Tycoon for Hire

When they were on the road he said casually, ‘So, what story do we tell people?’

‘Story?’

‘About us. If someone asks, we have to say the same thing. When did we meet?’

‘Oh—last week.’

‘That’s a bit recent. Why not last month?’

‘No,’ she said quickly. ‘Not as long ago as that.’

‘I see. You were going out with someone else then? Why aren’t you with him tonight?’

‘Because we—we had a disagreement.’

‘Who dumped who?’

‘We separated by mutual consent,’ she said stiffly.

‘You mean he walked out on you?’

‘I mean no such thing.’

‘Will he be there tonight?’

‘Possibly.’

‘Then you’d better tell me his name, just in case.’

‘His name is David Conner,’ she said stiffly.

‘Have you worked out how we met?’

‘No—I don’t know—I’ll think of something,’ she said distractedly. She was growing more unhappy by the minute.

‘I’m surprised to find you so disorganised. We’re nearly at Trafalgar Square. Direct me.’

She complied, adding, ‘We’re going to Catesby House for the London Society of Commerce Banquet. Careful!’

‘Sorry! My hand slipped on the wheel,’ Steven said hastily. In fact, he’d had a nasty shock. There would be people there who knew him. He made a rapid decision.

‘You’d better know,’ he said, ‘my real name isn’t Mike Harker.’

‘You mean it’s a stage name?’

‘No, I—Never mind. My name is Steven Leary. We’re nearly there. Quickly, tell me something about yourself.’

‘My name is Jennifer Norton. I’m the granddaughter of Barney Norton of Nortons Distribution—’

‘Nortons Distribution?’ Steven echoed. ‘Trucks and depots?’

‘Yes,’ she said, surprised to find him so knowledgeable. ‘Our organisation is the best of its kind in the country, and we’re rapidly expanding in Europe.’ She suddenly remembered who he was. ‘Never mind that.’

‘Yes, don’t say anything too complex,’ he said affably. ‘My one braincell might not be able to cope.’

She refused to let him needle her. ‘Take this next turning and you’ll find a car park.’

As he switched off the engine Jennifer went to open her door. ‘Wait,’ Steven ordered calmly. He walked around the car and opened the door for her, holding out his hand to assist her. ‘After all, this is what I’m here for,’ he said, with a grin.

‘Thank you,’ she said, placing her hand in his.

She half missed her footing as she stepped out, but his fingers tightened, holding her steady, and she had an unnerving sense of vibrant power streaming through him and communicating itself through the contact of their skin. For a moment her heart beat faster.

She turned to reach back into the car for her velvet stole, but he was there before her, whisking it out and settling it around her bare shoulders. She couldn’t suppress the tremor that went through her at his touch, and involuntarily she glanced up to meet his eyes. She found them fixed on her with a look that brought the colour flooding into her cheeks.

‘You’re beautiful,’ he said seriously. ‘In fact, you’re sensational. I’ll be a proud man, with you on my arm. No, don’t say it!’ He held up a finger to silence her, although she was too taken aback to speak. ‘You don’t care whether I’m proud of you or not. It’s not part of our bargain. Well, I don’t care whether you care or not. I’m telling you, you’re a knock-out!’

Something was making it hard for her to speak. ‘Thank you,’ she stammered at last. ‘It’s nice to know that my escort approves of me.’

‘I don’t approve of you,’ Steven said wryly. ‘I disapprove of this whole situation. A woman who looks like you shouldn’t have to hire a man, and if she does there’s something badly wrong in her life. But you’re gorgeous, sexy, and an incitement to every man to do something he’ll regret. I only wish I had time to explore that contradiction.’

‘My contradictions don’t concern you,’ she said, her cheeks flaming.

‘They would if I decided to let them,’ he said carelessly. ‘What a pity that I don’t have time!’ He drew one finger slowly down her cheek. ‘We should be going inside.’

‘Yes,’ she said, remembering, with an effort, why they were there. ‘We should.’

Jennifer had attended many functions at Catesby House, and was familiar with its plush red and gilt interior, sweeping stairway and glittering chandeliers. But tonight she seemed to be seeing everything for the first time. The lights were more dazzling, the colours of the other women’s dresses more vivid, and the black and white of the men more intense than she remembered ever noticing before.

She went to the cloakroom to deposit her stole. As she emerged to where Steven was waiting for her at the foot of the staircase she had the chance to observe him from a distance, against other men.

The comparison was all in his favour. He was almost the tallest man there. Certainly his shoulders were the broadest, his air the most impressive. But what struck her most was the confidence and authority that radiated from him. He looked like a predator, appraising lesser beings prior to devouring them. She’d seen that aura before, in men who headed great corporations. How did an unemployed actor come to have it?

Actor. Of course. He’d assumed the right role. Anxious to have a good atmosphere between them, she approached him with a smile. ‘Congratulations,’ she said warmly.

‘I beg your pardon?’

‘You’ve got right into the part. You look as if you belong here.’

‘Thank you,’ he said with suspicious meekness. ‘I’m rather nervous among all these important people.’

‘They’re not really important. They only fancy they are because they’ve got money. Most business folk don’t matter half as much as they think they do.’ With a flash of mischief, she added, ‘Just look down your nose at them, and they’ll take you for one of themselves. I’m expecting you to be a big success.’

His lips twitched. ‘You don’t feel you got cheated on the deal, then?’

‘On the contrary, I think I might have a bargain.’

‘Maybe I didn’t do so badly myself.’ He offered her his arm. ‘Shall we go?’