I swallow. Why did I expect anything less? Charity is a practical woman.
“Don’t worry, I made it perfectly clear that you’re opposed to any arrangement that isn’t an investment in your designing company,” she says, oblivious to my growing trepidation.
“Charity, your dad swims with the big fish. Hasn’t he done more than a few hostile takeovers?” I don’t want to be anywhere near Nathan’s radar. He’s also the man who enters my dreams uninvited, only to leave me wanting more.
Panting.
Sweaty.
And my thighs slick from unfulfilled lust.
But I can’t deny that financially I’m in a tight spot.
“You’re forgetting that he rebuilds companies, too. Remaking them stronger.”
“He’s just keeping his eyes open for potential investors, right?” It’s not like he owns any of the companies I applied to. Despite my apprehension, my stomach flutters and I clamp down on the heat tingling my skin. Even after all these years, Nathan still has the power to make my heart race.
“Uh, huh.”
I eye Charity. I’m not convinced either father or daughter has what it takes to do anything half-ass. But demanding a word for word of their conversion would make Charity curious. And I don’t need her meddling questions or anyone knowing that I’m crushing on a man twenty years my senior. “Tell your dad thanks, but I can handle finding an investor.” I shrug, hoping it’s nonchalant and not anything reflective of my racing heart.
“You can tell him yourself.” Charity squeals.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
I gape. “That’s your good news?”
“Dad’s spending Christmas in Candy Cane this year.”
Oh hell.
CHAPTER THREE
NATHAN
Ipeer at the three piles of documents spread across the chair beside me. Only one matters — the contract Naomi signed a week ago naming my shell organization, Quadpoint, an equal partner in her business. Now I need a team that will take her business to the next level.
My investment in Naomi’s business isn’t charity, but an opportunity to help her succeed. I know little about fashion design beyond my custom suits and the snug leather shoes supporting my feet, but I know what it takes to make a business profitable. And it’s not how Naomi Waters is currently running her establishment. She’s too kindhearted, too generous to those who can’t afford her services, and too accommodating for her own good.
A glance at her previous years' finances confirms my growing suspicions — I notice several unpaid invoices or written-off transactions.
“You’re really doing this,” Mason says from the other side of the plane.
“How can I say no?” I scroll to the next page, bringing another year’s financial report into view.
“You’re good at turning down start-ups. What’s different?”
“Charity.” I say my daughter’s name, but it’s Naomi’s that hovers on my tongue. “She has asked nothing of me in years. I can’t say no to helping her friend.” This is my chance to be a better father by doing the one thing my daughter wants — help Naomi with her business.
Mason leans forward. “Candy Cane or New York makes no difference. You’re still throwing yourself into work, Nate.”
I clench my fists as silence stretches between us. He’s right. But God damn it, I don’t know how to connect with Charity other than making sure she wants for nothing. I provide, that’s what I’m good at. It’s what I know. I feel Mason’s eyes on me, but I don’t meet his penetrating stare, choosing to focus on the documents instead.
“I don’t see why you need me on this trip? I’m a real estate lawyer,” Mason says, as if deciding to leave my demons alone. With a click, he removes the stopper from the glass bottle and pours himself a drink from my selection of cognacs. “If Naomi moves her business to a storefront, I can review the lease or purchase agreements from New York.”
“You know as well as I do, these things can move faster if you’re there.” I flip through the pile of investors that rejected her applications. Despite their initial facade of success, the organizations declined Naomi's partnership offer once my lawyer uncovered their financial instability. The one company that looked promising would have molded her dream into their vision. I can’t let that happen.
