Free Reunited in Love by Nadia Lee

suite. “Do I take that one?”
    “No. It’s for guests.”
    “Guests?”
    “Sometimes my family visits.”
    Kerri paused. She hadn’t thought about his family. Or, for that matter, guests of any kind. “Do they visit often?”
    “Not really.” He brushed a fingertip over her nose. “Don’t worry.”
    But she did. Meeting members of his family seemed a bit too…permanent. People didn’t introduce temporary flings to their family.
    “So I’m going to be sharing your bedroom,” Kerri said.
    “No,
we
are going to be sharing
a
bedroom.”
    “If you have guests so rarely, I don’t see why I shouldn’t use the empty room.”
    “Kerri, what kind of fling would it be if we aren’t sleeping in the same bed?”
    “The temporary kind.” She smiled the smile she always gave poorly performing analysts and associates who were about to be let go. “The contract doesn’t say I have to share a bedroom with you. Of course, you’re welcome to vacate the master bedroom suite for my use if you feel particularly gallant, but I’ll make do with the spare.”
    He gave her a speculative look. She’d seen the same expression on her clients’ faces when they were presented with a challenging but lucrative deal.
    “And don’t even think about sneaking into my room. I can do karate. Black belt. You never know what kind of damage I might inflict. Due to panic, of course.”
    “Of course,” he said, entirely too agreeable. “Just out of curiosity, why did you take up karate?”
    “Self-defense, why else? No guns allowed in Hong Kong.”
    “Yes, but a woman who looks like you? Why dirty your own hands? Snap your fingers and get the men around you to defend your honor.”
    “Thanks, but I grew up in an environment distinctly lacking in chivalry. I could’ve screamed like a banshee and no one would’ve bothered to glance my way.”
    The sharpness in Ethan’s eyes softened just a tiny fraction.
    Shit. She’d said too much. “So, my work?” She used her best no-nonsense tone that said the bedroom arrangements were resolved.
    “Come on.” He led her back into the study and handed her a thick folder. “Here’s all the information you’ll need to get started, including how to access the financial records and other data from TLD’s intranet.”
    She scanned the first page, then looked up. “You aren’t worried that I might steal your secrets?”
    An odd expression crossed his face. “No. I trust you.” He glanced at his watch. “I hate to leave, but there’s a meeting I really can’t miss.” He put a warm hand on her bare arm and the heat seemed to transfer instantly into her belly, curling there and making her shiver. His effect on her upset her equilibrium. Having him out of the penthouse to give her some time to regain her balance would be just the thing right now.
    “I’ll be fine,” she said. “Go on. Shoo.”
    *

    The meeting took an hour, hashing out how Global Strategies was going to deal with new government regulations that would affect Damon Defense Engineering, one of its subsidiaries. Afterwards, Ethan went to his office, put his feet up on his U-shaped mahogany desk and stared out the window, switching gears. He wished he were with Kerri. He could think of better things to do with her than having her unpack suitcases and look at corporate data. There was nothing wrong with The Lloyds Development’s financials. The only pressing matter facing the company was locating its derelict CEO, which Pattington was already working on.
    Once Alex was back in town, Ethan could cut back and spend more time with Kerri. Make sure she wouldn’t have time to find some other man she’d rather be with.
    The possibility galled him.
    No other man would get Kerri. If no one had managed to snare her in all these years, it was their loss, not his. He played to win.
    A man less attuned to his instincts and desires might have resisted her allure, but Ethan didn’t believe in fighting himself. His gut never pointed