Cowboy Casanova - Lorelei James [93]
“I suppose, but I am first, and foremost, a businesswoman so I’d really like the chance to pitch National West’s financial benefits to your entire family—”
“Hey, Ben.”
Startled at the interruption, he glanced up and bit back a groan. He hadn’t seen Michelle Littlefield, a woman he’d dated right out of high school, for several years. This was one of his least favorite things about living in Sundance—he always ran into someone he knew. “Michelle. How are you?”
“Great. When Gloria came back into the kitchen to tell me you were in the dining room, I had to come out and say hello.”
“It’s been a while.”
“About eight years since I left to attend cooking school. I just recently returned to Sundance.”
Then it clicked. Littlefield. “Fields is your restaurant?”
“I always knew a smart guy lurked beneath that handsome face of yours,” she teased.
Ben felt his cheeks warm beneath Michelle’s admiring gaze and Ainsley’s curious one. “Ah, Michelle, this is Ainsley Hamilton. She’s the bank president at National West. Ainsley, Michelle Littlefield.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Michelle.”
“Same here. Sorry if I interrupted a business lunch. I wanted to say hello and mention I’d love to catch up with you sometime, Ben.”
Luckily Michelle left before Ben had to formulate another lie about how much he’d enjoy that.
Ainsley raised an eyebrow.
“Sorry.”
“Not your fault. But I’m beginning to understand why you prefer spending your free time at the club in Gillette.”
“And why’s that?”
“Because you can whip the women who annoy you.”
He chuckled.
“Back to the loan issues. I’m not trying to discourage you. But you need to be aware loans are very hard to come by in this economy. Even for people like you, who I’m assuming has established good credit. Taking on additional financial burden without a guarantee you’ll have increased income? I want you to consider very carefully about applying at your regular bank first.”
“I have. And I can’t.”
She studied him. “I’d have to delve into your financials, Ben, and I don’t know how comfortable I am with that.”
“It’s nothin’ I wouldn’t tell you if you just asked me.”
“You’re that open about your finances with everyone?”
“No. But we’re more than just casual acquaintances, Ainsley, way more.”
She turned her gaze away from his.
“Look at me.”
That command grabbed her attention but she glared at him. “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Go beastly Dom on me.”
He held up his hands in surrender. “Sorry.”
“At least you didn’t say, sorry, habit.”
Ben smiled. “So touchin’ you right now is out, too? Because I missed it last night.”
Ainsley stared at him, her eyes conflicted, but also resolute. “Touching me at any time is out.”
“What?”
“You do understand this—” she gestured to the empty space between them, “—ends if I take your loan application.”
“What? Why?”
“I can’t compromise my position at the bank. Any hint of professional impropriety will have long-term repercussions on my career. So while I’m willing to help you secure a loan, once the paperwork is underway, we will only have a business relationship. Period.”
Christ. He hadn’t considered it’d come down to that. He hadn’t considered how much her casual dismissal of him would sting. “It has to be that black and white?”
“Yes.” The firm set to her jaw meant this was nonnegotiable. “Even if we were in a normal dating situation, I’d end it the instant business entered the equation. You have the choice to keep our original agreement intact.”
“By askin’ Settler’s First to lend me the money.”
She nodded.
He stretched across the table, and reached for her hand, hoping charm would have some effect on her. “I need the loan. I want you. I want you like fuckin’ crazy. I can’t have it both ways. For a man used to havin’ his way in all things? This absolutely sucks balls. Why can’t we—”
“Sneak around more than we already are?” she supplied coolly. “We both knew this would end. You’re just choosing to end it sooner.”
And with that comment, she’d put the ball squarely in his court. Ainsley could chalk up their time together as an experiment.