Cat leaned forward, undaunted. “In just ten years, Kathy Ireland expanded her brand from a line of socks to a multiline empire that grosses two billion in sales annually. If she can do that, surely we can build this idea into a business that generates enough income to comfortably support us both.”
“She’s clearly the exception, though, not the rule.” Hank rubbed his jaw. “Didn’t you hear me tell you I’ve got about a twenty-item cap on what I can build in a year?”
Her smart-ass expression—similar to a look his sister Meg often shot him—warned him he was about to be corrected.
“I read a series of in-depth articles about two guys who did exactly what I’m proposing. Something Chang . . . Hellman. Hellman-Chang. One guy handled marketing; the other started building tables after work and on weekends. In just a couple of years, they’ve got an eight-thousand-square-foot facility and other artisans to help them churn out handmade furniture for small hotels and stuff.” She sank back in her chair. “Besides, you said you’d keep an open mind.”
“An open mind doesn’t mean I’ll close my eyes to the risks. Maybe you can’t appreciate that because you’ve only got yourself to worry about. Actually, have you even thought about how your brother will feel if I walk out on him to join forces with you?”
“Jackson will be pissed for a while, but he’ll replace you and life will go on. Trust me, our dad made sure we all understood the way of the world. I can’t tell you how often he repeated ‘no one owes you anything. You’ve got to work for what you want and make it happen.’ So, I promise, Jackson will understand and forgive us both for chasing our dreams.”
When Hank didn’t respond immediately, she continued. “Unless this isn’t your dream? Maybe I misread you?”
“No, you didn’t.”
“So what’s the problem? I’d think you’d be more excited. Don’t you believe in your work? Or are you afraid to fail?”
“I can’t afford to fail because it would hurt the people I love.”
She pressed her lips together, clearly disturbed.
“You mustn’t have meant anything you said about me in your garage, because if you did, then you wouldn’t be convinced we’d fail.” The hurt in her eyes about killed him. She stood abruptly and set her glass in the sink, ready to bolt from the kitchen. “You probably thought you were being nice, but I wish you would’ve just been honest, like everyone else who thinks I can’t do anything other than pose for the camera.”
He clutched her arm to stop her. “That’s not what I think. All I’m saying is we’re in completely different situations and this huge undertaking has tons of complications and risks.”
Like every time they touched, a shock of energy zipped through his limbs. She must’ve been struck, too, because her breath caught.
Collecting herself, she issued a challenge. “Maybe you should stop thinking about the risks and focus on the opportunities.”
She dragged her gaze from his mouth to his eyes and held it there, linking him in her intensifying energy.
Before it ebbed, he hauled her closer to deliver his own dare. “I could say the same thing to you about relationships, Cat.”
Her pupils dilated, and she tried to shrink from his grasp. Not this time. Cupping the back of her neck, he bent down to nibble on her bottom lip before drawing her into a soft kiss.
He deepened the kiss to stoke the flames of whatever might be developing between them, savoring the thrum reverberating throughout his body, the thud of her heartbeat against her chest, the urgent mewl in her throat as their tongues intensified their probing exploration.
Cradling her face with his hands, he pressed himself against her until he pinned her against the counter. She moaned into his mouth, but then pushed him away.
“Hank, stop. I told you, I’m not looking to date.”
That kiss only made him more determined to have her, even if that meant resorting to a fling.
“I’ll tell you what.” He crossed his arms across his chest. “I’ll seriously consider your business proposal on two conditions.”
She gripped the counter behind her. “Which are?”
“First, do more homework while I’m busy working on your closets. I have to reduce the risk to my mom and Jenny in order to move forward now.”
“Done.” She nodded.
“Second, give this,” he said, gesturing between them, “some kind of shot.”
Her shoulders sagged. “Why won’t you believe me when I tell you I don’t want a relationship?”
“A casual fling works for me.” Hank shrugged, calling her bluff. “It’s not like I’ve got time for a serious commitment, Cat. You’ve seen all the demands in my life, which will only get worse if we actually start Mitchell/St. James.”