Redeeming Her SEAL (ASSIGNMENT Caribbean Nights #9) - Kat Cantrell Page 0,64

on her keyboard. “Mr. Anderson isn’t seeing anyone today.”

“He’ll see me,” she ground out through clenched teeth, though she had no idea if it was true or not.

He’d texted her that he’d be back in Freeport Sunday night. Of course, his text hadn’t said anything about her showing up Monday morning at ReefCo’s office building, only that he wanted to see her, which was typical. He’d been singing that same song since they’d stopped being a couple.

This was the first time she’d considered taking him up on it. But getting and keeping the upper hand was paramount. Audra was nothing if not resourceful, and Jared’s admin, Trish, owed her a favor for screwing up the resort reservations when her sisters had come for spring break. She’d put an appointment on Jared’s calendar the moment Audra had asked. Or at least she’d said she had. Pamela hadn’t even bothered to check.

As she pulled out her phone to call Trish, Audra’s head started to pound. And then it got worse as the man himself pushed open the doors.

A staring contest ensued, full of unspoken grievances—on both sides—as Jared Anderson casually leaned on the door to contemplate Audra as if he’d been expecting her. He probably had been and Pamela was just being her usually witchy self.

All of it served to knock her off-kilter, which was not a good place to be when facing down the dragon.

“Pamela,” he said smoothly without looking at his receptionist. “Would you please find some coffee for Dr. Reed? Hazelnut creamer, no sugar.”

“I don’t need coffee, Jared, thanks.” Like a really bad muscle memory, her spine vibrated with tension the moment she heard his voice. That’s why she liked texting so much. Actually, she’d have preferred to have this whole conversation via text messages, but she had a feeling that wouldn’t go over well or she wouldn’t be here. “Just your time, assuming I still have an appointment?”

Jared speared her with his hazel eyes that any normal person would mistake as charming and flirty. In reality, he was sizing you up to find the weakest vulnerability on your body. So he could exploit it.

“You do.” He held the door open in clear indication that she should precede him into the hall.

She did but wished it didn’t feel like she was jumping at his bidding. But then that would be precious on her part considering it was nine a.m. on Monday, less than fourteen hours from the moment he’d returned from Singapore. He’d mentioned wanting to see her. Here she was.

Jared’s office was on the top floor of ReefCo’s building, and the view was spectacular. He ran his entire empire from here, despite the innocuous labeling of the enterprise as a nonprofit reef restoration company. He’d never completely come clean to her about it, but she was pretty sure he ran a good bit of his worldwide resort income through his nonprofit organization, which was a tax no-no. But who was she to point out another person’s sins?

Jared steered her toward the wingback chairs near the window, the spot he put anyone he wanted to catch off guard. It was a cozy little sitting area with a panoramic photo of a coral reef teeming with life stretched along the wall at a right angle. Jared always took the seat facing away so guests would have the full view of the tranquil picture, presumably so anyone in the opposing chair would be lulled into a false sense of serenity while he pounced. It was just one of many of his tactics that grated on her.

Everything this man did had cold calculation behind it. Including what he was doing with Ilhota Rosa, and she was putting an end to it. Should have a long time ago, but she’d been such a coward about facing him. What was it about Jared that turned her so weak?

“To what do I owe the pleasure, Dr. Reed?”

She didn’t sit down. Instead, she crossed her arms and stared down at the man who’d held her hand at Isaac’s funeral, who’d murmured to her in the dark as she cried until her insides felt like they’d been scraped out with a lemon zester, one layer at a time. Had he taken advantage of her grief? Or had she just been that needy?

There had to be good in him. No one could fake so much tenderness, and it was that man she appealed to.

“Our relationship meant something to me,” she told him honestly. “And I’m hoping it meant