AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Laura suppressed a shiver. “Mr. Bancroft…”
“Aidan, please,” he interjected. “If this is going to be a long-term relationship, then we should be on a first name basis. Don’t you think so, Ms. Blake?”
She clenched her teeth. The man was a master at keeping control. “Laura,” she ground out.
“Ahh, what a beautiful name. And you are?”
Person by person, Aidan introduced himself to every member of the group, sufficiently charming the entire lot. His allure seemed so simple, yet it was a talent few commanded.
“Now about our plan…” Deftly, he shifted the conversation back to business. “I see a potential synergy between my corporation and your town. A satellite office of Bancroft Enterprises could boost the economy triple-fold, creating scores of solid, high-paying jobs for your citizens while maintaining a small-town atmosphere. It could bring exciting new opportunities right away, not to mention future implications.” His grip on the delegation ever widening, Aidan went on, outlining not only vague plans but intricate details of the proposed deal. Laura stayed silent, every word deepening his grip into her world.
The deal actually sounded plausible and, even more, rewarding. What frightened her, however, was that if his presence was solely because of her, the entire prospect could be nothing more than an excuse to stake her out. From her research, Aidan seemed to be an upstanding businessman practicing honorable corporate techniques, but his current motives were suspect. Perhaps this was all a charade, a façade to cover his investigation. Of course, if the collaboration was real and Aidan became a semi-permanent fixture of Pine Ridge life, it had huge implications for Laura and her daughter. Because sooner or later, he was bound to find out the truth.
It was time to get involved. Asking questions might shed light on whether he was serious about the collaboration. Plus, she was going to have to write a story on what was bound to be front-page news. She would need something to put in there, and the headline “Is Aidan Bancroft Worthy Enough to Be Jeanie’s Father?” was out of the question, although it could easily score a spot inCelebrity Gossip Weekly.“So, Mr. Bancroft – Aidan – why did you choose our special little town for your business venture? Seems like you had countless options, many towns that would have done anything for this opportunity and with better resources. Why Pine Ridge?”
Before Aidan could answer, the town chairman interjected with a nervous laugh, “Come now, Laura, he doesn’t need to explain his reasons. Our wonderful town has plenty to offer.”
“It’s no problem.” Aidan’s expression was knowing, challenging andpredatory. “I understand my motives might seem suspect, but I assure you, there is plenty here for Bancroft Enterprises. There’s something about this little town, something mysterious that draws me.” Now it was his turn to pierce Laura with a penetrating stare.
Was it getting hot in here?
“When something captures my interest, I perform a thorough exploration…”
Maybe they forgot to turn on the air conditioning.
“Until everything is spread open and uncovered before me.”
Boiling.
“Do you have any idea what that is?”
Laura managed not to fan herself like a swooning Regency heroine in those books she secretly read at night. But, actually, in her stories, the heroines were as strong as the heroes. In the latest one, they had even formed a secret society for social action.
Aidan cleared his throat, snagging her attention. He was doing his best to unnerve her, and it wouldn’t work. Well, not much. “Must be the pleasant scenery,” she gritted out.
“Must be.” The town chairman gripped the conversation like a relay track baton. “Can you tell us more, Mr. Bancroft?”
Aidan smiled wolfishly, imparting what, or rather whom, he was planning to uncover. He returned to his vision, drawing the crowd and her in, despite her resistance. It was nearly impossible to ignore the power that was Aidan Bancroft, and by the end, a startling realization emerged:
She liked him.
It was a good thing, to like the man who gave you a child, but she would have to be extra cautious. How would his passion translate to her and little Jeanie? Would he be as dedicated to fatherhood? What would it mean forthem?
After many minutes of serious discussion, Aidan finally addressed the group that had grown far beyond its original numbers. “Ladies and gentlemen, that's enough business for today. In the coming days, there will be many opportunities to discuss such matters, but I want you to enjoy your time tonight, and the five-star buffet is open.” He winked, and people literally licked their lips. For the buffet, orhim? “Thank you so much for your time.”
Thoroughly enamored, the group didn't notice how quickly they'd been dismissed, bidding farewell and dispersing at the command. The room had become crowded, almost uncomfortably so, with hundreds of citizens hoping to meet the exclusive Mr. Bancroft. Sweat formed under the silky dress, slick and sticky against her skin. Her skin tingled with dueling urges to stay and flee, to both escape this man and surrender to him.
The need for a moment’s respite moved her, only as she took a step, an iron band captured her. His hand was warm and large, and it completely surrounded her, conveying power, challenge,possession. “You’re not planning to leave, are you?”
“Of course not,” she lied, standing taller. She was just as strong as he. “I’ll be right by your side the entire time.”
Would the declaration irk him? Someone this powerful must dislike clingy people, and it seemed everyone clung to him. Only instead of dismay, discomfort and disappointment, the corporate tiger smiled wider. “As I desired.”
She swallowed her own dismay, discomfort andlackof disappointment. “Back to the conversation of earlier, what did you mean when you said–”
“Mr. Bancroft!”
She bit back a groan as another well-wisher joined their conversation. Aidan leaned in, casting heat through every inch. “Don’t worry. We’ll be spending lots of time together. Enough for all of your andmyquestions to be answered.” Then, without taking his solid-as-a-rock arm off her, he spoke to the man. “A pleasure sir. I’m Aidan Bancroft."
