If he had flown the other buyers in, maybe he had some valuable information about them. Maybe she could get him to spill it. Not that she was going to schmooze with him again. But there had to be a professional way to ask.
Of course youre not the first, said Striker.
The three upstairs bedrooms had en suite plumbing and queen-sized beds. The middle one was slightly smaller, and the two on either end had balconies.
Ill take the middle, he said. Since Im the help.
He headed to the far end of the hall with Erins suitcases.
She stood in the doorway while he dropped the cases on the bed, trying to come up with a way to broach the subject of the people on his previous flights.
Striker?
He turned to look at her. Yeah?
The stark assessment in his ocean blue eyes made her stumble. Focus, she told herself. Ask him. What were the other buyers approaches? How did Allan react? What mistakes had they made?
No. Those were too blunt.
Spit it out, he drawled, cocking his head to one side.
I was just She tried to formulate subtler questions.
He took a step closer, his deep voice thrumming in the silent house. Whatever it is, youre going to ask eventually. Why wait? He shrugged one of his shoulders forward and his tone turned teasing. Unless you want to touch me again first. You know, schmooze me.
No. She shrank back. I dont want to touch you.
His eyes sparkled at her sharp reaction and a dimple appeared in one of his cheeks. She suddenly realized that beneath the dust and dirt, he was a incredibly attractive man. Not that she cared. Not that his looks were relevant.
You want to flirt with me again, Erin?
Her name on his lips gave her a little shiver, but she shook it away.
I never flirted with you the first time.
Thats your story, and youre stickin to it?
She took a deep breath. You mentioned there wereother people who tried to get Allan to sign a contract. Do you know how they
A contract? The dimple disappeared.
Yes.
Is that what you call it?
What would you call it?
He shook his head and let out hollow chuckle. Whatever.
What? What had she done now?
Maybe its none of my business. After all, I did agree to help. But dont you think calling it a contract is a little mercenary?
Mercenary? It is a contract. A diamond contract.
Striker snorted and shook his head. And here I thought Id heard it all.
Hey, its done like this all the time. Theres nothing illegal or immoral about schmoozing.
Ahh, said Striker. Schmoozing again. We both know how much you like schmoozing.
His tone irked, but she refused to let herself rise to the bait.
Schmoozing is only the window dressing, she said. And its not like well keep him in the dark until the last minute. She was vaguely aware that her defensiveness made her sound guilty, so she put some more strength into her tone. Hell have a chance to consider the whole deal on its merits.
Strikers blue eyes narrowed. You dont find this all just a little toocalculating?
I consider it a prudent, professional approach. Or at least Patrick did, and since Patrick was her boss, and since she desperately wanted that promotion, this was the approach she was taking.
Striker rolled his eyes.
What? How would you suggest I go about it? If Striker had a better idea, she was all ears.
He moved a little closer, increasing the impact of his stare. What about ditching all the clandestine plotting? Meeting someone legitimately? Letting them get to know you? Maybe falling in love?
Erin felt as if the floor had shifted beneath her. She gave her head a little shake. In love?
Yeah. You know. The old-fashioned way.
His words made no sense. Youre suggesting I try to get clients to fall in love with me before signing a contract?
Clients? No offense, Erin, but calling them clients makes you sound like a hooker.
Erin opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She tried again and managed a squeak. A what?
Youre marrying a man for his money.
Im not marrying anybody.
Excuse me. My mistake. Youre signing a diamond contract.
Erin stopped.
She squinted.
She sifted through the conversation.
Uh, Striker?
What?
What is it you think Im doing here?
He raked a hand through his shaggy hair. Trying to get Allan Baldwin to marry you.
Erin let her chin drop down to her chest. She covered her eyes with her palm and shook her head. Oh, boy.
What? Striker sounded puzzled.
She peeked up at him. Im trying to get Allan to sell me diamonds, not give me diamonds.
Strikers brow creased. Sell them to you how?
An astounded smile tried to force its way from between her lips. Im a wholesale buyer for Elle Jewelers. You may have heard that Allan Baldwin owns a diamond mine.
Striker blinked once. Youre a diamond buyer?
She nodded.
He blinked again. Oh, wellIn that caseI guess my estimation of your character just went up a notch.
Why, thank you.
Dont mention it.
So, what exactly is one notch up from a hooker?