Page 71 of Singing For His Kiss

He was lost for words. As his mind caught up with her meaning, he studied her, recognising the triumphant glow, the haughtiness of the raised brow, the facade of arrogance.

“Anastasia, you can get anyone you want. Why me?”

She traced a red-polished fingertip down the centre of his shirt. “Because you’re not for sale. Everyone else is. I want what can’t be bought.”

He reeled back. “I don’t sell my business like that.”

She shrugged, a graceful gesture. “Everyone has a price. I need to know what yours is. Is it your business? Your house? Your daughter?”

“You’re treading on thin ice.”

“No, you are, James. I want you. That’s apparent. And you will give me what I want.”

“You can’t buy me, Anastasia. You have nothing I want.”

She quirked a brow. “Not even my business.”

He shook his head. “Your price is too high.”

“So moral. So upstanding. If I knew it would only take a song to win you over, I would have played that thing and satisfied myself a year ago.”

“That was more than just a song, Anastasia. I doubt you’d know the difference between paying for something and something worth so much being given for nothing.”

“Don’t forget, I’m your client, James.”

He spoke into her ear, “Agreed. Nothing more or less. I’m not about to indulge in anything else with you other than managing your building work. I don’t think I’ve led you to believe anything different, but if I have, I apologise. I'm here for your work needs, but nothing else. You came to me with your project because of my skills and experience with large scale buildings, not for any…personal…reasons. If this means you’re no longer interested in me to finish the final build, then so be it, I can’t help that, but I certainly can’t go on as we have been tonight. I respect you as a client and have more than enough skill and capital for your requirements. I would request that you make your decision based on past work performances, not because of any other reason.”

“You’d chance being financially ruined because of her?”

“You’d think it would be a hard choice, wouldn’t you? But when it comes down to it, it’s quite simple. The answer is yes. I’d risk it all because it’s worth it. She’s worth it. If I don’t have your contract, then I’ll find another. I’m not without contacts, and I’m a damn good project manager. I’ll keep my business and my self-respect. I’d advise you to do the same.” James took a deep breath and tightened his hold on Madeline, who clung to him as though he was a rock in a storm. “Now, I want to do something of the greatest importance. Please excuse me.”

He charged into the kitchen, dodging wait staff and into the hive of activity of the kitchen. He didn’t want to have to ask Mrs. D’llessio to watch Madeline while she was running the evening, but Elizabeth was more important than his guests receiving the smoked salmon five minutes later than they would have.

He found a relatively calm corner and set Madeline on her feet. He crouched, wanting to gauge how she felt after what she’d just witnessed.

“I thought Liz’beth played Mama’s piano like a fairy,” Madeline said.

James sighed, relieved that her first words were of Elizabeth, and not how rude Anastasia had been. How the woman thought she could have a relationship with him and treat Madeline like she did blew his mind.

He clasped Madeline’s shoulders. “An angel. She played like an angel.” He took his time to let his gaze wander over her precious face. How long had it been since he’d just looked at her like this, studying every feature and committing it to memory? “You know I love you, don’t you, little monkey?” It had also been a long time since he’d told her he loved her. She was his daughter. She should know without a doubt, just as sure as the sun comes up in the morning, that her father loved her.

Madeline giggled. “I’m not a monkey!”

“I didn’t say ‘monkey’. I called you a ‘little monkey’. Let’s talk to Mrs. D’llessio. How about I ask if you can help in here for a little while?”

Madeline nodded, smiling. “I can put butter on the bread. Everyone will love that.”

“Come here and give me a hug.” Madeline wound her arms around James’ neck. James kissed her, breathing in the sweet, innocent scent children possessed.

“Do you think Mummy still loves me?” Madeline’s voice was muffled.

James closed his eyes, waiting for the familiar guilt that normally washed with comments like that. There was nothing inside but a lightness he hadn’t known for a long time. The guilt was simply absent. A sense of knowing replaced it.

“Yes, Madeline. She definitely does love you. She’s watching you from Heaven and giving you angel kisses and cuddles all day. Never doubt that.”

There was a pause. “I think she sent Elizabeth to be my new Mummy.”

He wondered at the power children had with their words. That they spoke the simple truth without games or hidden agendas. Words came straight from their hearts. They mastered something adults found most difficult.

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