It Takes a Rebel by Stephanie Bond Read Free Book Online Page A

new office buildings,
    slender town houses and fountained courtyards. Brick, stone, metal, concrete, glass, water, one- and two-way streets—all these
    elements combined to create the casual, eclectic cityscape that embodied Lexington: part urban, part rural, totally
    accommodating.
    Tremont's flagship store and administrative offices occupied a five-story building on Webster Avenue just a few blocks from
    the center of downtown, and walking distance from Alex's loft apartment. They had managed to compete with the malls by
    building an adjacent parking structure and, at her persistent urging, by developing a food court on the entire first floor of the
    building, including a sidewalk café that had become very popular with the business lunch crowd and the Junior League. As a
    result, gift shops and service businesses had popped up all around them.
    Alex sipped her coffee, feeling very much like a proud parent admiring her offspring. She had contributed to the growth of
    Tremont's, and Tremont's played a vital role in the downtown economy. Long after she was gone, Tremont's would be a living,
    breathing entity, a legacy of her father's and her own and her children's impact on the city and the state. The knowledge pleased
    her immensely.
    As she stared down at the street, a red taxicab pulled alongside the opposite sidewalk, and a man alighted. Bound for the
    financial building two doors down, she suspected, then she squinted to study the man in the distance as he leaned inside to pay
    the driver. He certainly looked the part of a money man—commanding figure, dark hair, proper suit. Her tongue poked deep
    into her cheek. And he wasn't a bad-looking fellow, either.
    "What's so interesting?"
    She dropped the blind, turned, and conjured up a smile for Heath Reddinger, who looked fair and fit and smart in his navy
    pinstripe suit and tortoiseshell-rimmed glasses. "Just people-watching."
    His forehead furrowed. "Alex, you look tired. I thought you were going to bed early last night."
    "I did," she said, telling herself she should feel flattered by his concern rather than faintly annoyed. "I'm fine, really."
    Heath glanced back toward the door to ensure they were alone. They both agreed not to flaunt their relationship during work
    hours. "I'm sorry, but I have to cancel dinner tonight," he said. "I just discovered I'm needed in Cincinnati. I'm leaving this
    afternoon."
    "For how long?" She'd been looking forward to a relaxing evening together, and to the sea bass at Gerrard's.
    "No more than a couple of days, I think."
    Alex frowned. "A problem with our bank?"
    Heath sipped his creamed coffee before he answered. "No problem, just an issue. Can I get a rain check on dinner?"
    She nodded, respectful of Heath's dedication to her father's company.
    Heath reached forward and smoothed a finger back from her temple. "Maybe we should plan a long weekend away when I
    get back, hmm?"
    A light rapping on the door accompanied by Tess clearing her throat diverted Alex's attention over Heath's shoulder. The
    flash of irritation that her secretary had been privy to the intimate gesture and conversation was quickly replaced by her
    puzzlement at the tall gentleman standing next to a beaming Tess. A memory cord stirred at the base of Alex's brain, and she
    realized the dark-headed visitor was the same man she'd watched climb out of the taxi on the street below. A salesman, of
    course. What else would a man as handsome as he be doing for a living? Riveting dark eyes, tanned, planed features,
    immaculate suit. No wonder Tess looked like she'd been plugged into an electrical transformer. Alex grudgingly indulged in a
    twinge of appreciation of her own—the man was … noteworthy.
    Alex stepped around Heath. "Yes, Tess?"
    "Mr. Stillman is here."
    Alex blinked, wondering why Tess had announced Stillman's arrival before introducing the salesman. Her gaze darted to the
    man, and one side of his mouth curved upward. Confusion flooded her.
    "Good morning,