My Fair Gentleman. Jan Freed

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СКАЧАТЬ “What do you say, Catherine?”

      “Me?” She looked startled, as if no one asked her opinion much. “I believe we all have the power to change the circumstances of our birth, to become whatever we choose. Winning this bet will show Father and Carl I’m right.”

      Something about her intensity made him think there was more to it than that.

      “And it will help you land that job you’re after,” she continued. “Coaching, perhaps? Sports broadcasting?” Her brow arched knowingly. “Ah, sports broadcasting.”

      He hastily closed his mouth.

      “I was running out of guesses,” she admitted with a chuckle. “Just think. Two candidates. Each knowledgeable about sports. One articulate, polished and experienced on camera. One articulate, polished and an ex-major-league player. Which candidate do you think the station manager knows will attract more viewers?”

      She’d made one helluva case, he had to give her that.

      A close-the-sale gleam entered her eyes. “I’d say that’s a pretty fair return on four weeks of your time, wouldn’t you?”

      Still, a man had to be practical. “It won’t pay my rent next week.”

      With a strangled sound of frustration, she yanked the beer bottle from his hand, tipped it to her mouth and threw back her head. Glossy hair slipped away, revealing an arched white throat. Sensual. Feminine. Totally uninhibited.

      Joe stared at each rippling gulp and felt his blood head south again. A neck like that rated special attention. Starting at the delicate hollow where her pulse beat, then nibbling up to her smooth jawline—

      She clunked the bottle down, snapping Joe out of his fantasy. He scrubbed his face in his palms.

      “Did I mention the vacant apartment that comes with my offer?”

      His head came up. “It must’ve slipped your mind.”

      “It’s a darling little place.”

      “I’m all ears.” Hell, he was Dumbo.

      “Very cozy. Completely furnished. And it’s free.”

      He could fly! “Where’s it located?”

      “On the outskirts of Richmond College. Right behind our house, so you could walk up for lessons—”

      “Our house?” Everything in him bristled.

      “Actually it’s my father’s house, although I don’t see what difference…” She let the sentence trail off and followed the direction of his gaze. “Good heavens, no! I mean, Carl and I don’t…That is, I live with Father. It’s convenient for me to conduct my research where he keeps his private notes.” Her tone could’ve corroded batteries.

      What was the story with these three?

      She brightened. “He’ll lease the apartment to a student in the fall, but right now it’s just collecting dust.”

      His thoughts were already rounding third base. His agent needed a place to park and think for a while. If he sublet his apartment to him for a month, he could tear up that thong-bikini-endorsement contract. And a little polish was exactly what several sports directors had said he lacked.

      “What about expenses?”

      “I’ll take care of lesson-related costs—tickets, gasoline, rentals and the like—but meals are your responsibility.”

      He didn’t have a clue what she was talking about, but meals he could handle. Allie was a whiz at stretching hamburger…Oh, God, Allie. Lately she’d been so moody he didn’t know what to expect from his little pal anymore.

      “How many bedrooms did you say this apartment has?”

      A wary glint entered Catherine’s eyes. “One. But it’s very large.”

      “Is there a sofa bed by any chance?” He’d slept on worse, and it was only for a month.

      “As a matter of fact, yes.”

      “Is there a pool?” Allie loved to swim.

      “There’s a lap pool nearby…for adults only.” He could see her busy little mind working. “But the tennis courts are open to anyone,” she added hopefully.

      Allie loved all sports. She’d be a natural at tennis. “If I did this, my daughter, Allie, would be living with me.”

      “How old is she?”

      He didn’t like the way she was biting her lip. “Twelve. Is that a problem? I mean, are there restrictions against children at this place?”

      “No.”

      “You don’t sound too sure of that.”

      “No,” she said more forcefully. “In fact, the management loves children.”

      He searched her face, reassured by the honest conviction he saw there. “I must be crazy,” he muttered to himself.

      “You mean you’ll do it?”

      “I have to tie up some loose ends in the next couple of days, and I can’t commit before then, but if everything falls into place—”

      The impact of her lithe body hitting his chest whooshed the air from his lungs. Slim arms circled his neck and squeezed. He registered soft skin, silky hair, a flowery scent—and then Catherine drew back.

      “Thank you, Joe! I promise you won’t regret your decision.”

      Watching her smile light up the dingy pool hall, Joe had a sick feeling he already did.

      

      “I WONT GO!” Allie slammed the door hard enough to rattle her row of softball trophies.

      Stalking to her dresser, she moved the tallest trophy a fraction to the left and rubbed the brass-plate inscription: Allison Tucker, Most Valuable Player. Instead of feeling her usual burst of pride, she blinked back the horrible sting of tears.

      The doorknob rattled. “C’mon Allie, it’s only for a month. It’ll be fun.”

      Fun. Joe’s solution to everything from her earliest memory, from the time she’d actually believed in magic. She glared at the door. “You go on, then. I’ll stay here with Norman.”

      “You can’t, honey. Norman needs time alone since Doris kicked him out. Besides, I’d miss you too much. You’re my best pal, remember?” His deep voice was sentimental, wheedling.

      She closed her eyes against the images crowding her mind. Making ice-cream sundaes for dinner on Gram’s bingo night, playing hooky from school to share popcorn at a movie—saving a place at her team awards banquet for a father who never showed up.

      “Allie, please open the door.”

      The СКАЧАТЬ