The Italian's Bedroom Deal Read Online Free

stack the deck?”
     
    “You know too much about everything and everyone,” she replied. “The Lexor acquisition, for instance,” she prompted. She noticed his eyebrows rise in question. “That was completed only when the competition declared they would lower their prices.”
     
    “That would indicate more competition,” he challenged. “Not a good target, my dear.”
     
    Her smile turned mischievous. “Ah, one would think,” she laughed, shaking her head. “But I have it on good authority that someone bought out a major supplier for Lexor and it caused a small disruption in their laboratory. Not good for Lexor’s stock prices, I’m guessing.”
     
    “Where did you hear such awful things?” he asked, his eyes lit with his amusement and enchantment.
     
    “Oh,” she lifted her hand from his broad shoulder, waving it in the air for a moment before returning to the original place. “Maybe a little birdie told me,” she said airily. “Or maybe it was in the papers about three months ago.”
     
    Max laughed again. “You read too much,” he said and swung her about.
     
    They were interrupted a moment later by a business acquaintance of Max’s wanting to talk and Clarissa tried to escape, intending to give him a bit of privacy, but he wouldn’t allow it. He kept her by his side, keeping her in the conversation while he mingled with the other guests. Clarissa tried not to let the warmth of his hand covering hers seep into her body but she couldn’t help the sparkle of hope that flared when he kept her by his side. That had to mean something, didn’t it?
     
    Several hours later, Clarissa was thrilled, terrified and almost shaking with anticipation. Max had been so solicitous all evening, making sure she had a fresh drink, bringing her around the party with her on his arm, as if they had arrived together, and would soon leave together. He ensured she was included in all the conversations and even showed his admiration for her conversational gambits on several occasions.
     
    And what was even better, there had been several times he’d pulled her closer, his hand resting easily on her waist when a waiter passed or someone tried to slip behind them and the space was too tight. Those moments were wonderful and each time, she almost snuggled closer to his strong, muscular chest, inhaling his spicy cologne and his enticing, masculine scent.
     
    When she started to fade, he noticed her fatigue and immediately offered to walk her to her small house. As they made their way to her small cottage, Clarissa’s body started shaking. She wasn’t sure if it was due more to fear or excitement, but she was determined to go through with this plan. She just hoped Max didn’t feel her trembling. She couldn’t imagine what he might think of her if he could feel how nervous she was.
     
    “Thank you for walking me back to my house,” Clarissa said, her eyes looking up into his hopefully. “Would you like to come in for a drink?” she asked then berated herself. Why on earth would the man want to come in for a drink at her place when he could have a much better offering in both quality and quantity fifty feet away at her father’s party?
     
    “I don’t think so, but I appreciate the offer.” He lifted her hand to his lips and gently kissed her fingers. “Thank you for the dance and for the company. I apologize for monopolizing your time but I feel honored that you gave me the privilege.”
     
    Clarissa’s fingers tingled where his lips had touched. She wanted to pull him inside and show him what she wanted from him. But she didn’t have that kind of courage. “You’re welcome,” she replied, wishing she could come up with something else to say. Something that would hold him here, until she built up enough courage to ask him her question.
     
    “I’ll leave you to your beauty sleep,” he said, lifting her hand once again to kiss her fingers goodbye. Without another word, he turned on his heel and left,