The Seller

She drew herself up and took a deep breath. "Megan, thank you. You're helping me sort my head out and I needed that. I'm going to need more help from you though,

because I've asked Lucas to reorganize my appointment with the guy I was supposed to see in the first place."

"Another trip to London?"

Naomi nodded. "I know it puts more demands on you."

"I'm always ready for more shifts. And your dad did me proud. He called in here both mornings you were away and then collected my lunch order for me. He watched the shop so I could have a proper break out back."

"I'm lucky to have you both."

"Naomi, your designs deserve a big future, and when that happens – and it surely will — you won't be here running a little shop in Edinburgh any more. You'll be spending more time at your drawing board and traveling all over the world promoting your brand. You better get used to handing over the reigns here at Drusilla's."

Naomi was about to deny Megan's words, but she was struck speechless instead. Megan was right, she realized. The prize she was fighting for would change her life forever.

"Yes, now you see it don't you?" Megan said, nodding at her. "And you'd better get ready to cut the apron strings here."

"Don't say that," Naomi replied, genuinely upset at the thought of not being there every day.

Megan shook her head and laughed. "Maybe knocking about with Mr. Lucas Hot-shot-workaholic will do you good. Some of his power ranger magic will rub off on you and you'll get out in the world where you belong. Now there's a good excuse for you to hang out with him." Megan winked.

Absurd as it was, it did make sense. Lucas was from a world she hoped to edge into, a savvy, retail world where her designs would be seen and rated. She hadn't thought much beyond the point of gaining representation and shelf space for her designs. Drusilla's would always be the start of her business. It could be the flagship shop, but it couldn't be more than that if she started to expand. She did need to think beyond it.

If anyone knew how to push forward with an idea and a business, it was Lucas. Even if the reasons for their relationship had become muddled, she couldn't ignore that. Her thoughts wandered and once again she found herself thinking about their relationship, sex, and what she had learned about submission. A whole world of pleasure and experience had been opened to her – a sexy, intense and somehow sacred world. When they were in that moment of deep intimacy, where she had handed over all power and control to him – and he showed her how much he valued it – it was a vivid experience, sex beyond anything she'd ever known before. She never would have found that place if he hadn't shown her the way. Her body heated, desire pooling in her groin. It took an immense effort to haul her mind back on track and think about business.

Megan was still awaiting her response.

She nodded. "You're right. I should look and learn from Lucas while I have the chance."

Megan grinned. "You see, all you needed was the right attitude."

Naomi smiled, suddenly sure. "I can do attitude."

Chapter Four

Lucas stared out at the Edinburgh skyline as he ran through details for the week over the phone with Diane, his PA in London. The suite he'd obtained was at the rear of the hotel and it had a fantastic view across the rooftops. It was reminiscent of Florence, the way the varying rooftops appeared to be stacked against each other on the hillside of Edinburgh's Royal Mile.

He'd been to the city once before, on a business conference. There hadn't been time to notice the things he was seeing now. Or was it his current situation that was opening his eyes? Naomi had impacted his life in more ways than one.

It went way beyond the physical relationship they shared. He'd started noticing things he hadn't noticed a long time. She was changing him, making him work harder. He liked that. Staying in Edinburgh and working from there was something he never would've considered before, but it was the obvious way to be near her, so it had to be.

The hotel had surpassed his expectations. He was set up with everything he needed in the dining area of a good suite within a couple of hours. He ordered a high spec laptop from a nearby computer store and it was delivered and set up by lunch time. He was logged into the Eaglestone Agency network by one, ready for his ongoing appointments. He couldn't wish for better than that – especially when he had Naomi less than a five minute walk away.

"Oh, before I forget," Diane said at the other end of the line, "Georgio's back in the office. His father will be out of hospital by Thursday. He has to organize someone to watch over him for a week or so, but once that's done he's back on duty."

Lucas turned his chair to face the table and checked out his computer screen. His diary was open, alongside Georgio's. "That's great news. When you get a moment I need you to request Georgio reschedule the appointment he missed on Friday afternoon."

"The one with the young lady designer from Scotland?"

"That's the one. It's important she sees Georgio as soon as possible, and I don't want him to know I've had a prior discussion with her. It would…complicate matters."

"Yes, of course." She tapped notes into the keyboard. "I'll speak to him and I'll post a reminder on his calendar now."

"Can you urge him to fit her in early next week, preferably Monday?"

That was an entirely selfish request. He would have to return to London to spend the weekend with his son, Toby, on Friday. If Naomi had to be in London to meet Georgio on Monday, he would get to see her that evening. The thought of being without her over the weekend made him feel restless and edgy. He wanted her near him — he would change the world if he could to make things right, to make things perfect. However, he recognized life didn't work that way. He just had to work his damn hardest to get as close to perfection as possible.

"Ms. Naomi Kildare from Edinburgh, yes? The young lady you asked me to hold calls back for."