Page 6 of Daddy's Naughty Realtor

"Two blocks away. What are the odds?" His smile says he doesn't believe in coincidences any more than I do. "Avoiding me isn't going to work, Gina. This town isn’t big enough to escape in."

I take a deliberate sip of my wine. "I'm not avoiding you. I'm living my life, which has been going perfectly fine without you in it for thirty years."

"And yet here we are."

"Hereyouare,” I correct, “Uninvited and unwelcome."

He leans forward, those blue eyes pinning me in place. "Are you happy, kitten?"

The question catches me off guard. "Excuse me?"

"It's a simple question. Are you happy?"

"I'm very successful," I say automatically.

His mouth quirks up at one corner. "That's not what I asked. Success is not a synonym for happiness."

"My happiness is none of your business."

"It used to be." His voice softens. "It used to be the only thing that mattered to me."

Something twists in my chest. A memory, or maybe a warning. "It didn’t matter to you too much. You walked away without ever looking back. Besides, that was a long time ago."

"Not so long." He reaches across the table, his fingers brushing against mine for the briefest moment. "I had to leave, Gina. I didn't have a choice."

"Everyone has choices. You choose to leave, and without a word to me."

"Not always." There's something in his eyes, a shadow, a history I don't know. "Sometimes there are forces bigger at play. We have to do things that we don’t want. To keep everyone safe."

Before I can ask what the hell that means, Mrs. Heywood returns, her timing impeccable.

"I should be going," Jeremy says, standing. He nods respectfully to Mrs. Heywood. "Enjoy your evening, ladies."

As he turns to leave, he leans down, his breath warm against my ear as he murmurs, "This isn't over, kitten. Not by a long shot."

I watch him walk away, something electric thrumming through my veins that feels dangerously like anticipation. Jeremy has come knocking at my door, and I plan on keeping it bolted shut. I will not give him another opportunity to break my heart.

CHAPTER4

"You can't be serious." I stare at my partner across his desk, certain I've misheard him. "Apex Development?"

Richard Kellerman, the seventy-something founder of Elite Realty, nods, his expression apologetic but firm. He’s technically the owner, holding five percent more stake in the business, but everyone knows I’ve been running the company for the last few years. He’s more, a signing authority than anything. In fact, we’ve been working out a deal for me to purchase his share next year, when he finally retires. "It's a significant opportunity, Gina. Jeremy Ford is looking to develop an entire mixed-use complex on the Franklin Street lot. We're talking residential, commercial, retail. It’s a deal worth hundreds of millions."

My stomach drops. "And he specifically requested me as the agent?"

"Insisted on it, actually. Said he wouldn't work with anyone else."

Of course he did.Because Jeremy Ford lives to complicate my life.

I force a smile. "Maybe Dianne would be better suited. She has more experience with commercial developments. You know I specialize in luxury homes."

Richard shakes his head. "Mr. Ford was very clear. It's you or no one."

Damn him.

"I understand," I say, because what else can I say? I can't turn down the biggest deal of the year just because the client once broke my heart and now seems determined to... what? Seduce me? Torture me? Both?

"Excellent." Richard slides a folder across the desk. "He's expecting you at his office tomorrow at 2 p.m. to discuss the details."

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