LITMIR.BIZ

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too. One of the high-school boys, Orlando Crane, seemed talented and bright, but because of difficulties at home trying to take care of his siblings, he could barely stay in school himself. Their high school was the poorest in the system. The team only had tattered faded uniforms and poor equipment. She could use the money in so many ways. Jake had made her an offer she had to consider. What was she going to do?

      Jake gazed unseeingly out the window of the limo. “Dammit!” he swore, thinking about the letter. That letter from Hub he should’ve tossed.

      It had been sent to his office and he’d stuck it into his pocket to read on the way to a meeting. He’d meant to shred it when he returned to the office. Instead, he had forgotten about it.

      He thought about making love with Emily. She set him on fire. Last night, she was the most passionate she’d ever been, willing to do anything, eager and responsive. He slow-played memories of later, standing in front of the mirror where he could watch her while he fondled and caressed her, demolished all her control. Hot and aroused now, he shifted uncomfortably. He’d spent all day looking forward to tonight. He’d expected another night of passion—only to discover she wanted a divorce.

      She surprised him. She had been composed and calm tonight. No tears, no screaming. But then he’d known for a long time that she was intelligent. For a moment he wondered why in the hell he hadn’t just married some gorgeous babe who loved cars and diamonds and wouldn’t have given him a moment’s trouble. But then he knew he would have been bored in six months. So far, he couldn’t claim one minute of boredom with Emily.

      She’d looked beautiful, too—willowy, curvaceous, luscious. He drew a deep breath, thinking about when he’d opened the door and she’d been standing there, fire in her blue eyes. The red silk clung to her curves without flaunting them in his face. Just seeing her had ignited fires at a time he couldn’t handle a blaze.

      He didn’t think he could be angry and frustrated and aroused at the same time, but tonight he’d learned that he could. His first inclination had been to cross the room, take her into his arms and kiss away all her objections. For once, she had a wall of resistance between them as hard as a slab of concrete.

      If she accepted his offer—and he expected her to—he’d have her under his roof and if so, it was only a matter of time until he could seduce her. And he would still be able to talk to Hub about her being with him. Jake inhaled deeply, clenching his fist. If only he’d gotten Em pregnant last night. Maybe he had. For if she got pregnant, it would solve everything—give her something to occupy her mind and her time besides the damnable charities.

      Just remembering the previous night heated him. She’d felt so smooth, so satiny in his arms, and her curves were so delectable. He remembered her hands exploring him, caressing him while she’d kissed him, her tongue licking him, hot and wet. She drove him wild. He inhaled again and stretched, trying to get their lovemaking out of his mind.

      It surprised him how often he thought of her. He’d always been able to keep whatever woman was in his life out of his thoughts. But Emily had a way of stirring memories too easily. Soon he was lost in erotic fantasies, wanting her badly.

      Suppose she turned him down? Should he have another offer ready? He wasn’t going to let her go. She had to have a price. He wanted Hub’s inheritance…and the old man was slipping by the week.

      Jake thought about his offer. He wondered if Emily would sleep easily tonight. Her cheeks had been pink, her blue eyes stormy, but he’d been surprised how composed she’d remained.

      She was getting to him in ways he didn’t want. He wished he’d looked into her life more before they’d married. He’d had her background checked and she’d seemed perfect, a spotless record. She could run for public office without worry. But it had never occurred to him when he’d picked a woman who wasn’t interested in his wealth, that she wouldn’t be impressed by it, either.

      He shook his head. He had to think clearly about his alternatives if she turned him down. He was not going to let Emily walk out on him. Not until he had Hub’s inheritance.

      Four

      Saturday morning Emily showered and dressed with care, pulling on a navy dress with a straight skirt that ended midcalf. It had a split up one side that revealed her legs when she walked. The neckline was high and the sleeves short. It was simple, and she liked how she looked in it. Her hair was combed and fell freely across her shoulders.

      She’d spent a sleepless night, weighing her options and possibilities, trying to decide what would be best for her future and contemplating the consequences.

      Promptly at half-past seven Jake called from the lobby and she told him to come up.

      When she heard his faint knock, she swung open the door and her heart thudded.

      Wearing one of his dark suits, he was at his most appealing …and formidable. Her mouth went dry and her pulse raced. She couldn’t keep from glancing at his sensual, sculpted lips and thinking about his kisses. Trying to gather her wits, she inhaled. Jake looked confident and in control.

      “You look gorgeous,” he said.

      “Thank you,” she replied, walking away from him to put distance between them. She needed to stay on her toes, because she could feel a battle coming.

      “How’s the hotel? My friend’s is just down the street if you care to move. I can get you a luxury suite.”

      “I’m comfortable where I am,” she replied, wondering how long they would deal so courteously with each other. A moment of tense silence stretched between them.

      “Have you decided? Do you accept my offer?” Jake asked.

      “I’ve given it a lot of thought. I stayed up all night.” She raised her chin. “You said you’re always open to negotiation. You told me to learn to salvage what I can from a bad situation.”

      Amusement flashed in his eyes. “I did offer that advice.”

      “I hope I took it,” she replied, trying to look calm. She didn’t want to let him discover her palms were already damp. “You also advised me to always listen to the offer and weigh my options.”

      “I may have extended a bit more advice than I should have for my own good,” he remarked dryly.

      They were sparring, and at the moment she enjoyed it. But she also knew she was out of her league. Jake was an old hand at one-upmanship, and she felt as if she were tiptoeing through a verbal minefield.

      “I’ve thought about everything, considered the possibilities and the future. I want the million you promised. I can’t give that up,” she said, and he smiled.

      “I’m glad you faced reality. I hope you’ve calmed down,” he said with satisfaction in his voice.

      “I’m composed enough. I’ll stay for the six months with a definite agreement that there will be no marital privileges. This will be a marriage on paper only.”

      “Agreed,” he declared. “It sounds as if there’s a condition coming. What are the terms? I have a feeling there’s something you want besides the million dollars.”

      “You’re astute as usual,” she said, her pulse quickening as she braced for the storm she knew would follow. “I recall you saying to me, ‘Do you think I’ll miss it?’ referring to the half a million you first offered me. No, you won’t miss the money. It’s pocket change to you. In your world, it’s a paltry sum, so you’re really not out anything on this so far, Jake.” Her heart raced as he stared at her.

      “I’m beginning to think I should stop offering you advice. A million dollars isn’t exactly ‘pocket change.’ How much more do you want?” he persisted, watching her more intently now.

      “I don’t want more money,” she replied, taking a deep breath. “Your world revolves around money. Mine doesn’t. Mine is wound up with people and their needs.”

      “So?” he asked when she paused

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