1925 - Millionaire's Secret Seduction Read Free

you like working for Hardcastle Enterprises?”
    “Of course, why?” Her voice came out kind of squeaky. It sometimes did that when she was lying.
    And something about this man put her on edge. Not his L’Uomo Vogue good looks. She was used to that. Tarrant Hardcastle put a premium on pretty faces—male and female—in his employees.
    Nor was it the tall, broad-shouldered frame lounging against the marble counter.
    There was something in his expression that gave her the idea he could see right through her. A possibility that made her belly contract with anxiety.
    “Just curious.”
    The look of satisfaction on his face suggested he’d read her traitorous thoughts. Her gut tightened into a knot, even though she knew that was impossible. “What would you like to see?”
    His dark gaze drifted across the front of her lab coat, implying that his answer was “more of you.” “So far I’ve only seen the inside of corporate offices and conference rooms. I’d like to see the lab, then…” He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. Was he laughing at her? “If you can take some time from your busy schedule, I’d like to see the retail floors.”
    Of course she had time. All her other plans were irrelevant if the boss’s “son” needed her. Couldn’t he find someone in retail for that? He was definitely laughing at her. Now thatshe’d insulted him by trying to throw him out, he was going to toy with her like a cat with freshly trapped prey. Irritation prickled over her—along with something else she couldn’t put her finger on.
    She crossed the room, conscious of his big body keeping close to her. “This is a photon microscope.” She gestured at her pride and joy. “We’re working with microfine powders that can reflect light to create the illusion of optical smoothness.”
    Instead of glazing over, his eyes fixed on hers. “Nanotechnology.”
    A spark of surprise leapt inside her. “Yes. We’ve found that by manipulating photons in layers we can create dramatic effects with both colors and surfaces.”
    “Fascinating.” He ran a big thumb over the top of a microscope, which caused a disturbing ripple of sensation in her belly. “And you’ve created a marketable product?”
    “I can see you understand the business. Our biggest challenge wasn’t finding something that worked, it was making it marketable. People won’t buy a cake of white powder just because they’re told it’s a great red lipstick that never bleeds and won’t wear off. We’ve come up with a compound we’re calling ReNew, because it makes damaged skin look new again.”
    “Are you a chemist?” His eyes drifted over her lab coat again. Made it feel hot against her skin.
    She lifted her chin. “I have degrees in chemistry and business. I’m here to lead the team.” And take back my father’s stolen legacy.
    Tarrant Hardcastle would never give her dad a word of credit, even if his life’s work made millions for the company. They had no idea she was his daughter. If Tarrant found out he’d probably fire her.
    She needed to get this new Hardcastle out of her lab, andnow. She’d been surprised in the middle of her unofficial “research” and didn’t want Tarrant’s son poking around and jumping to any conclusions.
    She started to unbutton her lab coat. “You wanted to see the public areas. Shall we start with the department store?”
    He seemed distracted by her fingers on the buttons. When his eyes lifted to meet hers they were darker than ever. “Sure.”
    His voice was low, suggestive.
    He hung behind her as they walked out of the lab and she could feel his gaze on her. Her fitted, dark red skirt and blouse had been chosen to curry favor with her boss, Tarrant Hardcastle—lover of all things expensive and feminine. Making an effort to look good was part of the unofficial job requirements around here. Apparently she’d succeeded, because she sensed Dominic Hardcastle’s approval radiating like a heat wave.
    She hung