Bind by Sierra Cartwright Read Free Book Online

some distance between them was wise.
    “Thank you,” she said.
    He waited until she sat, then he took his chair.
    She placed her small bag on the carpet then crossed her legs.
    Fuck if he didn’t hear the sweet whisper of silk.
    She inhaled then expelled the breath quickly before starting with, “I know you’re a busy man and I have an unusual proposal—”
    A sharp knock on the door forced her to cut off her words. She sighed at the interruption of what was obviously a carefully constructed and rehearsed speech.
    Her beautifully pursed lips turned upward when she looked to see Thompson approaching with a mug of coffee.
    “I don’t know if I’ve ever been more grateful.”
    Both men watched her as she took a sip.
    She closed her eyes momentarily. “It’s excellent.”
    “It is?” Connor asked.
    “You sure you don’t need cream or sugar, ma’am?”
    “It’s exactly the way I like it.”
    “That’s what I’m talking about,” Thompson said, words almost sing-songy.
    “Any possibility of stealing you away from Mr. Donovan? Name your price.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind.” Thompson’s grin was sloppy, ridiculous. A former Special Forces badass should know better than to be fraternizing with a potential enemy.
    Not that he should judge. Connor suspected that he had looked much the same the moment she’d walked through his office door.
    “Anything else, sir?”
    “Out,” Connor said.
    The man was still grinning like an idiot when he left.
    “You really like it?” Connor couldn’t help but ask when they were alone again. “You aren’t just being polite?”
    “About coffee? Never. Getting a cup like this ranks up there with receiving manna. Filtered water, no doubt. Freshly ground. Your man Thompson has elevated it to an art form of types. No doubt takes great pleasure in the ceremony of it.”
    “All that from a cup of coffee?” And from his assistant? He’d hired a secret barista? Was there no end to the man’s talents?
    She inhaled the aroma. “It has a nice flavor.” She licked her upper lip.
    God help him.
    “Caramelly, a hint of chocolate perhaps. A good acidity around the edges of my tongue. I understand some people lack appreciation of a strong brew. I take it you’re one of them?”
    He didn’t answer.
    “You could always switch to hot chocolate.”
    Now his manhood was at stake. Connor told himself that Thompson had made her coffee weaker than usual, just for her. After all, she was a lady. “Where were we?”
    She put the still-steaming mug on a coaster. He noticed that her hand shook a little. Immediately she put it in her lap. Good move. In business, opponents looked for tells that gave away a person’s thoughts or reactions. She’d betrayed her nerves and, realizing it, had taken steps to hide it.
    This was no social call. “You had a proposal?” he prompted before leaning back.
    “My father can be very…”
    He pressed his palms together and waited for her to find the right words.
    “Committed to his ways.”
    “That’s polite.”
    “I apologize for the way he treated you. Even if he hadn’t wanted to consider your offer, his actions were inexcusable.” She took a breath. “You told me last night to call if I had questions. I do. A number of them. I’m curious about the offer you took to him last night.”
    “You asked him?”
    “I understand he didn’t consider it.”
    “Regardless. It’s off the table.”
    “I understand that. I’m hoping we can find a way to work together.”
    “Go on.”
    “You obviously know of the challenges we—meaning BHI—are having.”
    “Some,” he agreed. “Since you aren’t required to file public reports, the extent is nothing more than rumor and conjecture.”
    “We have divisions that are doing well. Others are not.”
    “And that brings you to your proposal?” Connor noticed she was twisting her hands together. The mug of coffee sat there, untouched and cooling. He waited. The only sounds were those of the