Ive been offered a job with a very prestigious New York public relations firm, she told him. It wasnt easy to get, and it was only because the father of one of my college friends works there that I was even considered. Its a plum of a job, Matt. The salary
Youre only twenty-one, he said, pursing his lips. And New York is a wild place for a little country girl.
Im not little!
His eyes went pointedly to her small breasts, and he grinned. No?
She let out a furious cry and aimed a kick at his shins with one hard-booted toe. He sidestepped with lightning grace, and she went down flat on her back in the wet grass and mud.
He grinned at the shock on her face, then flashed a look at two of his men who were riding by with curious looks on their faces.
Better get up quick, honey, or Ben and Charlie there will think youre trying to entice me into making love to you, he said outrageously.
MatthewDane KincaidI hate you! she sputtered as she tried to get to her feet.
He was trying to stop laughing, but without much success. His white teeth flashed and black eyes were alive in his swarthy face. He reached down to grab her wrist and jerked her to her feet. His strength was a little frightening. He looked lithe and limber, but he could have forced her to her knees if hed flexed his hand, and she knew it. Her angry eyes scanned his hard face, her fury kindling all over again at the traces of humor she saw lingering there. She drew back a hand, but it hovered in midair.
Hold it right there, honey, he said, chuckling. I dont mind a little dirt, but if you connect with that muddy hand, Ill hit you where it hurts most.
Ill tell Mama! she threatened.
Betty would hold you still for me.
He loosed her wrist, and she rubbed it, surprised at the tingling sensation that lingered after his hard fingers had withdrawn.
She tugged her long-tailed shirt out of her jodhpurs and used the hem of it to wipe off the mud. He stuck his hands on his lean hips and watched her with the infuriating superiority that clung to him like the faint mud stains on his shirt.
She sighed. I hate you, you know.
No you dont, Kit. He grinned. You just want your own way. And this time, youre not getting it. Id never forgive myself if I turned you loose
in that big city all alone, fresh out of college in Forth Worth.
And thats another sore spot, she threw back at him, shivering a little in the cool air. You hardly even let me go off to college. Not me, oh, no, I had to commute on weekends! Its a wonder you didnt come with me and hold my hand as I crossed streets!
I did think about it, he murmured dryly.
Im grown up!
Not yet, he corrected. His eyes went down to her breasts and lingered there, where the hard tips were visible through her thin shirt, and he smiled slowly. But youre getting there.
She stared at him unblinkingly, surprised at the remark, at the way he was studying her breasts. Boys had looked at her that way when she wore swimsuits or low-cut blouses, but Matt never had. It shocked her that hed even bothered to look. Perhaps it was just another way of getting back at her. She folded her arms over her breasts as a scarlet flush covered her cheeks. She avoided meeting his eyes.
Hey, he commanded softly.
What?
Look at me.
She forced her embarrassed eyes up, but he wasnt teasing her. He looked faintly kind, for Matt.
If you want to practice public relations, Ill put you to work, he said. You can publicize my foundation sale month after next.
Matt, thats not a job!
Its a job, he said firmly. A lot of work goes into that annual sale, and a lot depends on its being a success. I usually hire an outside agency to handle it, but since youre here, you can do it. Ill even let you design the brochure. He eyed her closely. Thats a challenge, honey. Show me how capable you are, and Ill make you a present of an apartment in New York and find you another job to boot. Ive got some contacts of my own.
She wavered. It was tempting. Very tempting. And if he hadnt been trying to bend her to his will, she might have accepted his offer. But he was calling the shots, and if she made a success of the job, hed probably find some way to make her keep working for him. Shed never get away.
So, he wanted his sale publicized, did he? She smiled faintly. Okay. Shed do it. And in such a way that hed be more than delighted to send her on her way.
Okay, she agreed after a minute, her green eyes sparkling. Ill just take that dare.
Ill start you off tomorrow morning. Be at the office eight-thirty sharp, he replied. Now youd better get home and change into something a little more decent, or Betty will come after me with a shotgun.
I can just see you now, running for the border, she returned dryly.
He smiled wickedly. This far away? he said with a chuckle. Hell, no, Id drive. He pulled his hat low over his eyes. Hadnt you better go home and change?
She knew when she was defeated. Green eyes glared up at him. Youre just stifling me, she ground out. Smothering me! My gosh, you tie me to the house.