The Lady Is a Thief Read Online Free PDF Page B

father thought that sending every potentially advantageous businessman in
her direction a good idea—then it would be better not to get his hopes up.
          Or hers.
          He ignored his wine glass and prodded the
salmon with his fork. It flaked perfectly. But then it would. The staff didn't
know how to serve an ill cooked meal. “I'm going to suppose that is another
facet of our game.” He lifted the forkful to his mouth and nodded slightly as
he tasted it.
          “You may suppose whatever you like. I am not
in the habit of letting others choose who shares my bed.” She swirled the wine
in her glass. She hadn't eaten since the boxed lunches during the meeting and
even then she only picked at her food.
          He choked and coughed, actually reaching for
the wine to wash down the bite. “I beg your pardon?”
          “Mr. Parker, in all games there is a time to
drop the charade. Miles ratted you out.” She took a
second, longer swallow of the wine and put it aside. The warmth spreading
through her belly had less to do with the alcohol than her company, but she had
better eat if she wanted to drink anymore.
          “And exactly what did he say?” The caution
in Jarod's voice brought her head up and she stared at him.
          The tension in his face returned. A muscle
ticked in his jaw. The better tell were his hands though. They went completely
still, even as the knuckles whitened. I
wonder what debt or favor Daddy is holding over his head. I'll have to find
out. Or, if he proves a nuisance, maybe I'll just let Daddy hang him out to dry
with it.
          “He told me why he gave you the
authorization to be on the plane.” She cut into her own fish. “So enough with the games. It's a long flight. You can take
the sofa over there and when we land at LAX, you can be on your way.”
          He sat silently. She forced herself to eat
three bites of the salmon in quick succession followed by a forkful of the
steamed spinach and grilled zucchini. Her lack of appetite did not do the meal
justice, but her audience forced her to play the part. The air of civility wore
on her. She'd rather be curled up, snacking on her dinner in bed and watching the
latest movies she'd missed thanks to the whirlwind schedule she'd been
maintaining.
          But, no. She sat at
a table with a perfectly
respectable—smoking-hot-should-be-licked-often—stranger. Damn her father.
          Hell, if her father hadn't sent him, she
could indulge in one of those carnal impulses that landed her in the scandal
rags in her university years. When the heat in her body continued to spread,
warming her cheeks and her breasts, she reached for the wine. Maybe a glass or
three would knock the temperature off her libido.
          “You seem very relaxed considering our
present circumstances.” He sounded almost curious.
          “I’m used to it.” She sighed and ran her
tongue along her teeth, hoping no bits of veggie were embarrassing her. “Unfortunately.”
          “Well, if you're used to it, maybe you
should consider a change in careers.” The odd comment coupled with his pursed
lips dragged her attention away from her raging hormones to stare at him again.
He watched her with no attempt to disguise the shrewd predator in his eyes. A
fresh wave of awareness rolled over her.
          He wasn't just any businessman and his
attempts at vanilla engagement from his relaxed dress to his mannerisms
couldn't disguise that anymore. Something far more dangerous than an unwanted
matchmaking attempt lurked in his gaze.
          Intrigue and wariness clashed inside.
          “Why would I change careers? I'm destined to
inherit the entire organization. I have to know how it works from top to
bottom—or are you one of those men who thinks marrying
me will be your key to the executive office and I'll be at home hosting tea
while popping out the requisite heirs?”
          Jarod tugged his ear and set his