Page 27 of Signed, Sealed, Married

‘Water, thanks.’

Her throat was desert-arid. Besides, it would give him something to do other than tower over her while she read.

As he crossed the room to a drinks cabinet she gave her attention to the documents but her head swam and the words blurred.

Stress.

Lack of sleep.

The knowledge that she was utterly trapped.

But feeling sorry for herself wouldn’t help. She drew a deep breath and tried again.

A glass of iced water appeared in her peripheral vision as he put it on the side table.

‘Thank you.’ She took a sip and felt her momentary wobble dissipate. She would do whatever was necessary for her family and the company.

Adam sank onto a chair opposite her, picking up his copy of the documents. ‘Before we go through our private agreement, you might want to check the sales contract.’ He flicked through the pages. ‘Page fifteen, subsection C covers your request to keep on current staff.’

Gisèle’s brow knitted as she read. The new text gave current employees two months’ guaranteed employment and specified that performance assessment would occur in that time.

Her slight unsteadiness disappeared instantly. ‘Two months isn’t enough. And there’s nothing to say what sort of assessment process you’ll use. Your team could sack everyone after two months.’

She looked up and found him watching her. But she felt no skitter of nerves as before. This wasn’t about him and her. This was about her people. She lifted her eyebrows a fraction. ‘Twelve months is more appropriate.’

‘Impossible. Three.’

‘Three is no certainty at all. Eleven months.’

‘And if I find dead wood in the workforce? I don’t carry underperforming people.’

‘You gave your word.’

Didn’t that matter? Gisèle waited, sensing his attitude now would give the measure of the man.

‘Six months. And my team will work with yours to review the performance assessment processes and improve them.’

‘I want that in writing. And that I’ll be part of the team reviewing it.’

After a second he nodded. ‘Six months, then.’

Is that what he’d intended all along? He’d agreed more easily than she’d anticipated. Gisèle had the unnerving suspicion he was appearing to negotiate but the outcome was already set. She was surprised he’d budged at all. He was reputedly completely without softness. Success was all that mattered.

‘And Julien’s role in the company?’

Adam found the relevant clause where Julien was given a senior management role. Her position as head of the ethical sustainability unit was also included. Her tension eased a little.

‘I’ll have an updated version made and circulated. Meanwhile let’s finalise our private business.’

The way he saidprivate businessmade her skin prickle. Gisèle told herself she was too sensitive. This was another addendum to his business agenda, nothing personal.

Which begged the question she’d wondered since he’d blasted into their lives like a flaming comet. ‘Why the House of Fontaine?’

‘Sorry?’

For a moment, Gisèle fancied she saw something other than confidence in those strong features. ‘What drew you to our business? Your holdings are in engineering, construction and logistics. Why acquire a cosmetics company?’

‘Anelitecosmetics company. A world-recognised brand renowned for quality and exclusivity.’ Adam shrugged but she sensed his nonchalance masked something else. ‘Diversification is useful. Especially when I see a chance to turn a dwindling business into a highly profitable one.’

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