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he told her
    triumphantly.
    „With the flow of information back and forth between Carrigan Labs and SinTech, it’s a wonder the two don’t
    simply decide to merge!“ Adena muttered bitterly.
    He ignored that, his mouth firming. „Adena, I made a hell of a mistake that night. I handled things very badly. But I
    had no idea you’d gone out on a limb like that before coming to me with your information. I admire the fact that you
    didn’t approach me until you’d severed your ties with Carrigan. And I freely admit it was an insult to offer you a
    couple of thousand dollars for the news you brought me. After all, you’d just abandoned your livelihood! Not to
    mention a man who could have taken care of you rather nicely…“
    „Holt, this ‘apology’ is beginning to sound a bit strange,“ Adena warned dangerously.
    „I’m sorry. I should make myself clear. Adena, I’m here to offer you the only thing that can adequately compensate
    you for what you abandoned when you left Carrigan Labs: a position with SinTech and a man who can take care of
    you. Me.“

3
    Fora long moment Adena simply stared at the man on her couch. His look of unconcerned assurance was absolutely
    fascinating. She watched as he finished a bite of sandwich and picked up his teacup. And then she shook her head in
    awed amazement.
    „I do believe you really mean that,“ she finally said, setting her cup down with great care.
    „I never say things I don’t mean,“ he said easily, watching her face intently.
    „I’ll remember that.“ From somewhere deep inside an imp of mischief sprang awake. The man was too incredible to
    take seriously, she realized. „Your generosity is most flattering,“ she Went on, her eyes lowered demurely to the
    contents of her teacup.
    „I’m only sorry I wasn’t sufficiently generous the other night I would have been if you’d made your position
    clearer.“
    „My fault entirely,“ she agreed dryly. „As you noticed, I was a little new at the game.“
    There was a fractional beat in time during which she could sense Holt trying to decide whether or not she was
    being serious. She lifted her gaze to meet his smoky gray eyes and smiled brilliantly.
    „Another cup of tea?“
    „Thank you,“ he said automatically, a slight frown hardening the lines around his mouth.
    „It’s Formosa Oolong, you know,“ she went on chattily. „I get it from a charming little shop near Union Square.
    They carry a fantastic assortment…“
    „Adena…“
    „And the owner is so accommodating! Of course, he knows I’m a steady customer, so I suppose some of the
    service I get is based on that. And I do pay a bit more for…“
    „Adena!“
    „A bit more for some of my favorite blends. But I do believe in the old adage that you get what you pay for. Don’t
    you?“
    To her surprise, a red flush appeared under his high, tanned cheekbones. His gray eyes glittered ominously as Holt
    fully comprehended her flippancy.
    „I couldn’t agree with you more,“ he said silkily. „Are you by any chance trying to tell me I’m not offering enough?
    Be reasonable, Adena. We barely know each other. Although that’s not altogether my fault,“ he added reflectively. „If
    you hadn’t taken offense the other evening we might have saved a little time and a great deal of misunderstanding.“
    „You’ll have to forgive me. I was under something of a strain.“
    „Adena, stop playing games with me! I came here tonight to straighten everything out The least you can do is stop
    taunting me. I’ve said I’m sorry! Now what the hell are you laughing at?“
    „You, naturally. Who else? I wasn’t in a mood to truly appreciate the humor of the situation the other evening, but
    tonight I’m finding it delightful. How many other women have you bought in the past six months, Holt? A half dozen
    or so? Will I be joining a harem? You do understand that Max would have to be part of the deal. His expenses would
    have to be covered. And