Chapter Three

Kristen wanted to scream in frustration. She almost had it. After nearly a week at Eagle Builders, she was close to understanding most of the computer spreadsheets. That is, except the one in front of her.

Nibbling on her lip, she stared at the financial statements on her desk, then glanced at the computer. No matter how hard she tried to dissect this one schedule, she didn’t know where some of the numbers were coming from. How strange that four years of schooling hadn’t prepared her for the real world of accounting. But she was determined to beat this, even if it meant bringing binder after binder of computer spreadsheets home at night and practically going blind from staring at the terminal too long. At least she understood the bottom line and that last month’s net profits exceeded budget. And maybe, just maybe, she might be demanding a little too much from herself. Thank goodness, Henry expected some type of learning curve.

Hearing someone’s muffled tread on the carpet, she glanced up. Her door stood open and a glass panel alongside it gave her a clear view of anyone passing in the hall. A man walked by. She opened her mouth in shock.

Morgan Stone? Impossible. There had to be some mistake. She shook her head, wondering if spending hours going over incomprehensible numbers had finally eroded her sanity. Yet his face and body, and his blond hair, so distinct and unusual, were etched in her mind. Wanting to allay her fears before the man disappeared from sight, she leaped from her chair and raced around her desk, snagging her skirt on the corner.

“Darn it!” she growled, not pausing to check the damage.

Breathing deeply, she peered down the hall. Empty. Only two waist-high potted plants rested along the wall lined with windows. Hardly enough camouflage for someone to hide behind. Opposite the windows were Henry’s and the president’s offices. She strained to hear voices in either one. Nothing.

At the end of the hall were the rest rooms. Maybe he had disappeared in there. If so, he had to come back this way…eventually. She had no choice but to wait.

She returned to her chair, never breaking eye contact with the doorway. A minute went by. Then another. She wiped her hands against her royal blue pleated skirt, then found herself twisting her fingers in the fabric. She knew she was overreacting, but even so, rationalizing didn’t do anything to calm the erratic beat of her heart.

Five minutes passed. Kristen slipped from her chair and ventured into the hall. No one.

Completely disgusted with herself, she went back to her desk. Her imagination was running rampant and paranoia obviously clouded her judgment. Her only excuse was that she was still reeling from her confrontation with Morgan, though she hated to admit it. According to Jeff, Morgan had this crazy vendetta against him. He believed Morgan’s hatred stemmed from when they were in their early twenties and both interested in the same girl.

But what if the person she just saw had been Morgan Stone? Why would he be here other than to spy on her—

She snorted, turning back to the schedule on the computer. She was acting paranoid again.

“How’s it going?”

Kristen almost jumped at the question. Henry walked into her office, a polite smile on his face.

“Fine,” she said. “But I wanted to stay late and go over last month’s reports to see how everything flows.”

“Sounds good. I, on the other hand, am going to call it a night. I know C.M. plans on staying for quite a while. He’ll lock up after you leave.” He paused by the door. “He came in too late this afternoon for me to introduce you. We’ll do it in the morning. Sorry you haven’t had a chance to meet yet, but he’s been out of the office this past week.”

Curiosity made her ask, “Does everyone call him C.M.?”

Henry flushed. “Pretty much.”

“Well, then what does the C.M. stand for?”

“Didn’t I tell you? I could have sworn...” Frowning, he glanced at his watch. “Oh shoot! I didn’t realize it was this late! I’ve got to go. Promised the wife I’d pick up the kids.”

Before she had a chance to form a syllable, Henry disappeared around the corner. She shrugged, quickly turning her attention back to her work.

Arming herself with a new determination, a caffeine-laden soda and a chocolate bar, Kristen stationed herself in front of her computer. Two hours later, she relaxed in blessed relief. She’d finally managed to understand every blasted formula, though, she thought, as she stood and stretched the kinks from her back, she didn’t think she’d ever get that last one. With the intention of stopping off at the restroom before the long drive home, she left her purse on the desk and stepped into the hall.

A sudden bang vibrated through the wall on her right, sounding like a file drawer slamming shut in C.M.’s office. Thinking maybe she should introduce herself, she paused by the opened doorway and raised her arm to knock. From just beyond the door a savage oath rent the air, freezing her hand in mid-air.

Not a good sign, Kristen decided. It might be prudent to wait and introduce herself later when he was in a better mood.

“Who’s there?”

Morgan Stone stepped from the office. He had pulled his tie loose, opened the top two buttons of his dove white shirt and rolled his sleeves to the elbows, exposing the strong column of his throat and forearms sprinkled with burnished gold hair. His eyes, glittering with frustration, widened when he caught sight of her. Surprise and something else—something that Kristen couldn’t begin to guess at—flashed in their depths. He stopped abruptly.

“Kristen? You’re here late.”

In shock, she backed away. Her mouth moved but nothing came out. When he stepped toward her, she edged further away.

“How’s the job coming?” he asked, his voice warm and polite. “I hope you like working with Henry.”

She stared back in horror, all the while shaking her head. “You can’t be C.M.”

“C.M.?” Brows rising, Morgan smiled in amusement. “Oh, yeah. Everyone’s decided to call me that. I think it started with Henry.”

“I don’t get it. Why did you hire me?” Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Weren’t you happy enough with those disgusting photos? Or do you plan to do something even worse?”

“Of course not,” he quickly cut in, frowning. “Henry’s the one who hired you.”

“I don’t believe you!”

He raised a hand in supplication. “Okay. I admit, I saw your résumé. I picked it out with a couple of other candidates. After what I put you through the other afternoon, I thought this might be a good way to make up for it. But that’s how far I went. As to the final hiring, Henry’s fully in charge.”

“Give me a break. I’m not that naïve!” But she searched his face, the strong yet elegant lines of his jaw and cheek bones, the full lips, the thick, dark sweep of his brows and then finally his brown eyes. She didn’t know him well enough to gauge whether the sincerity shining from them was authentic or if it disguised something more sinister, calculating and self-satisfying.

He shrugged. “Believe what you want. It’s the truth.”

But the problem was that she didn’t know the truth or what to believe anymore. And yet…he seemed so earnest.

For most of her twenty-five years she’d taken what people said at face value. Maybe it had been a little foolish on her part, but she’d been raised to speak the truth and expected others to do the same. Her parents lived by a certain code that involved qualities like honesty, hard work and integrity, which they in turn had instilled in her.

She shook her head. “Even if you were telling me the truth, I don’t trust you and don’t imagine I ever could. Not after those pictures.”

“And Jeff? Do you still trust him?”

Her jaw clenched almost painfully. She had to trust Jeff. That was what love was all about, and yet, at times, hidden somewhere deep inside her, doubts would slither to the forefront. Those same doubts had stopped her from agreeing with Jeff’s marriage proposal. Though, she wasn’t about to admit that to Morgan or anyone. “Of course I do. As if it’s any of your business.”

His face tightened. “Anything Jeff does is my business.” He pressed his lips into a cold smile. “I can’t believe you can’t see through him. Is it his looks?”

Her nostrils flared. She’d had enough of his arrogance. “I don’t have to listen to this. I quit.”

“You can’t quit.”

She laughed a nasty, little laugh. He actually looked stunned. “Just watch me.”

Pivoting, she headed back to her office to get her purse. She heard his step directly behind. Alarmed, she quickened her pace. Only when she reached her desk and felt the wooden barrier against her fingers did she turn back around.

Morgan faced her across its width, far too close in Kristen’s opinion.

“You won’t be seeing me again.” Her attempt to sound coolly determined failed. How could she act self-possessed when he intimidated the hell out of her? She seized her purse lying on her desk and tucked it beneath an arm. Holding on to something—anything—might disguise her trembling hands.

“You can’t leave yet.”

She stiffened. With guarded eyes she surveyed him. A flush warmed his high cheekbones. Some strong, dangerous emotion flashed in his eyes before it was shielded by something far tamer and stoic. For a wild second she had a vision of what he would be like in bed. Fierce, hungry and insatiable. Alarmed at the image, she dragged in a lung full of air and placed her hand against her breastbone in a vain attempt to calm the wild beat of her heart.

“But you can’t leave,” he repeated. “You haven’t been here a week.” He looked amused, but Kristen wasn’t fooled. “Not long enough to see your first paycheck.”

Placing both palms against the top of her desk, he leaned forward, shortening the distance between them and threatening Kristen’s much valued space. “Are you going to let coincidence stand in the way of a good paying job? You know you’ll never find a company who’ll pay as good as we do.” He gave her an admonishing look. “Where’s your professionalism? Do I bother you that much that you’re willing to let go of this position?”

“Yes,” she said in a rushed voice, swallowing her pride. She slipped from around her desk and hurried toward the hallway.

But he was quicker. In seconds, he was blocking her path with a hand against the doorframe. At his sudden, unanticipated action, she stumbled to halt a foot away. She peered up at him, trying to keep the uneasiness from her face.

Then she met his brown eyes and plunged into their depths. The unexpectedness of it ripped the breath from her lungs.

Conscious of the heat radiating from him, the crisp cotton of his shirt against his male form, of his lean waist and hips inches from her own, Kristen stood frozen. His aftershave drifted to her; the scent of him teased her nostrils. Her breathing turned shallow and her chest tightened.

And she knew he felt it too. This sudden, frightening, all-consuming attraction.

He blinked. Lowering his arm slowly back to his side, he whispered, “I hope I’ll see you in the morning.”

Unable to reply, she pressed past the warmth of his body, brushing her shoulder against his unyielding chest. She didn’t look back, not even in the parking lot, where she struggled with the lock of her car. Sliding into the driver’s seat, Kristen told herself it was all her imagination, that the overwhelming, sexual attraction had been something else.

What a bald-faced lie!

Her hands tightened on the steering wheel. Thank goodness rush hour had since passed. She didn’t know if she would have been able to keep her wits about her with the stop and go traffic. She slipped her Ford Focus into northbound traffic on I-17, all the while blinking back tears.

This was pure craziness, getting so emotionally fraught over some man. She needed to cool down, focus on something.

Jeff. She needed to talk to him and see his smiling, caring face. Only he had the power to end this confusion.

As she pulled the car into the curved driveway of Jeff’s house, fingers dipped in pink and orange paint streaked the sky while a light glowed through the sheers of his living room window, beckoned her.

Shivering with relief, she slipped from her car, hurried to the door, and pressed the lighted button to her right. A bell chimed from within. He had to be home.

Seconds later, he opened the door and frowned. “Kristen! What are you doing here? You should have called.”

“I didn’t have time, Jeff. Please. I need to talk.”

He stepped aside, closed the door and followed her into a living room decorated in muted shades of cream. Kristen dropped her purse on the glass and steel coffee table and turned around. It was then that she noticed Jeff’s mussed, brown hair and his rumpled jeans and polo shirt.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured, walking up and giving him a brief kiss. “Did I wake you?”

“Just a cat nap. Don’t worry about it.” Flushing, he waved the apology aside. “What’s wrong? You look upset.”

“I just found out that Morgan Stone’s the owner of Eagle Builders.”

“Really?”

“You don’t sound surprised—”

“Of course I’m surprised,” Jeff cut in quickly.

His voice deepened, turning rough with emotion. “I’m shocked. I mean, the nerve of this guy.” He crossed his arms and stared at her with narrowed eyes. “He’s got to be playing some sick game. Spying on me and trying to incriminate me with pictures taken years ago. It’s obvious he’s up to something. I just wish I knew what.”

Nodding, Kristen sank into a buff-colored sofa, the leather cool against her legs. “I just left him, and I couldn’t get over how much he hates you. Why?”

He joined her. “I thought I told you about the fight we had over a girl in college. I stole her from him, and he’s never forgiven me for it.”

“Are you sure that’s it? It seems so odd that he’s filled with so much rage because of something that happened years ago.”

“But you have to remember,” he urged, taking her hand in both of his and rubbing her fingers until they warmed. “He hates to lose—anything. It’s an obsession. I think he’s always been a little off in the head. I also think he’s jealous. He was jealous of me back in college, and still is. Probably even more so. He’s got to hate the idea of me being featured in the local papers and making all this money. I bet that’s it. No doubt, he’s struggling with his construction company, just squeaking past every payroll.”

“No. There you’re wrong. He’s doing great. Even record sales last month.” A strange expression flickered across his features that made her realize her mistake. “Forget I said that. I shouldn’t be talking about his company’s financial situation. It’s far from ethical.”

Jeff laughed snidely. “Don’t worry about it. From what I remember, Morgan wasn’t much into ethics.”

She sighed in resignation. “I’d been so excited about this job. Well, no matter. I guess I can find another.” But Morgan was right about the pay. She’d never find another position with such a generous wage and benefit package. “I guess I should at least call Henry and let him know that I’ve quit. He deserves some common courtesy, especially since he’s had nothing to do with this.”

“You can’t do that.”

At the adamant sound in Jeff’s voice, her brow creased and she pulled away from his grasp. “Do what? Quit? Why not?”

“Don’t you see?” Excitement glittered in his gray eyes. “With you working for Eagle Builders, you’ll be able to find out what Morgan’s up to.”

“…I don’t know.” She edged further away. “I don’t like it.”

“Don’t you understand?” Jeff urged. “Morgan deliberately tried to ruin our relationship. For what? Jealousy? Hatred? Right now, only he knows what’s going on inside his head, but if you work for him, we might be able to find out what he’s planning. And he’s got to be planning something. Why else would he hire you?” He took her hands and squeezed them painfully. “Right this minute he could be plotting my demise.”

“But that doesn’t make me any better than him!”

“No, you’re wrong. At least, you’d be helping someone else. You’ve got to stay,” Jeff implored, gazing at her with solemn gray eyes. “I need to know what he’s up to. If I know before hand, then I’ll be able to defend myself.”

“I—” She stared back. The urgency in his eyes had her actually contemplating the idea.

“No. I’m sorry. I can’t.” She rose and walked to the front window in order to distance herself from him and the conversation.

He followed, moving up behind her to place both hands on her shoulders. “Have I ever asked for anything from you? Or ever needed it like now?”

he whispered by her ear, his breath teasing the hair along her nape.

“No.” And it was the truth. Since they’d been dating these last four months, he’d been by her side, ready to listen, to advise, to help her in any way possible. But now, he needed her, was actually asking for her help because of Morgan’s jealousy. Somehow, though, she sensed something more, something darker and deeper in the two men’s past. Something neither one of them had yet to tell her.

Gently, Jeff massaged the tense muscles in her shoulders and upper arms. “All you have to do is just continue working there.”

“I don’t know.” She closed her eyes against the soft, husky plea in his voice and the way his thumbs worked over the tendons in her neck.

“We could start our family even sooner.” He sighed, ruffling several wisps of her hair. “The money from your salary would help after we’re married. My company’s growing so fast that it’s hard to keep up. Cash flow…” His hands stilled on her shoulders. “Forget I even said that.”

She swung around in concern. “You never told me you were having financial difficulty.”

His hands dropped to his sides, and he shrugged. “I knew I had to mention it to you one of these days. I guess now is as good as any. You needs know what you’re getting yourself into before we’re married. Cash flow wise, my company’s on shaky ground, but everything will settle down within the next year.”

“You should have told me earlier.” She bit her lip. But it was so like Jeff, keeping his worries to himself, never burdening her with his problems. “Oh, I don’t know!”

She looked up and saw the urgency in his face, and again wondered what had made two men grow to hate each other. Something as simple as jealousy? Or something more? If she went back to Eagle Builders she might uncover the answer. But did she want to know? Yes. Yes, she did. For her own peace of mind. No matter how much she wanted to deny it, those photos still burned in her mind and doubt—oh, how she hated the doubt—burned deep in her stomach.

Plus she loved Jeff, which convinced her further. How could she say no? Weren’t people supposed to help loved ones in times of crisis? “I’ll stay on. But only for a while.”

“You’re so sweet.” He cupped her cheek and gave her a fleeting kiss. “That’s why I love you.”

“Then it’s decided. I’ll go back tomorrow.” She exhaled, a deep long sigh that shook her body.

Tomorrow. She’d made the commitment. But it didn’t mean she liked it. The scene in the office earlier played in her mind, and her stomach cramped with nerves. How could she pretend that nothing had happened between Morgan and herself? Worst of all, how could she be so deeply attracted to one man and in a serious relationship with another?