Lust and Lies 04 - Pretty Maids in a Row

experience with women who didn't chase after him. Holly was an enigma and he knew he wouldn't shake her out of his system until he had her figured out. He also knew they were nowhere near the point where she was ready to spill all her secrets to him.
    All he had to do was break through that stubborn resistance of hers. Once he made her admit she was crazy about him, couldn't stop thinking about him, wanted him with her every minute of the day—then he would be able to put his own feelings back onto a more familiar track and get back to working on her connection with Donner.
    Not calling Holly about this news was hardly sensible. After all, she would be interested in hearing that he was going to be looking into the lead they'd discussed, would probably even be pleased for him. But somehow that small gesture of familiarity had come to symbolize his control over their entire relationship. If he phoned her once, there would be no reason not to call her about other, less important things, and sooner or later, he'd be calling just to say hello. Eventually she would be expecting his calls, and before he knew it, she'd be bitching at him when he forgot. The best thing was never to initiate telephone communication at all.
    He gave a fleeting thought to sending her a text but instantly decided that was only a different way of heading down the same road.
    On Wednesday, he decided he'd given her enough time to wonder if she would see him again. With Evelyn's cooperation, he was once more seated behind Holly's desk when she arrived.
    "Go away, David," she said as soon as she saw him. After the weekend they had shared, she had at least expected a phone call from him. By this morning she had worked herself up to being angry over his lack of attention, but she couldn't reveal that without giving away that she cared one way or the other. "I don't have time for any nonsense this morning."
    "I woke up with this insatiable craving to have a hot-blooded blonde snuggle on my lap. Care to oblige?" He pushed the chair back from the desk and patted his thighs.
    Keeping her distance from him, she crossed her arms in front of her and ignored her body's instantaneous response to seeing him. "I have a meeting in a half hour that I need to prepare for. I'm afraid my schedule doesn't allow for snuggling today. In the future, try calling for an appointment first."
    "If I called first, you'd only have Evelyn say you're too busy then I wouldn't get to watch you pretend you're not happy to see me." He stood up and walked slowly toward her. Her heart picked up its pace, but she stood her ground. Shaking his head at her, he unclasped her arms and placed them on his waist. His fingers threaded into her hair, immobilizing her head. "One of these days, lady, you're going to do precisely what I want without my having to seduce you into it."
    She took a deep breath that caused her breasts to brush against his shirt then smiled ever so slightly. "Never." His lips parted, drawing her attention, but before he could begin his seduction, she heard Philip's voice in the reception area and immediately pulled away. By the time Philip entered her office, she was behind her desk.
    "Good morning," he said brightly. Then his gaze fell on David and his smile slipped. "Sorry, Holly. I didn't know you had an appointment." He nodded to David, but pointedly did not offer his hand. "Walsh, isn't it?"
    "Wells. David Wells," he replied, with no indication that the mistake bothered him. "I'll only take a few more minutes of Holly's time. I'm doing a follow-up on Hurricane Brigitte and I needed to go over something she told me while we were there."
    Philip's spine straightened. He looked to Holly for an explanation, but she just glared at Wells.
    David grinned with exaggerated innocence. "You mean she didn't tell you about our cooperative venture? It's really a very funny story. Ask her to relate it when she has more time."
    Philip turned his frown on Holly. "Holly? Do you need my assistance?" His voice remained level, despite what had to be going on inside him.
    She made herself meet his eyes and give him a reassuring smile. "No. It's all right. I'll give Mr. Wells what he needs then I'll be right with you."
    As soon as Philip left, David closed the door with a soft click and turned a lascivious smile on her. "Just how are you going to give Mr. Wells what he needs? On the desk? Or maybe up against the wall, for old times' sake."
    "Shut up!" she hissed through clenched teeth.