Once again his raised, angry voice attracted the attention of nearby diners. “I think it’s time we left,” Jade suggested. “Ready?”
“Past ready.”
“Where can we drop you?” she asked, once they were ensconced in the backseat of the limo.
“At the site. My pickup is parked there. At least I hope to God it’s still there.”
Jade gave the address to the chauffeur, then sat back against the seat. “In spite of the fact he needs you, Matthias won’t welcome you back. So what will you do tomorrow, Mr. Burke?”
“Sleep late, I guess.”
“And then?”
“Go looking for a job.”
“Just any job?”
“That’s right. Just any job. Just anywhere. It doesn’t really matter.”
“I think it does.” He whipped his head around and glared at her for contradicting him. “I think it matters a lot more than you’ll admit to yourself.” She reached for the attaché case on the floorboard and opened it. “This is the prospectus Mr. Seffrin prepared for the TexTile plant. I’d like you to keep it and look it over.” She handed him the proposal, which was bound in a clear plastic folder. “I’m going back to New York tomorrow. Is there a number where I can reach you in a few days?”
“No. And looking over this prospectus won’t change my mind.”
“The salary is five thousand dollars a month, effective upon signing a contract. A twenty-five-thousand-dollar bonus will be payable upon completion to my satisfaction.” There was no mention of a bonus in the prospectus. George Stein would blow a gasket, but she needed all the perks she could devise.
“I don’t give a damn about money.”
“Oh, really? You were going to charge a thousand dollars to spend the night with me,” she reminded him.
“I was trying to insult you.”
“It worked.”
He ran his hand through his long, unkempt hair. “Thanks for getting me out of jail, but you’ve wasted your time.”
“I don’t think so.” The limousine slid to the curb at the dark, deserted work site. “You know where to contact me when you’ve reached a decision, Mr. Burke.”
“You don’t listen, do you? I’ve already reached a decision. My answer is no.” The chauffeur came around and opened the door for him. He set one foot on the pavement, but turned back and asked, “What did you say your first name is?”
“Jade.”
“Thanks for dinner, Jade, but I like my steaks well done.” Moving suddenly, he cupped the back of her head and hauled her against him. His mouth covered hers in a hard kiss. He thrust his tongue between her lips, spearing deeply but briefly, before immediately releasing her. “I apologize for the rudeness. I sometimes do that without thinking. It’s a bad habit of mine.”
He got out, leaving her spee
chless, her lips damp and throbbing.
* * *
Standing in the doorway of her office, Dillon felt gawky, out of place, and too large for his clothes. After years of working outdoors, being inside an office building made him feel claustrophobic.
Jade Sperry was sitting behind her desk, speaking into the telephone. Her back was to the door. Her dark hair had been pulled into a low ponytail and secured with a gold clasp, but she was idly twining one stray curl around her index finger.
“Another thing, Cathy, please call Graham’s school and make an appointment with the principal. I want to see him before I leave… Uh-huh… No, I won’t forget. Thanks for reminding me. I’ll be home around six. Bye.”
She hung up the phone and spun around in her chair, drawing a quick little breath when she saw him standing there. “I’m sorry. Can I help you?”
“How soon they forget.”