Only You (Sweet Torment 2)

My head snapped up and I swallowed hard trying to keep the instant joy tamped down.

“I’d never break your professional confidence.”

He smiled. “Professional confidence? I like that.” He stood and walked around, then leaned against his desk, much like he did when he hired me.

“I have word that a slip is going up for sale by the owner at a very fair asking price of ten million.”

I wanted to whistle low because ten million was fair? For a glorified parking spot for a boat? I kept my face still and nodded. He was trusting me with details and it was time to shine in the only way I knew how: planning and execution.

“When does the slip go on the market?”

Leo seemed impressed with my question. “In the next four to eight weeks. This isn’t like a house, it won’t get listed. But the man who owns the slip wants to sell fast.”

“Is this slip a prime spot?”

“It is.”

“Then why wouldn’t he make his sale known to the market and go for a bidding war to make more money?”

Leo raised a brow. “You’re kind of cutthroat, Red.”

“Just asking questions. In terms of business, the bottom line is usually number one.”

“Not for this man. He is Jes Frolos. He did business with my father. Our families go way back.”

“And you’re expecting him to just take the ten million from Savas Shipping because he likes you and your family?”

Leo’s blue eyes turned a little icy and I couldn’t figure out why he looked suddenly angry with me. “Some people do things for other reasons than the bottom line.”

I swallowed hard, realizing Leo’s issues. I was “cutthroat” and “temporary.” How could I possibly understand this grand gesture? Well, forget that. I wasn’t naïve, and in this world, nothing was free or too good to be true.

“I’m simply trying to point out that there is a flaw in this grand scheme. You are relying on a man’s word.”

“Yes, I am,” Leo said. And something made me respect him more for it. It also made me want to be the kind of woman he could believe in. Taking a deep breath and forcing my head out of the clouds, I returned to my game face.

“Look,” Leo said, his chest rising on a deep breath. “Frolos benefits a great deal from Savas Shipping. Even though ten million on the slip up front is a good price, what he’d gain with the percentage of traffic I can pull into that slip would make up for it in the long run. He’s giving me this deal and, in return, will stand to profit long term. Just like Savas Shipping will. Gaining this slip will take Savas Shipping to a whole new level.”

I nodded and couldn’t hold back a slight grin. “So . . . there is a bottom line after all . . .”

He pursed his lips and my grin widened. I was right and Leo knew it.

“Yes, there is.” He shook his head and chuckled a little. “Jesus, Red. You’re . . .” He looked at me with a light in his eyes I wanted to capture and hold on to. Finally he said, “Impressive.”

The compliment rocked me. Not only was he going over a major deal he had in the works, but I spoke my mind, dug a little deeper, and he called me impressive.

Wow.

Something like light, fluffy warmth spread through my chest. So much that I had to run my fingertips along the base of my neck to see if I could feel it. Nope. Nothing. Which was exactly what I should be feeling for Leo.

“So, if I may ask another question?”

Leo held up his hand and smiled. “Never stopped you before.”

“Why is Frolos going to you and keeping this deal under wraps?”

“There are some issues in his own camp. He is retiring, and his son is set to run the majority of the business. I guess they don’t see eye to eye on things and Jes wants to wrap this deal up.”

“Do you think the son would sink this deal for you?”