A Passionate Business Read Online Free PDF Page A

seemed a world apart. Hilary made a point of seeing that her customers could relax over their
    meals.
    „Who wanted to see me, Sheila?“ she asked quietly, scanning the crowd as she came up behind the waitress.
    „The gentleman over there at the table for two by the window, Hilary. He said he…“
    „My father!“ Hilary exclaimed, spotting Crawford’s fine profile almost immediately. „So he decided to spend some
    time here after all,“ she went on musingly, half under her breath. „I thought when I squelched his latest plan he…“
    Then she realized there was someone else in the booth. She couldn’t see the other person, but the table was clearly set
    for two.
    „Don’t tell me he found another candidate so soon,“ she muttered angrily. Her amber eyes narrowed in sudden
    premonition as she started forward with a determined step.
    „Another what?“ Sheila asked curiously but Hilary was already halfway across the room, skirting the huge wine
    rack which stood in the center.
    It was as she rounded the rack that she finally saw the other occupant of the small booth and it was all she could
    do to keep from groaning aloud.
    Logan Saber, she thought bitterly. He never intended to abide by the little „understanding.“ The man was just as
    greedy as all the others. Perhaps the fact that she had consented to have lunch with him the day of the confrontation
    had led him to believe she could be easily charmed. Well, Logan Saber could think again, Hilary told herself furiously,
    sweeping to a halt by the offending table.
    „Good morning, Crawford,“ she said with patently false sweetness, conscious of the people in nearby booths. She
    ignored Logan completely but that didn’t stop her from being painfully aware of the intent regard of those gray-green
    eyes. She experienced an almost uncontrollable desire to pick up the vase of fresh flowers and fling it at him. Which
    act, when she considered it, was such an incredibly violent reaction for her that she was somewhat shocked.
    „Did you decide to spend some time at the cottage this week?“ she continued to her father.
    Trim and attractive with a heavy mane of silver hair and the amber eyes he had passed on to his daughter,
    Crawford Forrester grinned cheerfully, getting to his feet to plant an affectionate kiss on Hilary’s cheek.
    „I heard the weather was scheduled to be fantastic here this weekend and L.A. is full of smog, as usual,“ Crawford
    shrugged. „So I phoned my friend Logan and suggested we spend some time in sunny Santa Barbara. I’ve been
    wanting to take the boat out again.“ Crawford paused, turning to a silent Logan who had risen to his feet behind his
    host. Hilary realized with a small pang that he was even bigger than she had remembered.
    „Let me introduce Logan Saber, Hilary. A business associate. Logan, my daughter, Hilary.“
    „We’ve met,“ Hilary said coldly, paying no attention whatsoever to Logan’s outstretched hand. „Didn’t Mr. Saber
    tell you?“ She flicked a mocking glance up at the tall man and then quickly returned her gaze to her father. „It won’t
    work, Crawford. Just as it hasn’t worked for the last three times,“ she hissed. „Your ‘business associate’ knows that. I’
    ve already told him! Enjoy your stay in Santa Barbara and if you’re planning on any entertaining, count me out!“
    She barely had time to see Crawford’s brows lift in astonishment before she whirled on her heel and prepared to
    stride off to the kitchen, her neatly braided head held high. But before she could take a step a large, strong hand
    whipped out to snag her wrist, completely enclosing her fingers.
    „One moment, Hilary,“ Logan’s dark, velvet voice ordered softly as he spoke for the first time. „Your father and
    I…“ he broke off for a split second, watching the flags of battle in her cheeks just as if he knew she was only waiting
    until he finished his comment before she sailed into him again.
    „Your