Deal of a Lifetime by Rue Allyn Read Free Book Online Page A

one certainty in her life on the chance that Connor really loved her. What if he didn’t? What if he was simply determined to have what he thought he wanted? She’d lose everything, her business, her daughter, and her heart. No, yielding wasn’t an option. Since Con refused to give up his idea that they belonged together, she had to get rid of him. As far as she could tell, only one avenue remained open for achieving that goal—an appeal to Mike Buddswell.
    “Mr. Buddswell will see you now.”
    Tam cast a fulsome glare at Con and stood. “Thank you.”
    The secretary nodded. “This way, please.”
    She followed the secretary from the reception area through a spacious outer office into the lion’s den. Pacing across the plush umber carpet, she took in the large number of trophies. They weren’t all for basketball. A variety of wild animals and large fish, each professionally preserved and mounted, decorated the dark paneled walls. Sprinkled in between the creatures and the glitter of awards, glossy photographs showed Buddswell proudly hoisting the kill or accepting each item. The display was impressive and intended to intimidate. Tam refused to be manipulated in either her business or her personal life.
    Buddswell sat in lanky muscular splendor on a plaid club chair next to a huge fireplace where a length of pungent spruce burned brightly. A tray of his healthy snacks lay on the granite slab serving as a coffee table. Three identical club chairs completed the arrangement that flanked a burgundy leather sofa.
    He stood as she approached. “Ms. Donal. Please have a seat and tell me how I may help you.”
    As he gestured to the couch, his eyes raked her shape beneath her prim gray suit, but no crude comment escaped his smiling lips. Tam took the proffered seat, feeling a bit like Red Riding Hood confronting the wolf.
    Mike’s smile broadened, and he sat. “I see you brought Con with you. Have a chair Con.”
    Tam twisted, furious to see Con three steps beyond the sofa. She barely contained her anger with Mike for inviting him to stay.
    “Thanks, Mike.” Con ambled over to the couch and sat beside Tam.
    “You’re mistaken, Mr. Buddswell. Connor invited himself. I would like him to leave.” Her jaw tight, she clipped her words. She smiled but threw daggers with her glance.
    “I regret Ms. Donal that I have personal and business reasons that require Con’s presence.” Buddswell turned his attention to her nemesis. “However, Con, it’s mighty bold of you, inviting yourself to a competitor’s private business meeting.”
    Tam refused to acknowledge her annoying ex. “Bold or not, I find his behavior rude, and I want him to leave.”
    “Now hold on, Tamsin.” Buddswell steepled his fingers, his gaze almost sly as he focused once more on her chest. “I agree Con’s behaved rudely, but I believe boldness should be rewarded. Besides, I’d probably seek his opinion about whatever it is you propose, so he might as well hear it from the horse’s mouth, so to speak.”
    “But…” What could she say? Buddswell was known for his eccentric business practices and wouldn’t consider a request for confidentiality, especially if he intended to consult Con. If the former basketball star admired boldness, what could be bolder than to put her proposal to him while Con listened. She brightened her smile and leaned forward. “I see you offer me a challenge, Mr. Buddswell.”
    “Call me Mike, please.” He stared down the V formed by the open neck of her modest oxford business shirt.
    “Mike, then.” Tam resisted the urge to clutch her shirt plackets together. Instead she withdrew a thick folder from her portfolio and passed the folder to Mike. “I’ve prepared this prospectus for your later reference, should you wish to review any of the points I’m about to discuss. First and foremost, I think Buddswell Snack Foods will benefit greatly by going with local distributors rather than a big national company,