“Tear it apart and turn the place into a storage unit.”
She blinked. “Storage? What is it now?”
“There were a few tenants, but mainly it’s used as an artist’s studio and retreat.”
Sierra considered his answer. “That sounds much better than storage. The world needs more creativity.”
“Actually, it needs more space for New Yorker’s storage. Have you seen the tight space in the apartments here?”
She fought back a smile. “So, you gobble up struggling properties that can be used for something better?”
“Mostly.”
“You’re the villain in the story.”
His gaze narrowed with interest. “More like the Robin Hood of property. I buy them before they can fall into bankruptcy and give them a chance to make some money.”
Sierra gave a snort. “You don’t give your riches to the poor. Besides, I’ve seen Pretty Woman. You manipulate for a great deal, then dismantle someone’s beloved business for money.”
He gave a bark of laughter. Those green-gold eyes sparkled with mischief. “If you’re not a hooker, I’m not the bad guy. No artists have been harmed during this deal. No nice old ladies have been thrown out of their houses by the big bad wolf.”
“You don’t strike me as a wolf.”
“I’m glad.”
“You’re more like a hyena.”
Shock flickered across his face. “Did you just call me a....hyena?”
“Yeah, wolves have no sense of humor. Take themselves way too seriously with all that alpha junk. You give off an aura of both cunning and humor. Bet you love a good joke.”
“A man walks into a bar--”
She laughed and he joined in. It was nice to talk with a man who was good at banter. When was the last time she got to be silly? She had no motivation to impress or seduce him. The simple act of being in his company was a high, and Sierra could say anything she wanted. Her dry sense of humor was an oddity only her sister truly appreciated. And her ex, of course.
Until he didn’t.
He ordered another whiskey. Then glanced over and their gazes met. Heat flared between them. She’d heard of physical connections that came out of nowhere but had never experienced it. Aspen had told her she experienced it with her professor immediately, citing with dreamy eyes how powerless she felt around him.
Odd. This felt different. More like a surge of feminine power washing through her. As if they were meeting halfway toward something bigger.
Sierra pushed the ridiculous thought away and seriously considered her options. Did she want to sleep with this gorgeous man who’d just closed a multi-million-dollar deal? He was probably dripping in money and power. Probably dated perfect women who did anything he wanted. She’d simply be another number to add to his list.
But tonight wasn’t about him.
It was about her.
“Can I ask you a question?”
His voice lowered to a rumbly, sexy growl. “You can ask me anything.”
“Is it easy for you? Getting anything you want?
Shadows gathered in his eyes, along with a flash of pain before it was quickly covered up. “No.”
He didn’t expand and she didn’t need him to. Understanding pulsed within her. “I’m sorry.”
He jerked back. “For what?”
