Page 7 of Signed, Sealed, Married

‘The company has an effective performance appraisal system. Underperformance is monitored and can result in counselling, training and, in rare cases, termination of employment.’ She slid her hands from the table, clasping them together under the tablecloth. ‘All I’m asking for is an assurance of job security and the continuation of a system that already works.’

‘You care about them.’

It wasn’t a question but there was something in his tone that sounded like surprise.

And a flicker of calculation in his eyes that made her wonder if he’d somehow use that revelation against her.

How could he? He already held all the power. They both knew it. This meeting was a formality because he’d insisted on meeting a member of the Fontaine family before the deal progressed and Julien wasn’t well enough to attend. But that hadn’t stopped Gisèle and her brother attempting this one last addition.

‘Of course I care about them. And the company.’ Her throat tightened as she swallowed emotion.

‘You want what’s best for them.’

‘Naturally.’

‘Excellent. That dovetails with my own extra needs. We both know that me taking control is all that’s standing between your company and disaster.’

Unfortunately it was true. Yet the knowledge made her sick to the stomach. Julien had said they could probably get other buyers, but not quickly enough, and not with a commitment to keep the company going.

‘Go on. What is it you want?’

A smile unfurled across Adam Wilde’s face, transforming its hard edges into an attractiveness that clotted her breath in her throat.

‘You, Gisèle. I want you.’

CHAPTER TWO

HEHADTOgive Gisèle Fontaine credit. She barely blinked at his statement. Only her pupils’ dilation and her sudden, absolute stillness revealed he’d surprised her.

Where and how had she learned such poise?

More than poise. An impenetrable, invisible wall surrounded her. An air, not of snobby superiority as he’d feared when he’d read her Ice Queen epithet, but of control.

As if she’d learned early to hide her thoughts and feelings.

Why was that?

It hadn’t escaped him that when asked to tell him about herself she’d spoken of other family members. Her life seemed an open book, reported on since birth by a press fascinated by her family, but Adam suspected the public Gisèle Fontaine wasn’t nearly as fascinating as the private one.

That made him more determined than ever to proceed. Each moment in her company affirmed that.

So far he’d been unable to read her emotions or thoughts clearly. Only her passion as she spoke on behalf of her employees revealed vulnerability. He’d noted the slight flush across her cheekbones and her quickened breathing. Until, he guessed, she realised she was giving herself away and her breathing evened, leaving only her heightened colour to betray her.

What would it take to ruffle her? Make her forget to be soignée and unflappable? Much as he admired her style, the devil in him longed to see her roused, tousled, desperate. Real. That hint of passion as she advocated for the staff intrigued him.

‘You’ll have to be more specific. In what way do you want me?’

She faced him with no flicker of expression to suggest she noticed the sexual innuendo in the words.

His admiration strengthened. Or was it satisfaction? Because she was perfect for his plan. This woman wasn’t prone to messy emotional demands. She wasn’t clingy. He’d bet the last billion he’d made that she’d never have unrealistic expectations of a man.

He’d known exactly what he’d wanted before coming here, but this meeting had confirmed he’d made the right decision.

‘I’m acquiring the House of Fontaine, but what would the company be without a Fontaine?’ Was that excitement in her blue-grey eyes? No, it was a trick of the light. She revealed nothing but polite attentiveness.

He almost wished they were at loggerheads. She’d make a worthy opponent in a challenging negotiation. In the current circumstances, with him holding all the cards, her agreement was guaranteed.

Almost guaranteed.

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