Page 13 of The Charmer's Gambit
“How much information did you bring to Chicago? About the acquisition, I mean.”
“Almost everything is on my laptop, so I have the majority of it with me.”
I bit my lip to keep the words from spilling from my mouth. If I said them, there would be no taking them back. I chewed on my tongue, thinking through my options, and eventually sighed. My mind was made up when I realized I’d blown this morning’s meeting out of proportion and nearly chased away one of the best opportunities to ever reach my desk. There was only one thing left to do.
“I’d like to review it with you to get a head start, but I’ll need permission first. It’s not a typical situation, but we’re already behind, and I’ll need to pull several all-nighters as it is to catch up, so they should be agreeable. But you’re not technically a client yet, so that could pose an issue.” I stopped rambling as all the air left my lungs.Holy hell, he has a fantastic smile. It creased at the sides, creating a pair of adorable dimples that could captivate a room. I hadn’t realized I’d missed it until it appeared again. Frowning did not suit Will Mershano, but smiling? Oh, that suited him just fine.
“You’re saying yes.” Not a question, but a statement.
“Yes.”
Somehow his happiness seemed to increase a notch. “Oh, how I’ve longed to hear that word cross your lips.”
I rolled my eyes but felt my mouth curling in amusement. “Don’t get used to it, Mershano.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it, darlin’.” That devilish glint returned to his gaze. “I’ll call Janet to expedite the contract and see if I can’t sweet-talk my way into starting early. What time should I come over?”
I looked at my phone, my grin slipping. “Uh.” I paused to clear the frog from my throat. “Yeah, let’s meet at your hotel instead. I assume you’re staying at Mershano Suites off Michigan Avenue?”
“My cousin would kill me if I didn’t.”
“Right.” Another message sounded from the mobile, solidifying my resolve. “I’ll be there at seven.”
5
French Flirtation
I texted Ryan the excuse of having to work tonight, and he never replied. Experience told me that wasn’t a good sign, so I went straight to Mershano Suites instead of stopping by my apartment, which left me dressed in my skirt suit and carrying my laptop bag.
I planned to phone Will when I arrived, but it wasn’t needed. He stood at the bar just off the ornate lobby, chatting with three women in dresses that hugged every curve and displayed their long, shapely legs. Two brunettes and a blonde. It sounded like the beginning of a bad joke, which he apparently found amusing, because I could hear his warm chuckle from the hotel entrance. Manicured fingers danced over his button-down shirt as I approached, darkening my already sour mood.
Catching my gaze—or more accurately, my glare—the millionaire playboy grinned. “My apologies, ladies, but my seven o’clock just arrived. Thank you for entertaining me while I waited.”
Three sets of female eyes turned to look me over, all of them narrowing in annoyance, as Will finished his glass of wine. He signaled for the bartender, who ran over to greet him.
“Yes, Mister Mershano?”
“Please charge this to my room, as well as anything these lovely ladies desire for the evening.” He flashed his dimples at thelovely ladies, which transformed their severe expressions into ones of adoration. I rolled my eyes.
“Are you sure you can’t stay?” Blondie trailed her red nails down the buttons of his shirt to his belt, where he caught her wrist and brought it up to his lips.
“Another time, darlin’.” He murmured, his dark eyes on mine as he nipped the woman’s palm and dropped it. “Enjoy your evening, loves.”
The women around him seemed to sigh as a collective unit as he pushed away from the bar. If he heard them, he didn’t acknowledge it, just kept his burning gaze on mine as he sauntered up to my side.
“We can reschedule if you have other things to do,” I said by way of greeting. “Or should I change that to ‘people’?”
Laughter stared down at me. “My only plans tonight are with you, darlin’. Shall we go upstairs?”
“You sure you don’t want to invite your new friends?” They seemed to be mourning his loss and planning my untimely demise.
“Maybe later.” He tugged the bag from my arm and slipped it over his shoulder. I opened my mouth to inform him I could carry it myself, but my throat constricted around the words.
He nodded his head toward the elevator bay in afollow megesture and led the way while I trailed along behind him.
Maybe later. Those two words were a kick to the stomach and weighed heavily on my thoughts as we headed up to his room.
Why do I care? Will had every right to play the field and probably did frequently. As a wealthy, handsome bachelor, he likely attracted countless conquests, hence the harem at the bar.
