A Little Wild by Kate St. James Page A

them to the Floretta House board.”
    His father lifted a hand. “Let Zach contact the event planner, son. The busy work will distract him from the Crockett’s deal.”
    “Until you spring it on him?”
    “If that’s how you want to look at it. However, you may present Zach’s findings to the board. We’ll proceed from there.”

Chapter Six
    Zach Halliday was a persuasive guy, Tess decided as she bit into the second half of her turkey sandwich. This morning, as she’d squirmed her way through the Crockett’s meeting, then later, when her inner nympho had commandeered control of her body beneath her desk, she never would have predicted that she and Graham Halliday’s allegedly shiftless youngest son would share a meal on a backless bench in a downtown square with a view of Burrard Inlet.
    Yet here they were.
    The ocean breeze ruffled his dark brown hair as he enjoyed his own roast beef concoction. Behind him, the double-peaked white sails of Canada Place swooped in graceful arcs like open hands cradling the Pacific sky, and the SeaBus commuter ferry skated steadily toward the mountainous North Shore.
    Tess brushed a breeze-strewn hair off her face and wondered how Zach Halliday had broken through her defenses so easily.
    Logically, she realized he’d recognized her hot buttons—number one her need to prove herself to Mr. Greenburg. Then, following Sammi’s timely phone call, he’d picked up on her desperation to shove their relationship back into the business arena. However, his uncanny ability to detect her rivalry with Phil Renfrew without her uttering one word about the pea-brain amazed her. And for someone who professed disinterest in the Crockett’s acquisition, Zach’s comments during the meeting had been remarkably perceptive. No wonder Graham had wanted him present.
    Like Zach had said in her office, there was more to him than met the eye.
    What met the eye was none too shabby, either.
    She sidled her gaze over his handsome features then lower, to the ivory polo shirt accentuating his broad chest and muscular biceps. Dark hair swept his tanned forearms, and his large hands with their sturdy fingers and square-tipped nails looked…talented.
    Images of those big hands caressing her panties flooded her mind, and her clit buzzed. She squeezed her thighs together to decrease the tension, but the pressure aroused her further.
    Damn it, she should have insisted that they eat in a crowded restaurant instead of agreeing to enjoy the beautiful day outside. After the scene under her desk, she’d thought the public setting would feel less intimate than sharing a table for two indoors, but it didn’t. If anything, the sounds and movements of the passing shoppers, tourists and business people cocooned their bench in a fantasy-inspiring bubble.
    She needed to work on stifling her physical response to the man if she hoped to take him on as a client. Given the circumstances of their meeting, would becoming his lawyer be wise? To look at him, he had everything. A father and brother who cared for him, and the chance to rocket to the top at the most successful corporation in the city. Yet Zach claimed he didn’t want any part of the opportunities available to him at Halliday Enterprises. That alone fascinated her.
    Even with the due diligence for the Crockett’s acquisition swamping her for the next several weeks, how could she turn down this chance to expand her client list? Just one new client of the caliber Zach had mentioned would impress the senior partners. Luring more could secure her a junior partnership eons ahead of that weasel, Phil.
    She chewed her sandwich. Juicy tomato slices layered the crunchy bean sprouts and slices of roast turkey breast. The sandwich was so filling, she wouldn’t need dinner.
    “Good?” Zach asked as his knee knocked hers.
    Swallowing, she nodded. “How’s yours?”
    “Fantastic. I love the food from Sandie’s Deli. I drop in every chance I get.”
    “Same here.” Tess