Kyle’s Bargain (7 page)

“No.” Laurie stuck out her hand, and said, “I’m sorry, Mr.
Harrison. I’m pleased to see you again.” The last few words came out slowly and
carefully as though she pulled each one from some place deep in a memory that
didn’t want to release them.

Kyle took her hand and shook it. “I’m glad to see you again
too.” Then he bent down and whispered something in her ear. Meg couldn’t hear
it, but a wide grin spread across Laurie’s face and she beamed at him.

They left a few minutes later.

Once they were settled in his SUV, she asked, “What did you
say to Laurie? It made her awfully happy.”

“I told her she could hug me any time she wanted. She’s very
good at it.”

“That was… You couldn’t have said anything that would make
her happier. Thank you.”

“I meant it.” He turned right onto a main road. “I thought
Italian tonight?”

“Sounds good. By the way, Laurie is absolutely enchanted by
the heavy equipment working across the street from us. She sits and watches it
for hours every afternoon.”

“It bothers you, though.”

Meg tried to sound casual. “The noise and dust aren’t
pleasant.”

“The noise won’t stop for a while but the dust should settle
down some once the plot is cleared.”

“That’s a small relief. If we’re still going to be there.
Laurie’s worried we’re going to be knocked down next.”

“You’re not?”

“I think there are some legal steps you’ve skipped if you
were going to do that. But I don’t know what might happen tomorrow.”

“We’ll get to that,” he promised.

She heard something in his voice that confirmed her
impression of earlier. “You sound tired.”

He didn’t answer for a moment. “It’s been a long couple of
days. Trying to reorganize a major project right as it’s about to start is a
bitch.”

“Our project?”

“It’s the only major project I’ve got going on right now.”

Again something about the way he said the words brought an
insight. “You have a lot riding on this.”

He turned the car into the parking lot of the Casa Villanova
restaurant and looked for a space in the crowded area. Finally he found a spot,
pulled into it, turned off the engine, and said, “I’m pretty heavily invested
in it.” Kyle immediately turned to the door and got out, making it clear he
didn’t want to pursue that topic any further.

When he held the door for her and she walked past him into
the place, she got a brief blast of the spicy fragrance he wore, bringing hints
of warm nights and a breeze off the ocean. Then the aroma of tomato sauce and
pasta and other delicious foods overwhelmed it and set her stomach rumbling.

They didn’t speak again until they were seated in a booth,
facing each other across a table decorated with fresh flowers in a vase. Light
from a glowing oil candle cast Kyle’s face in odd puddles of radiance and
shadow.

Once they’d studied their menus and had given their orders
to the waiter, Kyle looked at her, and said, “I’m working on a plan that would
let you stay in the same area. It’s complicated because it means rearranging
the entire work schedule for the project. I’m getting plenty of resistance, but
I hope I can make it happen. If you agree. Here’s the deal. What I want to do
is change the building schedule, doing it in two phases. We’ll go on as planned
in the part we’ve already razed for phase one. Once it’s completed, there will
be a lot more space in the buildings we’ll be putting up there and I’ll
guarantee you comparable places in the ones closest to the road at the same
rent you’re paying now. That goes for all of you in the existing strip for as
long as you continue to rent space from the leasing company in charge. I’ll
make sure it’s written into all of your leases. Once we’ve finished phase one
and moved you over to the new shops then we’ll tear down the building you’re in
now and redevelop that area. When it’s done, you’ll all have the option to
remain where you are or move back. How does that sound to you?”

Meg couldn’t talk for a moment. She shut her mouth abruptly
when she realized it hung open. “That’s more than fair. It’s way more than I
had any right to expect.”

“It’s what I’m trying to work out, but it’s far from a done
deal,” he warned. “There are a lot of things I’ve got to get rearranged to make
it happen, including going back for more financing. I’m having a hard time
getting a couple of the ducks to line up for this as well. A couple of the
contractors are screaming. It’s not going to be easy to make it work.”

That probably accounted for the strain she heard in his voice
and saw in his expression. Or maybe not. She sensed something deeper was at
stake. Something more than just money.

“I’m stunned you would even try to do it.”

He looked straight at her, his blue eyes intent and serious.
“I’m no saint, but I’m not as hard as a rock yet either. I don’t want to
destroy anyone’s life or livelihood if it can be avoided. I’m not entirely sure
I can avoid it yet. This rearrangement…is being a bi— A bear. I might not be
able to bring it off. I’ll do my best to work out something else if this won’t
go, but I hate to make promises I might not be able to keep.”

“I know a few people who might be willing to nominate you
for sainthood for this.”

“I’m betting the powers in charge would reject the petition.
I’ve got a long way to go.”

“Don’t we all. So what is it going to take to convince
everyone to agree to your revised plan?”

“Money and some fast-talking on my part,” Kyle answered.
“There is something you could do to help, though.”

“Whatever I can,” Meg offered.

Kyle paused while the waiter put their dinner plates in
front of them. “Some good publicity would go a long way to making some of the
balkers look more favorably on my revisions to the plan.”

“What does that mean?”

He picked up his wineglass and took a sip before he
answered. “I know this is going to sound a bit exploitive. And it is, I
suppose, but I need to use whatever I can to get this done. I hope you
understand.”

Meg got an inkling of where he was going. “You want to use
our stories—and that you’re trying to find a way to let us stay—for PR
purposes.”

“However I manage it, changing the construction plan now is
going to cost me and my backers a lot of money. Some nice goodwill returns
would really help sweeten the pill.” He shrugged. “It might even help tip the
balance in some people accepting it.”

“What did you have in mind?”

“I don’t know. I was going to leave that our PR person.
Newspaper coverage certainly. I don’t know what else.”

“They’ll want pictures of Laurie. And the Parkozys…and Carla
and her son. I don’t know how well this will go over with everyone.”

“I understand. But I’m pretty sure it would improve our
chances. Some of the suppliers are balking at changing orders and my guy at the
bank is really unhappy.”

“I can talk to them about it. Ask them to cooperate. I can’t
force them to.”

“I understand that. In truth, you and your sister may be the
best spokeswomen for the change, anyway.”

“What if…? What if someone finds out that we’re…whatever
we’re doing. Dating? Couldn’t that be a problem?”

He gave her a wry grin. “I’m not sure dating covers it. And
I admit it could be awkward. But the truth probably would go over pretty well
anyway, or most of it. We met when you came to show me the problems my plans
created. We liked each other and started dating. The rest of it is no one
else’s business anyway.”

She gave a nod, not as convinced as he was. “I suppose so.”

“What do you think?” he asked. “Would you do it?”

“I don’t really like it,” she admitted. “I worry about the
effect on Laurie. But, yes, if it will help you make the changes happen, I’ll
do it.” She sighed. “Now tell me about what it takes to make a change in plan
like you’re doing.”

While they ate the rest of their meals, he explained how
shifting the schedule would affect the people who sold them supplies since
they’d have to alter the timing of materials purchase and delivery, as well as
the subcontractors—surveyors, plumbers, electrical people, drywall finishers,
inspectors and a host of others—who would have to rearrange their plans.

Meg liked listening to him. The subject could have been dry
as dust, but his obvious enthusiasm for his work led him to dig into the
details that made it fascinating. She asked a few questions, but mostly she
absorbed the information and processed what it told her about the man. What amazed
her most was the passion that slipped out from beneath his controlled, almost
cold exterior as he discussed it with her. She’d sensed its existence in his
lovemaking, though even there he’d restrained it, but she now got a sense of
how much of himself he invested in his job. Probably in everything he did. That
might explain some of the cool control that seemed so ingrained in him. It made
him too vulnerable. That he allowed her to see it now struck her as a sweet
gift. Especially since, whether he realized it or not, he gave her a peek into
something deeper and more personal than just his career ambitions.

“There’s more than just a successful business deal at stake
here for you, isn’t there?” she asked. “You need to prove something. Probably
to yourself.”

He gave her a hard stare for a moment before he shrugged and
sighed. “To myself and everyone else,” he admitted. “I’ve never done a project
on this scale on my own before. It’s sort of a test.”

“You really do have a lot at stake, then.”

He closed his eyes as if in pain for a moment then nodded.
“A lot.” Obviously uncomfortable with the topic, he turned the discussion to
stories of college days and that lasted for the rest of the meal as they each
shared the highlights and lowlights of their education.

When dinner was over and he’d paid the bill, he escorted her
back to his car. As he went to open the passenger door for her, he stopped and
instead pulled her against him, wrapping her in his arms. Using a finger under
her chin, he tipped her face up so he could reach her mouth with his. The touch
of his tongue on her lips set a fire blazing deep inside. Her stomach went wild
and her pussy clenched with instant desire. Time stopped and the world faded to
a distant murmur outside the bubble of intimacy surrounding them. His tongue
swiped and invaded then withdrew to let his teeth nip at her lips until she’d
all but melted against him.

When he pulled back, Meg groaned and reached for him again.
He stepped back away. “Much as I’d like to, I hadn’t planned on this tonight. I
know you need to get back and we both have to work in the morning.”

Meg held her wrist up to the light so she could see her
watch. “It’s only nine and you look like a man who could use a massage.”

“You’re not on deck until Saturday.”

“Call it a gift, then. Or thanks. Or just concern from a…a
friend.”

“Are we? Friends?” In the light from a lamp pole nearby, she
could see his expression was serious.

“We don’t know each other all that well yet,” Meg answered.
“But I think we’re becoming friends.”

A small, wry grin curved his lips. “We’re becoming much more
than friends. But you’re right that we don’t know each other well yet. And
there are things about me that…I’m not ready to share. You might be shocked or
turned off.”

“How many people have you killed?”

“What?” Astonishment rang in the word, turning to amused
outrage. “None. Nor, for the record, have I ever robbed any banks, mugged any
little old ladies, kidnapped anyone, extorted money or worked for the mob. I
don’t drive when I’ve been drinking heavily. I don’t actually drink all that
much anyway. I don’t hurt animals or children.”

“You spank women,” she pointed out.

“Only ones who want it.” He drew a breath. “I think I’m
going to take you up on that massage offer. You okay with it leading to other
things?”

“I’m
hoping
it leads to other things.”

He laughed and opened the car door for her.

Once at his house, they stopped in the kitchen long enough
for him to pour a glass of wine for each of them, which they carried into the
guest bedroom. Kyle shrugged out of the suit jacket, pulled off the tie and
unbuttoned his shirt while Meg kicked off her shoes. When he removed the shirt,
she got a brief view of his nice chest before he turned and headed for the bed
still wearing his pants.

Meg said, “Wait. Take it off. Take it
all
off.”

He turned and grinned at her. “You want a striptease?”

The thought made her smile. “Sure.”

Devilish lights winked in his blue eyes. “I will if you
will.”

“You’re on. But you go first.”

“We take turns,” he countered. “Since I’ve already got my
shirt off, you have to do yours.”

“You didn’t do a striptease for the shirt so it doesn’t
count.”

For a moment he looked annoyed then he rolled his eyes,
grabbed the tie he’d tossed aside and wound it back around his neck. Humming a
tune—off-key—he began to march back and forth across the room, slowly unwinding
the tie. It gave her a chance to study his long, lean body and sexy torso. His
broad shoulders and chest bore strong, hard muscles that weren’t heavy or
bulky. He moved like an athlete, with control and determination. Still after a
minute or so of watching him stalk the floor with more irritation than grace,
she asked, “What do you do to keep in shape?”

He stopped with the tie hanging from his shoulder and
shrugged. “Mostly I inherited lucky genes. But I play tennis and run whenever I
can.” He yanked the tie off his shoulder and swung it around his head, showing
off well-toned biceps and triceps.

Meg laughed. He glowered at her for a moment then shook his
head, shrugged and laughed also. “Not my best performance?” he asked.

“Keep the day job.”

“You’re crushing my hopes of a future in entertainment.”