He nodded. “Remediation is required.”
“Where is the property?”
“Oakland.”
She perked up. “You do a lot of business in Oakland?” she asked as she pushed the pasta around the bowl.
“What do you consider a lot?”
“Have you developed property in the city before?”
“We’ve funded a number of developments. You’re interested in real estate?”
“I’m interested in Oakland. I was born there. Went to a preschool in Chinatown. Was one of two black kids in the class.”
“Did you live in Chinatown?”
“No, but it was the most affordable preschool in town. Childcare is a big issue in the upcoming mayoral race.” Since Ben hadn’t told her about his uncle, she couldn’t ask him directly about it. She thought for a moment before saying, “One of the candidates shares your last name.”
He was staring at her rather intently. “He’s my uncle.”
Kimani pretended to be surprised. “On your dad’s side?”
“The youngest of five sons. He immigrated to the United States when he was fourteen.”
“Are you expected to help with the campaign?”
“I do what I can.”
“Do you walk precincts or—let me guess—fundraise.”
“There’s only so much I can do.” He looked down at his phone. “It’s for you.”
He held the phone up for her to see the text. It was from Sam and contained only two words:
Call me.
He was probably worried about her. She reached for the phone. “Can I use your cell again?”
But Ben withdrew it. “You want the phone? You’ve got to find out what’s behind curtain number three.”
CHAPTER NINE
Even in a frown, her lips looked luscious. He wanted to take them. Smother them. Devour them.
He had lucked out on timing, though catching her in the shower would have been better. He had thought about walking in on her but had refrained, knowing he would impose himself on her later. She looked too hot in that towel for him to do nothing. She had the perfect body, fit and still athletic but, as she no longer kept up the same level of training as he had when she was playing ball, softened in all the right places.
Given her reticence, he had been patient with her. He had never had to wait for sex before—and he had paid for it this time. With a woman who wanted the money badly enough that she was willing to trade her body. He knew she hadn’t signed up for the Scarlet Auction for fun or she would have welcomed his advances more than she had. However, he’d see to it that by the end, money would be a secondary consideration for her.
“What’s behind curtain number three?” she asked.
“I told you before...it’s a surprise,” he replied.
“That’s not fair. How am I supposed to make an informed decision?”
“Who says life is fair?”
Her nostrils flared.