by Cara Summers
All she wanted to do was wallow in self-pity for a while. Lick her wounds in private. Be alone with her scary thoughts. And wish she’d never met Horn. Or Eric Harmon.
ERIC SAT AT HIS DESK, STARING at his phone. Three days, and she hadn’t called. Not once. Hadn’t returned his messages. Not even to tell him to go to hell. This was starting to get to him. He wasn’t the one who’d orchestrated the charade.
And contrary to what she assumed, he didn’t care what she did for a living. He’d been surprised. Okay, shocked. And then confused and hurt. Yeah, they hadn’t known each other long, but why couldn’t she have told him? Why the big secret?
Granted, he might have been a little turned off if he’d found out when he’d first met her. Curious, certainly, but not seriously interested.
Tom stopped at his office door, glanced over his shoulder and said, “Webber’s on the warpath. Horn just called him and wants to know why you’re avoiding him.”
“Hell, I’m not avoiding him. I told him I didn’t have an answer yet.”
“Just wanted to give you a heads-up, buddy.” Tom slid another look down the hall before frowning at Eric. “You okay?”
“Fine.”
“You don’t look so good.”
“Yeah.” Eric scrubbed his face, exhaled slowly. He hadn’t slept worth a damn the past two nights. His thoughts were never far from Dallas. How could she possibly prefer her construction job to the opportunity Horn offered? Maybe she simply didn’t understand the magnitude of Horn’s offer.
If she invested wisely, after her three-year contract expired, she wouldn’t have to work for a while. Take time off to figure out what she wanted to do, start her own business, do whatever… So many options would be available to her if she’d only call him back.
“You wanna go to lunch?” Tom studied him with genuine concern. “Might be a good time to get out of here and clear your head before the old man calls you in.”
“No, thanks.” He got up, grabbed his suit jacket off his credenza.
Tom looked confused, his gaze following Eric’s movements as he shrugged on the jacket. “Am I missing something?”
“I need to run an errand.”
“Want company?”
Eric shook his head.
“Anything I can do?”
Eric paused. “Stall Horn. Get him off my back. Tell him I’ll have a final answer for him by tomorrow.”
“Will you?”
“I sure as hell hope so.”
ERIC LEFT TRUDIE’S OFFICE feeling less optimistic than when he’d gone in. Just locating her had been a feat in itself. He’d started with the human resource depart ment, who’d claimed no knowledge of Dallas. Nor had customer service. And not the security officer, who, he was pretty sure, had thought Eric was a stalker. By the time he’d gotten a lead on Trudie and convinced her to talk to him, he’d almost given up.
Might as well have done just that. The problem was bigger than he’d thought, and he had no idea how to fix it.
At the intersection he glanced at his watch. Too early to go to Pete’s for a drink, which he certainly didn’t need anyway, considering the obstacle he faced. But he didn’t want to go back to the office, either. Not until he had a chance to think this through.
He headed down Lexington in the direction of his apartment. Normally he’d take a cab, but he figured the walk might help clear his head. Damn it. Any other reason Dallas had for turning down the offer he could poke holes in. But loyalty? He didn’t have a chance. Not with this woman.
He smiled at the irony of the situation. Hell, the whole mess was one big irony. The very thing he ad mired her for doing was going to screw him to the wall. And then there was Capshaw’s Construction—biggest outfit in the tristate area and the company who’d built most of Horn’s malls. They had her, and Horn wanted her. If Eric could only figure out a way for her to keep her promise to her friends and still accept Horn’s con tract. Keep her from letting her career go down the damn tubes.
As much as he admired and respected her loyalty, it wasn’t going to make a damn bit of difference. The union wouldn’t help, and Capshaw’s was too big a company to worry about a handful of disgruntled employees. Yeah, they’d make nice, say all the right things because they were obligated to legally, but when it came down to it, on the job, the men wouldn’t be admonished for their behavior if it cost production time.
Eric had seen those scenarios back in Pittsburgh. It had always bothered him when his father used to defend these guys—good old boys.
Damn, what the hell was he going to do? He had to think, slow down his spinning thoughts, or he’d be use less. At an intersection he almost stepped off the curb too soon and got plowed down by a green Honda.
This wasn’t just about her job. Or his, for that matter. This was about them. It was soon, their relationship was only budding, but he knew there was something there, something they could build on if they both didn’t get too prideful or stupid.
He glanced at his watch. Maybe he should catch a cab the rest of the way. He didn’t have a lot of time. As helpful as Trudie had been, she still wouldn’t give him information on how to reach Dallas. But Trudie had given him a lead. Dallas would be in the display window tomorrow night. So whatever he came up with, it had better be quick.
DALLAS POSITIONED HERSELF IN the window at the white vanity table that had been preset for the bedroom scene. She was going to kill Trudie. No wonder the coward had had her assistant meet Dallas with wardrobe and instructions. A red negligee. What the hell was she thinking?
Of course, it wasn’t too revealing, thanks to flesh-colored tape. They had to keep the window PG rated, after all, but still… What if Eric were to come by again?
The unnerving thought had her furtively scanning the growing crowd. Hell, he probably didn’t want to see her, either. The calls had already stopped. She hadn’t had a message or even a missed call from him since last night. He sure had given up easily. Even though it wasn’t a surprise, it still disappointed her. More than that, depressed her. What a week they’d had. She’d had such hopes….
She couldn’t think about him. If she did, her face would show too much expression and movement, and the scene would be ruined. As much as Trudie was going to hear about this particular getup, Dallas didn’t want to spoil her high. The windows apparently had been wildly successful resulting in skyrocketing sales, and her boss had given her a promotion and raise. In fact, he was so pleased, he wanted them to continue. Trudie had the idea of a continuing-soap-opera theme and wanted Dallas to consider working for her part-time.
What a joke. Of course, she may need the money after she got fired from Capshaw’s Construction.
She almost blinked. Had to force her mind to go blank. Wrong time to think about the letter or anything else that was about to mess up her pathetic life.
For the next two hours she managed to stay on track by mentally reviewing her grocery list, her Christmas list—anything innocuous enough to keep the crazy thoughts away. Even without her watch, she knew it was close to time for a break. She was thirsty and her left leg kept wanting to fall asleep.
Behind her she heard someone at the window door and waited for her cue to move. That’s when she saw him. Eric stood at the edge of the small crowd. Her heart threatened to leap from her chest. If she didn’t hear her cue in the next three seconds, she was going to take matters into her own hands. She tried like hell to look away, but her gaze stayed on him.
In his right hand he held a briefcase, yet he wore jeans and a white polo shirt. His expression was partially hidden in a shadow, so she couldn’t read him. Behind her someone gave her the okay to step back, and when she moved, so did Eric. Straight for the door.
She almost fell on her face in her haste to beat him. Once she got out and made it to the back of the store and through the employees’ door, she’d be safe. If he had the nerve to follow, security would stop him. Not that she wanted to make a scene, but she couldn’t deal with him right now.
<
br /> She grabbed the robe offered by Trudie’s assistant and then headed for the back of the store without wasting a single second by glancing over her shoulder. She had at least a thirty-second lead and headed the most direct route to the back. Not until she reached the employee door did she turn around. Several people huddled around the customer service desk, and a woman with a yawning toddler browsed the stationery. But no sign of him. Had he given up that easily again?
With equal measures of disappointment and relief she turned back to push through the door. Instead she met a familiar broad chest. “Eric, what are you doing here?”
“You won’t answer my calls.”
“I can’t talk right now.” She pulled the robe sash tighter.
“Then when?”
“Later.”
“It’s important, Dallas. I really have to talk to you tonight. I’ll need an answer for Horn right away.”
She sighed. If he didn’t look so earnest, she’d be angry. “There’s nothing more to discuss,” she said softly. “My hands are tied.”
“I know.”
Something in the resignation in his voice made her believe he did. She glanced around and then asked, “What do you know?”
“I talked to Trudie.”
“You what?”
He sighed heavily, and for the first time she noticed how exhausted he looked. Lines radiated from the corners of his eyes, and the lines bracketing his mouth were exaggerated. “You wouldn’t return my calls. I had to do something.”
“What did she tell you?” Anger raised her voice a little, and she had to take a deep breath.
“What you should have. About the letter you’re writing.”
“Don’t you lecture me.”
He smiled. “I’m not. I think what you’re doing is admirable. But if you don’t give me a few minutes to show you the new ad I came up with for Horn, then I will turn you over my knee.”
She laughed. She couldn’t help it. “Look, I know you mean well, but—”
“I won’t lecture you if you don’t patronize me. Just listen to what I have to say, damn it.”
Dallas grabbed his wrist to look at his watch. “I have only ten minutes left. Let’s see if we can use Trudie’s office.”
She led him through the door, her heart pounding just knowing he was right behind her. He didn’t have a solution, she knew. He couldn’t possibly, but that he was here, that he was still interested, was something.
Trudie wasn’t there, but her door was open and Dallas took the liberty of taking Eric inside and closing the door. He didn’t waste any time in propping his briefcase on the desk and snapping it open.
“In the interest of time, I’ll cut to the chase. Capshaw’s Construction does a lot of Horn’s work, mostly malls catering to middle-class families. He’s moving more and more outside of the city into the tristate area and he needs to appeal to different kinds of people.”
He took out a sketch pad and flipped it open. “What I’ve done is to incorporate the two companies in the campaign, showing them working together to better the community. I’ve taken some liberties,” he said with a cocky grin as he showed her the first sketch of buildings under construction in the background and a female worker in the forefront.
She stared in surprise. “That’s supposed to be me?”
“Nope. One of the others. I understand you have quite a network of women working construction.” He flipped to the next page, again featuring a female construction worker at work—a bit more glamorous than was realistic, but still…
“I figure we could use the different women for different billboards, print ads, commercial spots. Capshaw’s can’t turn it down. Horn is a large part of their bread and butter. Besides, it puts Capshaw’s in a better light than they deserve.”
“And they’d be forced to play the part of concerned employer,” she muttered, still a little dazed by it all.
“Exactly. Interested?”
“Horn’s not going to go for this.”
“I already pitched it to him.”
“What?” She gripped the edge of Trudie’s desk. “He wants it?”
“He’s thinking about it. But I believe I’ve made a good case for him to court the suburbs differently than he’s courted the city.” He paused. “There is a catch. You have to be part of the package.”
She’d already figured that out. She’d end up being his rep in the city, doing the glamorous shots. What she didn’t know was how much this effort had been about pleasing his client or about smoothing things for them. “You took an awful chance.”
He shrugged. “It’s a good business idea. Brilliant on my part, really,” he said, grinning, but then sobered just as quickly. “And I admire what you’re doing for these women. You could walk away and make a bundle.” He grinned again. “You’re what we call a stand-up guy.”
“All right. No butch jokes.”
“Not from me. Think your friends will go for it?”
“Oh, yeah. I can’t wait to see the guys’ faces when they find out.” She realized she’d spoken out loud. “The guys we work with who give us a bad time. Their jaws are going to drop.”
He nodded. “Want to see the rest of the sketches?”
“Sure.” This was terrific. The women would have to be excited. And so was Dallas. She was grateful, too, but it was dampened by this tiny niggling suspicion that Eric had orchestrated this to get her out of the construction business. No big deal in the larger scheme of things. But it was there.
He flipped through a few more pages and then paused before showing her the last one. “The thing is, you might have to keep your day job. The money won’t be as much, since it has to be spread around.”
“No problem.”
He showed her the final page. “What do you think?”
She stared in disbelief. It was her. In coveralls, carrying the silly Aladdin lunch pail. She started laughing, horribly afraid she might end up crying.
“You okay?”
She nodded. “Kiss me.”
He tossed the pad aside and pulled her into his arms. His mouth touched hers and his gentleness made her want to weep.
She didn’t have to ask where this turn of events left them. She’d found it in his kiss.
EPILOGUE
“I THINK THIS BLUSH might be too dark. What do you think?” Nancy asked, staring into the mirror with a critical eye.
Before Dallas could answer, the photographer shook his head impatiently and said, “It’s perfect. Let’s get in place for this shoot.”
Dallas stepped back, out of the way, and watched him set up the scene, feeling like a proud mama. Nancy and the rest of the women had really blossomed in the past two months, their confidence and self-esteem soaring. Old man Capshaw treated them like gold, which sure helped.
“Hey.”
At the sound of Eric’s voice she turned around. “Hey.”
He kissed her briefly. “How’s it going?”
“Terrific. This afternoon I’ll be reviewing the new contracts with Dakota. I’m getting a family discount. I’ll owe her dinner.”
He smiled. “What a deal. Have you told the rest of your family about your new career direction?”
“Yep. They think I’ll make the perfect agent.” She knew her mother had hoped for something different, but she was being supportive and Dallas appreciated that. “Of course, right now my job is easy. Everyone’s thrilled with being in the spotlight. But I know it won’t always be this simple, and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Eric took her hand and with his thumb, stroked the inside of her wrist. His voice lowered, and he said, “I’m looking forward to tonight.”
Holding back a smile, she arched her brows. “And what would that be?”
“Want me to show you?” He tugged at her hand.
She laughed, and shot a glance at the photographer and Nancy. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“No?”
The simple whispered word, the slightest curve of his m
outh was all he needed to turn her to putty. She sighed. Yep, life was perfect.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-7668-4
INTENT TO SEDUCE & A GLIMPSE OF FIRE
Copyright © 2010 by Harlequin Books S.A.
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INTENT TO SEDUCE
Copyright © 2002 by Carolyn Hanlon
A GLIMPSE OF FIRE
Copyright © 2004 by Debbi Quattrone
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