Free Whatever You Like by Maureen Smith Page B

haven’t already made love. We have, and it was—”
    â€œA mistake,” she said sharply. “One that I don’t intend to repeat.”
    He regarded her in silence for several long, tense moments. Lena held her ground, staunchly resisting theurge to squirm or adjust her blouse, which suddenly felt too tight.
    When her nerves were stretched to the breaking point, Roderick pulled out his cell phone and pressed a button. “Send the car,” he instructed someone on the other end.
    He disconnected and shoved the phone back into his breast pocket. Without sparing Lena another glance, he rounded the table, picked up his glass and drained the rest of his wine.
    As if on cue, the waiter returned to clear away their dishes and settle the bill. He made a point of avoiding eye contact with Lena, even when she asked him for directions to the restroom. She wondered how much he’d overheard of her confrontation with Roderick. The convenient timing of his arrival made her suspect that he’d been eavesdropping at the door.
    When she and Roderick emerged from the restaurant minutes later, a gleaming Rolls Royce was idling at the curb.
    â€œMy driver’s taking you back to work,” Roderick told her.
    â€œWhy?”
    A small, crooked smile curved his lips. “I don’t trust myself to be alone with you anymore.”
    Lena blushed.
    He walked her to the car and helped her into the luxurious backseat. Before he could shut the door, she blurted, “What am I supposed to tell Ethan about the grant?”
    â€œThat’s up to you,” Roderick said mildly.
    She bristled with anger. “I hope you realize how wrong you are for waltzing into my workplace, meetingwith my boss and getting his hopes up about money that came with strings attached.”
    â€œI regret that,” Roderick murmured. “I had really hoped we could work something out. But you made your choice, Lena, and I have to respect that. I guess it’s a good thing you submitted the proposal to other companies, huh?”
    When she just glared at him, he grinned. He knew as well as she did that no other company would offer an additional five hundred thousand, as he’d done. Given the economy, she’d be lucky to get any takers at all.
    â€œIf you change your mind about my offer,” Roderick drawled, passing her a business card, “give me a call.”
    Lena scowled. “When hell freezes over.”
    Chuckling softly, he glanced up at the drab gray sky. “Speaking of freezing, it’s supposed to be a brutal winter this year. Even worse than usual. I hope you’re prepared.”
    Remembering their earlier conversation about Chicago winters, Lena said coolly, “I’ve stocked up on electric blankets. But thanks for your concern.”
    Roderick gave her a slow, knowing smile. “When you’ve had enough self-deprivation, you know where to reach me.”
    Before Lena could respond, he closed the car door and stepped away from the curb. Holding her gaze through the window, he mouthed, I’ll be waiting.

Chapter Eight
    â€œH ow was your date last Friday?”
    Reclining on a plush suede bench, Lena watched as her younger sister pulled on a knit jumper dress and smoothed the fabric over her slim thighs. “That looks really good on you,” Lena remarked.
    â€œThink so?” Standing in front of the dressing room’s three-way mirror, twenty-five-year-old Morgan Morrison twirled around to get a better look at herself from all angles. A slight frown tugged at her full lips. “It doesn’t make me look chunky?”
    Lena chuckled dryly. “Considering that you’re all of a size four, I don’t think that’s possible.”
    Morgan stuck her tongue out at her. “Not everyone can be a voluptuous bitch with D-cup titties and an apple-bottom ass that men drool over.”
    Lena laughed. “Don’t hate. You’ve never had to