The Baby Claim. Catherine Mann
settle this. Not to worry.”
Without another word, she charged through the door, boot heels muted against the plush carpet. The wall of windows along one side of the corridor provided an awe-inspiring view of the mountains. It might be spring everywhere else in America. But here in Alaska, snow still capped the peaks.
Sunshine streamed through the windows and over Glenna. To keep his eyes off her swaying hips and the killer leather boots, he checked out the art on the other wall. Yet again he was struck by the differences between the Mikkelson corporate offices and his family’s building on the other side of Anchorage’s business district. The Steele headquarters had a more modern look, sleek and tall in a way that reminded him of his home state, like an ice sculpture filled with coal and grit and gold.
The Mikkelson offices harkened back to old-school Alaska, with a rugged elegance denoted by pelt rugs and wooden furniture heavy enough to remind people nothing fragile lasted in this land. To make it here, you had to be born of sturdy stock.
The file crinkled in his grip as they walked, reminding him why he was here. What did his father know? Broderick hadn’t been able to find him this morning, and he’d tried hard. Damn hard.
Lately, his dad had been distracted and inaccessible. Unusually so, and at the worst possible time. Bids were going up for the major pipeline from Alaska to the Dakotas. This wasn’t just about money or energy independence. It was also about keeping projects ecologically friendly, making sure the land they loved and called home was protected.
They were a family of engineers and ecologists, working like hell to present a balanced plan.
Broderick knew his reputation for being a cold bastard, but he didn’t see the point in getting emotionally invested in anything—or anyone—outside of work.
Something had gone haywire in him when his sister died. He understood it intellectually, but that didn’t make it easier to get past. Maybe if he hadn’t lost his mother at the same time, she might have helped him find his way out of the maze where he sabotaged relationship after relationship. Now his dating life consisted of women who had no interest in anything more than being casual.
Glenna often stated—emphatically—that she was all about her job. He understood. He was married to his work, too.
That’s why this ridiculous rumor of a merger had to be squelched.
“You don’t act like most number crunchers.”
He cocked his head to one side. “Practical, you mean?”
“I guess. You’re just so...outrageous. Illogical. Unpredictable.” She picked up her pace.
“And you are very much a buttoned-up numbers gal.” Heat fired inside him as he thought of a time he’d unbuttoned her, very thoroughly.
She seemed to read his mind. “Keep your eyes forward, cowboy.”
“Do you think I brought a hidden camera to steal secret formulas from your office?”
He met her eyes full on and found those blue depths too alluring. Something about them made words slip out before he could stop them. “I would very much like to know your secret desires.”
Her breathing deepened, her chest rising and falling quickly. She licked her lips. “I prefer we keep things all business. Do you think you can respect my wishes for at least the next half hour? If not, we’ll be doing this meeting via videoconference.”
He nodded, backing up a step, knowing he was playing with fire. Still, she was right about him being unpredictable. Despite the complications, he found himself plotting to press for more from her. Later, of course. Timing was everything.
“Of course I’ll respect your wishes.”
“I wish I could trust that,” she said softly, before walking to the elevator and pushing the button.
Her words stung. Did she think so little of him? He joined her at the elevator, watching her, musing.
She felt for a hairpin, tucking it inside a sweep of hair that pushed the golden length over one shoulder. Her pale pink nail polish was barely perceptible. Classy. Understated. Like her. “I can’t help but be concerned about you getting an insider’s peek at our business and financials.”
The elevator dinged, the doors slid open and she stepped inside.
He joined her in the circular enclosure, which provided a panoramic view of the harbor with a few boats still floating between chunks of ice. “Maybe you should worry about your files. There are all sorts of cloning devices for computers and—”
“I’ll have the security guards strip-search you on the way out.”
Just as he’d decided her word choice was accidental, she glanced back over her shoulder, blue eyes glimmering with mischief.
Heat spread and he moved to her side, ducking his head toward hers. “Will you personally supervise the search? Lucky for me I wore my favorite comic-character boxer shorts.”
She arched one delicate blond eyebrow. She’d always had a way of putting a person in his place quietly, succinctly. “You flatter yourself.”
“I dream, oh lady, I dream.”
She tipped her head, her eyebrows pulling together. “I have to ask. Do you treat all business professionals this way?”
“Only the business professionals I’ve already had an affair with. Actually, strike that.” He held up a hand. “Only you. Everyone else at work, it’s all business.”
“A poor choice during one weekend in college is not the same as an affair.” Her hands on her hips accentuated her curves in that killer power suit.
He ached to peel it off her.
Broderick clapped a hand to his chest. “You wound me. That weekend is my benchmark for all other relationships. Every woman falls short after you.”
Had he really said that out loud? It had almost felt like he’d meant it.
He was saved from pondering that uncomfortable thought when the elevator bell dinged. They’d reached their destination.
Glenna surprised him by pressing the button to keep the doors closed. “Your board of directors may buy your bull, but I’m not fooled by your smooth talk.”
She was right. Whatever he was doing with her, it had no place in the office.
But they were in the elevator. Alone.
He was not one to let an opportunity pass by.
He stepped closer, inhaling the scent of her. Almonds... Unexpected. Sensual. “What if I’m serious?”
Her eyes widened before she touched his elbow. “Then I am so very sorry you were hurt.” Her throat moved with a swallow. Then her elegant nose scrunched and she pointed a slim finger at him. “But I’m not buying that line about all women falling short. Now stop playing me and let’s speak to my mother.”
Glenna let the elevator open, then charged ahead of him around a corner to an empty receptionist’s desk. “I’m not sure where Sage is—”
Glenna’s young cousin Sage Hammond rounded the corner just then, smoothing her simple turtleneck sweater dress as she took her place at her chair. “I’ve been away from my desk. I was meeting with your assistant in the tech department. I’m sorry to have left things unattended. Your mother was busy with a call when I left.” She tapped the phone console, strands of her whispy blond hair falling across her shoulders. “But the light’s off now so she must be finished, if you wish to go inside.”
Broderick nodded. “Thank you, Miss Hammond.”
Glenna muttered, “Eyes off my cousin,” as she reached for the door handle of the next office.
Jealous? Interesting. “I don’t pluck wings off butterflies.”
Glenna’s