Free Only You by Francis Ray Page A

later there was a pounding at her door. She clenched her fists and briefly shut her eyes. Graysons didn’t run from a fight. She’d tear a strip off Blade Navarone that he’d never forget; then she’d leave.
    Righteous anger and indignation carried her to the door and she swung it open. Her mouth snapped shut on seeing Delores.
    “He didn’t think you’d strangle me.”
    Sierra blew out a breath. Almost as quickly as it had come, her anger evaporated. “I’m so mad I just might.” She stepped aside and the other woman came in and closed the door behind her.
    “People don’t disagree with Mr. Navarone, at least not to his face, and they certainly don’t toss a once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity back at him.”
    “Perhaps it’s time they did.” Sierra folded her arms.
    “You’ll forgive me if I don’t agree. He asked that I give you this.” Handing Sierra a sealed letter, Delores went to the door. “For what it’s worth, he’s a good man.” The door closed softly.
    Sierra looked at the sealed letter, took a firm grip with both hands and started to rip it, then stopped. Her family always accused her of acting before she thought. It wouldn’t hurt to read what he’d said. She could still catch a plane and go home.
    Going to the desk, she picked up the brass letter opener and slit the top. Unfolding the sheet, she discovered the memory card she’d left in the sales office. She began to read.

    If you want to see me smile, win the competition. Blade
     

    There were no words of apology, but the disk was enough. He understood. “I’m going to win and hold you to it.” Taking the memory card, she uploaded it to her computer, then scanned the list of prospects she’d printed out the night before. At the top of the list was a man who could well afford any of the condos.
    She’d never tried to sell to him, but if anyone could appreciate long-range investments, the draw of nearby American Airlines Centers to sports and music enthusiasts, the West End, and the famed Arts District, it was Daniel Falcon.
    The pictures she’d taken materialized on the monitor along with the one of Blade. Her fingers traced the curve of his sensual mouth, the strong jaw. “What have I gotten myself into?”
    No answer came to her. She hadn’t expected one. She copied the photo and stored it in a separate file. Finished, she erased it from the others of the scale model. She was ready. Pushing Blade to the back of her mind, she picked up the phone and dialed. She was about to make her first pitch.
    “Falcon residence.”
    Sierra had heard Higgins, the butler/friend of the Falcon family, answer the phone dozens of time, but for a moment her hand clenched on the receiver. This was the most important sales call she had ever made. “Hello, Higgins. How are you?”
    “Hello, Sierra. I’m fine, thank you. Daniel or Madelyn?”
    “Daniel, please,” she answered, her gaze going back to the photos.
    “Hello, Sierra,” Daniel greeted her a short time later. “How are you?”
    “Fine,” she told him. “How about Madelyn and Daniel Junior?”
    “Great. I’m a lucky man,” he said proudly.
    “So is your family.” Too tense to sit, she stood. “If you have time, I’d like to talk to you about purchasing a property. As you know, I’m one of the Realtors for Navarone Place in Dallas.”
    “You’ve never tried to sell me a property before,” he said. “What’s so special about Navarone Place?”
    He’d given her the opening she’d needed, and since Daniel was an intelligent man, it wasn’t a coincidence. “The fifty-five estates will possess elegance, luxury, and comfort in an upscale residence that will only increase in value. Situated within walking distance of American Airlines Center, you can watch your hometown Houston Rockets outscore the Dallas Mavericks.”
    “The division championship will be ours this year,” he predicted with annoyance.
    “There’s also a helipad.” Daniel was as apt to fly as he was