Instructing an Heiress by Judy Teel Read Free Book Online Page B

 
    "Mr. Wayland, so nice to see you, again." She held out her hand to him.
    He clasped it in a firm, calloused grip. "Likewise, little lady," he said in his thick, Texan accent. He held onto her a little longer than necessary, then turned to his son. "She's as pretty as a picture."
    Steve's consternation shifted into uncertainty. "The meeting is today, isn't it?" His gaze traveled over her hair and body and his brows knit together.
    Heat tightened across cheeks. Steve was a stickler for professionalism, which had never been a problem for her before. He also didn't care for change. She'd learned that in the months of negotiating and convincing him this merger was good for both of their companies.
    "I...." She cleared her throat. "Coffee spill. Lunch." She glanced at Farley. "Would you mind calling Syrenti's? Have them come and pick up my jacket for cleaning."
    "Certainly ma'am. Consider it done," Farley answered, a twinkle in her eyes.  
    "I like it," Wayland boomed. "Should wear your hair down more often. Right Stevie, boy?" He gave his son a hearty slap on the back and grinned.  
    Steve stumbled forward a step and CK found herself staring at his green striped tie. She lifted her gaze and was amazed to see a dark flush creeping over his face.  
    He blinked and moved back hastily. "It's...very nice, Ms. Kazner. I have another meeting at four. If you don't mind?"
    Steve Wayland blushing? Over her hair! CK couldn't quite get her mind around it. Could Ryan have been right? Were even sensible males complete idiots when it came to certain basic female attributes?  
    "By all means. Gentlemen, if you'll follow me?" She smiled politely and headed for the conference room, a small flame of hope springing to life in her chest.
    Maybe meeting her grandfather's demands wouldn't be as hard to do as she'd feared. Maybe all she needed was to relax and trust Ryan, and everything would work out.
    He knew how important this was to her and had her best interests at heart, she reminded herself; even when he irritated the mess out of her. She should have more confidence in him.  
    She had nothing to worry about. Ryan would make this work.

    *   *   *
    Wayland watched his son and CK walk off toward the conference room. He'd noticed his boy's blush and it had given him the first glimmer of hope he'd had in a long time.  
    Who would have thought she'd have some looks about her? He shook his head in amazement. He sure couldn't have been more surprised if she'd sat up and started howling at the moon.  
    He hadn't even known she had a head of hair and a figure. Well, he knew she wasn't bald, but he'd always thought she kept it real short. Kind of like a boy. Having it down softened her. Made her seem more approachable.
    Yes, sir, maybe Miss Kazner really would be the one to bring Steve out of his shell, just like he'd hoped. His heart warmed at the thought. Nothing would make him happier than seeing his boy settled down in a good relationship.
    A laugh tickled to life under his ribs as he ambled into the conference room. CK was all business now, laying copies of the merger onto the table with Steve avoiding looking at her in his usual, clueless way.
    Wayland wasn't fooled. His kid still had a pink flush to his face and CK moved with a self-conscious flirtation that he hadn't seen since his days in middle school.  
    The young people were more on the same page than either one of them realized—both green as grass. But there was potential here. By God, if there wasn't.

CHAPTER FOUR

    If this was where she could learn how to attract a man, she was even more ignorant about the whole song and dance between genders than she thought.
    CK inched closer to the limo, uncertainty rolling around in her stomach. The red lettering of the bar sign blazed above the painted-over, barred windows, flickering every now and then like an artificial flame. A homeless man slouched against the wall a few yards from the door, his hat pulled down over his face, maybe