Company, isn’t it?“
The harsh contours of his face seemed to harden but he didn’t deny the accusation. „I intend to defeat
Richard Anderson. Totally.“
„Well, I refuse to be used in the process!“
„Especially since you think it’s Anderson who will win?“ he prodded.
„I’m not choosing sides in the hopes of finding myself on the winning team, Mr. Sutherland. It just so
happens I like Richard a great deal more than I like you!“
She stepped backward a small pace, preparing to put a great amount of distance between them.
Somehow his fingers, which had been hovering in the ruffle of the dress, slipped down the silk to the tip of
one breast The heat of his hand burned through the material, sending shock waves through her body as her
nipple reacted to the touch.
Knowing he must be aware of her body’s reaction was enough to hold her paralyzed for an instant
longer. Their eyes met for a timeless moment, and in the darkening green depths of York’s gaze Selena
read the signs of a raw and ravishing hunger.
There was nothing that could be said. Selena could think only in terms of escape and spun away from
York’s touch and the promise in his eyes, moving blindly across the terrace toward the relative safety of the
lobby. An instant later she was temporarily out of reach of the predator in the shadows. Without pausing to
glance back, she made her way to the ballroom.
It was a great relief not to catch another glimpse of York Sutherland for the rest of the evening.
By nine o’clock the next morning the image of York as a predatory jaguar was safely buried in the
farthest corners of her subconscious. Selena went about her work with her customary enthusiasm,
supervising clerks, advising customers, and handling the myriad problems large and small that occurred
every day in her busy world. But while the fantasy was buried, her common sense was not.
In the clear light of a California morning it was easy enough to tell herself she had overreacted to York’
s stalking presence; still, where there was smoke…
There could be no doubt about the man’s intentions, she thought as she checked the supply of acrylic
paints and silkscreening materials prior to filling out an order form. Sutherland was out to thoroughly crush
Richard. The idea should have been laughable, given her knowledge of the Anderson fortune and Richard’s
standing in the community. But she couldn’t quite bring herself to laugh it off completely, in spite of Richard
’s failure to take the threat seriously.
Well, the only thing she could do was stay clear of the hunger, she decided resolutely as she straightened
from her task and started toward the counter where three clerks were busy handling customers. Richard
could handle his own business problems, if he had them. He certainly didn’t need her advice! Her only
experience in the world of business was managing Artistic Endeavors. Her mouth lifted in a smile of
unconscious pride as she glanced around the large artists’ supply shop. It wouldn’t be long before she
would seriously be able to consider owning the place. The Fletchers had talked often about selling in order
to be freer to pursue their jet-set lifestyle.
As if thinking of the owners of Artistic Endeavors had triggered a switch somewhere, the phone rang
behind the counter and a moment later a clerk called her.
„It’s Mr. Fletcher, Selena.“
„I’ll take it in the office, Alison.“ She hurried toward the cramped room at the back of the store where
she had a small desk and several file cabinets. One of the first things she intended to do after taking over
ownership of Artistic Endeavors was to expand that poor excuse of an office. It might serve for a manager
but a small business executive deserved something more sophisticated.
„Good morning, John,“ she greeted her boss cheerfully. „Calling to tell me you’re on your way to Utah?“
„I’m calling to tell you Utah is out, Tahiti