Page 18 of Last Shot at Love

“Of course. Sit, please.” I motioned to the chair across from me.

The deal with Timothy’s company, Tenser Enterprises, would put both of our companies in a really lucrative position. I’d spend the next few years helping Tim’s company grow and become more profitable. And when I sold the company to another firm in five to ten years, it would likely create a return on investment in the high millions, possibly even billions.

It was the highest stake acquisition I’d tackled in my career, and it had become my main focus.

Timothy spent the next few minutes going over several questions but then stopped abruptly and leaned back in his chair.

“Was that all?” I asked, confused by his sudden silence.

“No, but I just can’t think about business when I’m sitting in front of a woman as stunning as you. Brains and beauty, it’s an intoxicating combination.”

With practiced effort, I kept from clenching my jaw in frustration. His comment was sweet enough, but this type of thing had happened far too often.

Why did the single men feel the need to interrupt important business conversations to shoot their shot? I’d never dream of letting my hormones disrupt business.

He was a very attractive man; his dark hair was carefully brushed away from his chiseled face. His eyes shone with a keen intelligence that could be alluring or intimidating. The man was a once-in-a-lifetime type of catch, but I wasn’t interested in fishing or catching…

“Thank you. Do you have any other questions? We can also schedule a meeting at my office to go over any other concerns prior to signing the contracts.” I tried to redirect the conversation.

“Yes, I have one more question.” He leaned forward, his dark eyes drilling into mine. “What would it take to get a date with you?”

Keeping my mask in place, I gave him a fake smile. “I’m flattered, but I don’t date people I’m closing deals with.”

I’d expected Timothy to be disappointed, but his eyes lit up. “You didn’t say no. So what I’m hearing is that I have a chance after the contracts are signed at the end of the month.”

Not giving me a chance to respond, he stood. “I look forward to signing those papers. For more reasons than one.” Giving me a wink that would have made any other girl’s ovaries explode, he walked away.

I swallowed a groan of frustration. Deciding I couldn’t handle any further socialization, I quickly made my way out of the hotel.

Sending a text to my driver, I waited just inside the hotel doors until I saw my sleek black car pull to the curb. Not giving Mack time to get out and open my door, I yanked the handle and slipped inside.

Mack’s eyes met mine in the mirror. “Everything okay, Miss Beryl?”

I blinked hard, surprised to find tears springing to my eyes at his fatherly concern.

“Yeah. No. I don’t know.” I rested my forehead against the cool glass window. “I’m… I’m just tired.”

“Then let’s get you home, miss.” Mack pulled away from the hotel and drove me home in blessed silence.

Arriving home thirty minutes later, I moved through my condo, not bothering to turn on any lights as I made my way into the bedroom. With my abilities, it wasn’t like I needed lights to see, anyway.

Entering my bedroom, I kicked off my shoes and went to stand in front of the windows at the panoramic view of the ocean. For several minutes, I stared at the crashing waves, hugging myself to ease some of my pent-up anxiety from the evening.

With a sigh, I turned to my desk and flipped on a tiny desk light. A stack of mail sat waiting to be dealt with. Deciding I was too agitated to sleep, I settled into my chair and picked them up.

As I sorted through the letters, one caught my eye.

P-Harmony Agency.

Slicing through the envelope with a deadly sharp nail, I unfolded the single sheet of paper. It was an invitation to be matched with a mate.

Hysterical laughter bubbled from my throat. No matter what I wanted, the entire universe seemed to be hung up on my personal life. I laughed until my sides ached and tears streaked down my cheeks.

But as my giggles faded away, I reread the invitation. The gears in my mind turned, and my mood sobered. Maybe I should do it.

Did I want to be matched by an agency? No, not particularly.

But I was exhausted by the constant needling into my personal life and the distraction my marital status seemed to cause in my work life.

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