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‘I had it brought down,’ he said as he intercepted her expression.
‘Why?’
‘Because I could use your drawings—if you’re willing to share your talent?’
Her heart jumped into her throat, along with surprise and shock. ‘Really?’ she echoed, her voice husky with overflowing feelings.
His nod was brisk, and yet he studied her with his usual intensity that said he was invested in her response. ‘They’re too good to sit around collecting dust.’
The fervent yearning and joy gripping her was almost overwhelming. She tried to tamp them both down. Her life had so far been a series of wrenching transactions sucking at her soul and her emotions.
‘Behave and you’ll not be punished.’
‘Atone for not being born male and you’ll be spared my wrath.’
‘Make friends with this family so we can benefit.’
‘Marry me and I’ll save you if you have my children...’
Sure, the first part of the deal with Ares had been at her instigation. Was this offering now out of the goodness of his heart? Or was there a hidden agenda?
‘You’re overthinking it,’ he said when the silence lengthened.
‘Am I?’ She saw his eyes darken. She waved a dismissive hand, hoping her torn feelings weren’t plastered on her face. ‘Okay, tell me what you mean.’
He stared at her for several seconds before nodding at the tallest structure. ‘My latest project in Abu Dhabi will be completed in six months. The top forty floors are residential, including five penthouses. The remaining floors are retail and business. My team is in the process of head-hunting interior designers. I can tell them to stop searching if you’re willing to take on the job and work from here.’
Her jaw gaped, and then she shook her head. ‘I couldn’t—You—’ She bit her tongue as heat rose in her face.
‘Speak your mind, Odessa.’
‘You don’t need to throw me a bone just because I’m carrying your child.’
His lips twisted, half amused, half sardonic. ‘I didn’t get where I am today by making decisions based on sentimental whims.’
Why didn’t that surprise her?
‘So you’re not worried about being called out on possible nepotism?’
A conceited shrug moved his muscled shoulders. ‘I’m in the prime position of being rich and powerful enough not to care what people think of me. And you being this worried means you’ll provide a premium service. The job is yours if you want it.’
She almost swallowed her tongue. ‘Just like that?’
‘Ne.’
The confirmation was simple. Immovable.
Several seconds passed, and then, registering he was serious, she stared down at the perfectly crafted miniatures. Luxury skyscrapers. Warehouses. A sports complex or three. Whole streets of residential properties with cute little parks.
They all had names—seemingly with a theme she couldn’t quite fully grasp yet—except for the building he’d just been talking about.
‘What’s this one called?’ she asked, more to give herself time to digest his offer and feel how much her heart yearned to embrace it than anything else.
When he didn’t respond immediately, she looked up to find a quizzical expression. As if she’d caught him in an uneasy, vulnerable moment.
A moment later, his jet lashes swept down. ‘I haven’t decided yet.’
Odessa suspected that wasn’t the complete truth, but since she didn’t want to add to the tumult now occurring inside her, she let it go.
