him. “So
what you’re saying is that you can’t do the job.”
“That’s not what I said.” Frown lines creased his brow.
“I bet you don’t even know how to work a wrench.”
He sat up straighter. “I hate to disappoint you, but I do.”
It was her turn to be surprised. She struggled to keep it from showing on her face. “Good. Then you don’t have a reason not to agree.” And then she reinforced the challenge by saying, “That is, unless you think it’d be too much for you.”
He frowned as he crossed his arms. If he was going to outright refuse, he would have done it by now, right? So was he actually considering her totally off the wall idea? And if he did accept, would the people in her building agree with her actions? She hoped so.
Seconds passed in utter silence.
It was though a wall had gone up in his eyes, blocking her attempts to get a glimpse of his inner thoughts. So much for the eyes being the windows to one’s soul.
He leaned forward. “I need a day or two to consider this.”
Wow! Maybe it wasn’t such an outrageous idea, after all.
She hesitated, not wanting him to know just how excited she was to have him take her proposition seriously. “Okay, then. I’ll wait to hear from you. I should be going.”
He walked her to the elevator. All the while, she wasn’t sure what to make of him. Was he really going to consider her offer? Or was he just stringing her along?
When the elevator door slid open, she turned to him. “Thank you for dinner. And the view. I loved the view.”
He surprised her with a smile. It lit up his eyes and made him look younger and sexier, if that was possible. His gaze lowered to her lips. “It is a spectacular view.”
And suddenly she had the distinct impression they weren’t talking about the same thing. Was he considering kissing her? Her heart pitter-pattered faster as she grew warm. They definitely weren’t talking about the same thing at all.
If she didn’t step on that elevator right this moment, she had the feeling things would spin completely out of control. And she’d done so well negotiating with him. She refused to falter now for what? A moment of desire? A quick flirtation?
“G-good night,” she stammered as she forced her feet to move.
“I’ll be seeing you soon.” His deep voice sent a wave of anticipation humming through her body.
The elevator door swished shut. She pressed the button for the ground floor. What had happened? One moment they were negotiating a business arrangement and the next moment it was like he was considering kissing her good night. Or had she imagined the whole thing?
CHAPTER FIVE
HIS DAY STARTED before the sun.
The truth was Graham had tossed and turned most of the night. His thoughts had been filled with memories of his dinner with the intriguing Miss Martin. The evening had not gone at all as he’d expected.
After giving up on sleep, he grabbed a hot shower. He leaned against the tile wall as steamy jets beat against his sore muscles. Trying to undo the tangled mess his father had left him at the office was taking its toll on him. And the last thing he needed was this very bizarre agreement with Alina.
