Accepting His Terms Read Free Page A

worry about him ever bothering you again. I know the truth, Jill. You weren’t engaging in a quickie in the elevator. You could have found yourself in a heap of trouble if I hadn’t come along when I did. You do realize that, don’t you?”
    She nodded.
    “I’ve cautioned you to be more careful from now on. And I’ve told you what I would have done if… our situation were different. But given the fact, you aren’t my woman, I’d like to take you to dinner instead. So you can relax after the day you’ve had. That little hair-twisting thing you do is a dead giveaway. And yes, I’ve noticed you do that quite often. You’re stressed and you need to get a handle on your emotions. And I’d like to get to know Jill Lincoln a little better. So what do you say?”
    Gazing into his beautiful eyes, she said, “I guess I should thank you.”
    He grinned. “Well, then, how about that dinner?” he asked again.
    “Sure, I’d like that. Thank you, Mr. Baine… for everything.”
    “Call me Jarrod and don’t think this discussion is over. You need to tell me how you’ll protect yourself in the future. I may not always be on the other side of the door or still here to walk you to your car when you think you need to stay late.”
    “Okay,” she replied as she waited for him to grab his briefcase and walk out with her.
    As they walked to the parking garage, he placed his hand on her back possessively. Seated in his luxury car, he turned to her and asked if she had a preference as to where they had their dinner.
    “You choose,” she replied softly as she buckled her seatbelt and attempted to smile.
    “I know just the place.”
     
    ****
     
    At one of the better restaurants in town, they sat drinking wine and relaxing in a secluded corner table. He began to ask questions. “Jill, tell me more about what you like to do for fun,” he asked in an attempt to ease into the conversation they needed to have.
    She blushed as she answered, “I like movies, going to the beach whenever I get the chance for a vacation, reading. How about you, what do you do for fun?”
    “So, you like the beach,” he replied with a smile.
    “Yes, I do, but I’ve only been a few times.”
    “I have a beach house. I like to go there to unwind when I can get away. I also  like to work out at the gym, like to visit wineries.”
    “Wineries, that sounds intriguing,” she replied.
    “I’ll take you sometime, if you’re interested,” he replied cautiously.
    “I’d like that. Where’s your beach house?”
    “Naples, Florida,” he replied as he took a sip of wine.
    “Oh, I’ve been to Myrtle Beach once and Daytona Beach once.”
    “Living in Tennessee, it’s not that far away. Sometimes I drive to Florida if I have the time, and other times I fly,” he told her as their salads arrived.
    “I drove both times, with a couple of friends.”
    “Maybe you’ll agree to go with me sometime,” he said with a smile as he buttered a roll.
    “Uh… I don’t know…” she said.
    “Jill… I don’t know what else to say about this afternoon, other than I’m sorry you had to put up with that kind of behavior. I don’t condone it. I know there are rumors of a few office affairs, but I’ve never seen proof of it, and as long as the work gets done and the ones involved keep it private, I can’t say anything. But what took place in that elevator today was uncalled for and you should never have been put in that position. If I sounded harsh when I told you to be more careful, I’m sorry.”
    Taking a sip of her water, she replied in a low voice, “You said something about my needing to be more aware of my surroundings. Do you really think I could have prevented it from happening?”
    “I think you need to make sure it never happens again. If someone else were to try something like that, tell me what you would do to protect yourself.”
    “I could think of one thing,” she said with a giggle.
    “Kick him where it counts?” he asked with