Free Satin Pleasures by Karen Docter Page B

exodus would continue, but they seemed content to allow their investment to stagnate.
    Why?
    After West’s claim that he, along with several other merchants, was recently canvassed by an unnamed investment firm she couldn’t discount the possibility her company was preparing to dump the aging shopping center. Familiar with the way the Thorgram Group worked, Tess knew they wouldn’t invite another investor into their family enclave, which meant she had more trouble on her hands than a tenant rebellion.
    Uneasiness burned a hole in her midsection. Sweet mercy, what would she do if it were true?
    “Hey, you’re supposed to smile on days like these.”
    Dan’s observation dragged Tess’s attention to where he lounged in her doorway, bigger and sexier than ever in a navy suit and matching power tie. The sight of his self-assured grin smothered the alarm threatening to consume her.
    “Don’t tell me,” she said with mock dismay. “You’re one of those Monday Lovers, aren’t you?”
    His eyebrows wiggled up and down wickedly. “I can be a lover every day of the week.”
    She swallowed a moan, not daring to think of Dan as a lover. No sense in adding fuel to that fire! “I’ll bet.”
    Hovering on the threshold, his gaze darted around the room. To Tess, it looked like he was reconnoitering enemy territory before tossing a hand grenade. “Looking for someone?”
    “Dragon Lady. You know, the one who sits out front guarding the fortress.” A horrified expression crossed his face as he straightened. “You are the damsel in distress, aren’t you? Don’t tell me I’ve climbed through the wrong castle window!”
    Chuckling at his antics, her dark mood retreated further. It felt so good to cast aside her problems, if only for a short time. She’d seen so little of Dan the past few days she’d begun to think he was avoiding her. “Are you the knight sent to rescue me? I thought you’d be taller.”
    He glanced down. “I left my boot wedges in my other armor suit but, if you think it’s important, I could come back.”
    She tore her gaze off his too masculine body. “If you leave now,” she said, “the gnome who locked me in might return.”
    Dan laughed. “If you’re referring to your boss, I don’t imagine he’d appreciate being called a gnome. Besides, I think you’re mixing up your fairy tales.”
    “Emily isn’t a dragon, either, and I think Rumplestiltskin is appropriate today. Spinning gold from straw can’t be as problematic as convincing your fellow merchants more customers mean bigger profits.”
    “You’re still fighting those demons? No wonder it was so difficult to storm the castle gates.”
    “Sorry. I’ve been locked in this office with one person or another since seven a.m., and Emily tends to get protective.” She waved a hand. “Sneak in here and close the door. I’ll hide you for five minutes until my next appointment is due.”
    Dan was sitting in front of her desk before she could blink. “You aren’t enjoying your birthday.”
    It was impossible to argue that point. “On a zero-to-ten scale, this one rated about a two before you showed up.”
    “Ouch.” He hesitated, and then raised an eyebrow. “Where is it now?”
    “That depends. If you’re here to tell me you’re moving your storefront to Tahiti, it’s liable to slip into the negative numbers.” The thought of never seeing the laughter in his eyes again actually hurt.
    “What if I’m here to wish you a happy birthday?”
    A grin pulled at her lips. “We’re pushing for a resounding ten.”
    “Then,” he nodded decisively, “Happy Birthday, Tess.”
    “Thank you.” No one but her parents and her secretary, who spent more time with her than anyone, had acknowledged her birthday for years. She hadn’t thought it mattered, but the rush of pleasure she felt upon hearing Dan’s simple good wishes told her it did.
    “I did have another reason for coming to see you.”
    She tensed and was rewarded with