Scent of a Woman Read Online Free PDF Page B

your meetings.”

    When she glanced behind him, he realized another couple had come up to the raised observation deck. Still, he couldn’t make himself release her.

    “Come ashore with me tomorrow.” He would set up something with the Dubai retailer later in the week. Right now, his top priority was to make the most of this time with Danielle. “I’ve never been to Corfu.”

    Gently he combed her hair off her shoulders and felt it ripple down her back.

    “You are not alone. I hear it is a gorgeous port.”

    “How about we meet at eight o’clock?” He thought the ship docked around 7:00 a.m.

    “Unlike you, I have to work on this cruise in addition to play. How about we meet at noon instead? That will give me time to make my apologies to Monsieur Nordham since I won’t be able to meet him for tea now. And I do have a meeting with the Dubai company rep tomorrow.”

    He realized the account must mean a great deal to her and he hoped she wouldn’t be too disappointed when he firmed up an agreement for Prestige by the end of the cruise. He’d already set up an appointment with Ahmed for later in the week, and from his brief phone call to the rep, Adam felt confident he understood what the retailer wanted to see in a presentation. Besides, there was no way he’d let himself fail. Joe had charged him with only one business goal at a time when all of Burns Inc. was in an uproar over their father’s inevitable retirement.

    For years Joe and Adam had let their father take credit for getting business done that they’d accomplished for him. Neither of them looked forward to dismantling the myth of Jack Burns, and despite all the good they’d done for their family’s foundation, neither son wanted the top spot that would soon be vacant or all the stress that came with it. Adam and Joe had already sacrificed too much to become embroiled in company politics and the inevitable infighting that would follow their father’s departure. A behind-the-scenes role suited Adam just fine.

    “Noon it is. I’ll wait for you down by the disembarkation deck.”

    She backed out of his grip, taking her warmth and effervescent spirit with her.

    “Very well.” She plucked her wineglass off the floor as if to return it to the bar. “But I hear the temperatures can sizzle this time of year. I hope you can take the heat.”

    She winked at him before turning on her heel and walking away, leaving him staring at her swaying hips. As much as he admired the view, he hoped it wouldn’t become a common one, since he much preferred the sight of her walking toward him.

    He’d be ready for a hot day tomorrow. In fact, he was counting on it.

     

    “H AVE YOU TOUCHED base with our contact at International Markets? Ahmed?”

    Danielle rolled her eyes, knowing her brother Marcel could not see her on the other end of the phone as she lay on the bed in her suite.

    “Marcel, how rude would I be to demand attention from a business associate who already agreed to meet with me tomorrow? I set this meeting a week ago and there’s not a chance I’d break it or do anything to jeopardize the most important piece of business I’m here to conduct.” She might be enticed by the chance to spend time with Adam, but she wouldn’t botch this deal that Marcel insisted was crucial to their continued success.

    Les Rêves meant everything to her, and she trusted her brother’s instincts when it came to the company’s finances.

    “Right. Will you give me a call tomorrow to let me know how it goes?” There had been a tense edge in Marcel’s voice for the last few months and it came across now despite the hundreds of miles between them.

    “Actually…” she hedged, unsure how Marcel would feel about her having a personal life. Then again, why should she apologize when she hadn’t dated for almost two years? “I’m going ashore at Corfu with a new friend tomorrow, so I won’t be able to call until quite late.”

    She rolled to her back on