Make Me Risk It by Beth Kery

Chapter One
    Living up to his easygoing management style, Sangar had no problem whatsoever telling Harper to go home once she’d turned in her work that Friday. Harper called Jacob and let him know she could leave for San Francisco whenever he was ready. His driver and he were there in the parking lot when she walked out of the newsroom ten minutes later.
    The glamour and novelty of Lattice’s sleek private jet awaiting them at the Truckee-Tahoe Airport that afternoon only added to her sense of general euphoria at the prospect of a weekend with Jacob. He was on the phone a lot during their chauffeured ride to their airport and after boarding the plane. He’d immediately apologized for his preoccupation with business when she got into the limo with him. Harper assured him she understood. He’d already put off leaving for San Francisco because he was waiting for her to finish work, after all. She relaxed in the luxurious seat, listening to him talk and experiencing his concise, drilling intelligence firsthand. Unlike this morning on the terrace, when she’d found him intimidating, she found herself relaxing, however. Wasn’t it natural, that he could apply that intense focus of his wherever he chose?
    Once the pilot informed them that they’d be taking off soon, he hung up his cell phone and dropped it on the table in front of them with a clunking sound.
    He took her hand.
    “Hi,” he said.
    “Hi,” Harper returned, smiling over at him.
    “Sorry again about all that,” he said, nodding at his phone.
    “No problem. Does it look like a problem you’ll be able to solve?” she asked. She knew by listening to him he’d been conferring with others on the copyright claim on the software for the business he wanted to buy.
    “It’ll get solved. It’s just a matter of how much time and money we have to throw at this thing to get it there.”
    “Does the prior copyright claim on the software seem legitimate?” she asked.
    His stare was on her face. As usual, she felt uniquely aware of herself and her body when his focused attention was on her. “Legitimate enough to bring it to court. It’s my job to convince the claimant that it’s not worth
his
time and money to take it there.” He abruptly planted a kiss on her mouth, making Harper blink in surprised pleasure. “Forget about work. Are you comfortable? Do you want anything to drink?”
    “No, I’m fine.”
    “I’ve told Cyril we were coming. He invited himself over to my house tomorrow. He has some ideas about the film he wants to run by you.”
    “That’d be great.” She laughed when Jacob made a face. “You act like Cyril is a pain, but you actually like his company, don’t you?”
    He merely shrugged, but something about his small smile told her that what she’d said was true.
    “Maybe it’ll be for the best if he comes over. I’ll be in meetings tomorrow afternoon. Cyril can keep you company. I promise you a nice dinner tomorrow night, though, and we have tickets to the opera tonight.”
    “It sounds great.”
    “Good. You don’t want to sit next to the window?” he asked, nodding toward the seat across from him.
    “No, I’d rather sit next to you.”
    The plane began to move on the runway. He seemed tense. Distracted.
    “What?” she asked him, sensing he had something on his tongue.
    “Is flying . . . or heights, one of the fears you had when you were a kid?”
    “No,” she replied without hesitation.
    “Do you mind if I ask what you were afraid of when you were young? Besides . . . you know. Knives?”
    “Why? I don’t have those phobias anymore,” she said, honestly curious about why he would want to know.
    He shrugged, bringing her attention down to his broad shoulders. He was wearing a white shirt and a tweed blazer. She had to restrain herself from putting her hands all over him, he looked so appealing. “I was just interested. It’s amazing, the way your father was able to get rid of your phobias so