Free Perfect Partners by Jayne Ann Krentz Page A

out. The side of the tent bulged as she shifted position and in the process apparently rammed her elbow into the strong nylon. “Mr. Manford says this new line is designed to sell to novice campers. I asked him if it had been tested on any novice campers and he said no. So I thought I'd run an experiment. It's been a very educational experience.”
    “Obviously.” Joel shook his head and gave Manford a wry man-to-man, what-can-you-do-with-'em smile. It was the sort of smile men had exchanged among themselves when discussing female mechanical competency for several thousand generations. Cal returned it fleetingly, but he still looked worried.
    “I want to see how far I can get following the instructions. It's best to document the problems with them as we go along,” Letty said. She changed position inside the tent once more. Her foot vanished.
    Joel eyed the wobbling upright pole. “Come on out, Ms. Thornquist. I'll show you how to pitch a tent, if you really want to learn.”
    “No, no, no. That's the whole point. If I, a typical novice camper, can't do it myself using the manual, we've got a major problem with the new line. Don't you understand?”
    The rebuke took Joel completely by surprise. For one single, exceedingly unpleasant instant, he felt a wave of embarrassed heat singe his cheekbones. He was aware of Cal Manford watching him with an expression of uncertainty.
    Anger flashed through Joel, driving out the embarrassment. It was bad policy for the company's chief executive officer to be taken to task by the president of the firm in front of another member of the staff. Manford, like everyone else around the place, had to be reminded of just who was in charge.
    “If you'll get yourself out of that tent, Ms. Thornquist,” Joel said evenly, “I'll go over the manual personally with you. Step by step, if you like. We can see if there are any major problems with it. If so, they can be taken care of easily enough. Isn't that right, Manford?”
    Cal coughed and swallowed. “Yes, sir.”
    At that moment one of the wavering aluminum poles fell over. There was a small scream from inside the tent as the entire structure collapsed.
    “Oh, my God,” yelled Letty. “Joel, do something. Get this thing off me!”
    So much for office formality.
    Joel eyed the writhing mass of yellow nylon. Letty was neatly trapped beneath it, floundering about like a netted fish. Cal Manford looked horrified and baffled by this new development.
    “Uh, Ms. Thornquist? Are you all right, Ms. Thornquist?” Cal called anxiously.
    “No, I am not all right.” Letty's voice was muffled by the tent fabric.
    Joel straightened and held out his hand. “I'll handle this, Manford. Give me that manual. I'll help Ms. Thornquist complete her field test .”
    “Yes, sir.” Cal shoved the manual into Joel's fingers. He summoned up a nervous smile. “If you don't need me any longer, I'll get back to my office.”
    “Do that.” Joel dismissed him with a glance and walked across the room to the churning tent. He reached down, took hold of the lightweight fabric and several loose poles, and hauled it all upward.
    Glasses askew on her nose, topknot in complete disarray, Letty crawled out of the tent door on her hands and knees.
    Wispy tendrils of hair hung in her face. The skirt of her conservative gray business suit was more than normally rumpled. It was hiked up well above her knees and twisted back to front. Her peach silk blouse had been tugged free of the skirt's waistband.
    Joel caught a tantalizing glimpse of bare skin at the base of her spine and was immediately intrigued. He noticed there was an elegant dip at the small of her back that promised a full, plump derriere.
    All indications were that Letty Thornquist had a very nice ass.
    Joel had just been surprised to discover that he could be aroused by the shape of Letty's foot. But the interest he took in the design of her rear came as no surprise at all. He had always found the unique