“Nicewheels.”
“Ibought it off T.J. He got a different ride in San Jose.”
“It’syours? You holding up banks now?”
“Ha.No. I’m actually drawing a salary now. Nothing compared to the old days, butit’s getting better. We’re doing well enough to open a Denver satellite office.As of next week, sales and marketing moves from its current location at mydining table.”
“Wow,Beck, that’s fantastic!” She pulled her suede coat from the hall closet.
He tookthe coat from her and slid it up her arms and over her shoulders. “Yeah, thedemand is overwhelming. A good problem to have, but it hasn’t left me much timefor training.”
Hereyes roamed over his muscular frame. Could’ve fooled me. She cleared herthroat, trying to clear the fizz from her bloodstream. “Maybe you’ll find someinvestors among all the high rollers at the party tonight.”
Hetouched the tip of her nose. “That’s my plan. I hope you don’t mind mixingbusiness with pleasure.”
“Ofcourse not.”
Hereached for her bag, looking surprised. “This it? Just the one?”
Sheslung her purse over her shoulder. “That’s it.”
“Iguess pixies wear pixie-sized clothing.”
Beckettguided her to the curb, one hand holding her elbow. He opened her door, then stowedher bag and slid behind the wheel. His eyes sparkling, he reached for her handand kissed it. His warm lips on her skin sent a shudder up her arm. “Ready?”
“Yes,”she rasped. Just what she was ready for, however, she had no clue.
As theydrove, they chatted about Christmas, DeFunked, and sports. Once they’d mergedonto the freeway, he turned to her. “So tell me how business is going.”
“Well,I closed my deals and got one under contract. And, um, I’m considering buying aroofing company.” She held her breath.
Hismouth curled up on one side. “Yeah? Tell me.”
Beckett’sreaction, so different from Adrian’s snide comment last summer, sent a warmthrill along her arms, pricking her skin into gooseflesh. She threw herselfinto her answer.
“Norm’suncle has a company he’s been trying to offload. They had a good reputation,but he got sick, and his kids ran things into the ground the last few years.Anyway, it’s a fire sale, and he’ll carry the financing for three years. Ifigure I can turn it around and make a few bucks while reroofing my ownprojects at cost. Roofing’s a lucrative business here.”
“Sowill you meet the customers, do the estimating?”
“Tostart, I’ll go with Norm or his uncle until I learn. I haven’t crawled overmany roofs, so they’ll teach me what to look for so I bid correctly. Then I’llkeep estimating until I can justify hiring someone else. Why? Do you want thejob?” she teased.
“No,though I wouldn’t mind having you boss me around. Seriously, if I were you, Iwouldn’t hire anyone else.”
“Whynot?”
“Not tosound sexist, but you’re a woman in a male-dominated industry. And a cute onetoo. Between that and the fact people trust you, you’d write more business thananybody you hire. I bet you a dinner at Morton’s you turn that company aroundin six months.”
“Really?”The high pitch of her voice made her flush.
“Withouta doubt. It’s a brilliant idea.” He flashed her his beautiful baby blues.
Paigesettled low in her seat, tucking her hands beneath her, staring at the graylandscape whizzing past her window as she basked in Beckett’s unwavering faith.The man was full of surprises.
An hourlater, he nudged the Escalade under an arched portico. A doorman opened Paige’sdoor while another one circled to Beckett.
“Welcometo the Broadmoor.” The young man smiled. “I’m Cord. If you and your wife willfollow James, he’ll escort you to the concierge and your accommodations.”
Sheshot Beckett a look, but he didn’t seem fazed by Cord’s assumption. Instead, hecasually flipped Cord the car keys and a few bills and took Paige’s arm. Asthey trailed James, people turned and looked at them—well, they looked atBeckett. He seemed totally relaxed, as though in a familiar milieu, but she wasdizzy, barely able to keep her head from swiveling to take in the lavish surroundings.He looked down at her and winked.
Paigewas so dazzled she didn’t notice James had stopped at a single door until heopened it. Before she could register a protest, he announced, “Your suite, Mr.Miller,” and ushered them into a marble entryway that opened onto an elegantcream and dark-wood sitting room, accented with prismed crystal chandeliers. Toone side, behind two columns, was a dining table surrounded by damask chairs.
Jamesdeposited their bags and opened floor-to-ceiling curtains, revealing anexpansive frozen terrace and mountain view beyond. Then he pointed out twobedrooms, one on either side of the sitting area. When Paige poked her head in,she was greeted by a canopied king bed and sumptuous décor. Her eyes fairlybugged out, and when she turned them to Beckett, he stood by the windows, handson his hips.
“Willthis be adequate, Mr. Miller?”
“Thiswill do nicely, thank you.”
Morebills changed hands. James gave a slight bow and backed out of the room,closing the door softly as he went.
“Oh myGod, Beck, this place is bigger than my house! The bedroom is bigger than myhouse! Can you afford this?”
Beckettfaced her with an arched eyebrow. “I can afford this. Is it just me, or did helook like a young Peter Lorre? And the other guy—what was his name? It makes methink of wood.”
Shelaughed. “James does look like Peter Lorre. And the other guy is Cord.”
“Right.Cordwood.”
“Thisis beautiful,” she gushed. “I was a little nervous when I saw just the onedoor, but this is … this is perfect! Thank you, Beck. A girl could get used tothis. But you’re used to traveling this way, aren’t you?”
“Whatway? With my own personal roofer, you mean?” Beckett ambled to a sideboard andbegan examining liquor bottles.
“You knowwhat I mean. This type of luxury.” She continued battling the urge to gawk.
“I wasused to it once. Not so much now. Do you want a drink?” He grabbed atulip-shaped glass and poured himself a healthy splash of something tawny, thenflicked a drop of water in it.
“What’sthat?”
Hesipped and looked at his glass as though reading it. “Lagavulin,sixteen-year-old. Really good Scotch.” He jerked his chin at her. “Come checkthis out. I’m sure we can find you something.”
Excitementpercolating, she nearly ran to his side like a schoolgirl eager
