The Seduction Game

“But I probably still can’t afford the rent.”

“Of course you can.”

Trying to ignore the fact that he was once again far too close, Kate spoke. “Will, for the view alone, the rent will be astronomical.”

“This building is one of mine, Kate. All the retail spaces are mine.”

“You own all this?”

He nodded. “Yes. I don’t always sell what I develop. I keep a number of properties and we make our money back on rents. Not immediately, of course. It takes time, but real estate is a hell of an investment, especially here.”

“So what will the rent be?”

“There won’t be any rent, Kate.”

She gaped. “You’re not serious.”

“Of course I am.”

“You’re offering it to me for free?”

“I am. You can use this space for the next year or so,” he said. “Until we complete The Risings, and then you can make a decision on what you want to do. Rent one of the new spaces there or buy this.”

“Can I afford it, to buy, I mean? Would the sale of my building even cover this place?”

“We’ll make sure you can.”

Kate paused, shocked by his generosity, and yet as she began to think about it, really think about it, it made sense. The rent Will would be missing for this property was already being eaten up in the delays she was causing to the development. It was simply a business decision. Nothing more than that. “It certainly is spacious,” she said. “And there seems to be a lot of people walking by. But there’s no living space here.”

“No, but don’t worry.” He stood up and held out a hand. “I’ve got that covered. Come on.”

He led her back to the truck, hand wrapped in his. Despite the fact it made her fingers twitch, and her heart race, Kate allowed it. It was almost like pulling away would say more than keeping ahold would. And besides, part of her liked the fact that Will held her hand. It seemed that he didn’t even notice the looks he got as they made their way to the parking lot. At first, Kate wondered if she was just being sensitive because of the women in the travel agency, but as she caught the eye of more than one female, she knew she hadn’t. Their looks spoke volumes.

Will was hot.

Why was he with her?

Could they possibly get their hands on him?

It was so obvious, the clear difference between them. He was a handsome millionaire. She was a geek who shopped in thrift stores. He was a hell of a catch. There were likely lines of women willing, and eager, to let him take them by the arm and charm them. While she had never had anyone try to catch her. They were from different worlds and if not for The Risings they would never have met. Ever.

Kate wasn’t sure what to make of that sudden realization, or the fact that her hand was still tingling, so she remained silent as they drove to the next place Will had on his itinerary. Probably he thought she was thinking about the office space so he left her alone and didn’t try to draw her into conversation.

The second property was a townhouse about a ten minute walk from the travel agency, though Will drove his truck there. It was in one of the newly gentrified areas. It had its own private driveway and was screened off by a bunch of thin trees Kate didn’t know the name of.

“This is a great area,” Will said as they got out of the truck. “I have friends close by.”

She nodded, impressed with the tidiness of the street. It was a long way from the view she was faced with at her place. “It’s very pretty,” she agreed.

“I’m afraid I couldn’t find a river view for this one,” he added, ushering her down the driveway and through the front door.

“Well, I’m hardly going to complain. It’s still beautiful.”

Will led her through a long hallway into a large family room with an amazing bay window. Past that there was an eat-in kitchen, followed by a utility room, half bath, and finally a living room. Kate was impressed and once again shocked by the amount of space. “I don’t understand,” she said as Will pulled open the drapes to give her a view of the small courtyard garden. “This is a house, a huge house. Why are we here?”

“It belongs to a friend of mine,” he said. “He’s leaving for Japan in a month’s time and needs someone to house-sit for him.”

“For how long?”

“Up to two years.”

Kate frowned. “Who goes away for that long?”

“He has a long-term contract but not a permanent one. Why sell when he knows he’ll be coming back?”

She eyed the massive flat screen and the ridiculously comfortable-looking couch. “And he would let me live here?”

“Yes. I’ve mentioned you’re a friend of mine.”

“Is that what I am?” The words slipped out before she could stop them and Kate bit down on her lip. Will simply smiled.

“I certainly hope so,” he said. “For the time being, at least.”

Kate did not want to ask what that meant so she turned to the arched doorway leading out into the courtyard. “This is too much. First the store space and now this? I have no desire to be in your debt, Will.”

“It’s not nearly enough, I suspect.”

The tone of his voice made her pause. Kate turned to see him take a seat on the couch. He leaned back into it and abruptly Kate realized that he seemed to be far from his usual self right now. He hadn’t teased her all day, not really. Hadn’t tried to fluster her, at least not since his comment about her tee. In fact, his expression was serious. Almost stern, and as she pushed her glasses up her nose, she wondered what was going on.

“Let me ask you something, Kate,” he said. “And I really need you to be honest with me.”

“I’ve always been honest with you.”

“That’s what I’m worried about.” He shook his head. “Just tell me this, in the very early days of The Risings did you get the letter inviting you to a meeting?”

She nodded, surprised at the question. “Yessss…if you mean the one at St. Agatha’s, I did, but there was no way I could have gone. I got it the day before it was scheduled and I was on a deadline for a repair job.”

“Did Meg go?”

“No, she was away visiting her folks.”

“Okay,” he said in what she thought was too careful a manner, “and then after that, did someone come around to see you and get your verbal agreement to sell?”

“Yes.”

“Who?” he asked.

Kate pulled a face, remembering that day very well. “Chris.”

“And did you give him that agreement?”

She blinked. Why was Will asking these questions, questions that he should surely already know the answer to. “You know I didn’t. It’s why we’re in this mess.” She held up a hand. “I can call it a mess. I’m allowed.”

Will did not smile like she’d expected him to. Instead he picked up the remote for the flat screen, ran it up and down in his hands, and flicked it back and forth. “And what happened after that?” he asked. “When you refused?”

Kate tilted her head to the side and then, because he looked so…worried? She crossed the room and sank down onto the couch next to him. It was the first time she had made an effort to close the distance between them. But a nasty suspicion had entered her mind and right now that was more important than her nerves. “Don’t you already know all this stuff, Will?” she said slowly. “Didn’t you organize it all?”