The Contract by Marsh, Nicola (read aloud books .txt) 📕

That depends. Are you offering dessert...or dessert?

By the amused look on his face, she thought for a sudden, horrifying moment she’d spoken aloud.

“No thanks.”

“Sweet enough, huh?”

She looked up at him from beneath her lashes, wishing her heart would stop pounding. She knew she shouldn’t flirt with him but a little incorrigible voice inside her head encouraged her to go for it. “You tell me.”

“I’d say you’re something like a lemon tart. Looks delicious but with a tang that can set you on edge.” Unfortunately, he kept staring at her with blatant hunger, like he had every intention to sample her and come back for seconds.

“Yeah, well, you’ll never get a taste.”

At the speculative gleam in his eyes, she cleared her throat and said, “Thanks for the meal. Now, back to business. I’ve told you my ideas. What do you think?”

He hadn’t discussed much about the proposed take-over. In fact, he’d focussed far too much attention on her and not the business they had come here to talk about.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be over to see your father first thing in the morning.” He spoke calmly, rationally, but she sensed something more. If she wasn’t mistaken, he sounded like a chauvinistic male who thought deals could only be sealed between men.

She pushed back her chair and stood so quickly her head spun. She couldn’t believe he’d sidetracked her with good food, fine champagne and diverse conversation. And now, when she needed some concrete information to take home, he was giving her the brush-off.

“I do have half a brain in my head so if you decide to do business, let me know. I’ll be waiting outside.”

Resisting the urge to tug down her skirt and spoil her exit, she stalked out of the dining room, head held high.

* * *

Steve watched Amber stalk away, the green dress she wore flouncing against her thighs. He couldn’t believe she’d worn a dress that short, especially after the kiss they’d shared. What did she think he was, made of stone?

Unfortunately, a certain part of his anatomy had been since he laid eyes on her tonight. Her body had been every bit as luscious as he’d imagined and thankfully, had been on full display without that ridiculous harem-like outfit she’d worn earlier that afternoon.

She intrigued him like no other woman had in a long time and he paid the bill and followed her outside. She waited next to the car parked beachside, her back to him, the brisk wind off the ocean whipping her hair back and plastering the flimsy dress against her shapely legs.

“Unless you want to get arrested for indecent exposure, I suggest you get in the car,” he murmured, catching a tantalising glimpse of cleavage as she whirled around.

“Stop telling me what to do. And don’t sneak up on me like that.” She spoke quietly, but he sensed the barely restrained anger beneath her calm exterior.

He offered her a hand. “Have I done something to offend you?”

She stared at his hand as if he had a contagious disease. “What haven’t you done? You waltz into our lives, ready to close down a family business. Then you bring me out here to supposedly discuss the aforementioned, yet don’t. And as for that kiss...” She trailed off and looked away.

He took a step closer, bringing him within a foot of her. “I’m not going to apologise again for something I don’t regret.”

That got her attention and her gaze flew to his. Thankfully, he managed to maintain a cool facade while his gut twisted with desire. If she kept staring at him with those eyes, he wouldn’t be responsible for his actions and this time, he’d be hard pressed to stop.

“Let’s go.”

She pointed at the door handle and waited until he unlocked the car before turning her back on him again and getting in.

She didn’t speak a word on the trip back to the carnival, pointedly staring out the passenger window. He snuck a peek at her, wondering what was it about this strange woman that appealed to him so much. Usually, he preferred tall, cool brunettes, not wild blondes with forked tongues.

She’d surprised him with her business degree. He couldn’t imagine her stalking the corridors of power, though he could see her standing up to anyone who crossed her path. As for her tastes, he should’ve guessed they’d match the rest of her: alternative, exotic, fascinating.

She intrigued him and he wondered how long he could string out this deal with her father.

She practically bolted from the car as he parked outside the carnival.

“Hey, wait up.” He strode after her, his long strides eating up the ground and no match for her high heels. He caught her at the Ferris wheel.

“See you in the morning.” Her gaze flickered past him, coolly dismissive, before a huge smile lit her face. “Time to pack it in, Stan?”

Wishing that special smile was for him, he turned and saw a wizened old man doffing a moth-eaten hat that had seen better days. “Good evening, Miss. Yeah, it’s about that time.”

Steve looked back at her and raised an eyebrow, angling for an introduction. She got the message. “Stan, I’d like you to meet Steve Rockwell.”

Stan thrust out a hand. “Pleased to meet you. Any lad of this young lady is a friend of mine.”

Steve stifled a grin and shook the old guy’s hand, not daring to look at Amber.

“He’s not my lad, Stan. He’s a—” She bit back what she’d been about to say and he knew why. If the carnival were about to close down, she wouldn’t want the employees to know a lawyer was sniffing around.

He added, “An old friend.”

She cast him a grateful