LITMIR.BIZ

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      An amused feminine voice spoke near his shoulder. “I’m sorry to interrupt you, sir, but I’d like to offer the two of you something to drink, if you like. We’ll only be in the air for another twenty minutes.”

      Jodie pulled away from him and stared at her. “We’re in the air?”

      “Yes, ma’am.” The flight attendant grinned. “I can understand your distraction.”

      Jodie looked at Dean. “You did that on purpose!”

      Dean told the attendant to bring them some orange juice before he looked at Jodie. “I suppose I did. I’ve never accidentally kissed anyone.”

      She glanced out the window and blanched.

      “From now on you’ll sit in the aisle seat,” he said briskly. We’re doing fine.”

      She turned and looked at him. “You know what I mean! You deliberately distracted me.”

      Once again he lifted her hand and kissed her palm. “Did it work?”

      “I know I’m being ridiculous about flying.”

      “You just need to do it more often so you can get used to it.”

      “That’s your prescription, Dr. Logan?”

      “Absolutely. And here in the islands is a perfect place to practice. We’ll make certain to visit each and every one of them.”

      “Oh, joy,” she muttered.

      Their drinks arrived and he let go of her hand.

      The landing was as abrupt as the takeoff. Jodie squeezed his hand so hard she must have been cutting off circulation. But he didn’t mind. She was adorable when she was vulnerable.

      Once on the ground, Jodie felt giddy with relief despite her embarrassment. When she had finally let go of Dean’s hand, it still had the imprints of her fingers on it.

      They took a cab to the address Dean had. Once they arrived, Jodie asked, “Is this his office?”

      “No. This is a private club for local businessmen. He said to give his name at the door.”

      Jodie waited while Dean spoke to the man who met them at the front door. The man looked at a list he carried on a clipboard, found Dean’s name and nodded. He escorted them to a double door that was ornately engraved.

      When Jodie walked in, she looked around her. There was a large bar made of teak to the right of the entrance. A maître d’ met them at the top of the steps.

      “We’re here to meet Mr. Furukawa,” Dean said.

      “Right this way, sir,” the man replied.

      The place was meticulously designed and elegantly decorated. The only sounds were the murmured voices of other diners, their voices muted by the thick carpeting underfoot. Pristine white tablecloths covered each table and they looked like islands floating on the deep red carpet.

      The maître d’ continued through the room until he reached an alcove that overlooked the water. Once they were seated, he poured ice water into glasses and said, “Your waiter will be with you shortly.”

      Once Jodie was certain he was out of earshot, she said, “The scent of money is everywhere.”

      Dean grinned. “I noticed.”

      She gazed at his mouth. Jodie discovered she had a little trouble breathing whenever he smiled at her. She couldn’t forget the touch of his lips on hers.

      “Sorry to keep you waiting,” a newcomer said from behind her.

      Dean stood and extended his hand. “Perfectly all right, Mr. Furukawa,” he said.

      “Please, call me Steve.”

      Steve wore a custom-made suit that showed off his trim figure and tanned face. His hair gleamed like polished pewter.

      “Steve, I’d like you to meet Jodie Cameron, one of the employees with our firm.”

      Steve took her hand and bowed slightly. “It is a pleasure.”

      While they ordered and their meal was served, Jodie watched and listened as the men discussed several topics, none of which had anything to do with a possible security installation. She couldn’t help but wonder why he’d brought her, unless the business meeting was to take place after their meal.

      Dean included her in the conversation, and when Steve asked how she was enjoying Hawaii, she responded readily enough.

      Once their plates were removed and they were left with fresh cups of coffee, Steve said, “I’ve been reading up on you, Dean.”

      “And?”

      “You and your company have an excellent reputation in the security field. What kind of security do you offer?”

      “We make certain that no unauthorized person can enter your place of business without a silent alarm going off, alerting the staff. We offer hidden surveillance cameras that record everyone who goes in or out. Security codes are installed and updated regularly. In addition, we install special software on each computer in your office that will also alert you should anyone attempt to gain illegal access to the company’s computers.”

      “I see.” Steve glanced at his watch. “I’d like you to see my setup and give me some idea of what your systems would cost to install and run.”

      Dean nodded. “Of course.”

      Steve signed for their meal and the three of them returned through the restaurant. Several people spoke to Steve while they made their way to the entrance.

      By the time they reached the street, valet parking had his car waiting.

      The men continued to chat during the drive. Jodie, in the backseat, made notes of the conversation that pertained to business, finally feeling as though she could be useful.

      By the time they left Steve Furukawa that afternoon, he’d agreed to become one of the company’s clients. On the way to the airport Dean called the office and left a voice-mail message for the legal department that he had a new client.

      Once on the plane, Jodie—determined to ignore the butterflies in her stomach—said, “Your trip has been a success, hasn’t it?”

      Dean nodded. “Definitely. Thank you for taking such extensive notes. I’ll fax them to the office so Lawrence Kendall will have the information he needs to prepare the contract.” He studied her for a moment and then asked, “You doing okay?”

      She nodded.

      “Good. So shall we visit the volcano tomorrow?”

      “I’d like that,” she replied, hoping he didn’t detect her lack of enthusiasm.

      “Or we could stay at the condo and enjoy the beach area,” he said casually.

      “It’s up to you.”

      “My only reason for suggesting the trip was to allow you to see more of the islands.”

      “Why don’t we wait until the day before we leave then?”

      “Whatever you say.”

      Once back at the condo, Dean said, “We have time to go for a swim before dark if you’d like.”

      “I’d like that.” Jodie went into her room and closed the door. Somehow, some way, she would get through this week with the man she’d gotten to know here on the islands who only vaguely resembled her boss. The fact that she liked and enjoyed this new person unnerved her more than a little.

      All she could hope was that once in the office again, he would assume his sardonic personality.

      Seven

      Saturday afternoon they left the condo for the last time and headed toward the airport.

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