Free At the Tycoon's Command by Shawna Delacourt Page B

didn’t happen. Instead of jumping up and putting his paws on her shoulders, Lurch settled his body next to her and leaned his one hundred eighty pounds against her leg while he enthusiastically wagged his tail.
    Kim reached down and stroked the dog’s head. It was a relief to have the tension broken. “Come on, Lurch. I guess we’re off to the vet’s office.”
    She took the dog for his shots and an hour later returned to the office complex with Lurch. She turned the Saint Bernard loose in the backyard using the gate at the side of the garage, then went around the building and entered the reception area rather than cutting through Jared’s office. She poured herself a cup of coffee, settled in behind the desk, then looked at the next item on her list. She was halfway through typing a memo when a familiar voice cut into her concentration and interrupted her work.
    â€œWhat did Jared do—” an unmistakable note of condescension surrounded the words “—hire you to work for him? Is this his donation to charity?”
    She glanced up and saw Terry Stevens standing in front of her desk. A smug look of superiority covered his features. Anger rippled through her body. The years since high school had not changed him at all. He had been an arrogant jerk then, he had been rude last night, and this morning his attitude was equally untenable.
    Jared’s voice intruded. “Your appointment is with me, not Kim.” He turned and walked into his office. Terry shot one last disdainful look at Kim, then followed Jared.
    Kim rose from her chair and edged her way closer to the small conference room that separated the reception area from Jared’s office. She felt a pang of guilt—eavesdropping wasn’t polite—but her curiosity got the better of her sense of right and wrong. The ensuing argument between the two men was loud enough that Kim could easily hear what was said in spite of the fact that Jared had closed his office door.
    â€œI’ve had it with you, Terry, and with your totally irresponsible attitude about everything. This hundred-thousand-dollar contract you signed for the sailboat is null and void. I’ve made it clear to Tony Williams that you have no authority to sign contracts in the company’s name, and if he sells the sailboat to you, the corporation will not be financially liable for the payment. That it’s between him and you, and if—”
    Terry’s angry response cut off Jared’s words. “You have no right to do that!”
    â€œWrong!” Jared’s anger matched Terry’s. “I have every right to make that decision.”
    â€œApparently that decision only applies to me. I notice that you still have your sailboat docked out back.”
    â€œThat sailboat was paid for by me personally, not with corporate funds. As president and chairman of the board of Stevens Enterprises, I’m responsible for seeing that the corporation is run in an ethical manner while making a profit and that’s not been easy with some of the shady deals Dad pulled off.
    â€œAs for you…for some reason you seem to feel that you’re entitled to whatever you want without having to work for anything. Dad left you with a monthly income large enough to cover your living expenses. It’s up to me to determine if that allowance needs to be increased. You’re not a kid anymore. You’re thirty years old. Until you can show some responsibility and initiative, there won’t be any more free handouts coming from the corporation. If what you have isn’t sufficient, you might try getting yourself a job…although I can’t imagine what you’d be qualified to do.”
    The voices dropped, preventing Kim from hearing what was being said. She returned to the reception desk and continued with her work, although Jared’s words about theimportance of ethics and his having problems with some of his