Blackmailed Into Her Boss’s Bed

They reached the car and he opened the passenger door. ‘Get in, Talia.’ When she made no move to obey, he moved closer to her. ‘I’ll load you in myself, it that’s what it takes.’

He’d do it, she thought, staring at him. She tossed her head, then climbed stiffly inside the low-slung automobile. Miller slammed the door, then came around and got in beside her. The powerful engine roared to life.

Talia’s mouth went dry. ‘Just what do you think you’re doing, Mr Miller?’

‘I’m taking you to dinner.’ The Maserati began moving. ‘We have an appointment. Didn’t your boss tell you?’

She stared at him, then let out her breath. ‘Look, there’s no point in stringing this out any further. I’ll call my boss and tell him…’

Her voice faltered, and he looked over at her. ‘Go on,’ he said pleasantly. ‘What will you tell him?’

They were speeding along beside the runway. Blue marker lights flashed by in the gathering dusk. It felt as if the car were gathering enough speed to hurtle into the sky. But suddenly the car veered sharply away from the runway. A fence rose ahead, and beyond that Talia could see a ribbon of road.

‘I—I’ll tell him the truth,’ she said hurriedly. ‘That you and I—that we had a misunderstanding when we met—’

His lips drew back from his teeth. ‘You mean you’ll tell him you cut the head of Miller International dead when he tried to introduce himself to you? That you were incredibly rude, that you tried to make a fool of me in front of others…?’

Talia swallowed hard. ‘You’re leaving things out.’

Miller laughed softly. ‘I am, yes. But I didn’t think you’d want to tell him that I kissed you, and that for just a minute you turned into a woman instead of a machine.’

‘That’s not the way it was! You’re distorting what happened.’

‘Am I?’ He shrugged his shoulders. ‘I’m only describing what happened, Talia. But we can leave it to John Diamond to decide which version he prefers—yours or mine.’ His foot bore down on the accelerator. ‘Buckle your seatbelt. We have about half an hour’s drive ahead of us.’

Her hands trembled as she did as he’d ordered. ‘Look,’ she said, ‘we both know the truth. There isn’t any contract—you lied when you said there was. It’s not fair to involve my boss in this. I mean, your quarrel’s with me, not him.’

Logan Miller glanced at her, then looked back at the road. ‘You’re right. I have no intention of hurting John Diamond.’

‘Then what…?’ She stared at his impassive profile, and fear twisted through her gut. ‘I don’t know what you’re up to,’ she said softly. ‘But no matter who you are or how important—’

He started to laugh. ‘I’d never have thought you were prone to melodrama, Talia. You’ve even written a script, haven’t you?’

‘Whatever it is you’ve planned, you won’t get away with it.’

He laughed again, the sound low and intimate in the confines of the swift-moving car. ‘I know what you’re thinking. And believe me, you’re wrong. I’ve never thought of a seduction as a punishment—but if I’d wanted to take you to bed, I’d have gone to San Francisco instead of bringing you here. That way, there’d be fewer complications when I’d had enough.’

‘You disgust me,’ she said, her voice trembling.

‘And you never want to see me again.’ His voice mocked hers. ‘Is that your next line.’

‘Look, you’ve had your fun. Why don’t we call it even? Take me back to the plane and tell your people to fly me back to LA. Or I can get a seat on a commercial flight—’

‘Are you married, Talia?’

The question was so unexpected that it stunned her. ‘What?’

‘It’s a simple question. Are you married?’

‘No. But what does—’

‘Engaged?’ She shook her head as Miller glanced at her. ‘Are you involved with anyone?’

‘It’s none of your business. You have no right to ask me things like that.’

His teeth flashed in a quick smile. ‘Humour me. Pretend you’re interviewing for a position at Miller International.’

‘I’d sooner starve than work for you or your company,’ she snapped. ‘Besides, there are laws against asking personal questions of a prospective employee.’

‘I make my own laws,’ he said curtly. ‘Now answer the question. Are you involved with anyone?’

Talia stared at him. He probably did make his own laws, she thought, and a shudder went through her. ‘No.’

Miller nodded. ‘I didn’t think you were.’ They were on a freeway now and the traffic was heavy. But the Maserati didn’t slow; Talia thought that the man beside her drove as he probably lived: capably but dangerously, taking advantage of whatever openings he found. ‘In fact, I’d have wagered on it.’

Talia looked at him again, then turned away and stared out through the windscreen. ‘I hate to disappoint you,’ she said calmly, ‘but there are some women who have other interests in life.’

‘On the contrary.’ His tone was impersonal. ‘You don’t disappoint me at all. I was hoping you felt that way; it’s one of the reasons I brought you here tonight.’