Beyond Bliss by Delia Foster Page A

orchestrate it so that they would be, but that would give him the impression that he affected her. Her mind worked quickly as she ran through her limited options. Apathy would work best, she decided.
    She met his steady gaze head-on. “Mr. Sinclair, we are appreciative of the opportunity you’ve presented us with. My understanding is that the primary focus of your business is in the real-estate space, which isn’t exactly in my repertoire. What will I be working on exactly?” She kept her tone brisk and business-like.
    He leaned back in his chair, his pose deceptively casual. “You’re right. I’m in the real-estate business, but I’m really in the business of acquisition. If I see something I want, I go after it, invest in it, make it mine. I’m very good at getting what I want,” he murmured, his slate gray eyes burning into hers.
    She shifted uncomfortably.
    “But sometimes, there is the occasional challenge. You’ll serve as my primary legal counsel, helping me evaluate my business interests and conducting legal due diligence where necessary. I know you have vast experience in mergers and acquisitions. You’re going to help me get what I want.” His words were spoken challengingly, almost as if he dared her to object. Every other phrase was a loaded, double entendre.
    Asshole.
    “I’d like to manage your expectations from the onset. I’m sure there are going to be occasions where you won’t be able to acquire what you want.”
    There.
    His eyes deepened, and he opened firm lips that were seared into her memory to speak. “Miss Harlow, I am incredibly positive that you will more than exceed my expectations given your track record.” His voice was laced with amusement, but every word he uttered sent her hormones scrambling farther apart.
    Heat suffused her face. They might as well have been alone in the room. If Carter hadn’t known something had transpired between them, he sure as hell did now. She knew exactly which track record he was referring to. She opened her mouth to respond, but Carter saved her by speaking first.
    “Lucas, no need for formalities. I’m sure Sophie won’t mind if you call her by her first name,” he offered blithely. “Right before you arrived, I was informing her that she would be working with you exclusively, but I hadn’t yet gotten around to some of the logistics of that. Maybe we should go over that now.”
    Her gaze bounced to Carter, who sat with a bland expression on his face.
    “What logistics?” Her panic meter went from medium to high as she waited for someone to tell her what the hell was going on. Something about the silence that descended in the room told her she wasn’t going to like what was coming.
    “Well, Lucas and I both feel it would be best if you were working in his offices, with him. It’s just a matter of location, that’s all. Of course, you’ll still have your office here,” he assured her quickly, as mutiny spread over her face.
    “What’s the point?” she snapped furiously. If everyone else weren’t depending on her, she’d have quit on the spot.
    They had her by the proverbial balls.
    “There’s a big deal I need you to work on, so it only makes sense that we’re joined at the hip for the next few months. I guarantee it will be worth your while.” His eyes sparked with a darkly sensual promise.
    That was it. Her panties were now officially drenched, but she was steaming mad. “Unbelievable,” she muttered angrily under her breath.
    “Yes! Unbelievably great fortune,” Carter boomed heartily next to her, ignoring the narrow glare she sent in his direction.
    “I have a number of specifics to discuss with you about the deal. I’d like to get started as soon as possible, but I have meetings throughout the day, and I’m sure you have transition work to wrap up. We’ll have dinner tonight, so I can de-brief you.”
    Her fury reached a tipping point, and she pushed her chair back and stood up. He regarded her from his seat,