Page 17 of Texas Tycoon's Christmas Fiancée
Grace was different. Why? Was it solely the money that he would win or lose? She was a beautiful woman, but his life was filled with other entrancing women. Was it just because she was a challenge when he so seldom found a ravishing woman who resisted him?
Whatever the reason, getting his inheritance was essential. Tuesday, he intended to walk away from that appointment with a promise from her to let his dad meet Michael. With his father’s health so frail, time was of the essence.
She had to move lunch Tuesday to two o’clock. She had spent the early hours getting dressed, finally selecting a simple navy suit and silk blouse. Then she had spent the rest of the morning reminding herself to resist whatever Nick asked.
Nick insisted on picking her up at her office, so she waited at the door. When Grace saw his black sports car approach, she stepped outside, hoping she hid her own feelings, because her racing pulse and butterflies in her stomach were unwanted. Adding to her flutters, Jada had been bubbly the entire morning over the lunch appointment. With a deep breath, Grace approached the curb.
When he stepped out to open the door for her, she had another jump in her pulse at the sight of him. Lunch in the middle of the day on a Tuesday shouldn’t be filled with magic in a romantic surrounding. She hoped to be practical and firm, and resist whatever he suggested, because this meeting was clearly an effort to get what he wanted from her.
“Hi,” he said, the gleam in his brown eyes causing a gush of warmth. “Busy day?” he asked.
“Very. Hopefully the afternoon will be quieter. Thanks again for a Friday night that was relaxing and memorable. It was great to get away a few hours.”
He flashed another smile. “For a moment there I hoped the reason was personal, not merely to get out for a few hours. We proved we don’t have to battle constantly. I want to find some common ground.”
“Common ground where Michael’s future is concerned is entirely different. You can’t undo the damage your brother did. Your family had every chance. We’ve been over that,” she said, resentment curling sourly.
He drove to a popular place, where they hurried in the brisk, cool wind from his car into a restaurant that had grown quiet when the noon crowd had thinned. Near a fireplace that contained the last glowing embers from a fire, Nick sat across from her. Today he was in a brown sweater over a white shirt, looking casual, handsome and exciting.
After ordering, he smiled at her. “You look great. Very efficient, very businesslike, so desirable.”
“Thank you, but the latter is not on our agenda.”
“For now, forget the argument between us. You know what I did Sunday and yesterday?”
“How could I possibly have any idea?” she asked, amused by his question.
“I spent far too much time thinking about you and Saturday night. And wanting another night out.”
“Nick, we can’t pursue a relationship,” she said, clinging to caution while another part of her wanted to smile and agree. “Of course, I know you’re trying to get me to cooperate one way or another.”
“I’ll admit I’m trying to win you over, but not exactly for the purpose you’re thinking now. There are some personal, ulterior motives here that do not involve my father,” Nick said, his voice deepening and the expression in his eyes conveying unmistakable desire.
Her breath was erratic. “Stop flirting, Nick. We have no future—with family or without family.”
“That doesn’t have to be. I know you enjoyed Saturday night. I want to go out again. And once more, it has nothing to do with the future or my nephew or my father. Grace, you kept me at arm’s length on Saturday night. I intend to change that.”
Spellbinding words, yet was it a ploy to get his way? If he seduced her, she would succumb to everything he wanted. Now was the time to resist him, to ignore her tingling, breathless reaction, turn a blind eye to his handsome looks, hold fast to rejection even though everything in her screamed to accept, flirt with him and go with the moment.
“You’re a dirty fighter, Nick. You know there’s a chemistry and you’ve emphasized the attraction.”
“What man wouldn’t?” he asked in a low voice. “You’re beautiful, Grace. I’m a warm-blooded man and I like being with you.”
His words heightened her reaction, melting animosity and caution. “Wisdom tells me to avoid a wide-eyed, heart-thumping acceptance of your offers,” she whispered.
“Maybe wisdom, but nothing else.”
“You know I react physically to you. We react to each other, although I suspect you have this response from a lot of women. But with me, you have a strong ulterior motive.”
With his gaze locked on her he raised her hand, brushing a kiss on her palm while his thumb was on the vein in her wrist. He watched her intently. “See there,” he said in a husky voice. “Your pulse is rushing. Far faster than normal. As is mine. If we were alone now, you’d be in my arms.”
“Nick, stop this,” she said, hearing words spoken in a tone that sounded more like an invitation than a denial.
“I want to take you out tonight, including eating together,” he said. “Say yes, Grace. Your assistant has already told me she can cover the party for you because it’s a small one with a client you’ve had before.”
“You just go barreling ahead to get what you want,” she said.
“You weren’t discontented Saturday night. You’ve gone with me twice now and you’re in no worse situation for spending time with me, so what’s the harm in accepting? Especially when it shows that you want to accept.”
