The Guest Read Online Free Page B

the
wanton desire that had suddenly taken her over.

 
     
    Chapter Three
     
    “So what do you think?” Julie asked, glancing at Cole furtively. They’d
completed the tour of the average sized office building space in about
forty-five minutes, and in that time he hadn’t really said much. Apart from the
occasional question and a comment here and there, she’d been the one doing most
of the talking. But she hadn’t missed the way his gaze had been all over each
room or how he’d stopped to analyze some of the fixtures. His questions were
also quite probing, so she knew he was paying very close attention to what she
was saying.
    “Well I have to agree this is a prime location for the type of business
you’re looking to start up. Accessible to customers while eliminating the
possibility of excessive competition and equipped with all the necessary infrastructure.”
    “Exactly and that will make it quite easy to market.”
    “My main concern, though, is the cost of rent. I’m not sure that amount
is a feasible overhead cost at the beginning of a business venture.”
    Julie shot him a contemplative look. “You think we should start
smaller?”
    “I do. In my opinion this place would be ideal, but not until a few
months, maybe a year, after you’ve started and have begun to make a name for
yourself.”
    “While I do see your point, I don’t think Jared is worried about having
to start slow. You see, he already has a good customer base from Technisoft
that he’s pretty sure will follow him if he branches out.”
    “Hmm, I see. Well in that case I don’t think there’s any other problem
then.”
    “Great! So that settles it. First thing on Monday he can close the deal
on the lease.”
    Cole’s lips curled in a warm smile that teetered somewhere between
amused and fascinated. Julie’s cheeks flush hotly. “Yes he can move full speed
ahead with that. Then I guess it will be on to furniture and equipment shopping
after which a few workers may need to be hired.”
    “That’s pretty much the plan,” she said with a nod, despising how
breathy her voice sounded. She was a married woman for God’s sake, she had no
right to be responding to this man’s nearness this way.
    “Good.” He shoved his hands into the pockets of his designer jeans,
rocking back on his heels as he studied her face. “So is that all you had
planned for us this afternoon?”
    “Um, yes, I think that’s about it.”
    He withdrew one hand and glanced at the expensive looking time piece
that adorned it. “Okay. Well it’s just after midday and I’m famished. How about
we go find someplace to have us some lunch?”
    Julie tried her best not to think too much into that statement—it
wasn’t as if the guy was asking her out on a date or anything like that. “Ah,
yes, that’s probably a good idea. I’m a little hungry myself.”
    “Alright then, let’s get out of here.”
    He indicated for her to precede him from the room and they quickly made
their way back to the exit and his waiting rental car. She reached for the door
handle to let herself in, but before she could do so, Cole reached around her
and did it for her. This didn’t really come as a surprise to her, though. The
man had been a total gentleman since he picked her up almost two hours ago.
What surprised her was how her pulse quickened and her temperature rose just a
fraction when his hand brushed over hers. Needing to put some distance between
them, she all but scampered into the car so he could shut the door behind her.
    “Okay, where to?” he asked when he had slid behind the wheel.
    “Depends. What are you in the mood for?”
    “Food.” He shot her a cheeky grin which only served to turn her insides
to mush. Dammit, this was bad, this was very bad.
    She tried for a friendly smile in return, praying her tension wasn’t
reflected in it. “Well there’s this little restaurant about ten minutes from
here where Jared and I always enjoy eating. Turn left when you