Momentary Marriage(38)

Glancing up at him in surprise, Kelsey startled to hear him speak like a tough customer. She stood patiently waiting while Jared made several other terse comments about the contract into the phone. She’d always known there was more to Jared Barrett than a teasing smile and incredible biceps.

“I expected we’d hear from them pretty quick. Yes, I know what I told him about needing a free hand with the hiring and firing. Dammit, Clay, you’re a negotiator. You know how it works,” Jared said impatiently. “No, I’m not flexible on the length of sick leave, which I told Black. That was the straight truth.”

Jared, the shark, in action. He was so absorbed in his conversation that she didn’t hesitate to study him. The man was a mass of contradictions. Considerate and ruthless, controlled and wildly passionate. What the heck had she gotten herself into?

Maybe this was how his business was conducted. Certainly the advertising world wasn’t always a bastion of fair play.

Jared stood a few yards away from the waiting limo, still holding her hand.

“I know the guy’s a smooth number,” Jared declared. “But if I didn’t think you could handle him, I’d have said so. You know I only met with him tonight because you thought a little puff to his ego would help matters.”

It was all so interesting, seeing the inner workings of his world. Unsettling, too. She’d never realized just how calculating he could be. The union     guy had no clue as to Jared’s real goal.

“Listen,” Jared said, his voice cool, “I’m not paying their asking price. You remember how they handled the last contract. We’ve been fair with them. I’m not giving another inch.”

When had she ever seen him so implacable, so…callous? He’d never seemed like a pushover, of course. But this side of him made her reflect on their dealings, just as she had after watching him manage the details of the hotel launch.

Clearly, Jared kept his agenda to himself. How could she tell if he was less than honest with her?

“Do whatever you have to,” he said to whomever was on the other end. “You know my position. Tell them whatever they want to hear and then get the approval on the contract we want.”

What exactly did she know about the man she’d committed herself to marry? Yes, he could reduce her to a panting fool with a single kiss. He was richer than most people dreamed of being. And he’d agreed to her terms…had claimed to want nothing more from this marriage than she had to give.

But listening to him now, she couldn’t help wondering if he had a hidden agenda with her, as well.

She was too far in to get out, of course. Her bailing out of this engagement could do nothing but reinforce Doug’s crazy ideas about the two of them. She might as well buy her sister’s ticket to London if she didn’t marry Jared. But if she was going through with the deal, she’d have to keep her eyes open.

Maybe Jared’s shark tendencies were confined to his work. They wouldn’t affect her then. Still, she was seeing her fiancé in a whole new light.

“Okay. I’ll talk to you later.” He pushed a button on the phone, folded it up and slid it back into his pocket.

“That sounded important,” Kelsey said lightly.

He shrugged. “Business.”

They walked toward the limousine.

Ignoring the driver who was hurrying out of his seat to open the door, Jared leaned down and opened it for her. The driver stepped back, returning to slide behind the wheel.

“I wish I could take you home,” Jared looked tired suddenly as they stood next to the open car door, “but I’ve got people waiting back at the office.”

Kelsey glanced at her watch. “But it’s after ten.”

“I know,” he looked down at her, a small smile curling his mouth. “I appreciate your coming this evening.”

“Just out of curiosity,” she said, raising her gaze to meet his. “Why did you want me here?”

Jared met her eyes for a reflective moment, then reached out, drawing her into his arms. She went willingly enough, standing enclosed in his embrace.

His warmth and the wonderful scent that was his alone, surrounded her. This was part of Jared the shark, too, this dangerously sheltered feeling he evoked in her. When had she ever known a more complicated man?

He made no move to kiss her, only holding her close, his head bent to rest against hers, regardless of the fact that they stood on a still-busy sidewalk in full view of passersby.

“It’s been a hectic week,” Jared said finally, his voice low and warm, vibrating through his chest. “I just wanted to see you.”

Warmth, sudden and insidious, curled through Kelsey. She lifted her head to look at him again, feeling the urge to comfort and sooth him. It was odd to think of Jared needing such a thing.