Her Contract (Romance) Read Online Free PDF

shiver runs up my spine. Gerard Winston is as sleazy a commercial property owner as you can get. And boy have I met a few.
    I haven’t forgotten the way he stared at my chest like it had won first prize in a ‘Best Tits’ competition. Or his suggestion to come over “for a drink” at his mansion in the Spanish Trail neighborhood.
    Irk, the thought of being alone with him, while his wife was out of town, makes my skin crawl.
    “Coming?” Lucas asks, offering me his hand through the open door. I hadn’t even noticed him get out of the car.
    Taking his hand, I step down onto the rocky ground. The warehouse looms, reminding me of a bordered up horror house. Only bigger. And industrial.
    Within seconds, Mr. Sleaze-ball also pulls up in his jet-black Hummer. When he gets out he squints at Lucas and I before turning to his left to spit. Gross.
    “Well, howdy folks. I do hope you’re enjoying this beautiful Las Vegas weather we’re having,” he states, filling some of the space between us.
    I give a phony smile and nod. “Yes, it’s lovely.”
    He chuckles. “Not as lovely as you, though, Miss Monroe. It sure is nice to see you again.”
    As soon as the words leave his mouth, I want to vomit. Just as I suspected: he’s still a pig of a man.
    Looking down momentarily, I note Lucas’s balled up fist, flexing and unflexing.
    Is he actually offended by Gerard Winston’s comment? Or does he just not like the fact that someone else finds me attractive? Either way, his actions are interesting.
    “Shall we get on with the proceedings?” he says, glaring at Gerard like he’s walking on thin ice. Ice that Lucas will be all too happy to crack.
    “After you, Mr. Director,” Gerard states, a gleam of dishonesty in his eye.
    Oh, boy. This can either go one of two ways - not good or really not good.
    For the next ten minutes, Gerard shows us through the warehouse, noting the areas that are stable and those that need renovation.
    Despite its macabre appearance on the outside, the inside it isn’t too bad. The transformation to a removal and storage facility is doable and could even be ready within the next six months. Just in time for the holidays, which is the prime time for people to move house.
    “So,” Gerard says, leading us back outside. “Shall we sign the papers?”
    Surprisingly, Lucas turns to me before he answers the industrialist. “What’s your opinion, Anna? You’ve seen enough of our warehouses by now. Is this a goer?”
    I peer over at Gerard, who brandishes a wink, causing me to shift in my small-wedged heels.
    “I think so,” I say, placing a hand on my hip.
    “Thatta girl!” Gerard whoops, clicking his fingers at his PA still sitting in the Hummer. The PA brings over an expensive-looking fountain pen and what must be the deed for the warehouse.
    “Except, I’m not one hundred percent on the price,” I add, carving out a fake smile. “Five mil with all those renovations the company has to fork out for…”
    In truth, the number is a fair price for the warehouse. I just want this slime ball to lose out a little. A fee for his bigheaded, think-he-owns-all-of-Vegas attitude, and blatant chauvinism.
    Gerard’s business smile instantly fades. “Now now, little lady. Your boss offered me more than five last night. But as a show of good faith, I turned that figure down. The deal is for five million.”
    “Four-seventy,” Lucas states, his tone commanding.
    Gerard goes wide-eyed. “Excuse me?”
    “What Miss Monroe said is right. The renovations on this place will cost the company a significant amount. Last night I hadn’t inspected the warehouse yet. Now that I have, I think four-seventy is a better number.” Lucas doesn’t break eye contact. He stares hard at Gerard, unwavering in both his tone and stance.
    Gerard appears to muse over it for a few moments, his angry eyes going back and forth between Lucas and me. “Four-eighty five,” he finally offers.
    “Four-eighty and I’ll do my