To Catch a Billionaire (6 page)

Erin’s spine stiffened. She straightened in the chair and glared at Mrs. Hardy. “You never mind about Mr. Forsyth. I won’t be attending anything with him. There’ll be no matchmaking, understand?” Her husky voice and good-natured smile took the sting out of the warning.

Mrs. Hardy
tut-tutted
and went about her business with a slight smile on her lips. When the doorbell rang, she said, “I’ll answer that.”

Curious over the voices in the foyer, Erin went through to see who had arrived. Somehow, it came as no surprise when she found Mrs. Hardy chatting up Tristan Forsyth.

Only Tristan would arrive without calling first. He had no manners. With that thought came memories of the kiss they’d shared in her office that morning... With a grimace and a soft groan, Erin marched into the foyer to meet him.

“That’ll be all, Mrs. Hardy. I’ll take it from here,” she said and watched Mrs. Hardy nod and walk away. “Mr. Forsyth, what brings you by?”

“I thought I’d stop to ask if you’d reconsidered my gallery offer,” he said with a raised brow and an enquiring expression.

While he didn’t seem as sure of himself as he had earlier in the day, Erin couldn’t stop the wariness that filtered over her.
What was he up to?

“Maybe I’ll just have the answer tattooed onto my forehead so I can lift my bangs when you ask that question. Especially since you ask it all the time and don’t seem to listen to my answer.”

His laughter echoed off the high ceilings and walls of the foyer. “I’d like to see that,” he said.

“Come into the living room. We’ll talk in there. I’m sure Mrs. Hardy has her ear pressed to the kitchen door,” Erin whispered.

They’d taken the same seats as before, facing one another and within reach. Her eyes narrowed as she watched Tristan assess her. He gave her the once-over, twice, his eyes stopping briefly when his gaze reached her chest. So, he was a boob man – who knew? She’d have taken him for a leg or ass man, but from the way he seemed enamored with the size of her breasts, she could see she’d been mistaken.

“Other than my chest size and the gallery, what else has your interest, Mr. Forsyth?” Erin baited him smoothly.

When his eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared a tad, Erin’s laughter rang out. “I guess you feel insulted now, am I right?” Tristan asked.

“Not at all. I’ve been ogled before,” Erin answered with a wink. “Let’s get down to business, shall we?”

“You’ve spoken to Garcia,” Tristan stated.

She inclined her head and admitted she had. “I was researching you Mr. Forsyth. It seems you like having your own way. I understand completely, because I, too, suffer from that affliction.”

“I don’t see it as an affliction, more like a way I challenge myself. If I can get what I want without causing anyone grief, then I’ve done a good deed. If not, then I reevaluate the situation and take another route to accomplish the mission. It’s as simple as that,” Tristan said as he flicked a speck of lint from his trousers.

“And if an owner doesn’t want to sell? Do you find a way to force them to give you what you want?”

“If they insist on being stubborn, then yes, I guess so.”

His stare bore into her as she held her temper in check. “Stubborn? You think its mere stubbornness that keeps me from selling to you?”

“I do,” he remarked softly. “You haven’t even considered what I would add to the mix as the new proprietor. I’ve made generous offers to other gallery owners. Garcia is one of them. Instead of being one sided, my participation with those who’ve sold to me brought wealth to all parties concerned.”

He’d leaned forward and placed his hand on her leg, just above the knee. Blood pulsed wildly through her veins as her senses ran wild. She didn’t flinch from the feel of his warm touch, but refused to acknowledge it either. If he slid his hand up another few inches, she’d take matters into her own hands and toss caution aside. His effect on her left Erin wanting so much more than money could ever offer. Her body thrummed with desire. She wanted him, every single bit of him, head to toe and all that was in-between. Could she be falling in love with him? Or was this a simple case of lust?

Erin drew a huge breath and said, “You went to my attorney with an offer without consulting me at all, and now you’re here telling me I’m stubborn? You’re not winning me over, Mr. Forsyth.”

“Maybe I don’t wish to win you over... Maybe I’d like to bend you... to my will,” he murmured.

She saw the heat in his eyes, the color in his face and knew he was as hot for her as she for him. Adroitly, Erin folded one leg under her and, though it was difficult, moved away from his lingering touch. It would be a major mistake to become sexually involved with the one man who planned to take everything from her. A very big mistake.

“Put your complete offer in writing, again and not to my attorney, but to me. Drop it by the office tomorrow. I’ll give it a look and let you know what I think.”
Where did that come from?
What was she thinking and why?
She had no intention of relinquishing one smidgeon of Cameron’s...

“Tell me, Mr. Forsyth, why are you so determined to buy me out? You could probably purchase bigger and better known galleries across the United States. Why mine?”

Quiet for a moment, he said, “Did you ever consider there’s more to life than the family business? Wouldn’t your father have wanted that for you?”

She stiffened at his words. Hadn’t she and Mrs. Hardy had this conversation, not so long ago? “My father groomed me to one day take over Cameron Gallery. His death came earlier than I’d expected, but rest assured, I was ready for the responsibility and have done a good job thus far. I have no need for anything else,” Erin said coldly.

“That’s not true and you know it. Think about what you really want, Erin.” He rose, as did she, and added, “I can tell you right now what I want from you, and what I’ll willingly give in return.”

The words were soft, the meaning deep and her blood roiled with heat as Erin realized the sexual innuendo in the words he’d just spoken.

They had reached the front door. Erin held it open for him to leave. “Like I said, put it in writing. Good night, Mr. Forsyth.”

D
AY AFTER DAY
, Erin went to the office in the guise of Cam. She’d read the offer Tristan had dropped off, briefly spoken with him and assured him she’d take the paperwork straight to Erin. By Friday, Erin’s nerves had grown ragged. Their prior conversation ran through her mind, she’d handled the papers so often she’d dog-eared the corners of them.

Was he right? Could Tristan’s knowledge of what it took to make a gallery an international success be a good enough reason for her to reconsider his offer? In the past, she’d wondered what it would be like to have that much fame in the art world. For the last time, Erin tossed the papers down and sighed. Yes. It was an opportunity to learn even more about the business, to be involved with the greatest galleries in the world... But to sell the gallery would be to sell her family home as well as her legacy. And if she did that, where would she and Mrs. Hardy go then?

What would her parents have said? Would they have thought this a good business venture? Confused and exhausted, she rubbed her face with her hands and jumped when Mrs. Hardy spoke to her.

“You’re fretful today, Miss Erin. Are you ill?” Mrs. Hardy asked.

Fidgeting in her chair, Erin rubbed a finger around the rim of her coffee cup. “I’m fine, really, I am. Cameron’s is hosting an opening soon and there are tons of details to attend to.” Erin glanced at the housekeeper and whined, “Margery Beiderman usually comes in to help Meredith, but the woman is on vacation. I have to pick up the slack for Mrs. Beiderman and handle my job and Cam’s at the same time.”

“Would you like some Brie cheese with that whine?” Mrs. Hardy asked good-naturedly.

Erin smirked and admitted, “I don’t know why this is getting to me. I’ve done the whole gallery show thing so many times I could set it up in my sleep.” She rose and slipped her jacket over her white blouse. Cam was heading to work. “I’ll be here for supper.”

“We’re having rosemary roasted chicken tonight, so bring home a good appetite,” Mrs. Hardy called after her.

“Yum. I will,” Erin called back.

The Starbucks stop wasn’t part of her schedule. Erin drove past the coffee shop without a glance and headed into Greenwich. Her first stop was the dry cleaners, the second was the chocolate shop to order dainties for the opening. The final stop was her office.

Parked behind the gallery she noticed Tristan, behind the wheel of his gorgeous Jaguar, follow her in and park alongside her.

“Hells bells. Not now,” she mumbled then stepped out of her car with a smile pasted on her face.

“Good morning, Cam. You don’t mind if I call you Cam, do you?” Tristan asked with charm dripping off every word.

Her nerves jittered, her pulse quickened and her resolve faded as Erin mentally chastised herself for falling to pieces and forgetting his purpose when Tristan looked at her with those magnificent green eyes.

“Not at all. What brings you to the gallery?” Cam asked with a glance at her watch. The day was packed, right down to the second, and she had no time to waste.

“Will Erin be in at all?” he asked. “I called and spoke to Meredith, but she was unsure. I guess you have a show coming up?”

Her clutch bag tucked beneath her arm, Cam nodded and headed inside the building. Tristan followed right behind her. He wouldn’t let it go until she answered him.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Forsyth. I have a full schedule today and our helper is on vacation. In order for us to meet our deadline, Erin took on the details Mrs. Beiderman usually handles. I’m sure Erin won’t be in today and she definitely won’t be here tomorrow.”

His brows met in the middle.

“I’ll leave her a message then, shall I?” he asked as he stared at her keenly.

“Good idea. Leave it with Meredith. She’ll relay the message when Erin calls in.”

“I want you to take the message,” Tristan insisted, his eyes on her smile.

With a gasp of irritation, Cam said, “Really, I must get going.”

She felt his hand snake around her upper arm. Her chest tightened as he swung her hard against him. His eyes gleamed knowingly as he stared into hers.

“W-what do you think you’re doing?” she stammered in a panic stricken voice.

“Leaving Erin this message.”

His lips met hers with red-hot heat. A searing kiss if ever there was one, her mind went blank until she realized what he might know. Though she wanted to draw him closer, to feel him against her, to touch him, she placed her hands flat against his chest and shoved him away.

Witless, she stepped back and shook him off. “Whatever’s going on between you and my boss is none of my business. Take your lips and get lost, before I have you arrested for assault,” Cam snapped.

His snicker brought her fear to a dangerous level. Had he figured out her scam as Erin and Cam? Did he know for sure? Cam glared at him, adjusted her glasses and smoothed her wig’s golden locks.

“Sorry, I should have behaved better. Please accept my apologies, Cam,” Tristan said humbly, though she noted the twinkle in his eye.

She shooed him away with her hand and said, “Fine, fine, apology accepted. Now let me get to work.”

Tristan walked to the door and closed it behind him with a soft click. When he was gone, Cam braced herself against the desk and took a few deep breaths to calm her nerves – among other things. The man had balls. He was a force to be reckoned with. If she didn’t take care, she’d be lost in his clutches. Considering an affair with him brought her up short. Certainly she’d enjoy him in bed, but would there be more to their attraction than sex? If she sold the business to him, then sex could be a bonus. Hmm. Confused, she wondered which of her two personas was he interested in – and how could she deal with it if it was Cam?

Opening preparations swallowed Cam whole and brought on a load of doubt. Was she capable of managing the business on her own forever? Maybe as Erin, but maintaining Cam’s persona was becoming difficult. Should she let Cam go and be herself instead, as Mrs. Hardy had recommended? It might relieve the stress she was feeling. Keeping the deceit in place came at a cost. More than a full time job, managing the gallery was consuming. Memories of her early days in management as Erin and having to deal with temperamental artists and what the cost of doing so had done to her self-confidence as she handled her father’s last days on this earth. Cam now handled all and everything. But then, Cam wasn’t real either.
I really handle everything.
She knew Mrs. Hardy had a point when she’d mentioned Erin’s life lacked a personal side, a side that included a family, close friends and a lover.

A knock at her office door drew Cam’s attention from her musings and uncertainty.

“Come in,” she called from across the room.

A white flag popped in and waved as the door opened a crack.

Cam chuckled when Meredith poked her head around the edge of the door, flag in hand. “Is it safe to come in? I heard you yelling at Mr. Forsyth this morning.” The woman gave her a sheepish smile.

“Was I that loud?” Cam asked with a snicker.

Meredith gave her a nod. “You’ve hardly left this room all day and you must be hungry. I ordered sandwiches and got one for you.” She handed the deli sandwich to Cam.

Smiling broadly, Cam peeled back the paper, and sniffed the sandwich appreciatively. “Thanks for this. I’m a bit overwhelmed. If we ever needed Mrs. Beiderman, we need her now. She takes care of so many important details. I’ve come to appreciate her dedication and ability more than ever.” Cam took a huge bite of her chicken-salad wrap and rolled her eyes as she chewed. Around the mouthful of food, she said, “This is delicious. You’re a gem, Meredith.”

A smile met the remark as Meredith browsed the paperwork on Cam’s desk. “Why isn’t Erin helping you with all this?” She held up a sheaf of papers.

Cam chewed thoughtfully for a moment while she formed a plausible reason. After she’d swallowed, she said, “Erin’s making the rounds of the shops we use for catering delights. It seemed easier to have her do that than to have her over my shoulder.”