Corporate Affair Page 8

  „No reason the two can’t be combined,“ he observed cheerfully.

  „Well, I hate to disappoint you, but there’s no smashing new product about to hit the market I guess the stock activity is just a matter of people knowing a good investment when they see it,“ she tried to say lightly. She didn’t want to discuss the merger with Colin or anyone else until she knew what she was going to do, how she was going to react. Dammit! She needed professional advice. There were law firms and investment bankers who specialized in this sort of thing. If she just knew someone who could point her in the right direction! The sense of panic had to be forcefully fought back down.

  „No hot tips, huh?“ he asked sadly.

  „Not tonight,“ she retorted firmly, wondering why she had hardly even given Colin a passing thought since she’d returned from the mountains. But she knew the answer to that, she told herself honestly. It was going to be a long time before she thought of him in a romantic context again. How long was the image of Rand Alastair going to dominate her? She supposed that, even with a full-fledged business crisis facing her, he would be the last thing she thought of before she went to sleep tonight. Just as he had been last night and the night before that.

  „Well, how about a hot date, instead?“ Colin countered with a laughing leer. „That new French place sounds interesting.“

  Kalinda’s mouth curved ruefully. „Can I let you know, Colin? I’m going to be very busy this week and I really don’t know my schedule yet“ It was the only way she could think of to phrase the excuse.

  His good-looking features contrived to appear disappointed and philosophical at the same time. „Ah, well. Perhaps next week?“

  „I’ll check my calendar,“ she promised apologetically.

  „The perils of dating a lady executive,“ he groaned and glanced automatically toward the door as a knock sounded. „Looks like you’ve got a late arrival.“

  Kalinda frowned, unable to think of anyone still unaccounted for. „Excuse me. I’ll see who it is.“

  She crossed the lush green carpet, skirting a chatting cluster of guests and reached for the doorknob, an automatic smile on her face as she opened it.

  The polite words of welcome died in her throat as the light spilled over the figure in her doorway. Chestnut hair gleamed from a recent shower, chestnut hair that had been trimmed and carefully combed since she’d seen it last. The light-colored suit looked hand-tailored and was complimented by a satin bow tie. The crisp white shirt was understated and elegant.

  „Rand,“ she whispered finally. „What are you doing here?“

  „That’s obvious, isn’t it?“ he murmured, hazel eyes regarding her with an intent, considering expression. „Fm here to rescue you.“

  „Rescue me!“ she squeaked, still trying to recover from the initial shock of seeing him on her doorstep. She stared up at him, dumbfounded, unable to comprehend his meaning. Why had he come like this? It was going to be hard enough getting over him without seeing him again. But if he tried to prolong the hopeless affair it would be impossible.

  He lifted his hand and she saw for the first time he was carrying an orchid; one very perfect, very exotic, very brilliant golden orchid. He smiled as she instinctively put out her hand to accept the proffered gift.

  „Honey,“ he murmured softly, putting both hands lightly on her shoulders and pulling her close long enough to drop a warm, hungry kiss on her astonished, parted lips, „If you don’t even know yet that you need rescuing, you’re in worse trouble than I thought!“

  „Oh, Rand, you shouldn’t have come,“ she heard herself whisper brokenly. „This is crazy. It’s going to make everything so much harder…“ She lifted misty-gray eyes to his.

  „Hadn’t you better let me in?“ he drawled invitingly. „Your guests are beginning to wonder if I’m a traveling salesman you’re trying to get rid of!“

  Unwillingly, Kalinda smiled. „I don’t get many salesmen dressed like that!“ That much was the truth, she thought vaguely. Rand could hold his own with anyone else in the room tonight. She wondered why he had invested in such a wardrobe for the mountains. But, then, it rather went with the Lotus. She shook her head in confusion.

  „I don’t know what you’re doing here,“ she began firmly, feeling a new kind of panic. „But it’s all wrong. Can’t you see? You shouldn’t have come after me. I won’t… I.won’t have an affair with you, Rand. We’re totally unsuited. I should never have gone to your house that morning…“ she broke off helplessly under the impact of the memory that flamed warmly in his eyes.

  „Personally, I happen to think that was the only smart thing you did last weekend! Now move, out of the doorway, sweetheart, and let your rescuer inside.“

  Unable to think of anything else to do, Kalinda did as instructed.

  „Got anything to eat?“ Rand went on easily, taking in the crowded room with a single, sweeping glance. „I’m starved.“

  „Over there,“ she admitted, gesturing toward the long white table in front of the mirrored wall. „Help yourself,“ she added wryly. She still held the golden orchid clutched in her hand.

  He put a proprietary hand on her lower back and urged her forward. „Stop looking like a cornered kitten. I’m friendly, remember? Although why I should be after waking up and finding you’d run off…“

  „I’d rather we didn’t discuss that,“ she began stiffly.

  „You want to discuss the rescue operation instead?“ he invited, bringing her to a halt beside the buffet and perusing it with keen interest.

  „What are you talking about? What rescue?“ she finally managed a little blankly. He was throwing one curve after another tonight.

  „The rescue of Brady Data Processing from the grasping talons of a corporate raider, naturally.“ Rand reached for a salmon and cucumber canape. Several of them.

  Kalinda stared at him, openmouthed. „How in the world did you know about that?“ she breathed.

  „There had to be a reason Hutton wanted to try his hand at seducing you after all this time. When you told me a little about the history of your firm and Hutton’s newly aroused interest in you, I got suspicious. I asked you to consider the fact that it might be the business he was after, if you’ll recall.“

  „Well, yes, I know, but I never dreamed…“ Kalinda sighed. „You have no idea how shocked I was when he called today!“

  „Sure I do,“ he contradicted calmly, slanting a glance at her. „It always hits the unsuspecting ones like a ton of bricks.“

  „But how did you know what was going on?“

  „Monday I did some checking. There’s always someone in a company who will talk. I got hold of one of Hutton’s vice-presidents.“

  „Just like that?“ she demanded.

  „Just like that“

  „You’ll excuse me if I seem to be having a hard time taking all this in!“ she snapped, growing a little irritated over his complacency. The shock of finding him on her doorstep was wearing off to be replaced by confusion. She thought she understood this man. How was it he was surprising her like this? What did he know of the high-powered business world?

  „Take your time.“ He reached for another morsel from the table.

  „Thanks!“ she muttered and then took a short rein on her temper in favor of an attempt at reason. „Rand what do you know about all this? What do you mean by ‘rescuing me’?“

  „If there’s anything, that can be done, I’ll do it,“ he promised simply, munching contentedly.

  „But how is it you know what to do?“ she almost wailed.

  He stopped munching for a moment and eyed her thoughtfully. Then he swallowed politely and a slow smile shaped his mouth.

  „All it takes is total ruthlessness, an instinct for making war, and a willingness to stop at nothing.“

  Kalinda’s eyes widened as she momentarily sensed a menace in him she hadn’t dreamed existed. An instant later she shook her head, telling herself she was mistaken.

  „But you don’t have any of
those awful qualifications, Rand,“ she smiled wanly, thinking of his leisurely, undemanding lifestyle. If he’d had any of those qualities he would have been making his living in a far different manner than the one he’d chosen.

  „Want to bet? Watch this.“

  Something flickered in the hazel eyes, hardening, turning unbelievably cold. The smile he wore became far more dangerous than Kalinda would have believed possible. „What would Brady management think if the members discovered that their president had arranged to spend the weekend at a secluded motel with the head of the firm which is trying to force a merger? They might be forgiven for believing they’d been sold down the river, don’t you agree? I’d say there’s a good chance they might turn on their Utile lady chief executive officer, lose all confidence in her, and make it utterly impossible for her to rally the firm for the coming battle. The company would fall into Hutton’s lap with only a whimper.“

  „Rand!“ Kalinda couldn’t believe what she was hearing. No! The problem was she could believe it There was something in him that proclaimed him capable of such an action and the knowledge shook her deeply. „You… you wouldn’t do anything like that…“

  „I might,“ he countered lazily. „If you don’t agree to continue the affair we started last weekend!“

  6

  The chattering, happy crowd seemed to recede into the distance as Kalinda forgot about everyone else in the room and stared, appalled at her uninvited guest.

  „Are you saying you’d blackmail me into an affair?“ she finally whispered.

  He continued to regard her with that incredibly ruthless expression, everything about him hard, unyielding, and determined. Rand said nothing. He didn’t need to say anything. The message was plain.

  Shakily Kalinda reached out to steady herself with a hand on the edge of the white table. „I… I would never have thought you capable of doing anything like this.“

  „Perhaps In the short time we spent together you didn’t get a chance to know me as well as you might have,“ he suggested coolly.

  „No,“ she got out, her words barely a thread of sound as she tried to think what to do, how to handle him. „No, perhaps I didn’t.“

  „Now you’re seeing another side of me. Do you believe this side is capable of a certain ruthlessness?“ he persisted.

  „Yes.“ It was the truth and he must have seen it in her eyes.

  „Good,“ he nodded, the hardness in him fading away on the instant as he turned to reach for another interesting tidbit „I think I’ve still got the old shark instincts and talents.“

  Kalinda heard the wry satisfaction in his words and blinked, confused more than ever. „What’s going on here, Rand? Are you telling me you were teasing me just then? That you were faking that… that threat?“

  She put a hand on the sleeve of his jacket, urgently demanding his attention. His head swung back to her, the white teeth flashing in a reassuring grin that made her want to kick him.

  „You believed me, didn’t you?“ he countered pointedly. „For a minute or two you thought me fully capable of blackmailing you into an affair.“

  „You sound proud of it!“ she accused, cheeks staining with annoyance and growing embarrassment at her obvious gullibility.

  The grin faded into a self-mocking grimace. „No, Fm not proud of it. But it is a useful business skill, Fm sorry to say.“

  „What’s a useful business skill? Blackmail?“ she raged heatedly, having difficulty keeping her voice down.

  „The skill of being able to make people think I'll stop at nothing when it comes to getting what I want,“ he explained kindly, soothingly. „I just wanted you to have a small demonstration so you can introduce me to your…“

  „Introduce you as what?“ she gritted.

  „The outside consultant you’ve hired to direct the defenses of Brady Data Processing,“ he retorted easily. He appeared about to add to that when his glance went suddenly to a point beyond her head. The hazel eyes gleamed warmly. „Hey, you really did like the pot, huh?“

  „Your conversation is getting more and more difficult to follow,“ Kalinda muttered and turned to follow his gaze. The lovely, wide-mouthed bowl she had bought that first day in his gallery sat in a prominent position at the far end of the table. It held long loaves of sliced French bread which guests had used to build small sandwiches.

  He glanced down at her, looking enormously pleased. „I’m glad you didn’t try to forget me completely. I’ve still got a token of your short visit, too.“

  „What token?“ she asked warily.

  „The earrings I took off you that first night.“

  „Oh.“ She’d forgotten about those.

  „You shouldn’t have run away that morning after we made love, sweetheart,“ he went on, dark voice turning slightly husky as he regarded her a little hungrily. „Although I understand why you did.“

  Kalinda flicked an uneasy glance up through her lashes. „You do?“

  „Of course. You thought there was no future for us, didn’t you? You thought I wasn’t the kind of man you should be giving yourself to so completely. And it was completely, honey. You came to my bed without any reservations, didn’t you? For a little while you stopped thinking about the fact that I was an unmotivated, unambitious, undynamic wastrel who had no further goal in life except to fish and seduce bored tourists!“

  Kalinda felt her blush deepening and she could no longer meet his eyes, even through the partial veil of her lashes. She remembered her unwise surrender only too well. What really worried her now was the flash of pure happiness she’d experienced when she’d opened her door a few minutes ago and found him standing there.

  „You have to admit we do come from two different worlds, Rand,“ she managed a little grimly.

  „Which is a polite way of saying you don’t admire my lifestyle,“ he retorted dryly. „I’m here to change all that I’m going to prove myself to you, sweetheart And your ex-fiance has put the tool I need right into my hands. You admire successful, dynamic, aggressive businessmen? Okay, I’ll show you I can wheel and deal in your world with the best of them. Don’t worry, Kalinda, you won’t have to be ashamed of our affair. You’ll be giving yourself to a man who can out-shark anyone on the business street!“

  „Rand! This is crazy. I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I certainly have no intention of… of continuing what should never have been started up there in the mountains. I do not routinely indulge in affairs, for heaven’s sake! I haven’t been even remotely serious about any man since my engagement with David ended.“

  „Except me,“ he pointed out, smiling. „Or are you going to stand there and tell me you weren’t perfectly serious that morning in the mountains?“

  Kalinda glared at him, aware that he was deliberately goading her and still too confused and upset by the combination of the day’s events to think clearly enough to flatten him verbally.

  She was desperately trying to concoct a suitable response when Harold Sebastian and his wife emerged from the crowd with pleasantly expectant expressions.

  „Kalinda, my dear, you must introduce us to your new guest“ Tall, stately, and silver-haired, Harold beamed complacently down at her. While she was his superior at Brady Data Processing, his long association with her father had given him a decidedly paternalistic air toward the new president of the firm. It was an attitude Kalinda encountered from many of the longtime employees of the firm. They gave her their loyalty and even admired her ability, but they never quite let her forget they all considered themselves honorary uncles and aunts.

  „I’m afraid my arrival was something of a surprise for Kalinda,“ Rand said smoothly, thrusting out a polite hand. „I’m Rand Alastair.“

  „Harold Sebastian. This is my wife, Edna,“ Harold said genially. „Alastair,“ he repeated with a thoughtful look. „That name sounds familiar. Have we met?“

  „No, I don’t believe so. But I can assure you the name is going to sound a lot more familiar in the fu
ture. I’m going to be working for Kalinda.“

  Kalinda froze as Harold’s inquiring, interested gaze switched to her. „I see. In what capacity?“

  „I’ll, uh, be explaining Mr. Alastair’s role to everyone tomorrow morning,“ she got out weakly, feeling trapped. „He will be with us in a very limited, short-term capacity,“ she added spitefully as Rand shot her an amused look.

  „Well, well, I’ll look forward to having you with us, Rand. You won’t find a nicer boss in town!“ Harold assured him with a vast chuckle.

  „Like father, like daughter,“ Edna Sebastian added warmly. „Everyone at the company is delighted that she took over the reins two years ago. Just ask anyone in the room!“ Edna waved gaily at the crowd behind them.

  „I’m sure I shall thoroughly enjoy my association with her, also,“ Rand said glibly, his eyes still on Kalinda’s studiously composed face.

  He grinned down at her as the Sebastians faded back into the crowd. „You seemed to be well-liked by your staff,“ he drawled.

  „It’s positively feudal at times,“ she sighed, acknowledging the truth. „We’re a publicly owned company but somehow everyone still thinks of it as a family firm.“

  „How long ago did you go public with your stock?“ he asked, suddenly serious.

  „Almost as soon as I took over. We needed capital and we needed it badly. I had to convince everyone that it was a clear turnaround situation, make investors think that they could get in on the ground floor of a company that was about to make a big comeback. I’ve never worked so hard in all my life!“

  „I’ll bet,“ he nodded assessingly. „The stock is now widely held?“

  „Yes, I’m afraid so.“ She winced. „Not so long ago I was glad of that!“

  „Now you realize that it just makes it easier for Hutton to buy up shares. You don’t have any large controlling blocks sitting in friendly hands.“

  „You needn’t look so superior. I had no choice at the time! 1 couldn’t get the loans I needed from the banks. There was no choice but to raise capital by selling shares in the firm!“