Tempting Aquisitions by Addison Fox Read Free Book Online Page A

I’ve known Simon since my university days. I’m sure he won’t mind.”
    …
    Keira fought the urge to scream in frustration.
    Barely.
    “You do realize that inviting yourself somewhere is rude.”
    “Not the first time that label’s been thrown at me.” A quirky grin lit his lips and she fought the magnetic pull of that odd little smile that was both self-deprecating and perhaps the tiniest bit sad. Then the smile vanished as he leaned toward her with a conspiratorial wink. “People tend to find takeovers, as a rule, bad-mannered and impolite.”
    “So why do them?” Her own words were out before she could stop them, her thoughts still filled with the sadness she’d sensed in him.
    “Because I’m a businessman and it’s what I’ve built my company to do.”
    “Surely you could find other ways to make investments. Other ways to grow your company.” Why was she even responding to this? Asking questions only gave credence to his choices and made it seem as if she cared.
    Which she didn’t.
    “I do make other investments, but this is a major strategy of Maverick Capital.” Clouds filled his blue gaze and yet again, Keira sensed there was something under the surface—something that pulled at her—before it vanished. “Come on. Simon doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
    Keira brushed off whatever strange fascination had given her even the slightest pause in her own anger and re-checked she had everything for her meeting. With one last dark glance in Nathan’s direction, she stuffed her proposal into her bag and breezed past him as she moved around her desk.
    This was her game. Her meeting. Let him try to keep up.
    Fifteen minutes later, insult was layered over injury as Nathan and Simon slapped each other in that harsh-yet-jovial way of men. Simon turned his attention toward her, his legendary charm front and center. “Keira. It’s so lovely to see you. It feels like we’ve been planning this lunch forever.”
    “You’re a busy man. I understand how hard it is to get away. I appreciate you making the time.”
    “You’re quite busy yourself, from what I hear.” Simon extended a hand for her to follow after the ma î tre d’ before falling in step behind her. If he’d thought it odd she’d brought Nathan along, he hid it well. More likely, Keira thought, he was too polite to admit he’d read the business press and knew exactly why Nathan Cooper was along on their lunch.
    Once they were seated, Simon picked up where he’d left off. “Your company’s doing some outstanding things. I’ve heard nothing but praise for the new app you launched a few months back.”
    “The beauty finder?”
    “That’s the one. The whole office can’t stop talking about it. We’ve already seen a significant uptick in sales. I appreciate the exclusive you offered us for the mascara category during our new product launch.”
    Keira took the opening that was offered, leaning forward as the rush of adrenaline hit her veins. “We’ve seen similar results off the data but obviously aren’t privy to your actual sales figures. I’m so pleased the consumer interest is generating results.”
    She caught Nathan looking at her from the corner of her eye as she picked up her menu. His gaze was a warm blue and, if she wasn’t mistaken, there was a distinct note of admiration as he stared at her from across the table. If it had been simple lust in his eyes, she could have ignored it. Could have chalked it up to something ephemeral and not worth her time. But the acknowledgment of her accomplishment and understanding of her skills? That she couldn’t deny.
    A shot of need arrowed through her belly and heat suffused her chest as her fingers began to shake, and she hastily set down her menu to clasp them in her lap. Unable to resist, she shot one final glance at Nathan and knew she was in big trouble. The admiration that had been there only moments ago had transformed into something else as need and want washed the bright