A Professional Engagement

Rick crossed his arms over his chest, looking down into her face, his eyes narrowed. ‘And why is that?’

‘There must be at least ten years between you two and, from what I’ve read of her, she doesn’t usually go for the mature, older type.’

Rick opened his mouth and closed it. ‘Well, she did.’

Tara nodded, her insides twisting. ‘Yes, she did.’ She lifted her chin and met his gaze. ‘There’s no point in asking you why you go for her…’

‘Really, because you know that I won’t answer you?’

‘No.’ She couldn’t help but smile. ‘Because she’s a beautiful young rich heiress.’

He frowned. ‘And which part do you think I’m particularly interested in?’

She bit her lip. Damn. What had possessed her to just blurt out what was on her mind? Her mind fluttered. ‘Kasey as a beautiful person?’

Rick’s eyes glittered.

She swallowed hard. Would he accept her diplomatic save or push her on the matter? The last thing she wanted to do was admit she was jealous of the girl.

‘What are you two talking about?’ Kasey shoved a drink towards Rick. ‘You two look so cosy—you’d better be careful or someone will think you two came together.’ Kasey shot Rick an accusing glare.

Tara lifted her chin, her blood cooling. ‘Not at all. Just passing the time with small talk.’ Damn, she’d totally forgotten where she was and what she was meant to be doing!

She stepped backwards.

Kasey draped herself around Rick and laughed softly. ‘Of course, Rick only has eyes for me. Don’t you, honey?’

He looked down at her, sighing deeply. ‘Absolutely.’

Tara turned away. Her solitary existence ripped through her, leaving a deep and hollow ache in her chest.

She watched the other guests in the room happily chatting, her hands clenched tightly in front of her. Should she escape now, or see this through?

What did Kasey think of her being so chummy with her boyfriend? She was meant to be a professional after all. She glanced at the heiress.

The woman seemed oblivious to the situation, cooing over Rick as though nothing had happened. Either she was too clever to challenge what she’d seen, or too blinded by love.

Tara prayed for the latter. The last thing she wanted was a rich and influential socialite assassinating Came-lot’s reputation because she couldn’t keep her eyes off her boyfriend and her mind on work.

Thomas Steel tapped Tara on the shoulder. ‘Would you do me the honour of allowing me to introduce you around?’

‘Of course,’ she blurted. Saved. She’d pretend Rick Keene didn’t exist and concentrate on Thomas Steel. Then Kasey would have no concerns about her and Rick, and Camelot would live happily ever after.

Tara looped her arm through Mr Steel’s. ‘Nice meeting you both,’ she offered the couple.

Mr Steel led her into the crowd, leaning close to her. ‘What do you think?’

Tara looked at the man. ‘About what?’

‘About Patrick Keene…and my daughter.’

She swallowed, resisting the urge to look back at them and take one last look at Rick Keene. ‘A lovely couple.’

‘Right.’ He stroked his chin as though he’d once had a beard. ‘He’s…he’s a…fine man.’

‘Yes. Seems to be.’ If not a little too arrogant, handsome and self assured for her liking. ‘He knows his mind.’

Mr Steel grimaced. ‘I’m not so sure.’

Tara turned to the man, trying to keep a straight face, acutely aware of his scrutiny. How could he delude himself into thinking a man in charge of such a large and successful company didn’t know his own mind?

‘Mr Steel, if you think I’m going to chase after the man, trying to convince him to use my services, I’m going to have to disappoint you,’ she said evenly. ‘He doesn’t want or need my assistance.’

Mr Steel’s eyes glinted. ‘That’s a pity. You’re so suited…’ He glanced backwards.

Tara refused to take the bait. As far as she was concerned her business here was done. ‘Take this.’ She handed him one of her business cards. ‘If he does decide to go ahead with a proposal and is thinking of getting some assistance, tell him to give me a call.’

She glanced at her watch, her attention wandering annoyingly back to the couple, who were in close conversation. Rick was leaning close to Kasey, his arm around her waist. A soft smile was on her face. ‘Good luck with your charity event,’ Tara blurted.

‘You’re not staying?’

Tara shook her head. She’d had enough for one night. There was no point hanging around, torturing herself with dreams of clients that weren’t to be, soul-mates who never appeared or fantasies that never could come to pass.

She looked at the doorway.

If Rick Keene wanted her help, he’d have to come to her…and the chances of that were a billion to one against. And, for the first time in her life, she was happy with the odds.

He was too perfect for her own good.

Rick watched old man Steel steer Tara into the throng of people, his head bent close to hers in quiet conversation. What was he cooking up now?

Rick glanced at Kasey, his neck stiff and his hands clenched by his sides. He’d protect her no matter what her father came up with next.

Kasey put her hands on her hips, turning to him, her eyes narrowed and her lips pouting. ‘So who is she? You two nearly ruined everything with Father.’

‘I didn’t think.’ Rick rubbed his jaw. ‘But you don’t have to worry about your father getting the wrong idea about Tara and me.’

‘Why?’ Kasey swung around and stared after her father and Tara, who were standing in a corner on the other side of the room, looking for all the world like conspirators.

His neck muscles tensed.

‘Are you ready for this?’ He crossed his arms over his chest. ‘I know her.’

Kasey grinned. ‘Don’t tell me she’s an ex-girlfriend who gave you the flick?’

He stiffened. ‘Why do you say that?’

‘Because you’re all ape-faced over her.’ Kasey’s mouth quirked into a mischievous grin.

He shook his head. ‘No way.’

She laughed. ‘And it’s so rare for a woman to dump you. I figure she’s the one that got away.’

‘No, she isn’t.’ Rick slipped his hands into his trouser pockets, shrugging off the ripple that coursed through him. ‘She’s a proposal planner.’

‘What?’

‘Your father hired her in the hope that I’d agree to use her services so I’d propose to you properly.’

‘Propose? Wow…’ She giggled. ‘Daddy—you have to love him for his dedication to the role. But do you really think he’s accepted I’m going to marry you?’

‘Sounds like it.’ Rick couldn’t bring himself to be as touched by the sentiment as Kasey obviously was.

‘What do you think we should do? Proposing sounds serious…’ She bit the end of her thumbnail. ‘But I’m not ready to break this all off. Are you?’

Rick shook his head. ‘I could do with another week or two.’

‘Me, too.’

Rick rubbed his jaw. ‘Then I should play along with this proposal stuff.’

‘It couldn’t hurt.’

‘No, it couldn’t.’ Rick mulled over his meetings with the SportyCo company about the merger, flashes of Tara Andrews’s fine eyes and deep red lips invading his thoughts. ‘And agreeing to this proposal plan business would…buy us some time.’

‘Yes. I can’t have him suspect what’s really up.’ Kasey shook her head, sobering. ‘There’s no way I want him grilling Jack, pressuring him or sacking him.’

‘Are you sure he’ll be hard on Jack?’

‘I know my father. The only reason that he’s tolerating you is because you’re as close as I’ve come to his idea of what a good prospect is for me. He’ll probably be sizing you up as the father of my children too…’

‘And although I’m cute…’

‘Ugh, not a chance.’ Kasey shook her head, grinning. ‘But if he suspects there’s no passion between us and his chance of grandkids is zilch…he could do anything.’

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