Page 26 of Nigel

Her eyes sizzled. “Iworked as a maid.”

“I would haveloved to see that. You are very messy and housework is something youreally loathe.”

“Loathe is sucha strong word,” she muttered as she reached for her own water.

“But completelyappropriate,” he pointed out. “What duties did youperform at this – was it a home or an apartment?”

“A loft.”

“Ah. Some richsingle guy. Do I know him?”

she was saved fromresponding to that when their food was wheeled over to them. A fewminutes passed while the server placed the food before them and left.

“Tell me whatyou think.” He indicated the food on your plate. “I havealso ordered the pumpkin cheesecake for dessert.”

Her brows lifted asdug into her pasta. “Are we celebrating something?”

“I cannotsplurge on my only sister?” he countered.

She shrugged andforked up some more pasta. “It’s pretty good.”

“My work hereis almost done.” He smiled at her indulgently. “Now, whatabout this investor and why the interest?”

Her brother was oneof the best lawyers she knew and was very thorough. She would notfeel comfortable with advice from anyone else.

“Before youanswer that question, here is another one.” He picked up hiswine and took an appreciative sip. “Are you comfortable havinga complete stranger making important decisions where the company isconcerned? I would also like to look at the profit margin. Do youreally need an investor?”

“Those arevalid questions and we are breaking even, but I was thinking ofexpanding.”

“In terms ofthe workforce?”

“Something likethat.” She scooped up some more pasta.

“There is aneed out there for the services we offer. It’s getting to thepoint where people are not comfortable just having one person intheir homes for the long term. We offer variety. And there is thenanny aspect. All we offer now is just cleaning services. I want tospread it out somewhat.”

He gave her anappraising look.

“What?”

“I am damnproud of you. You have taken a risky business and turned it intosomething worthwhile. Now- “Setting aside his wine, he pulledout a portfolio. “I had my assistant prepare something for usto look at.”

Chapter 6

She had looked him upof course. Did as deep a dive as one could on the internet. Had seenthe photos of him with various women. And the write ups about hisprojects, the comment about him having that special ability to turn aformerly drab building into a work of art.

His corporate officewas a work of art in itself. The fabulous glass and brick, faded redbrick to make it look as if it was some old country manor.

The sweep of gardenswith the explosion of colors and the towering trees giving theappearance of being in a forest. He had taken a simple million-dollarcompany and turned it into a multi-billion dollar one and that initself was intimidating.

This was the man shehad tended to, being inside his bedroom and taking care of him. Thesame man she had sat around the kitchen counter and had a meal. Theone who had kissed her senseless, until her knees were wobbling andher heart turning over inside her chest.

And he wanted to havedinner with her again. He wanted to have sex with her. It was beyondcomprehension. It had to be something he was ticking off his bucketlist, she decided as she made the turn that would take her into theparking lot. Have sex with a big black woman before I die.

She had intended tojust park and stay there for a couple of minutes, but a uniformedguard came hustling out to open her door. Of course, he would knowthat she was here. Probably had cameras everywhere.

"Mr. Hawthorneis expecting you."

"Thank you.Where?"

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