Read Mistletoe Maneuvers for Free Online Page A

once again filled her head. Was he working with Sabrina? Was this all a joke? Had he arranged this just to get his job back? Was this just a ploy to get her stock?
    â€œShe was never a girlfriend.”
    â€œIf she wasn’t your girlfriend, then why did she insinuate that you cheated on her?”
    â€œI don’t see how that’s any of your business.”
    â€œIt most certainly is my business. Your girlfriend is threatening to take over my company and—”
    â€œYour company?”
    This conversation was going nowhere fast. He should at least be able to admit that he had made a mistake. “You should’ve told me this before.”
    â€œWould it have made any difference? I would think if anything, it would’ve made you more eager to retain my services. After all, I have firsthand knowledge of how to handle her.”
    The look in his eyes was of a confident victor. She had been deceived and he was enjoying every moment.
    â€œLook,” he said, his tone softening, “my relationship with Sabrina was casual. It lasted for a couple of days in Acapulco and then we got together a couple of times when she was in New York for business. Like I said, I haven’t seen or spoken with her in years. But I do know that she is one of the toughest and smartest women I have ever met.”
    Lessa felt a tingle of…what? Jealousy? Why would she care if he thought that bubble-headed blonde with the beautiful lingerie and sexy laugh was intelligent? “You and I both know that I would not have asked you back if she wasn’t threatening a takeover,” Lessa said. “Do you expect me to believe that this is some sort of coincidence?”
    â€œYou’re welcome to believe whatever you want. I would suggest, however, that you at least listen to the truth.”
    â€œAnd the truth is…”
    â€œExactly as I told her. If she hadn’t attempted a takeover, someone else would’ve. This company is weaker than it’s ever been. When a twenty-six-year-old with only two years of experience uses her father’s connections to take over a company, the sharks start circling.”
    â€œI’m more capable than you give me credit.”
    â€œMaybe,” he said. “Yet here I am.”
    â€œThe question is why am I? Why didn’t you just go see her yourself, considering your past relationship?”
    â€œWhatever Sabrina and I shared has nothing to do with this. I know her well enough to realize that she cares little about our past relationship. She’s only interested in making money. You’re with me because we need to convince her that we’re a united front. The heir to the Lawrence fortune and the man who has given you his fortune are friends. If she suspects our relationship is not sincere, she will never accept a deal. She will simply wait and strike again.”
    He shook his head and absentmindedly ran his fingers through his hair, as if frustrated. “Look, Lessa, as I told you last night, the only one for you to blame for this mess is yourself. Sabrina never would’ve attempted this if I were in charge. You should’ve spent more time doing your homework. If you did, you would’ve realized that any corporate upheaval makes a company ripe for this sort of thing.”
    There was a knock on the door. Rick opened it and accepted the package, handing the man a tip in exchange. Rick looked inside the bag, and, with a wicked smile, pulled out the tiniest swimsuit Lessa had ever seen.
    She whipped it away from him. “She didn’t by chance include a cover-up in there, did she?”
    He opened the bag again. It was clear he was enjoying this. “Not unless you want to wear this,” he said, pulling out his bathing-suit trunks.
    She went in the bathroom and slammed the door. She was fuming as she looked at the bright yellow string bikini. It was the type of suit guaranteed to get attention, one that left little to the