‘That’s not it at all,’ she argued, but her cheeks blazed red as it dawned on her that it must have sounded exactly like that to him.
‘This island has to pay its way,’ he said bluntly.
‘I’m trying—and with your help and influence, maybe investors would listen to me.’
‘As I have no previous experience or interest in farming, why would they?’
> ‘So you’d stand in my way—when you weren’t busy trying to find someone to give you an heir, that is.’
He was shocked that she would throw that in his face.
Xavier thought he held all the cards, but she wasn’t even close to admitting defeat. She would find a solution to this. She had to.
‘You should consider my proposal, Rosie. More money. You’d be secure for life. For the good of the island alone, you should accept it.’
But then she’d have all the money in the world to help the island, and no right to do so. ‘My answer has to be no.’
There had to be a way out of the impasse. Doña Anna must have anticipated this situation, but what had she wanted Rosie to do? It was as if there was an unwritten message in the will, and she just wasn’t getting it.
CHAPTER SEVEN
HIS TEAM ARRIVED that same afternoon. The dining room would serve as his boardroom for now. No one would stay overnight, so accommodation wasn’t a problem, and the launch would take everyone back to the mainland.
Rosie was baking in the kitchen. She was up to her elbows in flour when he looked in. She had white smudges on her nose and cheeks, and added more with the back of her hand when she saw him.
‘Ah, good, thank you,’ he said, surprised and pleased at the effort she was going to on his behalf.
She frowned. ‘Why?’
‘Why what?’ he asked, halfway out of the door.
‘Why are you thanking me?’
‘You anticipated my request,’ he suggested with a shrug.
‘Your request?’ she queried, putting even more smudges of flour on her face.
He moved to one side as she moved past him to put her baking tray into the oven. She looked perfect for her role in the day ahead: casual, low-key, and efficient. His aunt would have tolerated nothing less. He found her very sexy in form-fitting jeans that clung lovingly to her curves. He lingered a moment as her simple white T-shirt rode up when she bent down, drawing his gaze to her soft, silky skin and the swell of her buttocks. ‘Beautiful,’ he murmured, temporarily distracted.
‘The muffins?’ she declared, straightening up. ‘I’m using one of my all-time favourite recipes.’
The look she gave him when she planted flour-covered hands on her hips shot straight to his groin.
‘Excuse me, please...’ She drew herself in as she went to move past him, presumably so they didn’t touch.
He stepped in her way. ‘It’s good of you to go to so much trouble for my team.’
‘Your team?’
‘The people in my team will really appreciate it.’
She frowned at him, confused. ‘May I go now?’ she murmured, still frowning.
‘Of course.’ He smiled as he stood back. ‘Coffee would have been enough, though.’
‘But cake’s always nice, don’t you think?’
His lips pressed down as he shrugged. ‘If you insist.’