Page 91 of The Rebel

I knew Cooper was going to give me a hard time about my proposition. That was why I’d silently rehearsed this exact conversation during the plane ride this morning. And in my head, I’d overcome every objection I could possibly think of him giving me.

It was a good thing he was as predictable as I’d anticipated.

But as I stood here, waiting for him to hit me with another, I was met with only silence, along with the most tempting view of him as he stared at the lake.

That jawline.

Those lips.

The broadness of his chest.

Man.

“It’s not just a good idea because Federico would say so,” I offered, taking another stab at persuading him. “It’s a good idea because it makes sense, and this is one of the many things this property needs to set us apart from our competition.”

“We have no competition anymore.” His tone was a reminder of how unpleased he was about the merger. “Besides, our name alone will do that.”

“But the amount we’re going to charge per room, depending on the state of the market, could really depend on whether a guest books our hotel or the one we’re staying in tonight.” I paused. “Giving guests everything they need is as important as showing them precisely what they’re going to get, which is all I’m trying to do with the build-out.”

“You won’t let it go, will you?”

My lungs loosened as I drew in some air. “Admit it … I’m right.”

“Fuck that.”

“Admit you’re considering an east build.” I adjusted my position so I had more than just his profile. “I know you are. I can see it all over your face.”

His eyes left the water and moved to mine, where he slowly took me in.

But they didn’t just admire me.

They dug into me.

And the look that crossed him was one of the reasons I’d been so attracted to him since the first glance I’d taken at the bar.

Why I had an ache inside me, a need so immense that I would do almost anything to have him wrap his arms around me right now.

For him to tell me he cared.

For him to voice how much he wanted us.

It was the look that told me he’d never seen anyone as beautiful as me or wanted anyone as badly as he wanted me.

“What you’re seeing is annoyance. Impatience. And a desire to get the fuck out of here.” He reached inside his jacket and pulled at the collar of his shirt.

“I don’t believe you.”

“What you should believe is that if I knew you were anything like this, I would have walked away long before I even learned your first name.”

I smiled. This time as sexy and flirty as I could make it. “Ditto.”

“Except you knew my first name …”

I couldn’t win.

So, instead of telling him I was leaving, I gave him a view of my ass, and I headed toward the SUV that was parked and waiting for us. Once I heard him walking behind me, within afew paces, I looked over my shoulder, his eyes exactly where I wanted them, below the hem of my crop jacket, and I said, “The east build is eating you up, isn’t it?”

His gaze rose to mine. “No, it’s not.”

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