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of the few women who simply didn t need it.
The challenge in her eyes was like throwing a red scarf in front of a bull. He wanted to accept and
then charge. He fought to remain seated as she moved closer.
Though she was trying to play it cool, he could see the nerves jumping beneath her skin, see the
worry in her eyes. Yes, he was affecting her as much as she was affecting him. His desire was by no
means one-sided, and he had valid reasons for his part of the equation.
Deep down he knew he was feeding himself a line, but he pushed that unwanted thought aside.
Jasmine sat at the table, and after a few silent moments, he joined her. Her light scent drifted over
to him, and he could feel his pulse start to race and his lower anatomy wake up. He d have to take her
much sooner than he d originally planned just to dislodge her from his system. Then he could get his
libido back in check.
At least her breathing had deepened as he joined her, and her chest was rapidly rising and falling.
He could even see her pulse speed up through the delicate skin of her neck.
Knowing he was a fool, but unable to resist, he decided to test the very limits of his control.
He scooted his chair closer to her than was needed or appropriate. She obviously wanted to move
away, but she was apparently too stubborn to show any weakness in front of him. Their shoulders
brushed together as he leaned in to look at the file she had just opened in front of her.
 So, what have you been doing the last ten years? he asked out of the blue. For once in his life he
had not an ounce of interest in the business at hand. Learning everything about her was at the forefront.
 That s none of your business. It has nothing to do with my job, she snapped, and she tried to pull
his attention back to the file.  This is Anthony. He works in accounting. I have spoken to him on a few
occasions and even went to my father because some of his business practices appeared unethical, but
my father said nothing was going on. I would personally not trust him, or have him work for me. She
pushed the folder closer to him.
Bringing up her father was as good as throwing cold water in his face  and onto his lap. That
was a libido killer. He looked through the exceptionally detailed folder and then added Anthony to
the  fire pile. Jasmine immediately picked up another folder.
Small talk was forgotten as they continued to go through the files, one by one, and for the most part,
the two of them agreed on who deserved a chance to stay, but every once in a while they clashed
heatedly.
But when she argued for someone to stay on, she lost. Once he d set his mind on something, it was
difficult to change it. Nearly impossible, actually.
Her hopes weren t high when they fought over yet another employee. She d brought forward the
file and made her case for continuing to employ the man, but Derek had decided to let him go. Yet
when he tossed the file into the termination pile, she determinedly snatched it back out.
 I really think you need to interview Henry. He s a good man and does exceptional work. You
don t even know him, so you can give him the courtesy of at least speaking with him before you end
his employment, she demanded.
Derek raised his eyes at her outburst. She d argued for a few people, but she certainly hadn t been
so emphatic about it. So he really had to wonder who this Henry was and if he was possibly her
reason for having to leave yesterday. Derek moved the man s file over to the interview pile just to see
who his competition was.
 Thank you, she said, although it came out through clenched teeth and didn t sound like a thank-
you at all. It sounded as if she wanted to call him a few choice names.
 I need lunch. Let s go out, he said as the office was starting to close in on him.
 I ll eat in, she replied.
 It will be a business lunch, so you ll accompany me. He grabbed his jacket and walked to the
door, holding it open for her. The smile he threw her was a challenge, a clear attempt to see her next
move.
After a tense moment, she got up stiffly and followed him from the room. He could practically see
the steam rising from her ears. His amusement at her attitude surprised him  he wasn t used to being
disobeyed so openly, but he liked that she was unafraid to challenge him.
As the two of them stepped into the elevator and he pushed the lobby button, he turned to face her,
not quite sure what he was going to say next. The mystery of it all appealed to him.
 If you keep clenching your teeth like that, you will end up having jaw troubles, he told her.
Jasmine looked at him incredulously for a moment before she unlocked her jaw and turned her lips
up in a grimace of a smile.
 Is this better, Derek? Should I bow or curtsy too? Is there anything else that I m doing wrong?
she asked in a voice of honey dripping with venom.
 Well, since you asked&  he started.
The look she sent him should have melted him to the metal walls of the elevator. It certainly wasn t
a ladylike smile. Derek suddenly found himself resisting a chuckle as her cheeks glowed in her
temper.
 I want this job, I really do, but I swear to you that if you dare answer one of those questions, I
won t be held accountable for my response, she said, her voice shaking with her fierce struggle to
control the rage.
 Then why ask? he countered.
 Don t try to act stupid. We both know how very smart you are. I was the fool to believe all your
pack of lies, she snapped, a sudden shine washing over her eyes.
She turned quickly away and when she looked back, her face was under control; had he imagined
her vulnerable look? Either way, he was beginning to feel like a heel. He didn t like it  she was the
one who should be feeling that way. She and her father had cost him so much  had cost his family
so much.
Doubt filled him, though. Drew thought she d been innocent, that what had happened was all her [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]