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‘Second thoughts, Skylar?’ he murmured as she closed the door behind him.
How could he read her mind?
‘Don’t worry.’ He dominated the space in the room. ‘I won’t ask you to do anything you’re uncomfortable with.’
Her body heated even more. More innuendo that he probably didn’t mean. He was only out to tip her off balance. He talked up a game, but he wasn’t really playing. His desire for Helberg was no joke.
‘What’s your role here these days?’ he asked.
‘People and culture.’
‘HR? You?’
His obvious surprise annoyed her. ‘You think I’m not good with people?’
He definitely wanted to throw her off but she wasn’t going to let him. In fact, she was going to make him pay for his arrogance and entitlement. He really assumed she’d drop everything to accommodate him. The man needed a lesson. He was about to get it.
She smiled at him. ‘If you’ll wait here a moment, I’ll make arrangements for this morning’s information session.’
His eyes widened. ‘Sure.’
She left him in the room and stalked to her own office. She couldn’t believe he wanted to break up a massive company with such a prestigious history. The Helberg brand had been around for more than a century and was renowned. The dynasty had engaged in a wide variety of philanthropic endeavours in many ways. But yes, in recent years, some of Reed Helberg’s decisions had raised questions in the boardroom. Some divisions had struggled. But that was still no reason to break it up completely.
Zane deMarco just had a thing for a sledgehammer. She couldn’t understand how he could so easily destroy what others had taken so long to build. Why didn’t he respect their effort? She needed to show him some of the people he’d be hurting.
She picked up her phone. Three minutes later, she went back into the meeting room. As she approached, she noted his was expression was cool but his gaze watchful. She couldn’t resist stepping just a little too close—as he’d done to her. It was an absurdly strong satisfaction when he tensed and she heard his sharp intake of breath.
‘Bernie is going to show you from the ground level the kind of systems Helberg has,’ she said.
‘Systems?’
‘Heating and ventilation, sprinkler systems.’
He took a beat. ‘Are you talking about building maintenance?’
‘Helberg constructs and services all its own buildings.’ She smiled at him. ‘Here’s Bernie now.’
Bernie was almost seventy. Super hardworking and loyal and he refused to retire. He was damned good at his job. And he was talkative. Very talkative. A fact she appreciated. She didn’t think Zane would.
‘If you’ll come with me, Mr deMarco,’ Bernie said jovially.
She saw Zane’s mouth thin but he didn’t demur. It was only when Skylar didn’t move with them that he turned back to her.
‘Are you not coming on the tour, Skylar?’ he asked silkily.
‘Sadly I’ve another appointment.’
‘More important than me?’
She simply smiled.
Three hours later, she paced the meeting room back and forth and back and forth. What was taking so long? She’d expected Bernie to keep him busy for a while, but not forthisamount of time. It was the worst idea she’d ever had. She hadn’t got any work done herself and she’d probably have infuriated him with this time waster of a meeting. Yet she couldn’t help inwardly chuckling at the thought of immaculately suited and booted Zane wandering through the pump room and maintenance tunnels.
Maybe he’d left the building without saying goodbye—given up on the whole thing. Disappointment hit hard at that thought—she wanted that date more than she was willing to admit. She was weak.
Half an hour later she swallowed her pride and went down to the basement to investigate what had happened. Bernie’s office door was wide open and she heard voices, then laughter. Stepping through, she saw the old man was leaning back in his chair, beaming, and there were takeout coffee cups and bagel and donut wrappers littering the desk. Skylar’s mouth watered. Zane was in the seat beside Bernie—he’d pulled it round so the two men were side by side. He’d removed his jacket and tie and his sleeves were rolled up and she couldn’t stand to look at his arms. Like Bernie, he was laughing.
He glanced up as she appeared and his gaze brightened. ‘Oh, Skylar!’ He smiled at her wickedly and raised his half-eaten donut to her in a mock salute. ‘Were you waiting for us? Have Bernie and I lost track of time?’