the forms and confirm the clauses that would be necessary, set up the inspections, and put through the necessary documents to ensure a smooth transference of property rights. It shouldn’t take long.”
“You will stay here in Zurich as my guest for the next three days.”
Cassy’s mouth fell open. “But…”
“Three days, Cassandra,” he interrupted firmly.
Cassy closed her mouth, her stubbornness rising up again. “It will take me less than a day to get all of the appropriate forms submitted and filed. I don’t need three days. You can sign the papers tomorrow morning and, barring any problems with the property rights, this should be finished by tomorrow afternoon.”
“Good,” he said and the housekeeper stepped through the doorway with a covered dish that smelled divine. “Then we won’t be bothered by business during the rest of our time together.”
Cassy had no idea how to deal with this man. He was too confident, too powerful, and she was way out of her depth. Plus, this sexual tension was…she couldn’t handle it.
Folding her hands together, she frowned at him. “I will leave here as soon as my work is finished,” she replied firmly after a long silence. The housekeeper silently set the plate in front of her and removed the silver cover, then walked out of the room as silently as she’d entered.
Having unequivocally laid out her terms, Cassy couldn’t resist digging into the perfectly cooked omelet. It had been a long time since anyone had cooked for her. She and her friends got together for dinner pretty often, but those meals were generally either pizza or Chinese takeout. So technically, someone else had cooked for her. But this meal was in a whole different category. Closing her eyes, she moaned at the delicious cheesiness. “Oh my!” she sighed with pleasure.
“I take it the omelet is good?”
Cassy looked up, her fork and a bite of the eggs and cheese frozen halfway to her mouth. It suddenly occurred to her that she had been scarfing the food down. She was acting as if she hadn’t eaten in too long which, well, was true, but still…!
“I apologize,” she lowered her fork. “What are you having to eat?”
He laughed again. “Please, continue. It’s nice to see a woman eat something. Normally, women are too worried about gaining weight to actually enjoy the food.”
Cassy’s lips pressed together because she was one of those women. She’d love to lose another ten pounds but…she just loved eating too much. Besides, food was a stress outlet. Yes, she should learn to exercise in order to release the stress. But food…well, it tasted better. She enjoyed exercise sometimes, especially when Naya wasn’t the one choosing the exercise class, but there was nothing better than a glass of wine, a pizza, and her friends to laugh away life’s troubles.
“About this transference,” she began.
“Please, finish your meal and we’ll discuss business afterwards. You’re obviously hungry.”
She sighed and picked up her fork again. “You’re a confusing man,” she finally replied as she took another bite. The coffee was amazingly pungent with a strong flavor, the caffeine already hitting her from the cup he’d served her up in her bedroom.
And that brought up another issue. “About the sleeping arrangements,” she said, trying to choose her words carefully.
“You will remain here, Cassandra.”
Oh, that autocratic tone wasn’t good for her stubborn, independent nature. “I don’t think so,” she told him. “It would be more appropriate if I were to stay in a hotel.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “I told you earlier that we will be lovers by the end of today. So, it’s pointless for you to reserve a room at a hotel.” He shook his head. “I don’t think you could afford a hotel room in this part of Zurich anyway.”
Her shoulders stiffened. “You don’t know anything…” but she stopped at the look on his face. “The background check? The state of my bank account was included?”
Oh, that was embarrassing. She was a good lawyer, but she hadn’t made partner yet. She was going to, she vowed. But until that happened, she wasn’t making as much money as she eventually would earn. It was extremely expensive living in London. Her rent alone was astronomical. Plus, there were her suits, which even though she bought them on sale, were still expensive. Not to mention buying matching shoes and her leather tote bag and a host of other expenses in order to maintain her professional appearance at the office.
“Of course your financials were included in the background check. My