The Cutting Edge by Linda Howard Read Free Book Online Page B

tray of drinks. He carefully set it down away from his equipment.
    â€œI’ll be right back with the sandwiches.”
    â€œI’ll help!” Scrambling to her feet, Hillary hurried after him.
    Feeling definitely de trop, Tessa called after them, “Just one sandwich for me; I have to be leaving soon.”
    When they came back into the room, Sammy frowned at her. “But we haven’t played chess yet.”
    â€œIt’s later than I thought, and tomorrow is a working day,” she reminded him.
    He looked guilty. “I guess I got carried away over Nelda.”
    â€œI enjoyed hearing about Nelda,” she reassured him.
    â€œI know you’ve probably been bored, but really, I think we’re going to be able to market Nelda. Hillary and I have put a lot of time and money into her; she’s really something.”
    Was he talking about the computer or Hillary? Probably the computer. Deciding to give him a nudge in the right direction, Tessa said blandly, “It must be marvelous to have someone like Hillary, someone who understands your work and wants the same things you do.”
    Hillary flushed, but Sammy wasn’t paying any attention. “Yeah, she’s really great.”
    As quickly as she could without appearing rude, Tessa downed her sandwich and drank her cold drink, then gathered up her purse and light coat. “I really have to be going now.”
    Sammy walked her to the door. “I owe you a chess lesson,” he said, smiling. “How about tomorrow night?”
    For some reason, Tessa thought she’d probably had her last chess lesson. It was better not to cause trouble. “I already have plans for tomorrow night, and I know you better than that, anyway! You’re still going to be playing with Nelda to see if she can do everything you think she can.”
    He rubbed the back of his neck, shrugging his shoulders to work out the kinks. “You’re probably right. We still have a lot of work to do on her. Maybe next week?”
    â€œMaybe,” she said, giving him a smile. He’d be so involved with his work that he’d never notice; she had been the one who had pursued their friendship, easing him out of part of his shyness.
    Later that evening, when she was ready for bed, she sat with pillows behind her back and a pad of writing paper on her knees. Her weekly letter to Aunt Silver was its usual mixture of news and comment, and at the end of it she mentioned Brett Rutland. As she sealed the envelope she smiled to herself. She’d deliberately been casual in her mention of him, knowing that Aunt Silver’s antennae would begin quivering as soon as she read the name.
    * * *
    B ILLIE HAD BROUGHT coffee and doughnuts for their midmorning break, and they had just begun their second doughnut when Tessa’s phone rang. She answered it absently.
    â€œI just want to confirm tonight. Six-thirty.”
    She hadn’t heard his voice on the phone before, but there was no mistaking his identity. She closed her eyes briefly at the pleasure that rippled through her at just the sound of his voice. “Yes. Six-thirty.”
    â€œDo you like to dance?”
    â€œDid granny wear garters?”
    His low, rough laugh filled her ear. “Wear your dancing shoes.”
    When she hung up the phone, Tessa was aware that her heart wasn’t beating in its regular rhythm, and she felt a little breathless. Even over the phone, his impact almost knocked her down. She thought of his thick, tawny brown hair and navy eyes, and it became even more difficult to breathe.
    â€œDon’t you ever stay at home?” Billie said automatically. It was practically standard procedure for Tessa to have at least one offer to go out every day.
    â€œOf course I do. You know Monday night is laundry night.”
    They laughed together, but Tessa’s mind was already on the coming night. They would have dinner, go out dancing…and then what? Would he