Page 11 of Loving Her Enemy

“It’s amazing that you want to partner with him to help create more jobs here in the U.S.,” she said.

“Of course. At this stage in my life, it’s not always about making more money. As hard as that might be to believe. Sometimes it’s about the challenge of the project or the connections I’ll make. But more often than not, it’s about creating jobs and fueling innovations.”

As the conversation unfolded, Sloane couldn’t remember ever discussing business with a woman who didn’t work for him. The moment felt surreal. He’d eaten a meal with his share of beautiful women, but eating and talking with Halayna hit differently. He couldn’t pinpoint exactly why.

All he knew was that this was what he’d been missing in his life. A special someone he could talk to about anything. Someone to grow old with, and someone who made him look forward to coming home. Someone to love.

Spending this time with Halayna stirred something inside of him. It reminded him how he ultimately wanted the same thing she did—a family. Then again, maybe it was all Reece’s, you need a wife talk that had Sloane’s mind veering down this direction. Sure, he could benefit from having a spouse for purposes of partnering with Watanebe, but no way could it be Halayna.

Besides, she hated him. Though they were cordial now, rarely did they walk away from each other without arguing about something. Granted, it was usually because of something he said, but still. She wouldn’t be a good candidate for a convenient wife.

Sloane sat up straighter on his stool as the idea flowed around in his mind. Could she play the role of his wife?

Seconds ticked by with the thought trying to gain roots inside his head, but then reality hit. He and Halayna? It was a ridiculous idea.

It would never work.

Chapter Six

“How long have you been learning Japanese?” Halayna asked, taking the conversation back to her original question.

Sloane finished off his sandwich and wiped his mouth with one of the cloth napkins. They’d been talking for the last half hour, and he had enjoyed every moment. “I’ve been learning the language off and on for a couple of years. What about you? Are you fluent in Japanese?”

“Mmm, a little,” she said with a self-deprecating chuckle. “I was born in the U.S., but I lived in Japan with my parents until I was three. Growing up, I remember my mother speaking English while my father spoke in his native language. When we returned to the U.S. and as I got older, my dad wanted me fully immersed in American culture. So, he didn’t encourage me to speak Japanese, especially outside the house.”

Sloane could listen to her talk all day and all night, but there was something driving him nuts.

“What is that fragrance you’re wearing?” He leaned in closer, unable to help himself, and inhaled her scent despite her stiffening. “It smells incredible, and it’s been messing with my senses from the moment you stepped into the kitchen.”

Halayna’s lips twitched as if struggling to hold back a smile. She took so long to respond that, for a minute, he thought she wouldn’t, but then she said, “It’s a perfume I created.”

Sloane’s eyebrows shot up. “You make perfume? From scratch?”

For the first time that evening, she smiled and it not only lit up her face but the whole room. “Don’t sound so surprised,” she said with sass, sounding more like her old self. “Yes. I dabble with creating fragrances, and I’m hoping to one day have my own perfume empire.”

He stared at her for the longest before saying, “You’re serious?”

“Yeah. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.”

He knew she had a degree in chemistry, but if he wasn’t mistaken, she had worked as an analytical chemist. He couldn’t ever remember Bristol mentioning Halayna wanting to be a perfumer.

This woman was full of surprises, and he wondered what else he didn’t know about her. Hershel was still digging into her life, but he would’ve never obtained that type of personal information.

“I was actually saving up money in hopes of starting my business by first opening a small fragrance laboratory, but…” She stopped abruptly as if catching herself before saying too much.

Not only did her words dry up, but the joy on her face a moment ago disappeared as fast as it had appeared.

When a lock of her long hair fell into her face, Sloan brushed the silky strand behind her ear, then ran the back of his fingers gently down her soft cheek before he realized what he’d done. She froze, and so did he.

Dammit. What the hell was he thinking touching her? Actually, he wasn’t thinking, and that was the problem. So caught up in the moment, he just reacted.

He opened his mouth to apologize but quickly shut it. He wasn’t sorry. At least not about touching her. No, he wouldn’t apologize for that because he had always longed to touch her, every part of her. Her skin was velvety soft, and her hair was as silky as he imagined. He also wouldn’t mind testing his theory about her luscious lips being just as soft as the rest of her.

Clearly the intimate setting with the dim lighting and the easy conversation over a meal had messed with his mind. Or it could be he was finally willing to admit to himself that he liked everything about this woman. Getting acquainted with her enticing mouth would only add to the attraction. They were sitting close enough that it wouldn’t take much for him to lean over and brush his lips over hers. That way he could go ahead and test his theory.

But Halayna leaned back, and he wondered if she sensed what he’d been thinking. It didn’t matter because, when she stuffed the remainder of her sandwich into her mouth, the spell was broken. Probably a good thing too because kissing her right now would’ve been a stupid move, but his curiosity was piqued. What would she taste like?

Sloane gave his head a slight shake, loosening those thoughts, and went back to his plate which still had a few chips on it. As he munched on a couple of them, he made a promise to himself. One day he’d satisfy his curiosity and kiss Halayna. He didn’t know when or where, but that was now one of his short-term goals, and he always accomplished his goals.