Jake entered the room, the warm scent of his cologne reaching out to her when he came to stand next to her as he fixed his own coffee. “I’m glad you’re awake. I wanted to see you before I went back into town.”
“To warn me about the goons you’ve hired to keep me prisoner here?” She smiled sweetly and then blew on the surface of her drink.
“They work for the construction arm of the firm. They knew your father and they want to help. I’ll have two at the gate, just like last night, but during the day I thought having two more would be a good idea.” His dark eyes surveyed her from head to toe, his lips quirking in a grin of approval that made her want to shiver. “It won’t be for long. I’ll issue an announcement today about retaining ownership of the business and everything will die down. Without speculation, this will be old news within the week.”
“So I can come and go as I need to?”
“I think you should stay in until you are stronger. You’ve been wearing yourself out taking care of your father, and yesterday was a shock to you. If there’s anything you need, I am sure Emmaline will be happy to get it for you.”
“And you accuse my father of overprotecting me.” Lily shook her head. She needed to put some boundaries in place before he truly did take over her life completely. “Classes started last week, so I need to get back to school. Plus I need to find a job.”
“I’ll take care of whatever you need. I’ll have a card issued for your expenses.”
Her temperature rose. “I don’t think so. I’m not interested in being a kept woman. Besides, I have tuition to pay.”
“I can—”
Lily held up a hand to stop him. “I won’t take your money.”
“You’re being ridiculous. Why should you struggle when I can afford to provide for you? You’re making things so much more difficult than they need to be.”
“You seem to have something wrong with your hearing. I will not take your money. I don’t want to be any more indebted to you than I already am. If we can’t agree on that, then I need to leave.” She set down her mug with a thud and stepped toward the door. It wasn’t a bluff. Pride was all she had left.
He grabbed her arm, holding her so tightly she could feel his fingers digging into her flesh. “You aren’t going anywhere until you’ve eaten something. If you want me to treat you like you can take care of yourself, then you damn well better start.” He released her and stalked to the other end of the room.
To spite him she wanted to leave the room, but that would accomplish nothing. She still hadn’t told him about her plan, and if she left now she’d just have to make something to eat later. She grabbed a banana from the table and peeled it. As she put it in her mouth she wondered if she should be eating something so blatantly phallic with Jake in the room. But then, maybe it would unsettle him the way he unnerved her.
“Are you sure you want to go back to the university?” Jake stared at her, his expression unreadable.
Lily swallowed. “Positive. I’m nearly finished with my masters and then I can teach while I work on my doctorate.” She’d have her degree already if she’d applied herself. But there’d never been a rush to finish, so she’d taken the courses she wanted as they were convenient. Only three classes and a completed thesis stood in her way. She hoped to manage them all this term.
Jake merely nodded. “Then why are you looking for a job? I worked while I was in school because I had to. You don’t. It’s harder than you think.”
“I’m not afraid of hard work.”
“You don’t even know what it is. This is your life, Lily.” He gestured to the ornately decorated dining room. “You live in this over-privileged world or in your books. What is it you think you can do for work? I’ve warned you about asking people for favors.”
“Maybe I should ask you then.” She pressed her hands against her legs to keep them from shaking. If he said no, she’d have to rethink everything, including school. “Surely there’s something I can do at Tolliver-Harris to keep me out of harm’s way?”
“Like what? It’s an architecture firm, not a book club.”
“You know, in order for you to get where you are, someone had to give you a chance. That’s all I am asking for. If I can’t make myself useful, then—”
“Then you’ll marry me and stop this nonsense.” A smug smile set upon his face. Threatening determination and overwhelming masculinity combined in his eyes to send a terrifying chill through her.
Lily fought back the urge to shiver, knowing she was under the scrutiny of his narrowed, probing gaze. “I want you to give me a real chance. This isn’t a trap you can bait and set. I want to know the business that meant so much to my father.”
Jake came to stand next to her, his cocksure grin widening. “You count on people underestimating you, don’t you?” He tilted her chin, sliding his warm palm against her cheek. “Everyone thinks you’re just a pretty face, a beautiful, docile decoration. I see you, Lily. I think you’re getting in over your head here, but I’ll make the deal if you will.”
She pressed her fingernails into her palm to tamp down the anxiety. Maybe she’d overplayed her hand. But really, what choice did she have? What else did she have to bargain with? She had to succeed, because anything else would destroy her.
“If you want to learn the business I’ll make sure you have every opportunity. But it’s not as easy as you think. We can start you out slowly, but I won’t let you answer phones and claim you learned about what the firm meant to your father.” He rubbed his thumb against her cheek as if he were sweet-talking her instead of issuing ultimatums. ”You’ll learn every aspect of the company. If it’s too much, you’re free to throw in the towel at any point and focus on your thesis. And me.”
Lily swallowed past the lump in her throat. This had been her idea, hadn’t it? Suddenly she wasn’t so sure. “It’ll take a while to understand how things work.”
“We’ll know before year end. Besides, it’ll be best if we marry before New Year’s.”
She blinked. “I didn’t say I’d marry you. The job—”
“We’re going to be married. You best get used to the idea.”
“Why would you even want such a thing?”
“I told you last night. Once you’ve had some time to think about it, you’ll see it my way.”
“I won’t,” she barely managed to whisper. She knew that to play this game she’d at least have to agree to the terms, even if she’d rather die than follow through.
“Don’t be stubborn for sport. I always get what I want.” The conviction in his voice chilled her to the bone.
“You can’t have me.”
His gaze slid over her body like a caress. “We both know that’s not true. Tell me, Lily, do we have a deal? You can try and learn what Tolliver-Harris does, or you can plan a wedding. I know what I’d rather you do.”
She lifted her chin, wanting to brush his hand free but not wanting to let him know he’d unnerved her. “I’ll learn the business by the end of the year. And then I’ll be free.”
“You’re not some caged bird. Go ahead and take some time to come to terms with wanting what you want. I have been waiting a long time, a few months more will be worth it when we ring in the New Year as man and wife.” He leaned down, surprising her with a fleeting brush of his lips against hers. “One last warning before I go. I haven’t lost a deal in over a decade.”
He turned to go and Lily wanted nothing more than for him to finally leave her alone. But she didn’t want any more surprises from him.
“Jake, will you be back tonight?”
He turned back in the doorway, a genuine smile on his face. “No, Angel. I’ll stay at the penthouse during the week. The house is yours.”
She watched him walk away, wondering if she’d made a bargain with the most charming devil she’d ever known.
“Lily, can you see the front gate from where you are?” Jake turned his leather desk chair so he could look out the windows of his office, taking in
the view of the rooftops in the waning light of the day.
“It’s just out my window, why?”
A vision of Lily’s bedroom hit him like a punch in the gut. Leaving her alone last night had been the hardest thing he’d ever done. He wanted so badly to kiss her, to truly kiss her, but he couldn’t trust himself with more than a fleeting press of lips. He had to do this right. If he allowed himself more there would be no turning back, and having her regret being with him would destroy his chances.
“Where did everyone go?” Her voice faded, losing the annoyed edge she worked so hard at.
“The guards should still be there.”
“Yes, but the cars beyond the gate are gone.”
“I held a press conference this afternoon. Life should be back to boring as usual soon. Still, you should try not to pick up the paper or watch the news for a while.”
“Why? Is there something else?”
“More of the same, but nothing you need to deal with. It will go away soon.” He’d done all he could, more than he’d hoped, but still there were women excited to be in the paper, former friends angry about the money they’d lost, bored gossip-mongers masquerading as journalists who thought nothing of dreaming up lascivious scenarios. “Focus on the man you knew, not the one who can’t explain himself now.”
“I’m trying.” The tremor in her voice cut him to the quick.
His voice softened. “Do you need me to stay at the house with you?”
“No, you said you were staying in town.”
He sighed with a combination of exasperation and relief. “I am, for now. Once we’re married I’ll change my schedule so I’ll be home every night.”
“Not to worry. I’m sure to win our deal and you’ll be able to keep up your frantic pace.” Her silky voice held a challenge.
“You didn’t seem so averse to the idea in your bedroom last night.” His deep tone simmered with barely checked passion.
She drew in a sharp breath. “It won’t happen again.”
“You don’t sound so sure. Are you thinking about it right now?”
“Please stop.” Her voice shook slightly. It was hard to spar with her when he couldn’t see her face to know if she were all right or putting on an act.
“Lily, you have to be strong. If people see your weaknesses, they’ll take advantage of them.”
“Is that why you don’t show any?”
Thank goodness she couldn’t see his smile. If she only knew. “No, I don’t have any. Makes it much easier to make bargains with pretty girls.”
“Ha. I’ll be fine as long as you’ll be fair.”
“I’m always fair.”
She scoffed. “Your ruthlessness is legendary.”
“All the more reason why I’ll be supervising your training personally. You’ll learn who I am for yourself rather than relying on what you read in the papers or overhear at society events.”
“You don’t have time to babysit me. Besides, I’ll just be in one of the departments, billing or something.”
“No, you want to learn your father’s business, you’ll learn each part of it. And then you’ll find out how the different parts work together. Be glad you’re learning about a single architectural firm. If you’d wanted to study my business it would take much longer than three months.”
“Jake Tolliver, the great and powerful.” Sarcasm laced her words.
“Lucky for you. If not, you’d still be mired in scandal.”
“I never asked for you to do anything.” He could almost hear her mind downshifting into its well-bred, polite mode. “It’s all been your choice. I am grateful, but—”
“Not grateful enough to marry beneath you.”
She sighed. “I never said that. My idea of marriage and yours is very different.”
“Your idea comes from those ancient novels you study. Mine is current and realistic. As you learn more about the world, you’ll see everything differently.”
“If marrying you is current and realistic, may I never learn anything beyond the idealistic and old-fashioned. There is more to life than money and social standing. Maybe someday you’ll learn that.”
The click of the phone call ending echoed in his ear. He hated that she hung up on him, but couldn’t help but be relieved that her chutzpah showed she was ready to start living again.
Chapter Four
It took a week for Lily to arrange things with her professors and settle on a work schedule. Thankfully, Jake did as he promised and stayed in town, giving her time to catch up on her schoolwork and get her bearings again.
When she’d last seen him she’d been so out of sorts, caught in the eye of the storm of grief. She still missed her father terribly, but having taken the time to reflect and center herself again, she was confident she wouldn’t react to Jake so easily. She knew she owed him a debt of gratitude for the mountains he’d moved to bury her father’s scandals. She owed him more because without his interventions the sheer misery of the situation she’d been left might have consumed her and driven her to things she dared not even think of.
Jake had helped her, and though she knew what he expected in return, she had no intention of giving in to his demands. Learning a business she knew little about in less than three months might be impossible, but so was the alternative.
Tolliver-Harris had been her father’s biggest accomplishment, and it would be her salvation. She’d been in the glass-and-steel office building hundreds of times, but never had she been so acutely aware that she had no idea what actually happened there as she was when she reported for her first day. Anxiety niggled at her, but she was a pro at keeping her fears hidden.
Still, she couldn’t help but wish she’d paid more attention when her father talked about the business, or that she’d thought to get a job before. She might have even worked here, which would mean she’d have tangible skills and wouldn’t need to be playing this cat and mouse game with Jake, a lion if ever there was one.
Taking a deep breath scented with the astringent lemon cleaner ever present in the office, she stepped to the reception desk. Before she could eek out so much as a “hello” Jake appeared, taking her by the arm and giving her the world’s fastest tour of all seven floors. She knew he owned the entire building, his own holdings taking up the other twelve stories.
He moved her through everything so quickly her mind was a whirl with names and titles, many of the faces already familiar. She’d been coming to the office since she was a little girl, so warm greetings came as no surprise, nor did the thinly veiled pity in the eyes of the other employees. Everyone knew about the scandalous stories. They probably knew more than she did, and had for much longer.
Lily tried not to think about it as Jake settled her in the Human Resources department. She wanted to demonstrate she wasn’t the simpering bride he thought he wanted, but more than anything she needed to prove to herself she could take care of her own needs. Allowing Jake to take over where her father had left off might be the path of least resistance, but she’d learned the hard way a road like that could lead you right off a cliff.
The morning in HR went smoothly. She learned how to fill out her own forms, then how they were processed and filed. The clerk apologized for having her organize the files, but Lily loved the rote brainlessness of the activity. She was just finishing up the filing backlog when Jake appeared.
Lily tried not to look at him, wishing he would leave her alone, but she couldn’t help noticing how the women in the department reacted to him. They looked at him almost as if he were royalty. She wondered if they observed the sinuous grace when he moved, how something as simple as walking into a room highlighted the power held under exacting restraint.
“Lily, come with me.” He held out a hand.
She didn’t know whether he meant to keep hold of her, so she let her gaze flick up and away as she joined him. He didn’t say another word until they were in the elevator.
“It’s time for lunch.” He stabbed at the button for t
he lobby.
“Oh, I hadn’t realized.” She checked her watch, surprised to see how much time had passed. “Since I am only here three days a week, I shouldn’t take a break. I need to put in as much time as possible.”
“You still need to eat. We’re going to lunch.”
She shook her head. “Funny, I don’t recall you asking.”
Jake turned to face her in the empty elevator, making her take an involuntary step back. She hadn’t realized just how big he was, or how small the lift was, or how close he’d come to stand until he turned his gaze on her. The corners of his sensuous lips twitched into a taunting grin.
“Miss Lilianna Harris, will you do me the honor of allowing me to accompany you to lunch? That’s how they ask in your fairy tales, isn’t it?”
Oh, and he’d been doing so well. “I don’t study fairy tales. I’ve found enough ogres and trolls in real life lately.” She gave him a pointed look. “I study Victorian-era English novelists. Pre-Victorian, really. Jane Austen’s time was a bit before what typically comes under the Victorian umbrella. But yes, I suppose they’d approve of your attempt at manners and decorum.”
“You really are from another time. Those flighty girls you hang around with at parties can barely string a sentence together, and yet you can probably give a lecture on Pre-Victorian whatever, right now.”
Her instinct was to tell him the debutants she knew weren’t flighty, but she hadn’t heard boo from any of them since whispers of her father’s activities had begun to swirl. Her father had encouraged many of his friends to make investments that turned out to be fraudulent, so it was almost understandable that their daughters would be upset. Almost. The people she had classes with weren’t much better, though with them she expected it had more to do with not knowing what to say, rather than not wanting to be sullied by association.
She’d always kept her life compartmentalized, kept her relationships in the realm they belonged so as not to have any awkwardness. Now, when she could have used a few close friends, she found she had a plethora of acquaintances and no one who cared enough to look deeper than the surface to make sure she was okay.
Pride and Passion Page 4
