One-Click Buy: November Harlequin Presents (125 page)

T
HE
next day, the atmosphere at Hydebound was charged with a tangible electricity as realisation of the step they were taking dawned. The employees' plan for the firm was still very new, but already everyone was imagining how it would get started, and whether the transition would prove more difficult than they expected. Although the concept was generally approved of, there was an undeniable anxiety underlying the optimism. What if it all went wrong? Were they up to the mammoth task of going it alone? And what would be the reaction from Jeremy Hunter when he heard about it? Not that it would be any of his business now, everyone argued.

Cryssie kept her head down during all the discussions, offering only vague comments, but knowing very well that when Jed put in an appearance she was going to have great difficulty in not betraying her feelings. She was now exactly where she had been on New Year's Eve, when he'd first arrived on the scene, she thought dully, with all her emotions at basement level. She was just another member of staff, with no special privileges, no expectations—and no pressures. But how could she pretend that everything that had happened between her and the man was nothing—of no importance? It had been the most highly coloured episode of her entire life—dazzlingly, blindingly, so! And its impact had left her feeling as if she had been put through a mangle.

That Friday Cryssie was alone, sitting at her desk sifting through some of the final invoices, when her internal phone rang.

‘Come into my office, please.' Jed's curt voice sent her heart straight into her mouth. She hadn't even realised he'd arrived! His interest in the place had seemed to be getting less and less as the end was approaching.

‘Do you want to see any…files…records…?' she asked, trying not to let her voice sound as pathetic and little-girly as it seemed to her.

‘No. No…thank you.'

Cryssie made a face to herself. He was in masterful mode!

She entered his office without knocking, and he got up from his chair to face her. His hair was in need of a trim, she thought involuntarily, with long boyish fronds curling into the nape of his neck below his crisp white collar. But he looked even more fatally handsome than ever, and Cryssie had to look away quickly. Could it only have been two days ago that they'd sat together in the pub while she'd given him the decision he hadn't wanted to hear? It seemed more like two years!

Now, she gazed at him steadily, and his own expression was equally determined. He didn't ask her to sit down.

‘I've got some important news I think may interest you,' he said, coming straight to the point as usual, and Cryssie's mouth went dry. What was coming
this
time?

‘I thought you ought to know that we intend converting part of the fourth floor of Latimer's to accommodate Hydebound, so that it can continue trading,' he announced. He was in Managing Director mode, not expecting any interruption—and he didn't get any because Cryssie was dumbstruck! ‘It's actually been under review by the family before,' he went on, ‘but we've now come to the conclusion that it would probably do very well. Initial costs will be absorbed by the rest of the store, and your loyal customers will soon get used to coming into town to buy their specialist leatherwork.'

If he'd just said that he was taking the whole place, lock, stock and barrel, on a trip to the moon, the effect could not have been more dramatic. Cryssie was almost knocked sideways.

‘Naturally,' Jed said smoothly, ‘I'm calling everyone in this afternoon to let them know, and to find out whether anyone wants to resign. And, more importantly, to know who's coming with us.' He paused, his eyes glinting with satisfaction at the effect his bombshell had had on Cryssie. ‘And of course I expect…I'm anticipating…your opinion on the matter.'

For a few moments they stared at each other in complete silence. Then he quirked one eyebrow, his firm mouth betraying the merest hint of amusement, and it made Cryssie fume inwardly.

‘Well? Are
you
in favour of the transfer, Crystal?'

She waited a few seconds before saying bluntly, ‘I shall never forgive you.'

He raised both hands in mock surprise. ‘Why? What is there to forgive? Aren't I doing exactly what you—of all people—wanted?'

‘How could you do that to me? I still can't believe it!' she said angrily, colour rising in her cheeks. ‘You said that you and the family have been considering this…Why, then, didn't you
tell
me the other night? Didn't you think I'd be
interested?
'

He came from behind the desk towards her, and she automatically backed away defensively. Suddenly she realised that she didn't want to trust this man any more—anything he said or did, anything about him. He was unknowable!

‘Look, I've explained that moving Hydebound over to Latimer's is something the family have discussed before,' he said slowly, ‘but we talked it over again yesterday, and we're in favour of giving it a go.' He paused. ‘And I'm willing to bet that Hydebound stands a better chance of survival under the Latimer's roof than by giving it a new name and sticking it in a field somewhere. Impressed though I was at the courageous notion,' he added briefly.

By this time Cryssie's heart rate had begun to quieten, and she took a long, deep breath. What was this man
like?
She leant against a chair for a moment. ‘And I take it that my own position is—' she began. He interrupted.

‘Exactly the same as before. You are employed by the Hunter group, and whether you actually sit in the office at Latimer's, or come with me elsewhere is neither here nor there. For the moment. And it's no one else's business, either.' He smiled down at her darkly. ‘It'll be easy for you now, Cryssie. No eyebrows will be raised when we're together. They'll all have what they want—their future security—and I'll have what I want.' He paused for a second. ‘I'll have you.'

Suddenly the simple truth hit Cryssie with such unbelievable force that she nearly fainted.
Surely,
she thought, Jeremy Hunter would not go to such lengths just to get his own way in the matter of acquiring the assistant he wanted! The idea was so preposterous that she almost laughed out loud—a hysterical giggle that she knew wouldn't stop if she allowed it to start! The man was a monster if that was the case! It
couldn't
be that important to him, she thought. Even if the Hydebound staff
were
equal beneficiaries of his determination. But she was beginning to know Mr Jeremy Hunter, and the way his mind ticked! She felt sure her intuition was correct. Nothing would stand in the way of his wishes—whatever it took!

‘I just don't
believe
you, Jed,' she said slowly. ‘I don't believe you could have come to such an important decision virtually overnight.'

He shrugged, and now he put a hand on her arm, making her flinch. ‘Believe what you like, Cryssie,' he said quietly. ‘But before my hotel is up and running Hydebound will have recommenced operations under the Latimer's banner.' He treated her to another of his devastating slow smiles. ‘A good result all round—wouldn't you agree?'

Of course! It was just that—a good result, business as usual, ends neatly tied, Cryssie thought. She should have been feeling over the moon at the news, but she didn't. She felt wary and disturbed, her mind a kaleidoscope of shifting patterns. There was so much she liked about Jeremy Hunter, but his self-centred, thrusting determination to get exactly what he wanted at all times could be a distinctly unpleasant characteristic—and one which she'd seen enough of to last a lifetime! But then she remembered how wonderful he'd been with Milo at Shepherd's Keep, so obviously enjoying the little boy's company. He'd changed from a hard-nosed business executive into a totally relaxed individual, reliving his own childhood. And what about everything else? When they'd touched, when he'd held her…She shivered visibly as her mind ran on like a runaway train.

Afterwards, she couldn't remember how long they must have stood there in complete silence, but finally as she turned to leave the room, he said, ‘We have plenty of things to discuss, Cryssie. I'm sure you will agree that there are some important details still to be sorted and, since there's no time like the present, perhaps you'd allow me to buy you dinner tonight?'

‘No—I'm sorry…I'm not free tonight,' Cryssie said firmly. ‘Some other time.' The only thing she wanted to do was to stay at home, shut the doors and hide under the bed! she thought. The thought of spending about four hours in close proximity to Jeremy Hunter discussing ‘important' details was the most unattractive prospect she could envisage!

‘Tomorrow night, then,' he said. ‘I'll book a table at the Laurels—you enjoyed it last time, didn't you?'

Later that evening, after she'd put Milo to bed, Cryssie sat down opposite Polly, who was idly flicking through a magazine. Glancing at her sister, Cryssie envied her the ability she seemed to have of switching off her troubles—she'd not referred to the matter of the stolen scarf since the evening she'd poured out her heart to Cryssie, though each time Jed's name came up her features did express a fleeting anxiety. But that was just like Polly, Cryssie thought, she always did brush any fears under the carpet, out of sight, hoping they'd go away—or hoping that Cryssie would
make
them go away.

But the one that didn't go away was fast asleep upstairs, and Cryssie smiled to herself. Sometimes a nightmare could turn into the sweetest of dreams, she thought. Then her brow furrowed. She herself had been living between those two scenarios ever since Jed Hunter had entered her life—and it wasn't over yet! Yes, she still had her job—and, yes, all her colleagues and friends at Hydebound had theirs. The reaction to the news that afternoon, when Jed had explained what he intended doing, had been one hundred per cent in favour. The relief had naturally been spontaneous and genuine, and Cryssie had joined in with the general surprise and gratitude, being careful not to look at Jed, because she'd known what she'd see in those penetrating black eyes. Total smug satisfaction! But in spite of all the positives, the mountain she still had to climb was her decision about his proposal of marriage. That was something that would not go away—not something that could be brushed under the carpet—because she knew he wouldn't give up until he'd beaten her into submission. The thought made her want to scream, because it went against all her natural instincts of survival. And it was a quandary she'd never had to face before.

‘I had an important meeting with Jed today,' Cryssie said now, and Polly looked up from what she was reading. ‘Hydebound is going to re-open at Latimer's,' Cryssie said briefly, ‘so the other idea I told you about is out of the window. It's not going to happen.'

‘Well, that's a relief all round, isn't it?' Polly faltered, her colour rising at the mere name of the shop, which she'd kept well clear of lately. ‘So we won't have to worry about money, will we, Cryssie? I mean, if things hadn't worked out we could have ended up penniless!'

Money. That was the bottom line in Polly's book, Cryssie thought. And in someone else's she could mention! Well, somehow she was going to have to keep her job and keep him at bay at the same time. Because she was more convinced than ever that she could not marry a man who was so obsessed with getting his own way that he would allow nothing to obstruct his plans.

Much later, after Polly had gone to bed, the phone rang and Cryssie's heart leapt. That had to be Jed—no one else would ring at this hour!

‘Cryssie? I'm at the General Hospital…'

‘Why…? What is it…? Are you hurt…?' Her mouth went dry. He'd had an accident! ‘Are you…all right…?'

‘Yes, yes, it's okay—I'm all right. It's my father…he's had a heart attack.' There was a pause. ‘He's in a pretty bad way, I'm afraid…'

‘Oh, Jed! I'm
so
sorry!' Cryssie's mind immediately conjured up a vision of that handsome silver-haired man lying helpless in a hospital bed. ‘What…when did this happen?'

‘A couple of hours ago. I was working in the office at Shepherd's Keep—my mother is away staying with friends—and I heard a crash. He'd collapsed in the hallway. The ambulance came pretty quickly, but—'

‘I'm coming over,' Cryssie said at once. ‘It'll take me about forty-five minutes from here.'

‘Oh…are you sure, Cryssie…Would you mind? It's late.'

‘I'm coming over.'

Driving as fast as her ancient car would allow, Cryssie made for the local General Hospital, feeling as anxious and fearful as if this was someone of her own. Henry was a big, powerful man…Who could begin to imagine those black, twinkling eyes closed perhaps for ever? And Jed's voice on the phone…Strong as ever, but tonight it had seemed different. He clearly wanted someone there with him. Alice was obviously too far away to get there quickly—so he'd rung Cryssie! A surprising warmth ran through her body as she thought about it. At this moment Jeremy Hunter's need had nothing to do with business, or profit and loss. What he was experiencing now was a natural human desire to be close to someone he trusted, who could support him as he watched his father lie seriously ill.