Page 12 of Nothing to Win

Was that a joke?Better be a joke.This guy wasn’t the joking kind.

“That wasn’t an invitation.You know what I’m asking, Spurn.”

“Is sex part of our deal?”

“I vote no.”

“Your feelings on the subject are irrelevant, Miss Sear.”

“I’m concerned and looking for reassurance.You can’t be this cold.”

Lowering his phone, his eyes met hers.“You have no idea who I am, Miss Sear, or what I want.For now, that’s how I like it.”

“So I should sit quietly and wonder?”

“If you so desire.What you do in your own head is your business,” he said.“I conduct business in the car.Don’t interrupt and we will talk at dinner.”

Goody, goody.Wasn’t she lucky.

Back to the phone, he was quick to dial out.She didn’t desire wondering.What choice did she have except to contemplate what she’d got herself embroiled in?

FIVE

“I EXPECTED RESISTANCE at the house.”

Diplomatic word choice when “resistance” really meant “hostility.”

Sitting opposite Spurn in this elegant restaurant, she perused the sparse menu.

“My parents are at the opera tonight,” she said, neither in the mood for duck nor sea bass.

“And Bram?”

“Still at the office.He’s rarely home before ten on a weeknight, more often than not it’s midnight.I don’t see much of my brother.”

Not that she cried herself to sleep over that.

“Some people have to work harder at it.”

Drawing her eyes up, she glared over the top of her menu.“Will you always be this way?”

“That was inappropriate.”

Putting down her menu, she folded her hands on top of it.“You want people to believe we’re a couple.”Single nod.“People will never believe I could have genuine feelings for you if you persist in insulting my family.”

“People will also not believe it if I suddenly begin forfeiting contracts to them.”

“No one is asking you to do that.”

He took a breath, lowering his menu a little.“My father’s best friend and I have a dual dynamic.In business, he respects my authority and follows orders without question.In private, and on personal matters, he’ll weigh in with unwanted advice.Frequently.”

She smiled, appreciating a glimpse into the truth of him.“Why do I need to know that?”

“Often relationships shift based on circumstance and situation.I envision a similar relationship with your family.Nothing will change in the boardroom.We will still be adversaries, hellbent on beating each other.As I’m hellbent on beating everyone.”

“And in private?”

“I will be civil and respect you are your father’s daughter.”