Free Soft Focus by Jayne Ann Krentz

her lawyer this morning had elicited the information that Hayden’s divorce was still pending. There were no children involved, but apparently the battle over the division of the assets had turned extremely messy. Elizabeth did not want to get anywhere near the scene of the accident.
    In all fairness, she could not accuse Hayden of having lied to her. She just hadn’t asked the right question. Then again, it was a little awkward to ask a person point-blank if his divorce was officially final, especially when he had yet to ask you out on a real date. Thus far all of her encounters with Shaw had been quasi–business meetings.
    But lately the atmosphere between the two of them had begun to alter quite subtly. She could not pinpoint the exact moment when she had realized that Hayden was giving off the kind of signals that said he was interested in something more than a business connection. She was still not certain that she was reading him right.
    The reason she could not be sure of what was going on was that she was unwilling to ponder the depressing subject of her love life. She was still licking her wounds from the skirmish with Jack.
    Things were not improving on that front, she thought. If anything, they were getting worse. Her awareness of him was preternaturally high. She had not needed Hayden to tellher that Jack had arrived in the ballroom a few minutes ago; the tingling on the nape of her neck had provided her with the same data. She was afraid the uncanny sensation was some sort of primitive prelude to a fight-or-fornicate response.
    She could not seem to take her eyes off him, so she did her best to observe him without being obvious about it.
    The tux did nothing to mute the edgy quality that was so much a part of him. If anything, it enhanced the air of fiercely controlled sexuality he exuded. The warmth that unfurled deep inside her at the sight of him was as irritating as it was disturbing. She watched him stop to speak to some men gathered near the buffet table. He appeared to be monumentally unaware of her.
    â€œYou know,” Hayden murmured, “just because this is a business affair doesn’t mean that you and I have to discuss the economy.”
    She flicked a glance at him. “I hadn’t noticed that we were discussing the economy.”
    â€œWe weren’t. Just trying to get your attention.” He gave her a rueful grin. “It came to my attention that you were concentrating on Fairfax, you see.”
    â€œWhy is that surprising? I’ve got a hefty stake in Excalibur. I always keep an eye on my investments.”
    He gave a short, surprisingly harsh laugh. “If a woman watched me the way you’re watching Fairfax, I’d like to think that she was contemplating something other than whether or not I could make a lot of money for her.”
    She smiled politely and set down her glass. “Now you know the awful truth about me. The bottom line is everything!”
    â€œMaybe. Maybe not.” He studied her intently. “You’re not an easy woman to figure out, Elizabeth. But speakingof Excalibur, did you check out those rumors I mentioned?”
    â€œI did, and everything is under control at Excalibur.”
    â€œGlad to hear it. Well, then, can I talk you into a dance?”
    â€œSome other time, perhaps. I’m here to work tonight.”
    â€œAll work and no play . . .”
    â€œI’m afraid you’re a little late with the warning. Too much work has already made me a very dull CEO.”
    His eyes gleamed suggestively. “Bet I could fix that little problem with a nice long weekend at the coast. What do you say to taking off on Friday and coming back very, very late on Monday?”
    She had been right about the signals. She gave an inward sigh, wrenched her covert gaze off Jack, and turned to give Hayden a bland smile.
    â€œFunny you should mention this weekend,” she said. “I’m going to be out of