Fair Game Read Free Page B

they’d be working together, the man was off-limits.
    “Perhaps you should try Little Miss Snowflake,” she quipped, giving him a big, toothy smile. “She seemed quite eager.” Damn. Did that sound like jealousy?
    “Little Miss Snowflake?” Kyle laughed, then cut himself off, but his blue eyes still sparkled. “No.”
    “Well, then”—Josie raised her hand—“gotta go. No need to walk me out. Honest.”
    “Tomorrow.”
    She’d turned, on her way out the door for the second time. “Tomorrow?”
    “The sand plant tour. I’ll pick you up at your office at two thirty.”
    Jeez, that sounded idiotic, forgetting about the plant tour. “I can drive myself.” She cocked a hip. “Is this another come-on?”
    He smiled. “I like the way you smell.”
    He could have made an excuse. Instead, the honest comment sent heat rolling through her body.
    “I won’t touch,” he added.
    She almost hoped he’d break the promise.
    She’d known her share of persistent guys. But he was so low-key about it, it was enticing. She was a girl like any other girl, and it was nice to be desired. She found his attention flattering. She could also easily find herself wanting more of it, which was not good in this particular situation. “Okay, two thirty.” So why was she agreeing?
    “Wear a short skirt.”
    She narrowed her eyes at him. “Cool your jets. No means no.” But God, she liked it. She liked him . He was intelligent, confident, authoritative, and exceptionally hot in suit and tie. A lethal combination. She liked a man who dressed up well.
    “No means no,” he agreed, “unless a woman has already put her hand on my cock.”
    Which she had. That robbed her of all arguments. “I’ll e-mail you the presentation package and see you tomorrow at two thirty. No need to come in, I’ll be out in the parking lot.” Then she beat a hasty retreat. Was that him laughing as she passed down the hall?
    She stopped in the ladies’ room before heading out. The mirror revealed the telltale flush on her cheeks. The guy got her motor running. But really, this was a huge job. Her boss was Ernie Masters, but it was Connor Kingston she wanted to impress. He wasn’t just family, being Faith’s husband and all; he was CEO of Castle Heavy Mining. Faith’s father, Jarvis, would retire soon, and then Connor would be chairman. He’d given her a big chance to make good with this project. She wouldn’t let him down by having a fling with the lead client contact.
    Leaving the stall, she washed her hands, then dried them. It wasn’t just Connor. Business and pleasure did not mix in any way, shape, or form. Especially if the man had any power over you. He’s in charge, you’re the one who gets screwed. And not in a good way. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt to prove it. Granted, she might be judging Kyle harshly based on a college love affair gone sour, but hot as he was, casual sex wasn’t worth taking the risk, not where her career was concerned. She had a couple of good guy friends to take care of those needs.
    That was it. She was just horny. She needed a little roll in the hay to get Mr. Kyle Perry out of her system.

2
     
     
    BY the time she got back to work, Josie had managed to move Kyle Perry to the back of her mind and was now ready to read Ernie Masters the riot act for ditching her. It was the principal of the thing. Even if he was her boss, he shouldn’t have left her in the lurch without the presentation package. She would have tackled him right away, too, if she hadn’t gone to her cubicle first to check her voice mails. The most significant was Connor, saying he wanted to see her ASAP when she got back. The slightest edge of tension laced his tone. Kind of odd for Connor, since nothing seemed to muss up his calm.
    She left behind the hubbub of FI&T—Furnish, Install, and Train—of which Program Management was only one department. The cubicle arena housed not only her group, but the buyers, installers,