A negotiated surrender Read Free Page A

without appearing to do so in an Obvious way. She was aware of the lean hardness in him and of the intent that seemed to emanate from the lithe body. Had he really thought he could hide his motives from her? Men like this were so easy to understand now. Too bad she hadn't been so bright when she was twenty-five.
    "I'm sure Lester knew such a diabolical scheme would never have succeeded with you," she told him with an artificially sweet smile.
    His gold eyes narrowed dubiously. "Are you sure you never talked to your old boss that way?"
    "There was never any need."
    "Lester always stayed in his place?" he asked interestedly.
    "Lester, as I've mentioned, is a gentleman!"
    "I could take that as an insult, I suppose," he remarked as if thinking about it.
    "Please don't. I'm dying to hear the rest of your observations at the negotiating table." Before I reveal my own and end the evening , she finished wryly in her mind.
    He watched her for a moment longer, his gaze hooded, and she wondered for the first time if he suspected what was coming. Then he appeared to capitulate graciously, a serious expression shaping the hard line of his mouth.
    "I learned," he said slowly, "that you are a very loyal manager of planning and resources. There was no doubt at any time during the past month about your dedication to achieving the best possible deal for your firm… even when I, uh, hinted that there might be something in it for you if you backed off a few of your demands."

    Calla drew a deep breath. "So I didn't imagine those hints?"
    "No."
    "Would you have made good on the implied promises if I had backed down on a couple of occasions?"
    She tried to view him clinically, noting the tightening lines at the corner of his lips and the fine tension marks around his eyes. He was just like all the others. Smarter than many of them, to be sure, but essentially just the same.
    "Oh, yes," he confirmed immediately. "I would have made good on the hints. But to tell you the truth, I wasn't particularly sorry to see you stick by your guns. Loyalty is an invaluable commodity these days, and while one doesn't expect to find it very often, when it occurs a man would be a fool not to appreciate it."
    "I see," she said evenly. "Your appreciation was completely altruistic, then? You were glad your good friend and fellow businessman Lester Chapman had enjoyed the benefit of a totally loyal member of management for the past four years?"
    For a moment she thought he was going to censure her thinly veiled sarcasm again but all he said was "A successful businessman is seldom altruistic, Calla. I was glad to see your capacity for loyalty because I knew you would soon be working for me."
    "And you think such loyalty can be easily transferred?" She smiled inquiringly.
    "I think in this case it had better be," he growled on a deep laugh. "I certainly paid a high enough price for it!"
    Calla bit back a sharp retort. "What else did you learn about me?"
    "That you come to a meeting fully prepared. That you're organized and efficient and that you have a great deal of self-discipline," he summarized matter-of-factly.
    "Praise indeed! I must have given you a better deal than I thought."
    "You didn't give anything away, if that's what you're worried about. But I'm satisfied."
    He gave a short nod as he said the words as if emphasizing the fact that he was content with the deal he had just concluded.
    "It's your turn," he reminded her, pushing aside his unbuttoned jacket to rest one large fist on his narrow hip as he continued to lounge against the rail. He waited with a kind of reined-in aggression.
    "What did I learn about you?" She repeated the initial question thoughtfully, knowing the moment would soon be upon her and steeling herself for the final confrontation. "I learned that you're as organized, efficient, and self-disciplined as you just said I am," she replied. "I also learned a great deal more. I know you're capable of a certain ruthless determination, a driving