Tess: I don’t know when I’ll be done with these. Rain check on the celebration?
I smiled when the words Liam is typing appeared in the small box. Was he always so fast to respond, or was I getting special treatment?
Liam: No.
Liam: I want to woo you tonight.
Oh my God.
Tess: Don’t tempt me. Pleeease.
Liam: Hell yes, I will. Cheese? Champagne? A kiss? My naked abs?
I laughed, holding a hand to my belly. I eyed the pile, then the armchair, and then the phone. Okay, so since I was my own boss, I could allow myself a flirting break. Grinning, I sat down, legs up on one armrest, dangling my feet in the air.
Tess: Is this a negotiation?
Liam: Only if I’m winning.
I shimmied in the armchair. I’d only been looking for a little flirting. How was I simmering already?
Tess: Not how negotiations work.
Liam: Tell me your terms.
Tess: Do they have to include kissing?
Liam: Yes. I’m not budging on that.
I was on pins and needles as I wrote three texts before deciding on one. I pressed Send before I could talk myself out of it again.
Tess: What exactly do I get to decide?
I wasn’t just simmering now. I was on fire. I held my breath as the words Liam is typing popped on the screen. What’s taking him so long?
Liam: Where and how many.
Tess: I’ll think about the terms and get back to you.
That’s right; I could tease too. I could flirt.
Liam: Tess...the longer you wait, the more kisses I’ll demand. One for every hour you make me wait.
Holy shit. Clearly, I couldn’t beat him. He was a master at this.
Liam: You’re not working on those orders alone, are you?
Tess: Yes, I am. Skye is meeting a supplier, and the sales associates are busy with customers.
Liam: Okay. I understand.
I laughed, wondering if I should point out that he told me he’d demand more kisses for every hour I took...but perhaps it wasn’t the best idea to remind him. Who knew what other requirements he’d throw at me.
Liam didn’t write anything else, and I was grateful for that, because this man’s flirting skills were dangerous enough to make me forget my tasks.
My hands were numb after the first twelve boxes. I was going to be here even after closing time, and I couldn’t ask the girls to stay; they’d been on their feet all day and were even more tired than I was.
About one hour later, I heard Liam’s voice in the front and jumped to my feet. I told the girls we just signed with him as an investor, so they’d probably send him to me right away.