Working It by Cathy Yardley Read Free Book Online

scowled.
    â€œNo. I need to show you what’s in it for you and for your company.”
    â€œYou make it sound like I’m just doing this for me,” he grumbled, and she leaned closer to hear it over the tunings of the next band. “A lot of people are depending on me. A lot of jobs. You see all these people.”
    She glanced around, nodded. “I’m not saying that you’re selfish, Drew,” she said, a little softer than she intended, causing him to lean even closer to hear her. “I’m just saying that when you know what the other person needs, you can convince them that you can help them. That’s all.”
    He didn’t move, even after she stopped speaking, and she tilted her head. She was only inches away from his face. “I really am trying to help you, Drew,” she said, now almost a whisper.
    They stayed that way for a long moment. Then the band started with a jarring clang of noise and they jumped apart.
    â€œLet’s get out of here,” he said, taking a look at the bill and throwing some money down on the table. She just nodded, feeling shaken.
    Taking a step out into the evening air, she took a deep breath. It had gotten hot in there, hotter than she’d realized. Of course, it wasn’t just the temperature, she realized as she watched the flex of his muscles as he walked in front of her.
    She was losing focus. Not a great idea…not when she had so much riding on this.
    He walked her to her car, an old Ford Mustang painted the same fiery red as her hair. “This your car?”
    She smiled. “That’s my baby.”
    He grinned back at her. “I suppose a woman driving a car like this can’t be all bad.”
    â€œThanks.” She took a deep breath. “Enough beating around the bush. I can help you. You’re going to need help with this presentation to your investors. If they cough up the money, then you’ll have money to pay me and do renovations to your factory. That’s not self-interest. That’s just plain logic. I help you…you help me. That’s business.”
    His eyes went dark and he looked thoughtful.
    â€œListen, I know how much you hate the sound of that. You’re doing this for the town. When I’m on your team, then that’s what I’m doing it for, as well. All right?”
    He still didn’t say anything.
    She leaned against her car, crossing her arms. “Man. What do I have to do to convince you that I’m not just feeding you a line here?”
    He stepped close to her.
    She held her breath.
    â€œI understand what you’re saying,” he said, his voice low and husky. “Really. I do. But…okay, to hell with it. If I screw this up, I won’t be able to pay you. Period.”
    He sounded as though someone had twisted a knife in his stomach. A man like him, admitting how bad off he was, had to be one of the more shameful situations she could’ve put him in. She felt an instant sympathy for him, and put a hand on his shoulder.
    â€œYou’re not going to screw up,” she said softly. “I know it.”
    â€œOh, really?” He was trying to get that sarcastic tone back, but it wasn’t quite working. “And how do you know that?”
    She grinned. “Because nobody loses on my watch.”
    He smiled…and leaned in.
    For a brief, brilliant moment, her mind froze. She wasn’t sure if she wanted him to move in the rest of the way or if she wanted him to take a step back. Or if she wanted to just move in herself.
    Instead he froze, too, inches away from her. They stood there, staring, and she could see the glinting of his eyes, almost black in the moonlight, the shadows making the planes of his face even harsher.
    â€œOkay,” he said, his voice rasping over her skin and causing her to shiver. “I’ll do it.”
    God, she hoped so. She was afraid of how hard she was hoping. “Do what?” she