Free Obsessed (BBW Billionaire Light Romance) by Juliet Michaels Page B

He could smell money a mile off.
    "Charlie, this is Mr Willoughby," Leah explained. "He made the loan."
    Charlie held out his hand and James shook it.
    "You seem to have made a good start," he said, looking around.
    Leah held her breath. Why had he come? To check up on things, and make sure she was actually spending the money on improvements, and not designer handbags? Or had he come to give her another of his lectures, pointing out where she was going wrong, and making suggestions.
    To her surprise, he walked around slowly, looking at the new counter, the shelving and half-painted walls. He was careful not to get near any paint that was still a bit wet and Leah could see that he was taking it all in with a very calculated manner. He asked whether they were going to replace the van outside, and suggested a dealer he knew in Finchley.
    "I'll have a word, if you like?” he said. “Get you a good deal.”
    Charlie agreed, and they started on the technical talk, about makes, engine size, petrol consumption. Leah waited, slowly feeling that once again she was being left out of the decision.
    "I want the van to be customised," she announced, and they both looked round at her. "I have a very definite idea of how it should look."
    "That could be arranged," James replied, a slight tense edge to his voice.
    Charlie seemed to sense the change in atmosphere. "I'll go and load the van,” he said gently. “Leah, you need to be here for the decorators."
    They were a few feet apart: James leaning casually on the counter and Leah backed up almost against the painted shelves.
    "Why have you come?" she asked once Charlie had left.
    "To check up on my investment."
    "But why do you need to? The loan is mine. You approved it."
    "With the proviso that the money is spent properly. Until you start paying back in two years, I can oversee it."
    "I don't remember agreeing to that!" Leah was annoyed. Pompous – the word sprang to mind again, but this time she kept quiet.
    "Did you read the contract carefully, before you signed it?" he asked.
    "Well, the courier was waiting and I ..."
    "First rule of business, Leah. Read everything through closely before you sign, even the small print."
    "So, it had some strings attached?" she asked.
    "Only that I would keep an eye on things, occasionally, just to make sure that you weren't getting in over your head."
    Leah sagged back against the shelves. She was disappointed and confused. After all, this was supposed to be her big chance. She knew she had been doing well and she didn't want any interference. The more she thought about it, the more she felt her temper beginning to rise; it was time she stood up to James Willoughby.
    "I'm not here to criticise," James spoke softly, "just curious to have a look, and you can ask for advice at any time. If you can possibly stop being so jumpy around me, act like an adult and actually bring yourself to speak to me as a normal human being, that is."
    Leah took a deep breath. "Sorry, it's just that I don't know where I am with you."
    "I know how that feels," James replied.
    His words hung in the air between them.
    "Would you let me buy you a coffee?" he broke the silence.
    "I can't leave the shop, the decorators are coming soon and then I have the deliveries to do."
    "Do you have anything here?" James persisted, still leaning against the counter, watching her, obviously in no hurry to go.
    "Just instant," Leah said, remembering the huge, expensive coffee machine in his kitchen.
    James followed her into the little room at the back of the shop, as she filled the kettle, put a spoon of instant into a couple of chunky mugs, and reached into the fridge for milk. Her hands felt clammy and she was too aware of his nearness; his overwhelming presence in the small room. James sat down on one of the wooden office chairs.
    "I've been to Crete for a week," he said.
    "Oh?" Leah handed him the coffee, hesitated, then sat down in the chair opposite him. “To see your friend with the