The Golden Bough. Sir James George Frazer

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СКАЧАТЬ because I’m making a big mistake,” she muttered to herself.

      “What?”

      “Nothing.”

      Inhaling another deep breath, she tried to make herself relax. No, this dinner didn’t have to mean anything more than a meal between colleagues. Besides, it was another opportunity to find out more about the company and the man she worked for.

      So, she reassured herself, this was not a blatantly reckless act designed to indulge her carnal desires. This was a necessary step in her investigation.

      Shondra bit her lip. It was a stretch, but God forbid she had to explain herself, it might fly.

      “He’s here.” Lisa slammed her bowl of spicy Szechuan chicken on the coffee table. “Girrrl, you didn’t tell me this guy is loa-ded.”

      Shondra snapped to attention. “I—I—how can you tell?”

      “In all the time I’ve known you, you’ve never dated a guy who drove anything better than rusty pickups or ten-year-old sedans. Your last guy was so broke, he would show up in a cab and then make you pay. Now all of a sudden, this one shows up driving a Bugatti Veyron.”

      “A whatty what?”

      “Uh, how about a sports car worth over a million dollars.”

      Sheesh! “How come you know what that is?”

      “Because I have time to live in the world instead of working sixty hours a week like you.”

      The doorbell rang and Shondra waved Lisa away. But her roommate hovered behind her, still eating her dinner as she watched Shondra like a movie of the week.

      “Hi, Connor. Did you have trouble finding my place?”

      He stepped into the foyer wearing khakis and a navy blazer with a blue-striped shirt, open at the collar to show off his tan. “Not at all.”

      Lisa shuffled behind her and Shondra rushed to introduce them. “Connor, this is my roommate, Lisa.”

      He reached out to shake her hand. “Nice to meet you, Lisa.” His lady-killer smile was in full force and Lisa squeaked in return.

      Shondra thought her friend was going to drop her bowl and lick Connor’s face. She turned to Shondra with envy in her eyes and mouthed the words “I hate you.” Then Lisa batted her eyelashes comically in Connor’s direction. “You two have fun,” she called over her shoulder, twisting her hips as she headed down the hallway, fanning herself.

      Aside from being embarrassing, her friend’s spectacle got rid of the last of Shondra’s nerves. She met Connor’s ice-blue gaze and the two of them cracked up laughing.

      He escorted her out to his car—a stunning combination of midnight and cobalt blues—and Shondra didn’t have to be an expert to know that this wasn’t a car just anyone drove. Her gaze slid over the sexy, rounded curves like silk.

      “Okay, now you’re just showing off,” she said as he opened the door for her.

      Rounding the car, he slid in beside her. “Damn right. Is it working?”

      “I don’t know.” Shondra shrugged to appear casual, taking in the earthy clay-colored leather interior. A stunning mix of chrome and black, the steering wheel and console stood out in the finely crafted luxury surrounding her. She wouldn’t admit she was impressed. “I would think a guy like you wouldn’t have to work so hard.”

      Connor pulled off with the attention-grabbing rev of a powerful engine. He winked at her. “No one ever has to work hard. But some of us don’t know any other way.”

      As they sped out of her neighborhood, Shondra felt a little thrill bubble up inside her. She was in uncharted waters. Although she’d grown up with money—lots of it—and had always had access to nice things, she was beginning to realize that Connor was playing in a whole other league.

      When she dated the average working-class man, Shondra knew where she stood. She was the one in control—often paying or going Dutch on the bills, and dictating when and where for most dates.

      Tonight felt very different. Connor was every bit as smart as she was. He had more money. And he was her boss. If she wasn’t careful, she was at risk of becoming Connor’s plaything or worse…a novelty.

      Getting involved with a powerful man was dangerous. And that fed her wild streak. The one she never indulged.

      Connor must have read the expression on her face, because he looked over and said, “Relax. It’s just dinner.”

      So she let herself relax. Determined not to overthink things any further, Shondra sank back into the seat and enjoyed the ride, as downtown Houston whizzed by her.

      Twenty minutes later Connor gave his keys to the valet at a trendy restaurant she’d always wanted to try.

      “Great choice. I hear the food here is top-notch,” she said as they were seated at a private spot surrounded by potted palms.

      “I thought you’d like it. The chef is a friend of my father’s. He makes the most tender porterhouse steak you’ve ever had.”

      Shondra looked up from her menu. “A real meat and potatoes kind of guy—is that you?”

      He grinned, flashing that smile that tickled her spine. “We’re in Texas. What do you think?”

      “I think it’s not healthy to eat a lot of red meat.”

      “Ah, you’re one of those.” He winked at her.

      She straightened her spine. “One of those what? Sensible people who don’t plan on having open-heart surgery before the age of forty?”

      Connor laughed, shaking his head. “So what are you going to order then? Please don’t say a salad. You can’t waste the superior skills of Chef Lerac on greenery.”

      Shondra folded her menu. “Actually, I think I’ll have the swordfish.” She eyed him with feigned deference. “If that meets with your approval, boss.”

      He looked up, not taking the bait. “I suppose it will have to do this time. But I insist you try Lerac’s sweet potato mousse on the side.”

      Shondra agreed and when the waiter arrived, she didn’t bat an eye when Connor ordered for both of them. She sipped her champagne cocktail, realizing it had been a long while since she’d been this relaxed.

      Lisa had been right about one thing. She worked too hard. Sixty-to seventy-hour workweeks had been routine long before her father’s passing.

      Tensions had been riding high in the Braddock clan ever since her oldest brother, Malcolm, had decided to leave the family business several years ago. Shondra knew it had broken her father’s heart, but she couldn’t fault her brother. Malcolm had always been the type of die-hard defender of the people that never could have lasted in the political game. He couldn’t understand that their father had to give away a few votes to gain ground for bigger battles.

      Shondra СКАЧАТЬ