Melody Anne's Billionaire Universe: Her Billionaire's Bargain (Kindle Worlds Novella) Read Online Free

will not sell it?”
    “Plenty of time for that. I’d much rather learn some things about my dinner companion.”
    “Do you plan to be as forthcoming?”
    Picking up his wine, he held it before him, not drinking, just gazing at her. “Yes, where I can.”
    She let out a soft laugh. “That’s very cryptic.”
    He tipped his wine glass slightly in her direction acknowledging her words. Over his years of business he’d learned not to be too open with the private affairs of his life. The competition could too easily plant a woman in his life and use said facts to manipulate against him.
    “Well, to answer your question, yes I’m from North Carolina. Originally. Both my parents were from Charlotte. We lived here until I was ten and eventually my father, who was in the military, was moved to a base in Florida where I lived until college.”
    “Where did you attend school?”
    The gaze that was open and filled with light became shadowed as he observed Kourtney lick her luscious lips then glance away.
    “I believe it is your turn to answer a question.”
    He drank some wine then placed his glass back on the table. “Oh, is that how we’ll play it.”
    Her eyes connected with his and the smile on her lips was wide, however, Zac didn’t see any humor in them. “Of course, this is all just a game anyway to a corporate man like you.”
    The sharpness of her words took him back. Over the years his skin had become thick enough not to feel offense even at the most biting and hateful words from those in business, however, something about the words of this woman before him cut him deep.
    “No, it is not a game to me. I take the decisions I make for my company very seriously.”
    “Really? Then why all the dinner plans and fanciness? What is it that you hope to accomplish here tonight, Mr. Powers?”
    So we are back to professional names? Instead of answering her question, he posed one of his own. “Do you ever relax? Do something for yourself that has nothing to do with your store?”
    “Not often. When you own and operate a small business you’re not afforded much time off that isn’t your sleeping hours.” Snatching up her wine, she drank—one, two, three little sips.
      To him she appeared wound tight, a little stressed. He hoped that the city project he was spearheading wasn’t the cause for it. If she took the money he was offering her, she could possibly retire on it or open up her store somewhere else and hire more employees and she could step away from it. He kept those thoughts to himself.
    “The same can be said for larger companies as well. My staff can attest to that.” He paused and smiled.
    When she returned his smile, he continued. “Last thing I did for myself was allow a comedy show to play in the background while I was reviewing some end of month reports.”
    “Gracious. My life isn’t that consumed. I do have a couple hours of free time each day. I just have other responsibilities.”
    The silence between them grew as they sat and stared at each other. Two people, both driven by the desire to see their businesses succeed. However, Zac could recognize the signs. The tension growing between them had nothing to do with contracts or corporate restructuring—it was sexual.
    As their first entrée was brought in Zac rested back in his chair and accessed the beauty before him. If he desired company, he could easily call several women that would appear at his door without a single question, but instead he’d manipulated Kourtney into joining him. Why?
    “So, where are you from?” She slipped a piece of calamari between her plump lips.
    “My family background is from Seattle originally, but I’m a Queen City native as well. Most of my mother’s side of the family lives there most of the year.”
    “Are you from a big family?”
    He reached to the center of the table and added a few of the fired squid onto his smaller plate. “Yes and no. It is just my older sister, younger brother and I, but the