Knight Takes Queen by Cc Gibbs Read Free Book Online Page B

were bloody high. So thank you.’
    ‘That was yours? Windjammer Acquisitions?’
    He dipped his head.
    ‘It was Kate who noticed the discrepancy.’
    ‘Don’t be modest. You would have too.’
    Joanna smiled. ‘True.’
    ‘So are we good?’ he murmured, holding her gaze.
    She nodded. ‘Very well.’
    Dominic put out his hand. ‘Shake on it?’
    Her hand was dwarfed by his, she thought. And if she didn’t like Kate so much, she’d be envious of her future. Dominic Knight was absolutely stunning.
    And willing to make her rich.
    Don’t forget that.
    ‘I hope you like chocolate,’ he smoothly said, sitting back, recognizing that glazed look in a woman’s eyes, careful to keep the conversation businesslike. ‘I know Katherine does. Truffles in particular.’ He couldn’t help but smile at the memory of her eating truffles at the Ritz Carlton bar in Hong Kong their first night together. ‘Have you noticed?’ he quickly said and caught the waiter’s eye.
    ‘I have. Although you’d be hard pressed to find a woman who doesn’t like chocolate.’
    ‘Good,’ he said, as the waiter put dessert plates with a rich chocolate mousse before them. ‘And the cheese trolley here is excellent.’ He smiled. ‘Would you like to see it?’
    ‘No thank you.’
    ‘Coffee? Cappuccino? More champagne?’
    ‘Coffee.’
    ‘One coffee, one cappuccino, Eduardo.’ He pushed his dessert plate away and relaxed in his chair. ‘I’m very grateful for your cooperation, Ms Thorpe. I can’t thank you enough.’
    ‘You’re welcome. Thank you as well for your generosity.’ She smiled for the first time. ‘Would you like your name on the business?’
    ‘You’re not serious?’
    ‘Of course not.’
    He laughed. ‘So you have a sense of humour after all.’
    ‘And you’re not a complete prick.’
    ‘Depends who you talk to. But as long as you don’t thinkso, I’m satisfied. And should you ever need further capital, don’t hesitate to contact me. I’ll tell Max to remember your name. He’s my gate keeper.’ He nodded at the dessert she was eating. ‘How is that?’
    She waved her fork at her nearly empty plate.
    ‘Would you like another?’
    ‘Why not?’
    Before he raised his hand, a waiter appeared. ‘We’ll have another,’ Dominic said, pointing. ‘And bring me a port, Taylor 1966.’ He glanced at Joanna. ‘Could I interest you in a port? I’m celebrating.’
    ‘Yes, as matter of fact. I have reason to celebrate too. And now since we’ve shaken on our deal and you can’t back out—’
    ‘You don’t know that,’ Dominic interposed, his voice suddenly cool.
    ‘I do. You want this more than I do.’ Joanna met his blank gaze and smiled. ‘You’d do anything for Kate, wouldn’t you?’
    He didn’t immediately answer. ‘Probably,’ he finally said. ‘What do you want?’
    ‘Do people always want something?’
    ‘Of course.’ There was a brutal edge to his voice. ‘What is it? I’m sure I can accommodate you.’
    ‘You can be frightening, can’t you? But I survived an alcoholic father. I don’t frighten easily.’
    ‘I had parents who shouldn’t have had children. We could compare notes. But that doesn’t answer my question. What do you want?’
    ‘Kate’s happiness.’
    ‘I can guarantee you that,’ he said, crisply. ‘And?’ In his world there was always something more.
    ‘And what if she wants to go back to work after the baby’s born? Will you allow it?’
    ‘Surely you know Katherine does as she pleases,’ he said, his expression unreadable.
    ‘With you – I’m not too sure. I’d hate to think she was giving up her career to please you.’
    ‘If Katherine wants to go back to work, I’ll take care of the baby. I won’t have my child raised by hired help and indifferent strangers.’ A muscle twitched along his jaw line. ‘Does that erase your concerns?’
    She abruptly sat back. ‘You’d do that?’ she said in disbelief.
    His faint smile displaced the grim set