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‘But why? Why would you do such a thing?’
‘Because I think Kandy Kate is an interesting proposition.’ He casually slid his hand down the doorframe and into the pocket of his trousers. ‘Handled correctly, I’m confident it will prove to be a good investment.’
‘“A good investment”?’ Kate challenged. ‘I don’t believe you. Why would you think that?’
Nikos gave a short laugh. ‘No wonder your business is in such dire straits if you have so little faith in it.’
‘I have plenty of faith in Kandy Kate, thank you very much. It’s you I have no faith in.’
‘Ah, yes, of course.’ His eyes gleamed darkly. ‘I almost forgot.’
‘Well, I haven’t.’
He could see that Kate was slowly clawing her way to safer ground. He would let her rest there for a while before bringing her straight back down.
‘And there was me thinking you’d be grateful to find an investor. Even one such as myself.’
‘You are not an investor,’ Kate flew at him. ‘You have gone behind my back and purchased Kandy Kate shares at a rock-bottom price with the intention of taking over the company. You said it yourself—this is a hostile takeover.’
‘It doesn’t have to be hostile.’ Lowering his voice, Nikos fixed her with a glittering stare, reaching forward to take hold of her chin when she tried to turn her face away. ‘In fact, if we put our minds to it, I suspect we could make it very friendly indeed.’
‘In your dreams, Nikos.’ Kate jerked her head away from his light grip. ‘If you think I could ever be friendly with you again, in any capacity, then you are very much mistaken.’
Nikos watched as she tucked herself behind the safety of her desk, giving her a moment before he spoke again. ‘Well, we’ll see about that, won’t we?’ He sat back down opposite her. ‘And, since you’ve brought up the matter of dreams, then, yes, I admit it—you have featured in mine quite largely.’ He flexed his fingers to inspect his manicured nails. ‘All those long, lonely nights in an empty bed, with nothing but memories to keep me company...what’s a man to do...?’ He looked up, spearing Kate with his gaze, registering the deep flush that had stained her cheeks, tinging the rim of her neat ears. ‘Maybe it has been the same for you?’
‘Get out!’ On her feet again, Kate pointed to the door, her extended arm visibly shaking.
‘No.’ Nikos matched her stance, his voice a harsh command, all traces of teasing flirtation banished. ‘I am not going anywhere, Kate. Not until you have heard what I have to say.’
‘And what, exactly, do you think gives you the right to tell me what to do?’
Nikos would have liked to tell her. He could think of plenty of reasons why she should do exactly as he said. Kate O’Connor owed him—and in time he looked forward to making her see that. But not yet. If you were trying to land a wriggling fish it was best to turn the reel nice and slow.
He drew in a steadying breath. ‘Let’s just say it will be to your advantage.’
‘I very much doubt it.’ With a scoff, Kate sat back down, folding her arms tightly across her chest. ‘Just say whatever it is you have to say, then get out.’
Nikos arranged his body on the chair, deliberately taking his time. Steepling his fingers, he raised his eyes to find hers. ‘You may or may not know, but since we last met my fortunes have changed somewhat. I am now an extremely wealthy man.’
‘So?’ Kate glared at him. ‘If you’ve just come here to brag about how rich you are, Nikos, then save your breath. I’m not interested.’
Nikos paused, taking a second to mentally erase her contemptuous remark. It was either that or teach her a lesson. And he knew exactly how he’d like to do that.
‘Luckily for you, I am prepared to invest some of that fortune to save your business.’
‘And, unluckily for you, I wouldn’t accept you as an investor if you were the last man on earth.’ Her answer came back with the speed of a bullet.
‘Really, Kate?’ She was starting to wind him up now. ‘Are you sure about that?’
