Read Online Wild and Wanton by Dorothy Vernon - Free Book Online Page A

tardiness, because he was a stickler for punctuality. Lindsay swallowed at hearing Jim say, ‘It will make up for all the times that’s happened at the other end of the day.’
    It was true that Lindsay often stayed at her desk after closing time, but no mention had been made of this before, and she glowed at being appreciated. ‘I didn’t think you’d noticed.’
    â€˜I notice a lot of things I don’t comment on. Come in, will you?’
    â€˜I’ll be right there.’
    But the step that took her into his office was less enthusiastic than her voice. Lindsay knew that Jim Bourne would want to know all about the previous night, and she wasn’t looking forward to relating even the bit she could tell him.
    â€˜Won’t be a minute,’ Jim said, not looking up from his scribbling. She had never known anyone who could write with his speed. At the same time he waved his hand to indicate that she should sit down.
    When he looked up, his eyes couldn’t decide what emotion to express. She saw dry humor, annoyance, wonder and exasperation. ‘Barbara Bates, Nick Farraday’s secretary, has just been on the phone.’
    â€˜Oh, you know, then?’ That was one hurdle over, at least.
    â€˜She said you had to report this morning for tests. Miss Bates gives very little away, but the way your presence is demanded says all.’
    â€˜I don’t know why Nick Farraday picked me to promote his new product. It’s utterly ridiculous. When I woke up this morning I was hoping I’d dreamed it.’
    â€˜No dream, and it could be a nightmare for me, having to replace you.’
    â€˜I told Nick Farraday that I wasn’t interested, and that I wouldn’t show up for the tests.’
    â€˜You
what?
’
    â€˜You don’t have to bellow at me,’ Lindsay said softly.
    â€˜I didn’t think I’d heard right. No one in his right mind turns Nick Farraday down.’
    Lindsay could have said that that was true. She
hadn’t
been in her right mind since meeting Nick Farraday. Instead she said firmly, ‘
I
did.’
    â€˜Much good it’s done you. A car is coming for you in—’ he checked his watch—‘just under half an hour.’
    â€˜Do I have to go?’
    She was thinking of the implied threat Nick Farraday had made, and something of this recollection altered her voice. Jim Bourne picked up on it. For the first time in their acquaintance, his earthy-brown eyes, symbolic for her of what the good earth stood for, a stability which you could trust to never let you down, did not quite meet hers. ‘That guy wields a lot of power, Lindsay.’
    â€˜I know, but . . .’
    â€˜What have you got against him? And don’t say nothing, or that you dislike his type on principle, because it’s obvious that it’s something more, something pretty deep-rooted which is going to ruin the chance of a lifetime if you’re fool enough to let it. Do you know what you’d be passing up? The last time they went to town this way was to launch the Delmar Woman line.’
    Delmar Woman, in its attractive aquamarine packaging, included an array of cosmetics and toiletries that could be found on almost every fashionable woman’s bathroom shelf, including Lindsay’s. Introduced with tremendous fanfare, the line had been an instant success, and sales had risen steadily over the years until it had eclipsed its fiercest rivals in popularity.
    â€˜The budget will run into millions of pounds. The coverage will be worldwide. Paris would be at your feet. Rome would romanticize your name. I know you’ve always had a hankering to go to Hawaii, because you’ve told me so. Well that, and many other glamor spots you’d never have dreamed of seeing, will be within your reach.’
    â€˜You’re wasting your breath, Jim. The icing on the cake doesn’t seem as sweet when you consider the inedible bits