Your Room or Mine?

Three

As soon as she arrived back at her office after lunch, Maddie checked her e-mail. The weekend’s itinerary had arrived from Carla and she opened the attachment. Pushing up her glasses, she perused the schedule, and was surprised to see she was expected to arrive Friday evening. Her gaze skimmed lower, then fastened on the activity listed for Saturday morning. What on earth…? She blinked, but the words remained, and her brows collapsed in a scowl.

“Oh, no,” she murmured through clenched teeth. “Not just no… hell no.”

Was this insanity Jack’s idea-or Gavin’s? Obviously one of them was responsible, but her money was on Jack. Anything to piss her off and make her suffer. Well, she wasn’t having any of it.

With the schedule gripped in her hand, she marched out of her office and headed down the long corridor that separated the executive offices from the cubicles, wondering if steam actually spewed from her ears.

She understood the need for this team building weekend. In fact, she’d suggested it to Gavin and set up the entire thing, using Atlanta’s most respected motivational team-building company. It was just what the doctor ordered to get the accounting department back on track, plus it would provide her with an excellent opportunity to make the sort of observations she needed to present her report to Gavin. He wanted the accounting staff downsized from twenty to fifteen by the end of the month and he was counting on her report to advise him as to which employees should be let go in that reduction.

But there was a huge difference between attending the weekend and this. She shook the itinerary and shot it another baleful look as she strode along. This other thing was simply out of the question.

She looked up. Jack’s office was only a few doors away. Filled with grim determination, she advanced toward the door marked Jack Walker, Chief Financial Officer.

As she approached, she heard his deep voice. Pausing outside his ajar door, she heard him say, “I’m sorry, too, sweetheart… I know, I was looking forward to it, too.” He heaved a sigh. “No, it’s one of those business things I can’t get out of. But I’ll make it up to you.” He fell silent for several seconds then gave a low chuckle. “Deal. I’m looking forward to that… okay, sweetheart. Talk to you soon.”

Several seconds of silence followed and Madeline realized he’d ended his call. Drawing a bracing breath, she stepped into the half-open doorway. He stood with his back to her, looking out the window, his cell phone pressed to his ear. He’d removed his charcoal gray suit jacket and rolled up his sleeves. She refused to acknowledge that the rear view he was treating her to was in any way… a treat.

She was about to knock when he said into the phone, “Hey babe, it’s Jack. Sorry I’ve missed you. Just calling to let you know I’ve gotta bail on our plans this weekend.”

Madeline shook her head. Jeez, how many “sweethearts” and “babes” did he have to break dates with this weekend?

“Really sorry ’cause I was looking forward to us-”

His words cut off when he turned around and saw her standing in the doorway, hand raised and poised to knock. She froze, and for several seconds silence swelled as they stared across the expanse of his office at each other. While the rear view had been exceptionally nice, the full frontal packed a serious wallop. Six-one, broad shoulders, deep blue eyes, firm, square jaw-complete with an intriguing indent in his chin-and a mouth that somehow managed to look hard and soft at the same time. His thick dark hair looked slightly rumpled, as if he’d dragged his hands through it, an imperfection that did nothing to detract from his physical appeal. Damn it, it simply wasn’t fair that he was so attractive. And such a pest.

His eyes narrowed and he said into the phone, “I’ll call you later.” With his gaze still boring into hers, he snapped his phone shut then set it on his desk. “Eavesdropping, Ms. Price?”

Heat flooded Madeline’s face and she raised her chin. “Certainly not.”

Um, actually you were eavesdropping, her annoyingly honest inner voice pointed out.

Okay, fine, she’d been eavesdropping. But not on purpose. It was an accidental eavesdropping. Because his door was partially open. So actually the entire thing was his fault. Based on his scowl, he wouldn’t appreciate her pointing that out.

“I was just about to knock when you turned around,” she said. “Do you have a minute?”

He muttered something that sounded suspiciously like Do I have a choice? then said, “Sure. But not much more than a minute. I have a meeting. What can I do for you?”

Drop the arrogant attitude. Then ugly yourself up. A paunch and a few hairy warts on your nose should do the trick. “Have you seen the itinerary for this weekend’s team building?”

“Not yet.”

She crossed the mocha-colored carpet and handed him the memo. “Read it and weep.”

He gave it a brief scan. “Looks pretty standard…” His words trailed off and his brows jerked downward. “What’s this?” He looked up at her and she knew what he’d seen.

“You’re not responsible for that?” she asked.

He made an incredulous sound. “For scheduling me and you for a six a.m. orienteering session Saturday morning? Hardly. Is this your idea of a joke?”

“I know what orienteering is. Believe me, there is nothing funny about the thought of you and me stuck in the woods together with nothing but a compass and a map to guide us.”

“Then clearly it’s a typo.”

“Heck of a typo. Who do you think they meant to send you out into the woods with? Carmen Electra?”

“I meant the entire idea of you and me doing anything together. Especially at six a.m.”

In spite of the fact that she was equally opposed to doing anything with him, especially at six a.m., she took umbrage at his insulting tone. Humph. There were lots of men who would be damn glad to be stuck in the woods with her at six a.m. Probably. Just because she didn’t know any of those men didn’t mean they didn’t exist. Somewhere.

“Being stuck in the woods with you isn’t exactly my idea of a good time, either.” She narrowed her eyes. “So this isn’t your doing?”

“Hardly. Which means it must be-”

“Gavin,” they said simultaneously.

“I’ll take care of this.” Jack reached for his desk phone and punched a few numbers. “Carla, this is Jack,” he said into the receiver. “Is Gavin available?” A few seconds later, he said, “Gavin, I just saw the itinerary for this weekend’s retreat. About this orienteering outing with Madeline-”

Jack’s words cut off and he frowned. “But… is it really neces-” A long pause. “But the expense-Oh. Everyone else isn’t arriving until Saturday morning.” Another long pause, interspersed with a few muttered “I sees,” and more scowling followed. “Yes… uh-huh… right… okay. I understand.” He replaced the receiver and faced her.

“Well, you really told him,” she deadpanned. “Way to take care of it. I don’t know word for word what Gavin said, but based on your end of the conversation and your expression, I’m guessing it was Gavin’s idea and that we’re going orienteering Saturday morning.”

“At six a.m.,” Jack confirmed, looking as displeased as she felt.

“Did he say why?” Maddie asked.

“Yes. He ‘senses some tension’ between us and ‘wants us to bond.’” His gaze practically skewered her. “What a load of garbage.”

“Biggest load of garbage I’ve ever heard,” she said, not to be outdone. “Based on your accusatory tone and expression, you clearly think this tension is my fault.”

“If the shoe fits…”

“Did it ever occur to you that your my-way-or-the-highway attitude might be the problem?”

“Frankly, no,” he said. “Because I’m not that way at all, which if you knew me even slightly you would know. And I find it very amusing that you of all people would accuse me of being so.” He mimicked picking up the phone. “Hello, Kettle? Black Pot calling.”

She forced herself to draw a deep, calming breath and bury her annoyance at him for being, well, so damn annoying, and at herself, for allowing him to get to her. “I’m only here to help, Jack. I’m not the enemy.”

He favored her with that looking-right-through-her expression that spiked her blood pressure. Although he didn’t utter a word, she could see his resentment and it really rankled. Enough for her to say, “I think I must be clairvoyant, because I can easily read your thoughts.”

“Oh? What am I thinking?”

Adopting a masculine, deep voice, she said, “ ‘She’s getting paid big bucks to give answers I already know to questions I never even asked. She knows squat about my business-for cryin’ out loud, she doesn’t even like coffee-and I don’t want her here.’ ”

He considered for several seconds, then nodded. “That sums it up very well. Except you left out ‘and I sure as hell don’t want to be stuck in the woods with her.’ ”

“Sorry.” She shot him a fake smile. “My psychic abilities become depleted when surrounded by too much hot air and testosterone.”

He matched her fake smile with one of his own. “As a consultant, you would be the expert on hot air.”

“Ha ha. And don’t worry about being stuck in the woods with me. I know how to use a map and a compass. Plus, unlike the male of the species, I’m not afraid to ask for directions.”

“Ha ha to you, too. As for this orienteering bonding thing-it doesn’t matter that we don’t like the idea. Gavin wants it and that’s the way it is.” His gaze wandered down to her high-heeled patent leather pumps. “Are you going to be able to handle being in the woods?”

“Are you going to be able to handle having to ask me for help to get out of the woods?”

“I won’t need to ask for help. Or directions.”

“Typical. Do you know how many lost men have uttered that same statement?”

“No. But I don’t get lost. I have an excellent sense of direction.”

“Uh-huh. Ten bucks says you get us lost at least once.”

He raised his brows, then smiled. Damn, he had a great smile. No fair. “Deal. You realize you’ll never see that ten bucks.”

“If I don’t, it’s only because you’ve refused to admit that we’re lost.”

“Noooo,” he said as if she were in kindergarten. “It’s because of my superior directional abilities.”

“Right. Please, don’t mind me. I’m just looking at the ceiling. Really. Not rolling my eyes at all.”

“I promise that if I’m lost I’ll admit it.”

“Do you know how many lost men have uttered that same statement?”

He raised his hand, like a boy taking a scout’s pledge. “I am a man of my word.”

“Excellent. Then let’s make it twenty bucks. I need a new lipstick.”

His gaze dropped to her mouth, and something flickered in his eyes. Something that looked hot and raw and heated her from the inside out. Good grief, her sexual drought now had her imagining things, like a thirst-crazed person in a desert who sees a mirage of an oasis. But damn, that look affected her as if he’d actually caressed her, and she found herself moistening her lips.

And that time there was absolutely no mistaking the heat that flared in his eyes. Whoa. For the space of two erratic heartbeats he stared at her mouth as if she were a warm fudge brownie and he were craving sugar.

Then he blinked and shook his head, as if coming out of some sort of trance. Probably the same one that had clubbed her over the head. He obviously said something to her, because she saw his lips moving, but damned if she knew what it was. So she said the only word she could cough up.

“Huh?”

“Twenty bucks for a lipstick seems pretty steep.”

“Oh? You shop for many lipsticks?”

“No, I’m just making an observation. As a fiscally responsible CFO type.”

“Are you implying I’m fiscally irresponsible?”

“No. I’m just saying I think twenty bucks is a lot for a lipstick.

But I’m not surprised, coming from someone who plans an expensive weekend bonding deal at a resort.”

“Well, as a fiscally responsible consultant type, I can assure you it depends on the lipstick. Some are definitely worth it. And the weekend won’t cost nearly as much as years of unproductive interactions in the workplace.”

Again his gaze dropped to her lips, and for several seconds she couldn’t breathe. Then he frowned and handed her back her itinerary. “If you say so. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a meeting.”

“Of course.” She left his office, relieved to be away from whatever momentary madness had gripped her. She walked with her usual brisk pace back to her own office, and was halfway down the hallway when she felt the weight of someone’s stare. She looked over her shoulder and nearly stumbled when she noticed Jack leaning against his doorjamb, watching her. His expression appeared to be a combination of confusion and irritation.

She resumed her pace, and realized that’s precisely how she felt-confused and irritated. Why the heck had he, of all people, made her dormant hormones jump like they’d been zapped with a Taser? That was irritating. He was irritating.

And unfortunately, given their forced proximity during this upcoming weekend, she knew more irritation awaited her on the horizon.

Good thing she couldn’t stand Jack Walker. Because if she did… well, that would be really irritating.