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His eyebrow jutted up, and his lips formed into a smirk. He winked and took a slow sip of his coffee, watching me over the rim. I couldn’t help but feel my cheeks warm from his sensuality. He leaned on one elbow as he set his mug down. “You look beautiful, by the way.” And there was that grin again. That smug, self-satisfied smile showing off his perfect teeth. My eyes moved to focus on his sumptuous lips, then up to his rich, chocolate eyes. God, he had a delicious face. The things I’d like to do on that face.
I shook my head, clearing my insane fantasy. “Thanks.” I tried to keep him at a safe distance so his sexual energy didn’t make me waver in my stance. I needed to remain strong and not let his prowess unnerve me.
I had to remember to keep my head in the game, make sure he wasn’t taking advantage of my grandparents. They were nice people, and while they could be skeptical and shrewd, people like the Blaires were much more cunning and clever than they ever could be. Especially when it came to business. The Blaires had years of practice at takeovers and conniving business ventures. Manipulation and persuasion were the names of their games. And I had to do everything I could to make sure my grandparents didn’t become their next victims.
Michael’s eyes were still fixed on me. I heard Grams rummaging around in the pantry and prayed for her to hurry. I felt like a doe caught in the crosshairs of a hunter’s rifle. The scope was zeroed in on my skull, and Michael was about to pull the trigger. He bit his lip seductively as he pushed himself up from his seat. He walked a little too close as he asked Grams, “Can I help you with anything?”
“Oh, no. You just sit and make yourself comfortable, hon.”
Hon?I rolled my eyes.
“I’m gonna go find Sal,” she announced, leaving us alone.
Shit!
Michael sat back down, grinning from ear to ear.
I rolled my eyes again. This time he saw.
Oops!
Michael’s haughty, purely masculine chuckle annoyed me. I exhaled an exaggerated breath and shook my head. “Stop being so smug.”
“Who, me?”
“Yes, you.” My tone mimed his. “Wipe that smile off your face. You know exactly what you’re doing. And I’m not playing your silly game.”
“I can’t help that you find my smile, or me, devilishly handsome.”
“More likejust the devil.”
“Admit it. You find me charming. And funny.” He leaned in closer.
I could feel my heart beating in my chest. I swallowed, hoping the sound wasn’t audible to him the way it was to me. “Maybe funnylooking.”
“Jesus, Siena.” He laughed. “You are a brat, you know that?” He smiled that darkly charismatic smile he’d just been boasting about. And he was right . . . it made my toes curl.
“And?”
“And I like you. I just hope we can mix some business with pleasure.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“And”—he leaned closer, his musky scent invading my nostrils—“why not?”
“Because . . . I just don’t.”
“It was worth a shot.” He laughed, pulling back. “I just wanted to get you riled up. I know what you mean. But still—” My grandparents’ entrance cut him off. “Could be fun,” he added as he turned to greet Pops.
How could this obnoxious man get to me the way he did? A few seconds ago, I wanted to deny him any possibility of the two of us. But now? Now I craved the need to prove to him that I wasexactlywhat he wanted.
“Michael!” My grandfather’s voice boomed as they clasped both hands. “How’s it going?” I didn’t like that he was so friendly with Michael. It wasn’t fake or over the top, but the fact he seemed to have no reservations about this man, his father, or their intentions with the property right next to us was frustrating. I got that my grandparents were trying to stay impartial about everything, but just once, I wished they’d be a little more wary and aloof.
“Doing great, Sal. Siena and I were just starting to talk business.” He sent me another wink and a smile.
Michael wasn’t a complete asshole. If I was honest, he had a likable personality. I found myself laughing in his presence and enjoying his company. Our banter and flirting were fun. I just wasn’t sure if he had any sneaky tricks stored up his sleeve. And if he did, how would they affect us? Was winning me over all part of his strategy? My stomach dropped at the thought.
I was sure whatever plans and proposals he had were going to be gorgeous. E Hotels were known for their beautiful and magnificent buildings. But, as I’d mentioned to Grams, I couldn’t see how their hotel was going to fit into Monarch. I was skeptical—skeptical it might take away from the natural beauty we had. That it would be akin to a woman getting a horrible facelift and ending up looking like a circus freak. Would the new hotel add to Monarch? Or would it be like the Maryland hotel, where people in the area thought it was a complete eyesore? Like how some Parisians considered the light show at the Eiffel Tower an abomination.
