Reluctant Deception - Cambria Smyth Page 0,46

my bottom line or my reputation because of her hair-brained scheme."

Edwina sighed, well aware that once Chris made a decision, he always stuck to it. And he almost always made the right decision. That's why he was so successful.

"I was hoping the two of you might find each other attractive," she ventured, knowing full well she was entering forbidden territory.

"She is attractive," Chris admitted, "but..."

"But what? Too clever and capable to suit you? She's come up with a great idea and you're ready to discard it?"

"You still haven't given up your plan to marry me off, have you?"

"With an attitude like yours, I'll go to my grave with you a die-hard bachelor."

"You are persistent, Edwina. But let's change the subject, shall we?" Chris said, anxious to steer the conversation away from Libby.

"Whatever you say, boss." Edwina shrugged her shoulders with resignation. "I came to tell you the email from London finally showed up in your in-box."

"Great. I'll be back in a minute to read it."

Edwina excused herself and made a hasty retreat, leaving Chris standing against the stairs.

Having resolved all issues to his satisfaction, Chris smiled triumphantly while indulging in the memory of Libby's performance.

Watching Libby give her presentation had been exhilarating, he mused. She had skillfully presented every rational argument for his consideration. With carefully chosen words and an appeal to his emotions, he'd found himself almost believing in the rosy portrait she painted of the building’s restoration. Libby was certainly in rare form today, he mused.

No wonder he'd lost the fight over the Bank & Trust building and those other two historic atrocities she managed to wrest from his control. She was a sharp debater and a dangerous opponent. Chris had never grasped the true depth of her feelings for Harte's Desire until she cornered him this afternoon.

Thankfully he was able to calmly weigh the pluses and minuses before deciding her plan was not feasible for a variety of reasons. His unbending resolve and level-headed thinking were serving him well, he congratulated himself inwardly.

If only she wasn't so damned beautiful all fired up about her plan to save Harte's Desire, Chris thought. She was undeniably radiant, animated in an almost sensual way. Impassioned and caring. Would a woman ever look at him the way she looked at Harte's Desire? Would a woman ever defend him with such conviction, ever love him despite the flaws he wore much as Harte's Desire did its peeling paint and crumbling plaster?

Heaven help the man Libby Reed might fall in love with, Chris thought. He'll never know what hit him.

Unbidden, the memory of her stretched out on his bed made Chris stifle a groan. She was probably as passionate in bed as she was fighting for something she believed in. Chris's pants grew uncomfortably tight at the thought and he muttered a low oath of frustration at the lack of control he had over his bodily response to her. It would be another sleepless night and not because of the coffee he drank at lunchtime.

Was she ever going to tell him of their shared history, he wondered? Of Libby Chatham transformed into Elizabeth Reed? Such deception and lies. But now that he knew her, he could understand her motives. Still, it rankled him she wasn't being totally honest with him. Maybe she still felt that she had something to lose, or perhaps nothing to gain.

Edwina had kept him informed of her daily activities. "Just so you know" she would say. Earlier today, Edwina told him that Libby was ready to write the report and that her work in and around Harte's Desire was finished.

He might not see Libby again, Chris realized with a start. She might have her secretary deliver the report and she might not attend the fundraiser despite her long hours of preparation for the event.

He would miss seeing her, he admitted. But he needed to concentrate fully on his project here, and having her around was definitely not conducive to concentration.

Chris brushed the dirt and dust from his trousers. Yes, Libby's presence certainly livened things up around this usually quiet place.

Maybe today--now--was the time to confront her with the truth she so staunchly guarded. Honestly, he acknowledged silently, he no longer cared for revenge. He’d been hiding behind the truth as much as she, and if she wasn’t going to confess—and soon—he would.

But, she'd be back. She loved Harte's Desire and she would be back.

Chapter Seventeen

Libby flexed her hands, easing the stiffness wrought by long hours of non-stop typing at