Elise touched her throat. “Reservations?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Ben answered with a smile. “We’re dining at the Quarter House. And I’m told that if we’re a minute late, they’ll give our table to someone else. So motivate your husband and shake a tail feather. You can tell us all about the supply room on the way.”
Elise had forgotten all about the papers in her hand. “Oh. Wait. Here,” she said, handing a copy to Ben. “You can look over that while I go find my purse.”
Ben’s jaw dropped as he studied the sheet. “It’s done?”
Luc pressed a hand to the small of her back and escorted her down the hall. He laughed and said, “Meet you out front, Ben.”
Elise looked up at her husband. “You know, Luc, I could have this place up to your high expectations within a month or two.” She smiled. “That is, if I get free reign over it.”
“Darlin’, the first change we make is booting the Bingleys out the door.”
Elise clung to his arm and he slowed his stride to match hers. “Maybe you should wait to deal with the Bingleys until after your analysis of the company is finished.”
Luc’s smile was as charming as it was determined. “Finished or not, the Bingleys and I will have a talk.”
“But, I’m not—”
Luc laid a finger across her mouth and silenced her. “Trust me, Elise. I’ll take care of everything.”
Elise sighed. “All right. But if they won’t sell this place to you after you smash them to bits, don’t come running to me.”
Luc laughed and dragged her off to get their things.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Timing is everything, Luc thought as he watched the florist’s delivery truck turn out of the parking lot. He tapped his lucky pen against his palm and went off in search of his wife. Luc knew that a woman would agree to almost anything for the first hour after receiving a gift—such as flowers. He knew because he’d used this ploy to get him out of trouble with his mother many, many times.
Luc grinned and caught himself before he started to whistle. He was in an excellent mood. Married life, he decided, suited him. Especially when every morning he woke up to a disheveled Elise. Ah, he sighed inwardly, life is good.
When do you plan on telling her about the little heir, his conscience asked.
Luc grimaced. Soon. He’d tell her soon.
How soon?
Tomorrow. He’d take her out and—
Luc halted and his eyes narrowed with anger. He was swiftly consumed with a jealous, possessive rage. His fists tightened and his teeth reverted to grinding.
Bingley Junior was leaning against the wall, leering at Elise as she bent over the flowers ooh-ing and ah-ing. Elise picked up the bouquet and carried it into her office. Junior cackled quietly and pushed off from the wall.
Luc caught the man by the shirt and slammed him against the wall. “I’ve been meaning to have a talk with you, Junior.” Luc read the horny bastard like an open book. Junior was terrified. “Touch my wife and you’re dead. Got it?”
Junior nodded enthusiastically. “Y-yes sir.”
“Good. Tell your father the same thing.” Luc released him and Junior started to slide down the wall. “Go chase someone else’s woman, but stay the hell away from mine.”
“Y-yes, sir.” Junior at least had the sense not to turn his back on Luc as he slithered down the hallway and most likely out of the building.
Luc sucked in a deep breath. Letting Junior off with a few words was not what he would have preferred. He’d wanted to pound him into the ground, but—dammit—Elise was right. Luc couldn’t indulge himself until after the signing of the contract. And he would indulge himself, because he didn’t doubt for a minute that the short, but to the point warning wouldn’t last more than a few days.
Luc stormed into the office and slammed the door behind him, then locked it.
Elise jumped and spun around. “Luc! What on earth is the—”
He caught her by the wrist and pulled her to him, silencing her with a hungry, possessive kiss. All too easily the red-hot rage directed at Junior morphed into an aching need to have his wife. In the office. On the desk.
Luc cupped her buttocks and lifted her against him, carrying her backwards toward the desk. “Busy?” he rasped against her lips.
“Ah… no.”
“You are now.” He covered her mouth with his and set her on the desk. He was about to explode and Elise responded fiercely to him, kneading his shoulders, clawing at his clothing. Slight noises rose from the back of her throat and he recognized the heights of her own passion. Luc reached between them, following her down as he laid her on the desk, and found her panties soaked through.