The Cutthroat by Clive Cussler (audio ebook reader .TXT) 📕

and you do it right now!” She handed him the receiver of his desk phone, which he replaced.

“No,” he replied succinctly, almost grinning at her vexation.

She looked like she was going to explode, or perhaps hit him.

Neither idea was a good one. “You’ve been cooking up a storm for the past week, feeding this army of a family pretty much breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You’re not a slave. I wanted to reward you and let you know how much I appreciate your work.”

“Then buy me a god’am Hallmark. I’m not a slave, but I’m not your kept woman, either!” she growled.

He sputtered. “Kept?” It was his turn to be angry, and she could see the muscle in his cheek working as his jaw clenched.

“I’ve barely touched you, and you think you’re being kept? Not that it’s not a good idea . . .”

Put that way, it sounded ridiculous even to her own ears, but she couldn’t back down now. “You take that money back now, Barrett!” Here they came, the tears of frustration that always accompanied her anger. Hours later, she’d come up with witty repartee, but now, while the situation was ongoing, all she could resort to was idiotic platitudes.

He came out from around the desk to meet her, nose to nose, having to bend down a little to accomplish it. “If you would prefer being kept, let me know. I’m sure I could arrange

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BacksideOfLove.com

Carolyn Faulkner

something. The pay is much higher, but the duties are considerably more demanding. You’d certainly be a lot busier than you are now; you’d earn every penny I paid you and then some.”

Meg gulped, but didn’t move away. “No, I do not want to be kept.”

“Pity,” he barked, but he meant it. Stubborn little wench wasn’t about to stand down; she continued to meet his eyes, and even pressed her nose that much harder against his, standing on tiptoes to do it. He stood still for a moment, knowing her calves would begin to ache shortly. When she began to fidget, but still hadn’t looked away, Barrett ended the stand off by picking her up and cradling her across his lap, leaning against the edge of the big oak desk for support. “I will not take back that money – STAY

STILL!,” he commanded, tightening his arms and subduing her with incredible ease. “But I will take it off the amount I pay you for the summer. It’s your choice. Either take it as payment for these two weeks if you don’t stay, or I’ll deduct the amount from what I pay you if you do stay.” His voice dropped to an indecent whisper, “The third alternative would earn you a helluva lot more money – “ He had to laugh when she skittered away the minute he released her to stand in the middle of the room, looking disconcerted.

“I – “

“What, Honey?” He didn’t want to crowd her, so he stayed where he was. She looked a little lost and hesitant, which was unlike her. He, as usual around her, was full blown aroused.

Barrett was becoming used to uncomfortably fitting pants.

Now she was looking everywhere but his eyes. “You’re not making this any easier for me, you know.”

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BacksideOfLove.com

Embraced

He had a flash of insight when he saw a golden red curl twisting around her index finger. “Are you trying to tell me that you accept my offer?”

“As long as you’re willing to take that money off the salary figure you quoted me, then, yes.”

Barrett couldn’t resist teasing her a little more. “And which offer will you be accepting?” A couch pillow hit him squarely in the face. “Oh. That offer.”

“Yes, the respectable offer, you lech.”

“Damn. You’re sure you won’t reconsider about the other one –“ The other couch pillow caught him in the chest. Meagan was thinking he was so big it would have been like missing the broad side of a barn. “You’re out of ammunition now, aren’t you?”

he pointed out, starting toward her with a playfully menacing look.

Meagan turned tail and ran, laughing, to the door. Before she had a chance to open it and escape, a big paw slammed it shut from behind her.

All kidding aside, he said in a serious voice, “I appreciate you staying, Meg.”

Meg turned and looked over her shoulder at him. “You’re welcome.” Impulsively, she smacked him loudly on the lips, then ducked under his arm and out the door. He rubbed the lips she’d just kissed, and grinned like an idiot. He loved it when a plan came together. No one saw him punch the air once, then go back to work like a normal, average, highly paid executive.

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BacksideOfLove.com

Carolyn Faulkner

Barrett decided that in order to achieve his ultimate goal he would need to help Meg see him as something more than Mandy’s brother, a successful businessman, disciplinarian, family man. He wanted her to get to know him, and vice versa. So he began to court her. Mandy was an infinite font of information about Meg’s likes and dislikes, and was very keen on helping him once he told her his intentions. A fresh apricot rose appeared on her spare pillow occasionally in the mornings, as he usually got up well before her. He stepped up her riding lessons as it gave him another reason to be close to her, and for her to see him in a different light.

Their mutual love of horses was a nice building point, and he enjoyed teaching her. She was a quick pupil, and very eager to