The Omega Team: Cyber Tracked: The Cobra Project (Kindle Worlds Novella) (IATO Series Book 4) Read Online Free Page B

opened it, discreetly gazing inside. The size of the first bill in the wad of cash had her mind quickly calculating the amount. Too much. She didn’t bother looking at the contract and handed him back the envelope.
    “What is it you really want?”
    “I’d like you to develop a security system for me.”
    “I don’t know you, and I don’t do business with people I don’t know, especially if they offer me that much money for something I know nothing about.”
    “I can fill you in—”
    “No. Don’t bother. I need to know who you are…really…and who you work for.” She held up her hand as soon as he tried to speak again. “When you’re prepared to tell me the truth…then we’ll talk about the deal. As you probably well know from my background, my trust doesn’t come easily.”
    “I’ve heard that.” He gave her a blinding smile that had her melting in its heat.
    “For now, Mr. James, what you really want may be what I really want. But I don’t mix business with pleasure.” She stretched out her hand and slid it across the table until she touched the tips of his very long fingers, making her point clear.
    Rowan had never been so brazen, but she held her ground hoping she wasn’t mistaken about his intentions. For some unknown reason she wanted this man whoever or whatever he was.
    A warm flush covered her skin, and she held her breath as he perused her cleavage. She didn’t take her attention from his face, then his lashes lifted and his blue eyes met hers.
    “You’re blushing Ms. O’Malley.” The corner of his perfect mouth twitched, and she found herself grinning back at him.
    “Aye, I’m certain I am,” she said. Her Irish brogue kicked up a notch. “’Tis the bane of fair skin and inexperience, I’m afraid, Mr. James.”
    “Please call me Cade. I find the blush and your honesty extremely attractive. In fact, I find everything about you unusually appealing. My room is here in the hotel. We can have our dessert sent up with a bottle of Champagne if you’d like.”
    She finally exhaled. This was going to happen. “That sounds perfect. And you can call me Rowan.”
    “I like calling you Ms. O’Malley.”
    Rowan laughed then winked. “It does sound a bit naughty.”
    “Does naughty interest you, Ms. O’Malley?”
    “Actually, it does, Mr. James.”
    Apparently his irresistible charm was going to get Cade laid, but no signed contract, and there was no way he’d turn down the opportunity to further explore every nuance of this fascinating woman. His sister-in-law was going to give him hell for doing this if she found out, but Rowan wasn’t signing anyway so maybe he’d try a different tactic.
    “I take it you don’t like to mix business with pleasure any more than I do,” he stated, determining being frank with her would be his best approach.
    “That’s right. But there isn’t going to be a business deal, Cade, therefore everything else is a possibility.”
    The server interrupted with dessert. Cade folded and placed his napkin on the table, stood and quietly asked to have the final course and a bottle of Champagne sent up to his room. He generously tipped the man and quickly signed the check.
    “You’re right. Everything else is possible. Are you ready?” Cade turned to Rowan giving her one final chance to escape. Her face and chest were still faintly flushed. The idea she didn’t take this lightly, nor did she appear experienced at this sort of encounter, made him feel slightly protective.
    She nodded then turned to the elevators. “This way?” she asked.
    He placed his hand on the small of her back and said, “Yes.”
    He’d spent too many years with knowledgeable women, women who knew what the deal was, no strings, no promises, and although Rowan acted as if she had no ulterior motives, he didn’t trust his own instincts with her. She was different in so many ways.
     
    * * * * *
     
    No sooner had they entered the pent house elevator up to the suites, Rowan