Honestly, during the few days I spent in town, I spent little time learning her routine. I’d been focused on plans for the distribution center during the day and then spending hours in her arms at night.

When the outer door closes behind me, I sweep my gaze around the room. Nobody was in the main area, but I can hear voices coming from behind the closed conference room door. Raised voices. And I recognize the louder one.

I take two steps in that direction when the door swings open. Harper stomps out, but she swirls around before noticing me to face whoever is behind her. “What he doesn’t—”

Like the first time I saw her, my heart thumps. My palms sweat.

“Seriously?” Marty says. “You know he’ll find out, Harper. He’s the boss. He’s smart. Hell, he probably saw it the minute you went behind my back and published it, against his instructions.”

“My goal is to inform our residents of all the details so they can make an informed decision.”

“And you can do that without saying things—”

“That are unflattering or blatantly untrue.” While they’d been talking, I’d made my way closer.

Harper spins on her high heels. “Liam.” Her eyes rake over my body. Her cheeks flush. She licks her lips.

Every fiber of my being lights up. My cock grows hard the instant it feels her gaze brush over it. “Hello.”

“Mr. Jacobs. We didn’t expect you today.” Marty not-so-gently nudges Harper aside so he can step around her. He holds out his hand.

I respect and admire him for placing himself protectively in front of her. But she has nothing to fear from me. Other than I might toss her over my shoulder and cart her back to the limo and then to the hotel. On the other hand, if I get her there, I’m not letting her go.

“Hi there, Marty. I hadn’t planned to come today.” I pointedly glance at Harper.

She glares at me.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Jacobs. I didn’t see the article before she had it published. I was just telling her—”

I raise a hand. “No worries, Marty. I’ll handle it. Harper, how about we grab a coffee?”

“Thanks, but I just finished one.”

“A muffin then.”

“Not hungry either.”

I reach around Marty and take hold of her elbow. “Well I missed lunch, and I’m starving, so join me.”

She opens her mouth but, with one glimpse from me, wisely shuts it. She pulls her arm out of my hold and walks past me. “Fine. Let me just grab my purse.”

Following behind, I can’t seem to drag my eyes away from the twitchy sway of her ass covered in the black pencil skirt she’s wearing. Her calves look fantastic in those red pumps.

“Your eyes better be on my back, Mr. Jacobs.”

I raise my gaze. She’s wearing an off-white capped-sleeve blouse. With a nude bra underneath. One with lacy inserts. A delightful view there, too.

I wait until we’re out on the sidewalk before I start the conversation. Harper is already several steps ahead of me, trying to keep some distance between us. “We need to talk.”

She pauses and glances at me. “If all you want to do is talk, we could have done that in there. I know the conference room is free.”

“You’re being naughty, Harper.”

“Don’t go there, Liam.”

I walk toward her, then stop, struggling to keep my composure. This woman has me so hot and so angry and the same time. But she’s right. I need to remain professional. For now.

She moves again, and I fall into step beside her.