Corporate Affair

9

Only David Hutton’s wife appeared to accept Rand’s deceptively casual announcement at face value. Kalinda decided rather cynically that she and David both owed Mrs. Hutton a vote of thanks for giving them time to recover from the shock.

With polished charm the lovely woman at David’s side extended her congratulations and made the proper remarks. Rand responded to her calmly, easily, until they were interrupted by David who had obviously managed to begin reasoning things out.

„I hadn’t realized you were engaged, Kalinda.“ The dark gaze that Kalinda had once found so attractive pierced her, looking for the lie.

„It’s a very recent development,“ she explained, astonished at her own coolness. She flicked a quick look at Rand who came to her rescue.

„Last weekend, in fact,“ he elaborated, smiling fondly at Kalinda who felt herself redden. „We haven’t even had a chance to buy a ring. We were on vacation in the mountains,“ he went on, speaking apparently to David’s wife. „Soon after we arrived back in town we discovered some rather urgent business had developed.“

Kalinda felt David stiffen at the words, his narrow gaze going to Rand’s hard profile.

„Kalinda and I will have to settle the business matters this week and then we’ll have time for all the little niceties of an engagement“ Rand turned his head with an amused gleam in his hazel eyes, catching David Hutton’s assessing glance. „Nothing very complicated, so it shouldn’t take too long.“

„I had heard you’d gone to work for Brady Data Processing,“ David said coldly. „It must have taken the promise of a considerable financial reward to draw you out of retirement…“

„Money, Pm afraid, had nothing to do with it Kalinda was the reason I decided to get involved in the business world again.“

Kalinda felt a happy warmth flood her veins. Rand had just made it very clear his interest in going to war against David was entirely personal, not monetary. He could not be bought.

„I see,“ David said icily. „You don’t appear to think this rather urgent business matter you mentioned will take long to settle?“

„Not at all.“ Rand smiled his shark’s smile. „A quite simple bit of corporate game-playing. I’ve had a great deal of experience in this sort of thing, as you may know. In this instance, it’s all a piece of cake. Kalinda’s firm is surprisingly strong. Her credit flexibility would astound you. I rather think when the current matter is settled I may encourage her to do a little corporate hunting. Brady is in a very strong position to get involved with the merger craze as a buyer.“

The meaning in his words hung in the air, unsaid, but clear. Brady Data Processing might soon be seriously looking at David Hutton’s firm as a potential acquisition. The thought of turning the tables on David nearly made Kalinda laugh. It was all she could do to maintain only a polite, amused smile.

„That’s enough business for tonight, David,“ Hut-ton’s wife was saying cheerfully, a fine-boned hand on her husband’s sleeve. „We really should leave these two by themselves. They’re probably taking an evening to celebrate their engagement…?“

„How did you guess?“ Rand said dryly.

„Yes, of course, my dear,“ David said absently, his angry gaze on Kalinda’s amused expression.

Her smile broadened as she politely inclined her head in farewell. There was so much David wanted to say and so little he could say under the circumstances. She saw it all in those handsome dark eyes. He was calling her every name in the book, frustrated, angry, and beginning to perceive his own potential failure.

Without a word he turned and walked stiffly away with his wife. Rand sat down slowly, his thoughtful gaze on his opponent Kalinda didn’t hesitate. Leaning forward, she hissed, „You might have warned me!“

„It was a spur-of-the-moment inspiration,“ he defended, his gaze swiveling back to her accusing features.

„The hell it was! You’ve been planning this all day. Why didn’t you tell me you were going to let David think we were engaged?“

„Because I thought I’d only get a lot of static from you,“ he retorted imperturbably, reaching once more for the wine menu as the wine steward approached.

Kalinda sat impatiently, one toe tapping the carpet in irritation as Rand deliberated with the steward. When they were atone again she resumed the attack.

„Aren’t you afraid you might talk yourself into a corner with lies like that one?“ she grumbled, wishing with all her heart it hadn’t been a lie; that Rand wanted to marry her, not just have an affair.

„1 have never talked myself into a corner I didn’t want to be in or couldn’t get out of if I wished,“ he declared emphatically, beginning to study the list of delicate salads on the front page of the menu.

„Well, that’s very nice for you, but what about me?“ she protested feelingly, annoyed at his casual arrogance. „Word of this so-called engagement is going to go around like wildfire. I have no desire to go through the process of being jilted again! It’s… it’s humiliating!“

Even as she spoke, Kalinda thought ahead to just what Rand’s announcement might mean. It was easy for him to use whatever tactics came to hand in this business battle, but she was the one who was going to be left to deal with the aftermath. And right now the aftermath of an affair seemed far more depressing than the aftermath of a merger action.

Rand set his menu down with care, eyes turning a little golden in the flickering candlelight as he caught her half-accusing, half-despairing look.

„Do you really believe I would deliberately humiliate you, Kalinda?“ he asked softly.

The simple question stopped her in her tracks, effectively cutting off the flow of angry words she had been preparing to launch as the full realization of her new predicament registered. It struck her very forcibly that this was the second time that day Rand had asked her for a show of faith. The first had occurred that morning when he’d asked her if she thought he’d let Hutton buy him off.

She eyed him thoughtfully, wondering why he was pinning her down like this. But forced to consider the question in depth, rather than in irritation, she knew there could be only one answer.

„No,“ she sighed, sitting back in her chair and lifting her chin with a regal air. „I don’t believe you would deliberately humiliate me, Rand.“

There was a long, weighty pause while the implications of her confession hovered between them. Rand’s eyes never left hers and she could have sworn there was the faintest of smiles playing at the edge of his mouth.

„So why,“ Kalinda went on steadily, needing to know the answer, „did you use that line on David?“

„Number one because it was effective…“

Kalinda said nothing, waiting for number two.

„And number two,“ he went on obligingly, „because I think the idea has a lot of intrinsic merit“

„Meaning?“ she challenged bravely.

„You and I make a good team, Kalinda,“ he began intently. „We work well together, we’re attracted to each other, we’re…“

„Is this a proposal?“ she gasped, horrified.

„If you like…“

„If I like! I have never heard such an unromantic, unemotional suggestion in my life! You might as well be proposing a… a merger!“ Kalinda felt like crying and heaving the crystal at him at the same time. How dare he sit there and calmly suggest a business arrangement?

„A friendly merger,“ he emphasized dryly, his eyes wary.

„Not so long ago you only wanted an affair!“ she reminded him tightly.

„There are other factors involved now, don’t you think?“ he asked reasonably.

„Business factors!“

„May I take it from your seething expression that you’re turning down my proposal?“ he inquired politely, his eyes enigmatic.

„You may consider the proposal hurled back in your teeth!“

„Then I’m off the hook? There will be no future accusations that I’ve deliberately humiliated you?“ he drawled.

She whitened, shocked by the twist in the argument Desperately she grabbed at her pride and her strength of will „You… you may consider yourself quite free,“ she muttered „You have, after all, given me my chance, haven’t you?“

He shrugged. „It wouldn’t have been a bad arrangement, Kalinda.“

„No wonder you call yourself a shark when ft comes to business. You can be quite cold-blooded, can’t you?“ she snapped, desperately using anger to shore up her willpower. She was deeply shocked at her desire to say yes to his proposal; to accept him on any terms.

Something in him hardened perceptibly. „I would think that ‘cold-blooded’ is the one accusation you wouldn’t make. You are, after all, in a position to judge the issue. Have I ever been cold toward you, Kalinda?“

She ground her teeth. „That’s got nothing to do with this!“

Suddenly a slow grin began to replace the firmly marked line of his lips and the hazel eyes softened. „Does it strike you that you’re on the verge of becoming slightly irrational in your arguments? It’s a good sign, actually. It gives me hope.“

Kalinda’s hands knotted the white linen napkin in her lap but her voice was properly flippant „A good businessman doesn’t rely on hope. He relies on facts and figures.“

„You’re wrong, you know. Business people are essentially optimists. Who else but an optimist would wager such vast sums of money on anything as tricky as competing in the national economic marketplace?“

„Are you going to argue with me all evening?“

„No, honey, I’m not I’m going to enjoy this evening and I’m going to do my damndest to see that you enjoy it, too!“

„Of course. We have an image to maintain, don’t we? As long as David and his wife are in the vicinity…“

„We shall do our best to appear the happily engaged couple,“ he concluded firmly.

And much to Kalinda’s surprise, Rand proceeded to do exactly that He was charming and attentive. He entertained her throughout the first course until she finally began to relax and respond to the intelligent, amusing conversation.

By the time the entree arrived, she had firmly pushed the depressing business proposal into the background of her mind, telling herself that it had all arisen out of Rand’s determination to help her defend Brady Data Processing, ft wasn’t his fault she had overreacted.

They were lingering over dessert, a fresh raspberry torte, when Kalinda glanced up to see David and his wife leaving. The other couple did not stop to say good-night to Rand and Kalinda.

„Are you beginning to find it amusing?“ Rand inquired blandly.

„David’s reaction to us? Yes, 1 am. I could almost see the little wheels going around in his head when he realized you were firmly on the side of Brady,“ she admitted, grinning.

„So I’m forgiven for my claim to being your fiance?“ he asked whimsically.

„I’m sorry I blew up,“ she apologized meekly. „It’s just that it took me by surprise. You should have warned me, Rand.“

„I was afraid you wouldn’t agree to it“

„So you sprung it on me just as you sprung it on David.“ She shook her head „When I first met you in the mountains I kept telling myself your talents were being wasted. I was right“

„I’m not sure that's a compliment,“ he groaned „But I’ll let it go for now. Are you finished?“

„One last raspberry.“

„Good. It’s a shame to waste all these fine feathers we’re wearing. I thought we’d go dancing at a nightclub I used to know near here.“

Kalinda made no protest, knowing in her heart that she would do anything to prolong the evening. Anything to prolong her fragile, dangerous relationship with Rand Alastair.

A few moments later, the fringed, sequined stole glittering around her shoulders, Kalinda found herself gently stuffed into the front seat of the Lotus. When Rand slid in beside her, turning to smile, she became very aware of the dark intimacy of the small car. And of the proposal she had just turned down.

There was little conversation between them as Rand drove to the nightclub, a delicate, stirring, undeniably sensual feeling permeating the confined atmosphere. Kalinda didn’t want to fight it even though she knew she should.

But the evening had made her realize how tenuous her relationship with Rand now was. He would help her stave off David Hutton’s takeover bid, but after that there would be nothing to keep him by her side. She sensed he still desired her, but she couldn’t shake the feeling his need was somehow connected with the fact that she had been his ticket back to the business world. He claimed he’d come back to prove himself to her, but she was far too aware of the satisfaction he was taking in the effort. Rand had wanted an excuse to come back to the thing he knew best and she had been that excuse.

Torn by the knowledge that she would have leaped at his proposal if it had been delivered with even a modicum of love, Kalinda sought to justify her response when Rand took her into his arms on the dance floor. If she wasn’t going to marry the man, why was she clinging to him like this? There was no future, or at least not one which boded well. Why prolong the agony of a final good-bye?

His arms slid warmly around her waist as the soft, slow music drifted through the dark, romantic nightclub. Other couples moved nearby, each lost in a private world. Kalinda rested her head on Rand’s shoulder, her arms moving with an aching intimacy around his neck.

Rand’s fingers gently kneaded the curve of her hip as he pulled her close. „I think we make a very convincing engaged couple,“ he murmured in her hair. „No, don’t you dare tense up on me. I was merely stating a fact Did you forget how good we are together when you turned down my proposal this evening?“

„Mutual desire is not enough to justify marriage,“ she whispered into the fabric of his jacket.

„But it is enough to justify an affair, isn’t it?“ he whispered deeply, lips grazing the tip of her ear. He pressed her closer, deliberately melding her body with his until she was keenly aware of the hard warmth and the beginnings of arousal in him.

„Rand, I don’t think we ought…“

Her fumbling words were gently cut off as he turned her head with one hand and kissed her. It was an incredibly seductive experience, Kalinda discovered, to be kissed on a dance floor. The lazy, probing passion of it somehow combined with the flow of music and the gleaming shadows. She melted against him as she always seemed to do when he held her like this.

Sensing her surrender to the moment, Rand slowly, deliberately began to increase the physical tension already blossoming between them. His mouth moved moistly on hers, parting her lips, sipping her honey. He used his hands to fit her close to the cradle of his thighs, shifting his feet occasionally so that his leg somehow lodged suggestively between hers.

Kalinda knew the need and want in her was being coaxed into a smoldering fire but she told herself she was safe enough on the dance floor. And when he took her home later she would have the long ride in the Lotus during which to cool off.

He lifted his mouth from hers, finding the nape of her neck, the line of her jaw, the edge of her eyebrow with his lips. Kalinda shivered and she could feel his satisfaction at the obvious sign of her response.

„Why did you turn down my proposal tonight, sweetheart?“ he asked gently.

„I came much too close to a… a business marriage once before,“ she breathed shakily, not meeting his eyes. She wished he would stop talking and just hold her.

„And you’re afraid that’s all it would be between us?“ he pressed huskily.

„I think Brady Data Processing is only a first step for you on your road back to an empire. I don’t want to be used…“

„Used!“

„I know you wouldn’t do it deliberately,“ she placated urgently, feathering her fingertips on the back of his neck. „You really believe you’re offering a fair deal.“

„Aren’t I?“ he demanded roughly.

„I suppose. But it’s not enough…“ she trailed off helplessly at the glittering expression in his gaze.

„Then that leaves us with the affair, doesn’t it?“ he said coldly.

She drew in her breath, knowing the seductive moment was over and she now had to make her stand. The same stand she had tried to make during the early-morning walk in the park.

„I don’t think that’s very wise, Rand,“ she began steadily. „You need time to readjust to the business world. Your interest in me is bound to be fleering once you’ve reestablished yourself.“

„And you’re afraid I’d be using you, just as you’re afraid I’d be using you if we were to marry,“ he broke in grimly.

„Wouldn’t you?“ she dared, lining her lashes to meet his eyes.

„Use you? I don’t care what you call it at this point,“ he bit out with impatient savagery. „Whatever it is, it’s going to happen. Because I’m going to take you back to your apartment tonight and make love to you until you are no longer capable of finding reasons for it not to happen!“

„Rand!“ His name was almost a cry. He meant it. She could see the intention in his eyes, knew he wouldn’t be stopped now that he’d made up his mind.

„Come on, Kalinda,“ he ordered, his tone softening but becoming no less determined. „Let’s go home.“

The tension that tautened between them on the drive back to Kalinda’s town house was palpable. It was also very silent Kalinda didn’t know what Rand was thinking, but she knew her own mind was whirling with arguments and counter-arguments. He intended to make love to her tonight and she knew of no practical way of stopping him because, deep down, it was what she wanted, too.

Rand said nothing as he guided her forcefully through the door of her home and locked it firmly behind them. And he said nothing as she tried to step nervously out of reach.

But his hand closed on her upper arm in an unshakable grip and she was hauled against his chest, the sequined shawl slipping unnoticed to the green carpet to lie in a sparkling heap.

Wordlessly they stared at each other and then whatever bits of protest Kalinda might have found were blocked as Rand began to renew the claim he had on her.

She should have known, Kalinda told herself as he rained aggressive, mastering kisses down her throat, that she could never withstand such a sensuous assault The need in him was genuine even though at this moment it was combined with a desire to subdue. And her desire to match and satisfy that need was equally genuine, even though she told herself it was a dangerous path. She couldn’t fight her own love for him.

„Kalinda, you can’t deny this feeling between us. You can’t possibly say it’s based on business!“ The words were grated roughly against her skin as he began to undo the velvet jacket.

„No, Rand,“ she acknowledged gently as the jacket fell to the floor beside the sequined shawl.

„Admit you want me, sweetheart,“ he commanded gruffly, sliding the silk blouse off her shoulders. „You must know I want you. Admit that you feel the same. Neither of us could walk away from an affair!“

It was the simple truth. With a moan of acceptance of her fate, Kalinda wound her arms around his neck, returning his kisses with passionate, yielding intensity. She had no choice but to acknowledge the effect he had on her and to admit her inability to walk away from him. He might not know it was based on love, but she knew it.

„I want you, Rand,“ she whispered against his throat as his hands found her breasts and began bringing them to fullness. She wanted to say she loved him but knew he wouldn’t want her love. He wanted an affair and, perhaps, a business-oriented marriage.

„I know that, darling,“ he husked. „You can’t hide it I see it everytime I look in your eyes, everytime your body comes alive under my hands. But it’s so damn frustrating hearing you try to wriggle out of our affair!“

„I won’t try anymore,“ she vowed thickly, pushing his dinner jacket onto the floor with inviting, eager hands. She went to work on the buttons of his shirt. „I should have known I couldn’t out-reason a skilled manipulator like you,“ she added wistfully, her mouth lifting at the corners.

„Not when you’re all wrong in your reasoning process!“

„Am I, Rand?“ she whispered.

„Yes,“ he growled as the last of their clothes fell to the carpet „All wrong…“

He ran his hands caressingly down her back, sinking his fingers into the curve of her bottom and letting her feel the hardening maleness of him against her thighs.

Kalinda spread her fingers across his chest, delighting in the roughness of the crisp hair even as his hair-roughened leg moved boldly between hers.

She closed her eyes in expectation as he bent to lift her into his arms. But instead of carrying her into the bedroom, he settled her on the thick green carpet beside the pile of clothes.

He came down beside her, sweeping his hand across her breasts, pausing to draw teasing circles around each nipple before moving lower. She turned into his arms, the need in her shining in her eyes.

„Did you really think I’d let you try to talk me out of an affair?“ he demanded hoarsely, pinning her gently to the carpet with his leg.

„Yes, no, I don’t know. I haven’t been thinking all that clearly lately.“ She reached up and pulled his head down to hers.

Committed now, she kissed him with all the longing in her heart, using the ancient, womanly wiles buried in every nerve ending. Letting her own need and desire take over she explored his mouth with a passion that clearly aroused him deeply. Once more, as she always seemed to do with this man, Kalinda put the future aside. It just didn’t seem as important as expressing her love in the present. Even if that love must remain mute.

She felt his fingers on her thighs and then released his head as he groaned and began to kiss her breasts. Fingers locked in his chestnut hair, she held him to her and let her senses swirl.

„You’re so perfect for me,“ he said throatily. „So exactly what I need. You must see I can’t give you up, sweetheart“

She arched upward and felt his lips on her thigh. The tiny, stinging caress nearly drove her insane with desire. The shimmering, promising currents began gathering once again in her body, seeking the release they had learned to expect from this man.

He caught her arching hips with his hand, holding her in delicious bondage as she struggled to complete the union. The sensation of being held back seemed to hone her need to an even higher peak. Kalinda twisted and curled, grateful for each new teasing, tormenting touch, but determined to have it all.

„Please, Rand, please,“ she begged, grasping at him, trying to pull him down on top of her.

He kissed her navel and then the slope of her small breasts, letting her writhe against him but not letting her take control of the lovemaking.

„Tell me again that you want me, sweetheart,“ he whispered beguilingly.

„I want you. Oh, God! How I want you!“ Trapped in the depths of her own desire she would have told him the truth if he had asked it of her. She would have willingly told him of her love. But he didn’t ask that question. Instead, incredibly, he asked another. One she wasn’t prepared for at all.

„If you really want me so much,“ he grated heavily, „then there’s no reason for us not to marry, is there? I could never tolerate letting you go to another man after what we’ve shared. Say you’ll marry me, sweet Kalinda. Make the engagement real.“

Stunned by the demand, Kalinda tried to think logically, tried to remember her fears. But it was impossible to do so while cradled so tightly against him. She loved him and he was asking her to marry him.

Weakened with longing and unable to argue with herself in that moment, Kalinda heard herself whisper the answer.

„Yes, Rand. I’ll marry you. I’ll do anything you want“

Nothing had changed. She knew the odds were that he was still caught up in a combination of desire and gratitude to her for providing him the excuse he’d needed to return to the business world. He had said nothing of love.

But she no longer had the strength to turn down that which her heart so desperately wanted. She loved him. Perhaps, in time, she could teach him to love her. If not, if the time ever came when he realized he no longer needed her, she would not regret the time she’d been his. Real love might eventually cause sadness, but not regret.