Tycoon for Hire

CHAPTER TWO

JENNIFER had wondered if David would be here. Now she realized that she’d always secretly expected him. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of his perfect features under thick, wavy, fair hair.

He looked in her direction and Jennifer saw the shock in his eyes. In another moment he would hold out his hands to her and all their differences would be forgotten. But he stayed frozen, his mouth opening and closing. He seemed confused. Then a young woman laid a hand on his arm, and he bowed his handsome head attentively towards her.

Jennifer stood there, stunned. David had turned away from her. There was a bleak, blind look in her eyes, and she forgot everything else, including Steven, watching her face closely.

Perhaps, she thought, David too had hired a companion. But a glance at the young woman banished that thought. She was mousy, and didn’t know how to make the best of herself. This wasn’t a professional. She was ‘real’.

Jennifer’s insides twisted at the thought that David had found someone else so soon. Then the girl smiled at him. It was a gentle, heartfelt smile, and it made her face charming. Jennifer was unable to control her little gasp. Steven heard it, and his eyes narrowed with interest.

‘So that’s him,’ he murmured in Jennifer’s ear.

‘Him—who?’

‘The pretty boy with the dull girl.’

‘I don’t know what you mean by pretty boy—’

‘He’s like a sugar figure on top of a wedding cake.’

‘Can we drop this?’ she asked with an effort.

‘But why? I’m only here to show him that you don’t give a damn. So let’s show him—unless you’re scared?’

‘Of course not,’ she said quickly.

‘Then take the bull by the horns.’

‘You’re right.’ She advanced on David with her hands outstretched. ‘David! How lovely to see you.’

He too recovered himself, and she knew he hadn’t expected to find her here with another man. ‘Jennifer,’ he said. ‘What a—a lovely surprise.’

‘But you knew I planned to come.’

‘Yes—er—yes, of course. It’s just that—let me introduce you to Penny.’ He hastily drew forward the young woman, who gave Jennifer a nervous look, followed immediately by her delightful smile.

‘This is Steven Leary,’ Jennifer said. As the men shook hands she began to feel more confident. At least David knew she wasn’t sitting forlornly at home, waiting for the phone to ring, and he need never know how often she’d done just that.

She slipped her arm through Steven’s and he responded on cue, smiling into her eyes with a theatrical intensity that was almost fatuous. She had a mad desire to giggle, as though the two of them were engaged in a private joke that nobody else understood. Not even David.

He was frowning uneasily, as though the sight of her with another man displeased him. But then Penny claimed his attention and he turned away. Jennifer kept her head up and her smile in place, but it was hard.

Fifty round tables filled the room, each seating eight guests. Jennifer didn’t know whether to be glad or dismayed to find that she was at the same table as David and Penny. They were almost opposite her, so she could see how gallantly he drew out her chair. He was always an attentive dinner companion, Jennifer thought wistfully. It made him charming to be with. She averted her eyes.

‘Tell me about David Conner,’ Steven said. ‘What does he do?’

‘He owns a small firm making machine tools,’ Jennifer said.

‘Did he start it himself?’

‘No, his father left it to him.’

The meal kept them occupied for a while. Steven played his part to perfection, attending to all her wants and smiling. Then there were speeches. Jennifer was facing the top table, but David and Penny had to turn around, so she could watch them without being seen. She noticed that David didn’t rest his hand on his companion’s arm, but sometimes he would lean close to speak to her, so that their hair touched.

The speeches ended and the mood became relaxed. People began drifting from table to table. One or two dropped by to talk to her. She did some useful networking, and when she’d finished she noticed that Steven was sitting with David and Penny. David was talking earnestly, and Steven was listening with a frown of concentration that made Jennifer wonder if he were concealing boredom.

‘How about asking me to dance?’ she said.

‘My lady has only to command,’ Steven replied, and led her onto the floor for a waltz.

‘You don’t know what a rare pleasure it is to dance with a woman tall enough to look me in the eye,’ he observed. ‘Usually I get a crick in my neck.’

‘I thought I ought to rescue you from David.’

‘Afraid all his serious talk would be above my head, huh?’

‘What did you tell him about us?’

‘That I was your toyboy, of course.’

‘Can’t you be serious for a minute?’

‘I’ll tell you this seriously. I’m not sure I ought to help you get him back. You might end up married to him, and how would I ever forgive myself?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘He’s not the man you need. You’d always be fighting with him for the mirror.’

‘What nonsense!’

‘It isn’t nonsense, Jenny—’

‘Don’t,’ she said quickly. ‘Only David calls me Jenny.’

‘It’s the wrong name for you anyway. Jenny is a little brown wren, and you’re a bird of paradise.’

‘Don’t be so sure,’ she said lightly. ‘I might turn out to be a cawing rook instead.’

He broke into laughter. It was a rich, pleasant sound, and several people glanced at them, including David. Immediately she turned up the wattage on her smile, focusing on Steven’s face.

‘OK,’ he said, understanding at once. ‘If that’s how you want to play it—’ He tightened his arm in the small of her back, drawing her against him, and an ardent look came into his eyes. ‘You’re gorgeous. I hope David appreciates you.’

‘Of course he does.’

‘Has he mentioned marriage?’

She hesitated. ‘In his own way.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘In actions,’ she said reluctantly, ‘not words.’

‘Don’t fool yourself, Jennifer. That “actions not words” argument is how women convince themselves that a man has said something when he hasn’t. You want him to propose and he won’t. Is that why you quarrelled?’

‘Never mind.’

‘Of course I mind. Until midnight I’m your new lover, madly jealous of the man you’re in love with. You are in love with him, aren’t you?’

‘Completely.’

‘More fool you! What was the quarrel about?’

How could she stop this man? He seemed to have an hypnotic power that made it natural to tell him whatever he wanted to know.

But it was hard to analyse the quarrel because she wasn’t sure what it had been about. They’d been discussing a problem David had had with his firm. To her the solution had been obvious, and she’d been happy to help him. Suddenly she’d looked up to see him watching her strangely.

‘You know more about this than I do, don’t you?’ he’d asked quietly.

Even then she hadn’t seen the danger, but had answered cheerfully. ‘It’s being with that old rascal, my grandfather. Some of it rubs off. Look, darling, all you have to do is—’

But he’d stopped her there, accusing her of trying to take charge. She’d denied it indignantly, and things had escalated. By the time they parted they’d covered so much ground that the original disagreement had become lost.

‘It had nothing to do with marriage,’ she said now, at last.

‘I’m glad. You’re worth a better man than David Conner.’

‘Don’t say that!’ she protested quickly.

‘Well done! I like you with that glowing light in your eyes. Don’t keep trying to watch him. You’ll spoil your effect. Concentrate on me. I think you’re a knock-out, plus you’ve got courage and spirit.’

‘Do you always talk to your clients like this?’

‘My—? Well, it’s true that I don’t do this often,’ Steven said, recovering quickly from his slip. ‘I tend to tell people the blunt truth instead of murmuring sweet nothings. Smile at me. He’s looking.’

Jennifer offered up her most dazzling smile and he returned it, gazing deep into her eyes. ‘That’s fine,’ he murmured. ‘Mind you, you’re more impressive when you’re annoyed.’

‘If you dare to tell me I look beautiful when I’m angry I’ll—I’ll step on your toe.’

‘I promise not to say anything so corny.’

‘Good.’

‘Even though it’s true.’

She saw his lips twitch and couldn’t stop herself from responding. The next moment she was joining in his laughter. ‘Oh, go to the devil!’ she said lightly.

‘Certainly. With you in my arms I’ll waltz to the mouth of hell and back.’ His eyes flickered in David’s direction, and he murmured through his smile, ‘You’ve got him worried.’

‘Who?’

‘David. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten the poor sap?’

‘Of course not,’ she said, too quickly. It was true that she’d been so intrigued by this man that David had briefly slipped from her mind.

‘Let’s give him something to really worry about,’ Steven suggested. He drew her closer still, looking down deep into her eyes. ‘I love the cut of your dress,’ he whispered.

She knew he meant her low neckline, and to her dismay she started to blush. She was one of those lucky women who could blush attractively, her cheeks going a delicate pink—something the man holding her close noticed with interest.

‘You’re the most beautiful woman here,’ he told her.

‘Stop saying things like that,’ Jennifer whispered.

‘You’re paying me to say them,’ he reminded her.

She caught her breath with shock. She’d been caught up in this man’s seductive spell, her senses vibrating with the power that streamed from him. And it was all a delusion. She’d bought his compliments, and they meant nothing.

‘Well, since you’re under my orders,’ she said in a shaking voice, ‘I’m telling you to stop.’

‘You hired me to make David Conner jealous, and that’s what I’m going to do.’

‘I hired you as an accessory, to be useful to my firm,’ she said quickly, remembering what Trevor had said.

‘Nonsense, that’s just the “party line”. It’s David you care about. Though just why is a mystery to me.’

He raised her chin with his fingers. She couldn’t resist him. Suddenly her heart was beating madly. She tried to ignore her own sensations and remember only that she was playing a part. But she could hardly remember the part, or why she was playing it. It was like floating in a dream.

This arrogantly assured man had the nerve to brush his fingertips over her lips. Jennifer drew a shuddering breath, astounded by the feelings coursing through her. This must stop. She must make him stop. But she did nothing. Nor could she speak.

She felt his touch drift across her mouth, along the line of her jaw and down her neck. Then his hand was cupping her head, drawing it closer as he lowered his lips to hers. Jennifer had a devastating sense of losing control. Everything about this evening had been a shock, and most shocking of all was the pleasure that possessed her as soon as his mouth rested on hers.

She lost all sense of time and space. She could no longer hear the band, or see the other couples circling around them. She was moving through the heavens in a dance that would last until the end of eternity. Her heart was beating wildly and she could hardly breathe.

‘You must let me go,’ she whispered.

‘If I had my way I’d never let you go,’ he growled. ‘I’d whisk you out of here to some place where they couldn’t find us, and discover what kind of a woman you really are. The answer might come as a surprise to you too.’

‘How dare you?’

‘Strange, isn’t it? But I already know you as David Conner never will. I know what I want from you, which I’ll bet is a damned sight more than he does.’

To her dismay the words ‘I know what I want from you’ sent a thrill through her. There had been a steely resolution in his tone that she’d never heard before from any man. She loved David for his gentleness and sweet temperament, but in a corner of her heart she had to admit he lacked decisiveness.

Not that decisiveness was all-important. She’d always told herself that. But in the arms of this purposeful man she felt a unique quiver of response that alarmed her.

She heard him mutter a soft ‘Damn!’ and came out of her dream to realise that the music was ending. The dancers were slowing and she was in Steven Leary’s arms, seeing the shock in his eyes, knowing that it mirrored the shock in her own. And nothing would ever be the same again.

For the next hour Jennifer functioned on automatic. Her mind was still whirling from the devastating encounter with Steven, and her flesh too seemed to be in turmoil, tingling with the memory of his touch.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw him waltzing with Penny. At last he appeared at her side again, taking her hand and leading her to the bar, where he procured her an orange juice. ‘You must be ready for some refreshment,’ he said. ‘So am I. I’ve been working for you.’

‘I saw you dancing with Penny,’ she said, taking his meaning. ‘How did you find her?’

‘She moves too correctly. I prefer a woman who dances with a man as though she wants to make love with him.’ His eyes challenged her.

‘I can imagine,’ Jennifer said, speaking awkwardly to conceal the fact that waves of heat were chasing themselves through her. ‘Is that the only fault you can find with poor Penny?’

‘She says “Yes” and “No” and keeps missing the step because she’s trying to keep her eyes on David. She’s his secretary, by the way, and he only invited her this afternoon.’ He heard her quick sigh of relief and said mischievously, ‘It looks as if he left it until the last minute, hoping you’d call. He doesn’t understand you because he’s full of himself. He’s happier with a girl who isn’t as pretty as he is. You two were bound to break up.’

‘David and I haven’t broken up—not finally.’

‘You have if Penny has anything to do with it. She’s keen on him.’

With a flash of spirit she said, ‘I can take him back any time I want.’

‘But is he worth taking?’

‘Yes,’ she said defiantly.

‘All right. Come on.’ Steven led her over to where David and Penny were talking. Charmingly he drew Penny away, leaving David and Jennifer together. David drew a deep breath.

‘How have you been keeping?’ he asked politely.

I’ve been yearning for you to phone, and breaking my heart when you didn’t, she thought. I’ve cried when nobody was looking, and tried to understand what I did wrong.

‘Well, you know what it’s like at this time of year,’ she said with a laugh. ‘The work just keeps crowding in and I haven’t had a moment to myself. I expect it’s the same with you.’

Let me see the old look in your eyes.

‘Well, yes, I’ve been pretty busy,’ he agreed. ‘In fact, I’ve been away for most of the last two weeks. That’s why I wasn’t there if you called me.’

‘No,’ she said tensely, ‘actually, I didn’t.’

‘Of course not. I didn’t mean—Well, anyway…’

He finished with a helpless shrug and a smile. Jennifer caught her breath at that smile, which illuminated his boyishly handsome face.

‘David,’ she said impulsively, stretching out her hand to him. In another moment he would say her name, and their estrangement would be over.

‘Don’t stand about talking, darling!’ Steven appeared out of nowhere and seized hold of her. ‘The night is young. Let’s dance!’

Before Jennifer could protest she was swept willynilly onto the floor, held firmly in Steven’s arms.

‘Why did you do that?’ she protested. ‘He was just going to—What do you think you’re doing?’

‘Saving you from making a terrible mistake. I was watching, and he wasn’t “just going to”. You were just going to fall at his feet.’

‘That’s none of your—! I wouldn’t have done any such thing.’

‘Your face said differently. Is that all it takes? He gives that little boy smile, and a sensible woman goes ga-ga?’

‘Let me go at once. You’re right out of order.’

She tried to struggle free but he drew her closer, holding her tight so that his lips were close to her ear, and his body moved against her. ‘You should be thanking me, you ungrateful woman! If you’d caved in at the first test your relationship would never have recovered.’

‘What do you mean, “test”?’

‘It was your first meeting since the quarrel, and you were the one who blinked. I’ll bet he was talking about himself. Not about you, or the two of you, but himself. He looks the kind of self-centred idiot who thinks all roads lead back to him.’

She would have died rather than admit he was right. Her heart ached with disappointment that David hadn’t come up to scratch, and it hurt that Steven had seen it.

‘What is it with women like you that you have to fall for weak men?’

‘He’s not weak. He’s not arrogantly macho, if that’s what you mean. Some men don’t feel the need to be. It’s a question of confidence.’

‘And what did you do to damage his confidence?’

Jennifer drew a sharp breath. ‘That’s a lousy thing to say!’

‘Too near the truth?’

Suddenly she’d had more than she could take for one night. ‘I think it’s time I went home,’ she said.

‘Right. Put your hand through my arm and we’ll make a grand exit. Head up!’

Jennifer drove the first mile in silence before asking, ‘Where shall I take you?’

‘Just drop me at the next bus stop.’

‘I’m prepared to drive you home.’

‘Thank you, but the bus stop will do.’

‘There’s no need to be a martyr,’ Jennifer said patiently. ‘Tell me where you live.’

‘Must we finish up with an argument?’

‘What does it matter?’ she said despondently. ‘This whole evening has been a disaster.’

‘Not the whole evening,’ he reminded her. ‘There were a few enjoyable moments—’

To her dismay she could feel her cheeks burning at the reminder. To make sure he didn’t suspect, she spoke stiffly. ‘Forget them, Mr Leary. I’ve already done so.’

‘That I don’t believe.’

‘These things happen. People get carried away. It means nothing.’

‘You act like that with every man? Shame on you!’

She could hear the grin in his voice and strove to keep her dignity. ‘You know what I mean. The night’s over and we’ll never meet again.’

‘Think so?’

‘Not while I can prevent it.’

‘A reckless man might interpret that as a challenge.’

‘Don’t try.’

‘I’ll bet you another kiss that you contact me before the week is out.’

‘We’re approaching a bus stop. Goodnight, Mr Leary.’

As she pulled in to the kerb Steven began to fidget with the diamond cufflinks. ‘You’d better have these back.’

She didn’t want them. She could never give them to David now. Weariness and disappointment made her say, ‘There’s no need. Keep them to console yourself for losing your bet. You’ll get a good price for them.’

Steven already had the door open, but at this he stopped and regarded her coolly. ‘Perhaps I’d rather wear them to remind me of you.’

‘I’d rather you didn’t,’ she said, wishing that he would get out and leave her alone with her sadness. ‘I want to forget everything about tonight.’

‘And I don’t mean to let you,’ he said firmly, putting a hand behind her head and drawing her hard against him. It was a swift, decisive movement that left her no time to resist. Before she could think, his mouth was on hers, devastating her with the power and sensuality of his kiss.

He kissed her with fierce purpose. His lips were firm and warm, moving over hers insistently, allowing her no time to protest, to think, or do anything except respond.

‘Stop this,’ she said in a hoarse whisper.

‘I don’t want to stop,’ he growled. ‘And nor do you.’