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Maybe I’d prove to myself that she couldn’t destroy my peace any longer. Just because I’d wasted half a day pacing my office, mired in anxiety, it didn’t have to be like this forever. Either the building deal would happen or it wouldn’t.
And I had a weird suspicion that it would.
Francis delivered lunch wordlessly, knowing that I needed my space. I picked at my gourmet deli sandwiches—I always called them the “Lunchables with a retirement plan”—stuffed with microgreens and cured meats. I popped exotic cheese cubes into my mouth as I thought, sipped on sparkling water as I waited.
Finally the call came.
Francis buzzed. “Axel, you have avisitor.”
I knew by the drop in his voice that he meant Cora. “Send her in.”
“You were expecting her?” he asked, but I didn’t respond. He was probing for information, but he wouldn’t get it. Not now. Not when I was torn up inside, waiting to see her again.
It had always been like that with her. One step short of a Slip ’n Slide. All it took was a gentle tap—not even a push—and I’d go tumbling down the slick chute.
I just couldn’t tell if she’d pushed me or if I’d taken a running leap.
A soft knock sounded a moment later. “Come in,” I barked.
The door creaked open. Cora’s head popped in past the doorframe, a mischievous smile tugging at her mulberry lips. Her glossy dark-chocolate locks were pulled up into a smart bun. She wore dark frame glasses that were too trendy to be prescription. Besides, I knew she didn’t need glasses.
“Permission to enter?”
I smirked. “Granted.”
She strode inside, her smooth calves flexing atop designer heels. The door clicked shut behind her, and she took a deep breath once it was just us.
In here. Together. Alone.
Fuck.
“Permission to speak?”
“Cora, cut the crap.” I tried my best to sound annoyed. I really did. But of course I was amused. God, I hated how refreshing it was to still catch glimpses of the woman I’d known and loved.
She pursed her lips into a strange smile as she sauntered toward my desk. “Well, I wasn’t sure after the weekend. Do you remember? You told me to keep the dialogue to a minimum.”
“Which I see you’re not obeying.”
“Oh.Obeying, huh?” She lifted a brow. “Do you want me to sit on command, also?”
“I don’t know.” I feigned boredom, blinking slowly as I struggled to memorize every detail about her. The form-fitting emerald green dress that went down to mid-thigh. Nude heels. The blush in her neck that told me she was loving this as much as I was. “How about you sit the fuck down and we’ll find out?”
She grinned this time. “I don’t think so, Axel. That’s too blatant.”
“Well, you’re barking up the wrong tree if you expect me to be subtle.” I came around my desk, my hands clasped behind my back. I didn’t know where this was headed, only that I needed the challenge almost more than I needed air.
“Ahh, yes. Barking. That’s what I should have come in here doing, since you’ve forbidden me from dialogue. My continuing use of words is allowed, then, right? Because this deal will require communicating, and I don’t plan on using smoke signals.”
I came to a stop in front of her, running my tongue along the inside of my cheek. She faced me, her back straight, as poised and confident as ever. I hated her for it as much as I loved her for it.
“To be honest, smoke signals do sound preferable to continuing this ridiculous conversation,” I said.
She arched a brow. “Me ponying up three million dollars is ridiculous?”
“Where’s the money?”
Cora blinked demurely. “Is that how you close all your deals?”
