The Billionaire's Demands
Date: 2000-01-01 05:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Romance; Contemporary
Description: Billionaire's Demands (A Boardrooms and Billionaires Series Book) by Addison FoxBooth Harrison has made a habit of getting what he wants, be it a new addition to the Harrison media empire, or a better relationship with his half-brother. But meeting his brother's new sister-in-law, Camryn McBride, poses a new challenge. The savvy CFO of McBride Media has a brain he wants to pick...and a body he needs to claim. Camyrn has spent the past few years helping to rebuild her family's magazine company, focusing on that rather than her disastrous personal life. But when Booth Harrison invites her to be
Publisher: Createspace

The Billionaire’s Demands

Addison Fox

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright © 2013 by Frances Karkosak. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Publisher.

Entangled Publishing, LLC

2614 South Timberline Road

Suite 109

Fort Collins, CO 80525

Visit our website at www.entangledpublishing.com.

Edited by Rima Jean and Laura Anne Gilman

Cover design by Heidi Stryker

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-62266-189-3

Manufactured in the United States of America

First Edition February 2014

Table of Contents
The Billionaire’s Demands
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Epilogue
About the Author

For Mary

I can only thank the seventh-grade scheduling gods for putting us together.

From Top Gun to meeting AMH at the Fashion Bug to everything else in between and since, you’ve been there for all the things that truly matter.

Clearly, the scheduling gods knew what they were doing.

Prologue

Nine Years Ago

“You’ll never make it pay out.”

Camryn McBride stared at her father across the conference room table and fought to control her anger, annoyance, and disappointment. Andrew McBride had shot back a dismissive answer on every single aspect of her and her sisters’ proposal from the moment they’d begun their presentation a half hour ago.

Just like always, inside or outside a boardroom.

She felt the calming hand of her older sister, Keira, on her leg underneath the table and she marshaled her arguments. Again.

“If you look at the spreadsheet I’ve prepared, you’ll see we’ve run the numbers on the Home and Family event several different ways. Not only will we turn a profit that will go straight to McBride Media’s bottom line, but even if we up-sell a mere five percent of our attendees into subscriptions and two percent of our advertisers into ad pages, we’ll turn a one hundred percent profit over the last year.”

“Can’t be done. We’ve done that show for years. No one comes. No one cares.”

Her younger sister, Mayson, piped up. “But they could care. With a few tweaks and a modest investment in a few up-and-coming chefs, we can turn a profit. I’ve already got two signed up.”

Andrew’s eyes narrowed and Camryn didn’t miss the light stammer that hovered under his words—a light stammer he attempted to cover with bluster. “By offering them promo articles in Cooking Today. We’re not in the business of giving publicity to freeloaders. They’re not even buying ads in our magazines.”

Keira chose that moment to speak up, her steady tone a true match for their father’s. “You know, Dad, last time I checked, that was a sign of quality journalism.”

“Bah. We write frivolous fluff for women to enjoy at the end of a long day. Celebrity pieces, how to keep your husband happy, and ways to stop your kids from being pushy brats. That’s what we’re in business to do.”

Camryn chafed at her father’s ready dismissal of the business they’d all been born and raised to. But whereas she and her sisters had the hope of keeping it going, their father had clearly become jaded long ago. They didn’t write fluff. Or more specifically, they didn’t have to. Their readers were a hell of a lot brighter than their father wanted to give them credit for and she knew it.

Mayson and Keira knew it, too.

“But we can be so much more.” Camryn knew she could be so much more as well. She’d spent far too long accepting unfairness in her world, from her father’s dismissive attitude. Her road back to herself would start with restoring the family magazine empire and having purpose once again.

When her father’s gaze remained skeptical, his mouth set in those hard, unyielding lines, she pushed on. “Do you understand the inherent power of this company? We publish twelve magazines a month, along with corresponding websites, on a variety of topics that matter to people. Women and men. We have their ear. If we only did something with all those media properties instead of running thinly veiled articles about the marital benefits of blow jobs or why little Susie won’t listen when you stare at your freaking BlackBerry all night.”

Camryn heard the collective gasps of her sisters, but she couldn’t stop. This was personal. She and her sisters had finally realized what they had in their family legacy—a magazine empire built by their grandfather after World War II and summarily strangled to the point it was on life support by their father—and they knew what the company could be.

What they could be.

She’d be damned if she let it slip through her fingers.

“Look,” she said. “Publish what you want. You do already. All we’re asking is that you give us the Home and Family trade show and let us prove to you what we can do with it. It’s an easy proposition. If it’s as big a dog as you say it is, we’ll fail miserably and you can shutter it like you planned. But if it turns a profit…”

Camryn let the words hang there as she looked at each of her sisters, before she turned back to their father.

“Yes?” Her father’s eyes narrowed in irritation, but even he couldn’t fully hide the spark of intrigue that flared underneath.

“If it turns a profit you give us Home and Family to run.”

Andrew’s eyebrows shot up. “The magazine?”

“All of it.” Keira leaned forward, picking up on Camryn’s nuance quickly. She pointed at the spreadsheets, projections, and charts they’d laid out on the center of the conference room table. “The magazine. The website. The staff. If we turn a profit, you give us everything under the Home and Family brand to run.”

Camryn wasn’t sure if it was the wall of solidarity that stared at Andrew McBride across the conference room table, or if they’d finally worn him down after several rounds of requests to launch new magazines. Whatever the reason, she saw the moment the tide shifted in their direction. The moment he decided it was easier to give his children what they wanted than to continue ignoring them.

Their father stood and walked toward the door. He didn’t even bother to take his copy of the presentation they’d prepared for him. At the door, he turned to face them. “You can have the trade show on one condition.”

“Yes?” They all stood, but it was Keira who spoke as their effective leader.

“When you miss each and every projection on those spreadsheets of yours, I get to sell off the company as I planned.”

Chapter One

New York City, Present Day

“This was an apocalyptically bad idea. You do know that, right?” Camryn McBride watched her older sister, Keira, rush around the opulent kitchen of her penthouse apartment, snagging a seat on a high-backed barstool to settle in for the show.

Keira blew her bangs out of her face in a huff as she transferred hot puff pastries from a cookie sheet to a serving tray. “It was supposed to be a nice, ordinary family outreach.”

“If either you or Nathan had a nice, ordinary family, that goal might have made sense.” Camryn snatched one of the tarts. “Since Dad is probably bringing his latest bimbette, and Nathan’s father is incapable of normal human relationships, I’m really trying to understand what your goal for the evening might be.”

“Fine. I admit it. I was suckered in by that article we wrote in Home and Family last month, ‘Happy In-Laws, Happy Couples.’ And it made me realize that Nathan and I have been married for over six months and we still haven’t had a family get-together.” Keira exhaled another heavy breath. “And would you get over here and help me? I still need to finish the crudités.”

The grin Camryn had tried to hold back wouldn’t stay hidden. “I was wondering when you’d drop the ‘I can do it all’ attitude and ask for help.”

“Cheeky bitch.”

“That I am.” Camryn reached for an empty glass on the bar and poured some chardonnay for her sister. “But I did work the kitchen of that hotel in Boston during my summers in college so I’d say I’m well-suited to help.”

“How’d I forget about that?” Keira frowned as she repositioned several small mushroom tartlets.

“I’ve worked every day to put it out of my mind. The mess and disorder were my personal torture.” Camryn handed over the glass of wine she’d poured to Keira. “What I really want to know is why you felt you needed a magazine article to help your marriage?”

“It’s not that.” Her sister dropped the empty baking sheet into the sink and took a sip of her wine. “I just feel that Nathan and I need to cultivate a broader relationship with our families. Before…you know.”

A scream worked its way up Camryn’s throat and she fought to keep her voice low. “You’re pregnant!”

“No.” Keira deliberately waved the glass of wine in her hand. “No, I’m not. But we’re talking about it. And I’d like our child to know his or her grandparents. And that’s awfully hard if I don’t even know them.”

Camryn knew Keira had a point. While they and their younger sister, Mayson, were thick as thieves, their father had set a poor example of support and familial leadership. He’d been inattentive most of their lives, but he’d become increasingly absent in the last decade. Ever since they lost their mother to breast cancer.

“I told you the good stuff was in here.” Nathan’s voice intruded on the moment as he barreled through the swinging door of the kitchen. Keira’s husband still wore his suit, but the lack of a jacket and the rolled sleeves of his dress shirt indicated a powerful man who’d relaxed for the day.

Where Camryn’s gaze landed, however, was on the man who followed Nathan into the room.

Booth Harrison.

Nathan’s half brother and the heir to the Harrison media empire also wore his suit, and damn him if the black wool wasn’t immaculately pressed, even though it was nearly seven at night. The white shirt beneath his lapels was still a crisp white and his red tie drew the eye with subtle grace and power.

Booth Harrison was temptation in a double-breasted suit, one she’d diligently tried to ignore for nearly a year now, and she wasn’t interested in traveling that road. The last year had seen both of her sisters married, and Mayson with a baby on the way. Camryn was happy for them, but she had no interest in following suit. Her life was neat and ordered, and love was messy. All that chaos and disorder didn’t fit in her life. Even if Booth did look at her with a delicious hunger that made every feminine wile she possessed sit up and take notice.

Like now.

His blue gaze was dark with that hunger as a wry smile quirked his lips. “Is everything okay in here?”

Camryn leaned toward him, the pull of that magnetic gaze drawing her in. “You mean aside from the fact that my sister’s probably about ten seconds away from wishing a plague of locusts on all of Manhattan?”

Booth never broke the contact, but his smile spread into an infectious grin. “That seems awfully harsh just to prevent one dinner party from happening.”

“You know the McBride girls. We don’t do anything halfway.” The flirtatious words were out before she could stop them and she mentally cursed herself for the weakness. Get a freakin’ grip, Cam.

Before Booth could respond, Keira’s laughter broke the moment as she swatted at her husband. “Nathan! We’ve got company coming.”

Camryn refocused on arranging broccoli and carrots in neat rows and off the tempting curve of Booth Harrison’s lips as they both avoided staring at their lovesick siblings.

“I told you the good stuff was in here.” Nathan leaned in and placed a smacking kiss on his wife’s lips, as if proving his point.

“Newlyweds.” Booth’s tone was dark but the tease in his eyes was unmistakable. He poured himself a glass of wine before holding up the bottle. “Can I refill yours, Camryn?”

“I’m not sure there’s enough alcohol.” She couldn’t hide the answering smile. “But we can try.”

The heavy peal of the lobby buzzer had Keira and Nathan pulling apart to go and greet their guests and, within moments, Camryn was alone with Booth.

“Speaking of trying, there are a few other things I can think of that fit the bill.”

Camryn looked up from the celery she’d switched to, surprised to see him standing close beside her. “Oh? Like what?”

“Let’s go get a drink after dinner and I’ll tell you.”

The offer was tempting and the large, sexy man next to her made it even more so, but Camryn held back. Booth had given more than a few hints in the last several months that he was interested. She was interested, too, but their circumstances prohibited a fling. Add on their family connections and it was just…messy.

“I have an early meeting tomorrow.”

“So do I. And besides”—he took a sip of his wine, his eyes unreadable before he set the glass back on the counter—“don’t you always have an early meeting?”

“Most days.”

“I didn’t take you for an in-bed-at-nine sort of gal.”

“I’m not.”

“So what’s wrong with the drink?”

“It’s redundant.”

“How so?”

She held up her glass, the move intended to be a joke but the tone that left her lips rang flat to her ears. “What would you call this?”

“Foreplay.”

…

The word was out and Booth couldn’t hold back the burst of satisfaction that settled in his chest at her widened eyes and the slight O of her mouth.

Served her right.

The damn woman had had him crawling the walls for months. Her prim features and black power suits drove him crazy with the overwhelming desire to muss her up. Her sharp mind and quick wit had him intrigued and thinking of her so often it was maddening.

The only reason he’d held back was Nathan. Although his half brother didn’t usually inform his dating decisions, going after Nathan’s new sister-in-law had the risk of being…complicated.

“If by foreplay you mean watching our siblings host a train wreck, then you and I have vastly different interpretations of the word.”

He moved up into her space, his gaze dropping to the pulse point evident at her throat.

Ahh, he thought with some satisfaction. The lady doth protest too much.

“Oh, I don’t know. You’re a beautiful, interesting woman.” He reached forward and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, intrigued even further when she remained stock-still. “I think we can put our creativity to good use and come up with some mutually enjoyable outcome to the evening.”

“A fling will be messy with our family connections.” Hearty laughter echoed outside the kitchen and she glanced toward the door as if the noise punctuated her point. “And clearly we’ve got a lot of connection.”

“I thought I was talking about a date.”

She took another step back and he could practically see her crawl inside herself. The bright, vivid smile and warm gaze faded as she took a few steps away from him. “A date or a whole lot more can’t happen. Not with the family we now share thanks to your brother and my sister.”

Her absolute unwillingness to consider it—especially since he’d seen the very real interest in her gaze—had him rethinking his tactics. “So you simply walk away?”

“It’s clean. Easy. And we avoid a mess that would include awkward family moments.” She waited a beat before smiling broadly. “Sort of like this one.”

Whether it was the taunt or something more, Booth didn’t know, but he couldn’t resist pushing a bit harder on all the neat, pristine order that surrounded her like a shield. “Sometimes it’s fun to get messy.”

Her dark-brown eyes were serious as they held his. “And sometimes all you’re left with is a mess.”

…

Sometimes all you’re left with is a mess.

Camryn’s words were still rattling around his mind a few hours later as Keira handed mugs of coffee around the table and Nathan cut slices of cheesecake. The view had Booth smiling to himself in the midst of his roiling thoughts. Who’d have thought his brother could be so damned domestic? And, if Nathan’s broad grin was any indication, he was strangely happy about it. Things didn’t look messy between the newlyweds. In fact, if he wasn’t careful, Booth knew he might start wishing he were in the same boat.

He shook off that thought to refocus on the conversation. His father and stepmother had remained polite and quiet throughout dinner, but West Harrison’s stoic facade was beginning to show cracks after four bourbons.

“Gotta keep the advertisers happy.” West pounded a fist on the table, rattling his small plate of cheesecake. “Ad dollars keep the media business running.”

“West, I understand, but the product has to be editorially superior.” Keira’s voice was respectful, but no one at the table missed the thread of steel that wove through her words. “That’s why we’ve remained diligently focused at McBride Media on creating strong products advertisers line up to be a part of.”

“My girl knows what she’s talking about, West.” Keira’s father spoke up, his words layered equally thick with alcohol.

“That’s quite a change, McBride. I thought all you ever wanted was to sell the company off. Now you’ve let your daughters get a hold of it instead.”

Despite the liquor, Andrew McBride was quick on the rebound. “And the three of them have done a damn fine job with it.”

West wasn’t deterred by Andrew’s show of support. “Beefing up a bunch of fluffy magazines.”

Booth laid a hand on his father’s arm. “Dad. McBride Media has won several major journalism awards in the last few years. They’ve beaten us out of several, as I recall.”

“Awards, bah,” West grumbled. “I’m talking about business. Nathan would never have gone after the company if it wasn’t in such dire straits.”

“I went after a healthy company and when I saw the light I decided to invest in it instead of take it over.” Nathan’s sharp voice cut off any further discussion. “However, I can’t argue with my father’s well-made point about advertisers. They do make the world go round.”

As softballs went, Nathan’s was awfully soft, but Booth knew it was more than that. In years past, Nathan would have no sooner defended West than look at him. Marriage had changed his brother. For the better, as far as Booth could tell. Nathan was still as fierce as ever, but he’d lost the “win at all costs” attitude. That attitude had made him a wealthy man, but he’d paid a personal price. Booth was glad to see his brother come out the other side.

“Speaking of fluff…” West’s gaze grew sharp once more as his focus shifted to Camryn. “What’s this I hear about you looking to buy out the last, lingering properties at Morrison Magazines?”

“The company’s been on life support for the last few years and they’ve finally indicated a willingness to sell their flagship title, Magnificent.” Camryn set down her coffee cup. “I’ve had my eye on them for a while.”

“Company should have shut its doors a long time ago.” West said. “What do you want with an old, tired title?”

A warm grin flashed across her face. “Let’s just say I think the magazine’s got great bones. And it complements our current portfolio perfectly.”

“Camryn’s been a great champion of expansion wherever we can. It’s been a dynamic growth strategy.” Nathan snagged the conversational torch and once more, Booth couldn’t deny how much his brother had changed for the better. Their father was a difficult man and in the past Nathan wouldn’t have held back his disdain or frustration at West’s insistence in dominating a conversation. Whether it was their strained business relationship or Nathan’s position as West’s illegitimate son, Booth had never fully understood, but it was good to see a different side to his brother.

The table grew quiet once more and Booth glanced surreptitiously at his watch, amused when his gaze snagged on Camryn doing the same. He’d already declined both dessert and coffee, prepared to make his departure, when Camryn beat him to the punch.

“I’m afraid I’ve got an early meeting in the morning.” She added a small yawn to the comment.

Booth lifted his eyebrows as their gazes caught once more, but couldn’t resist using the moment to his advantage. “I do as well. Why don’t we share a cab?”

They made a hasty departure and it was only after the two of them were settled in a cab fifteen minutes later that Camryn rounded on him. “Smooth move, Booth.”

“I’m full of them, but in this case, it was a matter of self-preservation. Keira and Nathan’s little dinner experiment had run its course and leaving was the only way to put an end to it. Everyone was following on our heels with their own excuses as we left.”

“It was still more than a little obvious.” Camryn snagged her phone from her purse and gave it her full attention, effectively ending their conversation.

“Now you’re going to ignore me, too?”

“I’m waiting for an e-mail.”

“At nine thirty?”

She dropped the phone into her lap. “Don’t tell me you turn it off when you leave the office.”

“No, but I do attempt to turn it off when I’m talking to another human being.” She had the decency to look contrite and Booth took that as a good sign. Despite his outward irritation, he couldn’t help but wonder if the “checking e-mail” routine was a sign of something deeper.

She’d said little during dinner other than the moments when she was directly questioned, content to let her sisters shine during the meal. The fact Mayson and Keira were both newlyweds and Mayson had a baby on the way meant they had a lot to discuss, but it still struck him as curious that Camryn seemed to deliberately fade into the background.

Her voice broke into his musings. “Do you agree with what your dad said? At dinner?”

“When he finally got the stick out of his ass he said a lot of things. Refresh my memory.”

“The part about advertisers. About keeping them happy.”

“He does love his ad revenues. The businessman in me agrees with him. But the newsman I am in my heart of hearts knows the ad dollars have to come second. We’re beholden to the people who read our products, not those who run ads in them.”

A small smile ghosted her lips. “The CFO in me is protesting.”

“So have that drink with me and we can debate it.”

“You don’t miss an opportunity to go after what you want, do you?”

Booth leaned forward, the light scent of her surrounding him as he breathed her in. “Never.”

…

The small spark of electricity lit once more under her skin but Camryn fought it. She would not let herself even think about going down this path.

She refused to hope again. Even if she could feel the heat of his body through the material of her coat.

Or the way those delicious sparks of heat arced between the two of them.

“I’m afraid I can’t do drinks tonight. I really do have an early meeting.”

“Fair enough.”

The quick acquiescence had a small spark of sadness blooming in her chest. This was the exact reason she didn’t need to get involved with her sister’s brother-in-law. Even if it might have been nice if he’d argued a bit…

Damn, but she needed to get a grip, especially as her inner Yoda started giving her pointers. Go or do not go, there is only one choice.

Booth turned his full focus on her, the wash of streetlamps outside the taxi lighting his face in the dark of the cab. “So you agree with my old man?”

“I didn’t mean that. But he does have a point about how we make money as a business. My father forgot that.”

“I thought he forgot that because he paid no attention to the business, not because he focused on editorial at the expense of the ad revenues.”

“True. But it doesn’t change the fact that we are in business to turn a profit.” Did the words escaping her lips sound as cold as they felt? And why was it this was the only subject that she felt truly comfortable speaking on?

“Of course we are. No one works for free and they shouldn’t be expected to. Hell, I’ve learned that working in financial journalism for fifteen years.”

Booth’s role as the leader of the Financial Journal meant he’d overseen the coverage of every major business story in the US and abroad for most of his adult life. The FJ not only covered the financial news, it often helped create it as well. “You wield an inordinate amount of influence with that paper.”

“Exactly. Because we’re the resource decision makers trust. If we favored advertisers first, we wouldn’t enjoy that position.”

“But because you are the favorite, you command a higher ad dollar. A virtuous circle if I’ve ever heard one.”

His blue eyes flashed with something decidedly wicked. “No one’s ever quite called me virtuous, but yes, I’d say that about sums it up.”

Camryn weighed her words. She was used to deliberate speech. Her role as the chief financial officer at McBride Media demanded it. Yet, somehow, she sensed the stakes between her and Booth were even higher. “You do tempt a girl, I’ll give you that much.”

“Then I’m doing it right.”

“I won’t be distracted.”

“Oh, I don’t know.” His gaze was speculative as he ran a finger over her knuckles. The simple touch was shockingly effective, and her body tightened uncomfortably under her clothes as a heavy burst of need cratered her stomach. “Most everyone can be tempted by something.”

She fought for control, anxious to keep them on a level playing field. “Why is this so important to you?”

He closed the space between them and pressed his lips against her ear. The light exhale of his breath had shivers skating down her spine and she fought the very real urge to climb into the man’s lap. “I’d like to see where things could go between us.”

“I thought we already determined things can’t go anywhere.”

“You fascinate me, Camryn McBride. You’re so buttoned-up on the outside. So determined to stay in control. I wonder…” His voice trailed off when he lifted his head a fraction from hers and ran a finger down her jawline, his gaze never wavering.

“Wonder what?” Was that breathless voice really her own?

“What you’d look like out of control.”

“Then you’d better learn to live with disappointment.” The words seemed to only heighten the mischief that rode his sky-blue eyes.

The cab stopped in front of her prewar building, the majestic, fifteen story structure rising into the night. He was like that building, she realized. Tall, proud, and sure of his place in the world.

As if punctuating his point he asked the driver to wait a moment.

“I think I’ve been going about this all wrong.”

Camryn pulled her gaze from her window. “Going about what all wrong?”

“Seducing you.”

A nervous laugh escaped. “I don’t need to be seduced. I’m more than capable of deciding whom I let into my bed.”

“No doubt.”

“So why do you think you’re an exception?”

“It’s something you said earlier. In the kitchen.”

Her mind whirled with their earlier conversation over the crudités. “I think I said no.”

“Which I can handle and respect and then walk away.”

“So why aren’t you?”

“Because you didn’t say no.”

Damn it, what the hell had she said?

“You said that a fling would be messy with our family connections.”

“Which you can’t deny is true.”

“Only if they know about it.”

The thought hung there between them, growing and expanding. “My sisters and I don’t exactly keep secrets from one another.”

“They’re entitled to every private thought you have?”

She shrugged, trying to come up with the right words. “No, of course not. But you’re Keira’s brother-in-law. No matter how I slice that, it doesn’t change the personal connection between our families. Besides. I don’t hide my relationships in the dark. If it has to be hidden, it’s not worth having.”

“Yet you’re perfectly willing to deny any exploration of what’s between us because it might be a little complicated.”

Oh, how she wished that were the only reason. “It’s not the same.”

“It’s not all that different.” He resumed that delightful stroking over her hand with his index finger. “We try it. If it doesn’t work out, we end it. No harm, no foul.”

“This is a ridiculous conversation.”

“Because you know I’m right.”

The urge to simply agree with him and give in to this crazy attraction pounded steadily in her brain. Everything he’d said was accurate. She did want him. And she was well aware that her reasons for saying no were flimsy. “I hate messy situations, especially ones where someone puts all they’ve worked for at risk. I’ve worked a long time to get where I am and I’m not willing to give it up.”

“I’m not asking you to give anything up.”

Temptation flared once more and she suddenly had a very real understanding of what Eve had faced in the garden. “And when it’s over? When we both go back to being acquaintances who get together at family functions. What then?”

“Do you really think there can be any event we will ever attend with our mutual families that can be more awkward and uncomfortable than tonight?”

Her lips twitched. “You’ve got a point.”

The fingers that had woven such a sensual spell over her skin stopped their tender stroking and he extended his hand. “We keep this neat and clean, like a business contract. We determine the mutually agreeable parameters and satisfactory out clauses that either party can initiate at any time.”

Once again, Camryn couldn’t quite shake the coldness that lay underneath her attitude. Was this really what her life had come to, negotiating her personal relationships as if she were putting a bid on a piece of real estate?

She pulled her hand from beneath his and pushed open the taxi door. “I don’t negotiate.”

Chapter Two

“You left awfully quickly last night.” Keira’s cheeky smile greeted Camryn the following morning from where she was leaning in the doorway of the executive conference room. The early meeting Camryn had come in for ran exactly as she’d expected.

Unfortunately, the meeting had come to an end and now she had to pay the piper.

Camryn was still turning over the previous night’s event in her mind. She still regretted leaving Booth. Regretted not seeing where his tempting offer might go.

A fling.

The very idea had played through her mind as she lay restless and wide-awake in bed.

Pros and cons, pluses and minuses, debits and credits. All neat and orderly, just like plain old Camryn McBride. Yes, they could explore what was between them, but the raging feelings that had filled her as she’d tossed and turned throughout the night had ensured that acting on those feelings would be anything but clean and simple.

“Did you miss the tension in your apartment? I love you and I love your intention for the evening but I was counting the minutes until I could break free.”

“Tension, schmension.” Keira waved a hand, clearly unconvinced by Camryn’s breezy, casual tone. “I’m talking about you and Booth.”

“And here I thought your subtle interrogation technique was aimed at getting me to give you my recipe for that veggie dip.”

“Cam—”

“What?”

“Come on. Talk to me.”

Camryn fought back a sigh and walked to the coffee service on the room’s sideboard for a refill and a few moments to gather her thoughts. “Do you want any coffee?”

“No. I want details.”

“We shared a cab. He made sure I got home. It’s no big deal.”

“But what about drinks? I thought—” Keira broke off. “I just assumed you stopped for drinks.”

“Nope. He solicitously took me home. He is family, as you were so eager to prove with last night’s dinner party.”

“I think I’d have been more successful performing an appendectomy on a random stranger than last night’s attempt at family bonding.”

Camryn couldn’t hold back the giggle. “It was pretty bad.”

“So you can understand why I’d like to live vicariously through my sister’s far more enticing evening.”

“Sorry to disappoint.”

“Nothing happened?”

“Define nothing. He made a pass and I deflected it.”

“Oh!” Keira’s eyes widened. “I knew he was interested.”

“Then you and I have a different opinion of interested.” Camryn took a sip of her coffee and attempted to marshal her arguments behind a voice full of careful indifference. “I’m a challenge to him, nothing more. He’s shown his interest several times over the last few months. Apparently he thought he’d make his move last night.”

“A little challenge is good for a man. Makes him work for what he wants.”

Camryn lifted an eyebrow and sought to change the mood. This was exactly what she didn’t want. Discussions about Booth at the office. “You’ve been reading all that advice we spew in our women’s magazines again, haven’t you?”

“It’s part of the dating game.”

“Or maybe it’s just a battle to win the trophy, then move on to the next thing.”

Keira’s gentle smile faded. “I know Booth’s had a reputation around town as a ladies’ man, but I’ve seen no evidence of that. In fact, I got the sense he was sick of the dating scene and looking for something more substantial.”

“And I’m quite sure I don’t fit the bill.”

The words were out before she could stop them, and Camryn could hardly claim surprise when Keira gestured her to the line of chairs along the conference table. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“Just what I said. Look, K. I’m not the sort of woman Booth Harrison is going to be interested in. He dates models and sexy, adventuring doctors who treat kids in foreign countries. I’m an accountant.”

“You’re a well-respected, accomplished businesswoman. And you’re gorgeous. And you’re fun and smart. Booth Harrison would be a fool not to go after you.”

Camryn sighed. How did she explain this?

She’d spent her life around the sort of women Booth was meant to end up with. Bright, vivid women who commanded a room when they walked into it. People called her when they needed their spreadsheets corrected.

“I’m not the one.”

Her older sister hadn’t reached her professional position—nor had she spent thirty-plus years as the oldest sister—for nothing. “The urge to sit here and shake you until you wake up from this dumb line of thought is strong. But since you’re more stubborn than me, I’ll appeal to that brilliant brain of yours and let you chew on this. I can see the way the two of you look at each other. It’s electric.”

Shock had her nearly sloshing her coffee as her hand shook and Camryn set the mug quickly on the table. “It is not.”

“Ha. If you’re feeling one-tenth of what I’m seeing then it’s got to be incredible.”

It was incredible. For her. But it was nothing but a mirage.

And wasn’t that the whole problem?

…

Booth stared at the stack of expenses his admin had left for him and sighed. The downside of being the boss. Everyone else got to manage expenses electronically while he or his father had to do the final sign-off in ink. He’d just dug into the stack when a swift knock at his door gave him a reprieve.

“Sinclair.” The harried face that greeted him from the door had Booth waving the man in. “What’s the matter?”

“Our keynote for the sales conference. We’re two weeks away and he had to pull out.”

Booth thought of the financial writer who’d had three best sellers in as many years. “He’s been committed for a year.”

“And his wife had their baby two months early and he can’t leave.”

“Okay.” Booth acknowledged the man’s very real need to decline. “So what’s plan B?”

Sinclair paced the office, his neon-orange tie and spats a standout under any circumstance, but especially unique in the Financial Journal’s staid offices. “I don’t have one.”

“I thought we had three backups.”

“We did. One has another last-minute engagement she accepted because she thought we didn’t need her. Another just got a new job and isn’t allowed to take on any public speaking engagements for six months, courtesy of his employment contract. And the third is dead.”

“Oh.” Booth abstractly wondered who’d died but couldn’t conjure their backup list fast enough.

“Thaddeus Van Wyck. Cable heir. Bit it last week.”

“Damn.”

“I know. I’m disappointed.”

“Likely not as much as he is.”

Sinclair smiled, his first since walking in. “Good point.”

“Aside from an all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii, what else do we ask of our keynote speaker?”

“We ask the speaker to deliver an hour-long speech on the first full day of the conference and attend the luau the night before. We’d also like them to be available after their speech since people want to talk to them throughout the day. That’s all we need.”

Booth searched his mind for who might work. His first thought was Nathan, but he knew including his brother wouldn’t be all that enticing to the rest of the sales force. Nathan wasn’t a media guru, nor did his former focus on raiding corporations make him a favorite of the business community.

“What about your brother’s new wife? Keira is a great draw wherever she speaks.”

“I just saw her last night. She’s headed to Europe for meetings.” Booth paused as an idea took shape. “But what about her sister?”

“Which one?”

“Camryn. Their CFO.”

“I saw her speak recently at a benefit for the children’s hospital. She’s sweet and funny and knew how to keep an audience. A trait the McBride sisters seem to have in spades.” Sinclair tapped his teeth. “She would work. I can make her work. Especially if I can do something about her clothes.”

“What’s wrong with her clothes?” Booth thought about the woman he’d been enamored with for the better part of the last year and couldn’t come up with anything amiss.

“She owns one shade. Black.”

“Aside from your ties, you own one shade and it happens to be black.”

“I’m moody and artistic. It works.”

“Everything works on her.”

Sinclair’s speculative gaze and broad grin were swift and immediate. “Then wait ’til you get a load of her after I’ve worked my magic.”

Booth waited until Sinclair had left his office and dialed Camryn’s number. The prompt and efficient voice that answered on the other end had his stomach tightening in hard knots while a vision of her lush mouth, had something farther south hardening as well. “Hello, Ms. McBride. How’d your meeting go this morning? That urgent one you needed to get home for last night?”

The hesitation was brief. “Quite well, thank you.”

“I have a proposition for you.”

“Booth. I’m working. And I thought I made my point more than clear last night.”

“It’s actually a business proposition, but if you’d like to revisit our conversation I’d be happy to oblige.” He dropped his voice. “I haven’t stopped thinking about it.”

His body tightened even further, the image of finally having her naked in his arms too tempting to resist dwelling on for the briefest moment. The sexy, husky voice echoing in his ear had only added to the fantasy.

And why was he insistent on going there? She’d made her wishes known and he wasn’t some he-man who wouldn’t take no for an answer.

But she was interested. They both were, and if he could only chip past her resistance…

“Booth?”

“Sorry. Busy morning and I was distracted by something.” Booth refocused on Sinclair’s dilemma, forcing his thoughts back to business. While he thought Camryn would say yes, he couldn’t risk her thinking the sales conference was another ploy to get her in his bed. He had no problem mixing business with pleasure, but he needed her on this. “I have a business problem and I need your help.”

“What is it?” While those husky tones were still in evidence, her words held a sharper edge to them. If he hadn’t already seen her in action, Booth still would have known the woman was a formidable opponent in the boardroom from her voice alone.

“I’d like you to be the keynote speaker at the Financial Journal’s upcoming sales conference.” He quickly ran through the details as Sinclair had shared them. “Unless you’re going to be in Europe with Keira.”

“I’m not going on that trip. And I’m flattered by the invitation, but I’m not sure I’m the best speaker for this. I’m a number cruncher, Booth. How’s that interesting to your sales team?”

“You’re an incredible businesswoman who happens to live and breathe numbers. Add on the fact that you’re a great speaker and you’ll have them eating out of your hand in no time.”

“How would you know what sort of speaker I am?”

“Because I’ve seen you in action. That children’s hospital benefit a few months ago. The opera fund-raiser last year. You’re a gem, Ms. McBride. And you know how to work a room.” Before she could protest further, he pressed his case. “Join me for lunch today with Sinclair Preston, my director for the event. He’s well-versed in what we’re looking for and his eyes lit up like diamonds when your name came up.”

“I know him by reputation. He’s incredible at what he does. Mayson tried to hire him a few years ago but he’s loyal to you.”

He waited a beat before pressing once more. “So can we count on you for lunch at least?”

“Yes.”

Booth hung up a few minutes later, a lunch destination agreed upon, and wondered why it felt like he’d just gone a few rounds.

Even more intriguing, he wondered how he could enjoy it so much.

…

A few hours later, Booth fought the urge to touch her, their small table offering ample temptation. The Italian restaurant was one of his favorites, but in typical New York fashion, the narrow tables were crammed closely together to fit as many people as possible into the small space. And he’d sorely miscalculated his ability to keep his hands off of Camryn.

“I’m flattered by the invitation, but I’m still not sure what you feel I can bring to the event, Sinclair. You need a rousing keynote to get your sales force excited and as I told Booth earlier, I’m a numbers gal through and through.”

Sinclair leaned forward and took hold of her hand, and Booth felt a stab of envy shoot through his chest. “You’re amazing. That speech you gave a few months ago for the children’s hospital was funny, warm, and incredibly inspiring.”

“That was a charity, though. Not a sales meeting.”

The small man waved a hand, dismissing her protests. “And when you talked about the ways to minimize some of the challenges the children would face when they left the hospital? People couldn’t open their wallets fast enough.”

“You want to inspire them? Tell them how you fought my brother.” The words were out before he’d fully thought them through, but as he turned it over in his mind, Booth realized the idea had merit. “Everyone loves a good underdog story and that one has it all. A decade of effort by you and your sisters to restore the family empire. My brother’s greedy attempts to take a piece of that. A love story of complete opposites who made it work despite the odds.”

The slight relaxation of her shoulders let him know she was thinking about it. He’d seen the same look the night before after he’d suggested they explore what was between them. “Shouldn’t Keira tell that one?”

“Oh, but you’ve got the outsider’s perspective.” Booth warmed up to the challenge, anxious to close down any further arguments. “And you’re a natural-born storyteller, just as Sinclair said.”

“And it’s Hawaii,” Sinclair was quick to add. “Who doesn’t love an all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii? Paradise at your fingertips.”

Camryn’s gaze skittered to his at the use of the word “paradise” before she refocused on Sinclair. “It’s awfully generous.”

“You’re doing us a favor.” Sinclair grabbed her hand once more. “Please tell me you’ll say yes.”

“Yes.”

“Wonderful!” The small man leaped up and tossed his napkin on the table. “You’re a lifesaver. A gem. A goddess among women. Please excuse my rude rush out of here but I’ve got to get brochures printed for the meeting and I need to make sure your name’s in them.”

“Of course.”

Sinclair leaned in and quickly kissed her cheek. “I’ll be in touch soon and we’ll have a proper conversation. We’ll start discussing your trousseau for the event.”

“Trousseau?” She started to protest and Sinclair shook his head.

“I’m working on it now. Be in touch. Gotta run.”

Camryn shook her head, a bemused and slightly shell-shocked smile on her face. “I always thought my sister Mayson had spunk. She looks like an old woman compared to that man.”

“Aside from the fact he’s now half in love with you, you’ve just saved him from a disastrous sales conference.”

“You’re the head of the company. I’m sure you could give a stellar keynote that rouses the troops and all that.”

He leaned forward and laid a hand over hers, giving in to the temptation to touch her. “I’m thrilled I don’t have to.”

She left her hand under his, but her face remained set in neutral lines. “Hawaii’s an awfully nice perk.”

“Our sales team works hard. If we couldn’t do it, we wouldn’t, but I like to reward that effort.”

“Makes our annual trip for the McBride sales force to Niagara Falls seem like it requires some rethinking.”

“Everyone likes a good trip on the Maid of the Mist.”

“And we make it a family event, so I’ve yet to hear any complaints. Still.” She grew thoughtful. “I’d like to ask some of your team how motivating the trip is, if you don’t mind?”

“Of course not.”

“And I may need some time each day to finish closing the deal with Morrison. We’re in the last stages of negotiation on Magnificent and I expect it to wrap soon.”

“Whatever you need, but for the record, I think it’s going to go a heck of a lot faster than that. The man’s got to be dying to sell and get out from under the burden of a failing company.”

She straightened. “Sometimes those in a losing position need to maintain their illusions.”

“And sometimes they need to know when to take a good deal and quit arguing.”

“Your father certainly made his opinions known last night. He doesn’t think too highly of the purchase.”

Booth reached for his coffee, intrigued at the credit she gave his father. Credit the man had earned over forty years in business but which he was rapidly depleting as newer, younger executives rose up in the industry. “My father’s opinion is based on one thing only. He’s pissed he didn’t get there first.”

“He’s looking to expand into the women’s market?”

“If it meant he’d beat you out of the deal, yes. He’s like a child after someone else’s toy. Most outgrow it, but that tendency has only made him ruthless.”

Myriad expressions flitted across her face, an argument clearly blooming on her lips before she pulled back. “You’re not afraid to be harsh when you need to be, huh?”

“I’m honest. There’s a difference.” Unable to resist, he reached out and ran a finger down the back of her hand. “I also find illusion to be a close cousin to useless pretense. There’s time for little of either.”

“I thought we were talking about business.”

He pulled his hand back, reluctant to stop touching her but satisfied he’d made his point. “We are. You were just complimenting me on how I motivate my team.”

More thoughts channeled themselves across that expressive face before she finally spoke.

“You’re open. Surprisingly so for someone who’s been so successful in business. Most people would have shut me down for asking questions of your staff.”

“I’d say our styles are compatible. Few would have asked permission.”

“I mean it, Booth. Your style is unique.”

Her words were obviously meant as a compliment, but he was surprised by it. “I’m not all that different.”

“Then you don’t see what I see.”

“And what’s that?” Just like the urge to touch her that had ridden him throughout lunch, he simply couldn’t hold back his curiosity.

“You don’t take your success too seriously. Or wield it against others. Despite that, you’re easily the most powerful man in the room.”

His easy comfort at the original compliment morphed into something less easy as he struggled to find the right words. Especially since her praise was the opposite of his father’s usual take on Booth’s leadership style. “I’ve never understood those who need to wave their success like a flag.”

“That’s impressive. And considerably more powerful than the flag wavers.”

“My father hardly agrees.”

“I’m not sure I’d hold him up as the be-all and end-all of modern management.” She shook her head. “Damn it, but I really said that.”

“Out loud.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Nothing to apologize for. You meant it and you weren’t far off the mark.”

“It doesn’t change the fact he’s your father.”

“No.”

She stared down at her barely touched pasta before looking up at him once more, her gaze honest and direct. “I think we’ve both gotten used to parents who can’t quite see the positives in our abilities.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I think your father may be coming around. He was awfully quick to defend you and your sisters at dinner last night.”

“The thought of becoming a grandfather has mellowed him, likely nothing more.”

Her quick dismissal also intrigued him—just like everything else about her—but Booth sensed they were veering into dangerous waters and he was loath to push too hard. Instead he reached for her hand once more. “I’ve thought a lot about you today.”

“Oh?” She pulled her hand back, dropping it into her lap.

“You unsettle me. I have no reason to lie about that and I’ll be damned if I run from it.”

Her eyes widened and her tone rose a notch. “There you go again.”

“Go where?”

“You’re big and powerful. You’re not supposed to admit to weakness of any kind.”

Her ire was so unexpected he couldn’t resist teasing her. “But that’s where you’re wrong.”

“How? Big powerful businessmen don’t admit they’re unsettled. You’re the alpha dog of the newspaper community. Nothing rattles you.”

“Then you’re not looking at the same thing I am.”

“What’s that?”

He reached for her hand yet again, unable to hold that desperate urge to touch her at bay. “You. I’m looking at you. You unsettle me. Intrigue me. And you make me want, Camryn.” He dragged her hand to his mouth, turning it over as he pressed his lips to her palm.

“Booth.”

With a quick flick of his tongue, he ran the tip over the lines of her palm, satisfied beyond measure when she visibly shivered. “I want you, Camryn.”

“This isn’t the place.”

“Then name it.” He exhaled over the small patch of wetness he’d left on the sensitive flesh of her hand and was rewarded with another shiver. “Name the place.”

She dragged her hand away, her gaze on her palm before she firmly re-tucked it in her lap. “I told you last night this isn’t a good idea.”

“A sleepless night didn’t make you rethink that?” It was a calculated comment, but Booth knew it had paid off by the widening of her eyes and the light stammer that filled her words.

“Why do you think that?”

“Because I spent mine the exact same way.”

…

Camryn was no closer to answers when she let herself into her apartment at ten that night. The last twenty-four hours had her emotions speeding faster than an out-of-control roller coaster, and she wasn’t sure what to do with them. And she always knew what to do.

She lived her life with conviction, so it was terribly humbling to find herself in a situation that she had no idea how to deal with.

Her lunch conversation with Booth had lingered in her mind all day in vivid Technicolor and she still had moments where she felt the brand of his fingers on her skin.

She hadn’t been interested—truly interested—in a man for far too long, and now the one she was interested in was her sister’s brother-in-law. Their attraction was hardly convenient—or private—and it was destined to be a bad idea when they ultimately parted ways.

She was a toy right now. A challenge. Booth Harrison was a conqueror; it was in his blood. Somehow, getting tangled with conquerors never worked out well for the conquered.

But wouldn’t it be amazing to be his, even if for only a short while?

The mental tennis match had grown irritating in the extreme and she threw down the mail she’d picked up in the lobby on the small island in her kitchen in disgust. With efficient movements, she dug out a fruit smoothie from the fridge and shook it up. As dinners went, it wasn’t a steak, but it would give her the energy boost she needed to power through another hour of work before she dropped into bed.

Her gaze caught on the pile of mail and the thick, folded copy of the Financial Journal that had fallen open from where it wrapped around the stack of mail. She knew it was old-school to still get the paper copy, but something about the tangible feel of the newsprint in her hands was a ritual she’d been unwilling to give up.

Of course, the stack of papers that currently lined a shelf in her home office was proof she might need to reconsider her attachment to print. On a shake of her head she opened the paper. “Not enough hours in the day.”

She carried the paper and her drink toward her home office, settling in the small love seat she kept on the far side of the room. She tossed off her heels, curled her legs up underneath her, and flipped through the paper. Her mind filled with images, alternating between the stories she skimmed and her lunch conversation with Booth. The invitation to speak. Their management styles. Even his strange comments about her work to acquire Magnificent were laced with the personal. The connection they’d formed was bold and exhilarating and scary as hell.

Her palm still tingled where he’d pressed his tongue and even now, so many hours later, she could still feel the brand of him in that same spot. She pressed her lips to her palm, surprised when a shot of need speared her core as bold, heated images of having sex with Booth filled her mind’s eye.

She tossed the paper aside and stood to pace the room. The man did things to her. Crazy, wicked things that had her very real sense of caution itching to take a holiday.

The peal of her phone broke into her thoughts and she reached for the device like a lifeline. A text message filled the face of the screen, and whatever calm she sought vanished.

Still thinking about you.

She couldn’t hold back the small smile that tinged her lips, or the fact that his thoughts so closely echoed her own. Without giving herself time to analyze, she shot back a quick text of her own.

I thought big-shot publishers knew better than to waste their time on stories that won’t pan out.

Okay, so as responses went that was about as sexy as a wet blanket, but she was curious to see how he’d respond. She didn’t have to wait long.

And really good publishers know how to bide their time, waiting for all the right pieces to fall into place.

That same flutter that had accompanied her throughout the day flared up once more and she couldn’t resist one last text.

Is this your veiled attempt to assure me how good you are?

His reply came back at warp-speed.

Actually, it’s an unveiled attempt to make you see how good we’d be together.

Although she’d ignored most of the articles McBride Media’s magazines had printed on the joys of sexting, Camryn had to admit the practice had merit. And when had she gotten so damn out of practice?

The thought flitted through her mind’s eye: when was the last time she’d enjoyed a man’s company for more than a businesslike evening? Although she hadn’t exactly been a candidate to become the fifth member of Sex and the City, she did date and she did enjoy male company. So why had it become all too easy to forgo that company on a regular basis?

And how had she let her life come to that?

Sure, she and her sisters had put a lot of time and effort into the restoration of McBride Media, but even she knew that wasn’t the whole story.

When had she become afraid of mess? And fuss? And life?

Booth’s text still lit up her screen, but Camryn flipped off the phone and tossed it aside. The hour’s worth of work she’d brought home wasn’t going to get done by itself.

For the first time in a long time, instead of pride welling in her chest at her determination, all she could muster was disappointment.

Chapter Three

“If I had legs like that, I sure as hell wouldn’t hide them behind a skirt that hung below the knee.”

Camryn wasn’t sure if she should be offended or charmed by the frank assessment, so she simply watched Sinclair with a mixture of shock and awe as he dived back into her closet. “Sinclair.” She summoned up her “address the board” voice. “I’m the CFO of a major company. I don’t need to dress like a runway model.”

“You don’t need to dress like a school principal, either,” Sinclair shot back from the depths of her closet.

“There is nothing in that closet that screams schoolmarm. Everything is classy, elegant, and timeless. Besides, people won’t respect me if I’m dressed flashy.”

Camryn thought she heard the distinct notes of a loud snort before Sinclair’s tone changed with an abrupt shriek. “Oo la la!” He hollered from the back of her closet, emerging with two pairs of heels in his hands. “Now this is what I’m talking about. These are beautiful.”

Camryn couldn’t hold back the smile. She did love her shoes. They were the one indulgence she allowed herself in a sea of black, gray, and navy suits. “They’re definitely works of art.”

“How many pairs of these do you have?”

“A few.” Camryn mumbled the response as she glanced down at her phone, then looked up again. She normally saved the red-soled beauties for special occasions—large meetings, business dinners, and significant events out and about—and avoided the expensive display during her normal workdays.

One carefully arched eyebrow rose as Sinclair dangled the two pairs from the tips of each hand. “Define a few.”

“Ten. Maybe fifteen.”

“Well, which is it?”

“Twenty.”

“Oh, girl. We have some work to do.”

“Work?” Camryn coughed to clear the squeak that gripped her vocal cords. “What work?”

“These shoes are works of art, but you’re the main attraction. We’re going to use these as a base and build your look for the conference around them.”

“I don’t need a new look.”

The lone eyebrow rose again. “Yes, you do.”

“I’m speaking to a group of professionals who work for the Financial Journal. Not a bunch of readers of the latest gossip rag.”

“You’re our keynote in Hawaii and you’ll also be featured on several web videos that I’m including as part of the conference events. I’m also posting them online in the FJ’s business leaders section of the website.”

“None of those things require me to dress like a fashion plate. Now, I appreciate your visit but I have to get to work.”

“This is work. You and your sisters have put blood, sweat, and tears into making McBride Media one of the golden jewels of the New York ad community. It’s time to look the part.”

While the urge to keep debating with him was strong, Camryn couldn’t resist probing underneath his words. “I’ve always thought women have to work harder in business. Need to show they’re as competent. I spend much of my time with financial types who are evaluating whether or not I’ve made a strong proposal in exchange for their money.”

“And I’m sure you do it well.” His hands fell to his sides, the shoes dangling. “But your wardrobe shouldn’t be restrictive or the real you won’t shine through.”

“The real me knows businessmen like black.”

“And the real you also does more than live in a boardroom.” Sinclair lifted one of her shoes once more, turning it over to point out the designer on the sole. “The woman who loves these shoes and what they mean has some zing inside of her.”

“And you’re going to pull it out?”

“Consider me your very own personal Henry Higgins.”

The retort sprang to her lips on a giggle. “You’re looking to seduce me?”

His bark of laughter was immediate. “Will I break the bonds of confidence to tell you I only watched My Fair Lady for the songs?”

She leaned in and grabbed one of the shoes, running her hands over the supple leather. “So long as you don’t make me wear some crazy hat.”

“Promise.”

Her phone buzzed. Excellent. She’d bury herself in work while Sinclair finished up his tsking over her bland wardrobe.

Work was the one place, other than time spent with her sisters, where she felt truly comfortable. In control. And she’d given up more than enough of her morning to an exercise that wouldn’t change who she was at heart. A quiet woman with a hyperactive mind, a love of spreadsheets, and social skills that needed a bit of work outside the boardroom.

It was a description she’d dragged on like an overcoat when her late-night text messages had happened with Booth a few weeks before. After another sleepless night and a missed deadline to file for a set of tax exemptions on one of their printing presses, she’d put her hormones on hold. She couldn’t afford to lose focus. So when he’d texted again, she’d put him off with the promise they’d catch up in Hawaii. Which was now only a few days away.

Sinclair pointed toward her phone, his right eyebrow firmly arched toward his forehead. “Saved by the bell. Go answer it and then we’ll finish up when you’re done.”

“I know you’ve got this under control. Keep doing what you’re doing.” She turned and headed for her small home office, thrilled to make her escape.

…

Booth read the brief e-mail and couldn’t hold back the smile.

Cinderella’s gorgeous underneath all that black, brown, and gray. Just need to work my magic and she’ll be ready for the sales conference.

He knew damn well that Camryn was gorgeous and also knew Sinclair was far more enamored of his frustrating subject than he let on. None of which changed the fact that the woman had “infuriating” down to a science. For a woman who had spent the last decade executing financial strategies that would make a Nobel Prize–winning economist weep, she was damned frustrating when it came to her own life. And Booth was paying the price.

Pocketing his phone, Booth walked up to the doorman of Camryn’s prewar apartment building. “I’m here to see Camryn McBride.”

The grizzled man’s eyes widened slightly but other than that small tell, his face was a mask of indifference. “Is Ms. McBride expecting you?”

“No, but there’s a member of my team already with her for a meeting. I’m joining them.”

The impassive facade never wavered, but the answer clearly satisfied him enough to lift the phone at his station. “Your name, sir?”

“Booth Harrison.”

“One moment.”

Booth stepped back in the illusion of courtesy, but he knew exactly how the whispered conversation would go. And he knew he was close to victory when the doorman’s head nodded slightly.

“You may go up, sir. Apartment 14D.”

“Thanks.” Booth nodded but held his smile until the elevator doors closed behind him. It was time to up the stakes.

His smile faded a few minutes later as Camryn stood on the other side of her open door. “What are you doing here?”

“Is that any way to talk to your travel buddy?”

“Let me amend that.” Heat crept up her neck. “Booth. It’s lovely to see you at two o’clock in the afternoon. On a Tuesday. What brings you to my home instead of your standard Tuesday afternoon appointment to take over the world?”

“I just report on the folks taking over the world.”

“Oh, don’t use that ‘aw shucks Clark Kent’ spiel on me. I know better. World domination is definitely in your plans if that recent rumor about your interest in joining Nathan in his hotel line is any indication.”

“Since I suspect you heard it from Keira and Nathan, it’s hardly a rumor.”

“She mentioned it at dinner the other night.”

Booth was secretly pleased she’d kept tabs on him, even if it was just about his business interests. “May I come in?”

She stepped back. “Since you’re here.”

Undeterred, he moved into the hallway and saw several rooms shooting off the main stretch of hardwood. “How’s everything going with Sinclair?”

“Is that why you’re here?” Camryn turned away from the door, her hands finding their way to her hips. “To spy on me?”

“I was actually concerned I’d get here to find you trying to figure out where to hide the body.”

“Sinclair’s lovely.”

“He’s a pit bull. Which is why he’s outstanding at what he does, but ‘lovely’ is hardly an apt descriptor.”

“I left him about a half hour ago so I could get some work done. He was hunting through the back of my closet the last I checked.” Booth didn’t miss the irritation in her eyes. “This is a waste of time, you know that. I’ve got a perfectly appropriate wardrobe and all I’m doing is giving a speech, not participating in a modeling shoot.”

Booth had no problem with her clothing—her prim and proper business suits had been making him hot for the better part of a year—but he felt honor-bound to give Sinclair his due. “He’s got a vision for the sales meeting. Surely you can’t deny the man his vision?”

“He’s obsessed with my shoes.”

Booth couldn’t resist making a show of staring at her legs. “I can’t say I blame him.”

“You’re an odd man.” A mischievous light hit her dark eyes. “A determined one, but odd all the same.”

Determined wasn’t even the half of it.

He’d been counting the days until they could get out of town and resume their exploration of something private together. “Determination leads to action. But putting that aside, I’m a red-blooded American male who can appreciate a woman’s legs when she wears heels. Add on the fact that we’re headed to Hawaii and it gives you natural permission to let your hair down.”

With one last bemused shake of her head, Camryn lead him to a small bedroom outfitted as her home office. Her thin, sleek laptop was open on a small writing desk, a notepad by its side. A stack of folders, all neatly ordered, sat on the edge of the desk. Other than those few items, nothing was out of place. Instead, the room held a quiet grace that had her subtle style stamped across every inch of it.

“So if you’re not here to spy on me or seduce me, why are you here?”

His thoughts momentarily fumbled at the word seduce, but he forced himself to keep it together. “I’ve got a business proposition for you.”

Her gaze sharpened with interest as she gestured him to the couch. “Oh?”

“I’ve secured a business meeting Friday in San Francisco with a team of Asian investors. They’re interested in expanding their business interests and would be more than open to meeting with multiple media companies on their visit to the States. I think they’re contacts you’d like to have and I’d like you to join me.”

“I can hardly say no.”

“I know.” Booth knew the opportunity to meet such a lucrative media team from overseas would entice her to join him. And regardless of the interest brewing between them, he knew Camryn was an incredible asset to take to the meeting. The time together was simply an added benefit.

“I’ve got the jet ready to depart first thing Friday morning. Can you juggle your day to join me?”

A distinct haze of cursing floated from the depths of the apartment and Camryn turned toward it with a wry eye. “If you can persuade Sinclair to speed it up, then yes, I can make it work.”

The cursing got louder as the man in question made his way toward the office. “Oh. Booth. You’re here.”

“What’s wrong?” Camryn stood up. “Did something happen?”

“Other than the fact I may go into a month long depression at the sea of drab colors in your closet?”

Booth didn’t miss the grimace or the embarrassed blush that crept up her neck. “I’ve told you. I like what’s in my closet.”

“Yes, well, we’ve got to go shopping. I’ve got us an appointment at Armani in less than an hour.”

“If you’d looked at any of those professional colors, you would have noticed that I’ve got several beautiful pieces of Armani in the always-efficient and fashionable black.”

“You’re headed to Hawaii. Black doesn’t work in Hawaii.”

“So you’ve told me.” Camryn’s tone was dry as day-old toast. “Regardless. Why do we need to go anywhere? We’ve got plenty of Armani in the fashion closet over at McBride. We’ve also got Gucci, Carolina Herrera, and about every other designer you can name.”

Sinclair’s eyes lit up with a degree of avarice Booth hadn’t even seen at the high-limit tables in Vegas. “What are we waiting for?”

Camryn shot him a helpless look and Booth couldn’t hold back the grin. “Well, clearly you’re in very capable hands. And since you’ve found a way to streamline the afternoon, I’ll plan on seeing you Friday morning. The car will pick you up at six.”

“Do I need to prepare anything for the meeting?”

“Is there any figure on your business or the industry you can’t quote from memory?”

“No.”

“Then just bring yourself.”

“Your newly clad self,” Sinclair added for good measure.

Camryn shot the small man a dirty look before crossing the room. “Booth. I’ll see you out.”

He followed her down the hall, unable to see a single problem with the trim black skirt that framed her heart-shaped ass to perfection.

When they got to the front door, she turned toward him. “Thanks again for the opportunity to join you.”

“It’s my pleasure. And look, I’m sorry about Sinclair.”

“I’m not quite sure why he’s taken such an interest in me.”

“His heart’s in the right place. Consider him a necessary evil.”

She laughed at that, a deep, rich sound that grabbed him by the balls and hung on tight.

Damn, but she was sexy. He knew this attraction was madness but God help him he couldn’t quite shake the desire to spend time with her.

So instead, he leaned forward and took the opportunity to kiss her on the cheek, lingering over the moment before he dropped his voice to a husky whisper. “I’ll see you Friday. Don’t beat up Sinclair too badly.”

Her eyes clouded with confusion as he pulled back and stepped through the door, and Booth counted the moment a personal victory. Especially when he took in the small line that furrowed itself between her slender dark eyebrows.

Just as he was about to break his arm with the self-congratulations, a broad smile spread across her face, tinged with clearly wicked overtones. “I’ll be gentle. Unless he decides to pick out my underwear.”

She shut the door on him before he could respond.

***

Camryn’s heart still raced an hour later as she continued to replay the moments with Booth in her mind. Damn, how did the man manage to mix her up so badly? And what was with that moment at her door?

I’ll be gentle. Unless he decides to pick out my underwear.

Had she really said that? Like the texts of a few weeks ago, it was like some impish urge had taken hold of her mouth.

No matter how hard she tried, she simply couldn’t get her footing with Booth. Lust wasn’t the most rational reason for causing possible upheaval to her life.

But it would be damn fun.

Shaking it off, she keyed back in on the problem that was currently wasting her afternoon. Camryn knew her wardrobe was plain, but she was a financial professional for heaven’s sake, not a fashion model. She left the flashy colors to her sisters and was just fine with that. Keira was their CEO and the fashion-forward face of McBride Media. Mayson was their marketing guru. Both needed to project that fiery passion that drew the eye.

She, on the other hand, needed to make investors feel comfortable signing over their money. It was a role she excelled at. A role she enjoyed.

And in the last two weeks, a role she’d begun to wonder if she hid behind.

The loud sighs of ecstasy coming from the far side of the fashion closet pulled her from her reverie. “Closet” was something of an understatement, Camryn knew, but it’s what they called the large room that housed all the various fashion samples that came to McBride Media each and every month for possible use in their magazines.

“This. Is. Gorgeous.” Sinclair had a handful of clothing slung over his arm as he came around the back side of an overstuffed rack of clothes, waving a dress in a particularly beautiful and eye-catching shade of green in his hand.

“The Gucci is fabulous.”

“It is completely fabulous and you’re wearing it to your dinner Friday night.”

“I’m not wearing a dress without a shoulder to meet a group of investors.”

“You most certainly are.” Sinclair shoved the dress at her as he pointed to a dressing room. “Go put it on.”

“It’s a business dinner.”

“And you will look both gorgeous and professional.” He waved a hand. “Now go.”

“I have a very suitable cocktail dress to wear to dinner,” she hollered over her shoulder as she marched to the changing area.

“Which you won’t be wearing. I know that dress is your size and you’re going to accessorize it with those strappy Prada pumps I pulled out of your closet right before we left.”

The urge to argue rose up but she tamped down on it. The man was clearly not going to be satisfied until she acquiesced to his bidding, and she had a four o’clock meeting she wanted to get to on time.

Camryn made quick work of her blouse and skirt, then pulled the sheath on over her head. The material slid down her body like a caress—over her breasts, stomach, and hips—and an image of Booth’s hands on her skin rose up to fill her thoughts. With a heated shiver, she forced the erotic image from her mind and turned toward the mirror.

It was only when she caught sight of herself that she took in a sharp breath. She looked…hot.

Still professional, but hot, too.

The dress hit just above the knee, leaving her legs bare. The single shoulder she’d already determined couldn’t be sticking out all by itself for her business dinner looked sleek and elegant and an image of herself in the vivid green, surrounded by a sea of men dressed in business suits, filled her mind’s eye.

“Come on out.”

“Sinclair, I’m not sure.”

“Out. Now.”

Camryn kept the sigh to herself and pulled back the heavy curtain in her dressing room. She wanted to muster an argument as to why she shouldn’t wear the dress, but the little devil on her shoulder—her very bare shoulder—kept forcing the image of her amid the suits to the forefront of her mind.

“You look amazing.”

“It’s an important dinner.”

“And you’re going to wow them.” As if he understood her hesitation, Sinclair walked up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. “Both before and after you open your mouth. There’s nothing that impresses a man like a beautiful woman who can think for herself.”

Camryn wasn’t so sure about that, but the longer she stood there in the dress, the more she was positive she couldn’t not wear it. If for no other reason than to see the look in Booth Harrison’s liquid blue gaze when he saw her walk into the room.

Chapter Four

“Shirley in layout told Marie in web development who told Sean in sales that you were trying on dresses in the fashion closet.”

Camryn glanced up from a stack of paperwork as Mayson walked into her office and dropped into a chair opposite the desk. “I’m so happy to hear the grapevine is alive and well when we have six magazines to put to press tonight.”

“What’s going on? You avoid the fashion closet like there’s a snake lurking around your feet, tempting you out of the Garden of Eden.”

“I do not.”

Mayson leaned forward on her pregnant belly. “Then why didn’t you take that divine Chanel suit I told you about last month?”

“I won’t risk my reputation as the financial officer of the company, taking free gifts.”

Mayson’s eyebrows shot toward her hairline. “It’s not free gifts if you’re one of the reasons the designers send their wares our way. They want to be featured in our magazines and on the high-powered news makers who run the company.” She pointed toward her rounded belly. “And they’re certainly not for me right now.”

“You look gorgeous and you’re glowing.”

“I feel glowy, but it doesn’t change the fact I won’t see one of the sizes occupying the fashion closet for many more months. If ever.”

Camryn couldn’t hold back the smile—or the excitement—at the evidence she’d soon be an aunt. Although Mayson and her new husband, Holt, had experienced their challenges, they were well on their way to their happy ever after. Or happy “to be together for whatever life threw their way” ever after, which was really the whole point of commitment anyway.

“I’ve selected a few items for my event with the Financial Journal,” she admitted.

“Sean said there was a man accompanying you in the fashion closet. Put me out of my misery and tell me you got it on with Booth Harrison in there.”

“Mayson!”

Her younger sister had the good graces to look moderately embarrassed. “Sorry.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Okay. Not much. But tell me. Was it Booth?”

“No.”

Confusion stamped itself momentarily in Mayson’s eyes before she barreled forward with the inquisition. “So who was it?”

Camryn closed the lid of her laptop, resigned she’d not get through the rest of the day’s work if she didn’t indulge her sister. “Sinclair Preston. From the FJ.”

“What was he doing here?”

“He’s responsible for the event in Hawaii and is also coordinating my upcoming interview pieces for the FJ online. He also felt my wardrobe needed an upgrade prior to departing for Hawaii.”

Mayson’s closed lips and sudden interest in a magazine prototype on the edge of the desk were clear giveaways she was firmly in Camp Sinclair.

“I know that look.”

“What look?”

“The one that says you wish I’d wear a color other than black.”

“Black is the absence of color.”

Camryn tossed a foamy, lightweight stress ball at her sister. “See. I knew you had an opinion.”

“I just think you’re a beautiful woman and you will look even more beautiful in something colorful.” Mayson leaned as far forward as her current condition would allow. “So what are you taking for the trip?”

Camryn pointed to the seating area on the far side of her office. “It’s all over there on the couch.”

“I’m calling Keira for this.”

Before Camryn could protest, Mayson had the phone off its cradle and was speed-dialing their oldest sister. With a resigned shake of her head, Camryn crossed to the small fridge she kept next to her credenza and pulled out a few bottled waters. Might as well keep the natives hydrated while she gave them her fashion report.

The caps were barely off the bottles when Keira barreled into the room. “What’d I miss?”

“I thought you had to leave for Europe.” Camryn knew her tone was harsh but she didn’t understand why they were making such a fuss.

Keira waved it off as she snagged a water. “I leave tomorrow. And what’d I miss?”

“Camryn’s bringing her A-game to Hawaii.” Mayson’s voice rang out with a gleeful chortle. “I’m sure your brother-in-law is going to approve most heartily.”

Keira’s smile was subtler than their younger sister’s, but Camryn didn’t miss the pleasure she took in the prospect. “Camryn always brings her A-game. Tell me more.”

Camryn picked up the clothing bag Sinclair had used to wrap up what she’d begun thinking of as her trousseau. “I picked out a few outfits for the trip to Hawaii. It’s no big deal.”

Ever the voice of reason, Keira pointed toward the garment bag as she walked toward it. “Can we see them?”

“Of course.”

Keira helped her unzip the bag and Camryn couldn’t hold back her own smile at the collective sigh over the green Gucci dress.

“Oh, Cam. That’s gorgeous.” Mayson’s voice was breathless and Camryn was pretty sure it wasn’t from her pregnancy.

Keira picked up the hem of the dress and held it up. “It is, which is why we featured it a few months ago. And I’ve no doubt it looks gorgeous on you.”

“It looks good.”

“Not it,” Mayson corrected. “You.”

A small giggle welled in her throat. “Okay. Me. I look damn fine in it, as a matter of fact.”

“Of course you do.” No one could miss the notes of approval in Mayson’s voice, or her broad smile as she lifted her water bottle to her lips.

“Which is why,” Keira added, “Booth won’t be able to take his eyes off of you.”

“That’s not why I’m doing this.” Camryn wasn’t sure why she was holding back on her sisters. The three of them were as tight as the proverbial Musketeers and her sisters had shared their ups and downs on the path to true love.

Why was she so reticent to even admit what was going on with Booth?

Because it’s not going to last.

Her sisters had moved on with their lives. They’d fallen in love with men who had fallen in love with them. Heck, her baby sister was going to be a mother. What they had was real.

Talking about a having a fling with a man sounded like something out of college. It was frivolous and silly. And Camryn made a point to never be either of those things.

As she ran a hand over the vivid green silk, though, she couldn’t help but wonder what it might be like to be silly and frivolous.

Just once.

…

I hope you know avoidance is an aphrodisiac.

Camryn stared at the text message currently lighting up the face of her phone. Like clockwork, Booth texted her every night around ten. And no matter how many times she told herself she needed to stay strong and ignore his messages, she always answered.

I’m working, not avoiding.

It was the truth. She had a lot to do before leaving for Hawaii. And she was wrapping up a quarterly earnings report. And she still needed to run five-year projections on a new title they wanted to launch the following spring. And the Morrison deal was so close to closing she could taste it.

And, and, and…

You’re always working. Play hooky and get a drink with me.

The temptation Booth offered was strong, but she held back. They’d see each other soon enough. In the meantime, flirty texts would have to do.

Hooky’s for bad girls.

She barely had to wait for the response.

Tell me more.

A burst of laughter escaped her lips and Camryn knew she had asked for that response. She tapped her lips, trying to come up with something as flirty as the bad girl comment, when a hard knock came on her door. Her doorman hadn’t buzzed her, so the knock was especially strange.

She padded from her office and down the hall, tempted to call the doorman when the knock came again. “Camryn. It’s me. Booth.”

A quick glance down at her Amherst T-shirt, sweatpants, and thick socks had her nearly reconsidering the door, but she ignored the urge to hide. If he wanted to show up unannounced, then he had to deal with the consequences.

“Hi.”

His smile was broad as he held up a bottle of wine. “I brought hooky to you.”

“That’s generous.” She stepped back and allowed him in. “What brings you out so late?”

“I, too, had a late night at the office and decided to play a hunch.”

She gestured for him to follow her down the hall to her kitchen. “What hunch was that?”

“That you’d put me out of my texting misery and have a drink with me.”

“As you can see, I’m dressed in the height of fashion for late-night drinks.”

His voice whispered over her ear as he leaned in behind her. “You look spectacular.”

“Booth.” She turned at the door, effectively blocking the entrance. “You can’t keep pushing this.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s complicated. I’m not even dressed for a date.”

“So get undressed.”

The comment came back so fast, she could only goggle at him, slightly dumbfounded. “I’m sorry?”

“I think you look fantastic, but if you don’t like it, change it. Or change out of it.”

He wiggled his eyebrows and she couldn’t hold on to her annoyance—or concerns about her outfit—at his funny gesture. “Clothing isn’t optional this evening.”

“Pity.” He glanced around, his gaze taking in the kitchen. “You have a great apartment. I only got to see part of it when Sinclair was here. Show me the rest.”

She couldn’t help but shake her head. “You don’t give up, do you?”

“Not when there’s something I want.” He leaned in once more and her pulse kicked up to double time. “And I most definitely want you.”

“You tell that sob story to my doorman? I’m surprised he let you up unannounced.”

“Mrs. Foxworthy in Apartment 12F let me up. We met in the elevator when I was here the other day and she’s obviously taken a shine to me. She saw me in the lobby and vouched for me.”

“Watch out there. She’s a saucy widow known for her cougar-like tendencies.” Camryn allowed her gaze to linger on his broad shoulders and the narrow waist that was visible where his suit jacket hung open.

“So I gathered.” He slapped the back of his hand to his forehead. “And while I feel slightly cheap and used, she did get me up here unannounced so I’ll consider it time well spent.”

“You really are a nut.”

“I had to be, growing up in my family.” He set the bottle down on the counter. “Come on. Show me around. This is a Classic Eight, right?”

“Yes.” The same sensation she’d experienced before—something like Dorothy being pulled up into the tornado funnel—filled her but she couldn’t deny that spending time with Booth was far more interesting than the paperwork she’d brought home.

“Lots of room for one person.”

“It was my grandmother’s apartment. She’d grown up here and she and my grandfather maintained it. I’ve done some updating, but the floors and the crown moldings are original.”

His appreciation for the space and questions carried them through the apartment until they came once again to her office. “So this is where you work your magic?”

“It’s my quiet space.”

Booth walked to the window. “I bet it’s got great lighting during the day.”

“On the rare days I’m home to see it? Yes.” She’d meant the words as a joke, but as soon as they left her lips, Camryn knew they held a resounding ring of truth.

If Booth had any reaction to her words, he held it back and instead used her comment to his advantage. “Let’s have that drink.”

He followed her back down the hallway to the kitchen and she marveled at the strange rush of emotion. Their conversation was comfortable and easy, yet there was that subtle tension that always spiked between them that she was unable to ignore.

“You’ve made this space your own. The vibrant color and the bold walls. It’s you.”

“Thank you.”

She allowed him to deal with the cork as she pulled wineglasses from the cabinets. The moment held a quiet domesticity and her thoughts filled with what it would be like to have a partner. Someone to share her evenings with, even if it was just a quiet night at home.

Especially if it was just a quiet night at home. It would be…nice. Lovely, actually.

Shaking off the fanciful thoughts, she handed Booth the glasses and he handed one back a moment later, filled with a pretty pinot noir. Lifting his glass to hers, his smile had the telltale signs of something wicked. “To technology.”

“Technology? That’s a unique thing to toast.”

“Text technology, specifically.” He clinked his glass against her still one.

“That’s been…I mean, it’s…”

“Fun.” That wicked glint never left his eyes, but he added a cocky smile to complete the package. He pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “You should try it more often.”

And there it was. That whisper of censure that she always sensed in others. She wasn’t fun enough. Her clothes weren’t vibrant enough. She didn’t loosen up enough.

She kept her smile firmly in place and made sure the toast stayed light, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t shake the slightest sense of disappointment.

When would she be enough?

“Why doesn’t anyone ever think I’m having fun?”

“Because you’re not.”

“Excuse me?”

“I know what fun looks like and you, woman, aren’t having it.”

“This is a stupid conversation.” Camryn fought the urge to pace and instead pulled out one of the kitchen chairs. “I have plenty of fun. You’re just pissed I haven’t given in and chosen to have fun with you.”

“You have a point.” Booth took the chair next to hers so they were seated date-style at the small table. “But my point goes well beyond sleeping together, which, for the record, will be a lot of fun. And sexy. And hot. But I digress.”

The promise in his eyes—shining brightly through the subtly teasing words—shot straight to her core and Camryn nearly tossed caution to the winds and leaped into his arms. Instead, she refastened her armor and stared down her nose, suddenly terrified at her inability to resist him. “So back to your point?”

“You’re bright and vibrant and you seem content to let everyone else have all the fun.”

“I’m not unhappy with my life.”

“Oh no?”

That subtle layer of fear—of feeling exposed and naked and vulnerable—grew deeper, lighting up her spine in a shiver. “I hardly think you’ve got a right to—”

He leaned forward and pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her words as the pad of his finger traced the fullness of her lower lip. “It’s just an observation, Camryn. But if you’re so upset about it, prove me wrong.”

…

Camryn stared at her monthly advertising spreadsheet and forced her eyes to uncross. Booth hadn’t stayed long after his request the night before that she prove him wrong, and she’d tossed and turned the rest of the night.

On a heavy sigh, she looked once more at the spreadsheet. The ongoing report detailed how much they’d made by advertiser, by category, and by month, and every single row and column was in the black. So why was the urge to toss her laptop out the window more appealing than diving into the numbers?

She and her sisters had worked long and hard to be in this position. Hell, there’d been a time when she checked the numbers daily, willing them to grow.

Willing the numbers to prove a future for McBride Media.

Willing a future for herself.

“Got what you asked for and then some,” she muttered to herself before rubbing her eyes.

At the beginning, she, Keira, and Mayson had endured several tense months, desperate to prove to their father—and themselves—that they could make something of the company. When had that become so unfulfilling?

She’d done a fair amount of soul-searching over the last year as she watched her sisters move on to the next phase of their lives. At first, she’d worried the subtle disillusionment that colored her days had been because of her sisters’ new lives. She’d believed herself above pettiness, but Camryn was only human.

But her dissatisfaction with life had been hovering in the back of her mind for while now, long before Keira and Mayson found their husbands. The moment she’d realized it, she’d been forced to own the fact that her disillusionment ran a whole lot deeper and had its roots in her breakup with Matt.

The love of her life…until he wasn’t.

Even now, nearly a decade later, that subtle bitterness when she thought of him wouldn’t quite vanish. That he could tell her he loved her—hell, propose to her even, and begin planning their life together—then abandon her when her entire life crumbled around her mother’s illness.

At the moment she’d needed him most he’d walked away. And way down deep inside, in those places that truly counted no matter how hard she tried to keep them locked up tight, that truth hurt. It had been a raw admittance, but a necessary one.

She brushed her hair behind her ear and refocused on the spreadsheet. “And yet another jaunt down memory lane you really don’t have time for.”

She’d nearly completed reviewing their portfolio of car advertisers when her phone rang. Still caught up in just how large the column of numbers was, she didn’t even glance at the caller ID. “Camryn McBride.”

“West Harrison.”

The cool tone, filled with pompous authority, snapped her out of the column of numbers as little else could have. “West. It’s good to hear from you.”

Her dinner at Keira and Nathan’s had served up more than her fill of West Harrison for a while and she’d thought she wouldn’t need to deal with him again until Hawaii.

Clearly she’d been far too optimistic.

“What can I do for you?”

“I think it’s what I can do for you.”

Anger balled in her throat but she kept her tone civil and added a subtle lightness around the edges. “Come now, you know never to tease a CFO like that.”

He didn’t laugh, nor had she expected him to, but his tone softened a notch. “I’m calling about Hawaii.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“Our team at the FJ is not like your people at McBride. We’re a financial paper. There’s a gravitas to what we do that you’re likely not used to.”

“We do have a biweekly financial magazine that’s rather hard-hitting, in addition to our newsweekly. Not every property at McBride media is fashion and celebrities.” Even if both industries drive a heck of a lot of big business, she thought, but kept it to herself.

“We’re a daily financial newspaper. The markets look to us as they make decisions. It’s a bit different.”

While she knew West’s modus operandi was to bully and intimidate his opponents, she couldn’t help but question if the reason for his call went deeper. Although her normal reaction would be to simply ignore West, trivializing his need for the call, an image of Booth rose up in her mind’s eye, stopping her.

Booth wasn’t dismissive of her. Nor did he seem to feel his own personal power and success hinged on bringing down others. In fact, despite his willingness to overtly express his interest in her, she felt a true sincerity in him when he’d invited her to speak in Hawaii.

“West, while I respect each business has its unique challenges, the focus of my keynote will be about team-building and about helping each other find success.”

The heavy snort that echoed in her ear told her all she needed to know. “Team-building. We sell papers. To individuals. What the hell do we need a team for?”

“Surely you of all people know the value of making people feel like they’re a cohesive unit, all working together toward the same goal.”

“Touchy-feely bullshit, if you ask me.”

“I’m afraid you’re just going to have to live with it because that’s what I’m focusing on for the talk. You’re taking a significant number of staff members on a rather expensive trip. Surely you hope they come back invigorated to help grow your business.”

“Of course.”

She flirted momentarily with saying nothing further, but the small, impulsive part of herself she kept in check finally broke free. “What’s the real reason for your call? I don’t think it’s to argue the merits of Team-Building 101.”

“What do you and Booth have going on?”

“You mean other than the fact that we now share family members?”

“You can cut the cheek with me. I see how he looks at you, and you’re looking right back.”

She covered the mouthpiece with her hand and let out a hard breath. What in the hell was this about? Composing herself, she kept her tone neutral, unwilling to give a single inch. “Nothing’s going on.”

“I have eyes.”

“So do I and at the moment they’re looking at a rather extensive spreadsheet. One that requires at least three more hours of work before I head home.”

“He’s only invited you because he wants to take this damn flirtation to another level.”

Doubt flooded her system, her mouth going dry at the thought that she was simply a pawn in a carefully orchestrated seduction attempt by Booth Harrison. Was that really the only reason he’d invited her? And had she ignored the signs, allowing flattery at being asked to overwhelm her common sense?

West did have a point. She and Booth did have a flirtation, no matter how much she wanted to think otherwise. And frankly, when the sexy texts were flying, Camryn had to admit to herself she really didn’t want to think otherwise. She wanted to enjoy herself and feel young and carefree and desired. Memories of her and Booth’s lunch with Sinclair floated through her mind’s eyes, snatching on wisps of conversation. You want to inspire them? Tell them how you fought my brother.

She’d seen the very real pride in Booth’s eyes and had felt his approval like a brand.

Camryn let that moment linger, filling her up until it banished the self-doubt West was attempting to pull forward. Booth might want her on a personal level, but the invitation to Hawaii was real. She’d do well to remember that and not give West Harrison the satisfaction of playing his mind games.

“Your son is a grown man who can make his own decisions, so why aren’t you having this discussion with him?”

“Boy’s hardheaded and stubborn. He won’t listen.”

“Yet I’m fair game?” The words lashed out and for the briefest moment she felt like she was talking to her own father. Andrew McBride had spent more than a few conversations over the years attempting to verbally batter her and her sisters into submission around how he thought things should be done.

“I don’t beat around the bush and I tell it like I see it.”

“Maybe you don’t see as much as you think you do.”

“I see damn fine, Camryn McBride.”

“Then believe me when I say my trip to Hawaii has no hidden agenda.”

“If you really believe that then you’re not the coolheaded business woman I took you for.”

“And that’s where we end this conversation.”

“You think so?”

“I know so. I couldn’t care less if you give me any credit for my business skills or what I can bring to the sales conference. But I’d think you’d be willing to give more credit to your son. How sad to find out I was wrong on that score.”

“I give my son plenty of credit.”

“You could have fooled me.”

…

Booth announced himself to the doorman in Camryn’s building. He hadn’t been back since their late-night wine date, but the texting had continued. Messages just sexual enough to ensure she was interested.

If only he could get past the resistance her mind kept putting up. He also couldn’t quite shake the sense that he’d overstepped the other night in her apartment. It wasn’t anything overt, but something had subtly shifted as they drank the wine, and he desperately wanted to make it right.

The doorman had his phone in hand to call Camryn’s apartment when the elevators opened and she stepped off. Booth met her in the lobby and took the handle of her rolling suitcase. “Good morning.”

“Morning.” She was perfectly made-up and her suit was pristine and pressed, but he didn’t miss the husky growl in her voice.

“So this is how pleasant high-powered financial executives are at six a.m.?”

“I am incapable of speech before a cup of coffee, often two. Since I finally went to bed at one a.m., it’s likely going to take three this morning.”

“Will the large latte sitting in the car do the trick?”

Her dark eyes perked up at that and he saw her first tentative smile. “You bet your ass it will.”

“Grumpy with a potty mouth first thing in the morning.” He leaned in and pressed a chaste kiss on her cheek. “I like it.”

She shot him a gimlet eye, but walked through the door her doorman held open without a word. Booth winked at the doorman as he passed behind her and got a broad smile as evidence the man was in on the joke.

He settled behind her in the car as the doorman made quick work of stowing her bags, and then they were off.

“One extra large latte, coming up.”

“Thank you.” Their fingers brushed as she took the cup and Booth enjoyed the light little zing at the contact.

“You’re welcome.” Booth reached for his own coffee, his sole indulgence of the day. A small coffee full of heavy cream and chocolate.

Camryn eyed his small cup. “That’s all you need?”

“It’s all I allow myself. There’s a difference.”

“Coffee’s not bad for you.”

“It is when the only way you can stomach it is with whipped cream and chocolate.”

“Is that why you didn’t have any at Keira and Nathan’s dinner party?”

“You noticed.”

She snapped her mouth closed and turned toward the window. They rode in quiet silence as their driver took them through the early-morning streets of Manhattan. Booth loved this time of day, as the city was waking up. While New York might be the city that never slept, it did slow down overnight. And early morning was the best time to see it spring back to life.

She finally turned away from the view as they crossed the bridge out of the city. “Thanks for indulging me. I’m nearly human now.”

“Clearly the extra shot of espresso did the trick.”

“It never hurts.”

Booth focused on her, the heavy sweep of dark curls that fell over her shoulder catching his eye and making him wish he could reach out and rub one of those curls between his fingers. He already knew they’d be soft and silky. Just like her skin. “Why were you up until one in the morning?”

“Work.”

While he knew the McBride trio had a reputation for being hard, tireless workers, 1:00 a.m. was a bit much to ask of anyone. He couldn’t resist lightly poking her. “You’re the head of the company. Maybe you should do something about those hours.”

“Things needed taking care of.”

“No one you can hand it to?” He kept his question casual, but the answer was suddenly very important to him.

The yawn she was delicately hiding behind her hand ended abruptly. “I had work, Booth. A few things that needed taking care of before I went off for the long weekend.”

“I’m not suggesting otherwise.”

“You’re not?”

“It just seemed a bit excessive. I’d expect you have team members who can give you a hand. Allow you to be gone for a single day without causing a massive crisis.”

He could actually see the responses flit through her mind before she spoke. “I prefer to take care of my responsibilities on my own.”

“Fair enough.”

He wasn’t sure why he was picking a fight with her. Aside from the early hour, he was the reason she was missing a day and he wasn’t likely to win any points baiting her. And certainly not before she’d had her requisite cups of coffee.

Ever the diplomat, she changed the subject as effortlessly as she tossed that luscious mane behind her shoulder. “So tell me a bit about these investors. I reviewed the e-mail you sent me and did a quick review of them online, but would love to get your impressions.”

They spent the remainder of the ride to the airport discussing the various individuals they’d be having dinner with. Booth had found them to be a fair group so far and he was interested in learning more about their ambitions.

He expanded on his e-mail, sharing thoughts and impressions, and was once again impressed by her sharp mind and how agilely she moved through a conversation. From questions on distribution plans, editorial capabilities, and printing and digital expertise, she proved yet again why she had become such a force to be reckoned with in their industry. Camryn McBride was the entire package—a smart and savvy businesswoman who contributed to a discussion with her entire focus.

By the time the driver was lifting their bags from the trunk, Booth had a contact for a printer upstate that could cut his costs by 5 percent a quarter and a lingering question for his lawyer on a deferred annuity program he could consider for his company’s high performers.

Booth extended a hand, allowing her to go first up the steps of the jet’s boarding ladder. “You’re full of ideas. And you were surprised a few weeks ago when I was so willing to share.”

“Ideas are everywhere. Hoarding them doesn’t benefit anyone and it certainly won’t help our industry grow.”

“We’re certainly different from our parents’ generation.” In the moments he’d been able to get his thoughts off his attraction to her, Booth couldn’t ignore how interesting it was that their lives had so many similarities. Children of powerful families. A fierce urge to carve out their own paths and roads to success. And an undying dedication to proving themselves.

Booth saw the tilt of her head and the quick flash of interest that leaped into her gaze. “I guess we are. Maybe we’ve learned from their mistakes.”

“Some of their mistakes, at least.” Although his father’s business practices were legendary, some of West Harrison’s other behaviors had garnered even more attention.

“You’re talking about Nathan?”

He winced a little. “Is it that obvious?”

“More that I know the situation. So much of his adult life has been about proving himself. It’s hard to be the abandoned son, the result of an affair.”

“I won’t argue that and I’ve never walked in Nathan’s shoes, but being the family heir’s not all it’s cracked up to be, either.”

“I’m sorry.”

He shrugged, unsure why he’d even started down that road in the first place. “That’s having West Harrison for a father.”

…

His words hovered between them as she and Booth fastened their seat belts. Camryn hadn’t missed the undisguised regret on Booth’s face, erasing the smooth, easy smile he’d held while flirting with her over coffee and replacing it with hard, stoic lines that bracketed his mouth. She sensed he’d like to take back the words about his father, but she didn’t press the point as their flight attendant entered the cabin to ask if they wanted fresh coffees and breakfast after takeoff.

Within moments, her breakfast order was in and the promise of her next cup of coffee was on its way and it was too late to ask Booth to go back to the subject of his father. But she was curious.

Although Keira had always been discreet, respecting Nathan’s privacy, West’s behavior and attitudes weren’t secret. Nathan was West’s illegitimate son and Camryn knew he’d struggled for a long time to garner his father’s approval, before giving up altogether to make a go of his life alone. That blind ambition had nearly ruined Nathan and Keira’s relationship and had almost taken McBride Media down in the process. Thankfully, their love had been strong enough to withstand the pressure. But none of it changed the fact that West had made life hard on Nathan and, if Booth’s careless comment was any indication, for his legitimate heir, too.

Hell, he’d already attempted to challenge her as well, if the unexpected call the night before was any indication.

The smell of fresh croissants floated toward them fifteen minutes later as the plane leveled out. Booth’s voice pulled her from her thoughts and the view of New Jersey getting increasingly smaller beneath them. “I got an e-mail from Sinclair late last night. He’s incredibly excited about your keynote speech.”

“He’s quite the character. I’m surprised he fits in with a culture like the Financial Journal.”

“We’re not all stuffed shirts.”

“No, but your reputation as a media company committed to reporting on the bottom line of the world’s corporations and financial markets suggests a certain propriety.”

“Like your wardrobe?”

Camryn didn’t miss the twinkle in his blue eyes and felt herself falling under his spell all over again. How did he manage to do that? A few sweet words, veiled in a light tease, and every single feminine instinct she had went onto high alert, like a dog on a scent. Only a bit classier than that, she amended to herself. She was past these sorts of feelings. The first blush of youth was long gone and while thirty-one certainly wasn’t old, she also wasn’t ready to let her hormones lead her around on a short leash.

Of course, the very fact she was fully in control of her life made his seductive offer of exploring where things could go between them that much more appealing.

His next words broke the spell. “Don’t forget, my father’s interests run far deeper than the FJ and its various extensions. We also own a highly lucrative movie and TV business with extensive production facilities.”

“Ah yes. The flashy side of the house. Your sisters are involved with that part of the business, yes?”

“Stepsisters.”

Once again, she got that nagging sense Booth struggled with some serious demons with respect to his father. As if catching himself, he added, “My father and mother divorced years ago and he remarried when I was in high school. The girls are Marjorie’s daughters.”

The knowledge that the girls were West Harrison’s stepdaughters made it easier to understand why Keira hadn’t spoken much of them. By choice, up until recently, Nathan had little to do with his father’s life. It made sense he certainly wouldn’t have taken part in West’s second marriage and resulting life.

Even if it was a bit sad, Camryn couldn’t help thinking.

She knew full well families held all sorts of dramas—and hers was no exception—but it always seemed a shame when the people supposed to love each other the most did the worst damage.

“Where did you go?” Booth’s gentle tone interrupted her thoughts.

“Just thinking.”

“About?”

“What a unique thing families are.”

“You’ve got a good one, from all accounts. I’ve never seen my brother so happy and you and your sisters make quite the united front.”

“We banded together early. Our relationship with our father needs serious work, but I also know Keira, Mayson, and I are closer than most. We’re lucky.”

Booth reached for the bottle of water that had been left for them in their seats prior to takeoff. “What made you and your sisters so close?”

“Likely a combination of things. We’re fairly close in age, so the standard things sisters do always came naturally to us. Sharing clothes and grumping over homework and that sort of thing. But when my mom got sick, we got really close.”

“You all suffered a terrible pain losing her.”

“We did.” Camryn thought back to those dark times, when they got through each day by simply putting one foot in front of the other. The aggressive cancer had come on quickly and the only grace Camryn had ever been able to take from it was that her mother didn’t suffer for long.

Suddenly uncomfortable with the silence that stretched out between them—and the warm compassion that painted his features—Camryn shifted the conversation. “It’s funny how the business helped us focus on something as we worked through our grief.”

“Your father didn’t mind the three of you coming in and making changes?”

“Oh, we did it with a stealthy plan of attack and a lot of help from my mom’s best friend and our chief legal counsel, Sally. He thought we were playing around.”

“But the three of you never saw it that way.”

“No, we didn’t.”

Even now, nearly a decade later, she could still remember the challenges of that time, fighting grief as well as more than twenty years of inertia at the company.

“You restored one of the flagship properties first. I remember. I’d just taken over responsibility for the marketing editorial in the FJ and the buzz was running high about what you and your sisters were doing.”

She smiled at Booth. “I’m sure you heard more than a few whispers of just how crazy we were. Especially to take on the company dog, Home and Family.”

“I always thought it took a lot of guts to give it a go.”

Booth’s gaze was warm on her face and she couldn’t quite tamp down the delicious feeling that flooded her veins at his intense scrutiny and total focus.

He listened to her.

With that realization came another. Part of what had unsettled her—and invigorated her—about their interactions was how Booth made her feel as if she was the center of his world. When they spoke, he responded with thoughtful, interesting questions that proved he was really listening to her. He took her in and made her feel that she mattered.

And that was very dangerous.

Her mother’s death had changed all of them, but she knew those dark days had left a mark on her personality that had never fully faded. And in as many days, Matt filled her thoughts, his classically handsome face forever associated in her mind with pain and loss.

“Come on, Cam. You’ve been back to New York for the last three weekends. Jessica and Paul’s engagement party is this weekend and we agreed to go.”

“I can’t go. Mom had a bad chemo week and I need to be home.”

“Keira and Mayson are there. What can you possibly do for her?”

Sit with her. Hold her hand. Look at her and will her to get better. Those and any number of other choices flitted through her mind and made a hell of a lot more sense than putting on a fake smile to toast two people she could barely stand and who she was convinced would be divorced in a matter of years if not months after walking down the aisle.

“Jessica and Paul won’t even know I’m not there. It’s their party. They’re going to enjoy themselves.”

“They might but I won’t. I’m sick of going to things without you. Sick of making excuses for you.”

“My mother’s fighting cancer. I think people will understand.”

“Right, Cam. Your mother. Not you.”

She’d gone home anyway that weekend, unwilling to back down, but in hindsight, had always known that conversation had been their turning point.

Their flight attendant came back into the cabin with a fresh carafe of coffee and a tray of food, her movements pulling Camryn from that long-ago memory.

“Everything okay?” Booth popped a strawberry into his mouth, the casual gesture at odds with the concern evident in his gaze.

“Fine. Sorry, I was just thinking about something I had to get done for work. Distraction over.”

She knew Booth had seen through the white lie, so it was a relief when he gestured her over to a small table on the far side of the plane. “Come on. I think we’re safe to take our seat belts off and enjoy breakfast.”

Camryn waited until the attendant went back to the galley before she spoke, her gaze roaming over the lush interior of the plane. “This is quite an impressive outfit you’ve got here.”

“My father’s favorite indulgence has subsequently become mine. For far too long, I thought it was frivolous, but I’ve come to see the benefits of traveling on my own schedule with my own amenities. We’re fully outfitted with all the technology needed to keep the office running and I don’t have to deal with all the time to check in and out.”

“I’d like to argue with you, but I enjoyed skipping the standard airport security strip search too much for it to be anything but a lame attempt to bait you.”

His laughter rose up and she couldn’t hold back her own giggle as she reached for a hot, flaky croissant off the table. Whatever else she might feel for him, Booth was an easy travel companion and even easier conversationalist.

As long as she kept him in that box in her mind, Camryn decided, she’d be just fine.

She had to be.

Chapter Five

Camryn had always considered herself a staunch proponent of corporate fiscal responsibility, but she had to give Booth credit. The corporate jet was a spectacular way to get across the country.

After their leisurely breakfast, where they’d discussed everything from increasing green initiatives in their business to an exhibit they’d both recently seen at the Met, they both retreated to separate sides of the plane to handle their various responsibilities. The in-flight Wi-Fi made it easy to manage her work and she’d even carried on a live web chat with two of her team members.

All in all, it had been a productive morning and she was quite ready to take on the weekend now that the lingering guilt over her absence had been put to rest. They were deposited on a private stretch of runway and within moments were off the plane. Camryn slid into the back of the limo idling for them and before she could blink, they were headed for San Francisco.

“I thought we’d do lunch before heading to the hotel. It’s awfully touristy, but you up for a seafood lunch down on the wharves?”

She was more than caught up on her responsibilities, especially since it was Friday afternoon back at home. The opportunity to play filled her with a pleasant anticipation she hadn’t felt in far too long. “Why go somewhere and not do the things that keep the tourists happy? Besides, you said the magic word. Seafood.”

Their ride passed quickly and as the San Francisco skyline came into view, Camryn couldn’t hold back another carefree smile. “It’s such a beautiful city.”

“World class. It’s probably my favorite part of California.”

She’d always loved the City by the Bay and had often thought it would be her second choice if she hadn’t so ferociously called New York her home. “You’re not as enamored of Hollywood as your father and your siblings?”

“Absolutely not.” Booth flashed a grin that could have rivaled any actor in Hollywood, despite his lack of interest in living there. “I’m a New Yorker to the core. It gets in your blood.”

Their driver slowed as they entered one of San Francisco’s busiest tourist stretches, drawing Booth’s attention to the windows. Camryn took a moment to study him, the chance to look her fill unobserved too tempting to pass up. He was an attractive man—gorgeous, if she was being truly honest. His hard jaw, muscular frame, and those vivid eyes made a captivating package, but it was something more. She worked in a business that was all about image, and she’d met attractive men before.

But Booth Harrison had something special.

There was a fierceness that lay beneath his calm facade. Where Nathan had the predatory grace of a large cat, Booth’s personality was an ever-shifting kaleidoscope. She suspected too many people underestimated him until they were flattened underneath his considerable power, influence, and whip-quick intelligence.

If Nathan was the jungle cat, ready to pounce at any moment, Booth was the eagle that waited in the sky, biding its time, before swooping in to capture its prey.

Camryn couldn’t shake off the slight shiver at what that image evoked.

The car came to a halt and Booth’s sharp gaze swung back toward her. If he noticed her close attention, he didn’t say anything. “I hope you brought your appetite.” His eyes narrowed ever so slightly with a hunger of his own on the word “appetite,” but the look vanished before she could say anything. Instead, he turned his attention toward their driver as he slid through the open door of the car. “Can we get you anything, Pete?”

“No, sir.” Pete’s smile was broad as he extended a hand for her to exit behind Booth. “I’ll be good.”

“Then we’ll bring you some chowder.”

Pete gave a small nod. “Thank you, sir.”

Booth settled his hand at the small of her back as they navigated the short distance to the restaurant, maintaining that light contact until he delivered her to her seat. A sexy hum had started under her skin and she was surprised to find how disappointing it was to lose the warmth of his touch when she took her seat.

After their waiter departed with drink orders, Booth leaned forward over the table. “You’ve been looking at me funny since we got out of the car. Do I look hopelessly stuffy in my suit?”

She shook her head, her gaze inexorably drawn to his well-muscled forearms as he shrugged out of his suit coat and began rolling up his sleeves. A light dusting of hair coated his corded arms and she had to tear her gaze away. “No. I was thinking about how kind you were to Pete. You didn’t have to do that.”

“He’s stuck driving us all day. The least I can do is buy the guy lunch.”

“It doesn’t make it any less thoughtful.”

“I guess not.” She got the sense he was about to say something else, but then said nothing further.

Camryn focused on her menu. Regardless of what he’d wanted to say—or didn’t want to say—she couldn’t shake the thought that he was unusual for a man in his position. He’d been raised to a life of wealth and privilege, yet he moved effortlessly between flying on the corporate jet to thinking about others around him. It was an attractive quality and one she prized highly.

Yet another facet of the Booth Harrison kaleidoscope.

And yet another reason that chipped away at her resistance.

“So what are you having?”

She folded her menu, the temptation of a fried seafood platter dancing in her mind’s eye before she ruthlessly squelched it. “I suppose I should ask what we’re having for dinner before I make my final decision.”

“Are you okay with a steak restaurant for dinner?”

“More than okay. But knowing that, I’ll get the crab salad. Delicious, yet starch-free.”

“Don’t judge me for my french fries with my fried shrimp.”

If his well-muscled forearms were indicative of the rest of his body, he didn’t need to worry about a few extra carbs, but she simply smiled. “No judgment. But since Sinclair’s fashion makeover I find the need to do those bright colors in my carry-on justice. Bold prints aren’t nearly as forgiving as black.”

“I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

His bright, appreciative stare roamed over her and once more, she was caught in his spell. Where the gesture might come off as lascivious on another man, from Booth it simply seemed appreciative.

And it made her feel sexy.

“I didn’t say it to fish for a compliment.”

“I know. Which is why it was all that much sweeter to give it.”

Camryn fought the slow roll of desire that filled her stomach. “You shouldn’t say those things.”

“Why not?” Booth reached for the plate of hot, crusty bread their waiter had laid on the table, offering her a piece. “It’s no crime to pay someone a compliment. And I’ve made no secret of my feelings.”

“We’re on a business outing. You can do the other—” She broke off, not sure of the right words. “You can do the other stuff when we get back home.”

“So that means you will do more than send me text messages once we return to New York?”

“I’ve been busy.”

“Yes. Avoiding me.” His blue gaze held the edges of ice. “And while the texts were spectacular, they weren’t the equivalent of spending time with you.”

“You’re so insistent on this.” Insistent, Camryn knew, was hardly an apt descriptor of his behavior. Focused. Precise. And more than willing to show her with his actions that he wanted her. It was that thread—and the clear, honest expression of his feelings—that kept reeling her in, no matter how hard she tried to keep her distance.

“Yes, I am. And I’m also willing to walk away if you say the word.” He leaned forward, those sexy forearms flexing with the movement. “So why aren’t you asking me to walk away?”

“This is complicated, Booth.” She took a deep breath, determined to put words to the confusion rioting through her mind over the last two weeks. “And I know my behavior has been a bit misleading and I’m sorry for being a tease.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“But it’s true. And the best I can tell you is that wanting you isn’t the issue. But making the leap to taking what’s between us. It’s not that simple.”

“It’s not all that difficult, either. You’re a smart, fun, interesting woman and I enjoy your company. All I’m suggesting is that we explore that.”

“It still doesn’t change the fact we’re on a business trip.”

“We don’t work together. We’re business associates with completely separate companies and interests. There are no conflicts that anyone could point to.”

“I know.”

He leaned back, the hard lines of his body drawing her eyes and torturing her with the image of what it would be like to touch him. To stroke her fingers over those broad shoulders and firm chest and simply give in.

His next words pulled her from the brief fantasy. “I’m not going to shut off my interest simply because we’re on an outing that happens to involve business.”

“That’s not why I came along.”

“I never thought it was.” Storm clouds glazed his vivid blue eyes. “We both have professional responsibilities, but they shouldn’t stop us from being human.”

She broke off a small piece of her bread. “I just don’t understand why you’ve been so persistent.”

“Now who’s fishing for a compliment?”

The words had their desired effect as her gaze shot to his and she couldn’t quite hold back the overtones of anger she knew flamed in his direction. “I most certainly am not.”

“Could have fooled me. I’ve practically stood on my head these last few months trying to get you to notice me.”

“I do notice you.”

“As a nuisance.”

His quiet words penetrated the small bubble of self-doubt she hadn’t been able to shake around him. “People don’t enjoy the company of nuisances and I do enjoy yours. Although I did consider the idea that this trip was simply an excuse to get me into bed.”

The quick flash of annoyance that filled the sky blue of his eyes gave her all the confirmation she needed that his motives had been pure. “Absolutely not.”

“Good. I’m glad.”

“It doesn’t change the fact that I’d like to get you into my bed. As soon as possible, Camryn.”

…

As his body grew increasingly uncomfortable, Booth took great joy in the obvious evidence Camryn was as off-kilter as he was.

For the life of him, he couldn’t quite understand what she did to him, but he was enjoying the sensation too much to give it up. He’d spent his life enjoying casual relationships with women. Very few of them lasted longer than a quarter, and when they ended he wasn’t sorry to usher the women out of his life. So what was it about Camryn McBride that had him so out of his depths? He knew this wasn’t casual, but despite his repeated attempts to reassure her, it was foolish to think there’d be no consequences if the two of them got together. The DNA of their acquaintance ensured that.

He’d also be lying if he didn’t admit, at least to himself, that he had some concerns. He’d spent his life in a strained relationship with his half brother and finally, in the last few months, they’d begun to make inroads. Entering into a relationship with Nathan’s new sister-in-law was likely not the pathway to ensure those fences stayed mended. Even if he wanted the woman with an all-consuming hunger that refused to let go.

Their waiter arrived with the cups of soup both had ordered and the interruption was enough to break the tension. He wanted to keep pressing her—wanted to see just how far off-kilter he could push her—but he also knew he needed to tread carefully.

Her continued concerns about a “messy” relationship were steeped in something deeper than merely business complications, and it wasn’t hard to understand why. It was no secret her father had made a mess of the family legacy and as the financial maven of the bunch, no one could know and understand that better than Camryn. Add on the quietly sad words she’d said about her mother earlier and Booth knew her early life hadn’t been easy.

But he had feelings for her, and the attraction was primal.

And if he hoped to have them returned, he needed to play his cards carefully.

…

Booth hadn’t planned much beyond their lunch so he was pleased when Camryn suggested they go watch the sea lions on Pier 39. It was fun and frivolous and for the first time Booth saw a different side to the woman who normally kept the world at bay with quiet reserve.

Her smile was broad as she held up her phone, snapping pictures and pointing to the various animals sprawled on the floating wooden piers, sunning themselves in the bay. “Look at that one! He just pushed off two smaller guys.”

Booth laughed at the grumpy antics, a joke springing to his lips. “Just like a man, hogging the bed.”

Camryn shrugged but he saw a small, edgy smile tinge her lips. “Or he wasn’t up for a threesome this afternoon.”

He grinned right back at her despite the sudden discomfort of his hardening body at her not-so-subtle innuendo. “Interesting take on their position.”

“It seemed apt.”

They moved down the pier to get another view, both pointing out various sights as they walked. Booth couldn’t hold back a laugh as another round of “push off” started on another wooden platform, even as what felt like a wall of smell wafted toward them. “They’re definitely not the most sweet-smelling animals.”

Her wry grin punctuated her ready agreement as she looked up from where she typed on her phone. “They’re sort of a bold blend of rotten fish and salt water.”

“Don’t tell me you’re doing work?”

She held up her phone, face-first. “Only in the best sense. I’m sending a few of the pictures to Mayson to suggest she consider this for her upcoming family travel issue she’s putting together. I don’t think we’ve covered San Francisco in a while.”

“You’re really in touch with the products.”

“Sure.” She shrugged and shoved the phone back in her purse. “I have a sense of what’s going on editorially in all the titles we put out.”

“It’s impressive. And yet another reason you and your sisters have found success. Most financial folks in this industry look at the bottom line only. I bet nearly all of them would be hard-pressed to tell you if they printed magazines about fish or computer chips.”

“The magazines and the websites are the fun part. It’d be a shame to miss out.”

“Yes, it would.”

Booth moved in, narrowing the space between them on the rails. Before he could bend his head and finally satisfy the urge to taste her again, she shifted the conversation. “So what about you?”

“What about me?”

“How’d you end up in financial journalism?”

Booth let out a low sigh as the moment evaporated and turned to focus on one of the smaller sea lions, jockeying for position among a group of neighbors. “It’s something I’ve had a natural aptitude for. Writing about numbers.”

“It’s a dry subject.”

He turned to her and wasn’t surprised to see a smile hovering at her lush mouth. “You think?”

“To your credit, though, you make it interesting. And now under your editorial leadership, the entire paper is interesting, cover to cover.”

“Thanks.”

“I mean it. You’ve made financial news something attainable and practical, without dumbing the content down.”

While he’d originally thought their time on the pier might give him an opportunity to further prove there was something between them, it was a heady feeling to find himself seduced.

Her compliment—and her seemingly effortless ability to understand one of the things that made him tick—touched him. The bright smile faded, her mouth straightening into a grim line. “As usual, I’m way too critical, offering up opinions no one really wants or needs to hear.”

“I was thinking a bit differently.”

“Oh?”

This time Booth refused to lose the opportunity to satisfy his need to taste her again. He planted his hand on her lower back to keep her in place. “It’s nice to hear a compliment that reinforces one of the ways you see yourself.”

“Those are nice.” She whispered the words against his lips as he leaned in toward her, his mouth a breath away from hers.

“More than nice, I’d say.”

Any further comment was unnecessary as his mouth covered hers and he finally took what he’d wanted so desperately for the last several weeks.

Her lush lips softened under his and he felt the muscles of her spine flex under his fingers. He shifted them against the rail so their bodies were flush against each other, then used the change in angle to tilt her head back and deepen the kiss.

And once again felt the tables turn when her tongue sneaked out to mesh with his.

Hot liquid need rushed his veins as the seduced became the seducer. His already-sensitive body tightened and he felt every touch of her hands like an exquisite brand upon his skin.

The play of their tongues was carnal and a series of bright flashes exploded behind his eyes when she sucked his into her mouth. Unwilling to be bested in their erotic battle of wills, he lifted a hand to her neck, holding her in place as he plundered her in return. He felt her hands fist in the material of his shirt, just above his waist. Desire punched through him with demanding urgency and it was only a particularly loud shout from one of the sea lions that had him pulling back.

What was he thinking?

While he wanted her desperately, he prized his self-control at the very top of the list of personal attributes. And for the last several minutes, all he’d wanted to do was rip off her clothes and devour her in public. With deliberate movements, he released his hold on her arms, but did reach for her hand, linking their fingers.

“I’m sorry. This is a public place.”

“No one’s paying us all that much attention.” She pointed toward a group of sea lions that had begun some rather diverting antics, falling off their wooden slats and pushing at each other. A row of kids screamed in glee a short distance away. “I’d say the sea lions are definitely the main attraction.”

For all the resistance she’d put up thus far, Booth was pleased to see how breezy and unaffected she was by his he-man behavior. On impulse, he couldn’t resist poking at her unflappable cool a bit. “If I’d continued kissing you, darling, I can promise you we’d have become the main attraction.”

“Talk, talk, talk, Harrison.” She waved a breezy hand in the air. “You’re all talk.”

…

Camryn wasn’t sure what she’d done with the practical, “all business all the time” woman who normally lived inside her body, but she’d firmly fled under the direct and appreciative stare of Booth Harrison, only to be replaced with a softer-spoken woman who had suddenly developed the ability to flirt.

She still couldn’t believe she’d kissed him so publicly on the pier. She also knew that she would still be kissing him if he hadn’t developed some sudden sense of propriety and decorum.

Booth interrupted her still heated thoughts. “Where to next?”

“I saw a line of shops on the other side of the pier. Want to get some dessert?”

“Cotton candy or fudge?”

“Both.”

“I like the way you think.”

“Why do you think I forced myself to have the salad for lunch?”

They followed the milling lines of tourists back down the pier, the barking—and the smell—of the sea lions fading as they walked. Booth pointed toward a large group of people gathered around a street performer. A heavily made-up clown was tying balloons for a group of awestruck children. “The magazine article’s a good idea. I don’t think I’ve ever done this before. Or if I did, it’s been too long to remember.”

“Oh, I don’t know. The smell of those sea lions alone would leave a sense memory that would be hard to forget.”

“Fair point.”

Once again, that subtle flash of awareness that there was something underlying his words struck Camryn and she used the easy camaraderie they’d sunk into to probe a bit. “You didn’t do a lot of trips as a kid?”

“We did very elegant trips to Europe where we ate in high-end restaurants and visited museums. And then my mother and I would spend a month on the Harrison yacht, docked along the Mediterranean Coast.”

“A most excellent experience, I’m sure. My family’s summers weren’t all that different, but at least we got out a bit.” She added a small smile. “We didn’t go to Europe every year.”

His gaze was directed somewhere in the distance and, she suspected, his thoughts as well. “It was excellent and I’d hardly deserve any sympathy for such a life, but it was awfully boring most of the time.”

She couldn’t quite shake the image of a very privileged little boy, trapped on a boat for an entire summer. While certainly not a hard life, it couldn’t have been all that stimulating. It was also further proof of an idea she’d realized long ago: prisons came in all shapes and sizes, and no matter how lush or lovely they were, they still meant you were trapped.

Chapter Six

“Do I need to ask your intentions?”

Booth nearly choked mid-swig on a bottle of water as his half brother’s voice came booming through the phone. The thinly veiled warning in Nathan’s voice had Booth up and pacing his hotel suite. “When did you suddenly become a Boy Scout? Or a grandfather?”

“When I fell in love with the greatest woman in the world and developed an equally strong yet brotherly affection for her two sisters. Besides, my best friend already went hound-dog and got Mayson pregnant. I figure I’d better hedge my bets a bit earlier with Camryn.”

Booth couldn’t hold back the good-natured smile, even as his brother’s words hit a bit close to the mark. “Holt never could be trusted.”

“Obviously. But since not only has he made an honest woman of Mayson, he’s so besotted with her it reflects off of him like a mirror, I’ve decided to cut him some slack.”

“How generous of you.”

“What can I say? I’ve mellowed.”

Where his first reaction to that statement would have been a snort of derision, Booth knew the statement was 100 percent true. “You have.”

“Hard to believe, I know.”

“It’s a definite improvement.”

“But it doesn’t mean I’ve gone completely soft.” With a tenacity Booth had always been slightly envious of, Nathan neatly shifted the conversation back to his earlier question. “So I repeat my initial question. What are your intentions toward Camryn?”

“I’m not looking for your approval.” Booth squeezed the bottle in his hands and willed his voice to stay calm. In control. “I enjoy her company. I want to get to know her better.”

“Wrong answer.”

“I don’t want to get back to that awkward place between us but I won’t back down. She’s a dynamic woman and I’m interested in her.”

“Asshole.”

“Takes one to know one.” The easy camaraderie had been hard-won, but the few moments with his brother were more than welcome after a difficult week of planning for the conference, his usually heavy slate of meetings, and the typical head-butting with his father.

They were even more welcome considering not even a year ago they were barely able to be civil to each other.

“What do you think of the proposal I sent you on the Vegas property? You interested in taking over the entertainment portion?”

Booth was more than interested, and he’d spent the last two weeks running the numbers in his spare time and trying to figure out how quickly he could staff up to take advantage of the opportunity in Nathan’s new hotel project in Sin City. “I’m interested, but I want to put a full business plan in place. You’ll have it late next week.”

The quiet on the other end was absolute for the briefest moment before Nathan spoke. “Look, Booth. I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye, but I’ve come to you because you’re the best. Your production company is more than impressive on its own. When you factor in the fact that you’ve built it all while helming the largest financial newspaper in the world, well, it’s extraordinary. It’s good business sense for me to partner with you on this. Assuming you want in.”

“Hell yeah, I want in.”

“Then sign the papers. We’ll figure out the business plans later. I’ve no doubt you’ve got a damn fine one.”

“Thanks, Nathan.”

Nathan’s voice was husky when he finally spoke. “I’m glad we got here. Damn glad.”

“Me too, brother. Me too.”

Booth hung up the phone and tossed it on the bed. He’d already unpacked and hit the hotel gym, but he was restless for the evening to get started. A quick glance at the clock indicated another hour before he and Camryn were supposed to meet up, and he toyed with the idea of calling her and asking her to be ready early so they could grab a drink.

Give her some space.

The thought chafed, especially since he considered himself a man of action, but he knew it was the right thing to do. Lunch had given him hope he might finally prove to her his interest was real. That what was between them was real.

If she’d just drop those thick walls, so full of stubborn resistance and, he suspected, a past hurt. When she stopped thinking about being serious and in control—today with the sea lions, for example—he saw those glimpses of a happy, carefree woman who reached for what she wanted.

But then she reeled herself in, tamping down whatever it was that made her happy.

He wanted to see that happy, carefree woman. Wanted to hold her in his arms and explore the passion that lived and breathed between them. When you really got down to the nuts and bolts of it, he just wanted her.

…

The green dress she’d been so confident of earlier in the week now had Camryn’s stomach in knots as she stared at herself in her full-length hotel room mirror. What had she been thinking, bringing something like this outfit to a business dinner? She had a closet full of beautiful, elegant business suits, all of which would have been appropriate for this evening. A hapless glance toward her open suitcase brought the same satisfaction as the last four times she looked.

None.

Each and every carefully folded item in there was already earmarked for the time in Hawaii and she knew full well the green dress would be even less appropriate while helming the microphone at the sales conference.

A quick shot of tears slammed the backs of her eyes and she took a deep breath, fighting them back with sheer will and determination. God, why did she always feel so out of her depth? When it came to her business decisions she never questioned her instincts. Never ran from a good fight.

But here? In her personal life?

She was an unholy mess.

The light buzz of her phone pulled her attention from the mirror—and off the dress—and Camryn reached for the device as though it was a life preserver. “Camryn McBride.”

“Are you wearing the green dress like you promised me you would?”

A hard laugh burst from her chest as Sinclair’s voice pummeled her ear. “Of course I am.”

“I’m three thousand miles away and I can hear the wheels turning in your head that the dress is inappropriate.”

Camryn fought the urge to pull the phone from her ear and give it a goggle-eyed stare. How did he know? “There are no wheels in my head, turning or otherwise.”

“There are wheels and your nose is growing, but I’m not going to quibble. Switch to video so I can see how beautiful you look.”

Camryn made the quick adjustment on her phone as Sinclair’s slender features came up on the flat screen. A light sigh escaped his lips before they spread in a broad smile. “Gorgeous. Abso-fricking-lutely gorgeous, woman. Pull the phone back and give me the full view.”

She did as he ordered, oddly bolstered by his sweet words and wolf whistles.

“What shoes are you wearing?”

“The strappy Pradas. Just like we discussed.”

“Oh Lord.” Sinclair fanned his face. “Gorgeous and sexy. If I weren’t so in love with my Joe you could tempt me to switch teams.”

The nerves were back, only this time a rising note of panic joined them. “This is a business dinner, Sinclair. I’m not supposed to look like some tramp.”

“As if.” Sinclair let out a heavy snort. “You look like you could conquer the world, and in that ensemble you’re going to look damn fine doing it.”

The frustrated tears she’d barely held back earlier flooded her eyes once more, but this time they were layered with gratitude and an overwhelming sense of relief. The appreciative coos still echoing through her phone flashed over to a tone a drill sergeant would envy. “Don’t muss your makeup. You can cry later, if you must, although…”

Sinclair left the words hang there and after a small sniff she took the bait. “Although what?”

“I’ve known Booth Harrison a long time. He’s not a man who misses an opportunity. Ever.”

“What does opportunity have to do with anything?”

“Oh, darling.” Sinclair shook his head before pointing a stern finger at her. “One look at you in that dress and the man would be a fool to let you out of his sight.”

…

Booth paced the lobby of the Ritz-Carlton, willing his raging nerves to calm. He’d interviewed heads of state who had caused him less anxiety than waiting for this one tiny slip of a woman. A quiet hum filled the elegant lobby, but he was barely aware of it as visions of their afternoon—especially that kiss on the pier—dominated his thoughts.

She was an amazing woman, full of more facets than the most brilliant diamond. She had brains, beauty, and a subtle elegance that managed to reach up and grab him by the throat. He also couldn’t deny that he simply and unequivocally enjoyed her company. Starting with their early flight, straight through their post-lunch tourist adventure, the conversation had flowed smooth and easy. From her grasp of business to her ability to dissect the Bourne movies, to the latest thriller she’d read and couldn’t stop raving about, Camryn McBride was the whole package.

When had he become so smitten with her?

The elevator doors swished open and smitten ratcheted straight on to kicked-in-the-head-infatuated as she stepped off the elevator, one long, elegant leg visible through the slit in her gown.

The air coursing through his lungs—air he’d never given much thought to—stuck in his chest and had his mouth gaping open like one of the freshly caught fish he’d seen on the pier today. The urge to touch her was so intense his fingers nearly burned from wanting as he moved toward her.

“Good evening, Booth.”

He leaned in to kiss to her cheek, shifting at the very last moment to press his lips lightly to hers. Her mouth opened on a small O of surprise and he lingered briefly, captivated by the light rush of her breath as it fanned his lips before pulling away. “You’re beautiful.”

Her dark eyes softened at the compliment. “Thank you.”

“While I’d like nothing more than to skip out on this evening, I don’t think our guests would appreciate being stood up.” He settled a hand at her waist, unable to resist touching her. “Shall we go?”

“That’s probably best.”

Camryn looked up at him and his mouth went dry at the raw hunger he saw in her gaze. He fought to control his raging emotions, even while he’d like nothing more than to turn them both around and walk her straight back to the elevator and up to his suite. “The car’s outside.”

Pete was waiting for them and had the door open and ready for them as they approached. “Mr. Harrison. Ms. McBride.”

“Good evening, Pete.” Camryn’s warm smile lit up her face and Booth was struck once more by yet another facet of her. She was such a warm woman. Reserved, yes, but even the quiet exterior couldn’t hide her innate warmth.

He watched, captivated, as she gathered the material of her dress to slide into the limo. The simple peek he’d had of her legs in the hotel lobby broadened as he caught a fuller glimpse of her slender thighs, and erotic images punched him in the gut with swift fists.

Camryn, naked in his arms, those long, toned legs wrapped around his waist.

Camryn, writhing beneath him as he kissed a path down her inner thigh.

Camryn, wrapped in his arms as they fell into a deep sleep after making love.

It was the last image that caught him up short. When had he begun thinking of waking up with her?

Booth didn’t miss Pete’s knowing gaze—even as the man’s face remained stoically polite—before he climbed into the car. Nor did he miss Camryn’s subtle scent that filled his senses as he slid in next to her.

“Are you all right?”

“Fine.” Booth fought the urge to drag at his tie. “I’m fine. Why?”

A slight frown marred the corners of her mouth. “I don’t know. You looked stricken, all of a sudden. Like something happened.”

Something had happened, all right. Yes, he wanted her, but when had he begun to think of her with some degree of permanence? “Just preparing my sales pitch.”

The frown vanished, replaced by a broad smile. “I should have known. The urge to vanquish and conquer is never all that far from your thoughts, is it?”

He held back a choking cough—she had no idea how close she’d come to hitting the mark, even if the conquering part had nothing to do with business. “You know me. Work, work, work.”

“Do you enjoy it?”

The question caught him up short and Booth twisted from their side-by-side positions so he could really look at her. “It’s my life.”

“That wasn’t my question.”

“I suppose I do. I mean, it’s a living. A damn good one.”

“And you’re still avoiding the question.”

Booth sensed something else underneath her words and couldn’t hold back a question of his own. “Why is it so important to you?”

“I’m curious about people. Curious about what makes them tick and why they make the choices they do.”

“And you think I’m making the wrong choice? Working for my father? Running my own business interests?”

“Hardly. I was just curious if you had any fun doing it.”

…

Camryn wasn’t sure why she kept pressing the issue—Booth’s daily job satisfaction was hardly her concern—but now that she had the bit between her teeth she wasn’t willing to let go until he answered.

“Work isn’t exactly fun but it does have its moments. This week’s meeting in Hawaii is a perfect example of that.”

“No, it’s not always fun. But it’s not drudgery, either. Or it shouldn’t be.” She smoothed the fabric of her dress, well aware this evening fully constituted one of the things she loved about her job.

His smile—the one she thought of as his glamorous flash for the media—was firmly in place. “Perhaps that’s the difference between working for my father and working with your sisters.”

“Perhaps.”

Silence wrapped around them, the only noise the low purr of the limousine, and Camryn thought she’d overstepped. So it was a surprise when Booth spoke once again. “My father’s a difficult man, which I’m sure you’re well aware of since he tried to sabotage the relationship between my brother and your sister. Hell, you had to spend two hours with him at dinner a few weeks ago. You got a face-to-face preview.”

“And a follow-up phone call.”

“What?”

She’d wanted to tell him about the call from West since she’d fielded it, but something had held her back. Any time she thought to bring it up it felt out of place and she didn’t want to make more of it than it was.

Yet not saying anything had begun to feel like something, too.

“It wasn’t that big a deal. He just called me and gave me some instructions for how I should handle my speech to your sales team.”

“He had no right.”

“I suspect your father pokes into many things that aren’t really his right.”

“You’re spot on the mark with that one.” He nodded and she saw some of the tension fade out of the brackets around his eyes. “What did he say, though?”

“He’s threatened by the two of us, though I don’t know why.” She’d originally resisted the idea that West saw her that way, but after a call full of innuendo and accusation, she didn’t think she was off the mark.

“I can give you two reasons. Your sister and my brother.”

“What do they have to do with it?”

“My father hates anything he can’t control. And Nathan’s always sat at the top of that list. Add on the fact that he tried to sabotage their relationship, and you have a situation that he wasn’t able to control, influence, or bully his way through.”

“Yes, but he and Nathan had no relationship to speak of. Why suddenly start butting in now?”

“Who knows what his reasons are.” Although his tone was casual, Camryn didn’t miss the way Booth’s fingers tightened against his thighs. “Maybe it’s guilt. Maybe it’s jealousy. Maybe it’s just an innate need to go in and screw things up. Whatever the reason, his inability to influence Nathan is a thorn in his side.”

Although she knew she kept her personal feelings close to the vest and normally allowed others their own counsel for the same reason, Camryn sensed there was something Booth was trying to articulate. “You seem to get along with him just fine and you handle him pretty well, despite all his stubborn, headstrong behavior.”

“I’ve spent my life working for him. Even before I ever graduated, I was a part of the company. I’ve got a love for it—the pace and the energy and that electricity in the air as we output work every day. It gets in your blood and doesn’t let you go.”

“I understand that. There’s a definite rush seeing a new project get off the ground or holding a brand-new issue of a magazine, fresh off the presses. You get to do that every day with a major daily newspaper.”

“Exactly. There’s nowhere in the world I can go that people don’t know the Financial Journal. Nowhere in business the name isn’t respected. Do you know our journalism has exposed scandals that could have cost shareholders billions of dollars? Or that we act as a public watchdog to the SEC and other governmental financial organizations globally?”

“Few understand the real power of the fourth estate.”

“That’s the real reason I put up with my father. Why I continue to put up with him even though I’ve expanded to other businesses. Nathan’s accused me more than once of being under his thumb, but I’d have left long ago and not looked back if that were the only reason to stay. I have a real contribution to make to the FJ and I won’t walk away.”

Camryn looked at him—really looked at him—and saw the passion he spoke of in each and every line of his body. “You love it.”

“God yes. Don’t you?”

She thought about what she and her sisters had built—or rebuilt, as it were—and realized that what she truly loved was how her work life had more deeply cemented the relationship with her sisters. “Yes, I love what we do. But for me, the work became synonymous with my relationships with my sisters. I found a way to be with my family while also exploiting my talents. Sort of a professional and personal win-win.”

“Has it changed?”

“Has what changed?”

“The work. Now that Keira and Mayson are both married.”

“No.” Camryn was quick to brush the question off before she stopped herself. “Actually, that’s not quite true.”

How did she explain it?

She was happy for her sisters. Happy for their lives and the new direction both were moving. So how did she explain the feelings of being left behind without making it seem as if she begrudged the two women she loved more than her own life?

“Things are different, but fortunately, our core relationship is the same. And I’ve just had to come to understand that the things we used to do like shopping or lunch at the drop of a hat or standing weekly dinners aren’t so spontaneous anymore. They need a bit more planning than they used to.”

“There are some that argue spontaneity is overrated.”

The slight overtones of melancholy faded at his words and Camryn couldn’t hold back her grin. “Then they’ve never been spontaneous.”

“Is that so?”

Camryn saw the light in his eyes—and his intent—for the briefest moment before he moved. And then she was wrapped in strong arms and pulled against a broad chest that was deliciously impressive, even through the layers of his suit jacket and crisp white dress shirt. “I…I think so.”

“Well, then. Maybe you can show me.” His words were a murmured whisper against her lips before he claimed her for his own.

The heated moments earlier on the pier had nothing on this kiss, Camryn realized abstractly before she stopped thinking and allowed Booth to drag them both into the abyss. For the life of her, she couldn’t quite understand how moments that were long and languid with need could be so insistent.

So urgent.

With his mouth pressed to hers, Booth’s tongue slipped through her parted lips as one hand shifted to caress her jaw. The intimacy of the moment—and their merged breath—only reinforced that strange understanding that had seemed to beat between them from the first.

Although their interactions had been limited, every moment in his company was comfortable. Familiar. Even while the distinct notes of discomfort played underneath, making her fully aware of the increasing attraction she couldn’t deny.

As his lips moved with masterful precision over hers, Camryn had to admit she was quickly coming not to care. Why deny something that felt so damn good?

With that thought foremost in her thoughts, she shifted her hands from where they lay pressed to his chest to slip underneath his suit jacket, fisting the material of his dress shirt above the waistband of his slacks. Hard muscle bunched underneath her fingertips, thick and ropy with strength. Desire flooded her limbs at his hard, masculine frame, and need burned her blood. She wanted this man.

The subtle arguments she’d made to herself over the last several weeks—that anything physical would be too complicated or messy or ultimately heartbreaking—seemed very far away at the reality of being in his arms. His strong, clever fingers floated over her body before coming to rest against the side of her breasts. With determined movements, his thumbs ranged over the achy fullness of her breasts before teasing her nipples into hard points.

Fire burned under her skin where his body tempted hers through the layers of material, and she abstractly wondered where these sensations had been all her life. Yes, she’d been touched before, but never had her body reacted with such abandon.

With such desperate craving for the man who touched her.

Booth’s lips curved over hers and she couldn’t hold back the corresponding smile. “I think we’re here.”

“What?” She scrambled back, her brain desperate to catch up with her pounding heart. The sheer disorientation—and that very hard transition from hot and bothered to grown-up and responsible—pounded through her with flustered panic.

“We’re at the restaurant. I think Pete just knocked on the door.”

The pleasure that had suffused every inch of her body faded at the reality that she was making out with Booth in a restaurant parking lot. With potential business partners waiting inside.

“Oh, God.” She scrambled for her clutch, digging for a small packet of tissues she kept inside. “Wipe your mouth.”

“My mouth is fine.” He cracked a rather large grin as if to prove his point.

“We were making out and I had on lipstick.”

“A beautiful shade to be sure, but I rather like the way your lips look right now. And for the record”—he smiled and chucked her under the chin—“I don’t think I’ve made out in a car since I was eighteen.”

She brushed off the sweet words, that confused, sexy disorientation still riding her hard. “How do my lips look?”

“Perfect.”

“Oh no.” She kept one hand on his body, holding him at bay as she flipped open the small mirror of her compact with her free hand. The abundantly clear evidence she’d just been thoroughly kissed reflected back at her. “We can’t do that again.”

“Oh, yes we can.”

Before she could protest, Booth dragged her back against him, that same crazy urgency smacking her square in the head once more as he pressed a hard, possessive kiss to her lips.

When he pulled back, the teasing grin had faded, replaced with a predatory glint in his eyes that was nearly feral. “Now we both have something to think about through dinner.”

…

Booth couldn’t stop thinking about her. Or her mouth. Or the gorgeous, lithe lines of her body.

He’d only intended to kiss her to disprove her point about spontaneity, which made it that much more incredible how she’d managed to turn the tables on him. While he’d had no doubt the woman was filled with a rare and passionate heat, he also knew full well she kept a tight rein on her emotions. What he’d glimpsed earlier at the pier had been nothing compared to the hot armful of woman who’d sent his senses reeling in the back of the car.

The businessmen they were meeting hadn’t arrived yet and he used their few remaining, private moments as the hostess escorted them to their table to keep a firm hand on Camryn’s back. He didn’t miss the light flush that suffused her cheeks or the subtle tremor he sensed under her skin when he brushed her bare shoulder after helping her to her seat.

Their hostess departed after taking their drink orders and Booth willed his raging hormones down several hundred notches. The subtle flush had faded from Camryn’s cheeks, replaced with a calm mask that was as intriguing as the passion.

“You look ready to conquer the world.”

“Is it that obvious?” Her fingers abstractly resettled her silverware next to her plate, but other than that small, subtle shift, she could have been preparing for a standard staff meeting, she was so calm and poised.

“Actually, I’m trying to take pointers. I’ve never seen anyone walk into a major business meeting looking as calm and collected as you.”

“It’s just a meeting and they’re just people, Booth. I’m looking forward to talking to them. Learning about their business. A bit about them as well.”

“Really?”

“Of course.” She leaned forward and reached for her water glass, her glance thoughtful, as if she searched for the proper words. “The men we’re meeting with have flown over five thousand miles for this dinner. They’ve grown up in a different country and a completely different culture than mine. I realize it borders well into geeky territory, but I’m excited.”

It was hardly geeky and more than a little fascinating. Although he’d been privileged to travel the world since childhood, Booth didn’t think he’d ever considered himself excited to meet someone new.

“You’ve traveled throughout your life, haven’t you?”

“It was one of the things my mother always insisted on. Oddly, it was one of the few things my father not only agreed with her on, but took an interest in as well.”

Booth was prevented from remarking on that cryptic glimpse into her childhood by the arrival of the rest of their party. He smiled as introductions were made, allowing Camryn the lead. Fascinated, he watched as she moved through the elaborate ritual of the business card exchange before they all took their seats for the meal.

Booth settled in for the evening and prepared to watch her as she engaged with their guests. While he hadn’t doubted her words, in the ensuing hours, what had been increasing attraction on his part expanded, adding even more layers and dimensions than before. Yes, she was a beautiful woman, but there was a quality to her beauty few women of his acquaintance had. A soft smile perpetually hovered around her face, widening in welcome as she met someone new. She engaged in discussion—genuinely and with interest—and people responded to her.

She charmed the two businessmen and Booth couldn’t help but feel charmed and captivated as well.

For reasons he didn’t fully understand, their relationship had managed to acquire an uncomfortable number of observers. His brother. Camryn’s sisters. His father. Even Sinclair had a piece of the action. For a woman used to fading into the background, her emergence into the spotlight was bound to be frustrating.

In spite of those things, she pushed forward, that bright, vivid smile firmly intact. She humbled him. Intrigued him. Inspired him. And maybe, if he looked down deep in his heart, he might even feel something more. Something that tickled the back of his mind and whispered it might be love.

Chapter Seven

Booth wasn’t sure if it was the enjoyable meal, the easy conversation, or the celebratory glass of champagne they shared in the car, but where there had been a subtle wariness in Camryn in their previous interactions, all he saw as he helped her from the limo was a bright, easygoing lightness that projected off of her in warm waves.

“Care to join me for one more cocktail?”

“I’d love to.”

They took the elevator to The Lounge, the San Francisco skyline spread out before them as they took a seat at the windows. Within moments, a waitress had greeted them with a small bowl of light bar snacks and a promise to return with their drink order.

“Are you excited about Hawaii?” Camryn shifted back from the window, her attention fully focused on him. “It’s hard to believe it’s here already. When you invited me to speak it felt like there was still so much time, yet here we are.

“So I realize it’s basically paradise, but what made you pick Hawaii?” Camryn said.

“It’s both beautiful and functional. Despite the acres and acres of paradise at your fingertips, the hotels know how to do major conferences. And my father loves it, so it’s easy to keep him engaged in the event.”

“He likes Hawaii?”

“With a passion. He’s already there with my stepmother, staying in their condo for a few days.”

“Which either means he’s out of your hair or he’s ahead of the game, causing trouble out there.”

Booth laughed at that, and her astute assessment, before nodding. “I’ve had more than a few e-mails over the last week, full of him barking out orders. I’ve learned to ignore the bluster and only reply to the stuff that truly matters. I also sent my stepmother a tersely worded e-mail ordering her to send him off to the golf course. I think she was all too happy to oblige.”

The lightness of the moment faded as their gazes caught and held. With tentative fingers, Booth reached out a stroked her bare shoulder. “Nathan asked what my intentions were.”

The hazy sheen that filled her eyes faded at his comment. “When? Where?”

“I spoke with him earlier. He was very concerned that I don’t hurt you.”

Where he’d heard the light overtones of need in her voice, all he heard now were the distinct notes of steel. “I don’t think it’s any of his business.”

“Families have a funny way of making things their business.”

“I suppose they do.”

With an abruptness he didn’t expect, he watched as Camryn shuttered her emotions. That feminine awareness winked out of her gaze and she straightened in her chair. “And there’s some of the mess I’ve been talking about. He’s got no right poking into my business. Or our business, as it were.”

“You’re upset.”

“No.” She shook her head as she reached for her glass. “No, I’m not, actually. I just think his need to be overprotective was unnecessary. I’m sure he meant well. That doesn’t mean I need him looking out for me.”

“He cares about you.”

“It’s none of Nathan’s business. I told my family I was here on a business function. They have no idea I’m contemplating sleeping with you. Yet he’s still poking his nose in.”

Every brain cell he possessed had suddenly, narrowly, focused on her words—specifically, I’m contemplating sleeping with you—and all he could imagine was Camryn in his bed. Despite the immediate needs of his body, desperately willing him to focus on that one telltale comment, Booth fought to focus on the bigger picture. “He cares about you.”

“And I’m a grown woman who can make my own decisions.”

“Why are you so bothered about this?”

“Because. It’s exactly what I expected to happen. My sisters find happiness and they’re practically shoving me at you to find happiness of my own. And now my brother-in-law’s in on the act?” She stood up and his vision of an enjoyable evening in each other’s company rapidly vanished. “It’s none of their damn business!”

He stood as well, anxious to calm her ruffled feathers. The green dress still clung to her skin like a lover and the heated flush in her cheeks only added to the picture of a vibrant, desirable woman. “What are you so afraid will happen?”

“I’m not like them. I like my world neat and orderly. I like being in control. I’ve no interest in giving that up.”

How had the conversation gone off course? They were talking amiably about their families and he made a casual comment about his brother and now here they were, in the middle of an argument that seemed to have no answers. “No one’s asking you to give up control.”

“Of course they are. I like the life I have and I don’t need interference from anyone else.”

“I don’t think you were entirely honest with me before.”

The heat in her cheeks faded slightly as confusion stamped itself in her dark eyes. “About what?”

“A sense of spontaneity. The moment you let yourself think, those shields come up and any sense of impulse vanishes. Where’s that responsive woman from the limo? The one who obviously desires what’s between us as much as I do?”

“You know, Booth, just because you’re not getting laid tonight doesn’t mean your amateur psychological theories have any merit.”

“We’ve had an amazing evening. Why are you trying to sabotage that? Diminish it?”

“Booth—” She broke off, that same delicious flush from earlier creeping once more into her cheeks.

“I’m serious. What’s this really about?” He reached for her hand, satisfied when she didn’t snatch it away. “And don’t tell me you’re really afraid to start something between us because my brother asked my intentions.”

“Why are you pushing this?”

“Because I want you. And I want to spend time with you. And I enjoy your company. They’re all entwined in my mind. Those are my intentions.”

With deliberate slowness, he leaned forward, pressing his lips to the shell of her ear. A light shudder racked her shoulders and he reached for her hand to capture it beneath his. “And what are your intentions, Camryn?”

“I don’t have any.”

“Oh come on, now.” Booth ran his thumb over her palm, gratified when her hand clenched under his. “You have to have some intention. Something that you want, perhaps?”

Her pulse kicked up, evident under the pads of his fingers, and her voice held the slightest quaver when she spoke. “I told you I’d accompany you to Hawaii to speak at your sales conference. And in a few days, once my responsibilities are over, I’ll go home.”

He lifted her hand and pressed a light line of kisses over that sensitive flesh, satisfied when another one of those sexy shudders quivered under her pale skin. “What’s between us is inevitable. Basic. Elemental.”

“You say that like we don’t have a choice.” Her voice was breathless, the hushed tone only reinforcing his point.

“I want you. Don’t you feel the same?”

“Yes. But—”

Booth felt the change almost immediately. Where she was on the verge of giving in, suddenly, she pulled away. Need and longing were stamped so clearly in her eyes it almost brought him to his knees.

“We have to be practical.”

He fought to keep his tone light, even as his body argued for more. “What happened to ‘spontaneity is a good thing’?”

“There’s spontaneity and there’s stupidity.”

“Well then.” Her barb hit its mark and he took a small step away from her.

“Look, I didn’t mean it that way.”

“What did you mean, then? Explain it to me.”

“I’m traveling with you on a business invitation. I’m speaking to your company in a couple of days. I’m not sure mixing business with something…personal is a good idea. Not here.”

Disappointment was a punch to his gut and he knew she saw it on his face. With the Harrison control he was known for, he pushed it all away. “I respect that.”

“You do?”

“Of course. There are two of us in this relationship. Your wants and needs are as important as mine.” He took another step back and kept his hands at his sides. “Promise me one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Think about what I said. There’s something between us. Something I happen to think could be really, really incredible.”

“Sex usually is.” The words were a muttered mix of frustration and annoyance, and he couldn’t help but smile at the honest reaction.

Despite his attempts not to touch her, he did reach forward and take her hand. “I like you for all of you. And while I happen to think the sex will be incredible too, I want you to understand I see more of you than the beautiful woman sitting opposite me.”

“Most men are irritated when their, um, sexual aspirations are left unfulfilled for the evening.”

“I’m not most men. And I’m going to prove it to you.”

…

Booth’s words still echoed in her mind a half hour later as Camryn reread the same paragraph of a book she’d brought with her. I’m not most men.

That was for damn sure.

The bigger question was why she was lying in her bed, alone with a book, when that amazing, incredible man was lying alone in his.

Her eyes caught on the green dress where she’d hung it on a hook near the closet. She’d taken advantage of the small steamer the hotel room provided to remove any wrinkles from the evening and at the evidence of her handiwork, Camryn let out a hard chuckle at herself.

“Damn, McBride. Even on vacation, you’re perfectly pressed. The no fuss, no muss girl.”

The thought galled her. Tonight she had an opportunity with a vibrant, interesting, sexy-as-hell man. So why did she let the opportunity slip through her fingers?

What was she really afraid of?

Her thoughts slipped, unbidden, to those dark days after her mother’s diagnosis. She’d been so happy. Fresh out of school with her future bright ahead of her and a relationship that had meant the world to her. Even now, she could recall the moss-green color of Matt’s eyes. Their quiet moments together when she felt that she was the only woman in the world.

But once her mother got sick, he hadn’t tolerated her absences from Boston where they were living, hadn’t understood how badly she needed to be in New York with her family. And in the end, she’d made the only choice she could. She moved back to her family—without him—and she bricked up the pain in her heart with work.

Work never disappointed. Never argued. And when you managed all of it in neat, orderly stacks, it was ever faithful and ever accepting of your time.

Did that make her cold and empty? Probably.

But it also kept her heart safe.

Chapter Eight

The questions that had haunted her the night before still rattled around Camryn’s mind the following morning as she dragged her bags behind her to the lobby. She hadn’t given Matt a thought in years, yet there he was, front and center in her memories and in the restless dreams she had when she finally fell asleep around dawn.

Those dreams hadn’t produced any answers and all she had to show for her anxiety was a raging headache that had settled behind her eyes with the piercing intensity of ice picks.

“Camryn!”

She glanced up to see Patrick Martindale striding toward her across the lobby, and the ice picks hammering behind her eyes ramped up their tempo. If Matt was the lost love of her life, Patrick was the scourge she’d like to forget.

“Patrick.” They exchanged the standard cheek kisses of people who knew they had to touch but really didn’t want to. “How are you?”

“Good. Good. Out here closing a big deal.”

Of course he was. Patrick did nothing without a reason, and whenever he could brag about his accomplishments, he took advantage of the moment.

“What are you doing here?”

“Same. Business.” Before she could say much else, Booth walked up next to her.

“Who’s this, dear?”

Camryn didn’t miss the possessive glint in Booth’s eyes or the subtle pressure of his hand against her spine. She did her level best to keep her voice even and smooth as she tried to unobtrusively put a few steps of distance between them.

Booth’s grip stayed firm.

“Let me introduce you to Keira’s new brother-in-law, Booth Harrison. We’re both here in San Francisco on business.”

Camryn watched the various expressions flit across Patrick’s face, chief among them the realization that the two of them were traveling together.

“We’re off to Hawaii next.” Booth’s jovial smile and good-natured description of the next leg of their trip took another few minutes of conversation and Camryn fought her inner urge to tell the truth about why she was really there. Despite her best intentions, every time she attempted to mention she was headed to Hawaii for business, Booth neatly shifted the subject.

And if she were slightly reveling in Patrick’s speculative stares and thinly veiled male irritation, she could hardly be blamed for shifting a step or two closer to Booth, now could she?

“Have a good trip.” Patrick leaned forward for one last kiss on the cheek.

“Thanks. Congratulations on your new project.”

The entire encounter was surreal, and she watched Patrick walk back across the lobby with a mixture of bemusement and subtle satisfaction. The two of them hadn’t been a successful match and it had always irritated her that the man seemed to be constantly one-upping her. But what were the odds he’d be here and her thoughts from the night before would be filled with images of a long-ended relationship? Was the universe trying to tell her something?

She brushed off the odd thoughts and shot Booth a quick sideways glance. “You wanted to make him think something was going on between us.”

“And it worked.”

She couldn’t quite hold back the soft sigh that filled her chest. “Like a charm.”

…

Booth was still smiling to himself an hour later as the plane began its ascent toward Hawaii. A quick glance at Camryn showed only her profile as she stared at the fading skyline below them.

“Patrick’s a bland fellow. Know him long?”

Camryn turned away from the window. “We dated for about a year a few years ago.”

While he wasn’t surprised at the revelation, a hard stone of annoyance lodged in his chest at the news. The stupid, spineless wanker had kissed and caressed Camryn. Had made love to her. “Why did you break up?”

“Because I couldn’t think of one reason to stay with him.”

“That doesn’t sound promising.”

A small smile ghosted her lips. “It wasn’t, but that didn’t stop several people from suggesting I was making a serious mistake walking away from a relationship with Patrick Martindale, up-and-coming financier.”

“We’ve covered a few of his deals in the FJ. He is definitely up and coming.”

“And entirely too obsessed with making money.” Camryn turned back toward the window. He couldn’t stop his gaze from roaming over her profile. The long column of her throat was regal and elegant, and the soft sweep of cheekbone as it rose toward her upswept hair captivated him.

Had he ever wanted to simply touch another woman so badly? The need burned under his skin until he was clenching his hands into fists to keep from reaching out. “There are those who say earning money is the only sign of success.”

“Do you think that?”

“Do you?” For reasons he couldn’t explain, Booth was curious to know her answer.

Camryn turned away once more from the window and unhooked her seat belt, moving to the leather seat opposite his. “I know I live a fortunate life. I’ve never had to deal with the fear of not paying my bills or not being able to take a vacation or go out for a meal. I’m deeply grateful for what I have.”

“I hear a ‘but’ in there.”

“But I’ve never understood putting money before everything else.”

“Some would say your work ethic suggests otherwise.”

A hard laugh welled up in her throat. “People see what they want to see, Booth.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I work hard because I’ve been given gifts in my life and to sit around like a sloth is hardly showing my gratitude. Further, what else would I do with my time? I have talents. Responsibilities. It’s hardly interesting to me to think of sitting around all day doing nothing.”

The conviction in her words was telling—as was her assessment of her life. Booth had known of the McBride sisters for years and had followed their progress in the media industry. The existing wisdom was that they were workaholics in the extreme. But hearing it from Camryn’s point of view, he sensed something else: a woman who took great pride in her ability to accomplish goals and dreams. “Let me guess. Patrick had a problem with your ambition?”

“Among other things.”

“What other things?”

“Nothing.”

“Come on, Camryn. It’s something.” Booth leaned forward and took one of her hands in his own. “What is it?”

“Really, Booth. It’s nothing.”

The bleak look in Camryn’s gaze suggested otherwise, but Booth gave her space.

For now.

…

The flight passed in comfortable silence and Camryn was grateful. She’d been concerned after the first hour, when Booth’s questions had hit far too close for comfort, that it was going to be an interminably long ride. While she wasn’t completely unwilling to share herself with others—and whatever else he was, Booth was fast becoming a friend—she could hardly be expected to share the embarrassing details of her personal relationship with Patrick.

Come on baby, you’re so cold. Lighten up. Be a bit more adventurous. Live a little, in bed and out.

Patrick’s harsh assessment echoed through her mind as memories assailed her and the words on the page of her book vanished as she went under, caught in the memory of their relationship.

Although Patrick hadn’t been her first serious relationship since breaking up with Matt, he had lasted the longest. And where she’d initially thought them compatible, she’d quickly learned otherwise. He had resented her professional accomplishments, her time spent at work, her time spent with others. It hardly mattered that he had a series of interests of his own; whenever she engaged in aspects of her own life, he was resentful.

It still chafed that she’d stayed with him as long as she had. So it was more than a little satisfying that Patrick, of all people, would be the one to see her and Booth in the lobby of the hotel.

Unable to hold back the smile, she could still feel the imprint of Booth’s hand on her back like a brand. He’d come to her rescue, even if she could acknowledge that some of his actions may have been the selfish motivation of a male marking his territory.

And why was that so damned sexy? She was a modern woman, for heaven’s sake. Surely she wasn’t looking to be branded like a possession?

But try as she might, she couldn’t ignore that bass drum of desire that beat in her blood, alive and well under her skin. She enjoyed Booth’s company and she was wildly attracted to him, two of the most necessary ingredients in contemplating someone you wanted to get naked with. Add on the highly appealing qualities of trust and respect and she wasn’t finding it all that easy to keep resisting. She’d been so focused on waiting until they were past the trip to think about a fling, but maybe this was the perfect time and place. Away from prying eyes and out of their normal element.

“Look out the window.”

Camryn was pulled from her sexy and decidedly wicked musings by Booth’s comment. She looked through the small airplane window next to her. Light, fluffy clouds hovered by the glass as they descended toward the island visible in the distance. “It’s beautiful.”

“Isn’t it?” Booth took the seat next to her and buckled in. “We’re kicking off the conference tonight with a luau on the beach. It loosens everyone up and the weather will be gorgeous.”

“I just have to say it again, Mr. Harrison. You really do know how to entertain.”

“We’ve had a big year at the FJ. It’s only right to support the people who got us there.”

Whether by coincidence or some cosmic intent, Camryn couldn’t help but compare Booth’s words with her remembered conversations with Patrick. “You really do see your work as a team effort.”

“Absolutely. I may be the head of the team and of course own more of the responsibility, but I can’t do it alone and I’d hardly want to. Rewarding them properly isn’t just good business sense. It’s a hell of a lot of fun.”

“It’s more than that.”

“How so?”

“You don’t see others’ success as a threat.”

“Why should I?” His gaze clouded over before those amazing blue eyes grew clear with understanding. “Let me guess. There have been other men in your life who haven’t been quite so magnanimous.”

“Understatement.”

“I knew that guy was a wanker.”

Camryn let out a giggle. “I assume you mean Patrick?”

“Damn straight.”

“Apt description. But sadly, he’s not the only one in my life who’s acted like an ass. My father could give him a run for his money.”

Once more, a world of emotions painted his face before he seemed to settle on a thought. “I want you to do me a favor.”

“What’s that?”

“You’re in Hawaii for the next three days. I’d like you to make me a promise.”

“All right.”

“Let me show you that whatever experiences you’ve had to date aren’t universally indicative of male behavior. Let me show you that I’m different, Camryn.”

The pull of his gaze consumed her and with no small measure of clarity did Camryn realize she didn’t want to escape. Didn’t want to put Booth in the same box as the other men who had shaped her thoughts and decisions, goals, and dreams. Didn’t want to miss out on what might be possible between them.

“Yes, Booth. I’d like you to show me.”

…

Camryn moved around her luxurious hotel room, a light ocean breeze playing through the windows as she unpacked. The fresh scent of salt water captivated her, a soothing balm to her raging thoughts of the last few days.

Her hand stilled over the material of one of the dresses Sinclair sent her with and she imagined the dress covering her body, Booth’s hands running over that same swath of silk. The shift from material to skin as his hands explored her body.

Delved into her secrets.

The ringing of her phone pulled her from the heated fantasy and it took her a moment to reorient herself to the room. Snatching her phone off the bed, she purposely tamped down the irritation rising to the surface. “Camryn McBride.”

“Cam, it’s Brandon. I’m sorry to bother you but we’ve had a development on the Morrison buy that you need to know about.”

“You’re not bothering me at all.” She sat down on the bed, the silk print forgotten. “What’s going on?”

…

Booth knocked on Camryn’s door, already anticipating the moment she answered. Damn, when had he grown so fanciful? Or so impatient? He was a man who prided himself on his patience, and Camryn McBride tested every single bit of it.

He’d barely removed his hand from the door when it flung open, his vision standing across the threshold. Only in his vision, heated sparks of anger didn’t flare from her eyes and when she dragged him through the door in his fantasy it was with sexual impatience, not raw fury. “How dare you do this to me?”

“Do what?”

“Bring me here simply to get me out of the city.”

“What?” The virago who turned on him was such a surprise he actually took a step back. “What’s wrong with you?”

“You. Your family! That’s what’s wrong with me.”

The anger sparking off of her had him nearly taking another step back before he caught himself. “Camryn, calm down and tell me what’s going on.”

“You really don’t know?”

“Know what?”

“We lost the Morrison deal.”

“The magazine you were buying? Deals fall through all the time.” He lifted his shoulders, the shrug designed to calm her but he saw the moment he miscalculated.

Another layer of anger painted itself across her face, tightening her normally lush lips into a thin line. “Yes, the magazine I was buying. It might seem like small potatoes to you, but it was a huge acquisition goal and part of my target plans for the year.”

“Okay. So what happened?”

She stopped where she paced across the room and turned on him. “You really don’t know?”

His own anger began to spark under his skin and his tone was clipped as his words shot back at her in a hard volley. “How the hell should I know anything? You’re not saying a single word that makes any sense.”

“I lost the deal with Morrison. Seems someone whispered in Morrison’s ear that it was a bad choice to sell to us. Rumors are that it came from the FJ.”

Something dark settled in the pit of his stomach, catching him unaware with the raw stab of pain that shot through his chest. “And you thought it was me?”

“You are the head of the FJ. Its public face and leader.”

“So that means I’m out to sabotage your goals for McBride?”

“No. Yes.” She ran a hand through her hair, the tones of her voice softening as she dropped to edge of the bed. “I’m here. Out of the way. It’s convenient.”

“You honestly think I was responsible? Or that I’d somehow engineer this trip to screw you over?”

“You’re the head of the Financial Journal and you’ve made no secret of wanting to get me into bed.”

Whatever anger she’d carried when he’d crossed the threshold had nothing on the raging hurricane that blew through him. Without thinking, he moved to her, dragging her into his arms. “Let me give you a clue, sweetheart. I don’t need games to get a woman into my bed and I’m damn sick of the one we’re playing.”

His lips crashed down on hers and he felt the briefest struggle, barely a token protest, before her arms wrapped around his neck and she kissed him back. Fury still rode her tongue but victory was sweet as his own dominated, sweeping through her mouth and taking possession. Soft mewls of pleasure escaped her throat and he captured those too, desperate to take all she had to offer.

And more.

Long moments later, when he finally lifted his head, he couldn’t hold back the rush of masculine pride at the dazed look that hovered over her features or the bemused smile that framed the corners of her mouth.

He sighed, reluctantly letting her go. “I need to get downstairs and greet my guests.”

“I suppose you do.”

…

Camryn wended her way through the crowd at the luau and, in yet another example of “what you see isn’t what you get,” was forced to adjust her impressions of the Financial Journal and its staff. Where she’d expected stodgy, quiet banker types, all buttoned up in suits, the smiling, jovial bunch who gathered on the beach for the opening night luau was a pleasant surprise.

The lingering frustration over her lost deal had her eyeing some of the reporters with suspicion, but Booth’s heated assurance that he had nothing to do with the lost deal had gone a surprisingly long way toward assuaging her anger. As did the fact that she still felt the brand of Booth’s mouth on her lips.

Deals did fall through all the time and the FJ was a respected resource for those making financial decisions. Hell, she’d used the paper as a resource more than a time or two in her career. She’d figure out how to fix this—already had a few ideas attempting to poke through the sexual haze Booth had woven—and she’d hit the ground running when she got home. In the meantime…

Her gaze strayed toward Booth, clad in a pair of khaki shorts and Hawaiian print shirt. His calves were thick with muscle and his broad shoulders were shown off to perfection under the vibrant silk material. She’d suffered through more than a few shivers as she thought about that large body wrapped around hers, and diligently tried to focus on the people in her conversation circle instead.

“I loved that piece you all did on Hollywood’s biggest donors to charity. It was a thoughtful article, yet still a lot of fun.”

Camryn keyed back in to the conversation, delighted a piece they’d run in their entertainment weekly, Personality, had left such an impression on Charlotte, the woman she’d been chatting with for the better part of an hour. “Thanks. My sister had a lot of fun putting that together.”

“Did she actually meet those celebrities?”

“She did.” Camryn leaned in, more than willing to share a few fun tidbits. “And yes, Channing Tatum really is that gorgeous and really that in love with his family.”

Hearts practically floated around Charlotte’s head. “How lovely.”

“Mayson enjoyed everyone she met on that project.”

The others in their conversation floated off to refill their drinks and Camryn was left with the older woman. “My husband teases me about my love of celebrities. He seems to forget he’s number one in my heart.”

“Well, men need reminding from time to time.”

Charlotte lifted her piña colada in a toast. “Which is why I read the sex tips in Modern Woman religiously. He may be number one in my heart, but I find he understands that better when he’s also number one in my bed. Especially after three kids and about forty pounds between us.”

Camryn laughed at the woman’s good-natured joke and exaggerated pat on her rear end. “You’re gorgeous and you clearly have your priorities in order. I’d say he’s a lucky man.”

“Damn straight.” Charlotte lifted her glass once more before her smile turned thoughtful. “Speaking of lucky men, Booth Harrison is quite a catch.”

“He’s a good man.”

“That he is. It’s a wonder no one’s snapped him up yet.” Charlotte took one more sip on her drink, her expression about as innocent as a small child caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

A loud call to order prevented Camryn from saying anything. The evening’s entertainment was about to begin and they were asked to take their seats. “It was nice to meet you, Charlotte.”

“You too. And think about what I said.”

“About what?”

“Oh, honey.” The older woman patted her arm. “I think you already know.”

Camryn navigated the throng of people, Charlotte’s words still echoing in her ears, when the sound of her name caught her up short. Turning, she saw West Harrison striding toward her, his arms outstretched for a hug. With a bright smile she didn’t feel, she amped up the wattage for her sister’s father-in-law. “Mr. Harrison. It’s lovely to see you again.”

The man pulled her into a tight hug before letting her go. “Glad you’re here, my girl. Welcome to paradise.”

West’s warm smile nearly had her fumbling but she kept her smile in place like an old pro while she wondered what he was up to. “Thank you.”

“When did you get in?”

“A few hours ago.”

“With Booth, right?”

If West’s comment was meant to prove how little he missed, Camryn was just small enough to want to squelch the satisfaction. “Booth and I did travel together. He was kind enough to get me in on a business dinner he’d planned with some Asian investors last night in San Francisco.”

“That’s my boy. Always quick to bring a bright and vivid dining companion along with him.”

Camryn kept her smile firmly in place, but couldn’t hold back the retort that sprang to her lips. “Fortunately I had quite a lot to discuss with the investors about our plans at McBride. They seemed rather taken with some of the growth strategies Keira and I have been working on.”

If he caught the dig, West ignored it. “Sorry to hear about the Morrison deal. Better luck next time, kiddo.”

“I wasn’t aware the news was public.”

His eyes flashed and she didn’t miss that spark of triumph. “I don’t miss much.”

“I’m sure you don’t.”

“Good, good. Excellent. Let me walk you to our table. We’re all together.”

The accusation was nearly past her lips when she pulled it back. Had West been the leak to Morrison? She wanted to ask him but decided to play out the charade. There’d be plenty of time for words later—now was her chance to observe and analyze.

It was curious, the man’s sudden interest in her. While his behavior never quite hit the mark of overtly rude, his call to her office had been more than a bit unsettling. Add on the subtle dig about her lost deal and she knew he was playing her. What she couldn’t understand was his motive. Although Booth’s comment the day before about his father’s ruthless behavior had been illuminating, it still didn’t explain why West would bother himself with her business.

Other than the dinner at Keira’s, they’d spent very little time in each other’s company, yet after making his jabs, here he was treating her as if she were the dearest of family. No wonder the man’s children struggled with him, if this was how he behaved in the simplest of matters. “Where’s Mrs. Harrison this evening?”

“She’s been to her fair share of these events so I let her stay home and sit this one out.”

Let her stay home?

Yet again, the man’s not-so-subtle chauvinism wasn’t lost on her, but Camryn kept her thoughts to herself. She wasn’t the one married to West Harrison and while his attitude saddened her, unfortunately, there were some battles others had to fight on their own.

They made their way through the crowd and West peppered her with jovial conversation. “Have you met Jeff Saunders? He’s the head of a key securities firm in the city. Bright up-and-comer. Would be great for a profile in your news magazine.”

West’s comment caught her off guard and she fumbled for a moment before righting herself. “I’d…love to talk with him. It’s always great to meet new people who are doing newsworthy things.”

“Here we are.” West made quick introductions while gesturing Camryn to the table, and before she could think twice about it, she was seated next to Jeff, his attention fully focused on her as he regaled her with his latest business accomplishments.

Conversation swirled around them and Camryn fought to keep herself engaged in Jeff’s words, even as she wondered at the man’s endless boasting. While she knew her sisters were often pitched ideas for the McBride publications, as CFO she was rarely called on—if ever—to take pitches for editorial ideas.

“West has been fantastic about giving me editorial coverage in the FJ. I’ll be in touch later this week so we can get some coverage in your magazine.”

“Why don’t you give me your card and I’ll shoot a note to my editorial director. If she’s interested, I’m sure she’ll follow up quickly.”

Jeff pulled the requested card from his front shirt pocket. “What’s her name?”

“Elizabeth Drake.”

“I can give her a call on Monday.”

She hadn’t spent years honing her boardroom politics for nothing. With a smile and firm tone, Camryn tapped his card on the table. “I’ll be sure to share your information. I’d like to respect Elizabeth’s process. If she’s interested, she’ll call you.”

“Oh sure, sure.” For the first time, Jeff seemed to come up for air. “Sorry to be pushy. This is how I’ve been working with West and I just thought that’s how things go. I’m happy to buy an ad package if that helps.”

“No, it’s no problem. Let me talk to editorial and get back to you. And if you’d like to talk to someone in ad sales I’m happy to connect you, but it’s not required to be considered for a piece in the publication.”

“All right then.”

The stage filled with their entertainment for the evening and Camryn turned to face the performers, Jeff’s words still ringing in her ears.

This is how I’ve been working with West. I’m happy to buy an ad package.

While she didn’t manage the editorial side of McBride’s business, she knew better than anyone that what they wrote and photographed for their magazines was meant to be separate from advertising. While the staff certainly made every effort to research their stories and present all companies and individuals in as positive a light as possible, they were journalists first and foremost. Ad budgets didn’t beget good press. Or editorial for that matter.

Her father’s long-ago bluster echoed in her mind, the forgotten words suddenly vivid and bright as she remembered that day she and her sisters had won access to the Home and Family trade show. “We’re not in the business of giving publicity to freeloaders. They’re not even buying ads in our magazines.”

Publicity and articles didn’t equate to ad pages, no matter how many ads you ran—or didn’t. Editors wrote what they thought fit the magazine and the sales team sold ads. Period.

So what exactly was West doing if he was featuring businesses in exchange for ad space?

And why had a distinctly uncomfortable boulder lodged in her gut?

…

“You look awfully serious.”

Booth took the empty seat next to Camryn’s. The entertainers were taking an intermission and everyone had left their tables to mix and mingle while getting drink refills or picking up desserts from a large buffet table.

“How can I be serious at such a fun event?” Her smile was bright but Booth would have had to be blind to miss the fact that it didn’t reach her eyes.

“Hence my question.”

“I’m just thinking about my speech tomorrow. This is an impressive group of employees you’ve got. I need to bring my A-game.”

“You always bring your A-game, Ms. McBride.” He resisted the urge to touch her in such a public venue, but he couldn’t resist leaning a bit closer as they spoke. The earthy sexuality of their earlier fight still had him gripped in a tight fist but the initial heat of anger had morphed into something far more like desire. And a dark craving that demanded action.

“Careful, Booth. Your staff is already talking about us.”

“Are they?” Irritation ran frustrated fingers up and down his spine. “Who?”

“Oh no, I’m not making it that easy on you. But let’s just say several of your employees have a soft spot for you. They can’t figure out why you haven’t been snapped up yet and if I read the subtext in conversation, they seem to think I’m trying out for the position.”

“Is that so?” He relaxed slightly at the comment. A bit of idle speculation wasn’t out-and-out gossip. Add on they were two single adults, free of attachments, and people would speculate even if they didn’t have a damn thing brewing between them.

So let them speculate.

Booth leaned in, his words whisper-soft against her ear. “Does this mean you’re open to some snapping?”

“People may get ideas in their head.”

“Let them.”

She did turn at that, surprise that he’d push the issue here, especially in front of his staff, more than evident in her widened eyes. “This isn’t the time or the place.”

“Maybe it is.”

“We’ll discuss this later.”

“With a walk on the beach.”

“Booth.”

“Say yes, Camryn.” An urgency filled his words—one he was helpless to hold back.

In a strange repetition of their conversation on the plane, Booth was surprised to realize that once again he was asking her to say yes. And just like their conversation on the flight, he was filled with a deep satisfaction when she agreed, that one small word emitted on a breathless exhale.

“Yes.”

…

The lights of the hotel faded in the distance as Booth and Camryn walked along the beach. The heavy lap of waves echoed around them, and the night sky overhead was bright with stars.

“It truly is paradise here,” she said. “It’s probably good Hawaii is so far away from the mainland. If it were close, no one would ever want to leave.”

“Did you enjoy the luau?”

“What a great way to kick off the conference. It was fun and lighthearted and it got people mixing and mingling. I loved the hula dancers. What about you?”

“I loved watching you watch the entertainment.”

She stopped and turned toward him. “You’re not going to back down, are you?”

“Do you want me to back down?”

“No—” Whatever else she was about to say faded as the heavy lap of waves punctuated the silence. On a light sigh, she continued. “No, I don’t want you to back down, but I do think discretion is in order.”

Booth wanted to press her but he wanted her to come to him—all on her own—even more. With deliberate movements he came to a halt, turning to face her. “You have to know what you’re doing to me. You’re like a drug in my system, so powerful that I can’t think about anything else for wanting you.”

“I know.”

“How do you know?” His words came out sharper than he intended and in that moment Booth had to acknowledge just how close to the razor’s edge he walked in his need for her.

“I see how you look at me and all I can think is that must be how I look at you.”

“How’s that?”

Her hair blew around her face in the light breeze off the ocean, moonlight sheening her skin in a soft glow. The confusion and subtle sense of mistrust that always kept her wary in his presence faded as the ocean crashed in the background. Whether it was his imagination or the overwhelming need he had for her, Booth had no idea, but in that moment he sensed—no, he felt—a change.

Like the ocean tide that would erase all traces of them walking on the sand, her doubts seemed to fade away as well, acceptance washing away everything else. “Like you’re the only thing I can see. I want you. I’m not convinced it’s a good idea, but so help me I want you.”

Booth didn’t even know he was holding his breath until it came out on a heavy rush of air. He dragged her into his arms, the long hours of waiting for her finally over.

Her lips met his and as she opened her mouth, welcoming his tongue to tangle with hers, he tasted the sweetest victory.

Chapter Nine

For a decision that had filled her with endless questions over the last several months, Camryn was amazed at just how easy it was to say yes to Booth. She moved into his arms and pressed her body to his, his muscled frame a feast for her senses.

Male power radiated off of him in waves, the heat of his skin at odds with the sweet night air that swirled around them both, and Camryn reveled in the contrast.

He made love to her with his mouth, lips, and hands, his teeth and fingers drawing the most exquisite sensations. Camryn had the abstract worry they might be discovered, but a quick glance over his shoulder indicated they were alone on the beach. Secure in that knowledge, she used the moment to her advantage. With seeking fingers, she slipped a hand beneath the waistband of Booth’s shorts, his sharp intake of breath against her lips empowering her to be even bolder. With deliberate movements, she gripped the length of him, pumping his straining flesh with her hand.

“Camryn—” He whispered her name out on a heavy moan and she maintained the pressure, satisfied by the immediate transformation in his composure. The arms that held her grew tight as he struggled against the demands of his body, and the thick lines of his chest pressed against her breasts, hardening her already-sensitized nipples where they brushed against him.

“We can’t do this.” The words sounded as if they were dragged from his lips and despite his protests, he pushed his body against her, grinding into her palm.

“I thought this was your idea?” She smiled against his lips, pleased when he reached out and nipped at her with his teeth.

“Vixen.”

“I find I’m rather enjoying the role.”

On a sigh that held a world of wanting, Booth reached for her wrist, staying the motion of her hand. “You’re making me crazy, but we can’t do this here.”

“Spoilsport.”

“Practical. What I want to do to you is going to take a lot longer than ten minutes.”

“Here’s to that.”

His smile was broad and decidedly wicked, the white of his teeth reflecting back at her in the light of the moon. “Actually, here’s to us. And a very large bed.”

They stumbled back toward the hotel and Camryn was amused to find her footing was off-kilter as her body shook with unfulfilled need.

“This way!” Booth’s whisper was loud, drawing her attention as his arms pulled her off the path they walked back to the hotel.

“Where are you going?”

“To my bungalow.”

“An entire bungalow? My, my, it’s good to be the boss.” The tease was light and airy and for the briefest moment Camryn marveled that it was her saying the words. When had she traded in her deliberate-all-the-angles personality for this playful, flirtatious attitude?

The evidence was as clear as the large man who wrapped himself around her.

Booth.

It had all begun and ended with Booth.

He made her see herself differently, and she liked what she saw. Liked the woman who was ready to throw caution to the wind for a round of sex on the beach. She and Booth fit and she was done passing up her chance at seeing just how well they fit. She’d worry about the rest of it when she got back to New York. For now, she was taking full advantage of some good old-fashioned Hawaiian relaxation.

Booth fumbled with his key card and had the door knocking heavily back on its hinges as he slammed it open with his fist. Before she could tease him for his impatience, her world went horizontal as he lifted her off her feet. “What are you doing?”

“Hedging my bet.” He pressed a quick kiss against her temple.

“On what?”

He stopped at the doorway and stared down at her. In the moonlight reflecting in the room, Camryn saw a world of emotion branded across his face. “I don’t want you to come to your senses and run.”

“I have come to my senses.”

“Oh?” Those emotions changed, morphing into a quick flash of disappointment.

“Oh yes. And there’s no way I’m going anywhere.”

…

Satisfaction bloomed in Booth’s chest. Over the last few months—and certainly the last few days—he’d almost felt as if he were trying to wear Camryn down, and that couldn’t be further from his intentions. She fascinated him and he believed they had something special between them. He only wanted an opportunity to see just how right he was. And how right they could be together.

Music that must have been left on by the hotel’s turndown service played softly from built-in speakers, weaving a spell around them. He pulled Camryn close once more. “You nearly killed me on the beach.”

“I should try my hand once more.” He laughed at the pun, amazed he could even crack a smile his body throbbed so desperately for release.

As she collapsed in the circle of his arms, her own laughter shaking her shoulders, he was struck yet again by how different he felt when he was with her. Certainly sex was supposed to be enjoyable, but this had the added dimension of being comfortable all while being sexy as hell.

It was a potent combination.

“I think you’re wearing too many clothes.” He reached for the zipper on the back of her vibrant print dress, trailing his fingers over her spine as he parted the silky material. She shivered but stood proud and tall when the silk fell from her body, pooling around her feet. “Are you cold?”

“No.”

“Why the shiver?”

“I’m a little nervous.”

He leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss against her lips. “Me too.”

The realization shocked him, but Booth knew with absolute certainty his comment was true. He was nervous. And excited. And so desperate for her he wasn’t sure he could hold out as long as he wanted to.

“What do you have to be nervous about?”

“I’ve got a beautiful woman in my arms and my body’s about to go off like a fourteen-year-old. And I’ve got a beautiful woman in my arms and I don’t want to mess this up. And, well, I’ve got a beautiful woman in my arms.”

He saw her smile spread, full of feminine knowledge and power. Unlike earlier at dinner, this smile reached her eyes, those warm orbs golden brown in the subdued light of the room. Booth pulled her close, moving them both toward the bed. As he felt the edge with his leg, he dragged the covers down before pressing her into the sheets.

“You’re still wearing too much.”

“You’ve got on more than me.”

“Not for long.” He shucked his clothing quickly, careful to drop his shorts in easy reach from the bed, then came down next to her, stretching out along her body.

“Booth.” Her hand was gentle on his face as she traced the line of his jaw with her fingers. The sensation was tender yet erotic, and he marveled at how everything between them was a new sensation. More unique—more Camryn—than any experience of his life.

“What, baby?”

“Why us?”

He shifted, rising up fully on his elbow to look down at her. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing. I’m sorry. It’s silly.”

“Not if you asked it. Come on. What’d you mean?”

A light blush suffused her cheeks and he saw how vulnerability painted her face in tight lines. “I was just curious—”

“Yes?”

“Why us. And why now.” The light pink riding her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of rose. “I’m sorry. This is dumb and I’m ruining the moment.”

“You’re not ruining anything.”

“I’m certainly not helping anything either.”

He sat up, this time pulling her with him until she was tucked under his arm. “Would you rather we not do this?”

“No!” Her answer was so immediate—and so absolute—he could only wonder what else might be bothering her. “So what’s the matter?”

“I just can’t believe you want to be with me.”

“Can’t believe…” Booth broke off, his words fading as he thought about their morning. “Does this have anything to do with that asshole Patrick Martindale?”

“Not directly. But, well, a little bit.” Camryn took a deep breath and he watched her gather her strength. When she finally spoke again, her voice was crisp and clear. “I’m sorry to bring him between us. Patrick certainly wasn’t my first, but he was the most recent. And at every turn I came up lacking in his eyes.”

That reticence he’d sensed earlier in her tone finally had an explanation and he was pissed he hadn’t laid the guy out when he’d had a clean shot. “Because he’s an asshole.”

“While I appreciate that assessment, it doesn’t change the fact that I spent an awfully unpleasant year losing a part of myself again.”

Again? The question was quickly obliterated as a dark haze descended over his vision and Booth fought to keep his perspective. This moment was about Camryn, not what he’d like to do to punch that wanker’s face in. “I wish I could change that. Wish that you could see the vibrant, beautiful woman that I see. And if I’d known how deeply he’d hurt you I’d have laid him out this morning.”

“The Ritz-Carlton frowns on that sort of thing.”

“Not when you tip big.”

He felt her mood lighten immediately as her laughter built once more. The shoulders that had stiffened under his arms loosened and the hesitancy he’d seen faded as if it had never been. “You’re amazing. I’m sorry that anyone, anyone at all, made you forget that for even a moment.”

“I’m sorry I brought that here. Between us.”

“I’m not. You don’t have to hide from me. Not your thoughts. Not anything.”

Camryn reached for him, pulling his head toward hers for a kiss. Booth drank her in, her sweet flavor the most sultry aphrodisiac. “Touch me, Booth.”

He made quick work of her bra before sliding his hands lower to the waistband of her panties. He dipped one finger beneath the elastic on an unerring quest for the slickness at the apex of her thighs. Her warm heat surrounded him and Booth couldn’t hide the feeling of being the conquering hero as he slid a finger inside the tight walls of her body.

“Booth!”

Even as his own body strained for release, he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to turn her as crazy with need as he was. “Turnabout is fair play.”

Moments spun out between them, long and lazy with need as Booth watched Camryn take her pleasure. The golden brown of her eyes grew darker as her pupils expanded, telegraphing her desire, even as her body grew tight with her need for release. And then the moment broke, her body taking her over the edge.

Booth watched in awe as pleasure suffused her features. Her chest flushed a delicate shade of pink and her head lay on the pillow, a riot of dark curls framing her face. He trailed a line of kisses up her body.

Camryn’s voice was husky when she spoke. “You really are the perfect host, you know that?”

“How so?”

“You provide luxury accommodations, all the food and drink your guests could ask for, and you provide orgasms on demand. Are you available for parties? I bet we could even write a few articles on you for Modern Woman.”

“You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

…

True to Booth’s promise, Camryn realized quickly that he was far from finished having his way with her. Fortunately, she was not only up to the task, but she had a few tricks up her sleeve as well. With a quick shift, she had him on his back, straddling his hips.

“Smooth move, McBride.”

“I can be even smoother.” Camryn leaned forward, allowing her hair to fall over his chest. She saw the stark need that covered his face just before she leaned forward to press a trail of kisses over his chest. The hard points of his nipples highlighted his arousal and she flicked her tongue over each one before moving on down toward his stomach.

A light trail of hair fascinated her as she moved lower before being met with the full evidence of his arousal through the silky material of his briefs.

“We’ll need to remove these.” She moved quickly, but carefully, and had his briefs down his thighs and over his calves before tossing them aside.

“Impressive.”

“To borrow your phrase, you ain’t seen nothing yet.”

Booth must have sensed her intent because his strong fingers gripped her shoulders and dragged her back up his body. “I want you so bad I can’t see straight. You spend any more time down there with your mouth that close to my body and our evening is going to come to an awfully untimely end.”

Once more, the reality of how she affected him rose up to swamp her with pleasure. Add on how freely Booth shared his praise—and how honestly he told her how he felt and what she did to him—and Camryn knew her illusions about simply having a fling with the man were deeply misguided. She’d be lucky to get out of this with her heart intact.

“Are you with me?”

His words penetrated her thoughts and Camryn knew she’d never been more ready.

He reached up once more and captured her lips with his before neatly turning her over onto her back and capturing her body with his. The long, hard length of him pressed against her thigh before he leaned off the bed to reach for his shorts.

The quick crinkle of the condom packet echoed in the room before he put it on, then positioned himself against her body. “I want you so badly, Camryn.”

She wasn’t sure if it was the words, or his use of her name or the very real weight of him seeking entrance into her body, but a well of emotion opened up and all she could do was nod her agreement.

The desire that had been building for months was finally given free rein and Camryn allowed herself to follow wherever it led.

Booth filled her, then began to move with long, sure strokes. The same pleasure built as before, only this time there was another layer. Another dimension. His large body, rising and falling over hers, the light slap of their flesh, and the need that tightened every one of his muscles made the experience deeper.

Richer.

And as her own pleasure built, impossibly higher, Camryn gave herself permission to fall.

…

Booth rolled over in the large bed to pull Camryn closer and came up with empty hands. They’d drifted off to sleep earlier, but the loss of her warmth pulled him fully awake. “How long did we sleep?”

She turned from the double doors that led out to his bungalow’s veranda. “A few hours. I wanted to open the doors and get some of the night breeze.”

“Good idea.” Moonlight framed her figure from behind and he could see the slender outline of her body, now draped in one of the hotel bathrobes.

“What time do you have to get up in the morning? I should probably let you have your bed to yourself and find my way into mine.”

“Early. I need to be down in the dining room at seven, so I thought I’d get up around six.”

“That is early.” She fiddled with the belt at her waist. “I can get going.”

“I’d rather you stayed.”

“I don’t want to impose.”

Booth pushed back the covers and walked toward her. He didn’t miss her gaze as it roved over his body, before shifting—and staying focused—on his arousal. “You’re not an imposition.”

She lifted her eyes. “I know a lot of people prefer their space…after.”

He pulled her into his arms. “I’m not most people.” Booth pressed a light kiss to her cheek before drifting his lips toward the sensitive flesh of her ear, his actions rewarded with a light shudder. “Which I keep trying to tell you but maybe I need to show you.”

Another light shiver racked her shoulders. “I know but I didn’t want to assume.”

“Camryn.”

“Hmmm?” Her head fell back as she gave him better access to her ear.

“Untie your robe.”

He was amused to see how quickly her head snapped up. “What?”

“Untie your robe.”

“Why?”

He stepped back, giving up the warmth of her body to watch her. “Because I want to see you, naked in the moonlight.”

That cute little blush he was coming to love crept up her cheeks. “You’ve seen me naked.”

“I want to see you again. Now. You know, in case I’ve forgotten a few details.” He kept his gaze on hers, unwilling to break the emotional contact, but could see her hands float to her waist from his peripheral vision. With deliberate slowness, she dragged one tie, then the second, untying the bow.

“That’s not all of it.”

“Maybe you could help me.”

“No,” Booth shook his head. “I need you to do it.”

“Why?” Her voice was breathless, that one word heating his already-sensitized body into overload.

“Because I want to watch you bare yourself to me. Give me that gift. Please.”

Her fingers resumed their place over the tie of her robe and he saw indecision hovering in her gaze before a little spark flared to life. She ran her fingers over the length of material and he imagined those same fingers as they ran over his cock, from base to tip and back. He knew the moment she registered the very same, her gaze dropping once more to focus on his arousal while her fingers plied the silk.

“I’m waiting.”

“I know.” She took a step toward him, her fingers dragging on the single tie still left at her waist.

“You’re teasing me.”

“A little.” She smiled. “Okay. A lot.”

“The sooner you remove the robe, the sooner I can get my hands on you.”

“And where’s the fun in that?” He nearly sputtered at her words before she continued. “Let me amend that thought. While there is a lot of fun in that, the longer you look at me, the more I imagine your hands on my body. Caressing my breasts, dragging my nipples into tight points before your lower your mouth and lick them with your tongue.”

The game he’d been so intent on playing—encouraging Camryn to come to him—had been neatly turned on him. By her words alone, she’d managed to send a fury of need pounding through his system that demanded attention.

“And then what will I do?”

“You mean after you drag so many sensations from my breasts you move me to orgasm?”

“Yes.” The word came out on a strangled moan, the image of her suffused in pleasure nearly unmanning him right then and there.

“Then you’ll run your fingers over my clitoris, which will be desperately throbbing for your touch.”

The taut thread he hung on tightened another notch. “And will you come?”

“No.” She frowned slightly, her mouth drawing down into a pout. “You’ll tease me, drawing me close to the edge but never quite taking me all the way.”

Once more, the image she painted filled his mind with vivid images, full of the most desperate wants of his heart.

“But I finally will give you release?”

“Yes.”

“How?” Booth waited with bated breath for her answer, the only sound between them the distant rush of the ocean as it crashed to shore. “How, Camryn?”

“With your tongue.”

Whatever he’d been about to ask next vanished in the picture that formed in his mind. Camryn spread before him, like a sensual feast. He imagined bringing her words to life, artfully drawing sensation after sensation from her body as she writhed in pleasure beneath him.

Before he could even think to produce a coherent thought, she mercifully put him out of his misery. With slow yet deliberate movements, she undid the belt at her waist. She shifted out of the robe with a sinuous shrug of her shoulders, allowing it to fall to the floor.

Booth gave himself the moment to simply gaze upon her perfect form. The long, slim column of her throat where is descended gracefully into her collarbone. He continued his visual exploration, with high, firm breasts, her nipples pointed with need. His gaze followed lower, over her flared hips and flat belly, then lower to the curls at the apex of her thighs. And still, his gaze continued, over the firm flesh of her thighs, down her slender calves before taking in the small feet with cherry-red toenails.

“You are beautiful.”

“Booth.”

“Hmm?”

“You can touch me now.”

He didn’t wait to be told twice.

…

Camryn lay in the circle of Booth’s arms, the unceasing lap of waves outside the open French doors a counterpart to his heavy, even breaths. She’d spent the last hour vacillating between supreme satisfaction and bone-deep surprise at the wanton things she’d done.

And said.

What had happened to her? And where had those things come from?

She’d always believed herself to be a sensual person, but the reality, she knew, was that she was sort of a sensual person on hold. Waiting for the right person to unlock her inner needs and desires.

Clearly Booth Harrison was the one with the key.

On some level, she expected that if she ever found herself in this situation, she’d be confused. Her sisters had certainly dealt with their fair share of bewilderment and misunderstanding on the way to their happy relationships.

Of course, she wasn’t thinking marriage with Booth so it wasn’t a fair comparison.

The pleasant satisfaction that had ridden her limbs for the last hour vanished at the direction of her thoughts. Because no matter how powerful their moments together—or how intimate—there was no way what she had with Booth was leading toward marriage or any other relationship that smacked of permanence.

This was a fling, nothing more. She had to keep telling herself that.

Maybe, Camryn hoped, if she said it to herself enough times she’d begin to believe it.

Chapter Ten

The lights in the ballroom went down, and Camryn began her speech at the sales conference. Although she couldn’t see much beyond the first few rows of round tables, she could see Booth, and his presence calmed her, even as her insides did a happy flip of excitement.

If the night before had been a lesson in embracing her inner sensuality, waking up with Booth had been a revelation. She’d awoken in his arms, his mouth hot, fierce, and demanding on hers. Although they both needed to be up and downstairs for the conference, they’d lingered over the moments they did have, then raced to the opening breakfast, telling smiles on their faces as they avoided touching each other.

Okay. As she avoided touching him while he kept trying to pull her under his arm the entire walk to the ballroom. She could still feel Booth’s whisper against her ear before she stood to go up on stage. “You’re a bad influence on me.”

The moment gave her another shot of adrenaline and she launched into her presentation, excited and enthusiastic about her material. She could only assume that excitement came through, based on the throng of people who greeted her after the speech.

“Well done, Ms. McBride.” Jeff, the man she’d sat next to the night before, shook her hand after waiting in the line of well-wishers.

“Thanks, Jeff. And please, it’s Camryn.” She glanced around the now-empty room, a wry smile suffusing her face. “That was awfully nice of you to wait for me. It looks like everyone’s taking their midmorning coffee and doughnut break. I’m sorry you’re missing out.”

“Since my wife’s meeting me for a few days after the conference, I figure the good meals and booze will do enough damage.”

His response was sweet and cheerful and Camryn couldn’t help but feel bad for thinking ill of him the night before. “Fair enough.”

“Listen. I was hoping I could get your opinion on something. You were so helpful last night and I thought maybe, well…”

“Of course. What’s going on?”

“I’ve been thinking about what you told me last night. About ad space and editorial.” She nodded and clearly it was enough for him to continue. “This is all new to me and I’m afraid I may have made a few missteps.”

“It’s a learning curve, Jeff.” She voiced the polite pleasantries, but even as she did, their conversation from the night before nudged at her. From what he’d recounted, he wasn’t making advertising choices that were entirely aboveboard and she was honor-bound to correct his misperceptions. “Based on what you explained to me, it sounds like you haven’t been making the distinction between advertising and editorial. It’s an easy enough fix moving forward.”

“I appreciate it.”

“Of course.” Despite her assurance, the man still looked concerned. “Is something else the matter?”

“Well, I can’t help but wonder if I did the wrong thing with what’s already run. I have a copy with me. Would you mind taking a look?”

The subtle nudging at her conscience ratcheted up a few notches as she stared at the folded newspaper pages Jeff thrust in her hands. “You were front page of the business section?”

“Yes.”

She scanned the article, the subtle discomfort that had ridden her since the night before morphing into distinct distress, overlaid with a fair amount of anxiety. “This piece basically endorses your business.”

“Right.”

“I mean no disrespect, but that’s not really the purpose of editorial. For the same reason a journalist shouldn’t tear you down with veiled suspicions they can’t back up, neither should they blithely endorse you, either.”

“Am I in trouble?”

“I hate to pull the ‘I’m not a lawyer’ routine but I’m afraid I need to if you’re that concerned.” She continued scanning the article, flipping to the carry-over editorial further back in the section. “This is only a quick scan, but there doesn’t appear to be anything too bad in here. No one’s suggesting an investor buy with you or go with your firm. But I’d suggest you avoid doing business this way in future.”

“Of course.”

They exchanged a few more pleasantries before Jeff went on his way, but Camryn was still thinking about their conversation a half hour later as the next presenter took the stage.

What were they doing at the Financial Journal?

She read the paper religiously and hadn’t noticed anything particularly amiss, but if she were being fair, she also didn’t diligently review their advertisers and bump them against the editorial product. An image of the stack of papers in her home office filled her mind’s eye. And she’d been more distracted than usual over the last few months, between the takeover attempt by Nathan and a heavier-than-usual workload. She was lucky if she had time to scan the front page and a few other key articles, catching up on the rest of her reading via the web or a few quick scans on her tablet.

She hadn’t paid any real attention.

But maybe it was time to start.

…

Booth avoided the temptation to touch Camryn in public…barely. “You were amazing.”

“It’s your team who’s amazing. They were so engaged in the presentation and their questions were really fantastic.”

“They were responding to your energy.”

Her eyebrows rose and she shot him a saucy grin. “You already got me here. No need to butter me up any longer.”

Booth lifted his hands in mock surrender. “Fine, fine. Although you did just give me an idea for later.” He let the comment hang there, pleased when that cute blush heated her cheeks.

“You’re terrible. Besides, everyone here wants a few minutes of your time and you’re spending it all with me.” They’d moved into the hotel’s large lobby bar, the day’s workshops completed, and the jubilant sounds of happy revelers surrounded them like a wall.

“They see me all the time.”

“Well, I don’t exactly live far away from you.”

“Does this mean you’ll keep seeing me when we get back to New York?” Booth asked the question, not sure why he’d chosen that precise moment to probe such a serious topic.

Or why he waited with bated breath, hoping for a yes.

“I’d like that.”

“Me too.” He suppressed the urge to kiss her, instead running his hand once more over the bare flesh of her arm. It was hardly enough, but it would have to do for the moment.

They were quickly assimilated into a conversation circle, Camryn’s comment that his team all wanted a piece of his attention more than evident. He watched how easily she fit into the conversation, sharing thoughts, listening as others shared theirs.

She was the perfect partner, both in and out of bed.

The realization of where his thoughts headed smacked him in the head like a ton of bricks. While he knew his thoughts about Camryn had grown increasingly more insistent, thinking of her along those lines—permanent lines—was a heady surprise.

And one that felt 100 percent right.

His gaze drifted toward her as he allowed thoughts of a shared future to take root in his mind. She’d been pulled into a nearby conversation and he took the moment to observe how others responded to her. Whatever she’d battled in her past was nowhere in evidence as he watched a vibrant woman hold court with her admirers.

The content of her speech was still at the forefront of people’s minds, evidenced by the questions he heard floating toward him. She answered each and every one, asking questions of her own in kind. She also listened when others spoke, giving them her full attention. And she had a tremendous ability to disagree with an idea without disagreeing with the person.

People were comfortable in her presence and because of that they gravitated toward her.

“Careful, my boy. You don’t want it getting out that you’re smitten now, do you?”

Booth turned to stare at his father, unwilling to give an inch on the subject of his personal life. West had a tumbler of bourbon in his hand and a gleam in his eye and Booth knew his ability to avoid talking about Camryn was likely a pipe dream.

“Now why would that happen?” Booth took a sip of his scotch and gave West his full attention.

“They’ve got eyes, Booth. Everyone here does. And no one’s missed how yours have been trained for two days on Camryn.”

“She’s a beautiful woman. I’m certainly not the only man who’s looked at her more than once.”

“I’d say it’s the intensity of your interest that really gives you away. Be careful, son. Intense attraction can make a man distracted. You’ve got some important deals going down, namely the big one with your brother.”

“I’m well aware of my responsibilities.”

Booth found it odd his father thought it was not only his right to pry, but also his duty to offer advice the man hadn’t followed in his own life. Between a failed marriage with Booth’s own mother, an affair with Nathan’s mother, and a rather acerbic relationship with his second wife, West was hardly the model of personal restraint.

West shrugged, the motion philosophical. “On the other hand, her family’s been good to your brother. No reason to think it couldn’t be equally good to you.”

Booth kept a tight rein on his temper, but even he wasn’t immune to the curiosity that welled up at his father’s words. “While I’m not even sure why we’re having this conversation, would you care to explain that remark?”

“Nathan’s business has doubled since he hooked up with the McBrides. No reason to think yours—ours—wouldn’t do the same if you and Camryn got together.”

“Why would that matter?”

“Common assets. Common goals. It’s a perfect match.”

Although Booth’s thoughts had run to just how perfectly matched he and Camryn were mere moments before, even he couldn’t believe his father had leaped to such an odd place. What the hell was this? The 1850s when people were still arranging marriages to build their prosperity?

“Since I’m hardly looking for an arranged marriage, there’s nothing perfect about it.”

“But you are looking at her.” West nodded his head one last time in Camryn’s direction before he moved on to another conversation. “Think about what I said.”

Booth proceeded to do just that.

…

Camryn did her best to avoid staring too long or too often at Booth, but it was hard to feign a lack of interest when his father joined him for a conversation. Even harder, she mused, when it was clear by their subtle glances that she was the object of that conversation.

The stormy look that had ridden Booth’s features—and still did—offered up another clue that West was likely up to his antics again. He’d been less than supportive of her sister’s marriage to his son, although his recent efforts, such as their family dinner, suggested the winds were changing on that front. Regardless, she didn’t need the man speculating about her and certainly not about a relationship—no, a fling, she corrected herself—she was still trying to get a handle on.

“You’ve been turning amazing profits at McBride. Mind sharing some of your trade secrets?”

Camryn refocused on her conversation partner, a woman who managed the financial projections for the advertising sales team at the FJ. “You give me far too much credit, Ann. It’s less a trade secret and more giving the editorial team what they need to put out a good product, which you have in spades with the paper and all its multimedia formats. When you have that, advertising revenue follows quickly.”

“We’re not seeing nearly the same bumps you are.”

“That’s surprising. I assume you’ve negotiated down your printing and shipping costs?” At the woman’s nod, Camryn tried to take a stab at another possibility. “Is it because your audience is a business target instead of a consumer target? I know our business publications run on tighter margins, just due to the number of advertisers who make sense for those environments.”

“I don’t know.” The woman shook her head and Camryn sensed real challenges underlying her words. “It’s like we should be doing better but every time I look at where I’m forecasting versus my actual revenue I come up short.”

“Do you think your sales teams are sweetening the deals too much? I know there’s a temptation to close the deal at any cost, but when you’re the one looking at the costs it’s not that clear-cut.”

The woman shook her head once. “Not that I can tell, but I’ve got it on my list of things to discuss during our break-out sessions this week.”

“Well, good luck with it.”

Camryn knew the frustration when you were trying to make every penny count—and forward progress seemed like it was taking forever—but she still couldn’t shake the same strange feeling that had gripped her about Jeff’s ad problem earlier.

How was the FJ managing its books?

Her glance drifted once more to West Harrison as he strode around the room, glad-handing all the way, and she couldn’t dismiss the very real feeling the man was up to something.

Was it possible Booth was involved as well?

He managed the FJ, so it would stand to reason he had a good handle on the profits and loss. As group publisher and CEO, Keira was well-versed in the details of all McBride Media’s financial transactions and profit-and-loss statements. Camryn knew she was trusted to manage McBride’s financial processes, but at the end of the day, her sister needed to understand how profitable the business was in order to run it.

Wouldn’t Booth be the very same?

A waiter passed her with a tray of full wineglasses and she took a chardonnay. Light glinted off the rich, buttery yellow glow of the wine and Camryn stared down into her glass, contemplating the implications.

This was an incredibly lavish trip. The food and drink had flowed freely and, by all expectations, would all week. The sheer cost to fly a staff of people out to Hawaii was extraordinary. Was there something else going on?

She walked the perimeter of the room on her way to a seat at the bar. Maybe it was time to talk to a few more people and see if she could get a better sense of what wasn’t being said.

…

Camryn scrolled through her computer screen once more and jotted another note on a legal pad. Her time in the bar hadn’t proven fruitful and she finally decided to assuage her curiosity another way.

As a subscriber of the FJ, she had access to all its editions online. With the meticulous eye for detail she was known for—or teased for when it came from Keira and Mayson—Camryn had made two columns on her legal pad: what major companies had been the subject of overly favorable editorial in the last three months, and did those same advertisers place ads in the Financial Journal.

Sadly, she’d found four matches and she’d only been at it for about an hour and a half and roughly a month’s worth of issues. Deciding to shift tactics, she did a search of the FJ’s archives for all stories relating to the companies on the list.

“And gotcha.”

Camryn clicked on the first article she came to—a report detailing quarterly results for a major financial organization—and saw glowing praise for the way the company managed its finances. While the journalist didn’t go overboard with praise, anyone who read the article would be left assuming this was a strong partner to invest with. Several other article links led to comparably favorable reporting.

Camryn shut down the web page and powered down her laptop. The news was curious, but as of yet she hadn’t found anything truly incriminating. Hell, she could likely find comparable circumstances with McBride’s advertisers.

Would she find the same? Whether by overt intention or simple coincidence, could someone possibly infer the same things about McBride’s editorial product as she was assuming about the FJ?

The urge to call Keira was strong, but a glance at the clock—11:00 p.m.—meant it was the middle of Keira’s day in Europe. Camryn opted for a quick text instead, then stood and stretched, working out the kinks in her back from sitting hunched over her computer.

The ding of her phone stopped her midstride and she glanced back, oddly hopeful her sister had sensed her need to talk through the miles. Instead, a broad smile broke out when she read the text.

How’d it go? I’m dying here for an update even though I already know you knocked ’em dead.

Sinclair.

An impish urge filled her and she tapped back a quick reply. Totally bombed. Am laughingstock of New York ad community. And they all hated my dress. Tough crowd.

The phone rang so fast she couldn’t believe the cell signal had already carried her text back to New York.

“That was fast.”

“You are such a liar!” Sinclair’s voice echoed through her ear, a few decibels above the screeching halt of the subway.

“Of course I am. I looked fabulous, thanks to you—”

“Thanks to yourself and those legs of yours.”

She smiled at his rigorous defense. “And the FJ’s staff was warm and receptive to the presentation.”

“I knew it! I absolutely knew it.”

“Speaking of what I don’t know, why aren’t you here?”

“I’m working on an upcoming event that came in last minute. We snagged an interview with several economic bigwigs when they’re all in New York next week and I’m juggling schedules like they were chain saws.”

“Is that why you’re up in the middle of the night?”

“Bingo.”

The camaraderie was easy and friendly and she had the momentary urge—no, madness, really—of asking Sinclair what he knew about the FJ’s editorial coverage before she stopped herself. Whatever instant rapport they’d developed would likely fall flat if she started questioning him about his employer.

If she had questions, she needed to ask Booth. He deserved to hear her suspicions and answer them for himself.

Even if it ruined whatever tenuous threads had begun to hold them together.

“Earth to Camryn.”

“Oh. Sorry.”

“I know it’s been a long day so I’m going to let you get back to paradise. I just had to call bullshit on your texts.”

“I’m so glad you did.”

There was a sudden quiet on the phone before Sinclair’s voice dropped, his tone serious. “You sure everything’s all right?”

“Yes. Absolutely.”

“Okay. Well I’m holding you to lunch when you get back and I get these old cronies interviewed. I’ll get a full download then.”

“It’s a date.”

She hung up, the smile not quite fading, even in the face of what she suspected. Sinclair had become a true friend in a short period of time and she was grateful he was a part of her life.

Just like Booth. He’d become a part of her life in a short time, too.

Her smile dropped, the thought of what might happen after they got home giving her a good solid kick in the chest. Hell, she was the one who’d stressed the notion things were temporary.

So why was she suddenly rethinking that stance?

The soft knock at the door had butterflies leaping in her stomach in a crazy dance. Her gaze alighted on the legal pad where she’d scribbled notes and she quickly shoved it in her tote before crossing to open the door.

Booth.

“Hey stranger.”

The suit he’d worn all day was still neat, but he’d eliminated the tie somewhere along the way. Golden skin peeped out through the opening at his collar and Camryn tamped down hard on the wash of lust that shot straight to her core. “Hey back. Did the party break up?”

One lone eyebrow rose over those vivid blue eyes. “What do you take my staff for? Amateurs? These are ad people. The party is still going strong and it finally veered into stupid.” Booth edged his way through the door. “Which meant I could finally make my escape.”

“You mean you don’t want to party until you’re stupid?”

“I’ve done my fair share of that over the years. It only ends in one thing.”

Camryn gestured him into the room. “What’s that?”

“Feeling stupid. And hungover. Neither of which I’m in the mood for.” He pushed the door closed with his foot as he shrugged out of his suit jacket, then drew her into his arms.

“What are you in the mood for?”

“You.”

It was one word, one simple syllable, but it was filled with such promise Camryn nearly forgot to breathe. She wrapped her arms around his neck. “How can I argue with that?”

“You can’t.” He pressed his mouth to hers while moving them until her back was flush against the door.

Based on the way she’d spent the last two hours, Camryn knew she should stop him. Knew she should explain her concerns and give him a chance to answer her honestly about his company’s editorial practices.

She knew this, but as his mouth devoured hers and his large body pressed against hers and he whispered sexy words that were all hers, Camryn allowed herself to be swept away.

…

The concerns of the day faded as Booth pressed himself against her, lost in the taste and feel of her skin. He’d always loved their annual sales conference, but today the hours had seemed to pass with interminable slowness as he dreamed of this moment.

Being back with Camryn and holding her in his arms.

He ran his hands over her body in a wash of mindless need. She’d changed into a thin nightgown and robe and he made quick work of both, anxious to feel her soft skin. Her hands were as fevered as his and he heard the pop of a button on his shirt where she tugged too hard.

“Oops.” With gentler motions, she slowed down as she worked the rest of the buttons, and he nearly ripped the shirt off for her.

She pushed the shirt down his arms, then lifted his thin undershirt over his head. Her hungry gaze captured his as his head came free of the soft cotton, and Booth wasn’t sure he’d ever been that aroused by a simple look. “You have the most beautiful body. All these hard angles.”

As if punctuating the thought, she ran her hands over his skin, painting him with her fingertips and the heat of her gaze.

Booth captured her mouth once more, the light taste of mint tingling on his tongue from her toothpaste. “Mmmm. You taste good.”

“Who knew Colgate was an aphrodisiac?” She murmured the words against his lips and he couldn’t hold back the bark of laughter.

“Baby. Everything with you is an aphrodisiac.”

He shifted away from her slightly to remove the rest of his clothes, then moved forward, dropping to his knees.

“Booth?”

“Hmmm?” He slid his fingers inside the waistband of her panties and dragged them down her body. She lifted each leg for him and before she could fully get her balance, he moved forward, capturing her hips with his hands and pressing his mouth against her core.

“Booth!” His name came out on a long, low moan.

He drew one slender leg over his shoulders to give him better access. “Shhh. Let me love you.”

“We can’t. Not here.”

“You have a better suggestion?”

“The walls are thin. Someone will hear us.”

With a smile he knew held as much promise as it did wicked intent, he pulled her closer. “Then I guess you’ll just have to be quiet.”

…

Booth headed for a small wing of conference rooms on the same floor as their sales meeting, wishing he were heading to Camryn’s room instead.

God, but she had him twisted up.

He had known sex between them would be good and hadn’t believed they could top their first night together, but he was wrong. Last night was off the charts. Amazing. Incredible. Earth-shattering. And no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t get the image of Camryn, her hair tousled over his pillow as they awoke that morning, out of his head.

“Glad you could join us.” His father greeted him at the door of the conference room.

Booth stepped into the room and saw several members of the FJ’s legal counsel as well as their head of editorial, Melissa Langston. He was puzzled by the group of attendees, even more so by his father’s cryptic behavior. The urgent call to come down to the conference room had dragged him from the lunch session. Although his initial urge was to argue, the tersely worded “It’s urgent” had convinced him to make some polite excuses to his dining companions.

“Of course. Although I can’t imagine what could be so important you dragged me out of the conference. Has something happened? The sales meeting is our number one priority this week.”

“I’m aware of our priorities.” West’s voice was commanding and Booth realized something must be extraordinarily wrong for the master and commander routine. While his father had never gotten fully over his need to be the alpha dog in every situation, West also took great pride in having his son lead the news organization that was the crown jewel in West’s company. It was exceedingly rare for him to take such a heated tack, especially in front of other staff members.

“So what’s wrong?”

“It’s come to my attention that Jeff Saunders has been saying some things about our paper. Things that border on libel.”

“Libel? You can’t be serious.” Booth conjured up a vague image of the man his father spoke of. They’d deliberately invited some of their advertisers to the event to build goodwill and share their strategies for the coming year, and Jeff had been added to the list late, after others had politely declined due to commitments.

“This is Jeff’s first time at the conference. From what I can tell, he’s well liked and he’s thrilled to be here. I know his company is new, relatively speaking, but it’s growing quickly. What could he possibly have said that was so out of line?”

“He’s intimated to some people that because of his ad spend with us, he’s getting favorable editorial treatment.”

“What?” Booth tried to compare the image he held of Jeff Saunders with the sort of backroom ethics and poor judgment the man spoke of.

Editorial for ads?

His father gestured toward the legal team, who projected an image of the paper up on a screen. “We all know it’s not true, but he spoke to me about it last night over drinks. After speaking to several others.”

“If he had a problem, why would it suddenly manifest itself here?”

Booth saw the briefest moment of triumph in his father’s eyes—he’d likely have missed it if he weren’t looking at the old man so closely—before West spoke. “It seems that he spoke with Camryn McBride.”

Chapter Eleven

Camryn picked up her phone as she paced her room once more and composed a text. She and Booth had agreed to meet to say good-bye, her role in the conference now over, but he had disappeared during lunch and she hadn’t heard from him. The front desk had already called up twice and she needed to leave or risk missing her flight.

With quick fingers, she tapped out a good-bye message and promised to see him when he got back to New York later that week, then headed downstairs for her car. She was surprised by how disappointed she was not to see him before leaving, but on some level, she knew it was for the best.

Don’t grow too attached.

The admonishment was an all-too-real reminder that their time in Hawaii had been a sort of mini-oasis from their day-to-day lives. No matter what they’d said here, once they were back in New York and the realities of life got back in the way, the sparks flaring between them would likely peter out. Especially once he got a load of her eighty-hour weeks.

The thought left her cold, but she ruthlessly ignored the flare of sadness at the thought. She’d known from the start this wasn’t something meant to last. No use suddenly deciding she wanted something permanent after pushing for the exact opposite.

They both knew the score, and that was all that mattered.

On a small, resigned sigh she grabbed her rolling suitcase and dropped her work bag on top and headed for the elevators. The lobby was quiet, the boisterous sounds from the last several days nowhere in evidence as Booth’s staff members were all in their daily meetings. It didn’t stop her from making one last look around to see if Booth was nearby, but when she didn’t see him she walked on to get a cab.

The sound of her name had her turning just before she cleared the electronic front doors.

“Ms. McBride!” A harried woman who looked familiar waved at her as she ran across the lobby and Camryn tried to place the face. “Ms. McBride!”

“Yes?”

“I’m Ann. We spoke last night briefly in the bar.”

“Ann! Of course, I’m sorry.” Their conversation came back to her and Camryn remembered Ann’s questions about how they were turning a profit. “What’s going on?”

“I need to speak to you. Privately if you have a moment.”

Camryn quickly calculated the trip to the airport and knew she had a few minutes to spare. “Of course.”

The woman’s furtive glances around the lobby would have been humorous if Camryn didn’t sense very real fear and she grew increasingly concerned. “Is something wrong?”

“I don’t know.”

The two of them settled into a small, private corner. Their chairs had high backs and they weren’t readily visible from the lobby. “What do you think is wrong?”

“West Harrison called an emergency meeting today with his legal counsel. I’m not supposed to know except for the fact that I needed to answer some questions.”

Camryn’s antenna went on high alert and she put up a hand. “Ann. I’m sorry, but if you’re talking to legal counsel I really don’t need to know about it.”

“But it’s about you.”

“Me?”

“Seems there’s a man who’s been talking loudly about an ad deal he purchased. He said you told him it was wrong.”

Camryn rubbed her temples with her fingertips, the conversations she’d had with Jeff over the last two days coming back to haunt her. “I told him how we did business at McBride Media and what’s expected in the industry.”

“Apparently he thinks it’s something more and he’s been singing your praises as a great businesswoman. The speech the other day helped.”

She fought the butterflies dive-bombing her stomach and tried to focus on the problem at hand. “I also suggested to him he needs to seek out legal counsel if he’s worried. I really don’t see how I can be in the middle of this.”

“I just thought you ought to know. That’s all.”

“Thank you. Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s a simple kerfuffle.” She tried to brush it off, the reality far more concerning.

Was this why Booth had been missing in action all day?

And what, exactly, was being said about her?

…

A long day of travel and the nagging concern about her lobby conversation with the FJ’s financial manager had left Camryn with a headache and a desperate desire for a cheeseburger. Since her pregnant sister had been rationing her burger intake—“rationing” the equivalent of only allowing herself one per day—Camryn was pleased when her text message to Mayson got an immediate yes.

She was even happier to see the warm smile and open arms when she walked into the diner.

After a tight hug she had to deliver sideways, Mayson slid her large form into the booth seat. “How was Hawaii?”

“Interesting.”

“Interesting good or interesting bad?”

“Both.” Camryn sighed as she stowed her purse next to her. “Let’s order and I’ll fill you in.”

“Double cheeseburger, fries, and vanilla milkshake.” Mayson handed her menu to the waiter and shot Cam a quick glance. “She’ll have the same.”

“I—”

“The same.” Mayson said firmly before their waiter turned away.

“I don’t need all this food.”

“I’m certainly not going to eat all that and let you nibble on a single patty and some fruit. Throw a girl a bone.” Mayson glanced around the diner, her pregnancy glow as unmistakable as her enthusiasm for the burger.

“A shake, too?”

“They’re medicinal.” Mayson waved a hand before leaning as far forward as she was able. “And I get the distinct sense that you need some medicine. What’s going on?”

“Can you keep a secret?”

“As if!”

“Mayse, I’m serious. I’m not ready to say anything to Keira yet.”

Mayson’s eyes narrowed and the teasing had vanished from her voice. “What’s going on? And since when do you keep secrets from Keira?”

“Since I’m concerned her father-in-law is engaged in poor, if not illegal, business practices.”

“Oh my God.”

“I know.” Camryn stopped momentarily when the food came, then filled Mayson in on the specifics after their waiter had dropped off their feast.

“Do you think Booth knows?”

“I don’t know.”

“Did you ask him?”

Camryn played with a fry. “I haven’t had a chance.”

“You spent three days with the man. What do you mean you didn’t have a chance?”

“He’s been busy. It was a huge event.”

“Camryn, this is a big deal. He deserves to know. Or—” Mayson broke off, her milkshake partway to her mouth. “You think he’s in on it?”

“I don’t know.”

“That’s what’s got you so upset. You’re afraid he’s fully aware and participating in the editorial scam.”

“I can’t see how he’s not. He runs the paper. He knows what they print.” Camryn shook her head, the thoughts continuing to race over and over in her mind. No matter how she wanted to think Booth was innocent, she simply couldn’t envision him that unaware of what was going on right under his nose.

Especially since she’d seen how involved he was with the product.

“He deserves a right to defend himself.” Mayson set her milkshake down. “So does West, truth be told.”

“I know, but the evidence is pretty convincing when you know what to look for.” At last count she’d come up with six other questionable advertisers in addition to Jeff’s company.

“And let me guess. You went looking for it?”

“Of course.” Camryn sat back in her seat, more than a little shocked at the tone in Mayson’s voice. “What I don’t understand is that thread of censure in your voice.”

“It’s not censure, it’s concern. All I’m saying is that you should have spoken to Booth first. From what you’re telling me, you’ve already judged him and found him guilty.”

“I haven’t—” Camryn broke off, her sister’s penetrating gaze and all-too-insightful words hitting home. “I guess maybe I have.”

“Look. You know your stuff and you know numbers. If you think something’s off then act on it. But I do think Booth is owed a conversation and a chance to defend himself.” Mayson hesitated. “Especially if you’re sleeping with him.”

“Is it that obvious?” Camryn pushed her plate aside and dropped her head onto her hands. “I thought I was playing it so cool.”

“I know what to look for. Besides, I’ve been seeing through your cool factor for years. It’s my job as the little sister.”

Mayson’s hand was tight on hers and Camryn lifted her head. “He’s pretty incredible.”

Her sister’s snort was immediate. “Like that’s a surprise. He’s positively wonderful and if I wasn’t madly in love with Holt I’d consider fighting you for him.”

“He’s a good man. Interesting and interested. You know what I mean?”

“I do.” Mayson shook her head. “Nothing like the other guys you’ve dated.”

Camryn weighed the benefits of churning up ancient history, but the understanding in her sister’s gaze gave her the courage to press on. “I thought about Matt the other day.”

“Useless scab.”

“Mayson!”

“Oh, don’t ‘Mayson’ me. He’s an ass and you know it. Or was an ass. I wouldn’t know what he’s gotten up to, although Shelly Turlington told me I could creep his Facebook page on her profile.”

“I hope you didn’t do it.”

“No. Neither he nor his reported two-point-two children and golden retriever are worth the time.”

“Well, I say good for him and the woman he married, who, thankfully, is not me.” Camryn reached for the luscious milkshake that was just as medicinal as Mayson had promised. “And I mean that. The only reason I brought him up is that he was the closest thing I’ve ever had to permanent. Heck, we lived together after graduation.”

“And then he flew the coop after things got tough.” Mayson grabbed her hand once more. “You deserved better. And you still do.”

“I know.”

“And you know Booth fits the bill.”

“Yes. Maybe.” Camryn tried to find the right words. “He’s definitely better. The best. But I’m not looking for permanent and neither is he.”

“Sometimes permanent finds you.” Mayson laid her free hand on her stomach, a soft, faraway look into her eyes. “And it’s the absolute best thing to ever happen to you.”

“You and Holt are different.”

“How?”

“You just are. You’re a match. And you’re having a family. And, I don’t know, you’re just right. He’s one of the special ones.”

“From everything you’ve just said Booth is one of the special ones, too.”

“It’s messy and complicated.” She’d run that argument through her mind so many times even she was sick of it.

“Life’s messy and complicated. You can’t keep hiding from that fact behind spreadsheets and annual reports.”

She wanted to argue and defend her actions with a pithy platitude, but faced with the concern in Mayson’s eyes, Camryn gave in to the fear she’d tried desperately to keep at bay the last few weeks. Hell, over the last year that Booth had shown an interest. “I know what it’s like to be left. And I can’t go through that again.”

“Why are you so convinced he’ll leave?”

“What makes people stay?”

“A lot of things. Love at the top of the list.”

Camryn knew it was ancient history, but until she finally said the words, she hadn’t realized just how long Matt’s actions had haunted her. How his careless actions had framed the way she saw love and commitment. “I loved Matt and he told me he loved me, too. Yet as soon as I needed to come home for Mom, he left.”

“He didn’t have what it takes to deal with the hard stuff. That’s his shortcoming, not yours.”

“So what’s Dad’s excuse?”

Mayson grew quiet at that. “I don’t know.”

“He couldn’t handle it either. Life. Mom. Us. He never could.”

“So you paint every man—every relationship—with that brush?”

Oh God, how did she explain it? That raw panic that lived inside her of not being enough. Of being left alone once again. No matter how hard she worked at being present and in the moment, those fears and doubts whispered and crept back in to haunt her. “It’s not like I’m trying to do that.”

“Try or not, you are.” Mayson’s hand stayed firm on hers—the show of support absolute—but her tone didn’t soften. “Only you can fix that, Camryn. Only you can decide that someone’s worth the risk.”

“Don’t you see? That’s not what I’m afraid of.”

Mayson’s puzzled stare greeted her across the table. “What are you afraid of, then?”

“That someone won’t think I’m worth the risk.”

…

Her dinner with Mayson hadn’t given her any additional answers and by the next morning Camryn was more confused than ever. She did want to give Booth the benefit of the doubt. Wanted to believe he was different. He’d certainly stressed often enough he wasn’t like other men. And the time they’d spent together had reinforced that.

Perhaps this problem was coming at the right time. They weren’t fully committed to each other. She could see how he handled conflict and see if he would be the right person to invest her feelings in.

As if her feelings weren’t already invested to the hilt.

And that, Camryn knew, was the real crux of the problem. Despite her very best intentions to stay unaffected, she’d gone and fallen in love with the man. Where she’d expected the thought to blindside her, all she felt was a funny warmth that settled under her breastbone before spreading through her limbs.

She was in love.

Which was why Booth deserved the benefit of a conversation and not wild speculation.

The buzz of her phone startled her from her thoughts and she pulled her gaze off the e-mail she had in mid-draft on her computer screen. Her assistant’s name lit up the readout. “Yes, Amy?”

“The lobby just called up. West Harrison is here to see you. He’s not on your calendar. Do you want me to tell him you’re not here?”

All that delicious warmth faded at the news Booth’s father was here. “No, not at all. Send him up. And Amy?”

“Yes.”

“Please leave the door open after you drop him off.”

“Of course.”

Camryn dragged in a few deep breaths. There was only one reason West could possibly be in the offices and asking to see her. She toyed briefly with handling the meeting on her own before she thought better of it and grabbed her phone. The warm voice on the other end went a long way toward calming her racing pulse.

“Hi, sweetie.”

“Sally.” Their chief legal counsel and her mother’s oldest friend, Sally had been instrumental in helping her and her sisters restore the company. She was also a savvy business ally and the fact West was here in the building ensured Camryn needed to be on her game.

“Back already from Hawaii?”

“I am and I need a favor.” She caught Sally up quickly on what was going on.

“I’ll be right down. I’ll wait outside your office as you suggested. I’ve got your back, sweetie.”

Sally’s show of support went a long way toward calming her nerves another few degrees. Much as she wanted to face this one alone, Camryn knew it wasn’t that simple. If West was as determined to maintain his business practices as she suspected, she couldn’t afford to talk to him alone. Especially since his own legal counsel was already involved.

Amy knocked on her door, brisk and efficient as always. “Mr. Harrison is here to see you.”

“Thanks, Amy.” Camryn crossed the room toward West, her hands outstretched in greeting. If he wanted to play dirty, she wasn’t about to make it easy or comfortable on him.

“West. It’s so nice to see you again.”

Amy dropped off bottles of water, then left the room, the door ajar as requested.

West took her hands, his smile broad. His blue eyes were as vivid as his sons’, but they held calculation and guile in equal measure.

Oh yes, he was up to something.

“Camryn, my girl. Thanks for seeing me. You did quite a job at the sales conference. No one can stop talking about you and your keynote.”

“It was a lot of fun and I really appreciated being asked.” She gestured toward the leather sofa that lined the far wall of the office. “And who can argue with a few days in Hawaii?”

“I do know what you mean.”

Their conversation was casual and full of awkward small talk before West leaned forward, his forearms on his knees. “Booth’s been bound and determined to expand the event each year. First it was just sales. Then he expanded it to some key editorial contributors. And now he’s even inviting clients.”

“It’s quite an event.”

“It’s become a damn dog and pony.”

Camryn kept her smile broad. “Well, that’s the ad business for you. We can’t do anything halfway, now can we? It takes spending money to make money.”

“You’d know all about that, especially with managing financials on a company the size of McBride Media.”

“It does keep me busy.”

“My son seems enamored for the moment. You’re the feisty businesswoman who’s caught his attention. For now.”

West’s words caught her off guard and she fought to keep her composure, never allowing the smile to fall. “I’m not sure why he’d be enamored of anything. He’s a hard worker himself. As is Nathan. You must be awfully proud of your children and their ability to go after their dreams.”

That same guile she’d seen when he walked in shifted and changed to something darker and…meaner? And a whole lot more desperate. “Booth’s the heir to my company. Nathan has chosen to have no part and I’ve learned to live with that. But I won’t have it happen with Booth.”

“He has nothing but good things to say about the company. And he has a deep love for the news business.”

“So why were you so damned intent on messing with that?”

Even though she knew he was working up to it, Camryn was still stunned by the ferocity of West’s verbal attack. “I’m sorry?”

“Oh, don’t play coy with me. You had everyone at the conference worked up. Talking to my advertisers about their budgets. Then tempting my financial team with how much better it is over here at McBride.”

“I’m not sure what you think happened, but I can assure you I did neither of those things.”

“You didn’t talk to Jeff Saunders and tell him how he should be buying different ad packages? And you didn’t talk to Ann Dunham in my finance department, asking her why she was having so much trouble showing a profit on the books?”

“They both spoke to me. As I recall, you introduced me to Jeff yourself.”

West stood up, his voice shifting into a deep bellow. “And you attempted to steal his business, intimating that I’m doing something underhanded.”

“I absolutely and unequivocally did no such thing.” Camryn stood as well, unwilling to stay seated, allowing him the dominant position in the room. “And if you were so damned concerned about what he had to say, why the hell did you foist him on me at the luau?”

“You were a pretty conversation partner. I had no idea you’d try to damage the event or our business relationship with his company. Besides, I figured you’d be wallowing in misery over your lost deal and could use the distraction.”

“Excuse me?” All the clues slammed into place as West’s words rang in her mind. The feedback from the FJ to Morrison that selling to McBride wasn’t a good idea. The timing. The fact that the deal had been going well before the discussion had come to West’s notice at Keira and Nathan’s dinner party.

It was all there.

“You had a business deal and I had information to share. To borrow your phrase.” A dark smile grazed his lips, sharklike. “That’s the ad business.”

“No, West, it’s dirty business.” She forced all her anger and rage into a small box and locked it down tight. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction—absolutely refused to do so—of seeing her rant and rail. “I have no idea what you hoped to gain by coming over here but I think it’s time you left.”

“You may have my son wrapped around your pretty little fingers, but I’ll be damned if I let you scam his inheritance out of him.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that. I think you’re doing a damn fine job of it all by yourself.”

Although she’d been annoyed by his arrival in her office, she’d not yet been scared. That all changed when a wash of anger filled West’s face in hard lines. “Stay the hell away from my son. I couldn’t stop your sister from messing with Nathan’s head. I’ll be damned if I let you ruin all I’ve built for my family.”

Raw fury pumped through her veins. Whether it was the feelings churned up by the old memories of Matt and her mother’s death or the lifelong antics of her father, she didn’t know. But West’s words had her seeing pure, unadulterated rage. “I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but let me set you straight. I’ve done nothing to your company. And I’ve done nothing to your son. Clearly you’ve been manipulating the books at the Financial Journal and you’re now looking for an easy scapegoat. It won’t be me.”

West headed for the door, turning before he got to the entryway. “He’s fuckstruck right now because everything’s new and fresh. How quickly do you think that’ll fade when he puts two and two together? When he talks to Jeff and Ann and knows you spoke to them?”

“In casual conversation, nothing more.”

“No. As an enemy of the Financial Journal. You’ve been leading him on and clearly have no respect for his legacy or what he’s built. It’s only a matter of time before he sees reason. I’ve already begun the process to help him along.”

West marched out, his last words echoing in the room.

Camryn laid a hand over her middle at the heavy pit that cratered her stomach, turning the gallon of coffee she’d already had to acid. She’d spent her life with an absent father but she’d never assigned overtly devious motives to him.

But West? How had Booth lived with that his entire life?

And more important, how had he managed to thrive despite such a toxic example of leadership, both inside their family and in their family business?

That crater opened a little wider at the further proof she should have gone straight to Booth with her suspicions. Should have given him the chance to explain first before drawing her conclusions.

She wanted to believe Booth would accept her side of the story. But at the evidence that West had already spoken to his son—had already laid down a bed of lies about her—she wondered if there was any way she could fix what had already been broken.

…

There was no saucy neighbor to escort him up in the elevator, so Booth stopped to give his name to Camryn’s doorman. Where he’d expected a relaxed trip to Hawaii, the last forty-eight hours had been anything but.

His father’s power play with the legal team had blindsided him in every sense of the word. But it was the evidence Camryn was aware of the situation that nearly obliterated him.

At the nod from the doorman, he headed for the elevators, grateful no one else was nearby for requisite small talk. Camryn had the door open when he stepped off.

“Hi.”

“Hi yourself.” He ran his gaze over her face, desperately searching for the woman he thought he knew.

“Come in. We’ve got a lot to talk about.”

He stepped into her entryway, the bold colors surrounding him while the soft scent of her filled his senses. She was fresh and bright and for the first time he felt betrayed by that, even as he fought the urge to touch her. After they’d made love in Hawaii, he’d dreamed of coming home to her. Of coming into this apartment and taking her in her bed.

And now?

Now he couldn’t believe how far she’d gone to keep him at arm’s length. “You just had to sabotage what’s between us, didn’t you?”

She stopped beside the couch in her living room and turned to face him. “Sabotage? Booth, that’s not true.”

“It’s absolutely true.” He flung a hand out, the quick motion nearly knocking a lamp to the floor. “I spoke to Jeff. He was more than quick to tell me how you told him what was going on was illegal.”

“I did no such thing! He’s scared, Booth. He’s a newbie and he has no idea what he’s doing and he’s afraid of being accused of doing something wrong. All I told him was that ad dollars shouldn’t beget favorable press and to stop paying for it. That’s all I said.”

Booth wanted to believe her. Wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt, but nothing changed the fact that she hadn’t said anything to him about the discussion. “So if that’s all, then why didn’t you tell me?”

“I—”

“You what?”

“I wanted to investigate what he was talking about before I said anything.”

“You had to have talked to him before we had sex, yet you kept it from me. You had doubts and you kept them from me.”

“I didn’t know if he was right!”

He shook his head, unwilling to let her off that easy. “You’ve resisted from the beginning, but here I was, pushing and pushing. Honestly expressing my feelings.”

“What feelings? The ones that wanted me in bed.”

“The ones that wanted you in my life!”

“I’m not immune to you. You must know that.”

“Then why did you keep this from me? You sensed something. You just said yourself you wanted to dig into it. Hell, my legal counsel told me in Hawaii. Yet you said nothing to me.”

“We’re having a fling, not a relationship. What the hell did you want me to say?”

“I wanted you to tell me your concerns.”

She laughed and wrapped her arms around her waist. “And what would I have said? ‘Sorry, Booth. I think your father’s a raging ass, taking money where he shouldn’t, and oh, by the way, are you involved, too?’ Just like the bad deal with Morrison that had you so upset.”

Something cold and tight settled in his gut like an icy fist. “You thought I was involved? Again, without giving me the benefit of defending myself?”

“No. Not really.”

“Not really? What the hell is that supp—” He broke off, the truth stamped across her face in miserable lines. “You were afraid I knew? That’s why you didn’t say anything.”

Chapter Twelve

Camryn kept her arms firmly wrapped around her body, as if the action could ward off the accusations in Booth’s gaze. “It’s not like that.”

“What’s it like then? You were concerned about my involvement. When did you come to this conclusion?”

“Your father introduced me to Jeff at the luau. And he said something that seemed a little off. That’s all. Just off.”

“So it was fine and dandy to have sex that night. You still thought I was a stand-up guy at that point.”

“Booth. Listen to me. Let me explain.” When he only nodded, she tried to marshal her arguments. “He spoke to me during the luau, asking to be introduced to an editorial director at McBride. I explained it didn’t work that way and that I’d have the woman follow up if she was interested. Jeff got confused and left it at that. It was only the next day, after my keynote, that Jeff grew more concerned he’d handled things poorly.”

He dragged his hand through his hair, tugging on the ends before dropping to the couch. “So you talked to him after your keynote. That’s when you thought something was up?”

She wanted to hide from it. Wanted to pretend it hadn’t happened, but she’d learned years ago wishing the bad stuff away didn’t make it go away. “Yes.”

“You saw me after that. You could have told me what you suspected. You could have asked me, Camryn.”

“Why? So you could turn tail and run?”

“No, damn it. So I could explain myself to you. I’m not running anything suspicious at the FJ. Hell, until my father’s lawyers pulled me out of lunch the other day I had no idea anything was wrong.”

“How? It’s your paper. You’re responsible for it. How couldn’t you have known?”

He shrugged, the motion so heavy she could practically picture the weight of the world positioned on his shoulders. “I didn’t. But clearly you thought I did, which doesn’t make me feel any better.”

“What did your father say when you talked to him?”

“This is a private company matter. I’m afraid I can’t discuss it with you.”

“Maybe you should go.” She wanted to ask him to stay. Wanted to see if they could figure a way around the sheer mess of their situation, but nothing could fix it.

“Maybe I should.”

Mayson had warned her Booth deserved better than judgment without a chance to explain himself, but she hadn’t listened. Hadn’t truly thought through the consequences. And when she closed the door behind him, those consequences became as clear as his cold, bleak, icy-blue gaze.

She’d lost him. Not because he’d chosen to leave, but because she’d pushed him away.

…

Booth threw the deli bag on his desk, the thought of his pastrami sandwich suddenly holding no interest. Not much had held his interest for the last two days since returning from Hawaii.

Since his night in Camryn’s apartment.

He’d wanted to say so much more, but faced with the evidence that she’d judged him and found him lacking in honest business practices—that she even had a doubt about his integrity—hadn’t left him with any choice.

So he’d left.

And while he had no doubts about his own integrity, he was fast coming to question his father’s. He knew West Harrison hadn’t risen in the business world by being a nice guy, but he’d never thought his father capable of something so underhanded. They had a responsibility to report the news accurately and fairly. And his father had ignored that public mandate for the last six months.

The real question was why.

He dropped into his chair and flipped through the notes he’d compiled on their financials as well as what ran in the paper. He’d done the work himself, unwilling to turn it over to anyone in the company. Who knew who his father had helping him out.

In the process, Booth had uncovered the truth. His father had been taking ad money in exchange for favorable press. Nothing had crossed the line into truly illegal—yet—but it was unethical as hell.

And, he suspected, only a matter of time before his father did cross that very clear line.

He’d already shared the file with his legal counsel and he’d requested a meeting with his father for later that afternoon. Now he was stuck playing the waiting game.

…

Camryn went through the motions, answering e-mails, leading meetings, attending an investor dinner. She’d even followed up with the Japanese investors she’d met in San Francisco, enjoying an hour-long conference call that had paid dividends in shared knowledge and an introduction on behalf of one of their clients.

What she still hadn’t figured out, despite staying so busy she barely slept, was how to stop thinking about Booth.

“You look lovely.”

Camryn glanced up to see Sally standing in her doorway and shot her a wry smile that she didn’t really feel. “That’s awfully nice of you. I needed a sweet lie today.”

“I mean it. And I never lie, it’s pointless. I love that peacock-blue color on you.” Sally came around the desk to run a hand over the arm of Camryn’s sweater. “And the cashmere is gorgeous. I like the look.”

“You mean something other than my normal look. Funeral chic?”

Sally’s hands went to her hips and her tone dropped several degrees. “Camryn. What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing. It’s just been a long week.”

“You mean it’s not gotten any better?”

“Nope.”

“Have you tried to call Booth and explain?”

Camryn shook her head. “What good would it do? I pretty much dug my own grave during the first conversation.”

“He’s a good man. A fair one, too. I’m sure he’d listen again.”

“When I say what?” Camryn rubbed at her burning eyes and tried to hold the tears at bay. “How even though I love him, I’m so damned inept I didn’t give him a chance to explain himself?”

“He cares for you, too. Give him a chance.”

“That’s the problem, though. I didn’t give him a chance when I could. And now I’ve got no one to blame.” Exhaling on a heavy breath, she dashed away the lone tear that had the nerve to fall and focused on other things. “What did your team say? About West’s threats?”

“They’re not worried about his threats and believe they’re really nothing more than bluster. Besides, if he presses too hard, he’s going to turn scrutiny he can’t afford back on himself.”

“I can’t believe he did it.” No matter how many ways she tried to look at it, that single thought hadn’t left her. What did West possibly think he’d gain by going down the path of taking advertiser money for favorable press?

“Powerful men often think the rules don’t apply to them.”

Booth was a powerful man. But how had she ever thought he could be in league with his father on this? And why hadn’t she just gone to him when she had the chance? It seemed so easy now. After, of course, she’d made a mess she had no idea how to clean up.

What a damned joke.

Here she was, so afraid of chaos and confusion. So afraid of life. Yet she’d gone and fallen in love with the one man who made her feel something so powerful and so passionate she was finally ready to leap in with both feet.

I’m not most men.

He’d said that to her in San Francisco, then gone on to prove it every step of the way. The way he treated his driver. The way he treated his team at the FJ. The way he treated her.

She’d sensed his positive qualities from the start—his innate ability to lead yet not control—but she’d let her fears make her doubt what she’d already understood on an instinctual level.

It was those same instincts that began churning with an idea. “You’re exactly right. Powerful men often think the rules don’t apply to them. But what about the men who are powerful but don’t fit the mold?”

“I’d say they’re few and far between.”

“Then Booth is one of the few. I’ve told him that, but maybe it’s time I showed him.”

…

“This one. Definitely!” Sinclair’s head peeked out of the back of the fashion closet, his hands full of a frothy confection they’d used in a spread the previous month.

Camryn shook her head. “I can’t wear that. I’ll ruin it.”

“What else are you going to do with it?” Sinclair dangled the dress in front of her. “It fits the bill.”

She reached out and ran a hand over the beautiful layers of tulle. “It’s too beautiful. I can’t. Not for what I have planned.”

“Then promise me you’ll wear it after you win him back.”

Sinclair’s confidence—and her own conviction that her plan had a fifty-fifty shot—had a surprising well of tears clogging up her throat. “You sound so sure.”

“Because I am sure. He loves you. Anyone with eyes can see it.”

“I didn’t trust him.”

Sinclair’s wide-eyed expression narrowed and he pulled her toward a small love seat they kept in the fashion closet, the dress a fluffy well of material between them. “You didn’t trust the situation. There’s a difference.”

“That’s nitpicking.” Camryn slashed at the tears, annoyed at the sudden weakness. She had determination on her side—and was more than ready to apologize to Booth—so why was she so convinced he’d still walk away? “And I didn’t trust him.”

“You do now.”

“That doesn’t mean he trusts me.”

“Sweetie.” Sinclair pulled her into his arms, his grip tight and true. “We all do stupid things in love. Crazy, stupid things that we wish we could take back but we can’t. We can only move forward.”

“I know.”

“So move forward. Your future’s waiting.”

The direction was so simple—so honest—and as straightforward as Sinclair’s sweet gaze. He believed in her. And he supported her.

She brushed away the last of the tears and couldn’t resist giving him one more hug. “You do realize I spent as little time as possible in this room before you came into my life.”

He mock-shuddered as he pulled back, then brushed a lock of hair over the shell of her ear. “A situation I’m absolutely delighted we’ve rectified.”

…

The explosion took all of three seconds. Booth could have clocked it with a stopwatch but he’d likely not have gotten the start button pressed fast enough.

“What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” His father stormed into his office, waving a handful of papers in the air before he tossed them on the desk. “And what in the hell are these papers from the legal team about?”

“You tell me.”

“It’s bullshit. Libelous bullshit.”

“No, Dad. I think it’s anything but.”

“I deserve an explanation.”

Booth glanced at the spread of papers over his desk before staring down his father. “You already know because you’re well aware of what you’ve been up to these last months.”

“That McBride girl got to you, didn’t she? Poisoned you against me.”

“Camryn did nothing.”

“Like hell she did. She’s got you so wrapped around her pussy you’re willing to take her word over mine.”

Booth leaned over the desk and grabbed a handful of his father’s shirt. “Say one more thing about her and I’m not going to stay on this side of the desk.”

West’s eyes widened before he slapped Booth’s hand away. “Don’t threaten me.”

“Then don’t speak that way about the woman I love. And stop using her as the handy scapegoat now that you’ve been discovered.”

Whether it was the declaration of his feelings or the clear evidence in the papers Legal had drafted, Booth didn’t know, but his powerful father seemed to deflate before his eyes. West sat down hard, every one of his sixty-five years painted across his face. “I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Not yet.”

“Not at all.”

“You’re taking ad money as private income and splitting the bribe with one of our writers to put these stories in place. I’ve already spoken to Ken. He’s packing his things now.”

“He’s a well-respected financial journalist.”

“Not anymore.”

“Those stories weren’t false.” His father’s tone still held plenty of bluster, but the defeat was more than evident in his shifting gaze. “Ken dialed up the good things each company was doing.”

“And avoided mentioning manufacturing problems in China, an impending union strike for a group of telecom workers, and a quarter with underreported write-offs. And that’s just what I’ve discovered so far.”

“They’re minor details.”

“It’s our job to get those details and you know it as well as Ken. I could see my way past a journalist’s mistake, but an omission in exchange for money doesn’t qualify.” Booth waited a moment before asking the real question that hadn’t left him for days. “Why’d you do it?”

“Some things needed fixing in the film division. That flop last summer hit us hard. It hit me hard personally.”

“You can’t honestly think this was the way to fix it?”

“It was only temporary. Just until I could get back on my feet.”

Booth fought the feelings of sympathy that tried to surface. He would not feel bad for his father’s poor choices. Especially since those choices could have ruined his own career.

But no matter how he tried to hold it back, the very real evidence of his father’s failings hit hard. “Did you think of me at all when you did this? Did you consider what it might do to me? To my reputation? I run the damned paper. All my life, I’ve been your chosen son, out to represent all that’s good about the Harrison media empire. And you betrayed me.”

“Like you betrayed me? When you went off and got your own interests.”

“My what?”

“Come on, Booth. Play the ignorance card all you want, you’ve missed this because you’ve been focused on other things for the last decade. Your own production company. Your own interests and investments. You’ve been counting the days until you could be on your own. Just like your brother.”

“This has nothing to do with Nathan.”

“It has everything to do with him! With both of you! My life’s work hasn’t been good enough. You’ve both been determined to do your own things. Make your own way.”

Camryn’s comments came back to him, oddly prescient. Both of them had overcome their families. And now it was more than evident they’d both overcome their fathers’ expectations as well.

“You raised me to have ambition. To have goals. To work hard. Funny how you now suddenly have a problem with it.”

“You were supposed to work for me!”

“That’s your problem, not mine.” Booth tapped the papers still spread out over his desk and fought the pain. The truth of his father’s misguided pride hurt like a bullet to the chest. “Effective immediately, your role at the Financial Journal has been rescinded. You can leave of your own free will to pursue other avenues or I’ll take it to the board and let them publicly oust you. It’s your decision.”

“You can’t do this.”

“I just did.”

…

Booth took the elevator down to the ground floor, the press of gravity in the fast-descending car nothing compared to the weight layered on his shoulders. He’d just fired his father from the newspaper the man had turned into an empire.

Was he the chosen son or the overthrower of the throne?

Regardless of the answer, all he could really muster up was a soup of emotions that had far more sadness in it than any sense of self-righteous victory.

Of course, the self-righteous path had Camryn’s name written all over it. Once he’d gotten past the initial shock of knowing she’d suspected his involvement in his father’s poor practices, he had begun to see it from her side. The FJ was a huge editorial enterprise that he held final responsibility over and that was suspected of unethical behavior.

Why wouldn’t she think him involved?

He knew he had a right to his disappointment, but if he loved her, didn’t he need to find a way past it? And he did love her, Booth knew with bone-deep certainty. Loved her more than he ever could have imagined. Loved her with a raw, blinding need that had settled in the deepest part of him and wouldn’t let go.

If he didn’t figure out a way to fix things, he’d have to live with the very real pain of living his life without her.

…

Camryn kept her gaze firmly planted on the front entrance to the Financial Journal’s office building. She’d been sitting in the limo for an hour and still no sign of Booth. She knew he was still inside because Sinclair had offered to play spy and had peppered her with updates every ten minutes.

Her phone buzzed in her hand and the text message had her smiling.

The Eagle’s left the nest. Give him a soft place to land, girlfriend.

She sent a quick text, afraid to wait too long to get out of the car.

Thanks, James Bond. XO

She grabbed the large tote bag at her feet and opened her door, her driver’s eyes widening at her sudden movement. “Ma’am. I can get—” His voice faded as her heartbeat took over, drowning out any other sound as she waited.

And then Booth was there, pushing through the revolving glass door of the building and crossing the marble sidewalk that spread toward the street. She was already moving toward him, the need to tell him how she felt burning inside of her. “Booth!”

He came to a stop and she halted, the sadness she saw in his eyes nearly her undoing. Forcing the same resolve into her step as she’d had when talking to Sally and then Sinclair, Camryn kept moving forward. “Booth. Please give me a minute.”

“Just one?”

His gaze was so dark—so wary—but she pressed on. “Please.”

“What is it, Camryn? We’ve said a lot to each other.”

“We haven’t said everything.”

“What else is there to say?”

She didn’t miss the speculation in his gaze and for the first time since she saw him through the doors she had the faintest hope things might work out. “I haven’t been entirely honest with you.”

“I know. It’s why we’ve spent the last week apart.”

The large tote bag was growing heavy on her shoulder but she ignored the pain, shifting slightly to redistribute the weight. “There are a few things I haven’t told you.”

“Like what?”

“Like how hurt I was by my college boyfriend who dumped me after my mom got sick. Or how hurt I’ve been most of my life by my father’s abandonment. Or how painful it was to watch my mom suffer through the end. Each and every thing was sad and complicated and messy.”

“There’s that word you seem overly fond of. Messy.”

“I know. I’ve spent my life running from messes. I somehow thought if I avoided them, I wouldn’t ever feel pain again. I even wear black since it doesn’t show mess or stains.”

A small smile ghosted his lips. “You’re not wearing black now.”

“No, I’m not. Ever since Hawaii I find that I like wearing color.”

“The blue looks good on you.”

“Maybe this will look even better.” Without waiting for a response, she shifted the tote bag once more and allowed the contents to spill out of the bag and over her clothing. About three pounds of dirt and potting soil tumbled over her and she used her free hand to rub the mess into her sweater.

“Camryn!”

She couldn’t hold back the laughter as the loose soil clumped around her feet. As gestures went, it was definitely more than a little goofy, but she’d stolen the potting soil on short notice from a photo shoot they were doing on gardening. Since Sinclair, her personal love Sherpa, had agreed with the gesture, she’d decided to go all in.

“I’m ready to get messy, Booth. Please tell me you’re ready to get messy with me.”

“What about my father? He’s put up some awfully large roadblocks you’ve been unwilling to find a way around.”

He didn’t smile—didn’t even acknowledge the dirt clumping around her feet—but she pressed on, willing him to believe her. “I know. But I’m done running from the things that are hard. Or maybe I’m just willing to accept them to get what I want.”

“What do you want?”

“You. Only you, Booth.”

“I just don’t know.” He shook his head and the hope she fought to desperately to maintain crumbled at his stoic features. The urge to walk away—no, run away—blew through her in hard, choppy waves.

Her grand gesture was all for naught.

“I see. I’d better get going, then.”

And then she saw it. It was brief—if she hadn’t been staring at him, desperately trying to drink her fill, she’d have missed it—but a small spark lit his eyes.

He bent quickly and snatched at a large clump of dirt at her feet. “I don’t think you’re messy enough!”

He pressed the dirt over her chest, his eyes alight with mischief, before pulling her close in a tight embrace. “I love your mess, Camryn McBride. I love you and I don’t want to live without you.”

“I love you, too.”

“I never thought potting soil could be so sexy.” He reached forward and dragged his fingertip over her nose, leaving behind what was no doubt a dark-brown smudge.

She reached up on tiptoes, her heels sinking into the loose dirt around her feet, and murmured against his lips, “Wait until I let you wash it off me.”

As he wrapped his arms more tightly around her, deepening the kiss she’d started, Camryn knew she’d found her perfect partner. Their life wasn’t neat and clean. It wasn’t even free of worry and strife. But they’d face it together.

Forever.

Epilogue

“He’s perfect. Absolutely perfect.”

Murmured agreements echoed around the room at her comments as Camryn stared down at the bundle of perfection Mayson held in her arms.

Thomas McBride Turner had arrived promptly—eighteen hours after his mother finished a major fundraising dinner for her favorite charity.

“You were convinced she was having a girl.” Booth whispered the words in her ear and Camryn nodded her head lightly.

“I just assumed. Do you know how much pink I’ve bought?”

His eyes twinkled, even as recognition filled them. “I’m well aware since our living room’s been covered in a layer of pink for the past three months.” He hesitated for a moment. “You’re not disappointed, are you?”

“How could I be disappointed?” She shook her head, bemused at the evidence they’d all been so wrong.

“Wasn’t Thomas your grandfather’s name?”

“Yes. He was the founder of McBride Media.”

“And things come full circle,” Booth murmured as Thomas began his journey around the room to various family members. “That little man’s got quite a legacy to live up to.”

She smiled and squeezed Booth’s hand. “I think he’s got an uncle who knows a thing or two about thriving around a silver spoon planted firmly between his lips.”

Before Booth could respond, her father’s ringing voice echoed around the small room. “I’d like to say a few words.”

Andrew McBride stared down at the small, sleeping bundle in his arms, his face awash in an odd mixture Camryn knew she’d never seen before—awe and humility.

As the room quieted, Booth wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. Whatever their future held, they’d share it together and she drew strength from his boundless love and support.

“Thomas.” Andrew’s gaze stayed fixed on his grandson as he began to speak. “You’ve been given quite a name to live up to. Your great-grandfather was a man of integrity. A man who believed in hard work and in living a life that set an example for others. It’s only now, that I stare down at you, that I understand that.”

On a hard swallow, Andrew lifted his head, his gaze tight on Mayson. “My daughters have set that example. They work and they dream, their goals always in sight. Mayson, my baby. Quick with a smile and a heart that overflows with the need to help others.”

Andrew’s focus shifted to Keira, who stood beside Mayson’s bed, opposite Holt. “Keira, so dedicated to her role as leader, willing to do whatever it takes to achieve a goal and uplift others along the way.”

“And my Camryn.”

Camryn felt the full weight of her father’s stare, coupled with the reassurance from Booth’s arm around her shoulders.

“My quiet, thoughtful daughter. You see the world as it should be and you expect no less from others. From this day forward, I promise you will never have a reason to be disappointed in me again.”

Her throat tightened at her father’s words, his apology lightening the burden of more years than she could count. Without warning, an image of that day so many years before filled her mind’s eye.

The day they stood in the McBride conference room and told their father of their plans. Hopeful. Wide-eyed. Confident in what they wanted to accomplish.

And then they’d gone and done it.

She, Keira and Mayson had brought their family legacy back from the brink of disaster. They’d created something for future generations. For Thomas, barely an hour old. For the baby Keira carried now. And for the little one she knew she carried as well, discovered only that morning and still not even shared with Booth because of their collective rush to the hospital for Mayson.

They’d built a bright, shining future for all of them.

Camryn lifted her face toward Booth’s and reveled in the love that wrapped around her like a blanket.

And as their lips met, she knew her future was brighter than she could have ever dreamed.

About the Author

Addison Fox can’t remember a time when words weren’t a part of her life. An avid reader, it was a natural leap to writing and she’s never looked back. From sexy heroes to intriguing heroines, she loves the fun and adventure to be found inside a good story.

Addison lives in Dallas. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com or on Facebook (facebook.com/addisonfoxauthor) and Twitter (@addisonfox).

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