Page 3 (1/1)

When Love Takes Over You

Susan took a deep breath and followed the PA into Mike Forest’s power office Mike was standing behind his desk, shouting into the phone when he looked up and noticed Susan, his jaw dropped and with a feell chosen expletives he slammed the phone down

"I’m Mike, pleased to meet you," he held out his hand and firmly shook Susan’s hand

"Good to th of his hand and finally got to see him close up He was taller andhim on so many TV interviews over the years At only 37, Mike was the biggest property developer in London with an ego to match and the well toned body of a ym Susan felt weak at the knees as she slid into her seat She tried not to stare but she couldn’t She took in his tanned face, his strong jaw line and those deep blue eyes that danced in the light His jet black hair was cut short and with his tailored dark suit he looked like he had just stepped out of a photo shoot

"Are you feeling ok, Susan? You look a little pale Let me pour you some water"

Susan sipped the water and trembled "Oh thank you, that’s very kind of you I don’t knohat’s coet started if you are I read over your email but I could do with some more details before I can con ideas for you to look at"

"Of course Leton I’ve just been awarded planning perht on the river bank It’s going to bewith the very best people because this is going to be thea parking spot the price of a small flat in the commuter belt Think five star luxury for only the most exclusive international clientele" Mike adjusted his red silk tie and scratched his chin before tapping his fingers on the desk "And one other thing, I don’t suffer fools gladly, I expect 100 froether and I want to ensure this develope success And clearly, that’s where you coot to be different to anything that’s every been done in Europe”

"Sounds exciting!" Susan did her best to ignore her attraction to Mike and frowned in an effort to focus on the business at hand "I’ood look at my portfolio and you knohat you can expect froinality Still, I do need to know a little more about what you want to create I’d like to knoho you want to appeal to, what they expect, that sort of thing So, when it con, ould you like me to factor in?"

Mike hopped out of his chair and looked out theat the city "Susan, I need you to create an experience so i about it I want River Heights to be the number one choice for new money Think the opulence of The Dorchester and the style of The Ritz rolled into one but even more exclusive When I look out over this city I see a desperate need for extreme exclusivity and privacy for the ultra rich but they have nowhere to go I aim to solve that proble, I have a reputation for being an obsessive and compulsive maniac when it comes to business I’m sure you’ve heard about me already “So, let me be very clear All the horror stories you’ve heard, they’re all true If you do great work you’ll make a lot of money and ceners On the other hand, if you mess this up and make me look bad I’ll destroy you Got it?" Mike snarled and turned back from theto look Susan in the eye

Susan gulped, her hand shaking, she reached for her glass and sipped on the water before taking a deep breath "Mike, there’s no need to be so blunt As I already mentioned, I have a well earned reputation for excellence and if that’s not good enough for you we can end this ht now I can deliver on what you need but I have no intention of working with a client that talks down to me or threatens me Do I make myself clear?"

Mike sat back down at the table and laughed, "Good for you, Susan I love working with people who can give as good as they get You’ve got fire in your belly, I like that I’h, do I make you nervous? You look a little tense"

Susan felt her cheeks flush "Of course not! I’ Don’t worry about it, I’o away and coain in a week’s time if that’s ok with you"

"Sounds good, Susan Hey maybe we could meet over coffee in Battersea That way I can show you hoant the development to fit in with the local environment"

"Perfect I shall look forward to it Thank you for your ti you next week" Susan held out her hand and felt the warth of Mike’s hand wrapped around her now relatively tiny hand She felt her heart leap as she looked into his blue eyes and wondered why he had such a big smile on his face

Susan sat, with her best friend Becky, by the fire in her living roolasses of Merlot in hand to wind down after another hectic day at the office

Becky’s eyes twinkled in the light fro fire "So, tell me, is Mike Forest as hot as he looks on TV?"