A negotiated surrender by Jayne Castle Read Free Book Online Page A

peace?"
    "No!" He glared at her. "I'd tell you to forget him."
    "Then it doesn't really matter whether I admit to having an affair with him or not, does it? Either way, you're still convinced you want me?"
    "You are determined to goad me this evening, aren't you?" he observed finally after a clear struggle with his own temper. He sipped coffee and watched her over the rim.
    "No one's asked you to stick around and take it."
    "Just call me a masochist," he told her wryly.
    "There are a lot of names I'd like to call you," she said agreeably.
    "Keep in mind that the first one is 'boss.' "
    "Don't tell me you're going to threaten to fire me if I don't show proper respect! You made such a point of forcing me to stay on for the extra three months this evening!" she mocked.
    "I knew you'd stay as soon as Lester reminded you so subtly how rough I could make things during the reorganization process," he said calmly. "Your loyalty to him and his company does you credit."
    "I've already told you not to expect it to be transferred to my new employer! I will very definitely be leaving three months from tonight. And I'll be counting the days as I wait."
    "I'll help you count," he said smoothly, setting down the coffee cup and getting to his feet with an easy coordination. "And we might as well start tonight!"
    She realized his intention and uncurled from the couch, her manner full of the icy hauteur of a prima ballerina.
    "I'd just as soon you didn't paw me any further this evening!"
    He smiled dangerously, reaching out to wrap one hand around her neck with lazy menace. "Do you think you can quell me by making me feel like a clumsy boy with soiled hands? After a month of doing civilized battle with you, my sweet Calla, I'm fully prepared to engage in the uncivilized kind. And while you might be able to win an occasional skirmish during our business negotiations, you haven't got a chance in this sort of war."
    "Damn you, Slade! I won't have it!"
    But the grip on her neck was relentless and Calla knew instinctively she wouldn't be free until he chose to release her. Once again she decided to fall back on the passivity she had attempted earlier. To fight him would only be to stimulate him further. She had learned that lesson during the past month.
    There was no anger in this kiss as there had been in the one he had forced on her at the country club.
    Slade bent his coffee-brown head to explore her sealed lips with deliberate thoroughness, as if he were charting new territory and putting up "No Trespassing" signs as he went.

    With every ounce of her will, Calla stood stiffly in his chaining embrace, telling herself that he was every inch the same kind of man as Drew had been. Was there something about the competitive world of business that bred men like this? Arrogant, proud predators who turned into sulky little boys when their arrogance and pride was offended by a woman who refused to be controlled. Men who could handle a business threat head-on, but not a threatening woman.
    "Afraid, Calla?" Slade rasped provokingly, his mouth warm and inviting as he coaxed her lips apart.
    "Afraid of making comparisons between me and your dancer friend?"
    "There is no comparison," she whispered furiously, arching her throat to pull her mouth away from his gently marauding one. It was a mistake because he instantly began a delicate, nerve-rifling string of kisses down to the curve of her shoulder.
    "I'd agree, but somehow I don't think you meant that the way I want you to mean it!"
    "You're right! I have no interest in being mauled by a man who knows nothing of the civilized side of life!
    Who sees sex as some sort of game to be used to dominate a woman!"
    She felt him grow taut under the stabbing words and realized she probably should have kept her mouth shut and let him tire of the assault in his own time.
    "You don't understand!" he grated thickly, his free hand sliding up the curve of her hip to settle beneath her breast.
    "No!" she cried, alarmed at the