Free Web NovelChapter 25: Offer (1)
"Thank you," Scarlet thanked Ian for the coat he offered to her.
"You may keep it."
"I have no use for a man’s coat other than now. I shall return it to you when I get inside," Scarlet replied, pulling the coat close to protect herself from the cold air.
Ian turned to unlock the door quickly so she wouldn’t freeze. "You don’t have to use it. Just keep it somewhere in your estate for me to collect another time. Then I would have a real reason to visit."
"Well, now that trick won’t work because I know of your plans," said Scarlet. "You are not turning on the lights?"
"I don’t want anyone to think that I am open and disturb us. I will only turn on one light," Ian answered, locking the door behind Scarlet after she entered.
"How many businesses do you have?" Scarlet questioned, still hooked on his success.
"A few," Ian answered, placing the key in his pocket. "Do you wish to hear about all of them? Curious how I was able to make something for myself?"
"No. I assume that the money given to you when you came of age was a good amount or your stepmother paid you handsomely to not approach her. You could have made a bit of money tonight," Scarlet said as she took off Ian’s coat.
Ian enjoyed the show of Scarlet taking off his coat to reveal her shape. The black dress and jewels suited her well.
"First, you tell me how to kill someone and now saying that I should have made use of that woman. You’re a bit evil, Scarlet. Should I be alone with you? You scare me a little," Ian joked.
"You should be scared," Scarlet answered honestly. "I am a businesswoman. I am always thinking of how to earn money."
"And the part about killing someone?"
"I am human. I like to get rid of some of the fools around me if they pose a threat to my life," said Scarlet.
"Are you not afraid that I will share that you have killed someone?" Ian questioned, watching as she walked around as if she owned the place.
"I killed someone?" Scarlet replied, feigning ignorance. "How can you prove that and before you go missing?"
"I see. The more I speak to you, the more I can’t stop myself from liking you. What do you want to have now? I can make tea, offer myself to you, or a bottle of wine. I would suggest you have me. I taste better than the two others," Ian suggested.
Scarlet smiled, finding his flirting to be amusing. He certainly was a good kisser. Ian’s talk wasn’t all for nothing as she had not regretted kissing him. "I will take the wine. I have tasted enough of you for the night."
"You’re a tease, Scarlet. Sit anywhere you like. I will be quick," Ian said, leaving her to find two glasses and a bottle of wine.
Scarlet sat down close to where Ian was getting the glasses and continued to look around. Being here was much better than at the ball as she could relax. There was no one besides Ian watching her every move.
"I’ve been saving this bottle for a good moment."
Scarlet turned to Ian sitting to her right. "I am honoured to be present for the opening of it. You know, you may get unwanted guests soon. I am not speaking of the papers."
"I look forward to curious minds coming to ask about us. I am not afraid of anyone in this town, Scarlet. You don’t need to be concerned," said Ian.
If Jack was going to come around to ask about why Ian was with Scarlet, Ian wouldn’t be bothered by it. Unless Scarlet was speaking of the woman Beth?
"I wasn’t worried about you. Simply warning you about their arrival so you could be quick to close the doors to avoid silly talk. We should all be a little cautious around the man who has some influence with the papers. You moved from being a man to just pour me tea. Well done," Scarlet said as Ian would be useful in the future.
"My price to get them to stop speaking of you will keep increasing. A dance first, but now you would need to treat me to dinner if you want me to do it again. I can also settle for a kiss here," Ian said, tapping his cheek.
"One kiss does not mean you should expect many more. I must make it clear now that I didn’t develop any feelings for you after the kiss. I just needed a bit of excitement at the moment," Scarlet said, seeing to it the line between them was still evident.
A kiss was not enough to make her like Ian though it did remind her of being in the arms of a man. Scarlet had no interest in relationships, but there were just a few moments when she thought of being with someone.
Scarlet had been putting up with the mess Jack created going over two weeks now. Would it be so wrong to be with a man who brought her pleasure instead of stress?
Unfortunately, there weren’t many options for her as there was always something about the men around her to annoy her. Ian was a good option, but it might ruin the relationship slowly building and then she would be looking for someone else to make her tea.
"I am terrified of people who fall in love after a kiss. I am still stalked by those I have only spoken to. I know that you hold no feelings for me. Just a woman wanting to enjoy time with a man. I am not one to kiss and tell if you are considering me," Ian said, ending with a wink. "Again, my body is yours for the taking."
"You are starting to sound like one of the men who sell their bodies to the older women in town. That automobile you have out there would be the perfect gift if you sent them to the moon," Scarlet teased.
"You wound me, Scarlet. To for a second think that I would waste my talents with women far older than me. What sort of rooms have you been in to know about that sort of thing?"
Scarlet chuckled. "I can avoid reading what is in the papers, but when I attend parties it’s hard to ignore what the women are sharing. I have seen those relationships with my own eyes. It is not all about the money I must say. Some turned to love."
Ian, no longer wanting to hear about older women and young men, turned to open the bottle to pour wine for Scarlet. "It is not strong. I don’t need you thinking that I brought you here to get you drunk."
"That wouldn’t happen as I know my limits and I am a good drinker. With wine and other drinks like it, I don’t need to leave my estate. I enjoy a glass at the end of the day. It is sweet," Scarlet commented on the wine after taking a sip. "Must you stare?"
His gaze was once again fixed on her which left her wanting to shift around in her seat.
Ian looked away from Scarlet to the red wine in his glass. "I must savour the sight of you in the dress that you wear now. I could not get you out of the ball fast enough so the men could not gawk at you." ƒrēewebnovel.com
Specifically, the poor bastard that was by Scarlet’s side and the man Jack.
