The restaurant he took her to was a quaint little one in Kingstown, with metal chairs, brick detailing and a flight of stairs leading up to its entrance. The dining area was already jam packed, but Christian only had to nod at the tanned, smooth cheeked woman standing near the door for them to bypass the growing line and be seated at an intimate spot—one that allowed them to see everything going on, but was secluded enough that they had a good degree of privacy.
Madison had already guessed that Christian was a man with power behind his name, but to see him to use it without so much as opening his mouth was impressive. She allowed him to pull her chair out for her, murmuring a thank-you. She had no doubt he did it out of pure reflex politeness. When he took his seat, she said, “That woman seems to know you well.”
“No one knows me well.” Christian didn’t even look up at her. He picked up his menu and began scanning it.
Well, alright then. Point taken. Madison picked up her own menu. Enthusiastic now, she went over the options and it didn’t take her long to choose what she wanted to eat. Satisfied by her decision, she placed her menu on the table.
Christian was still looking over his. For a guy who had probably been here many times before, he sure moved slow when ordering. Madison had to busy herself by watching the people mill in and out of the restaurant, a low drone of chatter heavy in the air.
“This place looks pretty popular,” she commented, studying the people making their way inside.
“It’s a part of an inn,” said Christian, his eyes never leaving the menu. “The Cobblestone Inn, so it’s bound to be heavily populated. Plus, it has good food and ambience.”
“This was the closest inn to your manor?”
He nodded, slowly flipping the menu page. Madison shook her foot impatiently. “And, as you can see, it really did take us about an hour to get here, didn’t it?”
“I didn’t doubt you when you said that.”
“But in case you did, there you have it.” At long last, he put the menu down and looked at her. “Are you ready to order?”
“I’ve been ready since the Pope was a baby.”
“Cute.” His tone clearly stated he found it anything but cute. He reached out and snapped his finger. A waitress lingering by the bar jumped to attention and hurried over.
“Good day, Mr. Taylor. Good day, ma’am.” She greeted Madison who smiled at her. “What would you like today?”
“I will have the breakfast scramble.” He closed his menu. “Orange juice.”
She nodded, wrote it down on her little notepad. She was nervous, Madison thought, noting the way her eyes shot back to Christian whenever he made the slightest movement. She was hiding it well, though. Madison couldn’t blame the girl.
“And you?” she asked her.
“I’d like the chicken platter with a garden salad and a side of fries, please.”
The waitress blinked at her. “That’s from the dinner menu, ma’am.”
“I’m aware.”
“And the chicken platter already comes with fries.”
“I’m aware of that too,” Madison said with a nod. “See? It’s right here. ‘Served with fries’. My order still stands. Oh, and green tea, please. Thank you.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Obviously bewildered by that, the waitress penciled down Madison’s order then left for the kitchens.
Madison watched her go. “She’s a cute little thing, isn’t she?”
“You eat a lot.”
Taken aback, she raised her brow at him. “For such a polite man, I wouldn’t have expected that from you.”
Christian only shrugged. “Do you usually take naps after you eat a big meal?”
Why did he need to know something like that? What did it matter to him if she took naps after she ate? That had nothing to do with their business together, the same business he had stated several times he planned to share with her over breakfast.
“I can take naps at any time of the day,” she said, then satisfactorily watched something flicker behind his eyes. “Big meal or not. Why? You don’t expect me to fall asleep right at the table, do you?”
Either he didn’t pick up on her sarcasm, or he was just ignoring her. “Studies show that persons who nap a lot are either incredibly lazy or depressed. Which are you, Madison?”
“The real estate agent who is going to make you wish you had more property to let me sell.”
“Confident words. I hope you can measure up to them.”
“Let me do all the hoping, Christian. Why don’t we get down to the meat of the matter? Why did you need to drive for an hour to this restaurant for us to talk?”
“I drove over an hour to have breakfast here because I enjoyed it, not so we can talk. I am merely killing two birds with one stone.”
“Yet the two birds are still quite alive. Would you look at that?”
Christian’s eyes found hers. From the intensity that clouded them, Madison didn’t think he appreciated her droll tone. She should have sobered up and acted more professionally, but she was enjoying his reaction too much. That, and he just grew considerably more attractive with that one look. Somehow, he made the impossible possible.
“I’m used to being spoken to in a certain way, Madison,” he said slowly, as if choosing his words. Madison leaned back in her chair and tried valiantly to mask her amusement.
“I can imagine that you are, Christian. You have a butler that looks as if he’ll kiss your feet if you let him and you only have to nod at the people you encounter and they bend over backwards to suit you. You must live a pretty cozy life knowing you get whatever you want, whenever you want. I don’t have that luxury, however. I fought tooth and nail to build the reputation that I have, but I’m not going to bless the ground that you walk on just to keep it. So, let’s cut the crap, and get serious. What is it you want me do for you, Christian?”
That intensity strengthened tenfold. Unbidden, a tremor ran through Madison at the sight of it. It was buffeted by something else, something she couldn’t decipher, that disappeared a second after it appeared.
“Well said,” he responded after a moment. “I can respect a person who doesn’t take crap from anyone. Very well, then, let me be frank. I want you to flip the manor.”
Madison blinked at him. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I heard that one correctly. You want me to what?”
“Flip the manor.” He took a sip of the chilled water on the table.
“The Matron’s Manor? The same one we left a couple hours ago?”
“I don’t like repeating myself, Madison.”
Neither did she but this she felt deserved repetition. She couldn’t have heard him correctly. “You want to take one of the most well-known pieces of property in the world, tear it down, and build it over?”
“Not me. Whoever buys the property. I want the building that is standing there now to be destroyed and a new one in its place.”
“Okay, forgive me if this is already obvious and I’m just being stupid but, why don’t you just do that yourself?”
“I have my reasons.”
“Reasons you don’t care to share with me.”
“Not if I don’t have to, no.”
“That isn’t very much to go off, but alright, fine. You want to destroy the manor. Wow, let me wrap my head around this for a second.”
He calmly sipped his water again, regarding her over the rim. “It isn’t that big of a deal, Madison.”
“Maybe not to you. But you won’t only be destroying the manor—you’ll be destroying the very things that will bring in prospective buyers. Which just made my job so much more difficult. No one will want to buy a renovated version of the original.”
“That’s why I chose you. I’ve learnt that you’re an incredible real estate agent. I have the utmost faith that you’ll find someone willing to tear it all down and do it all over again.”
The unexpected compliment made her blush. She was saved from having to answer straightaway when the waitress returned with their food. After being asked if there was anything else she could do for them, they were left alone again. “It’ll be easier to understand all this if you would just explain why you can’t do it yourself.”
“Such an explanation, you won’t be getting. If this is too much for you to handle, Madison, you can always say the word and I’ll have you on the nearest flight out of here.”
“I never said I couldn’t do the job. I just said it would be difficult. Not many people will be willing to buy property that size then still invest enough money into it to renovate the entire thing.”
“There are many rich people out there willing to spend their money on anything. I believe you can find them.”
“You might have a little too much faith in me.” She dug into her chicken with a sigh. “Is there anything else I need to know about this? Any specifications on how they should renovate it, even though you won’t be the property owner anymore? Do you want them to put in an Olympic-sized swimming pool or a movie theatre?”
“I just want the house to go out with a bang. There will be an exclusive article written about the manor and its legacy. The legacy it’ll be leaving behind. I’ll need you to know as much history as you can about the manor so that, when putting it on the market, it offers more detail than the cryptic, generalized statements found everywhere else.”
“I did wonder about that. Why isn’t there much information on the manor?”
“My ancestors were a secretive lot. My parents followed in their footsteps.”
And so did you, Madison commented internally, picking up a fry.
“I intend to change that,” Christian said, “but the history behind the manor is extensive. As the real estate agent, you’ll know the exact information needed to attract eyes to the property.”
“Sounds like you want me to play several roles here, Christian.”
“You’ll be generously compensated if that’s what you’re worried about.” He picked up a piece of bacon and munched into it, his strong jaw moving deliciously.
“The money isn’t what I’m worried about. This will be a hard task.”
“I know. Which is why I’ve been searching for the best fit for the job.” He paused, eyes boring into her. “Do you think you’re the best fit?”
She had no idea. It was a weird request—it sounded almost impossible. But she certainly wasn’t about to let him know that. “Of course, I am. This’ll be the highlight of my career.”
“I guarantee you’ll be paid in both money and publicity.”
“How generous of you, Christian.”
He nodded, despite her sarcastic tone. “We can start today. After we’re done eating, there someplace I’d like to take you.”
“On a date already? How smooth.”
Christian paused. His eyes shot up to her. “I don’t do dalliances with the people I work with, Madison.”
Madison blurted out a surprised laugh. At least she could say he was funny, even though he wasn’t trying to be. “I don’t do dalliances with clients either, Christian. You can rest assured I’m not going to try to seduce you.”
“Good.”
He seemed satisfied by that. What a disappointment. It would have been nice to do a little harmless flirting here and there. Maybe that would release some of the sexual attraction that had been mounting in her since she met him in his drawing room.
“Finish your food if you can,” Christian went on. “I don’t want to burn precious daylight.”
“Sir, yes, sir. Did Natalia recommend me to you?”
He nodded. “Then I did my own research on you.”
“Oh?” Amused, she sipped her tea. “You did a background check on me, Christian?”
He looked up at her, setting down his fork. He picked up his orange juice and took a sip before saying, “It was easy enough to find your profile. You have impressive stats.”
“Stats?” She snorted a laugh. “I’ve never heard anyone mention my ‘stats.’”
“Is that not what they’re called? You have a good record of getting houses sold within a week. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone with a turnaround time as quick as yours.”
“Good turnaround time, huh? I like this. Keep showering me with compliments.”
He paused again and Madison could have sworn she saw the edge of his lips twitch. Then, he continued eating a second later as if nothing happened. Maybe nothing had happened and she had just seen something that wasn’t there.
“I forgot to say last night,” she said, cutting the last bit of her chicken. “Thank you for saving me from third-degree burns. I can be a bit clumsy at times.”
“It’s nothing. As I said, I don’t like the idea of you getting hurt in my manor.”
Although it shouldn’t have, her stomach warmed with those words. She smiled softly at him, then diverted her attention back to the rest of her meal. Perhaps he wasn’t all bad, she thought. He was difficult, no doubt, and was still holding things back. But what did she expect after only meeting him the day before? He told her what he needed of her. Now it was up to her to work her magic.
Madison thought of someone tearing down the beautiful home she was already in love with and winced. It didn’t make any sense to her that he wanted to do such a thing.
But then, she thought, looking at him, this man didn’t make sense to her as a whole. It was only fitting that such an odd request would come from such an odd man.
Sighing, she went back to her food. Doesn’t make any sense pondering on it, either. She had a job to get done.
They didn’t say much after that. Christian finished his food in silence, a silence he was clearly used to, with the peaceful way he ate, not even looking in her direction. Madison, on the other hand, struggled to keep her mouth shut, though it wasn’t as bad as it could have been if she hadn’t been preoccupied with her hefty breakfast. But as she sipped on her tea, watching as he slowly went through the rest of his food with the pace of a snail, she used that silence to observe him.
His face was smooth, as were his hands. Christian Taylor was obviously a man who didn’t do hard work. Back straight, eyes direct, shoulders pulled backwards. He was poised like an individual who owned every inch of wherever he sat, with everyone in the vicinity within the palms of his hands. She was sure he thought that way as well, which didn’t say much for his personality.
If that was really the case—which she sure it was—then she would have to make sure to keep her head above the fray, keep herself from sinking amongst all the others he believed he controlled. There was no way in hell she was going to become one of his little pawns, though she had a feeling he thought that was going to happen. Maybe not on purpose, maybe not in self-awareness. Maybe these things happened naturally, that people just fell in line to do as he wished like the waitress did, without any move from him. She’d be damned if that was going to happen to her.
She sipped the last of her green tea before setting it down. Christian was now barely finishing his food. She wanted desperately to comment on it, but as much as she was opposed to being controlled by him, she didn’t really want to get on his bad side either. “So, Christian,” she said instead. “Where to next? I’m sure you have a plan in mind for today other than breakfast.”
“I always have a plan.”
He said it so casually, forking up the rest of his eggs that she sat back, amused. “You’re a funny guy, you know that?”
He glanced up at that. For a second, Madison could have sworn she saw a hint of confusion in his eyes. It had her intrigue filling her instantly as she watched him set the fork down—finally finished after what felt like years—and dabbed delicately at the sides of his mouth with the napkin. “I don’t know how I strike you as funny, Madison. I said nothing humorous.”
“Do you see me laughing?” she said, quirking a brow at him and watching his brows crease the slightest bit. Why she was enjoying that so much, she had absolutely no clue. “I didn’t mean ha-ha funny. You’re just… odd.”
“Odd?” The tiny frown increased.
Wow, she thought. He looks really cute when he does that.
“Yes.” She took a sip of her water, enjoying his reaction. “A normal person wouldn’t say something so blatantly boastful.”
“Was I boasting? I was merely confirming what you said.”
“In a boastful manner. Don’t get me wrong, though. I find it really fascinating.”
“Well, then, my work here is done.” He raised his hand without looking around, signaling to the waitress who hurried over seconds later. Catherine’s brows rose in surprise. Was that sarcasm she detected? He was capable of such things? Interesting.
Unable to help her tiny smile, she watched as he paid the bill then came to a stand. She stood with him, thanking the waitress, then followed behind him as he made his leave. Unsurprisingly, eyes followed him out the exit.
She waited until she was in the car before she said, “You still haven’t told me where we’re going next.”
“Belmont Lookout. Have you heard of it?”
She shook her head. “I can’t say I have. I didn’t get much time to really read up on this island. Not with your assistant rushing me onto the plane the way he did.”
“He didn’t report any complaints from you about it,” Christian said in a monotonous voice, as if he couldn’t care less if she was upset about that fact. “But if you were inconvenienced in any way, I’ll be sure to compensate you.”
Madison wasn’t put off by his dry tone. If anything, she was drawn to it. Definitely not a good thing, as it only increased the attraction growing in her every time he so much as breathed too hard. “Inconvenienced me?” she said with a laugh. “You pulled me right out of work! I’m just happy I didn’t have any ongoing jobs at the time. I’m not sure how you would have been able to fix that.”
“I would have found a way,” he said simply. “I always find a way.”
At that, she smiled. Such confidence. Not making it easier to stay distant. She loved confident men. “I don’t have any doubt. So, tell me about this Belmont Lookout And why are we going?”
“The whys will be answered when we get there.” Christian looked over at her. “Where’s your sense of surprise, Madison?”
“I forgot to bring it with me before I got on the plane.”
He stared at her a little longer and Madison almost thought he was going to smile. But that would be asking for too much. “You’ll see when we get there.”
She faced ahead, though she didn’t see anything. “I didn’t peg you as the type to beat around the bush like this.”
“What did you peg me as, then?”
“Rich,” she said. “Powerful. Demanding.” And after a moment, she ventured far enough to say, “Spoiled.”
“Spoiled?” Christian huffed, as if offended by that. Her intrigue shot through the roof once again. Any time he showed the slightest bit of normal emotion—other than anger—she couldn’t help the need to push it a little more, just to see some more of it. Perhaps he wasn’t the frigid, emotionless man she thought he was. “I’m the furthest thing from spoiled.”
“Mhm.”
“You don’t sound as if you believe me.”
She shrugged noncommittally, hoping it would rile him up even slightly. It did nothing of the sort. Unsurprising, but disappointing nonetheless.
Christian only faced ahead, closing his eyes. “It’ll be a short drive before we get there.”
“Are you going to take a nap?”
“No.”
“Alright.” She looked out the window, trying not to let that disappointment mount. She had been enjoying her conversation, and had been slowly growing more invested in getting him to drop his guard around her. He was too tightly wound, too distant. The only other time she saw him be normal was when he got angry after she grabbed the handle of the hot frying pan.
At the memory, Madison’s cheek flushed. It was a good thing his eyes were closed, she thought as she relaxed in her seat, watching the sights pass her by. The way he had grabbed at her like that. The way his eyes flared, his jaw twitched. The way he had stalked away, downing the drink like he did. She had been hungry for something entirely different from food.
To distract herself from the pull in her groins, she had stared at her eggs, trying to focus, trying to remind herself that he was a stranger and that she was only here for one reason. To sell his house. Not to kiss him like she had been tempted to do, like she was still tempted to do. But to sell the manor, now to find someone willing to flip the manor. She had a job and that came above all else.
And I don’t do ‘dalliances’ with clients, she reminded herself. Madison took discreet deep breaths, repeating that over and over in her head, and hoping she could get through the day without doing something she definitely shouldn’t.
Christian watched as she released a slow breath, the soft hint of red still on her cheeks. He opened his mouth to ask, but then closed it right after. Not something you should ask a woman, he knew, but the temptation was still there.
What was she thinking about? He watched as she tapped her fingers on the arm rest of the car door, almost agitatedly. She was taking deep breaths too, and was obviously trying to be discreet about it. Was she nervous? Was she thinking of an old boyfriend? Someone she left behind in the States? To cover all bases, he had checked if she was single, looking at her spending history for the past three months to see if there was another man in her life. All her bills screamed alone. He had told himself that it was to ensure there would be no distractions, that there would be no one coming in the way of her here in another country at the request of another man. Now, he wondered if maybe he had been mistaken.
Why else would she be blushing if she wasn’t thinking of a man? Or perhaps she was thinking of an embarrassing moment, and curiosity had his mouth opening again with the question ripe on the tip of his tongue.
Angry at himself now, he shut it, closing his eyes. He shouldn’t care. It didn’t matter. She was here now. Whatever going through her head was of no concern to him. As long as she got the job done and was out of his life, he was happy.
Still he bit down on his tongue, forcefully keeping his eyes closed for the rest of the trip.