A Trap So Tender by Jennifer Lewis

the
bills.
    “Only just. The market in organic wool fluctuates from season
to season. I’ve been told the next step is to start producing our own luxury
products, sweaters and such, but I don’t have the appetite for that kind of
business.”
    “Why not?”
    “Not enough volume. The luxury business is all about producing
and selling small amounts of goods with a high margin. That’s not scalable
enough to pique my interest.”
    “But you own luxury hotels and buildings. Surely that’s
similar.”
    “Nope.” He sipped his wine. “In addition to collecting income
from wealthy lovers of luxury, you are also sitting on a long-term gold mine. My
grandfather’s mantra was ‘never sell the land!’ and I’ve taken that to heart.
The land is where true value lies, long-term.”
    Fiona cut her roast beef, heart pounding. She was already
pretty sure he’d jumped on her father’s factory for the land under it. What
would he want with an outdated garment factory? How would she convince him to
part with that land if his personal beliefs told him to clutch it to his chest?
“Surely you sometimes sell property.”
    “Hardly ever.” He smiled. “At least not yet. I suppose there
might always be a price I couldn’t resist.”
    She smiled back, already feeling a tingle of relief. “Would it
have to be a very high price?”
    “Oh, yes. Something more than money.” He leaned back in his
chair. “And I’d never part with this place, of course. No matter how much I
sometimes want to.”
    “That would be like selling your own DNA.”
    “I’d part with my own DNA sooner. Let them use it for research
purposes. My cells will make more DNA.” He’d finished eating and simply sat,
watching her.
    She put down her knife and fork. It was time to take her plan
to the next level. Butterflies danced in her stomach, which didn’t go well with
the roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. “Something more than money.” She raised a
brow, hoping it looked flirtatious rather than accusatory. “Like a dare,
perhaps?”
    He tilted his head, obviously intrigued. “I can’t say anyone’s
ever made an offer like that. I might have to consider it.”
    She worked hard to keep her breathing steady. She didn’t want
to move too fast and have him put the pieces together. “Well, I am looking for a
new project. Since you obviously have a keen eye for opportunity, I’m thinking I
should steal one of your cunning ideas for my next business.”
    He laughed. “I suspect you can come up with something far more
interesting on your own.”
    “Maybe. Maybe not. Your expertise might be a complement to mine
and produce something better than either of us could do alone.” It wasn’t easy
to think business with James looking right at her with unconcealed desire in his
gaze. Worse yet, his striking good looks and sharp mind made arousal bubble up
inside her and no doubt gleam very obviously in her eyes. “You’ve already built
a firm foothold in Singapore, for example, whereas I’m new to the place and
still trying to figure it out.”
    “Singapore is on the cutting edge of the known world.” He
obviously appreciated her interest in his chosen home away from home. “A meeting
place for minds and products from all over the world.”
    “Every container ship filled with goods has to pass right by
it, due to simple quirks of geography.”
    His eyes sparkled. “Exactly. Until someone invents hovering
aircraft to carry container loads of goods, it will continue to be the
preeminent international gateway.”
    “Hmm.” She pretended to chew her lip thoughtfully. “Maybe I
should get back to work on my goods-­transportation aircraft plan.”
    “I’d be the first to invest.”
    Or try to steal my business. She
managed to keep a straight face. “But as you said, I don’t have an appetite for
that kind of business. I enjoy spotting trends and defining style. I think my
next step will be into retail.” Her brain was running like a sprinter.