He glanced at Faith. Their eyes met, held, and Faith felt a sting of heat arc and sizzle between them. Stunned, she tried to shift her gaze, but found she couldn’t. It was as if his magnetism had taken hold of her and refused to let go.
There was warmth and humor in his eyes that softened his arrogant facade and almost took her breath away. He seemed much more human this way—and so much more dangerously attractive.
“Maureen, this is Faith Martin, a computer consultant I’ve hired to handle this ridiculous problem we’re having.”
Maureen looked at Faith again, then sighed. “Pity. She’s lovely.”
“Yes, I agree.” As Ali glanced at Faith again, their eyes met, clashed, clung, and she flushed, stunned by his comment and the look in his eyes.
She was entirely certain no man had ever called her lovely before. Nor could she recall a man looking at her quite the way Ali had just looked at her. It made her skin flush, and her heart skip a beat.
Still smiling he turned back to the older woman. “So tell me, to what do I owe the great pleasure of your company? It’s been too long, you know. You promised to have dinner with me last month.” Ali held her hand as she lowered herself into the club chair, setting her cane next to her. Ali sat on the ottoman in front of her, giving her his full attention.
“I’m fine, Ali, truly.” She sighed and adjusted herself more comfortably in the chair. “I know I promised to have dinner with you, but I don’t like to leave Alfred alone in the evenings if I can help it.” She smiled up at him. “You know how much he enjoys company.” She reached out and took Ali’s hand, holding it like a lifeline. “The staff told me you stopped to play bridge with him one afternoon last week.”
“And he beat me soundly.” Ali’s eyes twinkled. “But please do not let it get around that I was playing hooky.” He leaned close and dropped his voice to a scandalous whisper. “I was supposed to be at an investors’ meeting. If Kadid finds out I was playing hooky, heads will roll.”
“You devil.” She laughed, giving his hand another affectionate squeeze.
“So what brings you here?” There was concern on his face, in his eyes as he watched her. “You know all you have to do is call and I will come to you.” She looked so troubled, he laid a hand to her cheek. “Maureen, tell me, what is it that is troubling you?”
“You always could read me.” Her smile was tremulous. “Ali, I’ve brought something for you to look at.” With a frown, she dug an envelope out of her black leather handbag. “I received this notice from the rehabilitation center.” Ali took the envelope, removed the contents, then began reading.
“They’re raising their rates again, I’m afraid.” There was a small catch in her voice. “I thought I’d better bring it to you to look at.” She watched him as he read. “I’m very concerned. You know, Alfred has been doing so much better there. It’s the first place where he’s actually shown some improvement.” She bit her lower lip, a sheen of tears in her eyes. “I really don’t want to have to move him, but I’m not certain I can afford to keep him there if they keep raising their rates. This is the second year in a row. I don’t know how much longer—”
“Maureen.” After folding the letter back in the envelope, Ali took both of her hands in his, kissing the fingertips. “I have told you before, do not concern yourself with these financial problems. Your investments are all solid and secure, and growing day by day. You have entrusted me with these financial matters and I would never let you down. I take my responsibilities seriously.”
She scooted forward. “Oh, Ali, I know, I wasn’t questioning—”
“Yes, I know, Maureen.” Patting her hand, he smiled at her. “You have more than enough to worry about now, and as I’ve said in the past, there is more than enough money to take care of whatever needs you or Alfred have now or in the future.”
Some of the worry left her face. “And you’re sure, Ali? I mean, I know how expensive all of Alfred’s care is—”
He touched her cheek again. “Please, Maureen. Trust me.”
“Oh Ali, you know I trust you. Truly. It’s not that…” Her smile was still shaky. “I know I’m being silly but—”
“You are never silly, Maureen. Tell me, what is it I can do to ease your mind?”
“Just to be on the safe side, just so I’ll feel better, could you just check my account? I know you’ve been having some problems with your computers, so if you could just check—”
“But of course.” Standing up, Ali glanced at Faith. “Is there a way you can get me into my computer so I can check a balance?”
Faith was so stunned by the affection between Ali and this woman, it took a moment for her to realize he was speaking to her.
“Faith?”
“I’m sorry.” She jumped to her feet. “Of course.” She crossed the room to his desk and booted up his computer. “Ali, can you put your password in?”
He came around the desk, stopping so close to her their bodies were touching. His masculine scent, his warmth seemed to radiate from him to her. Her pulse sped up and she felt a quick flash of heat, fire.
Her throat went dry while her palms grew damp. Absently, she wiped them down her jeans and shifted her weight away from him, so that they were no longer touching. She couldn’t seem to think when he was touching her.
Quickly, with great concentration, Ali tapped in a few letters, then glanced at her, his eyes dark, intent, as if he too had felt the flash of heat between them.
With nervous fingers, Faith plugged in the code that opened the correct accounting program, quickly bringing up the accounts. “I’m sorry, your last name is Jourdan?” She glanced at Maureen.
“Yes.”
Faith spelled it out to be certain she typed it in accurately. A screen popped up with Maureen and Alfred Jourdan’s names at the top. Faith didn’t want to look, or pry, but she would have had to have been blind not to see the amount of money in the account.
She glanced up at Ali. His face was cool, calm, serene. She glanced back at the screen. Something didn’t add up. Perhaps there was another account. She punched in another set of numbers, but no other files were found.
Concerned because she’d been privy to their conversation, Faith looked curiously at Ali once again. He met her gaze levelly, as if willing her not to speak. It was not her place, or her business, so she said nothing, stepping back so he could view the computer screen.
Ali retrieved a pair of reading glasses from his pocket and leaned down to examine the screen for a moment.
“There now, see?” With a delighted smile, he straightened, then hit the button that would close it before anyone else could view the figures. “There is more than enough money to cover whatever expenses you and Alfred have. I’m sorry you haven’t gotten a statement yet this month.”
“Posh, Ali, you know I can never read or understand those blasted things. That’s why I tell you to keep them and do it for me.”
“Yes, I know, dear.” He replaced his
