hould put off

de and turned to sta

perch on the sofa and

ed in hushed tones, face scrunched in worry. "With

as she crossed the room to t

her eyes. "The wedding will go on as planned. If we put it off, you can be damned s

recalled the scene at his office yesterday and once more her blood boiled at the memory of that arrogant bastard throwing those words at her

ll those years ago, rather than let his damned pride get in the way and then

he thought. Ethan Lachlan was a

had nothing to do with our break up, so why is Ethan doing this. I do

ell and have the key thrown away. Men like him don't need a logical reason for doing the stu

irritating problem. One thing was certain though, she had to find a way to get those shares back even if

ky said. "I could try and reason w

nly knew what he would do to Nicky if she went to him. She wouldn't put it pas

a hand through her disheveled hair, the limp brown l

her reflection in th

hite dressing gown over equally well-worn pajamas and fluffy, pink flip

y looked perfect in tan pants and a white silk blouse, blonde hai

ce was scowling at

chest, expression defiant. "I'm the one he wan

om the mirror and faced her cousin. "You know how Ethan tried to

urned away, shoulders t

defeat. "But I have to do someth

y. She strode to the coffee table and pic

, checking her watch

. Erin had completely forgotten about it, completely preoccupied by the crises with Ethan. As it were, she c

sked, watching Erin s

d shot Nicky a quick look. "I have to hus

s, she reached into her closet and gr

*

the conference table and smiled to himself at the di

d he checked his watch, his brows drawing together in a frown. Ten minu

er all those years ago was now the very same woman guilty of the same offense. He leaned b

ed, that pale skin flushed with lust as she stared up at him in

is head to cl

far too curvy for his tastes. He liked his women slim, elegant and well endowed, n

thoughts hurried inside, in a haze of pink. He raised an eyebrow

ng her so disheveled. No doubt, she

rectly at anyone. She set the brown leather briefcase she carried on the table and shoved her bangs from her face, lookin

eet and glared at him. "What the hell are you doing here?

at. "I hope you don't make it a habit of

han had the pleasure o

teeth, her eyes filled with hate as she leve

lowed his gaze to sweep insolently over her, lips twisted in mockery. "M

ith varying mixtures of fascination an

m in shock. "I

balding man leaned forward and leveled a stern look a

e hotel, one of the the few people who had refused to sell out his shares. The man stared b

r

ed and flipped open his la

chlan leaves." She lifted her chin and glared at Ethan. "This is an

is gaze. "On the contrary Ms. Gosl

he other members

me if I'm wrong, Aunt Laura, but thi

f the table. "It is, but Mr. Lachlan put forward a very convincing argum

the running of The Gosling Hotels. However, if you have a problem with that, Ms. Gosling, I s

pressions on Erin's face. Anger, hatred, and indec

weep over the group once more. "Doe

d. "Now, let's

*

g charge of the proceedings irritated her no end. Her plan to use this meeting as a means to discuss how they could

man, the lazy way he seemed to lean back against the chair, handsome face expressi

ure that made her want to reach out and run her fingers through that thick mane, feeling the strands slide throug

e had that

ly aware of how warm the room had become. Or was it just her? A quick glance around

e cool liquid pouring down her throat, her temperature returning to normal. She dis

op of water escaped her lips and ran down her chin and her tongue darted out to lick it up. His eyes followed the ac

on the pile of papers in front of her, unwillin

er thoughts and she started, loo

es

nk about the proposal

her arch enemy. She frantically scanned through her papers, praying that ther

king voice riled her already frayed temper again bu

at she was searching for and scanned through the document quickly. Her lips pursed in disapproval at

d up and she sc

come from outside the US and we have always sought to cater to

as whatever else is out there. And if we have to go for variety, I believe a selec

seriously affect out clientele." She was angry at him for presuming to know more th

ar on these so-called foreign dishes. Money that can

he better part of four years. As far as I know, that ex

ding something off the screen th

be when you took over from

mockery of her abilities. "And in that time, we have had mor

then. Still, it stands to reason that we conside

r feet, thoroug

pat at him. "My father remains the president of th

ult and joy ran through her. She took her seat, folding her

ve a way with words." He said, so quiet she had to strain to hear him

ng enough, and y

anced the screen of his laptop then grimaced and shut it. He rose, buttoning up his jacket.

trode out, leaving them all in

around the room. "What do you al

from the open door

y father in hospital, and now he's trying to make ridiculous chan

Vincent Riesling, head

e meanwhile, we need to keep our

case and hurried out. She had to

art sank at the sigh

to Erin, but she could see the impassive expression on Ethan's face as Nicky spoke to him. A sleek black

pace, frantic to stop Nicky before she

r gaze met Ethan's. He shot her an inscruta

the curb and she could only stare, helples