The Firefighter's Appeal (Harlequin Superromance) (11 page)

A small laugh bubbled in Lily’s throat. That he was confessing his tomcat ways was a little unsettling. Classic womanizer. He’d come on to her after all, but why? Because she was female? He said he was reformed, but that was hard to believe. It didn’t matter. He was the client, end of story.

She gave him a sideways glance. Maybe there was a part of her that hoped Garrett saw something special in her. It had been a long time since anyone had seen anything beyond what she could do for them. Even if she couldn’t—wouldn’t—get involved with him intimately, it was still nice to think that he found her...what, attractive? Interesting? Despite her reservations, she was attracted to him. There was no denying it. But it seemed he just found her useful, like everyone else in her life.

“So what exactly did you see in me?” She stared straight ahead, grappling with the anger brewing. “Did you know who I was the first night we met?” He needed her, not for
her,
but for the reputable Ashden name and the company she represented.

“What? No. I had no idea who you were.”

She swallowed hard. To think she’d given in—welcomed his kisses and caresses—before she had realized he was a fireman. It had been easy to convince herself that Garrett was genuine, but now she realized she needed to nip this in the bud. He wanted her to help him out? Fine. But she wasn’t going to make it easy on him. That much she could control.

“I’m assuming that you need me to meet with Sylvia tonight because number one, I’m a woman in a high position with a successful development company, and number two, simply because of the good reputation of my last name. She’ll be so impressed that you’ve hired a woman that she’ll overlook her original impression that you’re a pig and sell the lot to you.”

Garrett stopped for a red light, giving her a quick glance before simply staring. “No. Yes...but, Lily...a pig? Really?”

She tossed back her head, watched the cars crisscrossing through the intersection in front of them and began to retie the scarf in her hair.

“Yes, I do think Sylvia will be impressed by you, not only for the reasons you mentioned, but because you’re intelligent and...”

Lily’s chest tightened with anger. She didn’t have time for any more of this nonsense. God, Nashville couldn’t come fast enough.

“There’s only one reason I’m still sitting in this truck,” she said. “And that’s because I made a promise to my father that I would do what it took to show you we’re the best company for the job. I owe it to our employees to keep my word. I’ll woo Sylvia Frasier, you’ll sign the contract that I’ll have delivered to you in a few days and then we’re done dealing with each other. Understood?”

CHAPTER SIX

T
HAT
HADN
’
T
GONE
WELL
. Garrett knew enough to keep his mouth shut the rest of the way to the club where Sylvia was having her routine Tuesday-night cocktail. Spilling his story about Holly—hell, with women in general—probably hadn’t been the smartest idea, but he wasn’t one to hold things back. There was no reason not to be honest.

What exactly did you see in me?

Lily’s question nagged at him. He wanted to address it, wanted to wow her with some amazing answer, but the truth was, he didn’t know. That first night in the bar, yeah, he’d been attracted to her looks and then the sound of her voice, her laugh and her humor. He’d also been reasonably sure that she was just as attracted to him. But their subsequent meetings had highlighted her intelligence, wit and dry humor. There was more, but he couldn’t put his finger on it exactly.

It shouldn’t matter anyway, and her sudden anger made no sense to him. She’d already said he was off-limits because of his job. It shouldn’t matter to her what he did in his private life—unless there was more going on under the surface than she was letting on.

He watched from the corner of his eye as she applied a slick of red gloss to her lips and ran fingers through her black hair. She sat stiff as a board against the seat, looking anywhere but at him. She was pissed, all right, but it didn’t dampen the desire he had to trail his fingers over her cheek as he kissed that lipstick clear off.

Garrett shifted in his seat, cursing the flush of heat the wicked thoughts brought on, and pulled into the parking lot of the Chandelier. He swore a cool breeze wafted off her, and if she sat any straighter, she’d probably give herself a migraine from all the muscle tension. He didn’t make a habit of pissing women off—at least not without knowing he’d be able to soothe them later. He doubted there’d be much chance to soothe Lily anytime soon.

“I shouldn’t have sprung this meeting on you.” His voice was soft with sincerity. She let out a pent-up breath but didn’t look at him. Sunlight was fading, letting in a bloodred glow.

“Nope.” With only that cool reply, she opened the door and slipped out.

Garrett walked around the truck to meet her, took her arm lightly. Her frigidity was really messing with his ability to figure out what to do or say next. He pulled her to a stop, grateful the early-evening air had lost some of its humidity.

“Thank you for coming with me.” Lily simply glared at him. “If she sells, I’ll get a tattoo of your name on my arm. Deal?”

Where that tease had come from, he had no idea. There was no way he was getting jabbed with needles to ink the name of a woman with about as much affection for him as a wild boar on his body. But one corner of her mouth tipped up, and in that second, the quip was worth it.

Lily shook her head as she walked past him to the door, her shoes tapping on the pavement in sassy, confident clicks. The lacy mint-green skirt she wore had an asymmetrical hem that fluttered in time to the sway of her walk. A white blouse made a perfect contrast with her black hair. She wore it stick straight today, and a green-and-white silk scarf acted as a shimmery headband.

Garrett could have stood there admiring her until the sun set completely, but three big strides caught him up to her. He put his hand on her lower back, a move he was starting to enjoy. He enjoyed it even more that she didn’t shrug him off. Inside, they were greeted by warm golden light from a large chandelier in the entryway. The elegant carpet boasted a red-and-black damask pattern; the walls were beautifully finished in gray leather and walnut. Lily’s expression went from irritated to impressed as she glanced around.

A hostess welcomed them with a brilliant smile. “May I help you?”

“Sylvia Frasier is expecting us.” Sylvia hadn’t been all that pleased when he’d asked to meet her tonight. He wouldn’t be one bit surprised if she’d left instructions to turn him away. By the look on the hostess’s face, he figured that was exactly the case.

“I’m sorry, sir, Mrs. Frasier didn’t leave a guest list.”
Damn woman.
She was going to make him work for a minute of her time the same way she kept making him work for the land. Cat and mouse.

Lily looked at him sharply. Garrett put on his best smile, the one that always won people over. It was a gift, and he wasn’t above using it to his advantage.

“I’m really sorry for the inconvenience, Molly,” he said smoothly, reading her name tag. “Perhaps she simply forgot. Could you tell her Garrett Mateo is here, please? I’d owe you one.”

The hostess’s eyelashes fluttered, her cheeks going pink. Lily made a loud disgusted sound and looked away.

The young woman nodded. “Yes, of course. Just a moment, Mr. Mateo.” Her voice dripped honey. Now,
that
he was used to.

Turning to Lily, Garrett tapped her arm with his hand, barely able to contain a grin.

“We need to have a serious talk about your manners, Ms. Ashden. Making snorting sounds in public is unprofessional.” Provoking her wasn’t smart, but it was fun. Ah, there it was—that I’m-going-to-kill-you-slowly fire in her eyes.

“Yes, well, neither is flirting with jailbait.”

The hostess returned before he could reply and showed them to Sylvia’s table. As soon as Garrett caught sight of her over the dinner crowd, he clenched his jaw. His plan might backfire. Sylvia might be completely taken aback at Lily’s blunt attitude. Worse, she might just assume Lily was his lover and he was using her to his advantage.

Garrett ground his molars unintentionally, realizing he’d clenched too hard when a small pain shot through his jaw. Well, he was using Lily to his advantage—sort of. He felt a little ashamed of that, but in the end, he’d make it up to Lily. Somehow.

“Sylvia Frasier.” Lily’s sweet voice cut through his rumination. She’d stopped at the private corner table, her hand extended to the woman Garrett figured ate puppy livers for breakfast. Sylvia’s cool blue eyes took on an eager gleam when her gaze slid from Lily to Garrett. “I’m Lily Ashden, from Ashden Construction and Design. I hope Mr. Mateo had enough manners to let you know we were coming?”

Sylvia’s wicked smile deepened, her eyes clinging to Garrett while she took Lily’s hand. After a firm shake, Sylvia turned back to Lily, regarding her intensely for a moment before her expression softened. “Yes, yes, he did.” Her brow scrunched as if she was trying to recall something. Then her mouth made a little O. “Lily
Ashden.
Of course. I’m so very sorry for your loss, my dear. Such a tragedy.”

Lily gave a nod of polite acknowledgment. “Thank you.”

Garrett looked from one woman to the other, completely lost. What tragedy? Sylvia waved down a waitress.

“I was just about to have prime rib. Care to join me?” Sylvia’s tone made it clear they were joining her, no question.

Garrett’s stomach turned happily at the mention of steak and his lips parted—he hadn’t eaten since early that morning.

Lily gave him a dramatic wave of her hand. “Oh, thank you, Sylvia, but I ate before we came. And Garrett, well, I’m sure you didn’t know, but he’s recently gone vegan.”

She smiled and tilted her head at him. He glowered. What the hell was she doing?

Lily crinkled her nose. “Sylvia, we won’t keep you. In fact, I’ll be honest. It’s a major inconvenience that Garrett forced me to come along tonight, so why don’t we make this brief?”

Garrett slid a chair out for Lily, extremely tempted to yank it out from under her as she sat. She gave him a wary side eye as if she knew what he’d been thinking as she lowered herself into the seat. Garrett smoothed the front of his shirt and sat next to her, the sickening notes of Sylvia’s floral perfume giving him an instant headache.

Sylvia steepled her fingers. “I detect a mutual dislike for Mr. Mateo, Lily. Yes?”

“Mmm, yes.”

Lily reached for the rolled-up design. Garrett scowled but handed it over, crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair as she spread it out on the table.

Almost twenty minutes later, she’d relayed Garrett’s plans for the lot, and he couldn’t help the surprise coursing through him at how interested Sylvia appeared to be. She hung on Lily’s every word, thought and idea.
Ha.
He knew bringing her along was a good idea, even if he had the feeling he was going to pay for it somehow.

“The thought here is to create a place where artists can gather. Have you ever been to the junk and art fairs in Truman or Picard? Both offer venues large enough to host four-times-a-year shows that attract tourism and bring outside dollars into the community. Picard alone attracts one million a year in tourist dollars. In time, there’s no reason why Danbury can’t tap into that, as well.”

Sylvia asked a few more questions and studied the design with a sharpness to her expression that clearly displayed her interest. After a bit, she sat back in her chair and pointed a finger at Lily.

“I have to say, Lily, I’d rather sell the plot to you.”

Garrett held back a disgusted groan. Of course she’d go that route. He was about to object, but Lily held a palm up to his face. Anger flashed. That was the second time she’d taken that liberty with him. He grabbed her hand and lowered it with a squeeze that left no doubt she was crossing the line. Lily’s eyebrows arched. She gave him a pointed look, something in her eyes asking him to trust her. Maybe that was wishful thinking on his part, but he was going with it. He let go and she smiled, reaching for her purse. Turning back to Sylvia, Lily withdrew a checkbook and opened it.

“Done.” She raised her pen. “Deposit price?” The pen shook in her hand as she slowly began to write Sylvia’s name on the line.

A stunned silence hung over the table. Finally, Sylvia gave a light laugh and patted Lily’s hand. “Well, it’s not really a legal sale, my dear.”

“It shows my good intentions until the contract can be drawn up.” Lily paused in writing. “Look, I don’t have the time or inclination to develop the property for myself, but I really believe in the plan Garrett has for it. He’s doing something great for the community. I’m leaving for Nashville in a few weeks, and I’d like to close this deal before I go. I’m more than happy to make the sale and transfer the property to Garrett if you’d rather not deal directly with him.”

Lily slid Garrett a look. “The purchase price will be added to your first bill. Cool?”
Damn, she’s good.
He would have mulled that over a little more if he hadn’t been so disappointed by her Nashville comment. In the span of a few minutes, he’d learned more juicy tidbits about Lily than he had after spending an entire morning with her—and he wanted to know even more.

Sylvia finished her drink, waved a finger in the air to call the waiter back. “That won’t be necessary.” She ordered another gin before leaning over the table and tapping a finger on the design. “I like what I’m seeing here. Please, just tell me one thing, Lily.”

Garrett’s chest tightened. Was she saying that she was willing to sell? He gripped his beer glass.

“What’s that?”

“You’re not
involved
with him, are you?” Sylvia said it just loudly enough that Garrett heard, then laughed as if it was the biggest joke ever.

His left eye twitched, his leg bouncing as though it were on fire. He scooted forward in his chair, consciously stopping his leg and considering the possibility that Sylvia had been drinking too much. She was always cool toward him, but not usually so brash. Maybe she just liked having someone to show off to. Whatever it was, he was ready for this meeting to be done.

Lily indulged in a few hesitant chuckles of her own, her nose wrinkling slightly. “Oh, Sylvia. Now you’re just insulting me.”

Both women turned to look at him. Garrett grumbled, took a long, deep drink from his beer and concentrated hard on not shattering the glass in his grip.

“You’ve been remarkably quiet, Mr. Mateo,” Sylvia said sweetly.

He smiled around the rim of his glass, took another drink and set it down. “I have good self-preservation instincts.”

Sylvia looked from Lily back to him. “I’ll be in touch to discuss the purchase agreement. I have to admit, Garrett, I’m impressed.”

Garrett fisted his hands together, hope rushing through him like blood. They’d already been playing that game for months, but the lighter edge in Sylvia’s tone made him think she was serious this time. “Great.” He didn’t dare say anything more.

“Very good, then. If you don’t mind, I’d like to order my steak.” She saluted him with her glass. Garrett forced his lips together and rose, holding a hand out for Lily as she did the same, but she made a very clear step away from him.

“Have a nice evening, Sylvia.” Lily handed a business card to Sylvia. “Please call if you need anything from me.”

Lily pushed her way in front of him and strode through the restaurant with a haughty air that made his mouth go dry. He wanted to pull her into his arms and tell her how amazing she was, how impressed he was with how she’d presented herself in front of Sylvia, even if he’d been the target. But none of that would come out the way he intended, he was sure.

He growled in her ear as he opened the door for them. “A vegan? Really?” She’d pulled that as a jab to the groin, just because.

She smirked. “Out of that entire meeting,
that
is what you’re focused on?”

The sass in her voice nearly made him come undone. No, he was focused on a lot of things. He wanted to know what tragedy Sylvia had referred to and why the hell Lily was leaving for Nashville and where that commanding business presence of hers had come from.

But mostly, right now, he was irritated, thrilled...aroused. This was as close to getting that land as he’d ever been. Garrett kept his hands to himself, even though he was sorely tempted to touch her. He was about to open the passenger door for her when the thin hold on his resolve snapped. Garrett spun her around, backing her gently against the door. She gasped, her eyes widening before they fell to his lips. Her chest rose and fell hard; the movement made her shirt brush his chest. He’d been attracted to her before, but now...now he wanted to kiss her in the worst way. His hands lightly grasped her upper arms.