“Tom would be angry,” she said. “I assume that’s the real reason you want me here?”

I’d be honest with her. She deserved that much.

“I can’t lie, I enjoy the thought of Tom squirming because his baby sister is working for me.”

She laughed without humor. “Of course you do. But what if, at the end of the month, I were to say the company is better off with Tom? My contract here would have ended, and Tom is unlikely to forgive me for taking you up on the offer, so he might not hire me back.” Her tongue darted out over her upper lip. “I could end up jobless. It would be a big risk for me.”

“If you did your job well, I’d bring you on longer term,” I said, even though I hadn’t accounted for that and found the prospect unsettling. “If you wanted to stay, that is.”

My chest burned with irritation that she’d think me capable of leaving her high and dry. But then, she didn’t know me, did she? To her, I was just a man with a grudge who wanted to steal her family’s company.

Her shoulders rose and fell on a deep inhale. “I’d like that in writing.”

I bit back a retort. “Fair enough. Although if your work is subpar, I reserve the right to let you go.”

She narrowed her eyes. “It won’t be.”

I hid my smile, pleased by her show of self-confidence. The glow of her pretty green eyes warmed my heart and made me wonder whether I had an ulterior motive for wanting her here. I hadn’t been genuinely interested in a woman for a long time, and she intrigued me. My gaze lingered on those perfect lips. I bet she tasted delicious. For a moment, I allowed myself to wonder what would happen if I seduced her. I’d make certain she enjoyed herself. But Willow didn’t seem like the kind of woman who’d agree to a fling.

“Good to know.” I cleared my throat. “If you were to agree, we’d pay you well.” I named a figure that I knew from Zeke’s research was at least double what she earned at Lennox Securities. If Tom knew she was not only employed by his competitor, but gainfully so, it would add insult to injury.

Her eyes bugged out. “That’s very generous.” She quickly schooled her expression. “You can’t buy my loyalty though.”

I shrugged. “I’m not. We always treat our employees well.”

She scowled as though she wanted to say I was lying but wasn’t so sure I actually was. She swallowed, and I watched the delicate ripple of her throat, unable to shut down the part of myself that wondered how she’d smell if I were to bury my nose at her pulse point. “I’ll need time to think about it.”

Disappointment slammed into me, shocking in its intensity. I’d told myself to expect this. She’d want to talk things over with Tom. But I’d still hoped she’d just say yes.