More Than A Four Letter Word Read Free Page B

and graphic designs are what you love, I
don't understand why you would give it up."
    "When I get in a creative mode I lose all
track of time and tend to forget about everything outside my
creative world."
    "Ah, your fiancé doesn't like the devotion
you have for your business. He sounds terribly selfish to me.
Therefore, you give up your work that you obviously love to move to
another state and become an analyst. What did your fiancé give
up?"
    Clarissa sat there glaring at him with
indignation. "We both thought that a fresh start in a new state
away from our families would give our marriage the boost it
needs."
    Julian gave her his best charming smile. "I
understand perfectly, you're making all the sacrifices for this
marriage."
    Clarissa bit her lip; she didn't need
Julian's dissection of her relationship with Lawrence to make her
wonder if she were making a mistake. The natural progression of her
three year engagement to Lawrence is marriage. Lawrence is a
terrific guy; he would never tempt her like Mr. Sexy across the
table. One thing is for sure Lawrence could never break her heart.
If she's settling for a bland marriage, it's better than having her
heart put through the wringer.
    "I know exactly what I'm getting out of this
marriage, and it suits me just fine."
    Julian reaches across the table tracing her
bottom lip with his thumb. "Are you so afraid of passion that you
would marry the first man who asks?"
    Clarissa resists the temptation to suck his
thumb and slightly places herself out of reach. "You have become
extremely familiar with me Mr. Ross; your actions are
unprofessional and inappropriate."
    Julian studies her with a knowing look. He
could tell by the fire in her eyes that she's aroused. “My behavior
has been unprofessional and inappropriate. For that, I apologize,
especially since you're not in a position to acknowledge or act
upon the attraction between us.
    "That doesn't sound like an apology."
    "I've never been good at apologizing, so I
don't."
    Clarissa couldn't stop the quirk of her lips.
Julian is so full of himself. "So I see."
    "How old were you when you started Lariat
Games?”
    Clarissa followed his lead. It's a lot less
intimidating than thinking about sucking his thumb and other parts
of him. “I was twenty-two, almost twenty-three. I graduated from
college when I was twenty. I worked for a company that stole my
ideas and discredited me at every turn. Therefore, I decided to
establish my own business, back then I was eager to get into the
video games market. My dad provided my startup capital, and I
jumped into it with two feet.”
    Julian admires her tenacity, her new job as
an analyst cannot fulfill her. "Did selling Lariat Games make you
feel like a failure?”
    “ No, I don't feel like a
failure, I'm just ready to move on. My concerns regarding my staff
have been put to rest."
    "I'm working on a new pilot project that
needs the talents of an architect and graphic designer with your
insight. I have an agreement with the Department of Defense and
other government agencies that would make your head spin."
    Clarissa is curious about Julian's
involvement with the DOD. "War games!"
    Julian has her attention, but he wonders if
the bait is enough. "Of a sort, if you come to work for me, you
would have cart blanche as the project manager. I guarantee that
you don't have to worry about overhead, payroll taxes, and all the
other pesky things an owner of a company has to deal with. You'd
practically be your own boss, working hours of your choosing."
    "Wait a minute did you invite me to lunch to
offer me a job with your company in Chicago?"
    "Why not? I hate to see talent go to
waste."
    Clarissa could feel her brows furrow as she
gave him a stern look. "I'm marrying Lawrence in a few weeks. Why
would you even bring this position to my attention? You must have
known I would refuse."
    "Julian pulls his business card from his
wallet and hands it to her. "I'm just giving you an alternative, in
case your