of his thoughts, Chrissy addressed Margaret again. ‘It’s after hours now, as I’m sure you realised when you discovered the department was closed for the night, but I’d be happy to take a message for one of the tracking staff for Monday.’
‘I simply wanted to say hello to Janice Deanne. She should have been working late. I didn’t believe…’ She stopped abruptly.
Nate’s eyes narrowed. ‘Stay away from the company, Margaret. I won’t warn you again.’
Farther down the corridor, a senior staff member exited an office and wearily rubbed his eyes. Nate motioned the man over. ‘Would you see Mrs Montbank to her vehicle? She’s finished here and won’t be back.’
‘Certainly.’ The man gave Margaret a cool glance, and led her toward the lifts. ‘I’ll be happy to see you off the premises, Mrs Montbank.’
‘I only dropped in.’ Margaret glared at the man, then at Nate. ‘It was an idle visit, nothing more.’
‘Whatever you say, Mrs Montbank.’ The man clearly thought about as much of her as Nate did.
Nate grinned as the pair stepped into the lift and disappeared.
His grin faded when Chrissy turned on him, her expression fierce.
‘You had an affair with Margaret.’ Her voice shook. The disgust and accusation in her words filled the air. ‘She hinted at it the day I met you, but I didn’t want to believe it. She was Henry’s wife. Did he know?
‘Is that why you left so suddenly? Because he found out and banished you? It’s a wonder he even allows you a salary in the business, after what you’ve done to him.’
‘Actually, I own…’ He stopped abruptly. If Henry hadn’t told her of the situation, then she wouldn’t hear it from him. Besides, he didn’t want the knowledge of his wealth involved in this.
Even in anger, he wanted Chrissy’s reactions to be for him, not for his balance sheets. ‘You sure know how to jump to conclusions, don’t you? There was nothing between Margaret and me, not ever, and my reasons for leaving are none of your business.’
‘I don’t believe you.’ The mutinous sparkle of her eyes behind her glasses confirmed her statement. ‘Why would Margaret say such a thing if it weren’t true?’
‘Because she’s full of her own self-importance, doesn’t care about the feelings of those around her, and because she’s a troublemaker.’ Because she has somehow discerned the depth of attraction you hold for me, and she resents it.
She wavered, then lifted her chin. ‘Look me in the eye and deny there was anything between you.’
He saw it then. The jealousy behind the fury. In response he wanted to back her up against the wall and kiss her to oblivion. ‘Why do you care so much?’
‘I care because of Henry.’
‘My grandfather isn’t the only reason.’ He knew it as clearly as she did, and he was ready to deal with this. Forget trying to ignore it any longer.
Fighting still, she turned and stalked toward the lifts. ‘You egotistical…man.’
He followed. ‘Do you really think I could want that woman? Come on, Chrissy.’
Margaret was the antithesis of the woman before him. Shallow where Chrissy was deep and caring. Harsh where Chrissy was kind and soft.
He hadn’t realised until this moment that his attraction to Chrissy had reached beyond the purely physical, to delve into the personality beneath. It was a troubling knowledge, but not enough to stop him. Not now.
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