Her parents might have chosen to use their God-given looks and charm as weapons, and Marsha Jameson might have advised Elise to exploit her sexuality to her advantage, but Elise had vowed never to follow in their footsteps.
Unfortunately, that rigid belief had proven to be an irresistible challenge for Brian Grey...
Hastily shoving aside bitter memories, she pushed the chair back and surged to her feet.
Her wrist was captured before she’d taken a single step. ‘What do you think you’re doing?’
‘I don’t like the tone of this conversation. Perhaps I was too hasty in taking back the benefits of getting my own meal. I don’t flirt,’ she reiterated, the need to reassure herself that what had happened a year ago hadn’t been her fault pumping through her blood. ‘But I have manners. And if someone does something nice for me, I thank them.’
He regarded her intensely for far too long. ‘Sit down, Elise. We’re not done.’
She shook her head. ‘I’ve lost my appetite. Besides, it’s seven in the evening. I didn’t sign up to work all hours.’
‘But you committed yourself to working reasonable work hours. Are you calling this an unreasonable hour?’
‘I’ll re-evaluate if I’m not subjected to unfounded allegations,’ she challenged. She looked pointedly at the hand manacling her wrist.
He waited a beat, then released her. ‘You were enjoying your food a few minutes ago. I’ll refrain from ruining our meal with...touchy subjects.’
Elise eyed her plate, then the door. She knew her outburst had flared brightly on Alejandro’s radar, but walking out at this stage would be counterproductive. She sat back down.
‘While you’re doing that, perhaps you’d like to remember that I haven’t flirted with you. Unless you count yourself above men?’ It was a cheap shot, regretted the moment she uttered the words.
One corner of his mouth quirked. ‘We’ll leave that debate alone, shall we?’
Her face reddened slightly, and for the rest of the first course they didn’t speak.
Once the second course of roast beef and vegetable medley had been served, he held up the bottle of expensive red. ‘Wine?’
About to refuse, she sprung for a little Dutch courage to see her through and nodded. ‘I’m not much of a wine drinker, or a drinker at all, so don’t hold it against me if I don’t appreciate the vintage.’
He filled her glass, then his. ‘I prefer honesty to a pretentious diatribe on non-existent flavours and bouquets.’
Despite the residual sting of his earlier accusation, a smile tugged at her lips. ‘Score one for me.’
Sharp eyes met hers. ‘Remain straight with me in all things, and you’ll score a lot more.’
For some reason the statement produced equal amounts of dread and anticipation. Anticipation of what, she had no idea. They were halfway through their main course before he spoke again.
‘So, in light of what you’ve discovered, what would Jameson PR advise?’
She knew her parents would advise him to go for the usurper’s jugular. Setting a bloodhound on the trail of salacious gossip and secrets to discredit was a favourite tactic her father relished.
‘A charm offensive. And a reminder of everything they have to gain by merging with you.’
‘Not a declaration of war on my competitor?’
Her mouth soured. ‘You can take that route if you want to, I guess.’
‘Which route would you take?’
‘Not that. Blood and gore turn my stomach.’
‘Perhaps you need a stronger disposition,’ he mocked.
Choosing not to take the bait, she sipped her wine, a little surprised when it slipped down smoothly. ‘The looking-into-the-whites-of-their-eyes approach works, Alejandro. Nothing beats a personal touch. How many times have you met the Ishikawa brothers face to face since deciding to pursue this merger?’
He swirled his wine glass. ‘Twice.’
‘After you had your team investigate their viability and profit margins?’
‘Of course.’
‘I’m guessing both times were here in the States where you wined and dined them at the best restaurant in town?’
‘Their every wish was catered to. They left happy.’
‘In your opinion.’
His gaze probed hers. ‘What’s your point?’
‘I’m willing to bet my sizeable manga collection that you didn’t divulge a single personal detail about yourself.’
‘At the risk of repeating myself, I don’t do—’
‘Touchy-feely. Yes, I’m aware. But letting them see you as remotely...human may have prevented this from happening.’
‘That might work for the average Mom and Pop ice-cream-parlour business. If they can’t see their way past those...feelings to a multibillion-dollar merger, then perhaps I’m dealing with the wrong business.’
She sent him a droll look. ‘We both know this isn’t a mistake. The Ishikawa Corporation’s business record is outstanding. So is SNV’s. A successful merger would be the stuff of breaking news headlines and serious accolades. All you’ll need to do is...bend a little.’
‘Is that what you’d do in my shoes? Bare your life to strangers in order to secure a deal?’
She lifted her glass and took a healthy gulp, relishing the warmth that blanketed her insides. ‘We’re not talking about me here.’
‘You’re fond of hypotheticals. So let’s have it. Would you give yourself the same advice, were you in my position?’
‘Maybe.’ She bore his intense scrutiny for a minute before she sighed. ‘Yes, I would.’
‘And what would you tell them about yourself?’
Elise shook her head. ‘That’s too broad a question.’
‘Let’s streamline, then. You attended a university on the west coast when your family is based in a state with excellent universities. Why?’
Nerves began to eat into the warmth. She took another sip, despite the faint warning that this form of Dutch courage hadn’t been her best idea. ‘The need to broaden my horizons?’
‘If you had such a need, why did you return to work with your parents?’
She stiffened at the other raw subject that grated her nerves. ‘Is there a law against that?’
‘Is that the answer you’d give a prospective business partner?’
‘No...’ She paused, aware she had skidded towards a chasm of her own making. ‘I agreed to work at Jameson in return for my parents paying for my university tuition.’
A slow frown gathered on his brow. ‘They expected you to pay for the education they gave you?’
Elise chose to blame the Malbec for loosening the tight leash she normally had on her emotions. ‘They expect a lot of things. Including not giving free rides to anyone, including their daughter.’
The enlightened gleam in his eyes further unnerved her. ‘Things aren’t cordial between you and your parents?’
A harsh laugh escaped before she could stop it. ‘You could