Deal of a Lifetime Read Online Free PDF Page B

use. Why do you ask?”
    “As owner I want to ensure the comfort of every guest, also because your suitemate’s heading this way and looking like thunder.”
    “Oh dear.” Annoyance tightened the skin around her eyes, while a flutter took up residence in her belly.
    “Please tell me if there’s a problem,” Mike urged.
    “Only in Connor’s mind.”
    “Does he know that?” Buddswell fixed his gaze on her mouth.
    “Mr. Buddswell, I have no interest beyond the professional in any man at this conference.”
    The tall man sighed. “Very tactful of you and very wise.”
    Con arrived at that moment, saving Tam from the necessity of a reply.
    “Mike, I see you’ve met my close friend, Tamsin Donal.”
    “Business acquaintance,” corrected Tam.
    Con glowered.
    Smiling, Buddswell pushed on. “We just finished talking about the art of the slam dunk and were about to get down to bargaining positions.”
    Tam was taken aback. Mike made it sound as if they’d been talking about sex.
    “S’that so, Tam?” Barely leashed fury roughened Con’s voice.
    “Well, I, uh…” she stammered. “I certainly intend to discuss TLC Distribution’s contract offers with Mr. Buddswell.”
    “I intend to give your company’s offer every consideration. Assuming the plan lays out better than other offers, I see no reason why you and I—I mean our companies—couldn’t climb into bed together.”
    If Tam hadn’t caught the twinkle in Buddswell’s eye, she would have been mortified at his bald innuendos. The man was teasing. She smiled at him and looked at Con.
    Con wasn’t smiling. Tension ticked in his jaw.
    What was wrong with him? He’d known Buddswell for years. Surely Con recognized the man’s style of humor.
    She took Buddswell’s arm and once again moved toward the bar. “You offered me a drink earlier. I’ll accept, if you’ll listen to a suggestion I have about the bids for your southwest US distribution contracts.”
    The red-haired man inclined his head. “That’s a small price to pay, if I can have your charming company a bit longer.” Mike might be teasing, but Con was dead serious. He grasped Tam’s other elbow. “You’ll have to share, Buddswell. Since O’Neal Corp. is bidding for exclusive rights. I have a vested interest in any deal concerning Buddswell’s and all competitors, especially my close friend here.”
    His voice slipped past her ear, and he watched her shiver. How could she calmly flirt that way? No, she wasn’t his wife—yet—but she knew the score. He supposed she was trying to put him in his place. She’d find out his place was right beside her.
    Tam stopped, forcing both men to release her. “Business acquaintance.”
    The term emerged from Tam’s lips in unison with Buddswell. She exchanged a look with the taller man and burst into shared laughter.
    Con didn’t laugh. He clenched his fists at his side and broadened his stance. He wanted to break Buddswell’s jaw. Con cast one quick glance at Tam. Her amazed stare acted like a full blast from a fire hose. He sobered and relaxed. What happened to the caution he resolved to use with her? Regaining her love required more finesse.
    Buddswell laughed louder. He lassoed Tam with one arm, slapped the other around Con’s shoulders and moved them all forward. “C’mon you two. If we’re going to talk business, I’d rather do it with a glass of whiskey in my hand.”
    ****
    Tam waited as Con slid the key card into the slot, opening the door to their suite.
    “I don’t know how you persuaded Buddswell to agree to a private appointment tomorrow before the contract bidding starts,” Con remarked.
    She preceded him into the sitting room, dropping her purse atop the credenza. “He wanted to buy me a drink. The appointment was the price of my time. You were present. You heard what I told him.” She raised her hands to take the pins from her hair and felt Con’s lean fingers there. His touch was light, whispering over her head and