Her Texas Renegade

“For that, I apologize.” He lifted the white box in his hands. “I brought a peace offering.”

Her gaze shifted to the parcel with the Deer Springs Diner label, a million memories bombarding her all over again. She used to waitress there, depending on the money to finance her first yoga studio. She’d met Kai there. They’d spent time plotting to take over the world from their favorite booth in the corner, and had shared many breakfasts there after long nights of lovemaking. Tentatively, she lifted the lid.

She suspected what would be inside before she even peeked under the top.

“Half lemon meringue, half caramel apple,” she confirmed, the scent of their two favorites stirring nostalgia and longing she couldn’t afford to feel around this man. Part of her wanted to send him away, escape what he made her feel. But she still needed him on a professional level. “Would you like to come in for a slice?”

She peered up at him and realized how close they stood. Close enough for her to touch the short bristles he’d always worn along his jaw. Close enough to breathe in the light spice of soap on his olive-toned skin and remember the taste of him. Hastily, she released the box top and took a step back.

“Thank you. I’d like that very much.” His green eyes missed nothing. “We can celebrate our new venture together since I have a signed contract to give you.”

The surprises continued.

“That’s excellent news.” For the bank, of course. But for her, the prospect of working with him proved equal parts tempting and daunting. “Although I’ll admit I’m curious what made you change your mind after you seemed so adamantly opposed yesterday. Was it the prospect of me stepping aside?”

Turning, she led the way to the front door of the guesthouse, aware of his nearness every step of the way.

“No. That won’t be necessary. I can separate my personal life from my business obligations.” He sounded sincere. And yet both times she’d visited him recently, there had been enough sensual tension simmering to burn them both. Did he plan to ignore it?

Giving herself a few heartbeats to shore up her boundaries, she entered the cool interior of the guesthouse and paused in the entryway as Kai pulled the door closed behind them. The dark wood floor and white walls were simply furnished with rustic elegance. Sturdy leather couches and heavy iron pendant lamps were softened by an abundance of natural light, pale rugs and oversize yellow throw pillows. Drinking in the calming effects, she glanced at him.

“I didn’t expect a warm reception after how we parted ten years ago,” she admitted, pulse skipping erratically as she continued toward the open kitchen to retrieve plates and forks. “And how you reacted to seeing me in New York.”

She hoped discussing it would dismiss the elephant in the room. They needed to put their old relationship behind them, so it didn’t interfere with the bank’s business.

Kai joined her at the kitchen island, setting the pie box on the white quartz countertop.

“That’s all in the past now. I was needlessly abrupt yesterday, especially when you came to discuss a significant opportunity for Madtec.” He reached into an interior pocket of his jacket and retrieved a folded packet of papers. He laid them on the counter, as well. “Dane and I look forward to a thorough review and revamp of the bank’s digital security.”

Miranda retrieved two bottles of sparkling water from the refrigerator and placed them on a bamboo serving tray along with the plates and silverware. While it would be easy to eat indoors at the kitchen counter, she thought sitting under the pergola in the backyard would help her keep boundaries in place. Especially when lemon meringue and caramel apple pie slices had the power to catapult her back in time to that diner with Kai. Feeding each other bites. Sitting so close her thigh pressed against his.

She would not think about his thighs.

“Dane convinced you to give this a chance?” she guessed aloud, her cheeks warm from the vivid thoughts she was trying to stifle.

“He was livid I hadn’t already signed the papers,” Kai acknowledged. As she moved to pick up the tray, he took over the task, his warm hand brushing hers momentarily. “Lead the way.”

She felt that brief touch long afterward. Breathe in. Breathe out. She opened the French doors to the patio where coral honeysuckle hung from the deep pergola. Hummingbirds bobbed around the vibrant trumpet-shaped blooms. Kai set the tray on the wrought iron dining table, then pulled out a cushioned chair for Miranda.

“Thank you.” She tried to recall the thread of the conversation to distract herself from all the ways his nearness affected her. “I hope that Dane’s insistence doesn’t mean you’re conflicted about working with us.”

“I have no trouble opposing my brother when the situation calls for it.” Kai took the seat next to her at the round table. “But in this case, Dane’s instincts were correct. The software we’re developing is tailor-made for a complex financial platform like Blackwood Bank.”

Grounding herself in mundane tasks, Miranda laid out napkins and divvied up the waters while Kai opened the pie box and slid thin slices onto their plates. One of each kind for each of them. But rather than soothing her with routine, the familiarity of that simple act, something they’d done countless times and yet not for so many years, crowded her chest with feelings she wasn’t ready for. Swallowing past the swell of emotion, she took her time smoothing the napkin over her lap.

“I have followed the rise of Madtec with interest. I suspected your company was a good fit for this role, Kai, or I wouldn’t have approached you.” She appreciated how the conversation anchored her in the purpose of the meeting. Because this was just business.

Something they both excelled at. Unlike personal relationships.

“I know that,” he conceded, lifting his water bottle and clinking it lightly to hers. “Thank you.”

Her gaze flicked to his as he held the pale green bottle in midair. She followed suit, clinking hers to his in a friendly toast that felt like a fresh start.

At least, professionally speaking.

“Here’s to a successful partnership.” Kai’s green gaze lingered on hers, and she couldn’t help but think she saw something simmering in their depths.

Old frustration over how things had ended? Or a hint of the lingering attraction that she’d been grappling with all day?

Neither one boded well for their venture. But she licked her lips before raising the bottle to her mouth. One way or another, she would figure out how to work with Kai Maddox for the sake of Blackwood Bank. “To new beginnings.”

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.