Take Me On. Dylan Rose

was speechless. Okay, so maybe it was her that did most of the seducing, but Antonio had been a willing participant. More than willing! And the fact that he hadn’t revealed that he knew who she was seemed unnecessarily deceptive.

      “Were you afraid that if I knew who you were I wouldn’t sleep with you?” Kenzie asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

      “No,” Antonio answered emphatically. “I was afraid that maybe you wouldn’t want to do business with me. But I couldn’t stop myself.” His last sentence was whispered, and the two of them both instinctively looked toward the door, where the other women were waiting.

      “I’m sure we can work out a good business deal,” Antonio said with a smile. “One we can both benefit from. My family has a long history of rum production. And I’m sure you have no interest in a little, run-down distillery.”

      “Why are you so sure about what I’m interested in?” Kenzie asked, her tone simultaneously flirtatious and challenging.

      Antonio looked up and chuckled. “I just figured...”

      “That because I’m a woman I don’t know anything about how to run a business?”

      Antonio reached out and touched Kenzie’s hand. “No. Not at all.”

      The door handle clicked, which caused Kenzie to jump, pulling her hand out of Antonio’s grasp.

      “Everything okay?” Melinda asked, peeking her head back into the office.

      “Everything is fine,” Kenzie said, looking directly at Antonio. The practical side of her said to put her pride aside, take the check and catch the next plane back home. But something else in her was beckoning her to take a risk. So maybe she didn’t know anything about the rum business, but she also hadn’t known anything about opening a yoga studio when she’d started one. When was the last time she’d taken on a real challenge? Looking at Antonio, she could feel that there was unfinished business between them.

      Kenzie turned to Melinda. “We were just discussing the terms of Antonio’s proposal,” she said, almost sweetly. “And I think we both agree that I have a lot to offer.” Kenzie locked eyes with Antonio who raised an eyebrow with what looked like a combination of genuine surprise and unmitigated lust.

      “Well, this is a surprise,” Melinda said matter-of-factly. “Any thoughts on next steps?” she asked, looking back and forth between the two of them. Kenzie wondered if she suspected that there was something more between them than an unsigned contract. At least for Kenzie, the electricity she felt ricocheting off the walls was undeniable.

      “If you don’t mind, I’d like to go see my distillery now,” Kenzie said, unable to prevent a small smile from forming on her lips.