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Toni took a literal step away from temptation and crossed her arms, feeling oddly exposed despite her long-sleeved red sweater and black pants. “So, what do you think?”
“Honestly?” Spencer straightened and turned to face her, his expression unreadable.
“I always want the truth.” She’d learned that from her father. The truth, however painful, was best. “Give it to me.”
Admiration brightened his green eyes, the sight of it sending a rush of pleasure through her. “I’m impressed.”
Flushing at his compliment, she stepped closer to reach for her computer and realized too late he’d not moved an inch. Her arm brushed his, and her whole right side tingled. “Good. What did you like about it, specifically?”
“Well, first off, it’s well organized. You’ve got the data about the holes in the education system and all the people who aren’t being reached by traditional schooling in Jubail, but you’ve framed it in a way that focuses on opportunities rather than on blaming anyone for the shortcomings, which I imagine is important when you’re presenting to the people in charge. You show a lot of respect for the historic and cultural traditions of the country while still emphasizing the advantages of creating a more informed, cosmopolitan populace. And when you move past the facts and figures to make a direct, emotional appeal to help the children and give them a brighter future, I think you hit just the right note. Moving without being manipulative. I think it’s a pitch the leadership will find it very easy to agree on—and that’s no easy feat, given the tensions in the region.”
Now she was the one who was impressed. “That’s quite an analysis. Do you have a business background?”
“Nothing official,” he said with an easy smile. “But I like to read. Books on how to be persuasive, how to be a better speaker, how to organize your ideas to get people to take them seriously. It’s important to me that I present myself well.”
You present yourselfverywell,she thought. Smart, well-spoken, charming…not to mention powerfully built and incredibly handsome. She couldn’t imagine anyone failing to be impressed by him, whether they wanted to be or not.
“You’ll be meeting with Sheik Saaed, right?” Spencer continued. “From everything I’ve heard about him, backing an initiative like yours sounds right up his alley. And he’s incredibly popular throughout Jubail. Once you’ve got him on board, the doors will be wide open for you and your foundation.”
“You seem to know a lot about the area. How much time did you spend in Jubail?”
“Almost a year, when I was nineteen.” One side of his lips quirked into a small smile. “Fresh out of SEAL training and eager to save the world. Our team helped train their local militia forces.”
“Wow. That must’ve been a lot for someone so young.”
“It was a learning experience, that’s for sure.”
“I bet.” She took her seat at the desk, gesturing toward the overstuffed chairs across from her. “So you’re pretty familiar with their culture, then?”
“Yep.” Spencer stretched out his long legs, his feet accidentally brushing hers before he pulled them away and apologized. “Jubail’s a beautiful place, and the people are great. There was this one place I remember, a lake near the mountains in the south. Reminded me of this spot where my granddad and I used to go fishing when I was a kid.”
“Given your knowledge of the country and the citizens, I’d like your help on this presentation, Spencer.”
Looking genuinely shocked, he narrowed his gaze. “Really?”
“Yes. You have the insider expertise I need to ensure this trip is a success. No pressure or anything, but the future of my foundation hangs on this presentation—which means the fate of all those children who can learn to read and benefit from the stories on our e-readers.”
He sat back. “No pressure at all, then.”
“Nope.” She grinned.
He laughed. “You’re not what I expected.”
His eyes stayed locked on hers, not dropping to her breasts as so many men’s did before returning to her face—but all the same, she felt her defenses rising the same way they did when other men had made similar remarks.
“What did you expect? A spoiled rich girl who dabbles in charity work as a hobby?” She was well aware of how most of the world viewed her, despite everything she’d done to prove her intelligence, sincerity, and worth. The thought that this gorgeous man might believe the insults and innuendos the tabloids had printed about her stung more than she cared to admit. “Tell me, Spencer.”
He gave a one-shoulder shrug, not meeting her eyes, his expression guilty. “A clone of your father, I guess. Charming, smart, shrewd. Not exactly trustworthy.”
Well, then.
“I’d like to contradict you on that last point, but the irritating fact is it’s fairly true. My father hasn’t always been the most trustworthy. Not to anyone else, and not even to me. Maybe especially not to me,” she added quietly, thinking of all the promises broken—forgotten birthdays, canceled holidays, awards ceremonies and graduations where the seat she reserved for him sat empty. “But while I hope I inherited his charm and his shrewd mind, untrustworthiness is a lesson I actively triednotto learn from him.”
Spencer winced. “Touchy subject, eh?”
Toni frowned and looked away, concentrating on her fingernails and not his too-perceptive gaze. “Neither of my parents bothered romanticizing it for me. My mom was wife number three—she got pregnant on purpose to try to hold on to him, and it backfired. They were divorced before I was born. When I was growing up, I’d be lucky to see him once a year, and even then half the time he no-showed or canceled at the last minute. My dad might be a billionaire businessman, but he won’t be winning father-of-the-year awards any time soon.” She took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. “Anyway. How that you’ve met me, how has your perception changed?”
“So far, I think you’re…charming, smart, and shrewd. And you’re kind to your assistant, who raves about you like you invented sunshine. Your reputation in the communities you’ve helped is sterling, and when you talk about your mission to help improve childhood literacy, it’s obvious how much you care. For what it’s worth, I think you’re genuinely trying to do some good in the world. and I respect that. That’s why I’m glad to do my part to ensure you can get your work done safely.” He leaned to the side to peer across the hall into her old office. “You got the window fixed already?”
