A Passionate Business Read Online Free PDF

father and I,“ he continued deliberately, not releasing her hand, „would like to see the wine list, if you don’t
    mind.“
    Hilary blinked in surprise, taken off balance for an instant. She had been expecting a denial or a justification for his
    presence and he knew it! She recovered quickly, glancing pointedly at her still-trapped hand.
    „I’ll be happy to have it sent to your table, Mr. Saber,“ she said coolly.
    „Excellent,“ he approved, eyes gleaming wickedly. „We’ll be wanting something light, I think, to go with the cheese
    crepes.“
    „I’m sure you’ll find something appropriate on our list. Will there be anything else, Mr. Saber?“ she asked with a
    sort of grim patience. She tried tugging unobtrusively at her hand but it felt as if it were enclosed in steel. On the other
    side of the table she could see her father watching the little byplay with a deeply interested expression.
    „There is one other small thing,“ Logan drawled deliberately, letting her feel the strength of his fingers. He knew,
    Hilary realized, that she would go to any lengths not to draw the customer’s attention.
    „Yes?“ she prompted coldly.
    „An apology, I think,“ he suggested quietly, sitting down again and not releasing her hand. Crawford also resumed
    his seat, his eyes on his daughter.
    „An apology!“ she echoed a low, furious tone. „I don’t owe you an apology for anything, Mr. Saber!“
    „Not me,“ he corrected mildly. „Your father.“
    For a moment Hilary stared at him and then she turned abruptly to Crawford, lifting her manacled hand to clearly
    display Logan’s grip.
    „Well, Crawford,“ she began wryly, „You managed to pick a truly masterful type this time, didn’t you?“ She
    dropped her wrist again, Logan’s fingers still wrapped around it. „Aren’t you afraid he’ll be the kind who beats his
    women?“
    „I didn’t raise a fool of a daughter,“ Crawford returned easily, trying to hide a grin and failing miserably. „I’m sure
    you’ll have more sense than to push Logan that far.“
    Her eyes amber crystals, Hilary swung her gaze back to Logan who appeared to be willing to sit there all morning
    awaiting the apology.
    „Well?“ he prompted unhurriedly. „Why don’t you get it over with, Hilary and then I’ll let you go back to your
    precious kitchen.“
    „Why should I apologize?“ she challenged angrily. It was getting increasingly difficult to keep her voice down.
    „Because you’ve accused your father of plotting when you have absolutely no evidence,“ he informed her mildly,
    but the expression in his eyes was far from mild.
    „No evidence?“ she repeated slowly, striving to bring her temper under control. Hilary couldn’t even remember the
    last time she had been so close to losing it. It was an unnerving feeling. „Your presence here is all the evidence I need,
    Mr. Saber!“
    „It doesn’t occur to you that I might have wanted to come to Santa Barbara for other than business reasons?“ he
    inquired politely.
    „No,“ she said shortly. „Not when you show up with Crawford. And not when Crawford has a history of…“ Hilary
    broke off as, out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a familiar figure entering the restaurant. In a moment the
    man would glance her way, see her talking to Logan and Crawford and wonder if she needed assistance. The thought
    of a fracas in front of customers…
    Without a moment’s hesitation, Hilary turned to her father. „Crawford, if I’ve misjudged this little scene, you have
    my sincerest apologies. I’m sorry I got upset over such a trivial event, anyhow. It doesn’t really matter in the long run
    if you are plotting, does it? I’ve already proven I can hold my own when it comes to those kind of games. Sorry I lost
    my temper. I’ll keep things in perspective from here on. Forgive me?“ she added sweetly.
    Crawford looked understandably astonished at her sudden capitulation. He gazed for a second at