Page 28 of The Donovan Dynasty

While she’d been dressing, she’d reached the inevitable conclusion.She did, indeed, need an ally on the board.A strong, powerful one.And Erin was right.Connor was brilliant.He had the financial resources and strategic thinking skills to help her out.

But was marriage the logical solution?

After breakfast, she’d pulled out a file containing BHI’s legal documents and realized there were only two ways to get him a seat on the board.One was through her father’s invitation.She didn’t see that happening.Family members, on the other hand, were automatically accorded a seat.

She’d spent hours thinking it through and had decided that a marriage of convenience would be a wise move for both of them.For her, especially.

There had been a definite spark between her and Connor the other night outside the elevator.She knew she hadn’t imagined it.So she’d decided to exploit it.

Even though she hadn’t worn those heels or that suit in months, she’d selected both.The skirt was a bit too tight, and a look in the mirror had shown her that it flaunted her buttocks.Generally she didn’t wear the outfit because it was a bit risqué but, with Connor, that was exactly why she’d selected it.

She just hadn’t expected his all-too-male reaction.

For the second time, she wondered what the hell she’d gotten herself into.

Lara exhaled.

The outer door opened and Thompson entered the room.“Is everything okay, Ms.Bertrand?”A ferocious line was buried between his eyebrows, making him appear scary.

She totally understood what Erin had been talking about.He was extremely large, and she had no problem imagining him in military garb.With his broad shoulders and jagged scar on his bald head, he looked to be equal measures protector and kick-ass intimidator.That he was so refined in his mannerisms made her feel somewhat discombobulated.“I’m fine.Thank you.”She stood, wondering if the man had any idea what his boss was into.Had he been shocked when she’d locked the door?

Embarrassment tore through her.

How often did something like that happen?How many women came to Connor’s office long enough for him to seduce them?Was she one of many?

Reminding herself no one had the ability to dictate her emotional state, Lara squared her shoulders as an outward show of pulling herself back together.“Thanks again for the coffee,” she said as she was leaving the room.

“My pleasure.Next time I’ll have biscotti for you.”

“Sounds heavenly,” she replied.She closed the door, knowing she wouldn’t be back.

Lara kept her focus as she waited for the elevator.She avoided eye contact with other occupants and kept her head back as she strode through the lobby.

At the main entrance, a woman took a step forward.“Ms.Bertrand?”

“Yes?”

“I’m April Martinez.Mr.Donovan asked me to give you a ride back to your offices.”

The gesture startled her, but she realized it shouldn’t have surprised her.From her very first interaction with him, she’d felt something mesmerizing and seductive about the way he took charge of situations.Now she could addunsettlingto the mix.The man liked to be in charge.Part of his dominant nature?Another sample of what it would be like if she were his woman?

“Ma’am?”

Humidity had made the afternoon feel like a swamp.The idea of air-conditioning appealed in a way that made the idea of resistance futile.“Thank you.”

April indicated the sedan near the curb.Lara recognized it from the night he’d offered to rescue her from the rain.

Heat suddenly slid down her spine.Over her shoulder, she glanced up at the building, unable to shake the feeling she was being watched.Maybe she was.More likely, she was being fanciful.Connor Donovan had more important things to do than watch her drive off.

Unless he was waiting to see if she complied with his wishes?

She entered the car and a few moments later, the driver merged into traffic.“Do you have the address?”Lara asked.

“Mr.Donovan provided it.”April rattled it off.“Unless you’d like to make any stops?”

In the rearview mirror, she met the woman’s eyes.Lara wondered, again, how often Connor did this kind of thing.“The office is fine.”Even though something to fortify her nerves appealed—the bakery or a bar.At this point, she’d settle for either.

After April dropped her off, Lara hesitated.She realized she wasn’t mentally prepared to go back to work.