Page 8 of Untamed Billionaire
Marco smiled, shaking his head. “Not at all,” he replied smoothly, putting a hand on her arm. “I just didn’t think you’d show up.”
Chloe had no idea how to respond to that, so she let him lead her into his office, jerking slightly when he closed the door, securing their privacy. She turned, staring at the closed door and wondering if…No, this was Marco! She was safe with him! It was only that she’d just saved Dani from Steven’s clutches – so she was a bit nervous now.
“Do you want me to leave it open?” he offered, his voice calm and reassuring. “I just thought that you might want privacy for our conversation. But if you’d feel more comfortable with the door open, that’s fine as well.”
He was right, she reminded herself. She did need privacy for this conversation. She didn’t want any witnesses to her offer, just in case he laughed in her face. And since that was a very real possibility, she fisted her hands and moved towards the chairs set in front of his desk.
“May I…?” she asked, gesturing to one of the chairs. She always waited for permission to sit, having been taught that it was the polite thing to do. She’d ignored that protocol with her father earlier today simply because…well, because she no longer respected her father!
“Why don’t we sit down over here,” Marco suggested, gesturing to a set of chairs and a sofa. “We’ll be more comfortable.”
Chloe looked over at the leather chairs and sofa, hesitating again. Her father had a similar arrangement in his office. So did Steven. Chloe knew that her father used the small seating area to get drunk most days with his buddies. Steven used the sofa for manipulating women into compromising positions.
“Or we can sit here,” Marco said, noting her hesitation. He took the chair next to hers, the second one in front of his desk, but he shifted the chair so that he was facing her. Why did that gesture seem so reassuring?
“Thank you for taking the time to meet with me,” she started out, clasping her hands together and folding them over her knees.
“You seemed as if you wanted to discuss something important with me last night.”
Chloe nodded, but now that she had the opportunity, she wasn’t sure how to start. Everything had seemed so clear and perfect in her mind when she’d come up with this plan. But now, sitting here faced with his broad shoulders and his long, muscular legs…she was flustered.
“Why don’t you start at the beginning?” he prompted, his deep voice gentle.
Chloe smiled, relieved that he was being so patient with her. Everyone in her family would have cut her to the quick for any hesitation.
“I want to offer you an…” she glanced up and noticed his blue eyes. Startling eyes. For a moment, she got lost in those eyes. They were intelligent and hard, and yet, she could see, could feel, the compassion in this man. She didn’t want to ever cross him. She’d read so much about his merciless business machinations. But the reports were wrong. This man…he was kind. She felt…maybe she was just being stupid. Maybe this was a bad idea.
“Chloe,” he urged, leaning forward and taking her hands. “Just blurt it out. I promise that I will hear you out, no matter what you tell me.”
Chloe looked into those eyes and…she just said it. “Marry me!” she blurted into the silence. A moment later, she gasped in horror. Had she really just said that? Had she just blurted out the command?
As soon as the words were out there, just hanging in the air between them, she looked into his eyes, immediately needing to backpedal. “I didn’t mean…I wasn’t…” She stopped, pulling her hands out of his and standing up. She reached down to grab her purse, almost dropping it because her fingers were so numb. “I’m sorry!” She turned and started to rush out of the office. But in her haste and horror, she tripped over her own feet. If it weren’t for Marco grabbing her arms, she would have made an even bigger fool of herself by falling on her face right at his feet!
“Chloe,” he urged, taking her upper arms and stopping her retreat. “Stop, just…talk to me. Tell me what prompted that proposal.”
She closed her eyes, humiliated beyond any of the horrible events she’d had to endure during her lifetime with her family. This was so much worse! Maybe because she actually liked Marco! Or maybe it was simply because she didn’t want him to think she was a complete idiot.
“Chloe,” he said again, softer this time.
She opened her eyes and looked at him, silently pleading with him to understand. “I need to get married to someone strong. I need someone to…” she bit her lip and closed her eyes, took another long, deep breath. A moment later, she opened her eyes, firming up her resolution.
“If you marry me, then I can offer you contacts.” She looked up at him now, remembering her plan. Stifling the panic, she fell back on her plan. Chloe had worked this out in her mind and knew that it was an excellent deal.
So she started over again, but this time, she was careful with her explanation. “You need warehouse space. Bill Jennings owns most of the warehouses in Charleston nearest the docks. The space is fifty-seven percent cheaper than similar places in Boston, not to mention the harbor fees and the stevedore labor is about sixty percent cheaper.” She moved slightly, then started pacing. “The business leaders in this town don’t like outsiders. They feel threatened by anyone smarter and faster than they are. So you’re not going to get your storage facilities here.” She turned to face him now. “However, I can help you if you want to move your headquarters here. I know people. I have the contacts that can gain you entrée into any office, social event, or luncheon. Plus, I can guarantee that you’ll be received by everyone here in Charleston.” She paused, her lips curling into a confident grin. “I know where all of the dead bodies are.”
Marco moved closer to her and Chloe was reminded of how tall the man was. He slid his hands into his pockets, drawing her eyes lower. Just for a moment though. She wasn’t thinking about his…uh…male parts. Chloe told herself that she wasn’t the kind of woman who thought about things like that. She had practically no libido. She didn’t think about sex. Ever!
Until this man had come into her world!
Damn him! Marco Hudson was supposed to be a safe alternative!
And he wasn’t jumping at her offer! Damn him, she’d researched him! She’d thought that he was her solution! But now, watching his dark features, handsome in a rough, raw sort of way, she suspected that he wasn’t interested. Not in her or in her offer. Damn him!
Turning, she flung over her shoulder, “Perhaps I made a mistake.”
He caught her before she’d taken two steps, spinning her around and pulling her into his arms. “Talk to me. Tell me why you want this.”
She laughed, but it came out a bit pathetic. “I’m not weak!” she told him, gasping through the pain and panic in her chest. “I’m stronger than you think.”
