That was the first hurdle over. Good. He could work with this. Thank you. See you in the restaurant inwhat, half an hour?
Fifteen minutes, she corrected, and hauled herself out of the pool.
Brandon did the same, then showered and changed into his business suit and was sitting at a table in the hotel restaurant exactly fourteen minutes later.
One minute after that, Angel walked in, wearing a business suit, and he was glad that hed second-guessed her and worn formal clothing rather than jeans. Though he also noticed that her hair was still wet and pulled back in a ponytail, her shoes were flat and she wasnt wearing any make-up. The women in his life would never have shown up for anything without perfect hair, high heels and full make-up; then again, they would also have made him wait for two hours while they finished getting ready. Angel McKenzie clearly valued time over her personal appearance, and he found that refreshing.
The other thing he noticed was that she was wearing a hearing aid in her left ear.
That hadnt been in his dossier. He was surprised that Gina had missed it, but it felt too awkward and intrusive to ask Angel about it.
Then she knocked him the tiniest bit off kilter by being the one to bring it up.
Do you mind if we swap places? Its a bit noisy in here and its easier for me to lip-read you if your face is in the light.
No problem, he said, standing up immediately. And Ill ask if we can move tables to a quieter one.
She gestured to the floor. Its wooden floor, so its going to be noisy wherever we sit. Carpet dampens speech as well as footsteps.
And there was a group of businessmen nearby; they were laughing heartily enough to drown out a conversation on the other side of the room. Or we could change the venue to my room, which really will be quieter, Brandon said, but I dont want you to think Im hitting on you. Though in other circumstances, he thought, I probably would, because she has the most amazing eyes.
He was shocked to realise how much he was attracted to Angel McKenzie. She was meant to be his business rival, from a family that was his own familys sworn enemy. He wasnt supposed to be attracted to her. Particularly as she was about six inches shorter and way less glamorous than the women he usually dated. She really wasnt his type.
The restaurants fine, she said, and changed places with him. So what did you want to talk about? If its your offer to buy McKenzies, then its going to be rather a short and pointless conversation, because the company isnt for sale.
Before he could answer, the waitress came over. May I take your order?
Thank you. Angel smiled at the waitress and ordered coffee, granola, fruit and yoghurt.
Brandon hadnt been expecting that smile, either.
It lit up her face, turning her from average to pretty; in all the photographs hed seen, Angel had been serious and unsmiling.
And how weird was it that he wanted to be the one to make her smile like that?
Worse than that, focusing on her mouth had made him wonder what it would be like to kiss her. How crazy was that? He was supposed to be talking to her about business, not fantasising about her. She wasnt even his type.
He shook himself and glanced quickly through the menu.
Sir? the waitress asked.
Coffee, please, and eggs Florentine on wholemeal toastbut without the hollandaise sauce, please.
Of course, sir.
I wouldve had you pegged as a full English man, Angel said when the waitress had gone.
Load up on fatty food and junk, and youre going to feel like a dogs breakfast by the end of a race, he said with a grimace. Foods fuel. If you want to work effectively, you eat effectively. Lean protein, complex carbs, plenty of fruit and veg, and no added sugar.
She inclined her head. Fair point.
He needed to get this back on the rails. So. As I was saying, this discussion isnt about buying the company.
She waited to let him explain more.
So that was her tactic in business. Say little and let the other party talk themselves into a hole. OK. Hed draw her out. I wanted to talk
about research and development.
She frowned. What about it?
Im looking for someone to head up my R and D department. He paused. I was considering headhunting you.
She blinked. Yesterday you wanted to buy my company.
He still did.
And today youre offering me a job?
Yes.
She looked wary. Why?
I heard youre a good designer. A first-class degree in engineering, followed by an MA in automotive design.
So you have been stalking me.
Doing research prior to headhunting you, he corrected. Youre a difficult woman to pin down, Ms McKenzie. And he noticed that she still hadnt suggested that he used her first name. She was clearly keeping as many barriers between them as possible.
Thank you for the job offer, Mr Stone, she said. Im flattered. But I rather like my current job. She waited a beat to ram the point home. Running the company my grandfather started.
Together with my grandfather, he pointed out.
Who then dissolved the partnership and took all the equipment with him. McKenzies has absolutely nothing to do with Barnaby Stone.