A Contract Seduction. Janice Maynard

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      Jonathan knew this was an opening he couldn’t pass up. But he had no idea how Lisette would react. He’d never felt uncomfortable around her before today. Then again, he’d never faced the prospect of shifting their relationship to a different footing.

      She was the one person outside his small family circle whom he trusted completely. Not only with his secrets but with the future of his company and his personal legacy.

      In order for such a fledgling plan to work, Lisette would have to be personally invested in what he was about to propose. She would have to be confident in her power and autonomy.

      His burgeoning idea was a lot to dump on a woman. He would have to ease into it.

      Maybe this was a stupid idea.

      Lisette eyed him with curiosity in her gaze. Perhaps he wasn’t as stoic as he had hoped. Or as guarded.

      “I need to speak to you,” he said carefully. “But not here. And it’s not about work. Or at least not entirely.”

      Now her curiosity turned to confusion. “I don’t understand.”

      Jonathan felt his neck heat. “If you would feel more comfortable, I could ask someone from HR to sit in on this conversation.”

      Her eyes widened. “Are you firing me?”

      He gaped. “God, no. Are you insane? Why would I fire the best employee I’ve ever had?”

      “Then what is this about?”

      Jonathan swallowed. “Will you come to dinner with me?” he asked quietly. “We’ll drive up the coast. Where we won’t be seen. The matter I want to discuss with you is sensitive. I don’t want to take advantage of your kindness, though, so feel free to say no.”

      Lisette shook her head slowly, her expression wry. “I’ve known you for a very long time, Jonathan. Dinner is fine. And we don’t need a chaperone. Clearly, whatever you have to say is important. I’m happy to listen.”

      “Thank you.”

      She glanced down at her khaki skirt and sleeveless top. “Is what I’m wearing okay?”

      He nodded slowly. “We might even take a picnic instead of going to a restaurant.” There would be more privacy that way. No chance of anyone overhearing the conversation.

      Though Lisette was clearly flustered, she didn’t quibble over the plan. “I’m ready whenever you are. Do I need to drive?” she asked. “Because of the meds you took?”

      “No. Not this time. I would never do anything to endanger you.”

      After quick goodbyes to Gerald, they exited the house. Jonathan tossed a couple of beach chairs into the back of the SUV. Being in the car together was definitely awkward. Her body language said she was uncertain of his intentions.

      It didn’t help that he was not big on small talk.

      As he drove up the coast, he formulated a plan. Thirty minutes later, he pulled into a small fishing town and parked near a shed adjacent to the pier. This particular spot was more popular with locals than tourists. They ordered two shrimp baskets with large lemonades and took it to go.

      Lisette teased him. “I pegged you as more of a beer than lemonade guy.”

      He shrugged. “Can’t drink with the headache meds.”

      She winced. “Ah. Of course. Sorry.”

      Jonathan remembered a stretch of beach that was not particularly crowded. And this was the time of day that families headed inside to shower and clean up for dinner. As he suspected, there was plenty of open sand to be alone.

      He carried the chairs. Lisette brought the food and drinks. The tide was headed out, so they picked a spot near a tidal pool and set up camp.

      A light breeze blew in from the water. The sea was gunmetal gray, the sky streaked with golds and pinks, though sunset was a couple of hours away. Neither of them spoke as they opened their bags of food.

      Jonathan sat back with a sigh. He’d lived near Charleston his entire life. The water was a part of him. The sand. The steady inexorable pull of the tides. Why did he spend so much time inside working?

      It was human nature, he supposed, to take things for granted. After all, the sea would always be there. What had never occurred to him was that he wouldn’t. He was measuring his life in months now, not years. Soon the parameters would be smaller than that. Weeks. Days.

      Choking anger swelled in his chest. He didn’t want to die. It wasn’t fair. He felt as if he had only begun to live. But if he had to go, he wanted Lisette to protect his reputation and everything he had worked so hard to build.

      Beside him, she ate her meal in silence, her gaze trained on the horizon. What was she thinking?

      He had to speak his piece. But how? Even now, the words seemed ridiculous. Overly dramatic. By the way, I’m living on borrowed time. Thought you should know.

      Part of him wanted to take off running down the beach and never stop. Perhaps if he ran fast enough and far enough, the grim reaper couldn’t keep up. Perhaps this was all a bad dream.

      Lisette leaned forward and set her cup in the sand, twisting it until it stayed upright. She tucked her trash in the bag and sat back, eyes closed. “That was lovely,” she said. “I should have dinner at the beach every day.”

      “Not a bad idea.”

      The silence built between them, but it wasn’t unpleasant. The ocean lulled their senses, washing away the stresses of the day.

      Lisette reached out one leg and dabbled the tip of her sandal in the tidal pool, not looking at him. “So what’s this big secret? Talk to me, Jonathan.”

      His stomach clenched. His jaw tightened. “I have a brain tumor,” he said flatly. “Inoperable. Terminal.”

      * * *

      Icy disbelief swept over her body and through her veins as if she’d been doused with winter rain and left to shiver and convulse in a stark landscape. No. It couldn’t be true.

      Slowly she turned to face him. Her shaking hands twisted in her lap. “Are you positive?” It was a stupid question. No one tossed around statements like that unless they were sure.

      His bleak profile matched his body language as he stared at the water. “Oh, yeah.” His low laugh held no humor. “The latest test results came in this morning.”

      “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

      “I don’t know how long I have,” he said. “And I don’t know what to expect. Which is why I’m having this conversation with you. I don’t want to tell my family yet. I thought you could be an impartial...”

      He trailed off, clearly searching for a word.

      “A friend? A colleague?” The impossibility of what he was asking staggered her.

      “You’re СКАЧАТЬ