An Irresistible Bachelor(8)

"I'm also considered pretty astute," she said, lifting her chin. "And I'm a very good reader."

As she eyed him with another challenge, he was less than amused. Living down his past had been getting on his nerves lately.

"But I haven't done anything to offend you personally, have I?" he drawled. "Haven't propositioned you for sex. Haven't touched you in an inappropriate manner."

He'd made love to her in his sleep, sure. But that didn't count.

When she remained silent, he smiled grimly. "Maybe the problem is that you're attracted to me."

Her mouth opened in a rush of indignation. "I don't think so."

"You mean I shouldn't assume you're just playing hard to get with all this latent hostility?"

She shook her head in disbelief. "You know, I'll bet you assume anyone in a skirt is attracted to you. Which is the hallmark of a playboy, I might add."

He gave her a level stare. "Well, now that I know what you think of me, I'm going to give you a little something to chew on. I think you're looking for excuses not to take this job and it would be a shame to turn down something so important on the basis of fear, don't you think?" He took out his business card and pressed it into her hand. "This could make your career and you know it. Call me tomorrow with your answer."

"I gave you my answer."

"Think about it."

"I have."

"Well, think about it some more," he shot back.

As she glared up at him, he could tell she was framing another argumentative response and thought, if she wanted to keep going, he was more than willing to indulge her.

For some reason, the heated exchange made him think of Blair. When he got wound up, she tended to become easygoing, moving like water over his sharp edges. This woman, on the other hand, was meeting him head-on. Facing her determination, feeling the strength inside of her, he felt very much alive.

Abruptly, he grinned. "You know something? I like you."

"No, you don't," she said quickly, her eyes widening.

"Yes. I do."

Another gust of wind shot down the street and that length of hair flipped back into her face. Without thinking, he reached out and tucked the strand behind her ear.

The simple gesture brought their volley to a halt.

She jerked her head away, but his hand went with her, following the silky waves of red down to her shoulder.

He looked into her eyes. They were glowing with alarm and something else. Something heated. He had a passing notion that he should be very careful around her, but then her lips parted and he lost his train of thought. The lower one was fuller and he felt an urgent need to test its softness with the pad of his thumb. With his own mouth.

Abruptly, he realized he'd leaned forward, as if he was going to kiss her.

Jack quickly stepped back and pushed a hand through his hair, thinking she seemed as dazed as he was.

Pointing at his card, which she was gripping tightly, he said, "Call me tomorrow."

And then he left before she could give the thing back to him, walking briskly down to his limousine. As soon as he got inside the car, he glanced at the seedy building. The front door was just shutting.

He let out a curse.

Jesus, he'd nearly kissed her.

Any more clear thinking like that and he was going to end up in some serious trouble. He'd come here to talk about a job. Not to cheat on his fiancée.

"Let's go, Franky, we're late."

"Sure thing, Mr. Walker."

The limousine surged ahead.

He had just twenty minutes before he was supposed to meet Blair and that new client of hers at the ballet and now he had even more reason not to look forward to the evening. He didn't like having to sit still for so long and the dancing never really held his attention. He was looking at a good two hours with nothing to do but mull over what had just happened on Callie Burke's doorstep.

He shook his head, telling himself he shouldn't make a big deal out of it.

Besides, he had a feeling he'd won. His instincts told him she was going to call tomorrow and say she would do the work. In the end, her ambition and her attachment to the painting would win out over her suspicions of him. And courtesy of her commitment, he would be giving someone a leg up, something his father had maintained was completely outside of his character. He'd also have taken care of Grace's request.

So he was doing the right thing. In spite of that flash of insanity back there.