Pulse Points

by Mary Lynn Baxter

  “Don, we really should get back to the office.”

  “Not yet. Please.”

  She lifted her eyebrows and stared at him pointedly.

  “I do have reasons for asking you for lunch.”

  Ah, so he did want something. Kasey’s curiosity deepened.

  “First off, I’d like to take you out to dinner some evening.”

  Kasey’s mouth gaped. She couldn’t help it. “As in a date?”

  “Why not? You have to know I’m attracted to you.”

  Kasey shut her mouth, too flabbergasted to speak. “Look, Don—”

  “Please, don’t say no without hearing me out.”

  “I really don’t think—”

  Again he interrupted. “I’ve seen you look at me, too.”

  This time Kasey had no trouble speaking. The words just blurted out of her mouth. “Only as an employee, Don. Nothing else.” She hoped she had let him down gently, but she didn’t know if she’d accomplished that or not. Who could say? He was turning out to be such a strange duck.

  “That could change.”

  “No, it can’t. It won’t.”

  Something flared in his eyes, something she couldn’t quite read before it disappeared. Whatever it was increased her discomfort and made her furious that she had put herself in this position. What had she been thinking?

  “I’m not giving up.”

  “I won’t have your personal feelings interfering with your work, Don.” Again she tried to be as gentle as possible for as long as possible.

  “Don’t worry. I would never do that. My work is too important. It’s all I have.”

  “At least we’re on the same page there,” she told him with relief.

  “That’s why I’d like you to consider taking me on as a partner.”

  For the second time in a matter of minutes, Kasey’s jaw went slack.

  “Get the hell out of my way,” Tanner barked to the reporters, fury tightening his throat.

  “Come on, Mr. Hart, talk to us,” one short, wimpy-talking guy pleaded. “Give us a break.”

  “I’ll give you a break, all right,” Tanner lashed back. “I’ll break your arm if you don’t get that thing out of my face.”

  “You do and I’ll sue you,” the reporter retorted.

  “And I’ll back him up,” still another said.

  “Let him go, Jacob,” Daisy Greer chimed in. “Since he won’t talk, we’ll have to assume he has something to hide.” She paused. “Especially after this second incident.”

  Tanner didn’t bother to make a comeback. Instead, he skirted around the reporters and headed to where Paul stood waiting for him. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the media didn’t attempt to follow. Had they tried, it wouldn’t have done them any good. They weren’t allowed in the construction zone.

  “Was anyone hurt?”

  “No, not this time.”

  “Thank God.”

  Paul made a hand gesture. “Actually it’s a bloody miracle, considering the damage.”

  Tanner let his gaze peruse the site, then he motioned to Paul. “Let’s go into the shack. I don’t want to see or talk to anyone else.”

  Once inside the metal building, Tanner removed his coat and tie, then rammed his hands through his hair.

  “What the hell happened?”

  Paul grimaced. “Same as before. A portion of the structure just caved in without warning.”

  “Shit,” Tanner muttered harshly.

  He’d been wrapping up a speech to a ladies’ luncheon when he’d gotten the call that a wall had caved in. Not bothering to ask any details, he’d left immediately and headed here. Unfortunately the press had beat him.

  “I’m sorry about those goddamn vultures.”

  Tanner knew he was referring to the press. “Did they take a stab at you?”

  “They tried.”

  “I’m assuming you didn’t say a word.”

  “I know when to keep my mouth shut.”

  Paul’s tone told him he’d taken umbrage at his words. Tanner couldn’t help that. He was making no apologies to anyone. What he wanted was answers and damn quick, too. This latest incident had raised the ante to an explosive level both jobwise and careerwise.

  “Sorry, but I had to hear you say it.”

  “I understand,” Paul said, letting go of a deep sigh. “It’s just a matter of time until this place is crawling with investigators.”

  “Have you had a chance to inspect the area?”

  “Yep.” Paul thumped his hard hat. “And again, the material looks sound as concrete.”

  “Then what the hell is going on?”

  “Work, man. Work. This kind of shit happens all the time, but since you’re—” Paul broke off, red-faced.

  “In the limelight,” Tanner said bleakly, “it puts the company under a microscope.”

  “Exactly.” Paul’s tone was dark.

  “Well, that’s just the way it is, and we’ll have to live with it. I want to win that senate seat because I think I’m the best man for the job.”

  “I didn’t mean—”

  “I know you didn’t. But I know this is a lot tougher on you than me since the day to day, hand to hand grind is your responsibility.”

  Paul’s features turned fierce. “That’s what you pay me big bucks for, and I’m not about to let you or myself down.”

  “That goes without saying. But even though there isn’t a rat in the woodpile, the media will put one there. Already has, for that matter, meaning we have to cover the company’s ass.”

  “And you have something in mind, right?”

  “Yeah. We need to do our own investigating.” Tanner rubbed his neck. “And I know just the person to handle that. He owes me a favor.”

  “Let’s get on it, then.”

  “I’ll let you know the details as soon as they’re worked out. Meanwhile, I’m headed to my office.” Tanner grabbed his coat and walked to the door. “Keep me posted.”

  “Ms. Sullivan’s in your office,” his secretary told him the second he walked into company headquarters.

  Tanner groaned silently. Irene was the last person he wanted to see right now, though he realized there were forest fires that had to be put out, and she was the one to start the damage control.

  On the way here, he’d talked to Jack on his cell, trying to soothe his ruffled feathers.

  “Have you spoken to the press?” Irene asked without preamble.

  “No, I refused.”

  “Good. Suppose you tell me what this latest fuckup is all about.”

  He told her as much as he knew, which at this point, wasn’t much.

  “Dammit, Tanner, what else is going to happen?”

  “It’s going to be all right.”

  “The hell it is,” she rebutted, her eyes flashing. “Two megahits in a row will be tough to overcome.”

  “This brouhaha won’t cause me to lose the election,” he said coldly.

  “I wish I could be so sure.”

  “It’s your job to see that it doesn’t.”

  She laughed without humor, then threw in her own brand of sarcasm. “I’m not superwoman.”

  “Okay, then, I’ll handle it.”

  A panicked look came over her face. “Not an option.”

  “Then—” He purposely didn’t finish the sentence, but he didn’t have to. She got the message.

  “You’ll be bombarded at the barbecue rally this evening.”

  “I’m aware of that,” he responded in a tired voice.

  “I’ll call Jack and the others for a conference call. We’ll map out a plan.”

  “Fine.” His eyes drilled Irene. “Before you do, I need a moment alone.”

  Her chin bowed. “I should be able to hear anything you have to say.”

  “I don’t think so.” His tone was frigid now. “This is personal.”

  “Whatever.” Irene flounced to the door and jerked it open.

  Once she was gone, he felt ashamed.
He shouldn’t have taken his frustrations out on her. So she stepped on his nerves with her forceful ways. He should just ignore that as he had in the past and not let it bother him. Lately he couldn’t seem to do that. He couldn’t seem to let anything go. He made a big deal out of everything.

  That was because his insides stayed tied in knots. Kasey was the reason. He wanted her so much he literally ached. She was all he could think about. He had tried to fool himself into thinking he had his emotions under control, that he could keep his distance if that was what she wanted.

  He knew better.

  Without wasting any more time, Tanner picked up the phone. Moments later, he said in a low, tense tone, “Kasey, it’s me. I need to see you.”

  Thirty-Three

  “Did anyone ever tell you that you were a good sport?”

  Kasey thought for a moment, then cut her eyes up at Tanner who was staring at her from across the picnic table. “Not that I recall.”

  Tanner smiled. “I find that hard to believe. But in any event, I’m telling you now.”

  “Well, I have to admit the smell of barbecue mixed with the stifling heat isn’t the way I would choose to spend an evening.”

  “Aw, and miss all this?” Tanner teased, sweeping his hand across the park filled with adults, children, and pets, some sitting at tables wolfing down food while others milled around.

  Her heart did a somersault under that glint in his eye. He looked so sexy dressed casually in a pair of jeans, T-shirt and boots. When he’d called and asked her to attend this political function with him, she had barely hesitated. She had ignored her conscience and told him yes.

  Perhaps it had been the dejected note she’d heard in his voice that swayed her. Or rather the sound of desperation, like he was on a tight leash that was about to break. She refused to attach a reason to her action, though she hadn’t wanted to be alone with her own thoughts, especially after that unsettling lunch with Don Hornsby. The gall of that man still had her reeling.

  “A penny.”

  His husky tone forced her to look at him again. “They’re not even worth that.”

  “Why don’t you let me be the judge of that?”

  “Okay.” She told him about Don and his bizarre behavior.

  Tanner frowned. “Have you ever given him any reason to think you were interested in him?”

  “Of course not,” she snapped. “He’s a nice man and a good worker, but that’s as far as it goes.”

  “He should run for office, then,” Tanner countered sarcastically. “With his inflated opinion of himself, he’d be a winner.”

  “That inflated opinion seemed just to come out of nowhere. Until now, he’s always been just one of the staff who spoke up only when he had something to say.” Kasey shook her head in wonderment. “I don’t get his sudden aggressive behavior.”

  “Does he know about the cousin who’s after the agency?”

  “They all do.”

  “He didn’t mention that?”

  “No. I’m telling you, this just came out of the blue.”

  “You straightened him out, right?”

  “In a heartbeat, but I’m not sure he heard me.” She looked toward the podium, then back at Tanner. “Anyway, I’m not going to worry about Don.”

  “Has the court date been set?” Tanner asked.

  “Yes, but still I’m hoping the suit will simply go away.”

  “My attorney can make that happen. You want him to take a crack at it?”

  Kasey gave a start. “Thanks, but that’s not necessary.”

  “I know it’s not necessary,” Tanner replied in a slightly irritated tone, “I’d just like to help make your life easier.”

  “I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful,” she said, feeling herself flounder in unfamiliar territory. Since Mark’s death, she was used to solving her own problems. Even if she wanted his help, she couldn’t accept it. She’d already reached the danger point in letting Tanner invade her life as much as she had.

  “You’re just stubborn is the way I see it.” Tanner’s tone was a bit gruff.

  Kasey didn’t answer, suddenly distracted by a youngster chasing his dog nearby. Tanner’s reserved table was under a huge oak whose full foliage offered some respite from the late evening sun and its sting. He hadn’t been off the podium long after surrendering it to another candidate.

  “Are you ready to eat?” he asked.

  “Not yet. It’s still too hot.”

  “I second that,” he said, taking his hand and swiping it across his brow. “Like I said, you’re a real trooper letting me talk you into this.”

  “I came willingly,” she said in a slightly breathless tone.

  His gaze held hers. “I’m glad.”

  Don’t, she wanted to say because it couldn’t last. She was indulging herself once again. But soon it would have to end. When her work for him ended, then they would end. She just prayed her heart wouldn’t be broken into such small pieces that she couldn’t mend it. If so, it was her own fault. From the get-go, she’d known what was at stake and she’d ignored it.

  “The new ads are great,” he said, severing their eye contact and the silence. “Did I tell you that?”

  “You did.”

  His gaze slid over her. “But we may have to change them yet again.”

  “How so?”

  He told her about the second accident that morning on the construction site.

  “How awful,” she responded in dismay. “I’m surprised no reporter grilled you about that.”

  “They tried even though they don’t know the whole story. But they will, after they read the morning paper. The shit will hit the fan again.”

  “But if it was another accident—”

  “It doesn’t matter. The fact that it’s happening to me and my company is fodder for Butler. Trust me, he and that ballsy reporter, whom I’m convinced are in cahoots, are making the most out of my problems.”

  “Still, you seem to be holding your own in the polls.”

  “That’s not good enough,” Tanner pointed out grimly. “Before Carl got hurt, I was starting to gain real momentum.”

  “So what’s your next move?”

  “Punch below the belt, same as Butler.”

  She paused. “I can do that. All I need is the green light.”

  “We’ll see,” Tanner told her in a noncommittal tone, flicking a bug off his arm.

  For a second, Kasey was fixated by the flexed strength of that tanned, muscled arm and long fingers. She swallowed and turned away, thinking about how those fingers alone had made her climax over and over.

  Feeling her face suffuse with color, she pretended to bend down and scratch her ankle. When she raised her head, Tanner was staring at her through dark, heated eyes. “You look lovely.”

  “Sure,” she said, followed by a nervous laugh. “With my body all clammy from sweat.”

  That intensity in his eyes jumped to another level. “I know how to remedy that.” His voice was low and hoarse.

  Change the subject, she told herself. Don’t take the bait. “How?” she eked out.

  “Lick every drop off your body.”

  She sucked in her breath and held it while her heart went crazy. Had she no shame? How could she let him talk to her like that? Because that was what she wanted too. She’d love to feel his tongue on her flesh…

  “Dammit, Kasey,” he muttered savagely, his eyes never wavering.

  She shook herself with a savage gesture. “I think I’m ready for something to eat.”

  She heard him expel a harsh breath before he got up.

  “I’ll be right back,” he said seconds later.

  She watched him as he strode in the direction of the tables loaded with different types of barbecued meats and side dishes. But his progress was slow as he was stopped every few steps by an outstretched hand and a friendly greeting.

  Ah, the life of a politician, she thought. The more she knew the less it appealed to her. But Tanner was a nat
ural. He was strong and confident with an inflated ego. She supposed that was what it took to stomach others’ constant interference and roll with the punches delivered below the belt.

  Her son possessed some of those same traits. Again, like father like son.

  Despite the heat, Kasey felt chilled. She had to stop letting those kinds of missiles attack her without warning.

  “I hope you’re hungry.”

  She gave a start and peered up at him, glad her eyes were protected by her sunglasses. She was terrified to think he might read forbidden thoughts. “Jeez, look at the food.”

  Tanner chuckled. “You could use some meat.”

  “No pun intended, right?”

  “Right.”

  “No way will I make a dent in all this.” Her eyes shifted to the huge paper plate in front of her, crammed with brisket, links, potato salad, cole slaw and beans. His was equally laden.

  “Give it a try, anyway,” he encouraged around a mouthful of food.

  They both listened to the speaker while they ate, though from time to time, Kasey felt his gaze rest on her. She strove to keep hers averted for her own protection. Sexual tension was too close to the surface. One look, one touch could set off an explosion.

  “It’s actually delicious,” she finally admitted, smiling at him.

  “I just hope mine doesn’t sour in my stomach once Butler makes his appearance.”

  Her fork stuck in midair. “Do you want to leave before that happens?”

  “Not on your life.”

  “It’s your call.”

  “And rob him of the pleasure of taking a pot shot at me in person? No way.”

  She laughed outright. As she lowered her head, their eyes locked.

  “I don’t want to stop seeing you. Ever.”

  Her heart wrenched.

  “Well, well, if it isn’t Kasey Ellis with the esteemed Tanner Hart.”

  At first neither Kasey or Tanner responded to the intrusive voice. They continued to stare at each other as though they were alone and not surrounded by throngs of people.

  “And sitting here mooning over each other. Who would’ve ever thunk it.”

  The familiar voice brought Kasey’s head around. Tanner followed suit and was the first to speak. “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.” His voice shook with suppressed anger.