by Ginna Gray
The words sent a tingle across Dani's skin, lifting the fine hairs on her arms, and for an instant her eyes widened.
Then just as quickly she took herself in hand. Don't be a fool, she berated silently. He's talking about business. Just business. Jason had probably been impressed by what Paul said, and now he's had a change of heart, not because he's interested in you but because he insists on having the best consultant available. Don't read anything more into it.
"If Jason St. Clair wants you to head up the team, then you're the one he'll get," Frank continued. "I don't have to remind you what a plum job this is."
Dani released a long, resigned sigh. "Very well, Frank. I'll get right on it."
Chapter 4
It took an hour for Dani to drive from Update's downtown office to the extreme south edge of Houston where the Stratter-Lite factory was located. An hour during which her nerves stretched tighter, her imagination ran wild and her emotions swung crazily between hope and dread.
Never in her life had Dani experienced such ambivalent feelings. One minute she told herself that this was strictly business and that was the way she wanted it, that Jason St. Clair was not attracted to her—at least not on any deep, emotional level—and that, too, suited her just fine. And then she would remember the way those hot, dark eyes had looked at her, the feel of those big, rough hands on her skin, the trembling awareness she had felt in his arms, how she had been fascinated by that rugged, compelling face—and she would find herself wondering what it would be like to feel his mouth against hers, to be crushed against that large, lean, totally masculine body.
Oh, stop it, you idiot, she commanded herself disgustedly as she swung her car into the asphalt parking lot fronting Jason St. Clair's newest acquisition. Even if he is interested, you know that all he wants is a quick roll in the hay. At most, a brief affair. Dani brought the car to a halt and switched off the engine, a look of distaste pinching her face. That kind of temporary arrangement was, as far as Dani was concerned, the ultimate in being used, and she wanted no part of it.
Dragging her heavy briefcase with her, Dani climbed from the car and started across the parking lot.
The Stratter-Lite factory was a jumble of huge, ugly, corrugated metal buildings. In front of them, set slightly to one side, was the long three-story prefab concrete structure that housed the offices, and it wasn't much better, as far as eye appeal went. But the setting isn't all that great, either, Dani mused as her eyes swept over the surrounding countryside.
There was little to see: another smaller metal building down the road, a leaning weathered barn in the distance, a few houses that were little more than shanties, a railroad track that paralleled the highway. Beyond the chain-link fence that surrounded the factory yard, the land stretched out pancake flat, covered in waist-high marsh grasses and dotted here and there with stunted Chinese tallow trees. And covering all was a thick layer of dust that turned everything a uniform, dismal gray.
At least they chose their site well, Dani thought as she pulled open the plate glass door and stepped inside the office building. As far as she was concerned, this was one of the most unattractive parts of Houston. Not even an unsightly factory could make it look worse.
When Dani introduced herself to the young receptionist in the lobby she was told that the team of consultants from Update had arrived and were waiting for her upstairs.
On the third floor Dani paused outside Jason's office to brush nervously at her gray suit and adjust the collar of her garnet silk blouse over the lapels. It was her most severe, businesslike outfit, and she was thankful that she had chosen to wear it that morning. Squaring her shoulders, Dani took a deep breath, grasped the doorknob and stepped inside.
The secretary in the outer office looked up as Dani closed the door behind her. "Good morning, Ms. Edwards," the woman said, flashing her best professional smile. "The others are all inside. Please go right in."
Dani returned the smile with a mumbled thank you and headed determinedly for the door.
Conversation stopped and several pairs of eyes turned in Dani's direction when she stepped into the office, but she saw only one. Those were dark and compelling, and belonged to the golden-haired man behind the desk.
"Dani." Jason rose to his feet. "It's good to see you again."
As she walked toward him a polite smile curved his mouth, but his dark eyes glinted with... what? Amusement? Arrogance? Wariness? Dani couldn't tell.
"I'm sorry I kept everyone waiting, but I didn't know about the change in project managers until I got to work this morning." She gave Jason a level look, but he just shrugged and smiled urbanely.
"It was a last-minute decision, but Frank assured me it wouldn't create any problems," he replied, neatly deflecting the subtle rebuke. "Won't you have a seat, Dani, and we'll get down to business."
A round of introductions followed. Arthur Fields, Jason's assistant, was a pleasant man in his late thirties, with a bony, intelligent face and thinning light brown hair, but like Jason, there was a certain underlying toughness about him that spoke of hard-won success. Dani knew without asking that Arthur had been with Jason from the beginning.
Bruce Hadley and Sam Engle were vice presidents of Stratter-Lite. Bruce was a portly middleaged man with a shining bald pate and restless eyes that never seemed to light on anything for long. Sam appeared to be in his sixties. He was impeccably groomed and had a distinguished silver mane and an austere face that Dani was sure had intimidated many an adversary.
Terry Hart, Bob Loman and Janet Anderson made up the team of consultants who would be working under Dani's direction. They had introduced themselves earlier and were sitting quietly as Dani exchanged greetings with Jason's key people. Dani was delighted that Frank had assigned them to this job. She had worked with all of them on large projects before and knew that they were all bright and hard working. And equally important, there wasn't a prima donna among them.
"As I told you, Ms. Edwards will be in charge of the reorganizing and revamping program," Jason said, leaning back in his chair, addressing the two Stratter-Lite executives. "But for now, I'd like her to explain to you exactly what she plans to do, and how she will go about it."
For an instant Sam Engle's austere face tightened, and his eyes flared with pure fury. Bruce Hadley shifted uncomfortably, his gaze bouncing from Jason to Dani and then to Sam. Dani noted both reactions and knew that she was going to meet with resistance from Sam Engle. Possibly from Hadley, too, depending on how much he tended to follow the other man's lead.
"Our goal, of course, is to increase Stratter-Lite's profits." Dani spoke in a calm, controlled voice, her direct gaze switching back and forth between the two men as she talked. But she was acutely aware of Jason. In her peripheral vision she could see him, large and masculine, leaning back at ease in the leather chair, his dark eyes trained intently on her. Her palms grew moist and she felt an unaccustomed fluttering sensation in the pit of her stomach, but she ignored both and pressed on doggedly.
"To accomplish this we are going to have to streamline procedures and operations, in both the office and the factory. That means we will be gathering information on every phase of the business, from the executive offices to the loading docks. Once that is done, we'll study and analyze the information, then, based on our findings, make whatever recommendations we feel will increase productivity and at the same time reduce costs. Where feasible, we will recommend automation. In other areas we will simply recommend changes to strengthen or tighten existing procedures. When our recommendations are approved by Mr. St. Clair we'll install the automated systems, write the programs and documentation and train your people in the use of them." Dani paused to let that soak in then smiled pleasantly. "All of this will take months and, as you gentlemen can see, will require the complete cooperation of everyone."
Sam Engle gave her a sour look and turned impatiently to Jason. "I can't believe that you're really going to let a bunch of inexperienced outsiders—" he stopped and flic
ked Dani another scornful glance "—especially one who wasn't even born when I came to work for this company, come in here and take over. What does this... this girl know about running a business?"
Dani released a long, silent sigh, but it was more of resigned weariness than anger. Sam Engle's reaction was not unusual. Her team often met hostility. It was Dani's job and the job of her team to bring about change, and change was always threatening. And in Sam's case, he probably saw the whole thing as a slur on his past performance.
A frown drew Jason's brows together, but before he could reply, Dani interceded in a cool, controlled voice. "First of all, Mr. Engle, it is sometimes easier for an outsider to spot problems than it is for someone who is close to them. Second, neither I nor my staff have any intention of taking over. We are here strictly to make recommendations. And third, I have several degrees and a long list of satisfied customers to prove that I know what I'm doing. I'll match my business acumen to yours any day, despite your thirty years' experience."
In the quiet that followed, Sam looked stunned and slightly affronted, and Jason's frown melted into mild amusement as he watched. Bruce studiously examined the polished toe of his shoe. Arthur watched Dani intently, his eyes thoughtful, a small smile forming on his mouth. The others sat calmly, their expressions noncommittal.
"Now see here, young woman—"
"She's right, Sam," Jason stated firmly, cutting off his blustering rebuttal. "Experience is a fine thing. If I didn't think so I wouldn't have kept you and Hadley on the payroll." Both men paled at that and exchanged a quick worried look, but Jason went on ruthlessly, "But don't kid yourself, experience alone just won't cut it anymore. To compete in today's world we've got to incorporate modern methods and technology. And that's where Dani and her people come in."
He gave the two executives a long, hard look. "Anyone who can't live with that or adjust to the changes that they make or interferes with the Update crew in any way will be out on their can in short order." Jason's gravelly voice was calm, his expression pleasant, but there was no mistaking the unbending resolve in his words. "I suggest that you pass that message along to the rest of the employees."
"Yes. Yes, of course."
"Whatever you say."
Obviously shaken, both Sam and Bruce replied in unison.
"Good," Jason said with satisfaction, then turned his attention to his assistant.
"Terry, Bob and Janet will be using the conference room while they're here. Arthur, why don't you take them there while I show Dani to the office she's been assigned?"
"Sure thing, Jase."
When the others had gone Jason grasped Dani's elbow, but instead of following them out, he led her through a side door into an office that connected with his. It was slightly smaller than the one he occupied but almost as plush, with slate blue carpeting, several oil paintings on the oak-paneled walls, a soft cream leather sofa with matching chairs and an impressive walnut desk. Dani had a hunch that one of the vice-presidents had been asked to give up his office for her. She could only hope it hadn't been Sam Engle.
"Well, what do you think? Will this do?"
Dani turned in a slow circle in the middle of the floor. Coming to a halt, she looked at him, her head cocked to one side, a mixture of curiosity and wariness in her blue eyes. "It's very nice, but it isn't necessary. A smaller office somewhere out of the way would have done just as well."
"I want you near me," Jason replied smoothly, and Dani's heart gave a little kick. When her eyes widened he smiled and added, "So we can confer on your findings."
"I see." Willing her pulse rate to slow and struggling to maintain her calm expression, Dani wandered over to the desk then turned and leaned back against its edge, her arms braced on either side. "Tell me, Mr. St. Clair. What made you change your mind?"
"About you being in charge?" Jason shrugged his broad shoulders and strolled toward her, absently jingling the change in his pockets. "Several things. As I said, your references checked out. Nelson thinks highly of you. You're smart as hell. And..."
"And?"
He stopped directly in front of her. A painful tightness squeezed Dani's chest as his dark fathomless eyes roamed over her upturned face. They touched each
feature like a caress, and Dani felt her skin tingle deliciously, the tiny hairs on her arms stand up. He wasn't touching her at all—just looking at her—yet Dani felt as though he had branded her. Slowly Jason's gaze dropped to the telltale pulse that jumped in her throat, and a tiny smile tugged at his mouth.
"And you're incredibly beautiful," he said in that soft, purring rasp that made her insides jump crazily.
"That has nothing to do with my job or how well I do it." Dani meant to sound severe, but her voice came out breathless and quavery. She stared at Jason's rugged face, her chest so tight she could barely breathe and wondered what was happening to her. No man had ever affected her this way.
"True." To her shock, Jason lifted his hand and ran the backs of his knuckles over her smooth cheek. Dani's heart jerked and took off like a rocket. "But it doesn't hurt, either," he added in a low murmur, staring fixedly at her mouth.
For a moment Dani was positive he was going to kiss her, and she waited breathlessly, too mesmerized to move. But finally he raised his eyes to hers and smiled. "Now, why don't I get out of your way and let you get settled. If you need them, the others are right across the hall in the conference room." Before she could gather her wits he turned and headed for his own office. Dani stared after him, feeling confused and unsettled, and before he reached the door she stopped him.
"Jason, is that really why you insisted that I run this project? Because you think I can do the job?" she asked bluntly.
He turned, and the look in his eyes was hot and blatantly sensual. The slow, suggestive smile that curved his mouth made Dani's breath catch. "Why, of course," he drawled. "Why else did you think?"
For a long time after the door closed behind him, Dani stood perfectly still, staring at it. The trouble was, she didn't know what to think. About Jason St. Clair. About herself. About anything. Jason's eyes and deep seductive voice told her one thing, but his words told her another.
Dani circled the desk and sat down in the leather chair. Leaning her head against the high back, she stared pensively at the ceiling, a slight frown between her arched brows. She had been so sure he had been about to kiss her. And yes, she admitted honestly, despite feeling foolish and a trifle uneasy, she had wanted him to kiss her. So what had stopped him?
Her breath came out in a gusty sigh and she shook her head. Maybe she had misinterpreted the situation. Maybe he hadn't wanted to kiss her at all. After all—what did she know?
For all her twenty-eight years, her high-powered degrees, her important job and her whiz-kid brain, Dani's experience where men were concerned was practically nil. During her schoolyears she had been too wrapped up in her studies to get involved with anyone. And in any case, the young men at the university had seemed so terribly immature—more like boys than men. In recent years she had gone out occasionally. Men were attracted to her physical appearance but once they got to know her, once they realized just how bright she was, most grew uncomfortable and nervous in her presence, and after one or two dates she never heard from them again. Except for Phil, she hadn't had a chance to know any man well enough for something serious to develop.
It had not bothered Dani. But then, she admitted to herself with her usual pitiless self-honesty, none of them had ever affected her the way Jason did. She had never experienced this kind of breathless excitement, this dizzying awareness, this indefinable yearning. For the first time in her life she was helplessly drawn to a man, physically, mentally and emotionally. And Dani wasn't at all sure she liked it.
Despite the exciting feelings he aroused in her, the thought of becoming involved with Jason made her uncomfortable and wary. In her experience, love, affection, even simple friendship, always carried a price. And some were just too high to pay.
Sitting forward, Dani pulled her briefcase across the desk, snapped it open and removed some forms and a pad and pencil. It's perfectly foolish to worry about a problem that may not even exist, she told herself stoutly as she rose and marched toward the door. You could be imagining it all. Some men just naturally flirt with every attractive woman they meet. It's an automatic reflex. It means nothing. He may not even be aware of it.
❧
The thought came back to haunt her time and again over the next few weeks, for to Dani's secret chagrin, it was soon apparent that whatever attraction Jason had felt for her—if, indeed, he had ever felt any-1—had fizzled practically overnight.
Once Dani and her crew got down to business, Jason's main and seemingly only concern was making the Stratter-Lite factory a profitable enterprise, and he worked with them tirelessly toward that end.
Before an analysis could be made or any changes recommended, Dani and her team first had to know the company's resources and liabilities and understand its method of operation. Dani and her people began the long, in-depth interviews that would give them the information they needed, starting with the top executives and working downward through the chain of command within the company in a reverse pyramidal pattern. Jason often sat in on the interviews, sometimes asking penetrating questions of his own and adding fresh insight to the overall picture that was emerging.
He made it a point to keep up with the progress on the project, and with their connecting offices, Dani saw him several times a day. Often Jason took Dani to lunch, and a few times she joined him and Arthur for a drink in Jason's office at the end of the day when everyone else had gone home. Occasionally Dani caught him watching her with that warm look in his eyes, but he never said or did anything that could be construed as remotely suggestive. He was polite and friendly but nothing more.
At first Dani didn't know whether to be hurt or relieved. But finally, chiding herself for being utterly foolish, she decided to put the whole thing out of her mind. After all, what were a few smoldering looks and an invitation to dinner? And in all honesty that was all that had ever passed between them.
