The Executive's Decision by Bernadette Marie Read Free Book Online

tall booth. It was secluded, private, and dark.
    He was going to be a challenge. She found herself pinching the bridge of her nose. Was each powerful man the same? They had to have certain characteristics in common. Confidence, the ability to dominate people and situations… She wouldn’t fall for it this time. She wouldn’t.
    Zach stepped up closer to her as they walked through the restaurant. “Are you okay?”
    She dropped her hand. “Sorry, just feel a headache coming on.”
    “You’re hungry. See, it was good I got you out of the office.” He had his hand on the small of her back and guided her to a booth. The man behind the bar raised his hand in a welcome gesture.
    Zach waited until Regan sat. “I’m going to go say hello to Mr. Lee. He’s the owner.”
    She watched him shake the man’s hand and then grasp his upper forearm. A sign of superiority, she’d learned. The man rested his other hand on Zach’s shoulder, which made her chuckle to herself. Yes, Mr. Lee knew what he was doing.
    They hadn’t ordered, but as soon as Zach returned, food began to appear at the table, compliments of the chef.
    She sipped her green tea and looked at the amount of food that had accumulated. “Everything is wonderful. You certainly don’t eat like this every day.”
    “No. They’ve been begging me to come in for a month now. Figured it was time.” He bit into an egg roll. “So what is the usual fare for Regan Keller? What does she enjoy eating?”
    “Ah, more interviewing?”
    “Getting to know you.” He lifted his eggroll to his mouth and took another bite as he raised his eyebrows to her.
    “Let’s see.” She bit into a dumpling and tried to will herself to be comfortable around Zach. “I wouldn’t be a southern girl if I didn’t love my mama’s fried chicken.”
    “Now that does sound good. My mother can’t find her way around a kitchen with a map.”
    Regan laughed aloud, then shoved the rest of the dumpling into her mouth to stifle it.
    “You think that’s funny. You wouldn’t if had to eat her cooking. That is why she caters all events and makes me bring desserts.”
    “She sounds classy.” And she loved that he could joke about his mother with his mouth full, but she saw how he dealt with people around the office, with a no-nonsense approach. There were two sides to the man before her. And she was finding she enjoyed both sides, which scared the hell out of her.
    “Well, we’ll switch. Your mom can cook for me, and I’ll let mine cater for you,” he said with a nod and a smile.
     
    They met in his office when they returned from lunch. She had a stack of files under her arm that she laid on Zach’s desk. He sorted through them. They were all projects all in his care. He walked her through the building contracts, building times, estimates, and subcontractor contacts, giving her an idea of who and what she was working with.
    “This is the condo project I was telling you about yesterday.” He reminded her of her future housing options with a smile.
    “John Forrester?”
    “Man in charge.” He showed her the drawings and the plans for the building.
    She pulled the concept drawings from the file and gazed admiringly over them. “Zach, these are going to be gorgeous.”
    “This one is my favorite.” He pulled a drawing from the pile and watched again as her eyes widened.
    “Yes, that one is wonderful.”
    “I designed it.”
    “You’re amazing.” She looked up at him.
    His eyes zeroed in on hers and softened. “I was hoping you’d tell me that someday.”
    “Zach…”
    “I’m kidding.” He gathered up the pictures. “You’ll have to think about city living. Nice view, roomy living accommodations, ample room for entertaining…”
    “More money than I will ever make in my life.” She laughed as she gathered her notes and the files.
    “So what is your ideal home?” He sat back in his chair and watched her.
    “Oh, Tennessee sprawling land. A few horses, bank of trees, a