Jayne Ann Krentz Read Free

says that when I’m not busy screwing around I have a head for business,” he said eventually. “He wants me to go to work for Gabe.”
    â€œBut you don’t want to do that?”
    â€œMadison Commercial is Gabe’s baby. He’s in charge, and that’s the way it has to be. We get along okay, but I learned a few things about myself in the army. One of them was that I’m not cut out to take orders.”
    â€œNo surprise there, I guess.”
    Rafe took one hand out of his pocket, scooped up a small stone, and sent it skipping out across the dark water of the bay. “I want to do my own thing.”
    â€œI can understand that.”
    He glanced over his shoulder. “You do?”
    â€œI don’t want to work in a corporation or a bureaucracy either,” she said quietly. “I’m going to open my own business as soon as I graduate.”
    â€œGot it all planned, huh?”
    â€œNot entirely. But by the time I get out of college I should have most of the details nailed down. What about you? What’s your chief objective?”
    â€œTo stay out of jail.”
    â€œThat’s certainly an impressive career goal. I’ll bet you need to study for years and years and probably do an internship and a residency as well in order to achieve that objective.”
    â€œEveryone I know seems to think that not ending up in prison will be a major accomplishment for me.” He swung back around to look at her. “What about you? What kind of business are you planning to open, Ms. Most Likely to Achieve?”
    She took a few steps across the pebbly beach and sank down on a rock. “I’m not sure yet. I’m still researching possibilities. I’ve been talking to my dad. He says that the secret is to carve out a small niche in the service sector. One that big companies can’t fill because of their size.”
    â€œSomething along the lines of outcall massage, or maybe one of those private escort services?”
    â€œVery funny.”
    â€œI’ve seen the ads in the Yellow Pages. You know, the ones aimed at traveling businessmen and conventioneers. Discreet personal services offered in the privacy of your hotel room. ”
    â€œYou know, your sense of humor is as limited as your idea of an evening’s entertainment.”
    â€œWell, what do you expect from a guy who doesn’t have his Ph.D.?”
    â€œToo much, obviously.” She drew up her knees and wrapped her arms around them.
    He moved to stand next to her rock. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have teased you like that.”
    â€œForget it.”
    â€œI’m sure you’ll find your niche or whatever. Good luck.”
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œIs marriage on your list of personal objectives?”
    She glanced up at him, startled. “Well, yes, of course.”
    â€œI guess you’ll probably marry someone like the jerk, right?”
    She sighed. “I was never serious about Perry. He was just someone to have fun with this summer.” She wrinkled her nose. “Not that he turned out to be a lot of fun tonight.”
    â€œDefinitely not Mr. Right.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œBet you’ve got a long list of requirements that Mr. Right will have to meet before you agree to marry him, don’t you?”
    The dry question made her uncomfortable. “So, I know what I want in a husband. So what? Just because you don’t make long-range plans doesn’t mean everyone else has to play their life by ear.”
    â€œTrue.” Without warning, he dropped down onto the rock beside her. The movement was easy, almost catlike. “Tell me, what kind of hoops will Mr. Right have to jump through before you’ll agree to marry him?”
    Stung, she held up one hand and ticked off the basics. “He’ll be intelligent, well educated, a graduate of a good school, and successful in his field. He’ll also be loyal, honorable, decent,