I can see that,” she said cautiously. “There’s just one problem.”
“And what would that be?”
“Your relationship with my father.”
His brows lifted, just slightly. “I have no relationship with your father.”
“He called me this morning and said you might be stopping by.”
“Did he?”
“Yep.”
Mac studied her for a moment. “You have the reputation of being a soft-spoken sweetheart, did you know that?”
“Are you trying to tell me that I’m not living up to my reputation?”
That query produced a wry smile from him. “I think I’m going to have a bite of this brownie now.”
It’s about damn time, she thought as she watched him slip the thick dark cake between his teeth. He had large, strong-looking hands and thick wrists, and she felt a humming in her belly as she wondered what he did with his hands that garnered him such a roguish reputation.
Her father had left her with a big warning about Mac Valentine. But instead of being worried she felt as curious as a one-year-old with an uncovered wall outlet in her sights.
“Good?” she asked, pointing to the half-eaten brownie on the plate.
“Very good.”
“I’m glad,” she said evenly. “Now, Mr. Valentine, why don’t you tell me why you’re really here?”
Three
If there was one thing Mac Valentine could spot a mile away, it was a worthy adversary. She may have been only a few inches over five feet with eyes as large and as soft as a baby deer, but Olivia Winston’s cleverness and sharp tongue clearly declared her as a force to be reckoned with.
He hadn’t seen that coming.
But then again, there was nothing he loved better than a challenge.
He watched those brown fawn’s eyes narrow, and knew she would wait all day for the answer to her question.
“Due to circumstances beyond my control,” he began, “my financial firm has lost its top three clients. I expect this to change over the course of the next few months when they realize that no one else in this town can make them the kind of money that I can, and did. But in the meantime, I need some help from you in landing a few heavy hitters.”
Olivia’s gaze flickered to the tabletop. “Do you need my help rebuilding your business or your reputation?”
“I see your father has done more than warn you about me.” She didn’t confirm or deny this, so he continued, “My business is not in any danger, but yes, my reputation has come into question and I cannot—and will not—allow that to continue.”
“I see.” Her smile turned edgy. “So, you want these potential clients to stay at your house instead of a hotel?”
“They’re the type who appreciate home and family and soft edges—” he waved his hand “—all of that.”
“But you don’t.”
“No.”
She stood and took the plate that was in front of him, the plate with half a remaining brownie on it. “I have a question for you,” she said, walking to the sink and depositing the dish there. She was small, but all curves, and when she walked it was seduction with every step. She turned to face him, leaned back against the countertop and crossed her arms over her full chest. Mac felt his gut tighten at the picture-perfect sight of her. “You believe that my dad caused your clients to leave your firm, right?” she said, arching her brow.
“Actually it was the lies your father spread that caused my clients to leave,” he corrected.
“If you think that, then why would you want to work with his daughter? Unless…”
“Unless what?”
She walked to him and stopped just shy of his chair. If he reached out, grabbed her around her tiny, perfect waist and pulled her onto his lap, what would she do?
Whoever said payback was a bitch hadn’t seen this woman.
“Unless you want to use me to get back at him,” she said in a voice so casual she might have been reading a grocery list.
He matched her tone. “Is that what he told you?”
“Yes, but he didn’t really have to.”
“And how exactly would I use you?”
She shook her head. “Not quite sure.” When she sat this time it was across from him.
“But your father has some ideas?”
“He’s worried about your…” She smiled, thin as a blade. “Obvious charms—I mean, you’re a great-looking guy. But I assured him he didn’t have anything to worry about.”
Well, this was a first. “Really?”
She nodded, said matter-of-factly, “I let him know that I would never be interested.”
Mac felt his brow lift.
She laughed. “I don’t mean to insult you, but the truth is, I would never go for a guy like you.”
“Why do you think I’m insulted?”
The question caught her off guard and she stumbled with her words. “I, well—”
“And what kind of guy do you think I am?”
She lifted her chin. “One who assumes he can have anything he wants and any woman he wants.”
Mac was not a man of assumptions, he was a man of words and deeds, and this woman was starting to piss him off. “I go after what I want, Miss Winston, but the people and things that come to me come at their own free will, I can assure you.”
“You’re just that irresistible.”
He sat back in his chair. “Do all clients of No Ring Required go through an interrogation process or is it just me?”
“You’re not a client yet, Mister—”
“Ah, Olivia.” Tess stuck her head in the office, a confused expression on her face. “Can I see you for a moment?”
“Sure.” Olivia turned to Mac. “I’ll be right back, Mr. Valentine.”
He saw, with vicious pleasure, that she was caught off guard and he couldn’t help but grin as he said, “I wish I could say I was looking forward to it.”
“If you can’t wait…” she began.
“Oh,
