Almost Perfection

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An Excerpt From: ALMOST PERFECTION

Copyright © LYNN LAFLEUR, 2009

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

"Robin, this is my brother, Brent."

He looked up, and felt as if he´d been tackled by the Dallas Cowboys defensive line. Robin Howell didn´t look at all as he´d imagined. Golden blonde hair was held in place on top of her head in one of those funny-looking clips like Michelle used. Various shades of blonde flowed through her hair, not the single color of a dye job. He knew women could get that streaky look from a hairdresser. He´d bet next week´s paycheck that Robin´s was natural.

Hazel eyes were surrounded by long eyelashes thickened with mascara. She had an ivory complexion that probably tanned easily. Full lips, high cheekbones, a long neck, voluptuous body. She was an incredibly attractive woman.

Exactly his type.

Her eyes held the deer-in-the-headlights look. He loved having such a strong effect on women. He slowly rose from his chair, a welcoming smile on his lips.

She blinked her eyes and straightened her shoulders. After clearing her throat, she held out her hand to him. "Nice to meet you, Brent."

Lifting her hand to his mouth, he kissed the back. "Hi, Robin. I´m very pleased to meet you."

Michelle rolled her eyes again. "Don´t mind him, Robin. Brent thinks all women find him irresistible."

"Only the ones with good taste."

Robin tugged her hand away from his. "Are you one of the escorts, Brent?"

"Yes, I am. Want to hire me?"

Huffing out an irritated breath, Michelle slapped him on the arm. "Behave. I don´t want you scaring Robin off before we even get started. Why don´t you make us some coffee or hot tea?"

"Which do you prefer, Robin?" Brent asked.

"Hot tea would be nice."

He flashed her his friendliest smile. "Coming right up."

* * * * *

Brent Cooper had been born to charm women.

It had taken Robin Howell less than one minute in the same room with Michelle Cooper´s brother to make that determination. Tall, with a swimmer´s broad-shouldered build, the handsome blue-eyed blond oozed sex appeal.

He made her think of walking sin.

Her stomach had clenched at the first sight of him, a natural reaction to seeing a man so attractive. His cocky grin and phony charm quickly squelched any desire. She´d dealt with a handsome, conceited man in the past. She didn´t want to ever deal with another one.

"My sister-in-law Jade said you did a wonderful job for the hospital. She was very pleased."

Michelle´s comment dragged Robin away from thoughts of the past and back to the present. "Jade was easy to work with. She gave me an idea of what she wanted and let me create."

"That´s what I want too." Michelle sat behind the desk and motioned for Robin to take the chair next to her. "I have some ideas, but I want you to work your magic."

Robin removed her laptop from the leather case and set it on the desk. "I like to work with my clients and create the exact look they want. I´ll show you how to make changes and upload them yourself should you choose to do so instead of my doing them."

"I´m good with numbers and flowers. I´m not so great with graphics. The website I created two years ago is way outdated."

Robin smiled. She liked Michelle´s honesty. "You don´t have to be great with graphics. I´ll do all the hard, time-consuming stuff for you." She pulled a legal pad from a pocket in her case, along with a file folder containing her pricing information. "Here´s a list of my costs. Naturally, the more you want on your website, the more it will cost. But I promise all my clients a twenty-four-hour turnaround. Once I design and upload your site, any changes you want will be completed in one day."

"Sounds good."

Brent came back in the room carrying a tray with three mugs of hot tea. Robin watched him set the tray on the desk. He winked at her before picking up one mug and returning to his chair.

He studied her as he sipped his tea. Robin could almost feel his gaze moving over her hair, her eyes, her mouth, and down to her breasts...checking her out as if she would be his latest conquest.

Fat chance of that happening.