Jennifer Probst - Heart of Steel

“Do you realize your position if I decide to terminate this arrangement?” he asked. “You’d lose everything. If you invest all your capital and efforts into this program and it fails, your client base will be reduced along with your cash flow. Your whole business could go under.”

Chandler nodded. “I’m willing to take a risk. If you don’t want this offer I have a new list of names to approach. I’m sure one executive will give me a trial run.”

Logan glanced at Richard. The attorney shrugged his shoulders. “If she’s willing to back up her offer, we have nothing to lose.”

Minutes ticked by. Chandler sensed angry waves of energy radiating around Logan, and wondered why he seemed disturbed since she was the one risking everything. She waited patiently for his decision. She knew she’d done everything possible to save the Yoga and Arts Center.

“One gutsy lady,” he muttered under his breath.

Her lips curved in a smile. “Do we have a deal?”

“Yes. We have a deal.”

He rose from the chair and walked around the desk, reaching out to shake her hand. His fingers wrapped around hers.

Fire.

Possession.

Safety.

She fought for breath as the strange emotions whirled and crashed within her. The touch of his skin against hers made a million butterflies take flight in her stomach. She tried to reassure herself that he held her entire future in his grasp, and her body responded only to the fear of his control. An inner voice screamed she was a liar.

A smile played about his lips, as if only he knew the outcome of the game they decided to play. She tugged her hand out of his and caught the amusement in his face.

“Richard will draw up the contract,” he said.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to use my own attorney. Harry needs the practice.”

One black brow shot up. “Harry?”

“Yes, he’s a friend of mine who recently passed the bar exam.” Her tone reflected a warm affection. “I promised I’d give him all of my business once he passed the test.”

A dark scowl passed over Logan’s features. She rushed to alter his anger. “Oh, don’t worry, he’s perfectly capable of drawing up the contract. He’s really a hard worker, besides having a big heart.”

“I see.” Actually, he didn’t. Logan didn’t like the raw jealousy that shot through his system when he thought of Chandler belonging to another man. He frowned. This Harry couldn’t be right for her. She revealed too much passion behind her proper business suit, and obviously her current lover couldn’t handle her.

Knowing he wasn’t acting in the rational way he normally handled matters, Logan took a step forward and closed the distance between them. Satisfaction surged through him when he spotted the flicker of awareness in her green eyes. Hmmm, maybe he needed to explore these strange feelings more in depth. To satisfy his curiosity, Logan decided to move quickly.

It looked like she intended to ignore the current of sexual energy crackling through the air, and chose flight. He decided not to let her. “Why don’t we get together for dinner tomorrow night?” he asked. “We can discuss the program. We’ll be working closely together for a while.”

Chandler tilted her head back in order to meet his gaze. The clean scent of soap, lemon, and musk teased her senses. Waves of heat radiated from his skin, pulling her towards him. Chandler took another casual step backward and prayed he wouldn’t notice her panic. “Oh, I guess I thought you’d delegate another executive to work with me. I know you’re very busy.”

He gave her a lazy smile. “When I invest heavily in a project I like to oversee all aspects of the operation.” He paused. “Personally.”

She nodded in agreement and inched further away. Fine.”

Richard moved across the room and stood between them. “Chandler, it was nice to meet you. I’m looking forward to taking your class.”

She noticed Logan’s surprise at his comment.

Richard laughed and touched her arm briefly. “I discovered yoga and stress reduction a couple of months ago myself.” He shifted his feet and grinned sheepishly. “I even meditate.”

Her eyes lit up. “Richard, that’s wonderful. I can’t tell you how rare it is to meet someone in this industry who actually knows about yoga. Do you take classes?”

“I’ve taken a couple at the local YMCA.”

“Richard, we’ve got a meeting in a few minutes.” Logan’s words were laced with ice. “I’m sure you’ll get an opportunity to talk later.”

Richard nodded and said good-bye. Chandler took a step back, and suddenly over six feet of coiled muscle towered over her. She stood frozen in her spot.

“I’ll pick you up at seven tomorrow night.” Steel gray eyes burned into hers. “We can toast to our new relationship.”

With a shudder, Chandler walked out of the office and tried to ignore the flicker of unease, warning her there was hidden meaning in Logan Grant’s last statement.

Logan watched Richard Thorne neatly file his papers in his briefcase and set up for the next meeting. His gold embossed cufflinks gleamed in the sunlight as perfectly manicured fingers flipped through the pile of contracts. He was younger than Logan, by a good five years, and possessed an uncanny ability to put people at ease. His eyes reflected a pleasant humor clients immediately warmed up to, but Logan had hired him for a different reason. His laughing smile covered up a brilliant mind who could find a loophole in a clause and maneuver a client to sign on the dotted line. His easy-going nature hid an inward ruthlessness Logan spotted from the first moment. Richard liked the good life, and had more ambition than most people gave him credit for.

“I didn’t know you took yoga,” Logan said. He walked to the window and leaned against the wall. “Always thought you were more the racquetball type.” Richard shrugged. “I like to experiment with different things. I didn’t announce it because yoga isn’t a popular activity for men.”

“Hmmm, I suppose you’re right.”

“An interesting woman, Chandler Santell.” The rustle of papers echoed through the air. “I assume you know who her father is.”

An uneasy feeling flickered through Logan, but his voice remained bland when he spoke. “I never meet with a person I haven’t researched.”

“Thought so.” Richard looked up from his briefcase. The attorney’s eyes held a gleam of determination. Logan suddenly realized this man had the potential to be dangerous, and made a mental note to watch him more carefully. Though he trusted his attorney with business, he knew Richard hungered for success. Logan didn’t intend on becoming one of his attorney’s victims on the man’s climb for power. “I hear her old man still keeps a close eye on her, even though she wants nothing to do with him. Always wondered why she cut him out of her life.”

“Yes. I wonder.”

Richard snapped the leather case closed and smiled. “Well, the stress class should be interesting. I’m looking forward to it.”

“I thought your case load was too heavy for extra activities.”

“Like yourself, I always allow myself time for certain pleasures.”

The air sparked with primitive energy. A slight smile played about Logan’s lips as he recognized the challenge. He didn’t know Richard’s game yet, but he intended to find out. In the meantime, he needed to keep a close eye on Chandler Santell.

“Point taken.” Logan pushed himself away from the wall and headed toward the conference room. “I hope you’re ready to take on Tony Piscetti. I want Global Electronics on board.”

Richard’s tone held satisfaction. “Somehow, I feel lucky today, boss.”

Logan shut his office door behind them.