Black Ties and Lullabyes by Jane Graves

the back elevator, which means you need to have a word with your security people.” He put his briefcase on his desk. “I’m afraid this is a bad time. I have a meeting in five minutes.”
    “They’l wait. After al , you’re Jeremy Bridges.” She said the words matter-of-factly, but Jeremy heard the hint of derision in her voice.
    “Clearly you have something you’d like to discuss with me,” he said.
    “That’s right.”
    “Sounds like business.”
    “Not entirely.”
    “Then meet me later at my house.”
    “This is a private matter. There’s nothing private about the inside of your house unless you intend it to be. I’m stil not completely certain where al the audio and video recording equipment is in that palace of yours.”
    “And you think it’s any safer here?”
    “Now it is. You real y do need to have a word with your security people.”
    Jeremy eyed her careful y, taking note of the way she was dressed—jeans, boots, black T-shirt, even in this heat. He had a feeling she owned about a dozen of each, which probably constituted her entire off-duty wardrobe, even in August. As always, no makeup.

    Zero jewelry. She looked no more sexy or al uring than she had any other time in the two years he’d known her. So why did just the sight of her make his temperature shoot up ten degrees?
    Because he’d experienced the fire beneath the ice.
    He sat down in his chair, elbows on the armrests, steepling his fingers in front of him. “Al right, Bernie,” he said evenly. “Why don’t you tel me what this is al about?”
    “It’s about a certain evening we spent together in your safe room.”
    Jeremy held his gaze steady at the same time his nerves felt anything but steady. His thoughts shot back to those hot, intense moments when he’d backed her up against that wal , kissing her and touching her in ways he never could have imagined before that night. He only hoped those thoughts didn’t show on his face, because if they did, this woman would have him at a disadvantage before he knew what hit him.
    Then he noticed she was tapping her fingertips against the sofa cushion. Just the slightest bit of movement, but for Bernie, who control ed every move she made, she might as wel have been chain smoking. What did it mean? She was nervous, yes, which meant that maybe she was the one at a disadvantage. But why was she nervous? He had no idea. What could she possibly—
    And then the truth came to him. He froze for several moments, turning the thought over in his mind. He couldn’t imagine that a woman like Bernie would ever do such a thing, but what other explanation was there?
    Then he got angry.
    He stood, grabbed a few papers he needed for his meeting, and shoved them into his briefcase. “I don’t have time for this right now,” he said, zipping the briefcase shut.
    “Wait a minute!” Bernie said. “Where are you going?”
    “I told you I have a meeting.”
    “Five minutes,” she said, standing up. “For God’s sake, at least you can give me that.”
    “It’s not necessary. Just give me the name of your attorney; we’l let the professionals handle it.”
    “Professionals?”
    “Though you must know that I hire only the best.
    Think twice about what you’re doing, Bernie. My people wil eviscerate yours in court.”
    “Court? What the hell are you talking about?”
    “You know what I’m talking about.”
    “I’m afraid I don’t. Maybe you’d better fil me in.” He took several slow, menacing steps forward and stared down at her. “Don’t insult me. I can hear a sexual harassment suit coming from a mile away.” Her mouth fel open. “A what ?”
    “Save it. I know where this is going.” She barked out a tiny laugh. “No, I don’t think you do.”
    “You’l say I coerced you. But you and I both know it was mutual. You’l tel me I was in a position of authority over you so there was no such thing as mutual consent. Then I’l tel you that most of the time we were having sex,