Erin studied the man seated across from her desk and repressed a shudder of distaste as smoke from a particularly offensive cigar curled under her nostrils. Her gaze moved from the top of his gray head, lingering on a weather-beaten face that showed every wrinkle, deceptively shrewd blue eyes studying her even as she watched him, then down to the crisp white shirt and blue tie.
She dropped her gaze down to the papers on her desk. “So, I take it we have a deal Mr. Saunders?”
Thin lips parted to reveal a full set of surprisingly pristine white teeth. She could almost bet those dentures were fake.
“Ah yes of course, Ms. Gosling.” Kellan Saunders’ voice was a wheeze from too much cigars, yet carried an air of a man used to good living. “And I can’t thank you enough for the generous offer. Truth be told, I couldn’t quite believe it when your lawyer contacted me. I thought it a hoax.”
Erin managed a small smile, though her insides were a mass of confusing emotions. “Believe me, it is no hoax.” She assured him, drumming her fingers on the desktop. “I really think it is possible to pull your company out of the rut, and that’s why I made the offer.”
Of course that was not the only reason. She amended silently, drumming her fingers harder. She’d done it to prove to Ethan Lachlan that she was just as capable of cold hard revenge as he. To teach him a lesson in humility and also teach him to never toy with a woman’s emotions the way he constantly played hers around. It had been a week since she’d threatened him. A week of stealthily planning her hostile takeover, liaising with her lawyers and investigators, coming up with a reject-proof offer she had been certain Mr. Saunders could not turn down.
He hadn’t of course. And in the process of revenge, she’d gained a lucrative business deal. Kellan could keep the construction company afloat with the funds she was ready to pump in and in return, she would remain a silent partner, keeping a watchful eye on the business.
Damn, but she was proud of herself. Killing two devils with one stone.
The thought made her smile. Now all she had to do was wait for Ethan. She had little doubt he would find out who was behind the failure of his precious merger. God! But she almost relished the thought of sticking a pin in his arrogant ass.
She was so ready to carry out the second phase of her plan.
Erin got to her feet and held out a hand to Kellan. “Well, Mr. Saunders. It’s a pleasure to be your partner. I do hope we work well together.”
Kellan rose too and took her hand. “I’m sure we will Ms. Gosling. Thank you once again for coming to the rescue.”
When he left, Erin crossed to the couch that occupied one corner of her office and sank down on it, careful to avoid creasing her suit. She had chosen her outfit this morning with care, the tight black jacket hugged her curves to full advantage while the skirt ended mid-thigh, revealing her legs, encased in a pair of silk stockings. The three inch red Prada shoes complimented the outfit to perfection, paired with her hair which she’d left loose and flowing around her shoulders.
She looked confident and sexy, the perfect image of a successful woman who knew her sexual powers and was not afraid to use it. She’d teach him to use her and discard like yesterday’s rags.
A commotion just outside her door drew her from her thoughts. An instant later, the door was flung open and there he was, filling up the doorway, cold eyes glaring down at her.
Without a word, he shut the door, effectively blocking the protests of her secretary and stood there, still staring at her. Erin suppressed a shiver as the intensity of his gaze pierced the imaginary armor she’d fortified herself with. Ethan looked like a big cat, assessing his prey before he sprung.
Erin took a deep breath, forcing herself to relax. “You shouldn’t have barged in here like that.” She was thankful her voice sounded cool and detached, completely at odds with her racing heart. It was a miracle he couldn’t hear the beat of her heart from all the way across the room.
“Just what the hell do you think you’re playing at?” Ethan’s words came out just as cool as hers, though his eyes glittered with an emotion she was almost hesitant to define.
Still maintaining her cool, Erin raised her eyebrows in mock surprise. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He moved then, slowly advancing on her in slow deliberate steps. The room suddenly felt charged with electricity, so palpable Erin could feel the hairs at the back of her neck rise. Even then, she could notice things about him. The way his suit accentuated his tall frame, adding to his air of sexiness in way she could not describe.
“Oh I think you do Erin.” He said with a laugh that did not quite reach his eyes. “I hope you know just what you have done.”
Piqued at his words, Erin shot to her feet, eyes blazing. “Oh I do know, Ethan. I know exactly what I’ve done. I did warn you, didn’t I?”
Ethan took in the outfit, slowly running his eyes over her body in a way that made Erin feel hotter than hell. His expression changed, acquiring a feral look as his gaze lingered on the swell of her breasts. Then he grinned, taking her completely by surprise.
“Well, well. This is quite entertaining.” He leered at her, raising her hackles even more. “Though I must say Erin, I never figured you as the sort of woman to pull a stunt like this to get my attention.”
“You mean cheat you out of a business deal?” Erin taunted, refusing to rise to the bait. “I was merely taking my cues from you.”
The grin disappeared to be replaced by an angry scowl. “You went too far.”
“Excuse me? I went too far?” Erin looked at him incredulously. “Jesus, do you even listen to yourself talk? You all but effected a hostile takeover of my father’s company, put him in the hospital because of your silly quest for revenge and you call my actions going too far? You really need a mirror buddy, because I did what I had to do to stop you from ruining me and my family.”
“I did nothing but acquire a few shares. Your father still has control of the damn business.” The last words were an angry snarl as he took a step closer. “You, on the other hand, have no idea what the hell you’re doing. What does a hotel princess need a construction company for?”
Her chin shot up in defiance. “I’m branching out and I needed a good base to begin. Mr. Saunders happened to fit what I was looking for.” She took a deep breath and calmed herself. She would need a clear head if she was going to see her plan through.
“Look,” she continued in a calmer tone. “I think you should leave now.”
He watched her for a moment, then the grin was back. “Oh no Sweetcheeks, I’m not going anywhere until you and I have settled this thing between us once and for all.”
Erin’s mouth suddenly felt dry. This was not going well. “And what ‘thing’ might you be referring to?”
If possible the grin turned wider. “Come now babe, you didn’t dress like that just for me to look and walk away.”
Erin was silent for a moment, considering her options. She needed to take control of the situation and she knew just how to do that.
She smiled at him. A bright smile that caught Ethan off guard, if the confused look he shot her was any indication. She covered the little distance between them, placing the palm of her hand on his chest.