Chain Lightning Read Online Free PDF Page B

or no?“ Mandy asked with a coolness that was sheer bravado.
    Sutter jerked his head back from her scented, swirling hair. For the benefit of the audience he smiled, but Mandy was close enough to see his eyes. She shivered and wondered how a man whose hands were so warm could have eyes like green ice.
    “Yes,“ he hissed.
    Mandy nodded her understanding because she knew she would stammer if she tried to speak. She turned and walked away, but with each step she felt Sutter’s icy eyes boring into her naked back. Silently pitying whoever bought Sutter’s vacation – and his unnerving, short-tempered company – Mandy hurried across the stage.
    “Is the Australian vacation still on?“ the auctioneer asked, covering the microphone before she spoke.
    “You bet. The sooner the better. If I had the money, I’d buy the ticket myself and launch him with a bottle of champagne over his thick prow.“
    The auctioneer smiled as she looked from Sutter’s hard, handsome face to Mandy’s flushed cheeks. “Honey, didn’t you know? The best ones always bite, and they bite in all the best places.“
    Mandy looked first shocked, then intrigued despite herself. The thought of Sutter’s mouth closing on her flesh in sensual teasing made sudden heat expand deep inside her, flushing her from breast to thighs.
    “Bon appitit!“ Mandy muttered, and hurried from the stage, her cheeks burning.
    Laughing, the woman turned back to the audience. “Relax, ladies, the Australian outing is still up for bid. Better move fast, though. The next phone call could change things and take this elusive hunk of steamy jungle beyond your reach forever. Before the bidding begins, Mr. Sutter requested that I warn you – the three weeks will be spent in one of the most little-known resorts in the world, a place where only a severely limited number of people are permitted to stay each year. The accommodations won’t be luxurious. Leave your diamonds and designer clothes at home. You will be sleeping in a tent. You will be permitted to carry no more luggage than fits into a backpack, and that includes your purse. If these restrictions don’t discourage you, then you are just the lady to accompany D. M. Sutter on his Australian mystery vacation.“
    If the women in the audience were discouraged, it didn’t show. The bidding was opened by the stunning redhead. Her bid was equally stunning.
    “Five thousand dollars.“
    The auctioneer picked up the bid without missing a beat and began skillfully working the audience. The next bid wasn’t long in coming, nor in being topped.
    “Six thousand,“ called the redhead.
    “Is that Sissy by any chance?“ Mandy asked Anthea.
    Anthea’s low purr of satisfaction was the only answer.
    “I gather Sutter doesn’t want to spend three weeks with her,“ Mandy said.
    Anthea laughed. “The woman is a two-legged barracuda who loves nothing but her own reflection in the mirror. But even reflections have their uses.“
    Mandy hesitated but knew she should warn her boss that this wasn’t the best way to fill OCC’s coffers. “Anthea, Sutter is furious. Not hot furious. Icy furious. Why did he volunteer himself if he dislikes being auctioned off so much?“
    The older woman winced. “He didn’t volunteer himself. I did.“
    “My God,“ Mandy said faintly, looking at her boss in disbelief. “Do you have a death wish?“
    “So long as Sissy doesn’t have the last bid, everything will be fine,“ Anthea said with more determination than real self-assurance.
    “The cost of keeping everything fine is seven thousand dollars,“ Mandy muttered, “and climbing fast. The women in this place must be blinded by the spotlights.
    Anyone with two eyes could see that going on vacation with Sutter would be like inviting a hungry tiger to take the first bite of your hamburger.“
    Then Mandy thought of what the auctioneer had said and winced.
    Anthea laughed and patted Mandy on the arm. “You needn’t worry. I suspect