Brendan frowned. “No.”

Emily leaned against the back of her chair. “Ah, well. This has nothing to do with me, though, does it? But here’s the thing. I always get what I want in a deal. I don’t do second best.”

“That’s not a problem,” answered Brendan. “I’ll give you anything I can.”

Emily’s voice dropped indicatively. “What if what I want… is you?”

Brendan’s eyes turned cold. He deadpanned. A beat later, he finally answered flatly, “You jest.”

The severity in his eyes made her heart stop for a millisecond. When she recovered from her trance, she realized her heart was thumping.

Wow. That look in his eyes was amazing. She had been so used to being the one ruling above others that she had not felt suffocated by anyone else for a long time. She could not remember the last time someone had managed to make her panic with one glare.

“Mr. Brighthall,” she said, pleased. Her eyes were gleaming. “I don’t joke about these things. I’m seriously attracted to you, and I’m sure you’ll find