by Unknown
“And make the company successful,” Shane said. He didn’t back down from the gauntlet Russell had flung. Paige hadn’t expected him to. “Giving orders is the easy part. Making them work is the difficult task.” He turned to the banker. “I’m sure Mr. Usher would agree that all of his employees play an important part in the success of the day-to-day operations of his bank.”
The man nodded his gray head. “That’s very astute of you, Mr. Elliott, and exactly right. A bank has to be client-friendly. No employee is less than any other. A hostile clerk can be just as detrimental to business as a hostile loan officer. There are too many other banks out there for a customer to accept less than the best with every contact.”
Russell’s mouth tightened for a few seconds. “But under your leadership the bank has thrived, and it gives back so much to the community. It’s in the genes. Family will tell.”
“On that we agree,” Shane said, the words coming out as anything but a compliment.
“Well, I’m not following in my daddy’s footsteps,” the teenager said, a mischievous smile on her face as she sipped her iced tea.
“Fashion design, perhaps?” Russell said.
She sent him an annoyed look. “Aeronautics.”
Shane chuckled. Russell twisted uneasily in his seat. “I’ve got a feeling you’ll do it. Women are as smart as men.”
“Sometimes smarter,” the banker’s wife said, eliciting more chuckles from everyone around the table. Except Russell.
“That’s obvious from the women at this table,” Shane said, turning to Paige. “You don’t talk, you just do.”
“Exactly,” Jackie said, with an emphatic nod.
Paige just stared. No one was better at the word game than Russell. Yet Shane had gotten the best of him. He’d won over the president of the largest bank in the city and his family as well. She didn’t know what to think of him. Thankfully, her cell phone vibrated, giving her a way out.
“Excuse me. I need to take this call.” Russell jumped up to pull her chair back, but Shane, who was closer, beat him to it. Shane smiled at Russell. A muscle flickered in Russell’s clenched jaw. Paige’s cell phone vibrated again. She didn’t have time to pacify Russell or referee.
Thanking Shane, she hurried behind the partially drawn maroon velvet curtain near the podium. “Hello.”
“Roscoe Thompson.”
Relief swept through her. “Mr. Thompson. It’s so good to hear your—”
“We’re sitting on the runway,” he interrupted. “The storm early this morning has everything backed up. We’re the fifteenth plane back.”
Paige quickly calculated the time it would take to deplane, then get to the hotel, and groaned. “You’re set to speak in twenty minutes. You’ll never make it in time.”
“I’m sorry. I guess I should have come in last night as you originally suggested,” he said.
Saying I told you so to one of the top motivational speakers in the country wouldn’t help. “Things happen.”
“Problems?”
She didn’t jump, but it was a near thing. For a big man Shane certainly was quiet on his feet. “The guest speaker. His plane is fifteen back to the gate and the airport is thirty minutes from here in good traffic.” She shook her head at the futility of things.
“If he has a BlackBerry with Internet or if he can borrow one, he can send his speech to another computer.”
Paige was happy for all of two seconds. “But someone will have to read it.”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we have to,” Shane said. “Just ask him.”
She did, then turned to Shane. “He does and his speech is on it.”
“Let’s go find a computer.” He took her arm. “You might want to check to see if the hotel has a helipad.”
“Helipad?”
“My employer found them invaluable,” he said, never pausing on the way to the door of the ballroom.
She followed. She didn’t have a choice unless she wanted to be dragged. She couldn’t help thinking that he certainly touched her a great deal, and that she liked it way too much.
Chapter 4
Shane enjoyed helping Paige. She was as sweet and loving as her mother had said.
Bent over the laptop computer, Shane grunted. He wasn’t attracted to women who were sweet and loving. He glanced up at Paige, hovering over him, her lower lip caught between her teeth, and he thought how much he’d like to do that for her.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
“No,” he answered and went back to watching the file download. He hoped another part of his anatomy stayed down. What it was about Paige that got him excited and ready, he didn’t know. He did know that it wouldn’t lead to anything. He never mixed business with pleasure.
And although Russell had spouted a lot of crap, he had been right about family will tell. Paige wouldn’t condemn him for his family background, but he knew there was no way he’d ever want her to know where he had come from.
“Are we about set?”
Shane looked up at the sound of the sultry voice of the news anchor for a local TV station, Veronica Wilson. Beautiful, long-legged, full lips with a smile that said Your place or mine? No strings, just hot sex. He couldn’t be less interested. “Since you’re used to reading teleprompters, I’ve set up another laptop for you on the podium.”
She rested her hand on his shoulder as she looked at the computer in his hands. “Nice work. We could use someone with your skills at the station.”
Shane ignored the caressing fingers. “Thanks. We’re ready when you are.”
“We’re thankful you’re taking on this extra duty, Veronica,” Paige said to the news anchor.
“My pleasure,” she said, letting her hand slowly slide off Shane’s shoulder. “I hope we have a chance to talk again.”
“I’m sure we will,” Shane answered. “Jackie, are you or Paige going to explain the change? The chopper is in the air and should be here in fifteen, but the guests are getting restless.”
“I am.” Taking Veronica’s arm, Jackie headed for the steps leading to the stage.
“I still say I could have given the speech.” Russell joined them, pique in his voice. “I’m more familiar with motivating people.”
“And annoying them,” Shane muttered. From Paige’s and Russell’s gasps, he guessed he hadn’t been quiet enough. He grinned.
Jackie, on the stage with Veronica, stepped to the mike. “Due to unforeseen circumstances our guest speaker, Dr. Roscoe Thompson, will be a few minutes late. However, we have a treat in store. Veronica Wilson will begin with an introduction of Dr. Thompson’s work, some of his anecdotes. He should be here in about twenty minutes to sign copies of his best-selling book, Change. Ms. Wilson.”
“Thank you, Jackie, for this awesome opportunity to share the podium with a man I admire and a book I’ve read.” Veronica lifted a copy of the hardcover. “How many of us want to change something in our lives? Yet how many of us are afraid to do exactly that?”
Hands went up in the audience. Shane sensed Paige going still beside him.
“A direct quote from Dr. Thompson’s speech says, ‘It all begins with you.’ ” Veronica glanced offstage where Shane sat. “Go after what you want or be left behind. I know I plan to.”
Applause erupted from the ballroom. Not this time. Shane planned on staying out of the woman’s way. There was only one woman he was interested in and he couldn’t have her. He didn’t believe in substitutions or wasting his time.
“Thanks to you and Shane, the luncheon was a success,” Jackie said as she stared fondly at Veronica, standing by the single and bookish-appearing Dr. Thompson.
“Glad to be able to help.” Shane wished the doctor luck. He couldn’t seem to keep his eyes off Veronica or his glasses up on the bridge of his nose. She hadn’t looked Shane’s way since the doctor announced he’d just signed a multimillion-dollar publishing deal.
“Veronica certainly seems to be enjoying the benefits,” Paige
said, frowning at the other woman.
“Dr. Thompson is a big boy,” Jackie said, then hugged Paige. “Fantastic job, as always. See you Monday.” She extended her hand to Shane. “Come visit us sometime.”
Shane shook her hand and that of her fiancé. “Nice meeting you.”
“Same here,” Aaron said. “Perhaps we can grab a bite together or catch a game.”
“I’d like that.” Shane watched them join the crowd “ leaving the room, Dr. Thompson and Veronica among them.
“Paige, something has come up and I won’t be able to go to the apartment with you this afternoon,” Russell said.
Paige’s brows knitted. “But we’re supposed to help Noah and Gayle paint their new place.”
“I know.” Russell smiled apologetically, showing perfectly capped teeth that Shane had a strong urge to rearrange. Instead, he watched Russell pull a couple of gift cards from a home improvement store out of the breast pocket of his suit jacket. “Perhaps this will make up for my not being there.”
Paige took the cards without much enthusiasm. Russell’s hundred-watt smile lost some of its voltage. “This is very thoughtful of you, Russell, but you know it’s important to be there for them. You promised. We both did.”
For a split second, irritation flashed in his eyes. “I know and I feel terrible about this, but I just received the phone call. You know I wouldn’t miss going if I didn’t have to. The amounts are very generous.” His hands closed around her forearms, and Shane wanted to knock them away. “The company’s president wants me to personally handle the problem, otherwise I wouldn’t go.” He kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll call you later tonight.”
Shane watched Russell merge with the crowd and make his escape. Shane had no doubt where he was actually heading, and it wasn’t business. He was smooth and out for himself, just as Mrs. Albright had said. “You’re painting?”
She glanced up at him, a bit distracted, and nodded. “Noah and Gayle are getting their first apartment ready, and we promised to help.”
“Newlyweds?” Shane asked, although he knew the answer.
“Brother and sister,” Paige answered, her natural smile returning. “They’re complete opposites in personality. Gayle is shy and a bit naive. Noah is street-smart and assertive. They’re coming out of foster care. For the first time they’ll be on their own.”
“An exciting time until the bills start rolling in, and you find you can only stretch money so far.”
Paige paused in placing the centerpiece of pink and white lilies in a cardboard box. “You were in foster care?”
“In a manner of speaking.” He grabbed the box and went to the next table, leaving her to follow. “What else do we have to do before you can leave?”
No one except her mother had ever asked that before. Even Jackie would depart with the other guests. “After this, I have to see the manager of the wait staff and make sure the laptop and other extra AV equipment is returned.”
“Then all we have left is this and the manager.” He moved to another table, this time picking up the centerpiece himself and placing it in the box. “I took care of the computers.”
She frowned. “When?”
“When you were getting Dr. Thompson ready for his signing.” It had given Shane a good excuse to escape Veronica until she found another victim.
A centerpiece in each hand, she came back to the table. “I can manage this. You go on. You must be tired from your trip.”
“I’d rather stay and help you,” he said easily. “It’s not as if I have a lot to do.”
Paige set one of the arrangements down, then reached out to touch his arm. “There are lots of job opportunities here, you’ll find something.”
He was the one frowning. “What’s a woman like you doing with a man like Russell?”
Her pretty eyes widened. She snatched her hand back.
“Ms. Albright, was everything to your satisfaction?” asked a man in a black tux.
“Superb, as always.” Opening her attaché case, she handed him an envelope. “Please thank your staff.”
“We thank you.” After shaking her hand, he was gone again.
“That was nice of you,” Shane said, trying to get back on an even footing after sticking his foot in his mouth, something he couldn’t recall doing before.
“For a woman like me,” she quipped, but there was hurt, not pique, in her shaky voice.
He realized she thought he had taken a swipe at her. “A woman who is kind, generous, caring, efficient. You don’t forget anyone.”
She blinked, then tucked her head, but not before he saw the softening of her features. “Serving a group this size is difficult, but I’ve always had top-notch service.” She glanced at her watch and looked around one last time. The room was empty except for the hotel staff. “We can leave now.”
“You sure you don’t want to pick up the others?” he asked.
She seemed surprised that he’d asked. “The florist should be here shortly. I’m getting these for the dining tables at a retirement home. We have so many events; it’s a shame not to let the flowers be appreciated for as long as possible.”
He might have known. “When are you going to the apartment?”
“After I go home and change.” She started toward the ballroom door.
“Mind if I tag along? It will give me a chance to see more of Atlanta,” he said. “Plus I’m a pretty good painter.”
She smiled at him as they started down the escalator. “I can’t image you not being good at whatever you did.” Her eyes widened and she tucked her head again. He had a feeling that if she hadn’t been carrying her attaché case she might have clapped her hand over her mouth.
“Thanks. After seeing you in action, I can say the same thing about you,” he told her, watching as she slowly lifted her head, a shy smile on her face.
Paige couldn’t imagine what was wrong with her. First she was having all these irrational sexual feelings; now she was blurting out things without thinking. She threw a glance into her rearview mirror at Shane following in his rental. What had possessed her to say such a thing?
Perhaps it was the coming Masquerade Ball. The biggest fund-raiser of the year, and the most ambitious event she had ever attempted, taking over the entire fifteen-thousand-square-foot Carrington Estate with an expected crowd of two thousand guests. Tickets were three thousand dollars each. Failure was not an option, and she was in total charge. The stress must be getting to her. That had to be the reason for her uncharacteristic behavior.
Feeling more in control, she pulled up by the front door and got out. Shane exited his car as well, a sexy smile on his too-handsome face, as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Women would fall all over themselves for him. And who could blame them? He was charming, sensitive, intelligent. But there was steel and a hint of danger beneath the easygoing facade. All in all a fascinating combination. When you added the devastating good looks, he was lethal. She was certainly finding it hard to resist him.
“You’re frowning again.”
Caught staring at him—again—she hoped she didn’t blush. “I was just thinking that you might not have any old clothes with you.”
His fingers closed gently around her arm. “A T-shirt and jeans will do, and I have those.”
“All right.” She started up the stairs—anything to get moving so he would release her arm. Her skin was too sensitive to his touch, and she enjoyed it too much.
Her mother met them at the door. “I’ve already had a couple of calls from friends who said the luncheon went fabulously. I knew it would.”
“Thank you.” Paige was used to the critiques of her parents’ friends. If any of her mother’s friends had anything negative to say, she never heard. Her father had been a different story, but he’d pushed himself to excel as well.
“It certainly was, and it didn’t stop there,” Shane said. “She’s dropped off the flowers from the luncheon to a senior facility, and now she’s going to help pain
t an apartment. I’m not sure where she gets her stamina.”
Paige’s mother smiled fondly at her as they walked toward the stairs. “She’s always been full of energy. She single-handedly helped raise awareness and funds for scholarships for young adults coming out of foster care while she was still in high school.”
“Mother, please. Shane doesn’t care to hear about that,” Paige said, not wanting her to get started. She’d go on and on about her children, given the least enticement.
“Sure I do,” Shane said, and Paige barely kept from rolling her eyes.
“You should be proud,” her mother said, smiling at her. “You gave up your allowance, held garage sales to raise the first thousand dollars, and challenged your father and grandparents to match you.”
“Father met the challenge just as I knew he would,” Paige said.
Her mother’s smile wavered. “Yes, he did.”
“We better get going, Paige, if we have to pick up the paint,” Shane told her.
“Yes,” she agreed and started up the stairs with him, wondering if he had noticed the happiness leave her mother’s face at the mention of her husband, then thought, of course he had. He didn’t miss much. What Paige continued not to understand was why the mention of her father’s name seemed to dampen her mother’s spirits so much.
And if it had anything to do with her trips to Texas and a man named Trent Masters.
Paige wasn’t a pushover. There were times that afternoon when Shane feared she was, then he’d remember her standing up to him the night she had gone to the Masters family estate. At times she was bold, then others a bit of a shrinking violet.
He now understood. Paige might let you get one over on her, but not on those she cared about. She’d gone to Dallas to ensure that her mother was all right, become annoyed with Russell when he’d backed out of painting the apartment—and now the salesclerk in the home improvement store was trying to blow her off.