Read Online Reckless Moon by Doreen Owens Malek - Free Book Online

yet he was familiar with all aspects of the operation. He must have been doing his homework, Beth thought. It was a pity he’d spent all those years sailing around the world when he might have been taking his rightful place beside his father. But Bram’s choices were his own to make, and she had nothing to say about them.
    She realized that he was staring at her. “What?” she said, confused.
    “I said it’s almost four-thirty, and asked if you’d like to get a drink. I’m through for the day, and you should be too.”
    Beth picked up her purse, not answering.
    “Just a drink, Beth,” he said quietly. “That’s all.”
    Beth met his eyes. His were intent, measuring.
    “Okay,” she said, standing up.
    His lips twisted as he moved to walk out beside her. “Very gracious of you,” he commented dryly.
    Gloria looked up from her Dictaphone as they passed, and her glance took in the two of them heading for the door. “Going home?” she asked, in a mild tone that belied her tense posture.
    “Yes,” Bram replied shortly. “Take any messages for me and leave them on my desk. I’ll see you in the morning, Gloria.”
    Beth felt Gloria’s eyes burning into her back as they stepped onto the elevator. She wasn’t fooled by Gloria’s pleasant tone. The woman took a proprietary interest in her boss that had nothing to do with her secretarial duties.
    “There’s a place just across the street,” Bram said as they descended. “It’s quiet and caters to the rush hour crowd.”
    “Fine,” Beth answered, looking away from him.
    Bram sighed and ran a big hand through his thick hair. “Bethany, if you’re going to speak in monosyllables, we might as well call this off right now. I asked you to come with me because I wanted to talk to you, not myself.”
    Beth examined him with narrowed eyes. “Why?”
    He blinked. “Why?” he repeated.
    “Yes. Why did you want to talk to me?”
    He threw his hands out in exasperation. “Because I like you,” he said, shrugging slightly.
    Beth turned her head so he couldn’t see her silent struggle against the flood of emotion his words had released. He had an unerring knack for saying just the thing to disarm her.
    The elevator reached the ground floor and the doors slid open. Bram put his hand on Beth’s shoulder to guide her through the departing crowd and sent a river of sensation down her arm. She stiffened at his touch; he felt it and removed his hand.
    “Relax,” he said in her ear as he pushed the door open in front of them. Beth pressed her lips together. If only she could.
    They stepped out into a cool fall evening, freshened by a sunset breeze. Beth turned her face up to catch it, inhaling deeply.
    Bram pointed over her shoulder at the facade of a lounge on the other side of the road. “Come on,” he said, when the light changed. They jogged across the street together, weaving through the idling cars waiting for the light. When they entered the dim restaurant the hostess greeted Bram by name and led them to a booth in an alcove at the back.
    “What would you like?” he asked, as the waiter hovered in the background.
    Beth looked blank.
    “Still a heavy drinker, I see,” Bram said, smiling, and motioned to the hostess. He ordered a Scotch for himself and something with a foreign sounding name for Beth.
    “What’s that?” she asked suspiciously.
    “A liqueur, very mild. I think you’ll like it.” He grinned, his eyes dancing, tilting his head to one side. “Don’t you trust me?” he asked.
    “Not for a second,” Beth replied grimly, and he laughed.
    “Do you mind if I ask you a question?” he said suddenly, still smiling.
    “Go ahead. I don’t promise I’ll answer it.”
    He nodded. “Fair enough. Why did you decide to take me on as a client? I had the distinct impression you had almost made up your mind to turn me down.”
    “I need the money,” Beth said.
    He was silent a moment, and then snorted, taking a handful of peanuts from the