Читать книгу The Complete Boardroom Collection - Джанис Мейнард, Yvonne Lindsay - Страница 41

By six o’clock, the offices and cubicles around Rachel were dead quiet. Executing a slow head roll to loosen her shoulder muscles, she gusted out a sigh and saved the spreadsheet she’d been working on for the last couple of hours. Max had asked her to analyze the operations budget for one of the companies Case Consolidated Holdings owned in Pensacola, Florida. The company had been struggling with profitability for the last five years, and Max wanted her to figure out where they could trim expenses.

Whether Max knew it or not, she was the perfect person to figure out how to cut the fat. Ever since she’d lost her father and taken on the responsibility of her sixteen-year-old sister, money had been tight. She’d learned how not just to pinch a penny, but to turn it inside out and scrape every last bit of value out of the thing.

She cast a glance toward Max’s office. Should she sneak out or say good-night? The kiss earlier had rattled her more than anything else she’d experienced in the last seven days and with Brody’s unexpected reappearance and outrageous demand, it had been a doozy of a week.

As if summoned by her thoughts, Max appeared in the doorway.

“Leaving?” His low question boomed into the silence.

“It’s six o’clock. We’re the only ones here.” She gulped as her words registered.

Pointing out to him that they were completely alone was probably not the brightest move after what happened between them today. The discovery that he intended to rekindle their affair made maintaining her cool a big challenge. If he’d decided this would be the perfect time to assault her willpower, it wouldn’t be much of a skirmish.

That he still wanted her both worried and excited her. The heat between them remained as fierce as ever, and as much as he seemed to despise her for not being truthful five years ago, he was right when he said the passion between them hadn’t been allowed to run its course back then.

Their four days together had been like an appetizer. One of those fancy ones that awakened the palate, but when you finish sampling, you’re still hungry.

How long would the main course last?

A month?

Two?

Max leaned his shoulder against the door frame and regarded her through narrowed eyes. “I thought maybe we could have dinner and discuss your problem.”

Translation, he wanted to probe her for more information about the phone call with Brody he’d eavesdropped on.

“You’re the only problem I have,” she muttered.

“I sincerely doubt that.”

Rachel decided to let his remark pass unchallenged. “I can’t have dinner with you. I have plans.”

“A date?” His smooth tone gave away nothing, but his gaze gained an edge as he awaited her answer.

“Dinner with my sister.” Why Rachel felt compelled to assure him she wasn’t seeing anyone, she had no idea. Max wouldn’t care if she was involved with someone. As long as she wasn’t married, in his mind she was fair game. “She does all the cooking at home so I take her out once a week as a treat.”

“I seem to recall she was in college when we first met. Did she graduate?”

“Right on schedule.” Pride coated Rachel’s voice. She might have done a lot of things wrong in her life, but somehow none of it had tainted Hailey. She’d turned out just fine. “She works for a CPA firm not far from here. Between work and her boyfriend, she’s pretty busy, but we always make time one night a week.”

An invitation to join them tickled the end of her tongue. Hailey would love to meet Max. Her sister fussed over Rachel’s lack of a social life as if it was the worst thing in the world and would be giddy to know she’d spent four days in Gulf Shores, Alabama, having the most amazing sex of her life with a hottie like Max Case.

“I’ll bet she’s not as busy as you.”

Was that a note of admiration in his voice? Rachel gripped her purse strap and fought the impulse to cross the five feet of space that separated them and smash her body against his. A throb of need pounded through her. Longing tightened her chest. Her breath grew shallow. If she met his gaze would she risk standing up Hailey for the first time ever?

His next words answered her question.

“Have a nice evening.”

With her emotions a muddle of disappointment and relief, Rachel stood by her desk and watched him disappear into his office. Breathing became easier with him gone. Rachel muttered a curse.

She was way too infatuated with Max’s tall, solid frame, smoky gray eyes and devilish smile for her own good. But as compelling as his sexy looks were, she could guard her heart against his outward charms. Her marriage to Brody had taught her that beauty was only skin deep.

A strong work ethic was another matter. His dedication to Case Consolidated Holdings touched a chord in her. A workaholic herself, she understood the need to put in long hours. It made her like him.

Which led her into dangerous waters.

This was bad. She’d been working for Max less than a week and almost every hour she caught herself featuring him in her daydreams. Pressure built beneath her skin every time they occupied the same space. How long could she hope to resist the hunger for his touch? Or should she?

That she’d asked the last question told Rachel it was only a matter of time before she wound up back in Max’s bed.

She had to pass his open office door on her way to the lobby. Naturally she looked in as she went by. The image of him rubbing the back of his neck as exhaustion swept his features tugged at her, but she kept walking.

Nearing the elevator, she savagely shoved her thumb against the button with the down arrow. Damn him for getting under her skin. So what if he’d looked tired? So what if he’d been working late every night this week?

She cursed the urge to march back to his office and bully him into knocking off for the day even as she retraced her steps, poked her head into his office and asked, “Do you want to join us for dinner?”

Max looked up in surprise. For a split second, a smile tugged at his lips. “I don’t want to intrude.” But he was already getting to his feet.

“I’m sure Hailey won’t mind.” Her pulse accelerated as he advanced across the room. His gaze bored into her, and Rachel fought to subdue her body’s reaction to the questions lurking in his gray eyes. “Aren’t you going to grab your coat and briefcase?”

“I need to come back and finish up some things later.”

A man after her own heart. “Okay.”

With an entire elevator to themselves, he chose to set his back against the wall beside her. His shoulder grazed hers. The urge to lean against him swelled in her. How was it that four short days with him had left such an imprint on her body and soul? She knew without hesitation that they could tumble back into bed and pick up where they’d left off without a trace of awkwardness. The kiss this afternoon had proven that. He knew exactly how she liked to be touched. Remembered the precise spot on her back that made her knees turn to jelly.

“I’ve got a business trip to Pensacola scheduled Friday,” he said, his brisk tone banishing her evocative musings. “I’d like you to come along.”

Warning bells clanged. She cleared her throat. “Did Andrea accompany you on trips?”

“Rarely.”

“Then you don’t really need me, do you?” But she wanted to go. Wanted an excuse to spend more time alone with him. She knew the risks, but the thrill of being in his arms overrode prudence.

“On the contrary. You have a reputation for being able to read people. Isn’t that how you make your perfect matches?”

Refusing to defend herself against his mockery, she watched the numbers light up above the door and wondered if she could get the elevator to descend faster by willpower alone.

“I could really use your opinion,” he coaxed, altering his approach.

Rachel’s defenses dropped at his softer tone. A quick check told her he was completely in earnest. Against her better judgment, she let herself feel flattered that he took what she did seriously. Very seriously, in fact.

“I’m really not sure I can be much help,” she said as the elevator door opened.

“Let me be the judge of that.”

Grimacing her acceptance, she stepped into the lobby. Max joined her after a slight hesitation. “We’re walking?”

She pointed straight ahead. “The pub is a couple blocks that way. The fresh air will do you good.”

“Fresh air?” he echoed doubtfully.

The hot July sun no longer baked the downtown Houston sidewalks, but heat continued to linger even in the shadows cast by the towering buildings. Rachel and Max strolled in silence toward their destination three blocks away—an Irish pub with great food and a relaxed atmosphere.

As they neared the pub, laughter and loud conversation reached them. Despite the day’s humidity, the bar’s outdoor seating was packed with business people enjoying happy hour after a long day. Max glanced at the windows, hung with neon signs advertising Guinness and Harp, and then the oval sign dangling over the front door.

“I’ve never been here before.”

“Why am I not surprised?”

Max hit her with a hard look. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It doesn’t really seem like your kind of place. And why would you come all the way down here when you’ve got Frey’s in the lobby of your building. That’s more your style.”

“And what do you think my style is?”

Snooty. Overpriced. Pretentious. “Sophisticated.”

He actually laughed. A surprised chuckle that transformed his features into blinding handsomeness. White teeth flashed. His gray eyes sparkled like sunshine on water. And his lips … those gorgeous lips relaxed into glorious, kissable curves.

Rachel almost groaned her appreciation.

“Did you forget the bar where we met? It was pretty low key.” He got a faraway look as if his thoughts went backward to that moment five years earlier when they had locked gazes across a crowded bar.

Just like in the movies. Rachel remembered that first jolt of awareness from twenty feet away. Of course, it had been nothing compared to the sizzle when he’d come over and leaned close to tell her his name. Goose bumps broke out at the memory. Two hours later they’d been in his hotel room ripping each other’s clothes off. She’d never experienced a moment that intense or right with anyone else.

“The food is great here,” she said. “The pints are cold. What more do you need?”

Max opened the heavy wood door for Rachel. As she passed, he asked, “Does your sister know about us?”

Us?

Rachel’s heart stopped at Max’s use of the pronoun.

Inside the pub’s front door was a small foyer that led to a second set of doors. The space kept the sultry outside from infiltrating the air-conditioned inside. Rachel paused between the doors and took advantage of the quiet to answer Max.

“Are you asking does she know that I had a four-day affair with you that ended badly and that you’ve bullied me into working as your assistant?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Hmmm.” Max reached past her for the inside door handle. His body bumped against hers and started a waterfall of sparks running down her spine.

“What does that mean?” She stopped and half turned to confront him.

“It means you keep a lot of stuff to yourself.”

She knew he referred to the fact that she hadn’t mentioned her marital status to him five years ago. Despite knowing he had a right to be furious about that, his censure stung. “And what’s wrong with that?”

“People get hurt.”

People or him?

Don’t be silly. They’d known each other four days. Not long enough to develop deep feelings. It had been abundant chemistry that had made those four days sizzle. Sure, there’d been some sort of connection above and beyond the physical, but no one fell in love in four days.

“If I don’t share everything that’s only because I’m doing what I think is best.” And she’d kept some whoppers from Hailey. Stuff that if it came out, her sister would be upset. Rachel didn’t like keeping Hailey in the dark. She did it to protect her.

“Best for whom?”

Before Rachel could answer, the door behind them opened and three guys in their mid-twenties appeared in the doorway, their good cheer shattering the tension in the small space and forcing Rachel and Max to move forward.

She stepped into the crowded bar, conscious of Max pressed against her back. Happy hour was in full swing. The sounds of merrymaking bounced off the pale brick walls and dark paneling. The space was illuminated by etched glass chandeliers and lighted beer signs. The bartender waved hello as Rachel made her way past the bar in search of her sister. Hailey worked in the building so she was always first to arrive and secure a table. Rachel found her staking out a booth in the back corner. The noise level improved back here. A dark beer sat on the table in front of her. She stared into it as if reading her future in the mahogany foam.

Rachel stopped beside the table. “Hi,” she croaked. “I brought company.”

Hailey looked up in surprise, her eyes widening as she noticed the tall figure looming behind Rachel.

“I’m Max.” A hand reached past Rachel, aimed toward her sister. “You must be Hailey.”

Max’s solid torso pressed against Rachel’s back. She hummed as delight poured through her veins like warm caramel. Only when she saw the hundred unspoken questions setting fire to her sister’s keen blue eyes did she stuff a cork in her wanton emotions.

“Nice to meet you,” Hailey murmured, unable to tear her gaze from Max. “Very nice.”

Regretting her invitation, Rachel slid into Hailey’s side of the booth and nudged her toward the wall, leaving the opposite seat open. This meant she would have the pleasure of staring at Max the whole meal, but wouldn’t need to endure the tantalizing brush of his arm, shoulder or thigh against hers.

“Rachel has told me all about you,” Max said, shooting a smug look her way.

“Is that so?” Hailey plunged an elbow into Rachel’s side. “I’m afraid she hasn’t mentioned you at all. How do you two know each other?”

“She’s working as my executive assistant.”

“Why is she doing that?” Hailey quizzed. “She’s in the business of placing people, not taking jobs herself.”

Rachel felt the heat of her sister’s curiosity. Her cheeks warmed as she glared at Max. “It’s just for a little while.”

“Rachel knows how very particular I am and offered herself until my regular assistant gets off maternity leave.”

His double entendre was a cheap shot to Rachel’s midsection. Her stomach clenched. She had not offered herself to him in any way, shape or form. Not yet. She clenched her teeth to contain a hiss of exasperation.

“How are you doing that and running your company?”

“I’m managing.”

“Is this why you haven’t been home all week?”

“I’ve been home. It’s just been late.” Rachel lifted her shoulders in an offhanded shrug. “And I’ve been heading out early. It only seems as if I haven’t been there.”

“How long do you intend to keep this up?”

“As long as I have to.”

Hailey ran out of questions about the same time as Jane, their usual waitress, set a glass in front of Rachel then smiled expectantly at Max.

“I’ll have what she’s having.” He indicated Rachel’s drink.

“A black and tan it is,” Jane said.

Hailey pushed a menu at him. “I already know what I’m having.”

While Max glanced at the menu, Rachel exchanged a nonverbal warning with Hailey, who merely grinned.

Decision made, Max closed the menu and leaned his forearms on the table. Hailey received the brunt of his attention as he said, “Your sister tells me you’re a CPA.”

“For almost three years now.”

“Is that how long you’ve been in Houston?”

“We came here a year before that. From Biloxi.” Hailey leaned back and framed her glass in a circle made by thumbs and forefingers. “How about you, are you from Houston?”

“Born and raised. Except for the years I spent away at school.”

“And what business are you in?”

“My family owns Case Consolidated Holdings. My brothers and I run it.”

“I’m familiar with the company.” Hailey nodded in approval and nudged her knee against Rachel’s. “And what do you do there?”

“I’m the chief operating officer.”

“Are you two done giving each other the third degree?” Rachel interrupted.

“Not quite,” Max said, his gaze never leaving Hailey. “Your sister has been agitated for the last couple days. Is she in some sort of trouble?”

“Max! That’s none of your concern.”

Hailey’s gaze clung to Max as if he was a knight on a white horse come to save the day. Rachel clamped her fingers around her sister’s arm to keep her from spilling about Brody and his demands for money.

“I think your sister wants to tell me what’s going on.”

“It’s not a big deal. I’ve simply had to postpone moving my offices into a better location.” She kept her voice and expression as bland as white rice.

“Why is that?”

“I had a little financial setback. Nothing disastrous. It’s something that comes with being an entrepreneur. You should know that. Aren’t you having a little difficulty of your own since Nathan showed up? I’ve been hearing stories of arguments that almost came to blows.”

Max blew out a disparaging breath. “It sounds worse than it was.”

“Who’s Nathan?” Hailey asked.

“My half brother. He came to work for the company a year ago and he’s been a pain in my ass ever since.” Max sipped at his drink, appearing as if he’d said everything he intended to on the subject.

Hailey rested her elbows on the table and her chin on her clasped hands. “Why is that?”

While Max explained about an acquisition they’d decided not to make, Rachel watched him unnoticed. Max’s animation and the multilayered nuances of his tone and facial expressions were vastly different from his older brother’s stoicism. His passion had captivated her from the start, stirring her enthusiasm for whatever he was interested in. Like some smitten female, she could sit in silence and let him go on and on just to enjoy the way his eyes glowed with excitement and the way he punctuated his words with hand gestures.

“But enough about me,” Max declared abruptly. “Let’s talk about your sister. Is she dating anyone?”

Rachel came out of the clouds with a thump. “That’s none of your concern.”

Max’s eyes swung in her direction. “It is my concern.” His tone had gone deadly serious. “I’d like a clear field this time.”

His intensity roused goose bumps on Rachel’s arms. She sat on her hands to avoid rubbing the telltale reaction away and gritted her teeth against the shiver tickling her spine.

“What do you mean a clear field this time?” Hailey asked, leaning forward. “How long have you two known each other?”

“We met five years ago,” Max admitted.

“In Biloxi?”

“Gulf Shores.”

Rachel squirmed as Hailey went completely still. She should have told her sister something about meeting Max in Gulf Shores. At the time, she didn’t want Hailey to know how miserable she’d been with Brody.

Her marriage had been anything but a love match. Brody had offered her security and a way to get her sister through college, not his undying devotion. In exchange, she’d agreed to work as his executive assistant and turn her paycheck over to him. Since he took care of her needs, she had little use for the money she earned working for him.

It wasn’t until she signed her first tax return that she got a glimpse of how much money she was making working for Brody’s family business. She was earning almost three times what an executive assistant should. Way more than he was paying out for Hailey’s room and board. And when she asked him where the money was going, she discovered the sort of situation she’d gotten herself into.

She wasn’t in a marriage. She was nothing more than a pawn in Brody’s desperate attempt to keep his father from finding out how his gambling addiction had taken over his life. When Rachel found out the truth, she was told in no uncertain terms that she’d better keep her mouth shut or her happy little world would vanish. She and her sister would be back out on the street. Rachel knew that keeping her husband’s secret was a small price to pay to keep Hailey in college.

But then, things started to get worse.

Brody grew more erratic. He would disappear for days at a time and when he was home, he seemed hunted. He missed family events and Rachel covered for him, but his parents were relentless in their questions. He came home from one weekend with bruises and admitted that he owed a lot of money to a casino. Money grew tight. They were behind on their mortgage. Her credit cards were declined.

The summer before Hailey’s senior year, Rachel had enough. She took off, determined to divorce Brody and figure out another way to pay for Hailey’s last year of college. Without cash or a plan, she wasn’t likely to get very far. Heading to Gulf Shores had made sense. She’d grown up there. It was home. For two days, she’d hung out and contemplated what a mess she’d made of her life.

Then, she’d met Max. Those four days with him gave her a taste of how love was meant to be. Supportive, deeply connected, full of endless possibilities. She’d been a fool to marry Brody. She’d taken the easy way out of her problems and instead, made things worse.

Brody had tracked her down through a call to Hailey. His arrival had shattered the peace Rachel had found. She’d returned home with him because he’d threatened to tell Hailey about their marriage. Rachel couldn’t let that happen.

Hailey would feel horrible if she thought Rachel had sacrificed her own happiness and peace of mind so that Hailey could go to a good college. Rachel was no more going to burden her sister with guilt than she would burden her with four years of college debt.

An awkward silence had settled over the table. Rachel could almost hear Hailey’s thoughts as she sifted through the subtext of the conversation.

“I remember that trip,” Hailey said. “It was the summer before my senior year. You were really different when you came back. Quiet. Except when you were trying too hard to be upbeat. You never mentioned you met someone.”

With Max watching her, his expression a cement wall, Rachel swallowed a mouthful of her drink. “Max and I met at The Lucky Gull and hung out for a few days. It was …”

Rachel’s eyes slid sideways toward her sister. She kept her face as expressionless as possible. She’d kept the truth about her troubled marriage from Hailey for the same reason she’d protected her sister before and after their father died. As the big sister, Rachel was responsible for Hailey’s well-being.

“Casual,” Max supplied, his voice as smooth as butter. “No big deal. We enjoyed each other’s company for a short time and went our separate ways.”

If he intended for this description of their affair to cause her damage then his aim was flawless.

“Casual,” Rachel agreed, increasingly worried that her feelings for Max were anything but.