“I was talking about Tracy.”
“Oh.” She felt her cheeks grow warm. “I hardly know her.”
“Good woman. Responsible. Takes care of her boy and holds down two jobs.” There was genuine admiration in Thomas’s voice.
“She’s...industrious.”
“Hmm. Like her father. One of my best employees. I’ve known Tracy since she was a little girl.” He smiled again. “As I’ve known you.” He sipped from his drink.
“I think I’d better go check on my mom and dad,” Carlie said as an excuse to break free of Fitzpatrick when a group of men approached him.
As she walked past one of the huge pillars supporting the roof, a strong male hand clamped over her arm.
“Carlie.” Ben’s voice was a harsh whisper. She turned and found him glaring at her, the back of his neck a deep shade of red, his lips white and thin. “Having a good time?”
“Good enough,” she replied, bristling a little at his anger.
“With Fitzpatrick?”
“He cornered me.”
“And you ate it up.”
“Are you crazy?” she demanded, keeping her voice low. “I was just being polite.”
His eyes narrowed on her and, as if realizing that they might be overheard, he took her hand and led her quickly through a knot of men who had clustered near a baby grand piano positioned near the front doors. The men were in a heated discussion of taxes and politics and were raising their voices over the mellow notes of “I Will Always Love You” being played by the band.
Ben shoved on the handle, opening the door, and drew her outside where the chilly February wind cut through her dress and brushed her face.
The door clicked shut. “I don’t know how many times I have to warn you about him!” he growled through clenched teeth.
“Get over it, Ben,” she shot back. “I’m not a sixteen-year-old virgin who can be manipulated and taken advantage of.”
His shoulder muscles bunched beneath his jacket. “Fitzpatrick wants something from you.”
“Like what?”
“Take a guess.” When she didn’t answer, he said, “Fitzpatrick’s looking for a mistress. You seem to be top on the list.”
“Give me a break!” she said, but remembered the lingering touches and the dark glances that Thomas had cast in her direction.
“The man’s had affairs all his life. You don’t need to be a genius to figure that out. Jackson Moore is proof enough. And now Fitzpatrick’s wife has filed for divorce, or at least that’s the rumor going about the logging company, so guess what? Good ol’ Tom is going to have his freedom.”
“I’m not interested.”
“He’s a wealthy man, Carlie.”
“I should slap you for that one.”
“A powerful man.”
“Oh, come on—”
“He could give you everything you’d ever want.”
Stung, she turned on her heel. “I don’t have to listen to these insults!” She tried to push past him and reached for the brass lever of the doors, but Ben grabbed her again. Before she could say anything, he yanked her roughly to him, slanted his lips over hers and kissed her with all the passion and anger that stormed through his blood. His lips were hot and hard and demanding, his body lean and firm.
She jerked away, anger still coursing through her blood. “Don’t drag me out here, insult me and then think you can make it all better by kissing me!” she said.