Running Target

by Kari Lemor

  Narrowing her eyes, she frowned then faced front and whispered, “I don’t plan to put a Silvaggio’s in there. That’s my father’s company, not mine.”

  The buzzing up front grew louder and Scott paid attention. There were several buildings on the auction block today. He didn’t want to lose out on his chosen one because he wasn’t paying attention.

  Heather pushed her shoulders back and ignored him as the first property was described. He took the opportunity to glance at her peripherally. The updo left her long, slender neck exposed. Imagining his lips skimming along the soft skin was not helping his case. The fact he knew exactly how sweet she tasted and remembered that long hair, loose and tickling his chest, almost made him walk away and let her have the building.

  But he wouldn’t give in to some spoiled, pampered princess no matter how hot the sex had been. Besides, that night with Heather had been three months ago. He’d put himself out there and she hadn’t wanted what was on offer. When he’d called several times and they’d seen each other at Jack and Callie’s wedding and a few other occasions, she’d always brushed him off. Was his blue-collar status that much of a turn off? Not the first time it had happened to him.

  “Is daddy giving you the money to buy this?”

  She glared at him but remained silent. He couldn’t help but throw that at her. Being the daughter of the man who owned the Silvaggio’s empire, Heather probably had some big cash behind her. Must be nice having easy access to that kind of money.

  Even though his business was debt-free, it had been a lot of work to convince the bank to loan him the money for his new project. They were taking a risk on him. He’d never tried something like this before. Every project he’d done in the past had been paid for as he went along by whomever he was renovating for. It would take some work as the building hadn’t been updated in ages, but he was willing to put in the time and effort. Once it was done, he could turn a very tidy profit selling each unit for a hefty fee.

  Heather straightened in her chair and Scott snapped to attention. They were starting bids on the mill building. The auctioneer called out an opening bid and it climbed higher much faster than Scott had wanted. Several hands flew up and down. Shit. He’d hoped there weren’t too many bidders.

  Sitting up straighter, Heather flipped through the papers she had in her lap. More bids were called out and Scott waited. He didn’t want to tip everyone off that he wanted the property. He’d slip in when they got to final bids.

  “Damn, this is higher than I thought.” She shifted in her seat and glanced at him. “Why aren’t you bidding? I thought you wanted this building.”

  He clenched his teeth. “I do. I thought it would go for lower than this also. You aren’t bidding yet either.”

  Her mouth turned down at the corners as another bid shot the price up again. Her fingers tapped nervously against the file she held.

  “What’s the matter? Daddy give you a limit on this? His pockets aren’t deep enough for his little girl’s whims?”

  “Shut up. My father isn’t giving me any money. He doesn’t even know my plans. It’s my project and my financing.”

  “You got some banker on a string then? What do you have to do for him?”

  The look she threw at him should have left him in ashes. Yeah, he was being a jerk, but he loved to get a reaction out of her. He should play nice.

  “Heather, I—”

  “Screw you.”

  His mouth turned into an automatic smirk. “You already did. Must not have been satisfying since it wasn’t repeated.”

  * * * *

  Heather’s head snapped up at Scott’s words. Not satisfying. Hardly what she would have called their one-night stand. Too satisfying if she was being honest. So much so, that she’d avoided the man if she could. The emotions that filled her when they’d had sex had been too intense, too needy. She didn’t ever want to need someone that badly. Her independence was the most important thing she had.

  She ignored what he’d said and focused on the bidding going on in the front of the room. This project would make her father see that she could make it on her own and didn’t need the family money. Okay, most of the money for the building was from the trust fund her maternal grandmother set up for her, but she would be the one to arrange for renovations and turn the old mill into something amazing.

  “Shit,” Scott swore under his breath and his face tightened even more. Anxiety was zapping through her too. This was the only building that was situated in that urban renewal neighborhood. It was almost out of her range. Sounded like it was out of Scott’s too.

  The price rose again and disappointment flooded her. She couldn’t go any higher. Not without some other funding. Where was Scott getting his money? His construction company did well, but she knew he wasn’t pulling in millions. Too bad they couldn’t pool their money.

  Pool their money? What the hell. No, that would be crazy. He purposefully egged her on. Taunted her every chance he had. She’d strangle him before they got any of the renovations done. As he shifted, she got a whiff of that manly scent he always exuded. When did the smell of sawdust become an aphrodisiac? Maybe when you let the man go down on you and he sent you into the stratosphere? She had to stop her mind from going back there.

  His shoulders rose and fell and he clenched his jaw. Was he getting ready to leave? Give up? There had to be a way for them to get this building. She must be crazy to consider working with him.

  They had managed to get along the last few years when they’d been helping Callie and Jack. But the excuse for them to be together was married and living in suburbia. Could they work with each other? It would be business, plain and simple.

  The price went up and the auctioneer started toward the final countdown. Damn, and double damn. She needed this building and this project. When Scott made to stand, she grabbed his arm, pushing him back down.

  “What if we went in together? We pool our money and outbid the others?”

  His eyebrows went up, and he scowled. “You and I work together?”

  “We did it for two years. We can do it if we really want this.”

  “I do want this, but a whole building of offices and stores won’t make us as much profit.”

  If they rented them, in the long run they might. But she needed the stores there. It was part of her plan.

  “Going once.” The voice of the auctioneer rang out like a death knell in her head.

  Compromise. You’ll both lose if you don’t. “Stores and businesses on the bottom floor and condos on the second and third. Deal?”

  Scott paused, making Heather want to slug him. Now wasn’t the time to debate. Opening her file she showed him her bottom line.

  “Going twice.”

  His eyes flicked back and forth between her and the auctioneer.

  She shook his arm. “We can do this. It’s the only way we both get what we want.”

  Throwing his left arm over her shoulder, he raised his right and called out a price above what the others had bid. The auctioneer looked at the men who had been bidding and they both shook their heads.

  “Sold to Holland Construction. Please see the clerk outside for details.”

  “We did it!” Excitement bubbled over and she jumped up pulling him along behind her to exit the room.

  Her heart raced as she thought about the project. Once they were in the hallway, Scott turned and she slipped right into his arms. He’d done this with her.

  Leaning into him she pressed her lips to his. He stiffened for a second then his hands slid up her back. Pulled close to his chest, she could feel his heart beating. Fast like hers. The kiss deepened and the memories of touching him this way surfaced, swarming over her like cicadas. Too intense.

  Easing away she looked up. His eyes devoured her like the night they’d had sex. Shit. Had she just made the biggest mistake of her life?
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  Meet the Author

  Kari Lemor was one of those children who read with a flashlight under the covers. Once she discovered her mom’s stash of romance novels, there was no other genre to even consider. For years, she had stories stewing in her mind, stories of love and happily ever after. But writing wasn’t something she ever liked in school. Of course, no one ever asked her to write a story about a couple falling in love. Now that her children are grown, she can concentrate on penning tales of dashing heroes who ride to the rescue and feisty heroines who have already saved themselves. Please visit her at karilemor.com and on Twitter and Facebook.