Page 71 of Handsome Devil

Dante looped one arm around her waist and pulled her in for a quick kiss.

“When did you start needing to be announced?” he asked.

“You might have been busy, and I didn’t want to barge in like I did ages ago when I roped you into marrying me. See, I’m learning to be polite.” She sat on the desk and crossed her legs.

“Finally,” Dante muttered.

“I’m going to ignore that,” she said dryly.

He chuckled. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit,querida?”

“I have good news.” She smiled smugly.

“About what?” Dante asked.

“About the Hilderbrandt Plaza.” Her blue-gray eyes sparkled with mischief.

“What happened?”

“I didn’t want to say anything sooner, but yesterday, I learned from a very good source that the deal with Dixton Publishing fell through.”

Dante’s heart jump started. “Who told you? And don’t you dare say a little birdie.”

She let out a throaty, sexy laugh. Damn, he loved this woman. She was effortlessly sexy.

“While I was at work yesterday, Khuyen called to tell me the deal fell through, and she said Nolson has been an absolute bear to deal with—marching around the house in a foul mood because Dixton backed out.”

“You’re kidding.”

“I’m not. So, guess what I told her?”

“What?”

The smug look again. “If Nolson wants to sell, youmightbe interested, but I wasn’t sure because you had several deals working and the window might have closed. She begged me to find out if you still wanted to buy, which I didn’t need to do because I know you do. She talked to Nolson about—as she put it—getting off his ass and making a deal with you before the opportunity slipped away. She called an hour ago and said he’s definitely interested and would love to sell to you.”

Dante clasped his fingers together. “Are you sure?”

“Positive. His people are going to call you this afternoon at three.”

“You are…” He was speechless. Dante grabbed Annabelle’s face and kissed her hard on the lips.

“Are you happy?” she asked with a wide grin, clearly already knowing the answer to her question.

“Ecstatic.” He kissed her again, softer this time. He gazed into her eyes. “Thank you.”

Her fingers curled around his wrists. “I want you to have that building, and I’m glad I can play a small part in helping you get it.”

“I don’t want to count my hens… What is it?”

“Chickens before they hatch,” Annabelle corrected.

She burst out laughing, and so did he.

Dante shook his head. “Why do I always mess that up? I don’t want to count my chickens before they hatch.”

“I know you want to be careful, but I’m certain the sale will go through,” Annabelle whispered.

Her optimistic outlook made him optimistic too. Finally, his dream was about to come true. “You’re right, and at the closing, I’m going to make sure Nolson Hilderbrandt knows exactly who I am.”

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