The Real Deal Read Free Page B

forgotten, or never even known, that she wasn’t a very sexual person. She felt betrayed by her body. Now was not the time for it to rediscover long-dormant feminine hormones.
    Everything important to her was on the line with this deal.
    â€œM-Mr. Brant.” Great. She’d stuttered. She never tripped over her words, not since going through an endless series of speech therapy sessions as a child. However, she’d also never met a man who looked like a cross between a Scottish warlord and Apache chief.
    She put out her hand and wished to Heaven she’d ignored the urge for politeness when his big, warm fingers enclosed hers.
    For the space of seconds, she didn’t speak. Couldn’t speak. Something elemental and downright terrifying passed from his hand to hers as he completed the shake.
    â€œMs. Zachary.”
    â€œCall me Amanda.” The words slipped out, unbidden. She wouldn’t have taken them back if she could. It would be awkward to have his cousin calling her by her first name while Simon stuck with the more formal address.
    He dropped her hand, his gray eyes roaming over her with tactile intensity. “Simon.”
    That was it. Just his name, but she knew what he meant.
    â€œNow that the introductions are over, why don’t we all sit down?” Eric’s voice sounded far away and Amanda had to force herself to decipher the words before nodding her agreement.
    Despite the fact it was Eric’s office, Simon led the way. He waited for her to sit in an armchair across the room from Eric’s large executive desk. Eric and Simon sat at either end of the matching black leather sofa, with Simon taking the end furthest from her. She should have felt relief that his choice had given her a reprieve from his proximity, but the angle at which they sat gave him a clear view of her and vice versa.
    It was an effort to turn her attention to Eric. “I didn’t realize your cousin would be joining us for the meeting.”
    â€œIt’s a family held company, Amanda.” Simon gave special inflection to her name. “I’m family and I happen to own a sizable chunk of the business.”
    â€œI see.” She smiled tentatively. “But I had the impression from Eric that none of the other family played a principal role in management of the company.”
    â€œThat’s true.” Eric gave Simon a hard look. “I’m the president of the company and my cousin rarely shows interest in my day-to-day decision making.”
    â€œI don’t call proposing a merger with one of our chief competitors your average day-to-day decision. Wouldn’t you agree, Amanda?”
    He’d put her on the spot and, in all honesty, she couldn’t gainsay him. “It is a big decision, but certainly not one Eric has entertained lightly. We’ve been discussing the possibilities and ramifications of a merger for several weeks now.”
    â€œIt’s a pity I wasn’t brought in before this then, because you’ve wasted your time talking to my cousin. I’ll never approve what you propose.”
    â€œYou don’t own controlling interest in the company, damn it.” Eric glared at Simon.
    â€œNeither do you,” Simon pointed out with a silky menace that sent shivers down the back of Amanda’s legs.
    â€œWhat do you plan to do, make this a family war?”
    Simon’s shoulders tensed infinitesimally and Amanda had the distinct impression that war was the last thing he wanted.
    â€œPerhaps if you would allow me to present Extant’s proposal, there won’t be any need for bloodshed.” It was a weak joke, but Eric smiled.
    â€œGreat idea.”
    Simon settled against the sofa cushions and kicked his denim clad, long legs out in front of him. He crossed them at the ankles, one booted foot resting on top the other. His arm stretched along the back of the couch, pulling the knit of his dark crewneck shirt taut over the