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“I’ll give you the details after,” Scarlett told me at one point during the meeting. “Just know that for now, they’re into it.”
“Into it. What does that mean?” My question was hidden behind a well-placed smile that she returned.
“They’re waiting for you to move on to the next topic,” she said, nodding at the projector.
My initial concerns were allayed when I noticed how she had them captivated, and it was when they started laughing back and forth that I realized she was doing much more than translating. Scarlett had them wrapped around her pinky finger.
At one point, she came over to me and took my hand in hers. It was warm and inviting, and I worked hard to hide my confusion.
She looked at the men and said something in Mandarin that made them smile and laugh among themselves.
Then she turned to me, beaming. “They asked about the ring, and I just told them about our undying love, honeybunch.”
Her smile was so fake and wide it looked like it might crack her face.
“Ah,” I responded and stepped closer to her, snaking one arm around her slender waist.
The warmth of her body so close to mine caused an immediate reaction—a rush of adrenaline that made my heart thud dangerously in my chest. All of a sudden, I was sweating.
I looked at the executives and said, “Who could resist beautyandbrains?”
They waited for Scarlett to translate it and then nodded their appreciation.
“See? I told you this would help,” I whispered to her.
She patted my chest lovingly, but only I was aware that she was actually pushing me away. “How about we get back to the pitch?” she asked, giving me a subtle warning look.
Without thinking, I leaned in and kissed her on the lips. They were warm and soft and tasted slightly of glazed cherries. I licked my own to relive the comforting sweetness.
“For luck,” I said with a wink.
The executives seemed to enjoy the show and gave Scarlett a round of applause as she went to sit back down. I continued with my pitch and noticed that she wasn’t fuming about the kiss like I thought she’d be. In fact, Scarlett looked the exact opposite.
Time flew by after I relaxed into my trust for her, and by the time we'd made our final bows, I was holding a signed letter of intent.
“God, that felt amazing!” Scarlett said, practically giddy from the win.
“You were amazing,” I replied. “I mean it, Scarlett. If it weren’t for you…”
“I was only repeating everything you said.” She stopped short of the elevator to look at me. Her elation glistened in her eyes, entrancing me even further. “It was a team effort.”
“Come have a drink with me.” The offer was out of my mouth before I knew it was coming. I should’ve wanted to take it back, but I didn’t.
She looked hesitant. “I don’t know…”
“We have to celebrate.” I grabbed her hand and started toward the hotel bar. “This is the biggest deal in the history of Chord Enterprises. We’re not flying back home without at least one drink.”
A few drinks later and I learned that my best friend’s kid sister was the most enthralling woman I’d ever met. Her intelligence was unmatched, and she shared her brother’s quick wit and dry sense of humor. Once the alcohol had us both relaxed, conversation flowed easily.
“All I’m saying is, it was a smart move to take off your jacket right when I went into the last segment.” My eyes dropped to her cleavage again and stayed there for longer than was appropriate.
Scarlett blushed and dipped her head. “I’d like to think it was my sharp business prowess and not my breasts that got you the deal, Luca.”
“And I think that if I were in their shoes, I wouldn’t be able to say no to a woman who was as beautiful as she was smart.” I held her gaze, a wry smile on my lips.
Maybe it was too much, a line that shouldn’t have been crossed. But there was no taking it back.
And she didn’t seem to hate it, either.
