Seducing the Matchmaker

He turned and walked back around the desk. But instead of leaving, he unbuttoned his suit jacket and took the seat recently vacated by Suzanne. “You know, I realized something was wrong the last time I was here, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.” He gestured to her desktop. “No pictures. You have pictures of family. That one with the couple and the little girls, and the older couple that I would assume are your parents. But no husband, no children of your own.”

“Get out!”

The smile fell from his face. “Be careful, Noelle. I understand you’re upset, but you might as well settle down. I’m not going anywhere. Especially not now.”

Noelle was fuming with rage. If she were able, she would’ve physically thrown him out of the office. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

With a sigh, he reached into the breast pocket of his suit jacket, pulled out a folded piece of paper and slid it across the desktop.

Despite her pounding head and racing pulse, Noelle was extremely curious as to what was on the paper but was not about to give him the satisfaction of picking it up. “What’s that?”

“A financial synopsis of Love Unlimited.”

“What?” She quickly grabbed up the paper and scanned the information it contained. “How did you get this?!”

“That’s not nearly as important as what it says.”

Noelle felt like her legs had been cut out from under her. She blindly reached for her chair and pulled it to her, suddenly nauseated. This man had somehow discovered a truth about her company that even her family did not know.

There in three succint paragraphs was the truth of her failing business. Despite the success in matching couples, Love Unlimited was going under. Rising rent, overhead, advertising and social events were just so expensive! She was spending faster than she was earning. And though she could’ve asked her family for a loan, her pride wouldn’t allow it.

As if a bucket of freezing water had been poured over her head, Noelle felt herself go from flaming hot anger to icy cold fear. “What are you planning to do with this?” she asked, working to keep her voice from cracking.

The devil across the desk arched an eyebrow. “Nothing. Now we move forward on an even playing field. No more talk of dumping me as a client, and no more barging into your office. Agreed?”

Noelle considered the options. “And…if I don’t agree?”

“You lose your best and only chance to pull your company out of the red. Face it, Noelle. You need me as much as I need you.” Suddenly he sat forward, and something in his body language conveyed to Noelle a new energy level. Apparently, Lucifer was most energized when bartering for souls. “And I do need you, Noelle.

“I didn’t go looking for that information to embarrass you. It surfaced as part of a routine financial check I run on anyone I chose to do business with.” His light eyes honed in on her face. “You just witnessed a problem I have been dealing with my entire adult life.

“I…” He shrugged, obviously looking for the right words, and Noelle caught a glimpse of vulnerability. “I’m not good talking to women. I’m blunt and gruff. I’m not ignorant of my problems, but I’ve had some bad experiences that have left me with little tolerance for bull. I need someone with your expertise.”

Unable to just drop the not-so-subtle threat lying on the desk between them, Noelle’s eyes narrowed. “So you come in here to blackmail me?”

A quick grin flashed across his face. “Actually, I just picked that up from my attorney on the way over here and had no intention of showing it to you until it became obvious it was the only way to get you to listen to me.”

She sat back in her chair and folded her arms across her chest. “So, what now?”

“That’s up to you. I hope we can put this behind us and continue to work together.”

After several seconds, Noelle let out a long breath. “You can’t just barge in here anytime you want.”

“I understand that. I thought you were ignoring me.”

“Well, I wasn’t.”

“I realize that now. I apologize.”

Several long, tense seconds passed in silence while she considered her options. What options? With one little piece of paper, he’d removed any options. And he was right; they did need each other. But could they work together?

“Okay.” She snorted. “Although Suzanne was the best candidate I had.”

“She’s a beautiful woman, and I’m sure a fine person—but she’s not for me. I have the utmost faith that you will find someone suitable for me.” He stood and buttoned his jacket. “I look forward to hearing from you.” With that he walked out of the office.

As soon as the door closed behind him, Noelle grabbed the synopsis off the desk and quickly ran it through the shredder.

She’s not married. Derrick couldn’t hide the curve of his lips as he considered the implications of what that meant. She’s not married.

The elevator reached the bottom floor, and the steel doors opened. He waited patiently for the people surrounding him to exit before moving forward.

As he headed to the rotating glass doors that led to the outside world, he noticed a bright red flower cart sitting off to one side of the marble corridor. As a thought occurred to him, he changed his direction and headed toward the cart.

Ten minutes later, with a spring in his step, Derrick emerged onto the bustling avenue where his driver, Don, waited with his black Lexus. Derrick slipped into the backseat of the car and, giving Don their next destination, settled back with a wide grin on his face.

Chapter 6

One week later, Noelle sat staring at the bouquet of wilting flowers sitting on the corner of her desk, just as she had done every day since they’d arrived unexpectedly. She still had no idea what it meant. Had Mr. Brandt sent the flowers as a truce? Given the way their last meeting ended, that was not an unreasonable assumption. But what if it meant something else?

Noelle could still see the look of triumph that flashed in his eyes when he realized—with certainty—that she was not married. Why was he so certain? She wondered.

She’d never confirmed or denied the claim, yet that something in his eyes left absolutely no doubt as to what he believed. Well, it didn’t matter. Either way, the sooner she was rid of Derrick Brandt the better. And it all started this evening with the first of what she hoped were viable candidates.

“Come in.”

Terri came into the room and gently pushed the door closed behind her. Leaning back against it, she folded her arms across her chest and glared across the room at Noelle. “It’s the jerk. Do you want me to throw him out?”

Noelle suppressed a smile. Derrick Brandt may not have realized it, but he’d made a formidable enemy in Terri. “Don’t you dare—not if you want a paycheck at the end of the week.”

Terri’s mouth twisted into an unwilling smile. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t take his wallet before I threw him out.”

“Like it or not, he’s our client. So show him in.”

Terri huffed. “If you insist. But I think you’re fighting a losing battle. The only woman that would be a match for this guy is the bride of Frankenstein.” She turned to open the door and paused. “On second thought, dating Derrick Brandt would be lowering her standards.” She opened the door wide. “Mr. Brandt, Mrs. Brown can see you now.”

Derrick Brandt appeared in the doorway, his light eyes boring into Terri. “By the way, you may want to make sure the door is firmly closed the next time you decide to slander a client.”

With a look that conveyed not a single ounce of remorse, Terri stepped around him, out of the office, and closed the door behind her.

“You need to do something about her,” Derrick said, coming forward into the office. “The next client may not be as understanding.”

Noelle came around the desk, meeting him halfway. She gestured to the sofa on the other side of the room. “Terri is indispensable to me. So I suggest you reconcile yourself to dealing with her if you plan to continue this.”

Derrick, startled by the sharp retort, glanced at Noelle. His sinister smile appeared briefly. “Nice try. You won’t get rid of me that fast.”

“Didn’t think so, but I had to try,” she muttered. “Have a seat.” She gestured to the sofa and the television sitting on a media cart in front of it.

Derrick obediently crossed the room and, unbuttoning his jacket, took a seat. “Did you like the flowers?”