“How? The building is sold. If we try to buy it from Blackwell, he’ll make us pay through the nose.”
Mindy drew in a deep breath. Matthew was excellent at organization, but he wasn’t much of a shark. She, however, was well versed in the art of getting what she wanted out of Sam Blackwell. Not that she was an expert. She’d failed at that before, but she at least knew his tricks. “Let me handle it. I’ll let you know how it goes.”
“This is technically my job.”
And technically, I can fire you. “BMO is still my company and this affects our entire future. I want to get this done quickly, and I know how to deal with Sam.”
“Good luck. I’d say you’re going to need it.”
Thanks for the big vote of confidence. “Goodbye, Matthew.” Mindy leaned forward to speak to her driver, Clay. “Change of plans this morning. We need to make a stop before I head into Eden’s. Eighteenth Street and Tenth Avenue. North side of the street.”
“All the way down by Pier 60, Ms. Eden?”
“Yes, please. All the way down.” All the way down to see Sam. Mindy sat back, glancing out the window and making a conscious effort to unclench her jaw and relax her shoulders. She’d spent the last five months wondering if Sam Blackwell would find a way to wander back into her life. Now she had no choice but to storm into his. She would not allow him to create problems for her from afar, pulling strings and making messes. He was going to have to do it up close and personal.
“I won’t be more than fifteen minutes,” she said when Clay pulled up in front of Sam’s office building.
“Got it. I’ll hang back and wait.”
Mindy climbed out of the car, breathing in the crisp October day deeply, if only for a boost of confidence. She strode inside, sunglasses on and head held high. With no turnstile or guard in front of the elevator bank, she bypassed the security desk and nobody said a thing. Mindy had learned long ago that if you act as though you know where you’re going, no one will question you. She did not want to give Sam even a minute to prepare for her arrival. She quickly scanned the directory and pressed the button for the seventh floor. Alone inside the elevator, she blew out a breath and decided to give herself a pep talk. “You got this. Sam Blackwell will not hurt you. Personally or professionally.”
When the ding came and the door slid open, the reception desk was straight ahead, manned by a suitably gorgeous woman Mindy did not recognize. Behind her, a solid black wall was emblazoned with the words S. Blackwell Enterprises in gleaming chrome. The furnishings were sleek and modern, not so much as a stray paper clip in sight.
“May I help you?” the receptionist asked coldly.
“Mindy Eden for Sam.”
“Is he expecting you?”
For an instant, Mindy considered answering honestly and saying no, but Sam had to be expecting her. He didn’t do things like buy a building out from under someone unless he was expecting a response. “Yes. He is.”
The receptionist picked up the phone and eyed Mindy as she spoke to Sam. “Yes, sir, Mr. Blackwell. Of course,” she said before hanging up. “He’ll be with you soon.”
An eternity went by as Mindy paced in the reception area. Back and forth she went, but she wasn’t about to sit down. She had too much anxiety coursing through her veins. The thought of seeing Sam made her nervous, a reaction she needed to stomp into submission. She would get what she wanted today. She would not let him control her.
She’d nearly convinced herself of it until all six feet and six inches of deliciously imposing Sam Blackwell appeared before her.
“Mindy.” His voice w
as smooth and low, the sound filtering into her ears and quickly spreading through her entire body. It was like being gently shaken awake, something Sam had done to her countless times, rolling over in bed and pressing his long, lean form against hers. Sam was insatiable. He always wanted more of everything. Seeing him now made Mindy want to give him at least a little something. He was too appealing for words in black trousers and a charcoal-gray shirt, no tie, the sleeves rolled up to the elbows, showing off his firm forearms and his silver Rolex. His jet-black hair perfectly walked the line between tidy and messy. “I’d wondered when you’d turn up.”
Damn him. So he had planned this. He’d lured her here by buying the Mercer and she’d taken the bait. Maybe she should have let Matthew deal with this, but it was too late for that. She had to stay strong. Confident. She couldn’t let Sam rattle her. “I need fifteen minutes. In your office.”
“That sounds like a lot more fun than what I was just working on.” His eyebrows bounced, and the corners of his mouth threatened to curve into a smile.
Mindy cursed herself for thinking exactly what he was thinking. Fifteen minutes was plenty of time to do a lot of sexy things to each other. “If I do it right, it will only be fun for me.”
“I’ve had worse offers.” Sam waved Mindy closer, waiting until she started down the hall first. “Last door on the right.”
“I remember.” Mindy led the way, ignoring the intoxicating effect of having her lungs filled with Sam Blackwell?scented air, hoping she could find the strength to outmaneuver him and get the Mercer Building, all with her pride and heart intact.
* * *
Sam had a definite opinion about most things, but he was uncertain how to feel about Mindy Eden showing up at his office. Judging by the tug in the center of his chest the instant he saw her, he’d missed her. As he trailed behind her down the hall, the tension building in his hips confirmed that at the very least he’d missed her body—every killer curve. But he didn’t trust Mindy. Not anymore. By the third time you get kicked out of a woman’s life, she’s officially taken the gloves off.
“What can I do for you?” Sam asked, closing the door behind him.
Mindy dropped her handbag in one of the chairs opposite his desk. “I had hoped you and I were beyond guessing games.”