Knight Takes Queen by Cc Gibbs Read Free Book Online

room watching him.
    ‘Yes, about Katherine,’ he said, his voice pitched low. He glanced down for a moment, as though gathering his thoughts, then looked up. ‘I’m concerned about her. She’s overworked. She has been for some time. It worries me.’
    ‘Why?’ Blunt and direct, accusation in her tone.
    He found it difficult to open his private life to a stranger. ‘Let’s just say because we’re good friends.’
    ‘Good enough
friends
,’ Joanna said, visibly bristling, ‘to know Kate’s pregnant? If not, I don’t see what we have to talk about.’ She began to rise.
    ‘Please.’ He put out his hand to deter her. ‘I know about Katherine’s pregnancy.’
    Joanna resumed her seat, but her gaze was razor sharp. ‘Then are you a good enough
friend
to do something about it?’
    Dominic smiled faintly. ‘Is this where I say I’m going to make an honest woman of Katherine as soon as possible?’
    ‘Yesterday, last week, last month might have been better.’
    His dark brows lifted. ‘She’s discussed this with you?’
    ‘No, she hasn’t said a word. But I would have had to have been blind not to notice her morning sickness.’
    ‘As I understand it, Katherine didn’t realize she was pregnant until recently.’
    Joanna shrugged. ‘I could have told her. But it was none of my business.’
    ‘Speaking of business.’ Dominic stopped, glanced up, nodded and the sommelier poured them both champagne. When he left, Dominic raised his glass. ‘To a mutually agreeable business arrangement.’ He drank half the champagne, set down the flute, leaned forward slightly and quietly said, ‘I have a proposal for you. I’d like to buy out Katherine’s share of your business. I’d also be willing to augment that sum with enough additional capital so you can hire as many people as you need to make your operation thrive. My motives are purely selfish, so please be liberal in your estimates. I want to take Katherine home but she thinks she can’t leave either CX Capital or you.’
    ‘That’s very generous. What does Katherine say about it?’
    His gaze narrowed. ‘Does it matter?’
    ‘Yes.’ She gave him a critical look. ‘It’s a simple question.’
    ‘Then the simple answer is she doesn’t know.’
    ‘That’s what I thought. So what will Katherine say when she finds out what you’ve done?’
    He softly exhaled. ‘She fell asleep at nine last night. She shouldn’t be working in her condition, particularly such long hours. I’m just trying to advance the date of her departure. As for what she’ll say,’ he shrugged, ‘I’ll find out if you agree to my proposal.’
    ‘I can tell you now: she won’t like it.’
    He smiled tightly. ‘No offence, Ms Thorpe, but that’s not your problem. And consider, I’m offering you an opportunityto expand your business. Also, keep in mind, Katherine
will
eventually leave. If not now, if not when her contract with CX Capital runs out, then once the baby makes demands on her, she’ll rethink her career.’
    ‘How do you know? Many mothers work.’
    Dominic unnecessarily straightened one of the knives to the right side of his plate before his lashes lifted completely and the cool blue of his eyes was revealed. ‘I prefer not arguing about Katherine.’ His smile wasn’t really a smile. ‘Let’s just say, I don’t think she’d mind if an opportunity arose that allowed you to buy out her share. You see, we’re both very happy about the baby.’
    ‘Why didn’t you say so before?’
    ‘I suppose because I don’t know you.’
    His flinch had been almost infinitesimal. ‘And it’s none of my business.’
    ‘That too,’ he said, holding her gaze. ‘Now, rather than prolong this embarrassing conversation, I’d like to offer you the details of my proposal.’
    ‘Certainly,’ Joanna said, feeling much better since he’d said he was pleased about the child.
    ‘Thank you. First, I’ll cover whatever amount you offer Katherine for her partnership. That