"Of course," Alex said, her eyes never leaving Travis, and she pressed the Disconnect button. "Mr. Baron." Her voice was cool but her hand was trembling as she put the phone away, and she hoped he couldn't see it.
"Back to formalities, Princess?"
Alex flushed. "Perhaps you'd like to explain your presence."
"Explain what? I'm here to buy this place. Didn't your lawyers tell that to you?"
"You? Buy Peregrine? You might have fooled my attorneys, but you can't fool me. What are you really doing here?"
Travis fought back the desire to take Alex in his arms and kiss that haughty look from her face. He'd imagined this scene over and over. Sometimes, she'd flown into his arms the second she saw him; in another version, she'd launched herself across the room and tried to scratch out his eyes.
What he hadn't anticipated was that she'd look at him as if he were something beneath contempt, or that she'd be even more beautiful than he remembered. He felt the stir of his body, looked at the disdain in her expression, and knew that nothing had changed.
Realizing it made him angry. Angry at himself, angry at her. No, anger didn't quite cut it. Fury was a better word, but he'd be damned if he was going to let her know it.
"What do you mean, what am I doing here?" he said calmly. He leaned back against the wall and tucked his hands into the back pockets of his jeans. "I'm here to talk about buying a vineyard."
"And the moon is made of green cheese."
"Is it?" he said pleasantly. "I've always wondered."
Alex drew herself up. "Look, I don't know how you managed to fool my attorneys into thinking you were really interested in—"
"I am," he said.
Her smile was icy. "You're interested in buying a vineyard?"
"Well, no. Not exactly."
"But you thought nothing of lying to my people, of dragging me up here on a fool's errand—"
"I represent Baron Enterprises."
"Baron Enter..."
She blinked, and a flush rose in her cheeks. Damn, it was good to see her take the first step toward a plate filled with crow.
"That's right," Travis said coolly. He took out his wallet, extracted a business card and held it out. "I'm a partner in the firm of Sullivan, Cohen and Vittali. I represent my father, Jonas Baron, who wants to buy your vineyard."
She took the card. Her eyes flashed from its heavy engraving to him, and Travis felt a curl of satisfaction in his belly as that disdainful look was replaced by confusion.
"You're an attorney?"
"Yes. I specialize in corporate law." He smiled, leaned away from the wall and folded his arms over his chest. "Perhaps you recognize the name of my firm."
She did. It was a law firm with a reputation and influence the equal of the one that represented her.
"And—and you say your father..."
"Is interested in buying this vineyard." Travis strolled past her, to the open door, and stepped onto the porch. "Maybe I should say he was interested."
Alex swung around and looked at him. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Only that from what I've seen so far, I'm not inclined to recommend he continue with the purchase."
Those were the last words she'd expected to hear, and she couldn't keep her surprise from showing.
"Why not?"
"Do you know anything about viniculture?" Her eyes narrowed. "No."
"Well, it's too complicated to explain, but—"
"Don't patronize me," she snapped.
Travis's brows rose. The Princess might not know anything about wine-making. From what he'd been able to learn during the past week, he doubted she knew much about half of what she'd inherited. Still, the tilt of her chin, coupled with that arrogant tone, said she was damned if she wasn't determined to learn.
Or maybe the only thing she wanted was to give him a hard time. Either way, it didn't matter. Peregrine Vineyards was a handsome place. It had charm. It even had possibilities. But it sure as hell wasn't worth the price her attorney had quoted.
"Well? I'm waiting to hear why my vineyard doesn't meet your high standards, Mr. Baron."
On the other hand, it was worth almost anything to see her eyes flash that way. Travis tried to look thoughtful as he glanced at his watch.
"I could fill you in on some of my thoughts over an early supper."
"I didn't come here for supper!"
"What did you come here for, then?" He looked up, his gaze noncommittal. "Do you want to sell this vineyard or don't you?"
"You just said there isn't going to be any sale."
Travis couldn't help it; he grinned. "I take it you've never been to Morocco."
Alex looked at him as if he'd lost his mind. "What does Morocco have to do with this?"