Texas Temptation by Bárbara McCauley Read Free Book Online Page A

burn and reached for her glass, hoping he wouldn’t notice her hand was shaking as she took a sip of ice water. “Yes, of course. I’m fine. Just resting my eyes.”
    He frowned, then lifted a hand to gesture for the waitress. “Annie,” he said solemnly, “I would rather not prolong this—”
    â€œNeither would I.” Annie leaned forward and smiled brightly. “As of one hour ago, I gave my approval, and Arloco agreed to back you.”
    The waitress showed up at that moment and set a bottle of red wine and two glasses on the table.
    â€œIt’s a deal, Jared,” she said breathlessly as the waitress filled the glasses, then moved on to another booth. “We can start drilling immediately.”
    She lifted her glass, waiting for the realization to hit Jared that they were in business. Waiting for him to laugh and lift his glass, too.
    He simply stared at her.
    â€œI’m sorry, Annie,” he said, his voice tight. “But I’m afraid the deal’s off.”

Four
    J ared’s gut twisted as he watched Annie slowly lower her glass.
    â€œWhat did you say?” she asked very carefully.
    â€œI’m sorry, Annie.” Jared wished he had something much stronger than the wine to belt down, though he doubted there was liquor strong enough to erase the look of complete betrayal on Annie’s face right now. “I’ve decided to withdraw my request for backing.”
    Her fingers tightly clutched the stem of the wineglass. “May I ask why?”
    Several more couples had settled into the booths and tables of the restaurant, and the din of conversation mixed with the clatter of busboys and waitresses serving suddenly became deafening. He’d thought it would be easier to tell Annie here, in a public place, that he had changed his mind, but he was wrong. She deserved better than a quick thanks, but no thanks.
    He threw several bills on the table, then reached over and took her free hand. Her fingers felt cold and stiff under his own. “Come on.”
    â€œBut—”
    She resisted, but he held tightly and pulled her from the booth. A few curious stares turned their way as he dragged her behind him out the back door of the restaurant into a quiet parking lot. The crescent moon shone brightly overhead, spilling silver light over Annie that danced in her blond hair. She pulled her hand from his and lifted her chin as she glared at him. He noticed for the first time the dress she was wearing. It was black and short, sleeveless, and had a neckline that formed a dangerous V, revealing a swell of soft full curves. His throat went dry. He carefully kept his eyes from that V and focused on her face.
    â€œI’ve decided that Arloco isn’t the right company for me.”
    â€œOh, I see.” She arched one delicate brow. “You mean our money isn’t quite green enough?”
    He frowned. “Dammit, Annie, don’t make this any more difficult than it already is.”
    â€œAnd why shouldn’t I?” Her eyes flashed in the moonlight. “You seem to forget, you’re the one who applied to Arloco. You’ve wasted my time, and yours, too.”
    She folded her arms, lifting that enticing swell of flesh ever higher, oblivious to the havoc she was wreaking with his senses. He caught the light floral scent of her perfume that surely was named Come Closer, and it was all he could do not to drag her against him. “Look, I’m sorry. I’ve decided to go with another company.”
    She narrowed her eyes in anger. “That’s a crock and you know it, Jared. Part of my job is to find out who you’ve already applied to. Outside of Arloco, the only other company who’s considered backing you is Darco Enterprises, and that’s only because the president went to college with your father. And even they turned you down.”
    Her words were cold and hard, but they were also accurate. “Gee,