Marie Harte - Closing the Deal

Dont hang up.

Im sorry. What? Sydney Fields fiddled with her cell phone and cast a worried glance at the doorway. Her client was due to show up at any minute. Im working right now, so you can just

Damn it, dont hang up. Im trying to apologize!

Dont worry about it. As far as Im concerned, its done. So if you could just

I didnt agree with Brittney. I had no idea what the hell she was even talking about. I wasnt listening. Christ, I broke up with her six months ago. I just wanted to get her off my ass and away from our table before you came back from the bathroom. But she wouldnt leave. Woman was clinging to me like a freakin vine.

Sydney forced herself to keep her cool. She could handle Derrick Warren. Shed been handling him for three months now. Three long months spent talking, flirting and laughing over the phone with the man of her stupid dreams. Shed seen him once or twice, but not for longer than it took to say hello or goodbye. He was so handsome, and hed been so charming. Sydney, a woman who didnt do relationships, had considered making an exception for him. Too bad hed turned into a complete ass on their firstand lastdate.

Gritting her teeth, she tried again. I will not have this discussion with you. Im a mature and level-headed adult. My temper has nothing to do with my hair color.

Brian Goode, her client, suddenly appeared in the doorway. Just her luck.

She held up a hand. Ill be right with you.

Who the hell is that?

As if he had the right to ask her anything. Sydney took a breath, searching for calm, and tried again. Im working right now.

Her client took a step back, giving her privacy to finish the call she shouldnt have answered in the first place.

Working on my last goddamn nerve, Derrick muttered. Come on, Sydney. Youre hot, smart and funny. We both know you could kick Brittneys ass if you really wanted to. Hell, it took us three months just to get to dinner. At least gimme a chance to make things right.

All she heard was last goddamn nerve and her infamous temper got the better of her. She turned in her chair, away from the doorway, and whispered harshly, I have a life that doesnt include you, Derrick Warren. Dont call me again. My fragile ego and fat ass cant take it. She disconnected the call, muted her phone and shoved it in a drawer out of sight. Turning to the doorway, she saw her client standing there, his expression even. She couldnt tell if hed overheard her or not.

Please tell me I used my indoor voice. If not, time for some damage control. Mr. Goode, I apologize for the delay. I shouldnt have picked up that call, but I thought it might have been an unlisted buyer whos been trying to reach me.

Call me Brian. He sat in the chair across the desk and studied her for a moment, trying unsuccessfully to stifle a smile. Fragile ego?

Sydney blushed. At least he hadnt repeated the bit about her fat ass. A bad date gone horribly wrong. Unfortunately, he wont stop calling me.

I cant blame him. Men are suckers for an attractive redhead. Brian smiled, and a dimple appeared at his cheek.

Though Sydney wasnt into blondsor men at the momentshe could see making a future exception in his caseonce she sold him a house. Youre a charmer. She smiled, enjoying the focus of an appreciative man. Now I hate to change the subject, but you did tell me you were on a schedule.

Unfortunately. He sighed and checked his watch. What have you got for me?

Sydney showed him pictures of several potential homes, high-end residences that her client could well afford. Single, wealthy and handsome. He had to have the crazy gene tucked away under that charm. No woman, or man, would let a guy who looked this good on paper stay single.

After an hour spent answering questions about the market, exploring the option of buying property to build on versus a finished home, and miscellaneous questions on the city in general, Sydney wrapped up their meeting.

I cant tell you how nice it is doing business with you, Brian said as he stood, his papers in hand. Youre very knowledgeable. You definitely live up to your reputation.

Thanks, Brian. She walked with him into the small but classy lobby she and her partner had decorated and nodded at the listings shed handed him. Let me know if any of those interest you and well go out and take a look at them. In the meantime, Ill keep an eye out for anything I think youd like.

He smiled and took her hand in his. His touch felt warm and firm. Even his skin had a nice peachy glow.

Im in good hands, he murmured, slowly extracting his palm from hers.

She fisted her hand and lowered it to her side, still unsure of the signals he seemed to be sending. Ah, thanks?

He laughed and walked toward the door, saying over his shoulder, Ill call you later. Thanks, Sydney. He stopped, turned and winked. And for the record, theres absolutely nothing wrong with your ass.

She watched him leave, not sure what to think. That she couldnt ignore. He was interested, but he was also a client. Sydney never mixed business with pleasure.

Considering the last man shed been out with had let some bimbo all but call her a cow, Brians attention buoyed her self-esteem. Sydney didnt have the best track record with men, but shed never before had issue with her self-confidence. That shed allowed herself to feel demeaned because shed wanted so badly to impress Derrick Warren bothered her more than anything.

Shed been born with a wealth of auburn hair that framed her face to perfection, according to several of her past boyfriends. Her blue eyes had been compared to sapphires and her skin to pearls. She had curves she showcased in stylish dresses and designer outfits, as well as jeans that accentuated her toned legscourtesy of a strenuous workout routine she couldnt afford to miss unless she wanted a fat ass.

Thoughts of Derrick Warren made her see red. For that Neanderthal to let that plastic doll of a blonde insult her Her temper rose, and she forced herself to stop thinking about him. So what if he was one of the most attractive men shed ever seen, that her libido went into overdrive whenever she laid eyes on him and that her best friend would soon marry his brother? He was a jerk, a macho headcase who thought he could juggle two women at once.

Screw Derrick Warren. Stalking back into her office, she unmuted her cell phone, conscious she couldnt ignore her work just because of one man. She deleted the messages he continued to leave on her phone and set her ringer to identify his callswhat she should have done a week ago. The minute Loser by Beck, played, shed know it was him.

Satisfied by her clever, if less than mature, response, she returned to work. Houses sure as hell werent selling themselves these days.

Derrick Warren stared at his phone in disbelief. She wont answer. The damn woman is ignoring me.

His brother shrugged. I told you not to take her to Sundance. You knew Brittney and her friends hang there.

Gimme a break, Gage. That place serves the best steaks in town. Besides, were all adults. How was I to know Brittney Adams would be there that night, or that shed have a mental breakdown? She never acted like that when we were dating. Hell, she seemed fine when we ended things.

Gage snorted.

What?

Women never act like that around you. Theyre too busy falling at your feet.

But thats part of the Warren charm. Derrick didnt understand it. He and Brittney had had fun, nothing serious. Shed taken their breakup six months ago with calm acceptance, mostly. Sure shed cried and tried to talk him out of it, then thrown a hissy fit when he failed to give into her demands. But a few days later when hed run into her, shed been peaches-and-cream nice. So why had she turned into a crying mess with a nasty streak last week? And just when hed finally had the delectable Sydney Fields to himself.