A Sanctuary for Elle by Anna Jane Page A

walked towards Elle and watched as her face became angry.  He had expected it, but he was hoping that she may have mellowed somewhat.  God she was a beauty.  She was in jeans today and wore not even a scrap of make up.  She looked incredible.   She looked better than when she was dressed up for the day, he thought.  She was naturally stunning.  Perfect creamy skin, eyes which he could drown in and flowing long hair which trailed down her back in a wave of silk.  His gut tightened in desire but he kept it in check.  They needed to talk.
    'Elle, I need to talk to you.' As soon as the words were out Mark felt a sense of nervousness come over him. He was not a man who got nervous.  Elle was the only woman who had made him feel this strange before.  H e wanted this conversation to go well and he was unsure of what he would do if it didn't.
    'I have no intention of talking to you, Mark-Anthony.  I told you yesterday, I never want to speak to you again!' Elle was furious, Mark could see her battle with the urge to completely lose her temper. She was close, so close to exploding.
    'Elle, please.  Here me out.  If you hear me out, give me ten minutes, then I'll go.  I will go and not bother you again.  Just hear me out.' Mark had no intention of ever letting t his woman in a million go but he was not going to mention that now at this difficult time.
    Elle quickly debated in her head. If he was true to his word and she heard him out, he said he would leave. She decided to allow him to say his piece then she could be rid of him.
    'I will listen to you for ten minutes, then I want you gone.'
    'Great, thanks.  So, shall we go inside.'
    'Oh very likely, get me inside, all nice and cosy and we'll take off where we left of eh? I don't think so.  You can say your piece here.   Then you're leaving.'
    Elle crossed her arms over her chest in a gesture showing just who was managing this situation.  She looked adorable all cross and grumpy but he wouldn't rattle her any further.  He had things to say to her and he had must not get s idetracked.
    'Okay.  Elle. I had no idea that you were connected with this contract we're working on.  I would not have pursued you during the landslide if I had known we would be connected in business.  I acted as I did because I was drawn to you in a way I have never been to anyone else.  I couldn't resist you in that car and I think the feeling was mutual.  If we had known who we were, I doubt we would have ever have gotten that close.  Anyway, yes we were trying to buy Sanctuary. And the two houses.  Th e plan was to expand and link the projects together.  We have been in talks for months and several deals were on the table.  We had been in contact with your Grandmother and at one point she was almost going to sell.  All that suddenly changed and so we pu r sued it.  We never harassed your Grandmother, we just pursued the reasons for her sudden change of mind.  We still want Sanctuary and will be wanting to talk to you about your intentions. But again, I am sorry if your Grandmother felt there was any undue a ttention but we were just following up the situation.'
    Elle had kept her word and remained resolutely silent during his speech.  At times this was hard as she wanted to argue his words and tell him how she had seen it unfold through her Grandmother's eyes.   Instead she refused to give him any satisfaction.
    'Sanctuary is not for sale.  You've said what you came to say, now I repeat, go away, I never want to see you again.'
    With that final statement, Elle huffed away down the path and slammed the front door shut behind her. She slumped against the door and let the breath she was holding leave her body.  Who the hell did he think he was?  Did he not realise that what he saw a s following up leads had been detrimental to her Grandmother's declining health. She had not realised that her grandmother had been in talks to sell though.  Never she would have thought that to be