Delecto - Games of Mastery (part 1) Read Online Free Page B

hours.
I find it to be a great source of relief from my discomfort. It
relaxes me and right now I need all the help I can get. Besides, my
headache has almost passed,” he informed me in a calm and measured
tone of voice. Then he took another pointed sip at the
tawny-colored liquid, shifted a little lower in his seat, relaxing
just a little too much, and raised the sexy eyebrows once
again.
    “ I
imagine how you treat a migraine is a very individual matter.” I
tried to backtrack, tactfully.
    “ I think
you’ll find that most things in life are very individual,” he said
with a wry smile.
    “ That’s
true.” I smiled back at him. He may be acting a little recklessly,
but at least he had wit and humor.
    “ Would
you care to join me in a brandy, Miss Preston? I’d more than
appreciate your company.”
    I shook my head
and put up my hand. “No thank you, not while I’m working.”
    “ I’m sure
your father wouldn’t mind if you have a drink with a client, at his
request.”
    “ I’m also
driving,” I pointed out.
    “ One
small brandy won’t affect your ability to work or handle your car
in two hours time. Come on...one little drink, for me?” He cocked
his head in what he must think was an appealing manner.
    “ No thank
you. You have no idea how I react to alcohol,” I replied, frostily.
I hadn't drunk anything for a year and I wasn't about to test
myself out now.
    “ No, I
don’t. But you're very tense and I’d like to see you relax, just a
little.” He smiled at me, very obviously trying to
coax me out of my professional shell.
    My hackles were
rising at his insistence that I have a drink with him and the
flirty nature of his conversation. I had no interest in furthering
that side of our relationship. Or removing one iota of my brain
power by drinking. I was keeping everything on a business and
highly professional level only. Men did not cross my invisible
safety barrier. They remained outside at a safe distance, where I
wasn’t tempted. Especially ones like him.
    “ You are
using your position to influence me into doing something I don’t
want to, Mr. Shaw.”
    If I was
expecting an apology for his overbearing attitude at that point, I
didn’t get one.
    His eyes
searched mine, in a way that was softly invasive. “Tell me why you
don’t want to. It’s a pleasant thing to do, is it not? Having a
drink with a client?”
    “ I’m not
here to relax or to indulge myself drinking with you. I need to be
focused on the task you are paying me for.”
    “ I’m sure
a woman of your abilities can manage to relax and work at the same
time?” he cajoled, a little grin tugging at his mouth.
    “ I prefer
to relax in my own time, not yours,” I replied stiffly.
    He stared
straight faced, no emotion evident at all in his expression.
    “ So, what
do you do in your own time? How do you like to relax and indulge
yourself, Miss Preston? I’m all ears.” I noticed a subtle flare and
a bright twinkle in his eyes then watched him run his tongue
suggestively around his full, lower lip.
    My eyes widened
in irritation at the nature of his question and his increasingly
seductive delivery.
    “ Excuse me ?” How intrusive could he be after a
few minutes in my company? Not that there was much to intrude upon.
I hardly ever indulged myself at all. In fact I didn’t ever. In any
way. He took the last sip of his drink, watching my reaction over
the top of the large glass.
    He placed the
empty glass down and leaned forward, his forearms resting on the
desk, studying my face intently.
    “ I’d like
to know how you spend your private time, that’s all. I’m interested
in you.”
    I was very
aware that this conversation was straying far from its initial
premise, that being the preparation and signing of his will. He was
a manipulative and clever man, having maneuvered us to this point.
I needed to be more wary and close myself down.
    “ That is
my business.” I couldn’t help but be a little rude, wanting to