The Deal

Naomi restrained her smile and followed Georgio's gaze.

Lucas was striding toward them.

Georgio rose to his feet.

As soon as she met his gaze she glanced away lest she say the wrong thing and Georgio realized they knew each other. As she did, she noticed that other women in the room were looking at Lucas – and several of the men too. It was a magnetism that he had. Heads turned. People sensed his aura of control and looked.

He clasped her hand when introduced.

She looked up at him, and thanked the heavens for introducing them.

Her concerns about revealing their connection were unfounded. Georgio led the conversation after introductions were made and Lucas talked about how their company worked. Both shared stories about other clients. It was hard to forget he was her lover though, no matter how entertaining the stories were. They stared at each other across the table, sexual energy flowing between them. Suggestions and demands presented themselves to her mind all the while they were talking about business possibilities.

It was impossible to eat. Lucas's presence made memories of their times together invade her thoughts and her stomach knotted.

They were about to consider the dessert menu when Georgio's phone buzzed. He picked it up and glanced at the screen. "I'm sorry. It's the nurse who's sitting with my Dad. I'll have to phone her back."

"We can do better than that," Lucas responded quickly. "Why don’t you head home? I'll entertain Naomi."

Naomi's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't even glanced her way, maintaining his focus on Georgio. How easily he took charge, she realized, how unobtrusively, accommodating everybody's needs.

Georgio glanced at her, concern marking his expression.

She could tell he didn’t want to leave her with a man she might be intimidated by or think of as a stranger. She smiled. "I'll be fine. We can talk more another time."

Relief morphed his expression. "If you're sure, thank you. Lucas will take care of you."

She risked a sidelong glance at Lucas. He was looking at her with hooded eyes a smile playing around his mouth.

"Of course I will," Lucas agreed.

Naomi burned up with anticipation. She was ready to be alone with him again, more than ready. Besides, she wanted to hear what he thought of Georgio's summation of her brand.

Georgio was on his feet and checking his pockets. "I've penciled in a meet with you tomorrow morning at ten. We'll go shopping together and do some undercover sleuthing, take a look at the outlets I think would be right for your designs, just to see what you think. It'll be fun."

"Georgio goes in disguise," Lucas commented, amused. "Be prepared."

Georgio grinned. "Just a hat and shades, some unlikely clothing, they don’t spot me scoping them." He winked at Naomi.

"It does sound like fun," Naomi agreed. "I can't wait."

Lucas nodded at Georgio, then spoke as if to include them both. "I can have the contract ready by early afternoon we can go over it together, say three o' clock?"

"So fast," Naomi murmured.

"Lucas is all about moving fast, once we're on track, which we are." Georgio reached over and squeezed Naomi's shoulder with his hand. "I'm delighted to be representing you. See you in the morning."

Naomi watched him dart off then turned back to face Lucas. She wondered what he'd say, now that they were alone. He stared at her with an openly appreciative gaze, as if he was deeply happy to be left alone with her.

"We should tell him," he commented, eventually.

"That's going to be an interesting conversation."

"Yes. I'm trying to think when to announce it for the most impact. I do love to surprise Georgio, he's so expressive."

Naomi chuckled. It was in his character to tease and test things. "Any ideas?"

"I think maybe when he visits our home for eggnog on Christmas Eve."