Lisa crossed to Reception, and enquired of the male receptionist directions to the Oberon Suite. He responded with a broad, admiring smile, and told her it was on the first floor.
Her stomach churning with nervous tension, she glided across the lobby, a tall, stunningly attractive and elegant woman, totally unaware of the admiring glances of every man in view.
Ignoring the lift, she ascended the stairs to the first floor. The Oberon Suite. Wasn’t Oberon the king of the fairies in A Midsummer Night’s Dream? she mused, as she walked along the wide hall reading the door signs. It hardly suited Alex’s macho image, but she needed a touch of magic if she hoped to survive the next hour with her pride intact. She had to face Alex one last time and let him see she didn’t give a damn!
Her eyes flicked over a name-plate and she stopped. Taking a few deep breaths, she lifted her hand and knocked firmly on the door; straightening her shoulders, she composed her face into a cool, polite smile and opened the door.
Two sofas covered in blue velvet were set either side of an elegant fireplace, at the other end of the room was a large rectangular table set with the accoutrements for a business meeting. But the model building placed in the centre of the table confirmed her worst fear: the proposed redevelopment, no doubt. Lisa moved into the centre of the room. She glanced again at the table, and as she did so a large black leather high-backed chair that had been facing the window suddenly spun around.
‘You came. Brave of you. I had a bet with myself you wouldn’t.’ With the sun behind him she was not able to see his face clearly, but it made no difference; she knew that slightly accented voice as well as her own. It was Alex…
‘And on time as well. Would you like to take a seat and we can begin?’
Her legs trembled, and it took an enormous effort of will to walk to the table and sit down on the nearest chair. ‘Good morning.’ She gave the conventional greeting without looking at him, and, placing her briefcase on the table in front of her, she clasped her hands tightly in her lap and waited.
‘As the only two shareholders, in what is really a family business…’
Alex began to speak, and at his mention of ‘family business’ Lisa’s head jerked up, her eyes narrowing angrily on his dark face.
His black hair was longer than when she had last seen him, but the tanned handsome face still wore the mask of derision she remembered so well. He was enjoying this, she realised bitterly. Not content with discarding her like so much garbage, he wanted to watch her be destroyed. Why else would he mention that Lawson’s was a family firm, other than to rub in her failure to retain it? Well, he was not going to get away with it if she had her way.
His black eyes caught hers and she immediately looked away, unable to stand the intensity of his gaze. ‘I have had my architect prepare a model to show you how we envisage the finished complex.’
Lisa’s glance skimmed over the model, but she didn’t see it. She wasn’t interested.
‘What do you think, Lisa?’ The strident question had her glancing at Alex once more. He was watching her, a wary anticipation in his dark eyes. Why, she had no idea. Alex knew damned well that she couldn’t oppose him. In fact, she had decided she was not going to try. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
‘I think you’ve said it all. Do you want to go through the charade of taking a vote?’ She could almost taste the tension in the air. The hairs on her neck were standing on end; it was sheer bravado that enabled her to hold his gaze. ‘All in favour say aye,’ she announced facetiously, and lifted her hand.
‘Lisa, you haven’t even looked at the model.’
‘What’s the point? You own Lawson’s, have done for months. It’s yours to flatten to the ground. I wish you luck with it.’ Her gaze roamed over his perfectly chiselled features and she felt the beat of her heart quicken, knowing it was time to have her say and get out.
‘The only reason I am here is to tell you I am prepared to sell you my forty-seven per cent stake at the same rate as you paid Harold. But, in return, I want the right to retain the name Lawson Designer Glass. So, do we have a deal?’ she asked firmly.
His dark brows rose and she could see she had surprised him. ‘Why?’ Alex settled back in his chair, his narrowed eyes fixed on her face.
‘Does it matter? You’ve got what you want—the land, the river frontage…that was all you were ever interested in.’ She made no attempt to hide the edge of bitterness in her tone.
‘You malign me, Lisa. Not a good idea when you are asking for a favour.’
‘I don’t want a favour from you. I want what is mine: my name.’
‘I thought your name was Solomos.’ The taunting softness of his comment made her anger rise. But she refused to give in to it.
‘Not for much longer, and you know perfectly well what I mean.’
‘Humour me. Tell me why.’
‘I have found alternative premises for the glass foundry. I intend relocating and starting again. That way none of my employees need to suffer because I believed all your lies. They will all keep their jobs.’
‘I might h
ave guessed.’ Alex’s sensuous mouth quirked in a smile of reluctant appreciation. ‘Very noble. But then you always were far too noble for your own good.’
‘Not something you have ever suffered from,’ she snorted, suddenly fed up with the whole mess. Pushing back her chair, she stood up. ‘If you have no objections, I’ll expect your lawyer to be in touch about the financial details as soon as possible.’ And, picking up her briefcase, she walked round the table and headed for the door.
But she didn’t get far. Suddenly she was stopped from behind and held against Alex’s muscled length. The air whooshed out of her and she dropped her briefcase. ‘Let go of me!’ She was sick of playing the sophisticated businesswoman; she just wanted to get away.