The Deal by Helen Cooper Page B

only ones who missed the meal.”
     
    “Oh?” She studied his face to see if he knew.
     
    “Yeah, but Richard usually doesn’t deign us with his presence anyways.” He laughed. “Let’s get you something to eat.”
     
    She followed him to the pantry and the cook asked her what she wanted.
     
    “Just some scrambled eggs and toast please.” She relaxed a little bit and they went and sat on the back patio. It was overlooking an Olympic sized pool and a vast garden. “Wow, it’s so pretty out today.”
     
    “Yeah, it is nice. ” He sat down and she tried not to stare at his face. He was just so handsome. “So what happened last night? I thought we were going to hang out.”
     
    “Uh, I fell asleep.” She blushed and looked away.
     
    “Oh, okay.” He pouted. “I hope we could get to know each other a bit better.”
     
    “Yeah, that would have been nice.”
     
    “What would have been nice?” Richard’s voice came from behi nd her and it made Louise jump. He had her plate of food in his hand and he placed it on the table in front of her before giving her a kiss on the cheek. She gave him a death stare and then turned back to David who hadn’t seemed to notice anything amiss.
     
    “If I hadn’t fallen asleep last night.” She spoke before taking a bite of food. “Hmm, this is good.” She licked her lips and flicked her long black hair behind her. She noticed both David and Richard staring at her and she tried not to feel flustered. She had never had two good-looking guys pay her so much attention before.
     
    “Oh, you slept well last night?” Richard grinned at her, his brown eyes sparkling with the secret he held.
     
    “Yes, thanks. Quite well.” She rolled her eyes at him.
     
    “I’m glad. I didn’t get much sleep myself.”
     
    “Why was that bro?” David raised an eyebrow.
     
    “I felt very sticky last night. Not sure why.” He winked at Louise and laughed at her blush.
     
    “So do you guys want to head out to the beach?” David continued talking, with obviously no clue as to what had happened the night before. “Today is perfect for the ocean.”
     
    “Oh sounds nice but I think I have to get home.”
     
    “What?” David looked disappointed. “Why.”
     
    “Well I need to get some work stuff done.” She smiled regretfully.
     
    “That’s okay Louise. I’m not a slave driver. You can wait until next week.” Richard’s voice was smooth as the lies tripped off of his tongue.
     
    “What?” Louise and David exclaimed at the same time.
     
    “Oh, didn’t Louise tell you David? She popped by my room last night before she went to sleep and expressed an interested in working for Beekman Corporation. So I signed her on as my new PA, you know that Gladys retired a few weeks ago.”
     
    “Oh, that’s great. Welcome to the company Louise.” David beamed at her.
     
    Louise tried to keep her cool as she smiled at David. “Thanks, but we still have to work out the details.”
     
    “Well, seeing as you already let Ben know you don’t want to work at the firm with him anymore.” Richard paused and wiggled two fingers in her face. “I think this is the best fit for you. I’m confident you will accept the deal I have ready for you.”
     
    “We’ll see.” She smiled tightly.
     
    “Okay, well awesome.” David jumped up. “I’ll meet you guys in the front in ten minutes. Louise, feel free to wear a skimpy bikini.” He grinned and walked into the house.
     
    Louise waited until he was out of earshot. “How dare you?” Richard’s lips crushing down on hers interrupted her sentence. “You, you can’t kiss me here.” She broke away from him reluctantly. His lips had tasted sweet and her body was already attuned to his.
     
    “Why not?”
     
    “Because I’m here with your brother.” She sputtered.
     
    “Not Ben. I’m sure he wants nothing to do with you. And I hope you aren’t thinking of trying to move on to David. I don’t think you are that