loved her for herself. Now even that was in doubt, it seemed.
‘What else would you call it? Coming here and demanding that I admit I was wrong to help my father…That’s typical bullying tactics in my eyes.’
‘I didn’t say that you were wrong to help your father.’
‘No?’ She laughed shortly, too hurt to take a rational view of events. ‘It sounded like it to me, but maybe I’m wrong about that, too. We can’t all be as perfect as you, Rafferty, unfortunately.’
‘I’m far from perfect,’ he ground out. ‘I’ve made more mistakes in my life than I can count. That’s why I can’t bear to see you making a mistake like this. You shouldn’t be here, Natalie. You should be doing the work you’re trained to do, not playing the big executive in this fancy office.’
‘I’m not playing, I assure you. I admit that I’m having to learn the job as I go along, and that I shall never be anywhere near as good at it as my father is. But I do my best and, despite what you believe, it makes a difference to people’s lives, just in a different way.’
‘By clinching deals and making money?’ He laughed harshly. ‘Not quite the cutting edge kind of work you’re used to, but maybe you’ve forgotten what it’s like to work at the sharp end. Maybe you need a reminder of what’s really important in this life.’
‘I don’t need any reminders, thank you very much.’
‘I disagree. It’s obvious that somewhere during the past three months you’ve lost your way. The question now is whether you have the guts to do something about it.’
‘What do you mean by that?’
‘Prove that you know what you’re doing by coming on our next aid mission. If you still feel that working here is more important after that then I swear that I’ll never try to persuade you to change your mind again. Are you up to it, though, Natalie? That’s the big question.’
Rafferty held his breath. Even though he’d never planned on issuing such a challenge when he’d set out that morning, he realised all of a sudden that it might be the only way to make her see sense. If he could get her back into the field, she’d soon realise what was important to her…
‘Was that a challenge?’
Her tone was clipped and he winced at the supercilious note it held. It was unheard of for Natalie to speak to anyone that way. Despite her background, she had never put on airs and graces and had always treated everyone in the same friendly fashion. He must have really upset her to arouse such a response and it didn’t make him feel good to know that. He had to console himself with the thought that he was doing this for her own benefit.
‘If you prefer to see it as a challenge, it’s fine by me.’
‘And if I accept, what are you going to do in return?’
She walked around the desk and sat down on one of the low leather sofas in front of the window. Rafferty felt a wave of heat shoot through him as he watched her settle herself comfortably against the cushions. She was wearing a pale grey suit which he knew without needing to see the label must have come from some exclusive designer’s collection. The jacket fitted her like a glove, moulding her full breasts and offering a tantalising glimpse of cleavage when she bent forward to help herself to a grape from the fruit bowl on the coffee-table. It was obvious that she wasn’t wearing anything under the jacket apart from a bra and his body responded in time-honoured fashion to the knowledge.
‘Why should I need to do anything?’ he countered, hoping she couldn’t tell what was happening to him.
‘Because it’s only fair, of course.’
She popped the grape into her mouth and crossed her legs. It was done with the utmost decorum but he had to stifle a groan when he heard the whisper of silk. Although most women didn’t bother wearing stockings nowadays, Natalie had always preferred to wear them. In fact, they’d enjoyed many a happy hour divesting her of them…
‘If I accept your challenge, you should accept mine. Unless you’re too scared, of course.’
That got his immediate attention. Rafferty blanked out the delicious images that had been playing inside his head and stared at her. ‘I’m not scared, Natalie. If the only way to make you see sense is by accepting your challenge, I’ll do it.’
‘Good. That’s what I hoped you’d say.’
She stood up and came towards him, stopping so close that he could feel the warmth of her body all down the length of his. Trying to control his rioting libido at that point was a waste of time so he gave up. If she was deliberately trying to torment him, she was making a damn good job of it, he thought ruefully.
‘I’ll expect you tonight at six. Don’t be late. It really isn’t good form to arrive after the main guest. Oh, and you’ll need a dinner jacket, too. I’d hate you to feel embarrassed by not being properly dressed.’
She swished past him before he could say anything, shot back the bolt and opened the door. A couple of burly security guards rushed into the room and grasped him by the arms. Rafferty tried to shake them off but soon realised that he was wasting his time. Anyway, he’d be damned if he’d give her the satisfaction of watching him struggle.
‘Escort Dr Rafferty from the building and inform the staff on Reception that he isn’t to be admitted again today.’ She turned to Janet, who had followed the men into the room. ‘Dr Rafferty will need a pass so can you make all the necessary arrangements, please? I’ll sign the authorisation forms myself.’
‘A pass?’ the secretary repeated uncertainly, glancing at him.
Rafferty really couldn’t blame her for being confused, because he was feeling a bit that way himself. He dug in his heels as the men tried to hustle him out of the room.
‘What the hell is going on, Natalie? Why are you ordering a pass for me when you’re having me thrown out?’
‘Because you can’t just come in here and throw your weight around. It really isn’t on, Rafferty, and I’m not prepared to put up with it.’ She smiled calmly at him as she went and sat down behind her desk. ‘However, a pass is essential if you’re to complete the challenge I’ve set you.’
‘What challenge?’ he demanded as the men hauled him through the open door. ‘Natalie…!’
‘That you spend a month in my world and see how well you cope.’
‘LADIES and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to introduce our guest of honour this evening.’
Polite applause rippled around the room as the man stepped up to the podium. Natalie glanced at Rafferty and bit back a chuckle when she saw the expression of utter boredom on his face. It was the local business association’s annual dinner, a lengthy affair which normally she avoided attending. She hadn’t been planning on going that night either, until Rafferty had bulldozed his way into her office and she’d realised it would be the perfect way to pay him back. If he had all those preconceived ideas about how she’d been spending her time recently, why disabuse him?
He
