WindSwept Narrows: #6 Eve Hastings

It was Sunday when he came in from his run that he picked up the phone and tapped in the number Sam had given him. His voice curt and flat.

"I want to talk to you. I'll be at your place tomorrow at six," Zach told her flatly, breaking the connection before she could say a word.

Eve looked at the phone, sighing and closing it before returning to the fabric she was stitching as she watched the news. She had to set the frame aside after a few seconds, her hands were shaking too much to quilt straight. It had been five days since he had appeared in her office.

She brought the paper she'd printed her part of the bargain on home with her Monday afternoon, leaving it sit on her desk as she worked on dinner. A nice salad, a rich spaghetti dish and a red wine. The table was set when his fist struck her door, making her glad she had very sturdy doors.

She shouldn't be surprised that he was angry. She doubted there was much that stood in the way of Zachary Covington. She wiped her palms on the seat of her jeans and pulled the door wide.

Dressed as before, she watched the dark suit and vest storm past her into the house. Eve closed the door, sliding the lock into place and turning to face him. It was raining and his dark brown hair was dotted with crystals of water, his hand raked over his head absently.

"You realize I am completely and totally pissed off at you," Zach met the quiet stare, ordering his stomach to ignore the smell of food.

"It does show in the stance and voice," Eve answered with a little nod. "Are you hungry? I thought dinner before we discussed business"

"Businessthat's what you're calling thisthis blackmail?"

"Would be a nice ice breaker," she continued as if he hadn't interrupted. "Businesses have a long history of barter, Mr. Covington," Eve said with a shrug. "That's all this is. I have something you wantyou have something I want. It's a simple business transaction."

"Holding a man hostage in a marriage"

"By the time the project is complete, you'll be a free man," she interrupted. "For one year of your time and a few muscular contractions, you get the property. You don't have to live with me or put up with me at all, for that matter."

"They have clinics for what you want," he pushed the words through his teeth. "Muscular contractions?" Zach repeated in total amazement and disbelief. He had never been this furious with another human being.

"I don't want random. I know I am far from the type of female you're accustomed to," Eve said with a wave of her palm. "But given the standards of most men, I can't believe it would be that impossible toto"

"You can't even say what you want." He threw back with a growl.

"To have sex with me," she shot back immediately, dark lashes narrowed over the violet eyes.

Dettagli