Surprised by Love: A Contemporary Romance (The Armstrongs Book 4) (2 page)

Douglas glanced at the clock once more and then quickened his movements. He stuffed the rest of his notes into his briefcase and hurried towards the elevator. It was high time to head into his office, if he wanted to meet with his secretary and get some work done before the new loan manager from Asia Bank arrived.

The company driver had offered his services yesterday, and Douglas had readily accepted. The comfort of the air-conditioned car, and knowing he wouldn’t have to try to navigate the crowded streets with left-hand traffic had been a huge relief. He’d arranged for the car to pick him up at seven o’clock sharp.

Douglas stepped off the elevator and then smiled as he saw the company car already sitting at the curb waiting on him. He greeted the driver and settled himself into the back seat.

They had gone a few blocks, when he found himself sitting in a horrible traffic jam. The same thing had occurred the day before on his ride from the airport and it had taken over two hours to go just a few miles. He didn’t have that kind of time to waste today.

After conferring with the driver, he decided to walk the remaining distance and stepped out of the car. It was less than a mile from his serviced apartment to the office building, as both were located in downtown Kuala Lumpur. He figured it would only take him fifteen minutes to walk the remaining distance and he set off.

When he arrived at his office, his secretary was already waiting on him.
One of the advantages of bringing my secretary with me. She knows I like to come in early.
His secretary had arrived in Kuala Lumpur a week earlier, giving her plenty of time to get the office set up to his specifications.

“Good morning, sir.”

“Good morning, Abby. Is everything set up and ready to go?”

“Yes, sir. The offices are set up, and we already have a small administrative staff in place. A few of the foremen have arrived as well. I believe they start interviewing subcontractors and workers for the construction site this week.”

“Excellent! What would I do without you?”

Abby smiled at him, but didn’t answer.

“I’m going to try to get some work done. The new loan manager from the bank is due at nine o’clock. Let me know when he arrives.”

“They wouldn’t give up the idea of their own man overseeing the finances?”

“No. His name is Toni Barkin.”

“I’ll be waiting for his arrival,” she assured Douglas as he turned and entered the office behind her desk.

Douglas nodded absently, his mind already on the work that needed to be done this morning. Their first project was to build the Wang Li Tower. When completed, it would hold the distinction of being the tallest building in the world. Taller than the prestigious Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Taller than the Petronas Towers right here in Kuala Lumpur. Those twin structures had been the tallest buildings in the world until Taipei 101 Tower was completed in 2004. But it didn’t hold that title for long because soon after, the next tallest building came along.

He sat down behind his desk and smiled at the thought of how the owners always tried to build higher and higher. No matter how high they built today, it wouldn’t last long. There would soon be another building claiming the title of being the tallest building in the world. But then, he wasn’t complaining. His company profited hugely from the vanity of their clients. Stronger Constructions was known for their solid yet light structures, making them well respected and highly sought after when it came to building mega structures.

This project would be a massive accomplishment for the company, and the only dark spot on the entire thing was that they had needed to take out a big loan from an international bank. Based upon where they were building, Douglas and his father went with Asia Bank, but one of their requirements was having a “loan manager” working directly with him on every aspect of the project.

This individual would be privy to all expenses, and would have final approval on everything.
Everything is a lot!
That was the part of this project that bothered him the most. In fact, he hated it.

He had been working in this industry for long enough; he knew what he was doing.
I don’t need a babysitter. Much less some pencil pusher who likes counting nickels and dimes. I bet he hasn’t even been to a construction site before.

His contact person at Asia bank had told him the loan manager’s name was Toni Barkin, had lots of experience in the field, spoke Mandarin, and knew Asia very well. He had tried his best to talk the bank out of that requirement, but it was either accept the loan manager, or not take the loan.
I hate the guy already.

Apart from overseeing the construction work on the next tallest building in the world, Douglas was here to prove himself to his father. Having a babysitter controlling his every move wasn’t exactly the best scenario for his plans.

It had always been a foregone conclusion that Douglas would take over the company once his father retired. But as the time for that drew nearer, his father had begun voicing concerns and was almost reluctant at this point to follow through with his retirement.

Douglas was positive that his father’s reluctance stemmed from him not trusting in Douglas’ abilities. He had been working his butt off the last two years, so much so, that work was his life. He simply did nothing else.

His normal workday had a minimum of eighteen hours, he never went out, and he hadn’t even gone on a date with a woman in the last two years. In fact, he’d been so immersed in his work, he hadn’t had the time to think about going out with a woman.

The only leisure time he allowed himself was the occasional basketball games he played with his brothers Ryan and Trevor. And those games happened infrequently. In fact, they were rare occasions.

A few minutes before nine o’clock, Douglas opened his office door, wanting to listen in and observe the loan manager due to arrive any time. He smiled at Abby and then instructed her, “Go ahead and send him in when he gets here.”

“Yes, sir.”

He returned to his desk, keeping one ear tuned to the outer office. When a knock sounded on his office door several minutes later, he looked up in surprise because he had heard no one arrive.

A woman stood at his door, her hand still raised as she prepared to knock again. “Mr. Armstrong? I’m Antonia Barkin.”

Douglas was completely taken aback.
She’s a woman? How is that possible? Wasn’t he supposed to be getting a male loan manager? Someone who might know something about the construction of really big buildings?

He looked at her and mentally grimaced. Not only was she a woman, she’s the most beautiful woman he’d seen since…this morning.
She’s the woman from the swimming pool
.

The sun coming through the windows behind him shone against her hair, and he noticed it was even a lighter shade of blonde than when it was wet this morning.

His eyes skimmed her features, noting that she was even more beautiful now that he glimpsed her face and her gorgeous green eyes.
Like a mermaid. Beautiful and Elusive.

Her green eyes, framed by long lashes, didn’t blink while he continued to appreciate her beautiful face: the cute little dimples in her cheeks, and then he came to her lips. Her luscious looking lips.
I wonder if they’re as soft as they appear.

Suddenly he realized where his thoughts were headed and slammed the brakes on his simmering libido.
Remember stud, she’s here to control you, not to sleep with you.

He strove to put his business face on, the stern face he gave errant employees or contractors trying to cheat him. Unfortunately, just looking at her had his body heating up, and in all the wrong places.

He chalked it up to not having slept with a woman in ages. He hadn’t had the time to develop a relationship because of his work load, and he didn’t do casual. Everyone teased him with being a little old-fashioned, but he believed if you were going to have a relationship, then it better be serious. A relationship with no future wasn’t for him, and right now, he didn’t have time to get seriously involved in anything but work.

What on earth were the managers at the bank thinking? Sending a woman to oversee a construction project of this scale?
Douglas wasn’t a chauvinist per se, but in his experience he had yet to meet a woman who could hold her own in this industry. The workers he employed were rough, and that would be even more pronounced in this dominantly Muslim environment.
The bank must be either hard up, or they didn’t read the scope of the project.

He must have been telegraphing his dismay because when she stepped into his office, her expression turned glacial. Before he could even say a word, she boldly challenged him, “If you think I can’t do the job because I’m a woman, you’re wrong.”

…
and a chauvinistic pig,
he completed her sentence in his mind. He prayed she wouldn’t be so bold as to voice that thought because he didn’t consider himself a chauvinist. Not at all. But whether she was a man or a woman, it really made no difference to him. He didn’t want anyone looking over his shoulder.

And the fact that he was attracted to her like a moth to the light made matters even worse.
This is getting complicated.
He looked at her and pasted a fake smile upon his face. “Come on in and have a seat. I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, but I expected a man when hearing the name Toni Barkin.”

He stood as she walked towards the only empty chair in his office. “I’m Douglas Armstrong.”

When she didn’t relax her expression, he groaned inwardly.
This is how we’re playing the game?
He continued in his friendliest voice, “This project will be pretty rough, and the guys we’ll be working with might not be willing to—”

She raised a hand and stopped him from speaking further. “Mr. Armstrong, let’s get one thing straight. I am fully aware of what your project entails. Asia Bank sent me here because I am the absolute best person to handle this job. It is not my first time around these types of projects, nor is it my first time in Kuala Lumpur. As for the Muslim community you will be pulling your employees from, I have plenty of experience with that culture.”

Now, we can continue to play this little charade where you try to butter me up to get me to go home, at which point I would simply make a phone call and have your loan withdrawn. Or…we can get down to business. Your choice.”

Douglas held his temper in check, but just barely. Seeing that he was indeed at her mercy, he nodded, “By all means, let’s get down to business.”

She visibly relaxed at that point and Douglas watched a smile flirt at the corners of her mouth. “Fabulous. Now, I was told this might be your first time with a loan manager on site, so let me give you a quick run-down on my duties while here. I will oversee all expenses of the project, approve all legal contracts, and you have to run all customer relation issues by me as well.”

Douglas took a breath and then paraphrased her job duties back to her, “So basically, every decision I make on this project needs your approval.”

She smiled at him and nodded, “Exactly. I’m so glad you understand how this will work.”

Douglas gritted his teeth and stared hard at her. He so did not like taking orders. From anyone. He was trying to prove to his father he had what was needed to take control of the company by managing this job well.
I don’t need a babysitter! Not even one as beautiful as she is.

Seeing her scrutinizing him, he tamped down his ire and gave her a short non-committal smile. “Yes. I would like it to go on record though, that your services are not necessary. I can perfectly manage this project myself.”

“Duly noted, but those were not the terms of the loan. Now, I imagine you would like to get back to work, and I would like to go over the books.”

Douglas clenched his teeth so hard, he almost feared he’d break them. With a curt nod, he strove for civility and stood up. Coming around the desk, he waited for her to precede him to the door. He was trying to be nice, but her very presence was making that difficult.
What a bitch she is!

He reached past her to hold the door open, and accidentally brushed his hand over her shoulder. The sudden zing that ran through his body caught him off guard.
God, why do I have to be so attracted to her? She’s completely unlikeable.

He moved his hand back quickly as if he’d burnt it and then led her out and let his secretary take over the task of showing her where she was to work. He returned into his office, barely refraining from slamming the door behind him.

His body was still humming from that slight contact and he sighed loudly.
Give it up, buddy. She is not for you. Besides, she just spent the last fifteen minutes scrutinizing you like a bug under a magnifying glass.

Toni managed to keep her thoughts to herself and her smile in place as the secretary walked her down a short hallway and showed her a nicely appointed office that had been set aside for her use.

“Thank you, Abby.”

“You are most welcome, Ms. Barkin.”

“Please, call me Toni.”

“Very well. Let me know if you need anything.”

“I will,” Toni assured her. She waited until the secretary had returned to her desk before she walked to the large window and stood looking out over the city.
That meeting was worse than I imagined it would be. Douglas Armstrong is an arrogant alpha male with serious control issues. I can’t believe he actually thought he could convince me to leave.

She stared at the horizon for a moment and then realized this would be her hardest job yet. Why did she have to be so immensely attracted to him? Even now, she was having trouble concentrating on the job she was supposed to be doing. Her body tingled and her feminine parts were alive and aware, which confused the hell out of her.

You’ve just made your job a lot harder, stupid
. She didn’t recognize herself, she wasn’t normally acting hostile towards a client. No, on the contrary, usually she was overly friendly and did everything in her power to try to win her clients over. But she hadn’t done that with Douglas, and probably wouldn’t.
I need him to dislike me so he will stay away from me. He’s too dangerous to my peace of mind.
Besides, I’m here for business, not for romance.

Toni took a great amount of pride in her job and was one of the best consultants and controllers within Asia Bank. She had worked hard and proven herself during the last years. This had given her the status of being awarded the biggest and most prestigious projects. Especially the projects where the bank was heavily invested with loans.

Her specialty was the construction business. She smiled to herself, half amused and half bitter.
Everyone always underestimates me just because I’m a woman. And a blonde.

She consoled herself with the fact they all ended up seeing their mistake in the end. Her job was tough, and no matter how friendly she was, or how accommodating because she was imposed by the bank, her clients always saw her as ‘the enemy’. She’d learned not to take it personally, and after having done this a time or two, she had stopped caring whether her clients liked her or not.

It was like it was. She didn’t need or seek the approval of her clients to validate her success.

Her thoughts turned back to Douglas Armstrong. He’d been adamant about not wanting her here. She sighed as she sensed the problems ahead of her. They were all the same, and she knew all of their tricks. They think they know everything, even though they’ve never been in Asia before.

Turning towards the desk, she put thoughts of the problems to come from her mind and got to work. She started by looking through the books and then jotting down some ideas to enhance the PR of his company. In Malaysia, most of the business people were of Chinese ancestry. Knowing the cultural background of those you wanted to do business with was a great advantage.

She’d learned the hard way that it was very important to maintain good relations, before doing business together in the Chinese culture. After her first few catastrophic projects, she’d taken on Mandarin classes, and was now almost fluent in the spoken language.

That had been the turning point in her career. Her mastery of the language and knowledge of the culture had proved to be a huge asset in past assignments and gained her the status as the top consultant of the bank.

Wang Li, the owner of Wang Li Enterprises, was the richest man in all of Malaysia. He was also the future owner of the Wang Li Tower that Douglas’s company was getting ready to build.

First order of business, arrange a meet and greet with Mr. Wang. Just because Stronger Constructions had already signed the contract with Wang Li Enterprises meant nothing. During the ‘probation period’ of three months, the contract was just an intention. This was usually the first, and most costly mistake foreigners made when coming here to do business. They didn’t get to know the business culture.

Either party had the option of retracting from the business agreement, at any time during probation; and the Malaysian party did frequently, most especially if they were not feeling appreciated enough. It had happened many times before.

This was one of the main reasons the Asia Bank always insisted on having a loan manager working closely on the project. They felt their investment was safer as long as they had someone with local knowledge of the customs and pitfalls helping guide the borrower.

She picked up the phone and called Wang Li’s office. After introducing herself, in flawless Mandarin, she was allowed to speak with him directly. Another benefit of speaking the language. Even the most occupied businessmen couldn’t resist the curiosity to speak to a ‘Long-Nose’ in Mandarin. It had opened many doors to her. Even Wang Li’s.

After exchanging pleasantries with Wang Li for several minutes, she suggested he and his wife join her and the principal of the company that would be building his skyscraper.

She hung up and went back to looking over the books. She made notes as she went along, some questions that crossed her mind, and other ideas for how to more efficiently handle certain aspects of the project.

A few hours later, Wang Li’s secretary emailed with the date and location for the meeting.
Yes!
Toni was proud of her accomplishment and rushed to Douglas’ office to give him the good news, when she remembered that she’d resolved not to like him.

She slowed her steps, wiped the smile from her face and because Abby’s desk was empty, she simply approached the partially open door and knocked.

“Mr. Armstrong?”

“Come in.”

She pushed the door open, but hesitated to enter the room. “I just wanted to let you know that we have a meeting with Mr. Wang Li and his wife two days from now. For dinner.”

“Really? When did that get scheduled?”

“When I called him and scheduled it.”

A scowl crossed his face for a millisecond, but then he put on his business face, “Thank you. That sounds like a wonderful idea.”

Toni raised a mental eyebrow at the veiled compliment.
Did he just compliment me?

“Come in and have a seat. There’s no reason to hang out in the doorway.”

Toni stepped inside his office, making sure the door stayed open. She needed an escape, just in case. She didn’t trust herself in his presence.

When he rose and gestured towards the chair sitting in front of his desk, she took a seat and then waited for him to seat himself again.

“So, tell me more about Mr. Wang Li. I assume there’s a reason you scheduled a dinner date with he and his wife?”

Toni nodded. “Things work differently over here. Mr. Wang is of Chinese heritage.”

“And that is important why?”

“The Chinese like to do business with people they know. In this instance, Mr. Wang needs a chance to get to know you so that he is comfortable with you handling the construction of his building.”

Douglas interrupted her. “But we already signed the contract.”

She couldn’t hide a smile. “See. This is the first mistake foreigners usually make. A contract isn’t worth the paper it’s written until the two parties get to know and trust each other.”

She expected him to get angry at her, like her clients normally did, and give her a lecture in contract law, blah blah blah. But much to her surprise, he didn’t.

He kept quiet for a long time and when he talked again, he fired questions at her. She startled for a moment.
Mr. I’m-Perfectly-Capable asks me about my opinion?

Toni answered them all, to the best of her knowledge, and was amazed at how perceptive he was. She’d expected him to challenge her, but instead, he listened and seemed receptive to her suggestions.

“So, can you put together a lead sheet? Just the basic facts about Wang Li. I want to study up on him before our dinner meeting.”

She looked at him with wide eyes, but nodded, “Sure. I’ll have something for you before the end of the day.”

“Thanks.”

Toni stood up and left his office.
Maybe he’s not that bad after all?