Lone Star Millionaire Read Free Page A

the fact that she’d accompanied him on several working vacations, she alwayswore tailored clothing. Even her shorts-and-shirt sets had been proper and slightly loose. The only time he’d seen her in a bathing suit, it had been dark, and the shadows had prevented him from catching more than a glimpse of the occasional curve.
    Not that he was overly interested in Sabrina’s body. It was more male pride than desire. She was the perfect assistant—smart, attentive and not afraid to say what she thought. She had a gut instinct he’d come to rely upon, about people and situations. She didn’t call attention to herself, and when he asked, she was willing to take care of his dirty work. The fact that she didn’t turn him on was a plus. He didn’t want the distraction and he couldn’t afford to lose her.
    He wondered what her reaction would be if he told her that the phone call she’d interrupted had been with an editor from Prominence Magazine. A letter had come to his house yesterday, telling him that he’d been named one of the world’s most eligible bachelors by the magazine…and he’d been trying nicely to withdraw himself from such an “award.” Unfortunately, he’d hung up agreeing to do an interview instead. He could just imagine the way Sabrina’s eyes would sparkle with amusement once she heard about his most recent “honor.” He would definitely wait to tell her.
    They spent the next hour going through business. “Don’t forget the trip to Singapore at the end of September,” he said. “We’re discussing the joint drilling venture.”
    She continued to make notes. “I remember. Maybe we can stop by Hong Kong on our way back and have some Chinese food. There’s a lovely little restaurant there.” She glanced at him, and her expression was innocence itself.
    â€œI remember,” he growled.
    â€œOh, Cal, you’re not still sore that I beat you, are you?”
    â€œI was never sore about anything. You got lucky in the fourth quarter.”
    â€œI was ahead the entire year. You’ve just conveniently forgotten that part.” She grinned. “I’m also ahead this year.”
    He ignored her comment. For the past five years they’d had a bet on the stock market. On January first, he fronted them both ten thousand dollars to play the market. Whoever had the most money at the end of the year was the winner. The loser had to treat the winner to lunch anywhere the winner said. Last year, Sabrina had won and had claimed a taste for Chinese food…from Hong Kong.
    â€œActually, this year I’ve been thinking of Italian,” she murmured.
    â€œRome?” he asked.
    â€œMaybe Venice. I’ve never been to Venice.”
    â€œYou’ve never been to Rome, either.”
    â€œI know, but Venice sounds so fun. All that water, those boats. Venetian glass.”
    She was already up twenty percent. It was his own fault. When they’d started their game, she’d insisted on a handicap. He wasn’t allowed to invest in oil or gas stocks, the one area he was guaranteed a win. She, on the other hand, invested heavily in his own company. Last year that had been enough to push her over the top.
    â€œI know a great Italian restaurant in New York.”
    The phone rang. She reached for it and grinned. “Don’t even think about weaseling out of it,” she said before picking up the receiver. “Mr. Langtry’s office. This is Sabrina.”
    Cal didn’t pay attention to the call. It hadn’t come in on his private line, and Sabrina took care of most of his other business.
    After a couple of minutes, she put the line on hold. “You’d better take this one,” she said.
    â€œNext year the rules are changing. Either I can invest in my industry or you can’t, either.” He put down the paper he’d been reading and glanced at her.