You want the money or not?
You know I do, but I can drive in and meet you each morning.
That wont work. I expect us to keep late hours and I have a number of early morning breakfast meetings scheduled. I dont want to take any chances on you missing something important.
But
Look, Maggie. Let me make it clear so theres no misunderstanding. I dont expect you to sleep with me. I just expect you to stay at the hotel with me. Itll be more convenient.
She frowned. But I cant leave Grandpa for that long a time.
My mother will look in on him, he said, silently patting himself on the back for his split-second problem-solving abilities. Deidre MacLaren had known Angus for years, so Connor knew she wouldnt mind doing it.
And at the end of the week, he continued calmly, Ill give you the money you asked for in full.
And all I have to do is stay with you for a week?
And be my date.
In your hotel room.
Its a suite.
Ill sleep on the couch.
Youll be more comfortable in a bed.
And youll sleep on the couch?
No.
Her eyes widened. Stop kidding around.
His lips twitched. Am I?
Wait, she said suddenly. Ill get my own room.
The hotel is sold out.
A line marred her forehead as she considered that for a moment, and then she brightened. We can switch off between the couch and
Take the deal or leave it, Maggie.
She flashed him a dark look. Give me a minute to think.
No problem.
She took to pacing the floor again, probably to work out the many creative ways she would say no to his outlandish offer. But she would definitely say no, wouldnt she?
Hell, what in the world was he thinking? God forbid she agreed to his conditions. What would he do in a hotel suite with Maggie for a week? Well, hell, he knew what he wanted to do with her. She was a beautiful woman and he still remembered every enticing inch of her body. Hed never forgotten all the ways hed brought her pleasure. Those thoughts had plagued him for years, so living with her for a week would be a dangerous temptation. It would be for the best if she refused the offer.
And once she turned him down, Connor would go ahead and pay for Anguss medication, even if he had to sneak behind her back to do it. And as for Maggie getting a loan to grow her business, he figured that would happen eventually. Shed either find a bank that would agree to it or shed tap one of the other brewery owners.
That thought didnt sit well with him, though. He didnt want anyone else getting their hands on her beer formulas. Or her, either, if he was being honest.
And in case hed forgotten, he still needed a date for the Wellstone dinner meeting. As much as he hated to admit it, Maggie would be perfect as his date. Jonas Wellstone would fall in love with her.
So maybe hed gone too far. If she turned him downhell, when she turned him down, he would simply renegotiate to get those formulas and to convince her to be his date at the Wellstone dinner. Thats all he really wanted.
Meanwhile, he had to chuckle as he watched her stomp and grumble to herself. A part of him wanted to take her in his arms and comfort herin more ways than one. But once again, that wayward part of him was doomed to disappointment, because other than the obvious outward attraction to her, Maggie meant nothing to him now, thank goodness. He counted himself lucky that hed gotten over her duplicity years ago. This offer of his was just sweet payback, pure and simple. It felt damn good to push some of her buttons the way shed pushed his in the past, saying one thing but meaning something else. Keeping him in a constant state of confusion. Now it was his turn to shake her up a little.
So whats your answer, Maggie? he asked finally.
* * *
On the opposite side of the room, Maggie halted in her pacing and turned to face him. A big mistake. She could feel his magnetic pull from all the way over there. Why did he still have to be so gorgeous and tall and rugged after all these years? It wasnt fair. She could feel her hormones yipping and snapping and begging her to take him up on his offer to spend a week together in that hotel suite of his.
What was wrong with her? Unless shed missed the clues, he was clearly out for revenge, pure and simple. Imagine him insisting that she provide him services for a week. Even though hed assured her that she wasnt expected to sleep with him, she had a feeling he wasnt talking about a plain old dinner date here and there.
Services, indeed!
At that, her stomach nerves began to twitch and buzz with excitement. Services!
Oh, this wasnt good.
Maggie?
Yes, damn it. Yes, Ill do it, she said, waving her hands in submission.
He hesitated, then took what looked like a fortifying breath. Good.
But I wont sleep with you. She pointed her finger at him for emphasis.
He tilted his head to study her. I told you I dont expect you to.
But...the hotel suite. She let go of the breath she didnt know shed been holding. Okay. But...never mind. Good. Fine. Thats fine. She stopped talking as she felt heat rise up her neck and spread to her cheeks. She tended to turn bright pink when she was embarrassed, so Connor probably noticed it, too. Even though hed made it clear he didnt want to sleep with her, shed assumed...well. Thats what she got for assuming anything. Apparently he just wanted to keep tabs on her.
If shed thought about it for a second or two, she wouldve realized that he could have any woman he wanted. They probably waited in line outside his door and threw themselves at him wherever he went. Why would he want to sleep with Maggie, especially after hed spent all these years thinking she had betrayed him? All he wanted was a date, someone who knew something about the brewery business. And that description fit her perfectly.
I misunderstood, she admitted.
Yeah, you did, he said, his tone lowering seductively as he approached her. Because if you and I were to do what your mind is imagining, Maggie, there wouldnt be much sleeping going on.
Staggered, Maggie felt her mouth drop open. Oh.
So its settled, he said, breezily changing tempo again as he tugged her arm through his and walked her to the door. Ill pick you up Sunday morning and well drive together. Be sure to pack something special for the gala and a few cocktail dresses. Well be dining with a number of important business associates, and I want them to walk away impressed.
She refused to mention that she only owned two simple cocktail dresses and nothing formal, having given away most of her extensive wardrobe to the local consignment shop three years ago. Instead she turned and jabbed her finger in his chest for emphasis. Just so were clear, Connor. Im not going to have sex with you.
He looked down at her finger, then up to meet her gaze. Still negotiating, huh?
She whipped her hand away and immediately missed the sizzle of heat shed gotten from touching his chest. She told herself it meant nothing. It had just been a while since shed touched a man. Like, years. No wonder she was getting a contact high.
Im serious, Connor, she said, hating that her voice sounded so breathless. Ill share your room with you, but thats it.
Its a suite, he corrected, and slowly leaned over and kissed her neck.
Dear Lord, what was he doing? She knew she should slap him, push him away, but instead she shivered at the exquisite feel of his lips on her skin.
Say it with me, he murmured. Suite.
Suite, she murmured, arching into him when he gently nipped her earlobe. This had to stop. Any minute now.
Sweet, he whispered, then pulled her into his arms and kissed her.