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“Who?”

“Your housekeeper”

“None of your damned business”

Flashing hih-backed chair and looked idly through the contract

Rafael sat down at his desk, watching him He never should have borrowed the ri in the otiations of purchasing the real estate in Paris, a prestige property in the business district of La Défense A dangerous feeling, as it brought Louisa to the other man’s notice

“It all appears to be in order” Novros looked up with a lazy sain, and we have a deal”

Rafael’s hand tightened on his pen

“Careful,” he growled through his teeth He lifted his head, and his eyes glittered dangerously at his rival “Don’t talk about her Don’t even look at her”

Novros lifted a dark eyebrow “I see,” he said mildly, and looked back at the papers He shook his head and threw the to need more time to think about it”

Rafael clenched his jaw He needed to break ground on the hugely expensive property at once in order to meet his schedule, and they both knew it He wished to build a new headquarters for his international congloreed on a price He was tempted to smash the man’s face in

Instead he smiled

“Shall we throw in a sweetener?” Rafael suggested “Sign it Finish the deal And this house—” he indicated the study with a generous sweep of his hand “—will be thrown into the bargain”

Xerxes Novros stared at him for a moment

Then with a nod, he signed the papers with a flourish

“You gave in too easily,” thethe contract back to Rafael with an insolent grin “I would have accepted less money for the property in Paris”