Abby pushed her salad around on her plate.
“It will be fine.”
Deacon’s eyes bore into hers. “Would you like to look at another suite? You could move. You can take your pick.”
“It won’t make a difference.”
“If you don’t like it, you can move, Abby.”
“Can I? Really? How generous of you both.” She glared at them. “Is sleeping in my own bed an option?”
“While you are staying here, this is your home. You can choose any room you like. There are several that might make you feel more comfortable.” Cole didn’t take her bait. He was calm. His voice almost too cool.
She dropped her fork on the plate with a clatter. “Nothing you can do other than letting me go with my full freedom is going to make me feel comfortable.”
Deacon pressed his lips together. “We can’t let you go, Abby.”
She reached for the wine, eager to feel the numbness take over her thoughts. “I figured. Why would you?”
“Exactly. Why would we?” Deacon seemed satisfied with his rhetorical response. There was something about him that exuded masculinity. He was broad chested. His shoulders expansive. The tuxedo seemed to stretch at the seams to accommodate him.
“I think if you give this situation time, you’ll enjoy living here. You can have anything you want.” Cole tried to make the situation better. His eyes were softer than Deacon’s. He had long lashes that were hard to ignore.
“The only thing I want is my freedom, but that’s not an option.”
“No. It’s not.” Deacon refilled her glass. “You might as well drink up and enjoy the night.”
“But not too much,” Cole warned. “We all have a full day at the office tomorrow.”
The office. Again, he tried to make something surreal sound normal.
“I’m not sure I completely understand what you expect me to do for HiTech Global. Maybe you could fill me in.” Abby sat in her chair and waited for a response.
Deacon leaned forward on his elbows. “I’d much rather get to know you. We can talk work tomorrow.”
“I think it’s a fair question.” Cole took a sip of wine. “We could use a talented artist. I’m hoping that’s you.”
Abby twisted her lips together. “I’d like to propose a deal of my own.”
Deacons eyebrows rose. “Really? Like what?”
“If you like my designs for HiTech Global, you’ll let me go early.”
The men looked at each other.
“I’m serious,” she broke the silence in the dining room. “If my logo is the one that is chosen for the series, you let me go. I think it’s fair.”
“I don’t see how something like that would work. By default, I’m not going to pick yours, sweetheart if it means we lose you.” Deacon winked. “Nice try though.”
Abby huffed. “We have to have someone else make the decision. Someone you trust. But you can’t tell them about the deal.”
Cole cleared his throat. “Those are high stakes.”
She stuck her chin out in defiance. “I think my design will win. And I believe I’ll have my freedom sooner than thirty days.”
Cole chuckled. “You are confident.”
“One more thing.” She caught their attention. “No sex.”