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I sighed and pulled my thoughts together. Time to get back to the more important matter of running my business.
I swiped the phone receiver up from my desk. "Clarissa. What news do you have for me?"
I listened as one of my architects who was leading the troubled office renovation caught me up to date.
"So that's solved, but now we're dealing with a power loss to the elevators. The elevator company says it's a wiring issue for the electrician. The electrician says it's the elevator company's issue."
I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead. God save me from incompetent people. "Tell them I expect both of their people on the scene, or I'll start deducting from their bill."
A knock sounded at my door. I glanced at my watch; it had been fifteen minutes on the dot. Another time I might have grinned at my secretary's perfect timing. My door pushed opened, distracting me from whatever Clarissa's answer was. I looked up to see a stunning blonde step into my office. A very familiar one. Clarissa's voice faded into the background. "Spare me the details. Just fix it." I hung up.
"You!"
6
Grace
His single word held all manners of interpretation: surprise, confusion, and maybe only because I wanted to hear it, a touch of trepidation.
I couldn't believe that J. Carter was the one and only Jaxson, Maggie's cousin-in-law and vanishing kisser extraordinaire. And here I thought I was going to be able to push him out of my mind.
Grace - zero; fate - one.
Jade had been accurate, if not crude, in her assessment of the man she'd sent me to see. Personal knowledge of how well he could kiss added to the panty-dampening factor. I mean, if he could kiss that way, I could only imagine how he'd make the other men I'd known seem like boys. Not that I'd had a lot of experience in that area.
Oh, god! Was that why he left me cold? Could he tell I didn't have a lot of experience with sex? Was I that bad at kissing? Jesus, Mary, and Joseph help me get through this.
I plastered on my best "calm face." Smile, Grace. You can do this.
"I'm surprised you recognize me given the back of my head was the last thing you saw."
Okay. That probably wasn’t the best way to start!
His eyes dipped knowingly to my legs and slowly worked their way back up, lingering on my breasts before refocusing on my face. His eyes flashed, and his mouth curved into a smirk as he squared his shoulders and met my eyes head-on. "Oh, I assure you, as beautiful as it is, the back of your head isn't what I remember most about you, Grace."
Damn it! The way my name rolled off his tongue like butter on hot corn sent a dangerous thrill down my spine. I might have held the advantage the second he saw me, but this was a man used to taking control.
My face flushed under his gaze. He strode around his desk with the grace of a panther u
ntil he stood before me, not touching but close enough I had to look up at him.
I cleared my throat and focused on why I was here. I thought I managed to sound cool and collected. "Shall we get on with our appointment, Mr. Carter? I'm sure your schedule is as busy as mine." I scooted around him and sat in a leather chair in front of his desk.
"So formal today, Grace. What happened to 'Jax?'" Instead of returning to his side, he crossed his legs and leaned against his desk.
Geez. Now his crotch was right at my eye level. Even with the loose pleats in his pants, I could see a bulge behind the zipper as he shoved his hands in his pockets.
Why was I here again? He grinned as I scowled. "We ceased being on a first name basis the moment you disappeared without a word last weekend."
"Very well. We'll play it your way." He scooted back behind his desk and folded his hands on top of the surface. "I believe you were here to negotiate some money for a charity event you're organizing, correct?" His formal tone marginally helped me regroup.
Forcing my gaze to his, I took a deep breath and started my well-rehearsed spiel. "Yes, I'm selling tickets for a charity dinner. The City Council voted to create a new youth facility where kids can—"
He held his hand up. "What's the bottom line, Ms. Hart? How much are you asking for?"
"Don't you want to know what the money is for?"
"I'm assuming if you're vetting it, I won't have a problem with it."
