Caroselli's Baby Chase by Michelle Celmer Read Free Book Online Page A

that I’m your subordinate.”
    The head cocked again. “When did I say that?”
    “Just a minute ago. You said it was especially bad to get involved with a subordinate.”
    “So, from that you assumed I meant you? Had you considered that I was talking to you about me? Or that maybe I was speaking in general terms, and not about anyone specific.”
    Actually no, he hadn’t considered that.
    “Are you always so hyperdefensive?” she asked.
    “Never.” Only when he was with her.
    “Like I said, this will be as easy or as hard as you decide to make it.” Her brow lifted slightly, but by the time he recognized the devilish look on her face, it was too late. He sucked in a surprised breath when he felt her still shoeless foot slide into his lap. “Hard, it is,” she said with a smile.
    “Would you stop that,” he hissed, shoving her foot away from his crotch, hoping no one sitting nearby noticed. Did the woman have no shame? And why could he not think of anything but getting her back to her hotel room, out of her clothes and into bed? “Is this your idea of acting like a professional?”
    “I’m simply trying to illustrate a point.”
    “What point? You’re certifiable?”
    “That when it comes to our relationship, work or otherwise, you do not always call the shots. Because, Robby, you have some serious control issues.”
    “ I have control issues? This from the woman who can’t keep her foot out of my crotch?”
    She just smiled, as if she found the entire situation thoroughly amusing. “I’m going to go. I’ll see you bright and early Monday.”
    “Unfortunately, yes, you will.”
    She pulled on her suit jacket and coat, and he watched her as she grabbed her bag, slid out of the booth and walked to the door. She stepped outside, her loose hair flying wildly in the brisk wind. She hailed a cab, and only after she climbed inside could he drag his gaze away from the window.
    Unpredictable. That’s what she was. And while he was nowhere close to the control freak she’d painted him to be, he did prefer a modicum of consistency.
    And if today’s behavior was a preview of what he had to look forward to, maintaining control of the situation was his only option.

Five
    C arrie sat at the hotel bar, having a celebratory margarita, which at 12:04 p.m. was completely acceptable, even though her internal clock still thought it was two hours earlier.
    Even though there had been a few kinks in the process, all in all, she considered this morning’s meeting a success. And though she had the tendency—in her stepfather’s opinion—to be “mouthy,” she felt that under the circumstances, she’d been impressively diplomatic. If she’d left out the part where they attacked each other in Rob’s office.
    The memory made her cringe. But she had regrouped, damn it, then gone back into that conference room and kicked some major Caroselli ass.
    She’d found that in business, her impulsive nature could either be an asset or a liability, with very little gray area. This assignment could be a raging success, or a knock-down, drag-out disaster. So far so good, but honestly, it could still go either way. She had broken the cardinal rule of not sleeping with a coworker. And even though she had done it unknowingly, that didn’t make the situation any less complicated.
    As much as she hated to admit it, that stunt she’d pulled in the diner could have easily backfired. If he hadn’t pulled her foot from his crotch, if he’d instead smiled and suggested they go back to her hotel room, she probably would have dragged him there by his tie. And though the cab ride there would have given them both time to come to their senses, the damage would have been done, and the ball would be in his court now.
    Fortunately, the next serve was hers, and she was going for the point.
    She licked salt off the rim of her glass and took a sip of her margarita, letting the tangy combination of sweet and salty roll around on her tongue. She