Buying His Bride (The Donovan Brothers Trilogy Book 1) Read Free Page A

intriguing question,” he murmured.
    Without thinking, she rolled her eyes. Seriously? To his credit, he laughed.
    Okay, point one for him. The man could laugh at himself.
    “Tell me what you do for McKinley,” he suggested.
    On firm ground for the first time, Sierra relaxed a little. “I’m a junior marketing consultant. As I’m sure you know, it’s a boutique firm south of Market. We specialize in rebranding existing products and services, as well as in launching new ones. Our clients range from Fortune 500 companies to mid-sized and emerging firms. I’ve been lucky to work with Brian since I came on board two years ago.”
    “Do you have your own client list?”
    She shook her head. “Not yet. One of the things Brian was hoping might come out of this interview is I would be able to do some freelance strategy work. I need the money, and I’m ambitious.”
    “Your family owns a pub, I understand?”
    The question seemed to come from left field.
    Sierra stiffened. “One of the findings of your background report? Yes.”
    “How does that figure into your ambitions?”
    “Is this relevant to the position we’re discussing now?” Claddagh and its financial difficulties were none of his business, but of course a background report would have revealed them.
    “Oh yes, I think it is.”
    “Fine.” Sierra held on to her temper. “I did a business degree in college, had some internship experience in marketing”—she didn’t want to think about that—“and eventually I got hired at McKinley. I don’t plan to stay there forever. I’d like to grow my own client list to allow me to strike out on my own in time. Eventually I’d like to use my skills to expand Claddagh.”
    If it didn’t go belly-up first, which looked more likely every day.
    “More coffee, Ms. Callahan?” Murdoch’s offer broke into the interview and Sierra was aware of Michael’s eyes upon her as she accepted another cup. He was sizing her up, as any potential employer would. She sipped coffee and engaged in a survey of her own.
    He certainly was something to look at. Good genes had done their part, but men didn’t have bodies as well defined as his unless they were very active or worked out. Or both. No wonder an expensive suit looked like a tailor’s dream on him. Thickly lashed blue eyes simply accentuated his masculinity, as did the arched brows above them. Sierra had never encountered a nose she’d have termed “aquiline” outside the pages of a novel, but if there were such a thing in real life, Michael had it. Very imperious, very Roman Emperor. His hair was a deep brown, almost black, his skin bronzed. He must spend time outside. And his mouth…sensual…a slight cleft in his chin…
    “Ms. Callahan?”
    Sierra snapped to attention. She’d missed his question. All because she’d been contemplating his damn mouth. “Sorry, what did you say?”
    As if he’d been able to read her mind, he smiled. Sierra felt a blush creep over her neck, then her face. Dammit. Blushing was the bane of redheads and had plagued her since childhood. She thought she’d gotten it under control in recent years. Apparently not.
    “I asked you if your schedule at McKinley allows for some flexibility. The job I have in mind will be very time-intensive, and I’m wondering if you would be able to juggle it and your other work commitments.”
    “I can’t say for sure, can I, until I know what the job would entail.” Sierra bit back her irritation. “Brian has assured me McKinley will be supportive as long as I’d be working a case that falls outside its own expertise and poses no competition to the firm.”
    “That sounds fair.”
    “And for a client that’s reputable, of course.”
    “Of course.”
    She shot Michael a glance at his bland tone, but his expression revealed nothing. Again she had the niggling sense that he was familiar, but she was certain she’d never met him before his car had drenched her in water.
    He wasn’t the kind of