She followed the chauffeur along the stone path to the entrance. Inside, a huge stone fireplace stood majestically in the center of the large room they entered, a welcoming flame licking at the wood logs behind the glass screen.
She slipped off her coat and thanked the driver as he hung it on a coat rack by the door. After he made his way out, she found herself alone in the large, quiet room, uncertain what to do next. It was clear as soon as she’d walked into the foyer that this wasn’t a hotel or restaurant. It seemed more like a private residence. Maybe it had been easier to pull together a meeting at one of the executive’s homes. It was a big place and would allow them the privacy to talk about financial matters, but in a comfortable setting.
She set her purse beside the couch, then wandered over to the fireplace, staring into the mesmerizing flames, letting the heat swirl around her.
“So, I see you’re settling in.”
Shock vaulted through her at the sound of that deep masculine—and very familiar—voice. She spun around, and came face-to-face with the one man she would have given anything to avoid.
Matt Pearce.
The Capture
Kate drew in a deep breath.
Matt Pearce stood on the other side of the enormous room, but he was far too close. His carefully controlled power filled the space, crowding around her. Her heart fluttered like a wild thing and her pulse throbbed at her temple in a rapid pounding. She grabbed onto the stonework around the fireplace to steady herself.
“What are you doing here?” she croaked.
His sensuous lips twisted into a smile. “I’m your new partner.”
New partner. Oh, God, he must be the investor. She clasped her hands together because they’d started to tremble.
“But you’re not on the list of executives for Facts and Figures Inc.”
He smiled. “That’s because I’m the owner.”
Damn. She drew in a deep breath. “There’s been no agreement signed yet. That’s why I’m here, to see if we’ll be a good fit.”
A smile crept across his face. “As I recall, we’re a very good fit.”
His words sent a tremor through her, along with memories of his hot, hard body pressed tightly against hers.
She felt the heat of a blush creep across her cheeks.
He strolled toward her. “Surely the meeting is just a formality.”
She couldn’t stay here any longer. Being alone with him like this sent panic skittering through her. She glanced toward the door, assessing her chances of escape. She could fling caution aside and lunge around the couch, then race across the room toward the door, but he could catch up with her in three quick strides.
She sucked in a breath. Damn, she was overreacting. The man wasn’t going to chase her.
Or would he?
“You look like you’re thinking of fleeing. Is the thought of being here with me so distasteful that you feel you have to run away from me again?” he asked, the words strung as tight as his expression.
Whether he referred to the incident at the mall last month, or when she had left him two years ago, she didn’t know, or care.
“I want to leave right now,” she demanded.
His lips compressed. “That’s not an option.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Why?”
“Well…”—he held his free hand out expansively—“we’re at least a mile from the main road. It’s the middle of January and freezing outside.”
“The driver—”
“Is gone.”