Breathe.
Taking a deep breath, I knocked gently on the door. He didn’t move anything but his eyes, raising them to mine. A slow smile crept across his face and my heart picked up its pace.
Cane leaned back in his chair and grinned smugly, like the cat that ate the canary. “Well, what do you know? We see each other again.”
My racing heart was now fueled by irritation instead of lust. This is the first day of my new life, and I’m being toyed with by another jerk? Heaven help me.
I briefly closed my eyes and tried to stay calm. Ripping into him, giving him a huge reaction, would be letting him win and I was tired of handing victories to assholes.
“It seems that we do. I was told that Max asked to see me?” I forced a smile.
“Oh, Max would probably enjoy that,” Cane laughed. “But no, you are here to see me.”
“And why is that?”
He leaned forward, his elbows on the desk and his grin growing wider. “Isn’t it obvious why you are here to see me?”
“I’m hoping there is a valid reason.”
“Why do I sense a little hostility?” He smirked.
“I guess I’m just confused. I was told Max made an appointment to see me today and then I come in here and you have that look on your face. Sorry if I feel a little addled right now.”
Cane looked genuinely amused. He stood up and leaned against the desk, rolling his white shirt sleeves up, baring his forearms one golden inch at a time. It was a completely natural thing to do, but watching him do it was almost like foreplay; I felt my chest rise and fall harder.
“Max is a contractor and I am a real estate investor. I buy properties and Max gets them ready to resell. He manages the construction part of Alexander Industries.”
“I see.” I adjusted my bag on my shoulder, feeling a little awkward. “So how do I come in to play?”
“I want to put Solomon Place—this building—on the market. And I thought you could help me with that.”
“Can I ask you a question? Why did you call our office? You have never done business with us before.”
I pushed a breath into my constricted chest, feeling my lungs press against my ribs. This wasn’t what I had in mind for my first day back. I was supposed to be serious, focused, starting my life fresh. Instead, I was looking into the eyes of a gorgeous playboy, trying to decide if his intentions were professional or if he was trying to manipulate me. Why do I always find these guys? Why couldn’t Max’s friend have been an accountant or something?
“This property needs to be put up for sale. Max mentioned that you were a realtor. It seemed like it could be a good partnership.”
He stood straight and the mood in the room shifted. “What can I say, Jada? You made an impression last night.”
I squared my shoulders and fought the urge to smile at his playful tone. “If you want to list this property, it would be my pleasure. But if there are ulterior motives, please spare me.”
A smirk slowly made its way across his lips. “I was trying to keep this professional and you start talking about pleasure.”
I rolled my eyes, smiling despite myself. “I don’t even know what to say to you right now.”
“Words can be twisted to mean a million different things.” His eyes locked onto mine, sparkling with mischief.
“That’s true, I guess.”
“It is absolutely true. Words can mean anything. It is actions that really speak.”
I nodded my head and bit my lip to keep from smiling, staying silent.
“If you would rather figure things out physically, I’m good with that. Very, very good from what I hear …”
I couldn’t help but laugh. While I was absolutely sure that, on some level, he was serious, his carefree way and lighthearted tone put me at ease.
“Yes. Let’s get physical immediately,” I said, watching his eyes darken. “Let’s take some measurements and I will let you get back to your day.” I sat my bag down and grabbed a notepad and my measuring tape.
“There are a dozens of innuendos that could be taken from that. But,” he said, growing serious as I flashed him a warning look, “I will refrain from making any comments.”
I led him to the main room and he chuckled as he followed.
“Okay, grab this end of the tape and walk down there.”
“How long have you done this type of work?” He moved gracefully to the other wall, holding the tape against it.
“I grew up helping my dad do this kind of thing. I worked for him before I moved to Boston and I worked in real estate there, too. Really, I’ve done this my whole life.”
“What sent you to Boston?”
My throat constricted. “I moved there with my husband. I’ve just been back here a few days, actually.”
“You aren’t married now, right? Or did I misunderstand something?”