Symphony of Light and Winter Read Online Free Page B

what you and Overton talked about?”
    Clarence blinked with frustration. “Not going to dish, are you?”
    I shook my head.
    “Fine.” He let his arms hang free at his sides. “He asked about the renovations. He seemed most interested in how you and Peters were getting along. Little did he know…”
    “Clarence!”
    “Yes, well, I told him you need the final amount to close out the year, and he said he’d help. I didn’t have time to officially close the deal because Peters came back so fast, so I don’t know what he’s committing to. You’ll still need to set up a meeting with him.”
    “OK, thanks.” I nudged my chin toward the door, expecting him to take my cue.
    Clarence stood waiting with crossed arms.
    “You can go now.”
    He shook his head as though my words were merely a suggestion. “How much did you get Peters to contribute?”
    I paused for a moment and conjured a killer glare. “Nothing. Now go, I have work to do.”
    He stared at me for a moment, pausing in the doorway. “You mean to tell me you spent that much quality time with the man and didn’t seal the deal?”
    I threw my notebook at him. He dodged it and left, but not before making sure I saw the smirk on his face.
    For the rest of the morning, I avoided any kind of contact with the staff. Most people were too embarrassed to interact with me, but just before lunch I heard Allison, the receptionist, direct someone to my office. After finishing an e-mail, I hit Send and opened the next message in need of attention. The words on the screen blurred as I inhaled and lost focus. That scent. Ahh…oh. Shit. I looked up.
    “Fuck me,” I said under my breath, wishing I pulled back the words as soon as they left my mouth.
    “If you wish.” Cyril shot me a bright, sarcastic smile, his foreign accent absent as he bent to pick up the notebook I threw at Clarence. “Nice to see you too, Mrs. Green.”
    I got up and pushed past him to close the door. Glaring, I growled, “What in the hell are you doing here?”
    He gave a mischievous smirk. “I was in the neighborhood and brought you something from Stanton. He said he and your associate worked out some kind of deal last night.”
    He removed and stowed his dark glasses, reached into the inside pocket of his black, custom-made suit and pulled out an envelope and handed it to me. I took it, only to find it unsealed. I couldn’t resist the urge to peek. A cashier’s check for fifty thousand! Hot damn!This made Clarence’s bullshit worth it.
    “OK. Thank you for delivering this.” I placed the envelope on the desk. “Let me escort you out.” I didn’t look at him directly. It was easy, with me being over a foot shorter.
    I reached for the handle, but he stopped me by placing a hand on my arm. “Mrs. Green, if you’d please indulge me one more moment.” He paused, but didn’t wait for my response. “Why haven’t you asked me for a contribution? Do you not think me a man of means, or sophisticated enough to appreciate the finer arts?”
    I wouldn’t make eye contact with him; being so close drove me crazy, like feeling him in my soul. He caressed the cover of my notebook with his long, beautiful index finger. I knew how strong and confident those large, masculine hands were. Distracting, his movements made me think about having him caress my…
    “I don’t typically ask people for money the first night we meet.”
    He stepped in front of me, far too close, and placed his finger under my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. While staring at me, with the American accent gone, he said in the softest voice, “You might not ask for money, but do you always engage in such heated…introductions?” He arched a brow. “Had I not shown up, would the old man on whom you spilled your drink have had you against the wall as I did?” His grin morphed into a glare.
    Craning my neck, I stared up at him, muscles tensing and jaw clenching in anger. I would not give him the satisfaction of getting me