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Until now. For some reason, she wasn’t willing to let Rick Hunter off so easily, even if refusing his offer hurt her more than it annoyed him.
She took a deep breath. “You can’t fix this with money. You’re just going to have to deal with the fact that you’re disappointing a girl who’s already had enough disappointments to last a lifetime.”
Something flashed in his eyes, there and gone. “I’m sorry about that, I really am. But I can’t believe you wouldn’t benefit from a financial contribution. I know nonprofits have been struggling the last couple of years.”
That was a hit to her solar plexus.
“Try to get this through your head, Mr. Hunter. I don’t want your money. But since that’s the only topic you’re willing to discuss, I might as well go.”
“Wait,” he said gruffly. “Don’t storm out, all right? Just—wait a second.”
She’d been on the point of turning away, but now she hesitated. His eyes were on her face, and once again there was something in his expression she couldn’t decipher. It held her in place for a moment.
“Look, how about this,” he said after a long pause. “I’ll send you a check next week, to give you time to …” He hesitated. “To think things through. I won’t hold you to anything you said here today, and I hope you’ll accept the donation. Okay? I’m sure you could use the money.”
He was making it easy for both of them. She could storm out in self-righteous anger, take a few days to calm down, and deposit his check without having to back down from her lofty position. Not to his face, anyway.
Her jaw felt stiff. “Yes, we could use the money. The Star Foundation is struggling right now. But money is only part of what keeps us going. The heart of what we do is help people. When our kids make wishes, they’re specific. They’re personal. Anyone can donate money, Mr. Hunter. But Julie wants to meet you.”
She was trying to reach the man she’d glimpsed so briefly behind the facade. Instead, her words only made him withdraw again.
“I’m sorry.”
“But—”
“I don’t like hospitals,” he said, as if that ended the discussion.
Allison stared at him. “No one likes hospitals. That’s why it’s so important to help the people who are stuck in them.”
“I’m sorry,” he said again. His expression was blank and cool.
Had she only imagined seeing a real human being behind that mask? “I’m sorry, too,” she said after a moment. “Parents feel so helpless when a child is diagnosed with cancer. Every instinct tells them to protect their kids, and then along comes a situation completely outside their control. That’s why it’s so frustrating when someone like you could actually do something—take some small, positive action to make a difference—only you won’t.”
Another flash of emotion showed through. “Ms. Landry—”
She wouldn’t be drawn in again. “Goodbye, Mr. Hunter.”
She left his office without looking back.
In the privacy of the elevator, she took a deep breath. When the doors opened she hurried across the elegant lobby, relieved to step outside again into the fresh air.
She walked quickly, impatient at every crosswalk. Her heart was beating faster than usual. After several blocks she realized she’d gone right past the garage where she’d parked.
She stopped, turned, and went slowly back the way she’d come.
She was supposed to be good with people. It was her job to get them involved, to persuade them they could make a difference.
But she’d failed to make even a dent in Rick Hunter’s armor. She’d felt at a disadvantage from the moment she walked into his office, and that wasn’t something she was used to.
And she’d ended up with nothing. No visit for Julie, and no money for the foundation. He’d offered, and she’d turned him down. She’d never refused a donation before.
She slid behind the wheel of her truck and turned the key in the ignition. He’d probably still send a check—he seemed like the persistent type. She’d just have to swallow her pride and accept it.
Pride had no place in her work. Nothing, and certainly not her own ego, could be allowed to get in the way of her mission to help families.
So why had she let Rick Hunter get to her? Why had she taken their encounter so personally? She’d swallowed her pride before—why did this feel so different?
She remembered those moments when she’d seen something underneath his coldness … something like real emotion. Like he really did feel badly about Julie. Like he really did want to help her.
That was the only reason she’d stayed as long as she did. Once she realized he wasn’t going to budge, she should have left. But a part of her had wanted to stay, to see if maybe, just maybe, she could get him to change his mind.
Not just for Julie’s sake, but for his, too. It would have been nice to see those two meet—the icy CEO and the irrepressible Julie, who managed to radiate enthusiasm for life even when she was exhausted by cancer treatments. There was no way Rick could meet her and not smile. Not unless the man truly lacked both a soul and a heart.
And somehow, in spite of everything, she didn’t think that was the case.
She slammed on her brakes for a red light she’d almost missed, adrenaline prickling her skin.
When the light turned green again she stepped carefully on the gas. It didn’t matter why her interaction with Rick Hunter had gotten under her skin. Maybe it was just the accumulated stress of a bad day. But from now on, she’d think of him like any other donor. When his check came, she’d cash it. She’d add him to the foundation’s mailing list and send him a thank-you card.
And she’d never have to see him again.
Chapter Two
On the days Rick walked to work, he usually took the most direct route between his condo and his office. Today he made a detour past James Memorial Hospital.
After eighteen years, he could drive past the place without being affected. He saw the hospital through his car window a dozen times a week. But now he stopped in front of the building, looking up at the rows of windows. He still remembered which one had been his mother’s.
Fourth floor, third from the left.
He lasted about ten seconds before he walked away. His hands were fisted inside his pockets.
Memories of grief and helplessness were a sick weight in his stomach. During the intervening years he’d built up layers of strength—physical, financial, emotional— all designed to insulate him from ever feeling helpless again.
He’d be a fool to undo any of it, to revisit that pit of emotional hell. The only reason he was even considering it was because of his plan to keep Hunter Hall—the plan he wanted Allison Landry to agree to.
The thought had occurred to him a few minutes after she’d left his office, and he’d dismissed it almost immediately. But then, as the day wore on, he couldn’t get the idea out of his head.
He couldn’t get her out of his head, either.
Not because he was interested in her. She was pretty—beautiful, even—but she wasn’t remotely his type.
He recalled the sight of her standing in the middle of his polished, expensive office, looking anything but polished and expensive. Allison had been fierce and passionate and focused on her mission. The women he dated were sleek and sophisticated and focused on him—or on landing a rich husband, anyway. And from their five-hundred-dollar hairdos to their manicured toes, they were designed to impress.
Allison didn’t give a damn about impressing people. Her personality, her appearance … she was the complete opposite of the women he usually went out with.
And exactly the kind of woman his grandmother wished he would date.
What was it Gran had said? That it wouldn’t kill him to date a woman of character for once. That she just wanted to believe he could change his ways.
She wasn’t asking for a wedding or an engagement. So maybe, if he was with a woman like Allison for a few months, that would satisfy her.
It would only be for show, of course. Allison wasn’t interested in him—that had been pretty damn obvious—and he wasn’t interested in her. Which made her perfect, because he had no intention of actually falling for her—or any woman, for that matter. Nothing made a man more helpless than that.
This would be a straightforward business deal, beneficial to both parties.
Provided he could make Allison an offer she couldn’t refuse.
When he arrived at the office, Carol was already at her desk. “What are you thinking about, boss? You’ve got a funny look on your face.”
“I was thinking about Allison Landry.”
Carol handed him some letters to sign. “I’m not surprised. That’s a young woman who makes an impression.”
He scrawled his name on the signature lines. “She made an impression on you, anyway.” He handed the letters back. “You liked her, didn’t you?”
“I did. The way she charged in here, like David taking on Goliath … when this company was just a start-up, I got to see more people like that. People with passion, you know? Now it’s just a parade of business types, corporate suits like you.”
He frowned, disliking that characterization more than he would have expected. “You think I’m just a suit?”
“Maybe not,” Carol said grudgingly. “But ten more years and that’s exactly what you’ll be. Of course if you got back to the creative side of things, maybe designed a new game …”
“Games are for children. Why do you think we recruit out of college for that division?”
“You could design for the business software line.”
He shook his head. “Give it up, Carol. You know I’m too busy.”
“You could hire a couple of VPs to handle some of your corporate responsibilities and free up your time to—”
“Not going to happen.”
Carol sighed. “Well, no one can say I didn’t try.” She glanced down at her message spindle. “Nelson called, by the way. He wants to talk to you about his noncompete agreement.”
Rick felt a quick pulse of anger. “He can go to hell. He left us two weeks before product launch and now he’s trying to wriggle out of his agreement? Screw that. The next time he calls, refer him to our attorneys.”
“I’ll give him the message, but you don’t always have to be such a hard-ass. Were you like this with Allison Landry? Is that why she blew through here so fast, after she talked to you?”
Rick had started toward his office, but now he paused. “She was upset?”
“She didn’t look happy. So I guess that means you’re not going to do it, huh?”
“Do what?”
“Visit that girl in the hospital.”
Carol knew he avoided hospitals, although she’d never asked him why.
“I’m not planning on it,” was all he said now.
He went into his office and shut the door behind him. A few minutes later he was at his computer, reading about the Star Foundation and its young director.
Allison had lost a sister to cancer when she was eighteen. She’d taken a year off before starting college at the University of Iowa, where she eventually majored in business. While she was still in school a small publishing house released a memoir based on the journals Allison had kept during her sister’s illness and in the year after her death.
To her own surprise, the memoir had become a bestseller. After she graduated, Allison used the proceeds from her book to start the Star Foundation. The agency provided support to families dealing with childhood cancer and also administered the Wish Upon a Star program, which worked to grant wishes to seriously ill children. In the last five years the foundation had touched the lives of hundreds of families.
Rick leaned back in his chair. She had a pretty impressive resume for a twenty-seven-year-old.
Based on what he’d just read about the agency and the scope of its services, he figured Allison’s operating budget was around three million dollars. He could also make a guess as to the financial difficulties she was facing. Nonprofits all around the country were still struggling.
He clicked on an image link, and a photo of Allison popped up on his screen.
Her soft brown bangs and serious expression made her look earnest and idealistic, but the tilt of her chin hinted at the force and determination he’d seen in his office yesterday.
And her bone structure could probably land her a modeling job.
Not a woman who could be easily categorized. When Rick realized he was staring, he closed the internet browser and picked up his phone.
* * *
“We had a letter from Telecorp today. They have to cut their annual donation by fifteen percent.” Allison sighed, wondering how much more bad news would be coming their way. “I wanted to start paying you this summer. Scott and Beverly, too. Maybe I can still figure a way to—”
“Don’t be silly,” Rachel said briskly. “I wouldn’t let you pay me. What part of volunteer don’t you understand?”
“The part where you’re getting your MBA next month and will probably be looking for gainful employment.”
“If and when that happens, I’ll still volunteer on weekends. I love the work we do here, you know that—and I’m not going to abandon you when you need me most. I know we’re going through rough times financially, but we’ll get through it. And in the meantime, I’m not going to let you or our kids down.”
Tears came into Allison’s eyes. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
The phone rang, and she picked it up absently.
“Star Foundation, Allison speaking.”
“Ms. Landry? This is Rick Hunter.”
She almost dropped the phone.
“Ms. Landry? Are you there?”
She cleared her throat. “Um … yes. Yes, I’m here.”
His rich baritone voice was cool and businesslike. “I’m calling because we didn’t end things on the best of terms yesterday, and I’m hoping we can start over.”
“Start over?”
“Yes. I have a business proposal for you.”
“A business proposal?”
She knew she was repeating everything he said, but she couldn’t seem to come up with anything more intelligent.
“Why don’t you let me explain over coffee? I’ve got a busy day, and I’m sure you do too. How about 6:30, at the Starbucks around the corner from your office? Unless there’s someplace more convenient for you.”
“No, that … would be fine.”
“Until then,” he said.
“Until then,” she echoed.
There was a brief pause. Not sure what else to do, she hung up.
She stared at the phone on her desk, her hand still curled around the receiver. She was meeting Rick Hunter tonight.
So much for never seeing him again.
“Who was that?” Rachel asked curiously.
Allison explained, and Rachel stared at her.
“I don’t believe it. You have a date with Rick Hunter!”
“It’s not a date. But it’s weird, isn’t it? What kind of business proposal could he have for me?”
“He doesn’t. That’s just to camouflage his real interest.” Rachel’s eyes were sparkling. “He fell madly in love with you at first sight, but sensing your animosity he had to—”
“Will you please join me back here in reality?”
“Reality is overrated. Okay, at least give me some details. You hardly told me anything yesterday. Is he as sexy in person as he is in that magazine? Just looking at his picture makes me want to burst into song.”
Allison’s mouth twitched. “Like in a musical?”
Rachel sighed dramatically. “More like an opera. I could do a whole aria about my lust for Rick Hunter. Did you sing while you were in his office?”
“No. I mostly yelled at him for being a selfish jerk. Which he is, by the way. He turned down Julie’s wish, and whatever he wants to see me about, I don’t think it’s to tell me he’s changed his mind.”
Rachel shook her head. “I tried to tell you before, you’re prejudiced. I read about him in that article. His company supports a lot of charities. And he went into the army right after 9/11—that’s not selfish, is it?”
Okay, that was surprising. Allison had a soft spot for soldiers—her brother was overseas right now on his fourth tour of duty.
Of course, military service didn’t automatically make Rick Hunter a hero. Not everyone went into the army for noble reasons. Maybe he just wanted to blow things up. He did design all those violent video games, after all.
“You know, I think you’re right,” she mused aloud.
“I frequently am. About what, specifically?”
“I think I am prejudiced. I’m looking for reasons not to like him.”
“That’s because you’re fighting an attraction so powerful you—”
Allison laughed. “Okay, stop. I won’t admit to a powerful attraction, but I’ll try to keep an open mind when I meet him later. Is that good enough?”
Rachel grinned. “For now.”
Rick finished work by five o’clock, which left him time for a quick workout before his appointment with Allison. He rode the elevator down to the basement, where he’d had a fitness center installed for his employees.
He was about to start his usual weight circuit when one of his VPs challenged him to some one-on-one basketball.
A short but hard fought game left him feeling relaxed and loose. He took a quick shower, decided to change into jeans and a T-shirt, and at six-twenty strolled into the Starbucks near Allison’s office.
She wasn’t there yet. If she was like nine women out of ten he knew, she’d be late, of course. He settled himself at a table in the back with a black coffee and the Wall Street Journal, but found himself glancing toward the entrance every couple of minutes.
At six-thirty on the dot, she came through the door.
He’d been wondering if she would dress any differently for this second meeting. He was used to women primping for him, dressing up for him. Hell, he’d been with women who wore makeup to bed.
Not that this was a date, of course. But it wasn’t crazy to think that Allison might have put some thought into her appearance before seeing him again.
She gave a nod of recognition when she saw him and threaded her way through the crowd toward his table.
She was wearing jeans and a gray sweatshirt. When she sat down, he could see she wasn’t wearing any makeup at all. Not even lip gloss.
Okay, that confirmed it. Allison Landry was not attracted to him.
Which was perfect, he reminded himself. For the kind of arrangement he was looking for, attraction would only be a complication.
“Hello again,” he said, laying down his newspaper. “Thanks for agreeing to meet me.”
She smiled, and her face was transformed. Gone was the serious-minded idealist. When she smiled like that she looked sweet, a little playful, and completely charming.
“I have to admit, I’m curious as to what kind of business proposal you have for me.”
He hesitated. “Can I get you some coffee first? Or tea?”
“No, thanks.”
He hesitated again. The straightforward look in her blue eyes made him feel unsure of himself, something he wasn’t used to. “Before I tell you about it, I’d like to apologize for yesterday. We didn’t get off on the right foot.”
“Maybe not, but we’re here to start over, like you said.” She rested her forearms on the table and clasped her hands together. “Tell me about your proposal, Mr. Hunter.”
“Rick.”
“Okay, Rick. And you can call me Allison. Now that we’re on a first name basis, will you tell me why I’m here?”
In a negotiation, always lead with strength. He took out the check he’d already signed and slid it across the table.
She frowned at him a second before picking it up.
Her skin was so translucent he could see the flush creeping up from the base of her throat to the roots of her hair. He could practically feel the warmth rising from her skin.
He was caught, fascinated. When was the last time he’d seen such transparent emotion?
She looked up at him.
“This is …” She paused to clear her throat. “This is a check for half a million dollars.”
He nodded slowly, his eyes on hers. “Would it help?”
Stupid question. Of course it would help.
“You can’t imagine how much,” she said, her voice trembling a little. “I was going to spend tomorrow figuring out what programs to cut this year … which services we won’t be able to provide. This …” Her chest rose with a quick breath. “This changes everything.”
He shouldn’t have asked. Now he felt a flicker of guilt, because there were strings attached to that check. For a moment he wished there weren’t, that he could bask in the glow of those flushed cheeks and shining eyes and ask nothing in return.
But that’s not why he was here. Well and good if their deal helped her out—her foundation did good work and Allison was obviously a good person. But he needed to get something out of this, too. He thought of Hunter Hall and hardened his heart.
“That’s one half of the business proposal I was talking about.”
She blinked at him. “Right. Yes. Of course.” She shook her head, smiling ruefully. “I’m sorry if I got carried away. The sight of all those zeros was a little overwhelming.”
He watched her rein in her emotions. And even though he knew it would be easier to negotiate if they were both in business mode, a part of him missed the stars that had been in her eyes a moment ago.
She laid the check back down on the table. “Well, you certainly have my attention. I’d like to accept this donation if it’s possible. So what do you need in return?”
“I need a woman like you.” He paused. “Specifically, I need people to believe you and I are a couple. If you’ll pretend to date me for three months, that check is yours.”
Silence.
Allison stared at him, and he looked back at her steadily. Then she cocked her head to the side, as if she wasn’t sure she’d heard right.
“You want me to … pretend to date you?”
“Yes.”
Another silence. “Okay, I’m waiting for the punch line. Because this is a joke, right?”
“No. It’s a straightforward business proposition.”
She stared at him for another minute. Then she sat slowly back in her chair, her eyes still on his.
“I’m going to need some backstory here,” she said at last. “I read last month’s People, and I find it very hard to believe that Rick Hunter, Playboy of the Midwest, needs to pay five hundred thousand dollars for a fake girlfriend.”
Damn that magazine. “That article is the reason I’m asking you to do this. My grandmother has never liked the women I date, and after she read that piece … well, let’s just say she wasn’t happy. And because of that, I’m going to lose something. Something that’s important to me.”
Allison frowned. “And pretending to date me is going to fix that somehow?”
“That’s the idea.” He remembered Gran’s exact words. “My grandmother wants me to date a woman of character. The minute I met you, I knew you fit the bill. So I’m proposing a business deal. An arrangement that would benefit us both.”
For someone who could be so transparent with her emotions, Allison could also put on a pretty good poker face. “What is it that you want? That you don’t want to lose?”
An image of Hunter Hall flashed into his mind. “A house.”
She raised an eyebrow. “I think you can afford to buy your own house.”
That made him smile. “Yeah, but not this one. It’s been in the family for more than a hundred years. Hunter Hall, it’s called.”
“And would your grandmother really sell your family estate? Just because she doesn’t like the women in your life?”
He hadn’t planned on going into this much detail. “Not exactly. She’s moving to the city this summer, and she was going to transfer ownership of Hunter Hall to me. But now she’s talking about giving the house to someone else—a second cousin. She wants a family to live in Hunter Hall. My cousin is married, and wants to have kids. So he says, anyway.”
“And you don’t want that? A family, I mean?”
His jaw tightened. He wasn’t husband or father material, but that wasn’t something he’d be discussing with Allison. “I’m happy as a bachelor and I intend to stay that way. Which is why I date … the women I date.”