Read Online Playing for Keeps by Kate Donovan - Free Book Online Page A

going to say something—maybe even growl something—but instead he moved back to his chair without another word.
    He had a right to be annoyed, so she forced herself not to make too much of it. “It took me a while to convince anyone at the agency that Frank did anything wrong. Because like you said, he didn’t slap my ass, or offer me a promotion in exchange for sex, or call me slutty names. I’m not sure Mr. Caldwell thinks it was even harassment, but he could sense something was weird about it. And he believed me that I wasn’t just—well, making it up, or lying about how upset I was. And actually, I wasn’t that upset anymore. Not after a few days. But I just felt I needed to speak up. To go on the record.”
    “That makes sense,” he murmured, as though trying to find something neutral to say.
    “I almost let it drop. Then I saw him talking to a new intern—a college student—and I realized he might pull the same crap on her. Maybe he had done it dozens of times before. But no one reported it, and if they did, HR just told them to grow a backbone. So I decided to make a stand.”
    “That was the right thing to do, obviously.”
    She smiled. “All I wanted at that point was an official notation in his record. But Mr. Caldwell wanted a real settlement agreement, and he offered me money, or extra vacation, or some bogus assignment as his assistant on some made-up project. I should have just turned it all down, but I had heard a rumor that Lager Storm wanted to do a Super Bowl ad, and I had this great idea.” She eyed him gratefully. “Namely, you. I just knew you were perfect for it. And maybe it would be perfect for you too.”
    He nodded but didn’t say anything.
    “Okay, so . . .” She took a deep breath. “My plan was to take the idea to Steve Adler, since he had complimented my work several times. We can take ideas to the exec teams, but we don’t get credit. There’s not even a guarantee we can work on the campaign. The whole point of Caldwell’s system is to have a pool of raw, anonymous talent available to the exec teams. Management gets all the credit, but we in the B-pool—that’s what they call it—we get experience. And if we really shine, we’ll be invited onto an A-team someday.” She looked down at her hands, trying to banish the passionate tone from her voice. “When Mr. Caldwell offered me money, I just decided to go for it. So I asked him to let me formally pitch my idea. It was bold, and possibly stupid, but I did it.”
    “It was gutsy,” he assured her. “And it’s going great, right?”
    She nodded. “Unfortunately, everyone knows how I got it. Or at least they think they know. So apparently the rumor is that I got all indignant and huffy about inappropriate workplace behavior, then turned around and started sleeping with someone who’s under contract with us. That makes me a hypocrite at the very least. And at worst, an opportunist and a liar.”
    “Geezus, I shouldn’t have sent those effing flowers. I’m sorry.”
    She shook her head. “People fool around at our office all the time. It wouldn’t have mattered. And I sort of see where they’re coming from, don’t you? Because they don’t have all the facts. But meanwhile, I can’t afford to blow this account. And I can’t afford to be perceived as a hypocrite or opportunist. And let’s face it,” she added sadly, “sleeping with a famous guy like you to advance my career looks shabby. If it works, fine. But what if something went wrong with Lager Storm? My career would never survive. Not at Caldwell, and maybe not anywhere, because it’s a small club, and we all gossip like hell.”
    He leaned back in his chair and studied her intently, finally saying, “So we’re finished before we start.”
    A pang of regret shot through her chest, but she forced herself not to show it. “I’m afraid so. I’m sorry, John.”
    He stood and smiled grimly. “I’m glad you told me in person. If you’d done it on