apple. Damn. My body stiffens. If I had the strength and inclination I’d look away, but I don’t. Instead I find my gaze tracking the slow delivery of the green fruit to his mouth. Once you’re in, you never get out. I’m stumped as to why this thrills me more than it frightens me.
‘How many people have there been in Becker’s Circle of Trust?’ I ask, reading between the lines of his statement.
‘Including you?’
‘Including me.’
‘One,’ he answers assertively, taking a big, clean bite of his apple. His answer delights me as much as the sound of him crunching his way through his favourite fruit. So why me? Why now? ‘Don’t look at me like that, princess.’
Like what? Awed? Mesmerised? Excited? Or am I now watching him in wonder? Eating apples shouldn’t be erotic, it just shouldn’t, but every time I witness him sinking his teeth into one, it’s all I can do not to dive on him and lick the juice from his lips.
‘Look at you like what?’ I ask cockily, tossing that errant thought away. I regret my comment the moment his lips curve into one of those disarming, lopsided smiles. They send my knees bandy. Even when I’m sitting down.
‘Like you want to share this apple with me.’ He holds it up and spins it expertly in his hand.
I do, tickles my lips as I watch the fruit, held rapt by its shiny skin and the manly hand holding it. Forbidden fruit. It’s a sign. I’m Eve being enticed by the devil in disguise. Is Becker in disguise? Do I know who I’m dealing with? The mystery and intrigue attached to him holds a certain element of addictive danger. I could fall spectacularly from the beauty of The Haven into a hellish place of sin and temptation. Or am I Snow White, being tricked into accepting an appealing offer that could destroy me completely?
‘About that NDA.’ Becker breaks into my thoughts.
I regain my focus. ‘You mean the one that’s a figment of your imagination?’
And it happens again. A big bite from the apple accompanied by a smirk. I’m forced to endure a painful stretch of time while he munches through it and swallows. ‘Not any more,’ he announces, producing an envelope. He places it neatly in front of him, then uses two fingers to leisurely push it across the desk to me, achieving maximum, dramatic effect. My eyes are rooted to it. Something tells me it’s going to be unconventional. Something tells me not to read it. Something even more powerful demands I definitely shouldn’t sign it. My teeth nibble the inside of my lip thoughtfully while I stare at the harmless envelope. At the same time, all I can hear are the sounds of crunching, reminding me of who put the NDA there. And, more significantly, who wrote it.
‘Open it.’
I look up to find Becker’s burning gaze on me. His eyes are dark. I’m wary of them. Then I look at the envelope again. My hesitance is clear. I’m cautious, but I’m also curious. But as seems to be the way of things for me recently, my curiosity breaks through my defences. I’ve discovered some utterly unbelievable shit today, and I’m still here, for Christ’s sake.
I reach forward and take the envelope, slipping the paper out. Becker remains quiet, allowing me to read and absorb the non-existent NDA that isn’t so non-existent now. It has been penned by Becker, and I expect Becker will demand full committal. We’ll see. I can read it. There’s no contract that says I have to sign it.
I unfold the heavily embossed ivory paper, finding the Hunt Corporation’s logo and company details emblazoned across the top, all displayed in a pretty gold font.
I dive in and my eyebrows get higher with each term I read.
NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT (NDA)
This Non-disclosure Agreement (the ‘Agreement’) is entered into by and between Becker Hunt (‘Disclosing Party’) and Eleanor Cole (‘Receiving Party’) for the purpose of preventing the unauthorised disclosure of Confidential Information as defined below. Furthermore, it shall outline basic requirements of the Receiving Party, as stated by the Disclosing Party. The parties agree to enter into a confidential relationship with respect to the disclosure of certain proprietary and confidential information and with a clear understanding of what is expected from each party.
1. Definition of Confidential Information. For the purposes of this Agreement, ‘Confidential Information’ shall include all information or material that has or could have commercial value or other utility in the business in which Disclosing