From Playboy to Papa! by Leanne Banks

Author:Leanne Banks [Banks, Leanne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Man Of The Month, Jan 2010, Category
ISBN: 9780373730001
Publisher: Silhouette
Published: 2010-01-11T23:00:00+00:00

After Rafe and Nicole arrived at the charity function, Rafe introduced Nicole to his business acquaintances and she excused herself to say hello to the speaker. He couldn’t help but notice her enthusiasm as she talked with the man, and fought an odd jab of irritation.Rafe turned back to his client and was displeased to learn that he’d been having talks with Nicole’s father. He wondered if Nicole had somehow picked up on one of his conversations and leaked some information to her father. Would she help her father steal one of his deals? The possibility made his blood boil.

As Nicole walked toward him, he decided to conduct a test. “Nicole, I’d like you to meet Derek Crawford. Derek owns a yacht-leasing company and we’ve been working together for the last month.”

Derek, a middle-aged man with a huge ego, appeared to stand a little straighter at the sight of Nicole.

“Derek, this is Nicole Livingstone,” Rafe said and watched both Nicole and Crawford. Crawford’s smile dipped slightly.

“Livingstone,” he repeated and cleared his throat. “What a coincidence. You wouldn’t be related to Conrad Livingstone Yachts, would you?”

Nicole nodded. “He’s my father,” she said and accepted the man’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Rafe tells me you’re an astute businessman, so I can see why you enjoy working with him.”

“And what would you say of your father?” Crawford asked with a cagey smile.

“My father kept his business separate from family, so I don’t have any real experience. He’s obviously been successful, though,” she said in a neutral tone. “Do you live in Fort Lauderdale most of the year?”

“Since I own several yachts, I live anywhere I want. How did you meet Medici if not through your father?”

Nicole hesitated. “Through my late sister, actually. Oh,” she said glancing toward the crowd of people moving toward the seats. “It looks like they’re getting ready to start the keynote. Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Crawford.”

“All mine,” he said then looked at Rafe and lifted his eyebrows. “I’ll be in touch. Can’t beat the combination of a Livingstone and a Medici.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats in preparation for our guest speaker,” a man at the front of the room announced.

“That’s our cue,” he said and led Nicole to their table at the front.

She stiffened at his touch. “Is that the reason you wanted me to come tonight? Because you’re competing on this deal with my father?”

“What are you talking about?” he asked in a low voice.

“Is the reason you wanted me to join you tonight so you could parade Conrad Livingstone’s daughter in front of the competition? Your chance to use me to get ahead?”

He narrowed his eyes. “On the contrary. The first I heard about your father trying to steal my deal was through Crawford tonight. I wondered if you had overheard me and warned your father so he could make a deal.”

Her jaw dropped in gratifying shock and Rafe had his answer. Nicole hadn’t tried to sabotage his business deal.

Anger glinted through her blue eyes.

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