Chapter 2

 "Then perhaps we can come to a compromise?"he said , leaning back in his leather expensive chair to watch her more closely.

 Her eyelids gave the slightest flutter, before she angled her chin,as if daring him to take another look. For a moment he was tempted.

 She pulled herself together."Maybe I can pay you back a little each week. It'll take a long time but—"

 "Not good enough." There was only one payment he wanted now.

 Her lips parted in Surprise,their perfect shape too damn appealing."Wh-what?"

 „You'll have to do better than that I'm afraid."

 She hesitated,as if trying to get what he was saying actually."I'm not sure—"

 "You're a very beautiful and alluring woman, Mrs donovan."

 Her eyes held his for a heartbeat,then a pulse began to leap crazily in a tiny vein in her neck."I've been widowed for three months, Mr. Flynn. Have you no sensibility?"

 "Apparently not."he wanted to place his lips on that neck and feel her body reacting to his,and her heart beating against his.

 She let out a sigh. "Then you must tell me how I can repay you. I certainly can do with some money this moment."

 Ah, yes. Money is what it came down to with this woman. His gut knotted at the lashing reminder of how mercenary she was.

 "Sorry sweetheart. You don't get another cent from me untill you pay back what you owe me ,am talking about the loan. And in full.

 " Her cheekbones instantly reddened. "Oh, but I didn't mean—"

 " Yes, you did."

 She looked taken aback for a moment,then quickly recovered."Oh yes of course I did."She said with sarcasm."I'll take as much money as I can get out of you. I'm good at that,you know."

 As a bluff,it didn't work. He knew what she was trying to do."Yes, you're very good at that ."

 She threw him a glare."I'm glad you can read my mind. I hope you can read what I'm thinking right now?"

 He felt a ripple of amusement. "A lady shouldn't know such words."

 "A lady shouldn't have to sit here and listen to you blackmail her , either."

 "Blackmail is an ugly word, Sarah." He rolled the name of his tongue over in his mind the way he wanted to roll her over in a bed. " I merely want what is mine."

 And she was one of them.

 Her lips pressed together briefly before she answered, "No, you want revenge. I'm sorry, but I can't be blamed for my husband's mistakes."

 Alex stared hard. "What about your mistakes, Sarah ? You signed for the loan , didn't you? Therefore you are liable to pay me back."

 "With my body?" she scoffed.

 He arched his brow. " I wonder how many hot and sweaty nights two hundred thousand dollars is worth?"He thought for a moment, then answered his own question. " Hmm. About three months I'd say." Expensive, yes,but he knew he'd pay that for just one night with this woman.

 Her blue eyes turned disbelieving,as if only now realizing he was damn serious. "Three months! You expect me to sleep with you for good three months!?"

 His eyes lingered too long on her mouth. So pouty and perfect." I didn't say anything about sleeping with me, though I guarantee it won't be difficult,"he said ,as her surprisingly fragrance wafted across the office desk and slid right into him, stirring his damned blood. "No, I have a lot of engagements coming up and I could do with a.... mistress to accompany me."

 Awareness flickered in the back of her eyes ,then was immediately blanked out.

 She got to her feet ,"Mr Flynn ,you're dreaming if you think I'll give my time. . . or my body. . . to a man like you. Let me guess you wake yourself up and find a woman who would actually take up your offer and welcome your company."

 In a cynical amusement,Alex watched her go, then got to his feet and stood looking over the huge window of Flynn Towers to the sparkling expanse of harbor spread before him. He'd rather liked her response. It was a far cry from some of the females he'd been out with lately,who'd left him cold with their easy acquiescence to anything remotely connected to bedroom games.

 And then he remembered.

 Sarah Donovan was more of a sinner than a saint. Her token resistance was a game only,one she'd already played with her late husband. From what Robert Donovan had said, she'd taken him on a wide ride during their marriage, though he doubted if Robert had needed encouragement of some sort. They'd obviously deserved each other. No,he wouldn't forget she had belonged to Robert Donovan and that the both of them had reneged on a loan. A well matched pair.

 He muttered a curse word and turned back to his desk knowing he had a morning of conferences with personnel from Sydney and Japan ahead of him,yet for once the thought didn't appeal. Not even the promise of a particularly satisfying takeover the next day.

 He preferred instead another sort of takeover,with a woman who had gorgeous eyes and beautiful hair and a willowy body,that was what he was craving for right now.

 Despite her protests,he would make her his mistress . No doubt she would sell her soul for a chance to rub shoulders with his billions alongside him ...