is worthwhile and…’
He paused, as if he sought the right word. Perhaps Mr Ruthless McReckless had a soft centre…
‘It’s important to me. That’s why I want the best people working on it.’
Ooh, flattery.
‘I’ve done my research. The best people is you. I read about your award. And the CEO of Kids Count wrote a very flattering piece about you in Charity Times.’
Silence settled, thick and cloying, pushing Libby back into the chair. Of course he’d researched her. He’d hinted as much this morning with his comment about her reputation. He was an astute businessman, intuitive, quick witted, driven. Any self-respecting would-be employer would do his homework.
She’d done the same; spent most of the afternoon scouring the internet and his website. Of course she’d missed any mention of his charity work. Too busy drooling over pictures of him shirtless on some exotic island. Too focussed on replaying his TED talks over and over just to hear the scrape of his voice. And too absorbed in imagining what he looked like under his urbane business suits.
This smacked of a personal crusade. No. He probably applied the same drive and determination to any enterprise he was involved with.
She remained silent. Why this reluctance to work with him? He brought something out in her—some perverse streak of her personality that revelled in denying his wishes. A battle of wills? Not very mature of her and bad for business.
‘Any number of firms could handle that kind of strategy.’
Yes, she’d worked on a campaign for the American charity, but surely he could find what he needed here in the UK.
He gave a small sigh. ‘Look, I get what I want, Olivia. You’ve proved yourself to have a clear and savvy understanding of the current social media climate. You have a flair for clever and innovative imagery and Kids Count are benefitting markedly. I want the same for my charity.’
His charity?
‘That’s why I put your name forward to the London Business School when they approached me to speak at today’s seminar.’
She stifled a gasp. He’d personally recommended her? And, as he sponsored the conference, he’d flown her here all expenses paid—including this hotel room. Her gaze skittered to the bed. The image of him naked and sprawled there, telling her what he wanted with that upper crust voice of his made her heart hammer. Not that she’d give it to him.
I get what I want. His arrogance…
Again, her mind veered. Did he want her? Fantasise about them together as she’d done since the moment she’d met him? Well, as much as it would cost her, both professionally and personally, she’d have to show him he didn’t always get what he wanted.
She cleared her throat. ‘Well, I hope you have yourself the best accountant over there at Able-Active. Not many start-up charities have such a large marketing budget.’
Her personal services didn’t come cheap, no matter how attractive the man paying the check.
‘You let me worry about that. Can you start tomorrow?’
Arrogant, presumptive asshole.
‘Mr Lancaster. Throwing money at me won’t change my mind.’
If anything, it made her inclined to hang up. Unlike Mr Sexy Billionaire, she hadn’t lived a privileged childhood full of skiing holidays and the right private schools. Her daddy didn’t own a super-yacht—in fact, she didn’t have a daddy. Like her single parent mother, she’d worked hard every day for everything she had, and she appreciated every cent she spent—despite the designer clothes she wore and her top-of-the-range car. Frivolous was not a word in Libby’s vocabulary.
‘Well, what will change your mind?’
His voice dropped to a sultry drawl. The one she imagined was his bedroom voice.
Imagined or hoped?
Had he asked her to work for his IT company she’d have already ended this conversation. Her eyes drifted over the images on the Able-Active website. Smiling faces…kids joyously experiencing the thrill and accomplishment of some outdoor adventure.
‘It’s very important to me, Olivia.’
The way he spoke her name—her full name—as if it was their little secret.
‘Why?’ She whispered the request, as if the intimacy of his answer warranted such secrecy. Alex Lancaster—full of intriguing contradictions?
‘Personal reasons.’ The pitch of his voice lifted a fraction. ‘I had a sister.’
Had?
‘Let me offer a sweetener.’
He didn’t want to talk about his sister. This she understood. She had no-go areas in her past too.
‘Lancaster IT’s marketing contract is up for renewal in two months. If you help me out with Able-Active the contract is yours.’
She gasped. ‘Regardless of how good my work is? That’s ridiculous.’
Was he mad? How had he become so successful so young? Rash decisions and financial extravagance wouldn’t have cut it. She’d been right about him. Reckless.
‘Just do what you did for Kids Count and I’ll be happy.’
Mmm… What would a happy Alex look like? Libby vacillated. Sonya was right. A high-profile account like his would shunt their company into the big league. Finally reward them for years of hard work. Surely she could control her startling attraction to him for long enough to get the job done and get out? And hadn’t she been hoping to attract new business while here in the UK? This was a dream scenario landing in her lap.
Still she wavered.
A compromise?
‘Perhaps Sonya could mock up some drafts and I’ll step in once she goes on maternity leave.’
That made no sense. What was wrong with her? She flushed, knowing Sonya could hear the gibberish coming out of her mouth. Libby was here. Sonya was in New York and about to deliver her baby any day.
‘I want you.’
Not fair.
She closed her eyes as her overactive libido spun off into fantasyland, taking her pounding heart along for the ride. How would it feel to be the recipient of that bare statement in another time, another context? Would he give her what her body clearly craved? A couple of mind-blowing orgasms? Nothing more. Would she concede to his control, loosen the tight command she subjected every aspect of her own life to just for one blissful minute? Give him everything?
She slowed her rapid breaths and mentally slapped herself. She was a hard-assed career woman. She employed twenty people, won lucrative contracts and industry awards. She didn’t crumble when faced with an attractive employer. No matter how intense his golden eyes or how sin-dipped his gravelly voice. And, these days, she never conceded control. It wasn’t worth the risk.
But this made good business sense. A connection of this visibility would allow her to pick and choose Sonya’s stand-in. And by the time her friend returned from maternity leave they’d be ready to take on the world.
She’d have to be careful. Despite her daydreams, a man like Alex would quickly take anything she gave.
She sucked in a breath, confident in her abilities to handle him. Decided, she was all business.
‘I’ll have my assistant contact yours to make the arrangements.’ Libby lifted her chin, although she knew he couldn’t see the gesture.
‘I’ll have the contracts drawn up.’
She