"No."

"No?"

The hell did she just say...? I wasn't even started with the section-wise break-up of the design and expense plan I'd made my architects and the local vendors run me up in a week. Considering the shoe-string budget they'd done a quick job which would serve as smoke-screen.

I thought the speed would impress her even though the plans were crap. I was so in the flow of it all I even let the fact slide that she interrupted me.

No one interrupts me.

Maybe she doesn't like something I suggested.

"No to the idea of the public of Boston approving the designs or: we using locally-sourced materials?"

"No to all of it..."

Greedy little...language! She doesn't like sharing. How ....like me!

Neither would I if I had worked my ass off for 10yrs carving my name and an outsider came rushing in staking claim, offering to share crumbs.

Hmm... So it was true! It was going to be an ordeal prizing this project off her dainty fingers.

"Why not?"

Companies made proposals left, right and centre to liaise with us in any way possible in hopes of better future prospects and here I come across a localite who is gambling over a deal that is not worth our time on paper.

She should be elated by the offer- the chance to piggyback the association in this project not to forget the chance to be around me. Girls did all sorts of crazy stuff to hang around with me and she'd be getting these chances on a platter.

The suggestion did sound like I want her around since I made this plan overnight- threatening her to stay out of it yesterday and buddy-ing up today.

But she doesn't know why we want the project, does she? Or the fact that we want it bad.

Tilting her head a bit she said pinning my eyes with her hazel ones, "Because you still haven't shared the real reason you are after this project? You were asking me to stay out of the project yesterday and today I see a proposal of us liaising."

Damn, she reads minds...!

Straightening imaginary creases from her navy blue dress and looking up from it she said, "You want this project bad, Mr. Flinthart! I see it. I want to know why. Am not convinced of this sudden change of heart! I have heard about you and your mildly-put aggressive business tactics. "

His jaw tightened at the word aggressive and his eyes almost took a feral glaze.

You don't know my brand of aggressive woman, mildly-put or otherwise!! I'll take special delight and relish in showing you aggressive, suppressive and regressive, in every order possible!!

His jaw worked overtime and palm clenched into fists as if he was restraining himself from doing something he knew he wanted to do now but also knew he might regret later. Eyes riveted on her face and reactions extremely responsive to every word she spoke.

For a moment Rose thought she had gone a bit far than she intended especially with a man she knew had taken liberties not more than 24 hours ago.

How many people knew she was here?!

More specifically how many people not on his payroll knew she was here sounded a better concern.

But her query was pretty plain and very apparent. She had never in her life acted dumb to impress a guy or rolled over, given way just to boost any man's ego. Why should she, when they were already too inflated!!

Apparently the jaw-flexing, fist-clenching and maybe some mental counting helped him for the same schoolboy charming smile returned and he almost gave a lopsided genuine look asking, "Did I fail that bad in convincing you?"

For a second there, her shield lowered a teensy bit and her eyes softened as his question did sound like he was asking for honest feedback.

She almost playfully nodded yes, biting her lower lip.

His smile grew into a full ear-to-ear grin.

"My doctors have suggested me to take work a bit slow, decreasing workload and stuff, not to get too aggressive," stressing the word as he spoke, "to stay more in touch with my family and close friends. My folks have been staying in Boston since the last 5 years. They apparently love the city and its history. A couple of my friends are based here too, which you might know or have heard of!" She nodded once in reply to that.

"That's the real reason am here and why this project is something I want badly enough to not mind sharing it with the right people." He finished off by rubbing the back of his neck and finally pinning her eyes with a now-the-ball's-in-your-court look.

If pigs could fly...

She knew men made the mistake of considering her dumb but she was yet to come across a smart man who did this twice.

Maybe Mr. Kronos trusted his acting skills too much or maybe he'd only come across actually idiotic women.

Were the doctors still practicing who suggested Mr. Moneybags to take it easy, she wondered?

Probably not! More like definitely! She had real doubts if he felt sick enough a day in his life to consult a doctor. As if he were on some youth drug fuelling workaholism!!

She eyed his frame without giving any thought away and he did look like he was waiting with bated breath for her response like a lot depended on it.

She finally faked a genuine smile like him saying," Why didn't you say so before? Honesty is truly the key to ever-lasting peace!"

He responded with an even broader grin like the fish had finally taken his bait.

"Of course I'd need complete details of the plan and terms and conditions before I consult this over with my father. We don't take any projects over without consulting each other."

"Of course", he nodded solemnly gleefully pulling over the various plans and charts that were patiently waiting their turn.

The bait is taken...wondered both.

To all the shy readers out there, a vote speaks volumes...

And to the bold ones, your words are most welcome....