“That you just plan to come here, bulldoze your way to what you want, and then leave. You don’t care about the people you’re going to affect. You only care about the money you’re going to make.”

“That just proves to me you didn’t do your research.”

“Of course I did.”

He tilts his head, narrows his eyes, and he studies me for a long moment. Long enough that I feel the need to squirm under his scrutiny.

“I’ll explain it to you over a drink.”

Is he flirting with me? Or is he suggesting a business meeting? I can’t tell what he’s thinking, but his voice is softer now. Low. Sexy. A bedroom voice. With the lights out.

“What do you say?”

My cheeks flush. I should decline his invitation. It would be the right thing to do regardless of how turned on I am right now. But I’m curious. What did I miss? What secrets did I not uncover?

“Okay,” I say, my voice a whisper.

He nods, a small smile playing on his lips.

“Good. Let’s go then.” He straightens.

“Right now?”

“Right now.” He opens the conference room door. I have no choice but to follow, so step past him, catching a whiff of his cologne.

His hand lightly touches my back and guides me further.

“I’ll just grab my purse.”

Liam bows his head in acknowledgment.

When we get outside, he points to where a limo is sitting at the curb. That wasn’t there when I arrived earlier, was it? I was in a rush, so maybe I didn’t notice it? But how could I not? The thing is long, shiny black, and a man in a hat, black suit, and gloves is standing next to it. We don’t have many limos in Springdale. They stand out. And this one stands out.

“Shall we?”

“Um… okay.” The driver opens the door, and we climb inside. I take a seat opposite him, but soon realize my mistake.

Liam removes his jacket, loosens his tie, and rolls his cuffs. All while, I try my best to not be distracted by him. Have I mentioned how sexy his forearms are? They’re thick and muscled; the man obviously works out. His knees are spread wide and… Oh, good lord, look at that bulge.

As we drive down Main Street, I point out the various establishments, talk about community events, and babble. He sits there, occasionally turning his head to wherever I indicate. Mostly, he just watches me.

I find it very disconcerting because the truth is, I don’t just want to stare at him. I want to jump him. This man pushes all of my buttons. It doesn’t matter that we’re on opposite sides of the issue. My body instinctively leans forward, wondering how he’d treat it between the sheets.

This isn’t good. This isn’t good because I have a habit of doing the opposite of what I should.

I’m going to end up in bed with Liam Jacobs, aren’t I?

Chapter4

Liam

She shivers when I smile at her. I see the vibrations ripple through her body. It excites me. She excites me. Her breasts straining against her blousereallyexcite me.

The electricity between us is palpable. From the moment our gazes connected when she walked into the conference room, I knew I wanted to have her under me, over me. God, I want her every which way I can have her.

I thought for sure she’d decline my offer, and at first, she sat across from me, gripping her purse, her eyes darting around the interior as if looking for something specific. Probably an escape. The reporter in her taking everything in.

As the town passes by outside the tinted windows of the limo, Harper keeps up a constant stream of chatter while I devour her with my eyes.