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“Just a few?” she asked, seeking eye contact. Her eyes were clear and intent, searching his face.
He couldn’t tell her it had been more than that. It would only make things more complicated. There were enough dangerous feelings between himself and one Langford. “Let’s not talk about the past anymore. I’m tired of it.”
“I don’t want to talk anyway.”
Jacob caught sight of the clock on the wall. Oh, no. “Anna. Our meeting is in ten minutes.”
She blew out a deep breath. “It is?” She lowered her head and shook it. An adorable groan leaked from her mouth. “Okay. I guess it’s time to get to work.”
* * *
So much for Anna’s resolve that this trip was going to be about business and absolutely nothing else. She’d had about as much self-restraint as a toddler in a toy store the minute Jacob kissed her. She still couldn’t believe she’d pushed him up against the cabinet door. Then again, she’d waited a long time for Jacob.
But there was work to be done. She sat and smiled politely as Jacob and Mark got situated in the living room at Jacob’s. A fire crackled in the fireplace, the late afternoon sun cast a warm golden glow through the windows. Jacob had his arm spread out along the back of the chocolate brown leather sofa, his leg crossed, his other hand playing with the stitching at the end of the sofa arm. He laughed quietly at something Mark said, and glanced over at Anna with a look that made any sound in the room turn to a low hum. It was a look born of recognition. He wanted her and he sure as hell knew that she wanted him. There were no more questions of that basic intent. The real question was who would be the first to break down. Was she sitting inside the fireplace? It sure felt that way.
Her entire body warmed, in exactly the way a fire builds—a spark, dead center in her chest, became dancing licks of flame in her shoulders and belly, and the heat rolled right through her, making her face hot and her toes just as naturally off temperature. That kiss—that single, brain-chemistry-altering kiss, was more gratifying than any physical encounter she’d had with a man in years. What if more happened? What if clothes started to come off? Would she pass out? She might.
“So, Mark,” Jacob started, again sliding a shy smile to Anna. “I’d love it if you could give Anna an overview of what you envision for the future of Sunny Side. I think that’ll be a good start and then we can see if partnering with a corporation like LangTel could be a good option.”
Mark shifted in his seat, stroking his hipster beard, not looking entirely sold on the premise of corporate anything. He struck her as a man who’d be a stickler on the finer points of an arrangement between the two companies. This deal, if it happened, would require more than the right amount of money. A day ago, Mark’s reticence would have unhinged Anna to no end. Today, it was more of an annoyance. If he didn’t want to be here, why didn’t he just say so? Then she and Jacob could get back to business of an entirely different nature.
Mark nodded and started on his song and dance about Sunny Side. Anna listened, taking notes on projections and plans for future products, ideas he had for the launch of the technology, product integrations and applications. Adam was a damn fool for letting his rift with Jacob stand in the way of this deal. Of course, the fact that he’d ignored the financial upside was testament to how much he hated the man she’d just kissed with reckless abandon in the garage.
“Anna? Do you have any questions for Mark?”
She was on deck. It was time to make her case. Jacob might be distracting the hell out of her, but she needed to focus. “I don’t. I’ve had a chance to look over these numbers and if your projections hold true, I’d say that Sunny Side can pretty much write their own ticket. So the real question is, how do we make that work within the structure of LangTel?”
Mark leaned forward and set his elbows on his knees. “Look, Ms. Langford...”
“Please. Call me Anna.”
“Anna. You have to understand that I run a company of two dozen employees. Our product has come to fruition so seamlessly because we’re a tight-knit group. Our company culture is immensely important. My worry is that a giant like LangTel will swallow us whole or dismantle us until there’s nothing left.”
“Let me assure you. We have no interest in dismantling your company. The dynamic of your team is crucial to your success. We will absolutely keep it intact.”
“How can you make promises like that? Isn’t your brother CEO? I’ve heard he can be ruthless.”
