Flying High - Barbara Dunlop 3 стр.


It says hes expanding the emerald exploration work this year, said Julie, leaning forward in her seat.

Were not going to make the art reception, said Erin.

Well meet him some other way, said Julie.

How? Hang around town like a couple of stalkers?

Dont be such a defeatist. The mans got emeralds.

Maybe.

Julie pointed to a spot in the magazine print. Theyre already drilling portals. If the mineralized zones pan out, he could be sitting on a second fortune. For that, we stalk.

You are shameless, said Erin.

Striker turned his attention back to flying. Mineralized zones? Portals? If these women were looking for rich husbands, theyd sure done their homework.

Absolutely, said Julie. If theyre gem quality, Im his for life.

Striker snorted to himself. And here all these years, hed thought a jet plane was a good strategy for picking upwell, dating women. Apparently diamond and emerald mines worked even better.

Erin flipped the magazine back to the first page of the article and Striker recognized the man in the picture.

Thats Allan Baldwin, he said, surprised they were talking about someone he knew. Not that he hadnt heard about Allans diamond find. Everybody in Seattle knew about the local man who was on his way to becoming a billionaire.

Striker peered at the picture for a moment. From the same upscale Seattle neighborhood, he and Allan had known each other most of their lives. Though Striker didnt see him often anymore. The last time was at a university fund-raiser over Christmas.

Striker took in the perfect haircut, the salon tan and the three-thousand-dollar suit. He used to dress a lot more casually.

Erins brow creased. You know him?

Striker shrugged. Sure.

She paused for a second, peering at Striker, her expression turning puzzled. Then she held up the magazine, index finger tapping on Allans face. You know this man?

Uh-huh.

Her gaze traveled slowly from Strikers worn work boots to his stained jeans to his torn T-shirt. Her obvious disdain made him feel like a bug under a microscope.

Talk about a snap judgment. Just because he was dirty and oily and sweaty didnt mean he was some lower life-form. Hed put in a hard days work today. Something little miss impractical shoes ought to try sometime instead of focusing on landing a rich husband.

You know Allan Baldwin? she asked one more time.

Am I not speaking English? We went to high school together.

A light dawned behind her eyes and she turned her attention back to the magazine with a nod. Oh. High school.

Now that was vaguely insulting. Like he couldnt possibly know Allan in adult life. Apparently he was good enough to ferry the women across the sound, but hed best keep to his station in life.

Wouldnt she be shocked down to her pretty little shoes if she got a look at his stock portfolio.

Not that he was going to enlighten her. No way did he want to get on her husband hit list. If they found out his ten percent of Reeves-DuCarter International put him in the eight-figure range right along with Allan, he might as well paint a bulls-eye in the middle of his chest.

Julie leaned forward from the back seat, excitement coloring her tone. You know, Erinhe might be able to help us out.

Erin stilled, eyeing Striker up and down again, a disconcertingly calculating expression on her face. This time he felt like a side of prime beef in a butchers window.

Are you thinking what Im thinking? asked Julie, the pitch of her voice going up.

Exactly how well did you know Allan Baldwin? asked Erin.

Striker couldnt believe where they were heading, looking down their noses at him one minute, using him as a go-between the next. Give me a

We can clean him up a little, said Julie, with obvious excitement. Give him a shave. Buy him some decent clothes.

Striker felt his irritation building. Clean him up? Like he couldnt be a suave, debonair guy when he felt like it? Hed never had so much as a single complaint about his personal hygiene. And, at his mothers insistence, he owned at least half a dozen, custom-made tuxes.

These women would be mortified to know who they were talking about cleaning up.

Erin turned those powerful, bedroom-brown eyes on him. You dont have to get right back to Seattle, do you?

Oh, sure. She was the woman who never used her looks for anything. She could write a book on how to change a mans mind with eyelashes alone. But he wasnt about to take time out of his life to help them snare Allan.

This may shock and surprise you, he said. But even I have a life.

We can pay you, she countered.

Could she insult him any more thoroughly in the space of five minutes? Money is not an issue.

Erin took in his dirty clothes again. You were quick enough to take the thousand.

Striker clamped his jaw shut before he said something hed regret. Like admitting it was her sexy eyes and not the thousand that got him in the cockpit.

Well put you on the payroll, she offered.

The payroll? Just how organized were husband hunters these days?

And well buy you some new clothes, Julie chimed in. She glanced down at her black dress. We got Fuchini, but I think youre more of a Valnadi.

Striker hated Valnadi.

Erins brows knit together. You think youd be able to make contact with Allan Baldwin after all these years? I mean, without making him suspicious?

Read my lips, said Striker. I am not helping you get to Allan.

Erin turned back to Julie. You know, Allan might think Strikers after his money.

Excuse me? Allan wasnt going to think Striker was after his money.

Thats why we have to fix him up, said Julie.

Itll be a big job, said Erin.

Excuse me, Striker said a bit louder.

They both stopped talking and looked at him.

I am sitting right here in the plane.

Julie grinned. Sorry.

He shook his head in disgust. What part of no do you people not understand?

Erins expression faltered for a second. Then she seemed to regroup. She took a deep breath and put a hand lightly on Strikers shoulder. I know youre probably nervous. But, I promise, it wont be that difficult.

Damn right it wont be that difficult, he said. Itll be the easiest thing in the world.

She smiled, and his pulse reacted.

He cursed himself for being so susceptible. Because all Im doing is dropping you off and flying back to Seattle.

Her smile died. You cant do that.

Watch me.

Are you intimidated by his success? Her husky voice sizzled the length of his spine, making him think of dark nights and long, slow lovemaking.

He was sure shed planned it that way.

You dont have to be intimidated, she said. We can help you make a good impression. What to say. When to say it. Which fork to use.

Etiquette lessons? Striker had dined at a five-star Paris restaurant just last Thursday, and nobodyd complained. He hardened his tone. Im not the least bit intimidated by his success.

Abroad smile broke out on her face and those liquid brown eyes glowed with approval, sending sparks coursing through his body. Good, she said, giving his shoulder a little squeeze, making him wonder if she lived her entire life in denial.

Abroad smile broke out on her face and those liquid brown eyes glowed with approval, sending sparks coursing through his body. Good, she said, giving his shoulder a little squeeze, making him wonder if she lived her entire life in denial.

I believe I said no, he pointed out, ignoring the reaction of his skin to her soft fingertips.

Why would you do that?

I have things to do. Not that he needed a reason.

Im sure theyll wait.

You dont even know what they are.

The warmth of her palm made its way through his T-shirt sleeve, playing havoc with his resolve as she leaned a little closer, her voice dropping. I dont think you understand. This is really important to us.

There she was, up close and personal, using every trick in the book, making him want things he couldnt have, changing the chemistry of his blood.

I thought you said you never used your looks for anything?

She blinked, drawing back. Whos using looks? Im trying to reason with you.

Like hell. Youre flirting. And it was seriously working.

Im schmoozing. Theres a difference.

Youre touching me.

Im touching your shoulder. If I was flirting, Id touch your chest, or maybe your neck or maybe your hair.

She might as well have touched him in all those places. Her words sent a straight shot to his groin.

Im making a business proposition, she said.

And Im saying no.

Then Im offering you more money.

Im still saying no.

Then Im appealing to your better nature.

I dont have a better nature.

We have a spare bedroom in our beach house. Right on the water. View of the sunset.

Strikers mind didnt make it past bedroom and our beach house. Hed always been a sucker for promises women couldnt keep. No wonder he was forever taking them on joyrides.

Fine. Ill give you twenty-four hours.

Forty-eight, she said.

No way.

ERIN COULDNT believe shed resorting to schmoozing before theyd even made it to the island. Sure, they needed Strikers helpdesperately now that theyd missed the art reception. But shed practically fawned over the mans shoulder.

And she hadnt even realized she was capable of that please-sleep-with-me tone of voice. Patrick dangled a promotion in front of her eyes and she instantly turned into a shameless flirt.

It was undignified. And she wasnt going to do it again. Not that shed have to. Now that she had Striker on board, things would run a lot more smoothly.

As soon as the taxi came to a stop, Julie jumped out of the front seat. Will you look at that ocean?

The setting sun had turned the entire world pink, and white-water crescents reflected on the waves as they roared on shore fifty feet away.

Julie kicked off her shoes and sprinted onto the sand.

Without a word, Striker began lifting the suitcases out of the trunk. Hed stayed peevishly silent for most of the taxi trip, and Erin knew he was annoyed. But he was the one whod agreed to help them. Nobody had held a gun to his head.

Theyd stopped at the Mendenhal Resorts office on the way through the gates to register and pick up the key. Now Erin unlocked the door and stepped back to let Striker carry the load of suitcases inside.

Where do you want the gigolo? he asked, setting down the suitcases and gazing to where the rough hewn, wood-railinged staircase ran the length of one wall, up to a second floor balcony. Three doors opened off the balcony into rooms at the back of the house.

You are not a gigolo, Erin insisted, even as the word conjured up a totally unwelcome image of the big, rangy Striker.

She shook it off. He was nowhere near her type. And he was only here to introduce them to Allan. There were no other duties involved.

Striker carried in the second set of suitcases. Youre paying the rent and buying me clothes.

Theres a perfectly good reason for that.

Yeah. Im a kept man.

Get over it.

Easy for you to say.

She rolled her eyes.

Okay, he said. What would you call me?

Youre a consultant, she said.

Striker gave her a mocking grin. That sounds so much more dignified.

Doesnt it though?

Okay. Well, just to make sure your consultant understands the plan of attackwhich one of you is trying to land Allan?

I am, she said.

Why does that not surprise me?

Well, Im the project lead. Julies here for technical advice.

At least that was the excuse Patrick had come up with for sending Julie on the trip. Truth was, there werent any diamonds for Julie to look at. And even if there were, it wasnt necessary. High Ice Diamonds reputation for quality was well established.

Strikers eyebrows went up. Technical advice.

Thats right. Erin glanced around the high-ceilinged living room of the West Coast log house. Not that Im going to need it.

It was a beautiful building and a beautiful setting, right on the beach in the classy little town of Pelican Cove. There were skylights in the two-story living room ceiling and a massive stone fireplace against one wall. If a woman was going to kiss her principles good bye, this was as good a place to do it as any.

Striker leaned against one of the log walls, crossing his arms on his chest and resting one ankle over the other as he contemplated her. I have to say, youre pretty open about your plans.

Erin blinked at him. You did ask. And you are on the payroll now. Were not going to tell Allan everything right away, of course. Thats why we hired you.

Of course, said Striker. Him knowing whats going on, that might put a cramp in your style.

It wouldnt make things any easier. Thats for sure. She picked up one of the suitcases. Might as well get settled. The sooner they got started on Striker, the sooner they could arrange a meeting with Allan.

Striker took two long strides toward her. Wouldnt want you to get calluses. He reached for the suitcase, lifting it easily with a broad, strong hand.

What? she asked.

Detracts from the diamonds, he said, picking up a second suitcase and heading for the wide staircase.

Erin stared at his back for a minute. She was going to buy the diamonds, not wear the diamonds.

Or maybe youd prefer a few emeralds, he called over his shoulder.

Erin started up the stairs. Quite frankly, Id like to get my hands on both.

A truly mercenary woman.

Im a professional.

I dont doubt that in the least. There was an edge of sarcasm to his voice.

Maybe it was a mistake to bring a man like Striker in on this, no matter how valuable hed be in meeting Allan. Does it bother you that Im after his diamonds?

Its not like youre the first to try.

Really? Erin reached the top of the stair and drew alongside him in the twilight hallway.

That surprised her. Had other gem buyers come to Blue Earth Island to approach Allan? Had Striker flown them over? Maybe there was more to this than an old high school acquaintance.

If he had flown the other buyers in, maybe he had some valuable information about them. Maybe she could get him to spill it. Not that she was going to schmooze with him again. But there had to be a professional way to ask.

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