Page 54 of The Holiday Clause

“What?” He shrugged. “We’re more than friends. I’m done pretending I don’t see you. I’m not immune to you, and you’re not immune to me. No more polite lies for whatever bullshit reason we had for taking so long to get here.”

She looked like she wanted to call for help, but they were completely secluded on the enclosed balcony. “Don’t say stuff like that.”

“Why? You’d rather I lie and pretend I’ve never thought of you in a sexual way? I’m a man, and you’re a beautiful woman.”

She sipped her champagne and flushed, the darkening of her cheeks adding to her natural glow. “It’s a little too much.”

“Fine. I’ll tone it down. But I’ve given this a lot of thought, Wren. I want this. And I go after what I want in life.”

The champagnein Wren’s stomach fizzed wildly as she recognized the determination blazing in Soren’s dark eyes. It wasn’t that he studied her like prey. He studied her like a challenge. And Soren hated to lose. If anyone were going to inherit the Fishery, it would most likely be him.

“Does it scare you to realize that I want you?”

Her heart stuttered as nervous energy made her reach for her champagne flute again. “You have to stop.”

“What am I doing? We’re just talking.”

This was more than talking. He was never so explicit or direct with her, saying such blatantly flirtatious things. No one spoke to her with such shameless intentions, and she didn’t know how to respond. There was no way to shield herself from his directness, especially when he looked at her like she was something he planned to devour.

She took a long swallow of champagne, bubbles dancing on her tongue. “What scares me is that determined expression in your eyes. I’m not that easy, Soren. Just because you want something doesn’t mean you automatically get it.”

“We’ll see. I can be very persuasive.”

“Obviously. But I’m not like other women. As much as I appreciate your generosity, I’m not used to being spoiled. I don’t think you’re going to get the outcome you’re hoping for.”

“Give it time.” He leaned back and studied her with predatory focus. “You’ll learn to like being taken care of, Wren, maybe even expect it over time. I enjoy treating you.”

She frowned, unease prickling along her spine. “It’s a little intense.” She was used to Soren’s confidence, but she’d never been the sole target of his relentless pursuit.

“That’s because we can be real with each other. We’re past the point of fake, Wren. We’ve been through too much together.”

She shifted in her seat to reach the champagne. Soren beat her to the bottle and refilled her glass with practiced grace.

She took a sip. “Okay, let’s say this works out. How do you see it going between us?”

“Well, I think we both want to stay in Hideaway Harbor.”

“Especially if you inherit the company,” she said with a bite of condescension.

“That might be the catalyst that got us here, but it’s not the only reason I’m interested.”

“No?”

“It’s not an unpleasant predicament, Wren. We’d make a decent couple.”

“Mmm, decent.” She sipped her champagne, annoyed by the cold calculation silently surrounding his motives.

“You understand what I mean. We get along. I make you laugh. You’d want for nothing.”

“Yes, I’m so tired from all the wanting.”

“Make jokes all you want. But I mean it. You’d literally want for nothing.” His gaze deliberately dropped to her chest.

“Stop it, Soren,” she hissed, covering her cleavage with her hand.

He chuckled and sat back. “I’m just saying I’d take care of you financially and in other ways. We can leave it at that for now.”

Soren wasn’t one to brag. He simply demonstrated. He’d spent his whole life being underestimated and proving people wrong. She understood him well enough to be intimidated by the determined expression burning in his eyes.