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She resisted the urge to worry her bottom lip. If she were to show him that office in its current disheveled state, she was certain he’d bolt for the door. And she wouldn’t blame him.
“I... I don’t have the key on me.” It was the honest truth.
“Well, it is getting late. It can wait until the morning.”
“Sounds like a plan.” She smiled at him. “You should go. After all, you having packing to do.” And she had to make the office homey or at least as welcoming as possible. Was that even possible?
“You’re right.” Standing in front of her, his gaze met hers. It lingered a moment longer than necessary, making her heart race. “Good night.”
Alina swallowed hard. “Night.”
It was the only word she trusted herself to say. She worried her voice would betray the way his nearness caused her body to heat up with desire. Not that she was planning to act on those urges. After all, he was the enemy. She couldn’t forget that fact.
CHAPTER SIX
AGAINST HIS BETTER JUDGMENT, he’d agreed to Alina’s outlandish request.
And ever since, Graham had been working to streamline his business interactions using Mary as his point person in the office. In the end, he’d had to tell his key people the truth about negotiating an early vacancy of the Stirling—just not the whole truth about being the building janitor. His pride refused to divulge it.
Still, people were impressed he was willing to take this important project on himself and not assign it to an underling. He was certain if they knew the details of his agreement with Alina, they wouldn’t be impressed at all.
With his earpiece in place, ready to pick up all of his office calls, Graham’s chauffeur-driven sedan pulled to a stop outside the Stirling. It was Friday morning at precisely seven a.m. Exactly on time. This was a good way to start things.
On his way in the door, he got precisely three suspicious looks, one hello and one so you really came back comment. He stopped at the building manager’s door. He tried the doorknob but it was locked. Time to visit Alina. There was an added bounce to his step as he headed for the elevator.
However, when he found the elevator was stopped on the top floor, he headed back down the hall and took the steps to th
e third floor. With his luggage in hand, he paused in front of Alina’s door. He couldn’t help wondering if he’d made the right decision to go along with her plan. Not giving himself time to answer the question, he knocked on the door.
A moment passed before Alina answered, surprise written all over her pretty face. He glanced down, making sure in his rush he hadn’t put on mismatched shoes. Nope. They matched. And he had on pants, a shirt and a coat. He’d remembered everything, even though he’d been distracted all morning with thoughts of seeing her again. Although not in a romantic way, of course.
He raised his gaze. “You look surprised to see me. I did get the time right, didn’t I?”
“You did. I... I guess I’m just surprised you’re really going through with this.”
His brows scrunched together. “Have you changed your mind? Because we have a signed agreement.”
She shook her head. “We’re good. Come in.”
He entered her apartment, dropping his bag by the door. With the morning sun streaming in through her living room windows, the rays bounced off the Christmas decorations, from a snowman wearing a red scarf that was situated on an end table to a crystal bowl in the center of the coffee table filled with shiny red ornaments. The more he looked around, the more he realized the whole room was decked out for the holidays.
“I’ve done a little decorating,” she said.
“A little?” The words popped out of his mouth before he could stop them. It looked like a lot of decorations to him. What else could she possibly add?
As though reading his thoughts, she said, “It’s still missing the Christmas tree, but with trying to balance two jobs, I haven’t had time to get one.” She gestured for him to wait a moment. “Let me grab my shoes and I’ll show you where you’ll be staying.”
While she finished getting ready, he continued to glance around the apartment. The furniture was old but it was well cared for. The modest living room and kitchen were a bit crowded but otherwise orderly. He wondered if they were always this way or had she gone to the extra effort because she knew he’d be showing up. No, of course she wouldn’t. She didn’t seem to care what he thought of her—and maybe that was what held his interest.
“I’m ready.” Alina approached the door.
He joined her there. When he drew near her, he inhaled a light scent of berries and champagne. It was an interesting combination. Before he could breathe in that intoxicating scent again, she exited the apartment. Disappointment assailed him.
He followed her to the elevator. She was quieter than she’d been in the past, but then again, she’d gotten what she’d wanted—him agreeing to play along with her plan—but if she expected this arrangement to change his mind about tearing down the Stirling, it wasn’t going to happen. The tower and all it implied was just too important.
She pressed the down button and immediately the door slid open. He stepped inside, noticing just how small the elevator was compared to the bank of elevators at the Diamond Building where the Toliver offices were located.
Though rumor said that the Tolivers owned the Diamond Building, they didn’t. And with the building fully occupied, there was no space for the company to expand. As it was, they had employees doubling and tripling in offices. It was getting bad. They needed the new building up and operational as soon as possible.
