Mistletoe Maneuvers Read Online Free PDF Page A

if she didn’t own a majority stake in the company. The most recent rumor had her paying off the board members toget her post. Her efforts to win the employees over—starting a day care in the office, increasing benefits, even supplying coffee and doughnuts in the morning—were ignored.
    Time, she reminded herself. She needed to be patient. After all, her father had been just as beloved as Rick. Rick had had to work hard to turn the tide of sympathy, but he had done such a good job that the employees seemed to have forgotten all about her father. The fact that she was Howard Lawrence’s daughter and the rightful heir to Lawrence Enterprises meant little. The only thing that mattered from now on was how well she got along with Rick.
    They were no longer opponents but partners. Her new strategy revolved around winning Rick’s respect. She had a hunch that if she won Rick over, she might be able to win over everyone else. It was a strategy that held little appeal, but she had no choice. She had made a deal with the devil and now she had to make the best of it.
    Lessa glanced at Rick. He was talking on his cell phone, laughing as he spoke to a colleague. The crinkles from his laugh lines only made him look more handsome. Wearing an open-neck business shirt and khaki slacks, he looked relaxed and in control, totally at ease with the caper they were about to attempt.
    Once again panic gripped her heart as she thought, What am I doing?
    Could she really pull this off? What did he have in mind? Holding hands and kissing? Or just exchanging knowing glances?
    She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She had to approach this just as she would a tough match. Likethe one she’d played against Korupova, the tall Russian girl with the black hair, in the NCAAs her sophomore year. Korupova was a lauded champion and Lessa began the match determined that the only way to win was to hit every bit as hard as her opponent. But it soon became obvious that she was outmatched. Korupova was a better and stronger athlete. Since Lessa could not win the match on the strength of her strokes, she had to come up with a new strategy. She switched from offensive playing to defensive, hoping that through sheer determination and patience she could outlast her opponent. In the end, Lessa had squeaked out a victory. She counted that win as the best of her career because it made her think she could get into something completely over her head and somehow, someway, get her feet under her and win. Just like now. Rick may be a superior player, but by staying in the moment, by not letting her fears get the best of her, she would get her feet under her again. And she would be victorious.
    â€œAre you ready?” he asked, snapping his phone shut.
    She glanced at him and nodded.
    He smiled and took her hand. His touch sent a bolt of electricity running through her. So surprised was she by her reaction to him that she yanked her hand away.
    â€œNow, now, Lessa,” he said, purposely referring to her by her nickname. “Is that a way to respond to a lover’s touch?” He shook his head, still holding her captive with his eyes. She couldn’t miss the twinkle of mischief there. It was obvious he took pleasure in her discomfort. She was certain it was a different experience than what he was used to. When he held a woman’s hand, he probably expected a sigh of delight.
    â€œI suggest you swallow back whatever revulsion you feel toward me and focus,” he said sternly. “When I touch you, do not grimace or make an effort to get away. Remember your mission and do your job.”
    He was right. She had agreed to this; now she had no choice but to give it her all. After all, if they were successful with Sabrina, they could single-handedly thwart all other takeover attempts. Maybe. At the very least, they could buy themselves some time to prevent this from happening again. She took a deep breath and picked up his hand.