Mistletoe Maneuvers (3 page)

“Hello,” he said as she walked toward him. “This is a surprise.”

“Is it?” she replied, meeting his gaze directly. “I would've assumed that you knew very well this meeting would happen.”

He held back a grin as he motioned toward the couch. “Please,” he said.

“What are your terms?” she asked quietly, standing right where she was.

“Terms?”

“I'm not here to play games, Rick. I assume you knew about the hostile takeover. You orchestrated your own firing yesterday simply to terminate your contract in the midst of a corporate upheaval. You knew that I would be forced to rehire you on your own terms.”

“And are you?” He knew better than to waste his time
by attempting to deny the accusations. She wouldn't believe him anyway. And he cared little what she thought.

She snapped open her briefcase. “I'm prepared to give you a ten-percent raise and a one-year extension on your contract.”

She handed him the contract but he didn't accept it. “I'm not interested.”

“What do you mean?”

He could hear the nervousness in her voice and see the fear in her eyes. Without realizing it, she was giving away her hand. She knew she needed him.

“Ten percent and a one-year extension are not enough.”

She swallowed, taking a deep breath. “What do you want?”

“I want the raise, the extension, and…” He paused, noticing the way the her slender hands clutched the papers. “Half of your stock.”

The color drained from her face. No wonder. It was an outrageous request. So outrageous that he had not even pondered it. But since she seemed so desperate to have him return, why not?

“No,” she said.

He took another step toward her. He was so close, he could smell her slight flowery scent. “Well then,” he said in a soft whisper, “I don't think we have anything to talk about.”

Her eyes were full of fire as she tightened her lips. “This was my father's company. He always intended that I would one day be at the helm.”

“And maybe you will. In the meantime, I'll own half of your stock. We'll be partners.”

“Partners?” she asked quietly, her voice ragged.

It was obvious that she was hesitant to give up hope that she might one day regain the company. But it was difficult to feel pity for her naïveté. She should've known better than to challenge him. He had warned her and she had no one but herself to blame for the consequences.

Still, this interaction was making him uncomfortable. He would have an easier time of this if she were defiant and narcissistic. He walked back toward the elevator and pressed the button. As the doors opened he said, “Feel free to take some time to think about my offer. But the bottom line will not change. You need me if you're going to save your father's company. You and I both know I'm the only one capable of accomplishing this. If I don't come back, try as you might, I can guarantee you that Sabrina Vickers will take over the company. And when she does, she will do what she has always done. She will break it up into little pieces, selling off the properties your father and I have worked so hard to build. By next year Lawrence Enterprises will be nothing but a memory. Is that what your father would have wanted?”

He could almost see the inner machinations of her brain. She had no choice but to accept his terms, however audacious they were. “I've worked very hard for this company, Alessandra. I've given it fifteen years of my life. I don't want to see it destroyed. But this is your decision.”

“I'll agree under one condition,” she said after a moment's hesitation. “That I give you my shares only when the threat of a takeover is alleviated.”

“Fine,” he said, holding out his hand. “So we have a deal.”

“I'm willing to put past grievances behind us in order to save the company,” she said. With what appeared to be a supreme amount of effort, she accepted his hand.

“I'm very happy to hear that, Lessa,” he said, squeezing her hand gently. “Because in order to save this company, you're going to have to forget what you learned in grad school. Now,” he said, letting go of her hand, “can I take your coat?”

“What do you mean, forget what I learned?” she asked, shrugging off her coat and handing it to him.

“Sabrina Vickers is simply the first in a long line of companies waiting to steal Lawrence Enterprises,” he said, hanging up her coat. “The problem is not Sabrina, it's the perception that Lawrence Enterprises is a company in turmoil. All the Sabrinas have crawled out of the woodwork. And there's only one way to get rid of them.”

“Let's hear it,” she said, taking a seat on his leather sofa.

He sat across from her and leaned forward. “We need to convince Sabrina and everyone else that my job is intact. That our…union is secure.”

“What are you suggesting?”

He paused, almost enjoying the look of anticipation in her eyes. “We're lovers.”

He watched as the surprise in her eyes gave way to indignation.

“No,” she said.

“Just for show, of course. It's the only way. We need to prove to Sabrina Vickers and the rest of the world that we're together. That my firing was simply a lovers' quarrel. If you and I are united, in both power and money, they'll know better than to attempt another takeover.”

“That's ridiculous,” she said, standing. “This is business, not make-believe.”

He stood up so that he was towering over her. “If Sabrina thinks for one moment that you asked me back only because of her takeover bid, she's going to know that my stay is only temporary. She'll know that, sooner or later, you're going to fire me again. The end result is that she will never give up her shares. She will simply wait it out and strike when the timing is right.”

“This ridiculous scenario is the best you can offer? I don't think so. We'll win this company back the old-fashioned way. By proving that we're stronger than her.”

“But we're not. In the past year, stocks have fallen considerably. Stockholders are aware of the turmoil at Lawrence and are anxious to shed their shares while they're still worth something. You got us into this mess, Miss Lawrence. I think you owe it to everyone to do whatever you can to get us out.” He could almost see the disdain in her emerald eyes.

“What does this…plan of yours entail?” she asked.

“We meet with Sabrina and do our best to convince her that we're in love…or at least, you're in love with me. We'll explain my departure as your reaction to a lovers' quarrel. That you would never really do anything to harm me or the company.”

“I'm not an actress, Mr. Parker. And I'm not a hysterical woman.” He didn't doubt it. She looked as icy as princesses come. But beneath the veneer he could swear he saw something else. Perhaps, he thought, she was one of those women whose prim visage was a mask for the fire and passion beneath.

“How long will it take you to draw up the contract?” he asked.

“I have to have it approved by the board first.”

“That shouldn't be a problem. Meet me at Teterboro Airport tomorrow at eight in the morning. Bring the contract with you. I'll sign it before we leave.”

“But that's less than ten hours from now.”

“I guess you should get going, then,” he said, taking her coat out of the closet.

“I have not agreed to do this.”

“You'll do it, Miss Lawrence. You have no choice.” As he hung her coat around her shoulders, his fingers brushed the skin of her creamy-white neck. She jerked forward, touching her fingers to the spot as if burned.

Her eyes narrowed and he could see the hatred burning inside. She took a step toward him and for a moment he thought she might slap him. Finally she bit her lower lip and turned away with her head held high, as regal in defeat as she was in victory. He couldn't help but smile as he shut the door.

He was going to enjoy this.

L
essa sat beside Rick in the limo, determined to maintain her composure. She forced herself to focus on the laptop screen before her, trying to forget that she and Rick were getting closer to Sabrina Vickers by the minute. That Rick had just signed a deal in which she gave him half her stock, essentially making them partners, paled in comparison to the task at hand. But she had no choice. After all, to bow out was to admit defeat. And she was not defeated. Not yet anyway.

She had, however, suffered a professional setback that was so severe many at the office were already planning her retirement. The rumor mill had been working overtime ever since she'd arrived. Everyone knew she would not be the chairman or even on the board if she didn't own a majority stake in the company. The most recent rumor had her paying off the board members to
get her post. Her efforts to win the employees over—starting a day care in the office, increasing benefits, even supplying coffee and doughnuts in the morning—were ignored.

Time, she reminded herself. She needed to be patient. After all, her father had been just as beloved as Rick. Rick had had to work hard to turn the tide of sympathy, but he had done such a good job that the employees seemed to have forgotten all about her father. The fact that she was Howard Lawrence's daughter and the rightful heir to Lawrence Enterprises meant little. The only thing that mattered from now on was how well she got along with Rick.

They were no longer opponents but partners. Her new strategy revolved around winning Rick's respect. She had a hunch that if she won Rick over, she might be able to win over everyone else. It was a strategy that held little appeal, but she had no choice. She had made a deal with the devil and now she had to make the best of it.

Lessa glanced at Rick. He was talking on his cell phone, laughing as he spoke to a colleague. The crinkles from his laugh lines only made him look more handsome. Wearing an open-neck business shirt and khaki slacks, he looked relaxed and in control, totally at ease with the caper they were about to attempt.

Once again panic gripped her heart as she thought,
What am I doing?

Could she really pull this off? What did he have in mind? Holding hands and kissing? Or just exchanging knowing glances?

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She had to approach this just as she would a tough match. Like
the one she'd played against Korupova, the tall Russian girl with the black hair, in the NCAAs her sophomore year. Korupova was a lauded champion and Lessa began the match determined that the only way to win was to hit every bit as hard as her opponent. But it soon became obvious that she was outmatched. Korupova was a better and stronger athlete. Since Lessa could not win the match on the strength of her strokes, she had to come up with a new strategy. She switched from offensive playing to defensive, hoping that through sheer determination and patience she could outlast her opponent. In the end, Lessa had squeaked out a victory. She counted that win as the best of her career because it made her think she could get into something completely over her head and somehow, someway, get her feet under her and win. Just like now. Rick may be a superior player, but by staying in the moment, by not letting her fears get the best of her, she would get her feet under her again. And she would be victorious.

“Are you ready?” he asked, snapping his phone shut.

She glanced at him and nodded.

He smiled and took her hand. His touch sent a bolt of electricity running through her. So surprised was she by her reaction to him that she yanked her hand away.

“Now, now, Lessa,” he said, purposely referring to her by her nickname. “Is that a way to respond to a lover's touch?” He shook his head, still holding her captive with his eyes. She couldn't miss the twinkle of mischief there. It was obvious he took pleasure in her discomfort. She was certain it was a different experience than what he was used to. When he held a woman's hand, he probably expected a sigh of delight.

“I suggest you swallow back whatever revulsion you feel toward me and focus,” he said sternly. “When I touch you, do not grimace or make an effort to get away. Remember your mission and do your job.”

He was right. She had agreed to this; now she had no choice but to give it her all. After all, if they were successful with Sabrina, they could single-handedly thwart all other takeover attempts. Maybe. At the very least, they could buy themselves some time to prevent this from happening again. She took a deep breath and picked up his hand. Still staring into his eyes, she brought his hand to her mouth and kissed it.

His eyes softened and he smiled. “That's better,” he said. “I knew you could do it if you put your mind to it.” Then he pulled his hand away and opened his cell phone, making another call and going back to business as if nothing had happened.

She rolled down the shaded limousine window, welcoming the bright sunshine. They were meeting Sabrina at one of her most famous resorts. Located on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, it was one of the most romantic resorts in the world, catering to honeymooners. Lessa breathed in the warm, tropical air. New York had been dark and overcast with the forecast of another day of freezing rain. She reminded herself that this was one of the things her parents had loved about this business. Whenever one world became unpleasant, they could escape to another.

She kept reminding herself how fortunate she was as the car pulled into the gated resort and stopped in front of a large bungalow marked Executive Offices.

“Wait for me to open your door,” Rick instructed,
purposely tucking his collar under his jacket. “When we get out, I want you to adjust my shirt collar. After that, follow my lead.”

He walked around the car and opened her door. He took her hand and helped her out, pulling her close. What, she couldn't help but wonder, was the point of this playacting before they even saw Sabrina? Did he think that she was spying on them from a window? Or was it just for rehearsal's sake? Despite her hesitation, Lessa did as she was instructed, carefully adjusting his collar. When she was finished, Rick smiled and put his arm around her, guiding her to the door. His arm weighed against her back as they walked. To be so close to him felt strange, but, surprisingly, not uncomfortable. In fact, there was something sensual about the way he held her, as if he were publicly claiming her as his.

The secretary led them into a large, airy office with overstuffed furniture upholstered in tropical prints. When a statuesque woman stood behind a desk, Lessa stopped in her tracks. Blond, busty and completely made-up, she was the same woman Lessa had seen that night in Rick's apartment. And suddenly the cold, hard truth hit her like a slap on the face. It was she, not Sabrina, who was being duped.

“Rick,” Sabrina said. She held out her hands, signaling him to greet her.

What was going on? As Lessa watched Rick walk toward Sabrina, her heart banged against her chest so hard she was certain they both could hear.

Sabrina took his hands and kissed him on both cheeks. Without letting go, she said, “It's been too long.”

How could he do this?
Lessa thought.
How could he have pretended not to know who Sabrina was?

Rick stepped back from Sabrina, as if suddenly remembering his date. “Sabrina, this is Alessandra Lawrence,” he said.

“Well, well,” Sabrina said, giving Lessa a careful once-over. “She's a beautiful girl, Rick.”

“You two know each other,” Lessa said coldly.

Sabrina smiled. “Rick and I are old friends.”

“I've met you before,” Lessa said. “At Rick's apartment.” Rick glanced at her, startled. “I seem to remember that you two were more than just friends.”

“We were lovers,” Sabrina said, flashing her a pearly white smile. “Rick? You didn't tell Alessandra about me?” she teased. “I'm insulted.”

Rick looked Lessa in the eye and said, “Sabrina and I haven't seen each other in years.”

“Has it been that long?” Sabrina said. “It seems like only yesterday.” She turned back toward Lessa and said, “We spent Christmas together one year.”

Lessa couldn't take her eyes off Rick. Had he set this whole thing up? Was the whole “takeover” staged simply so that he could get his job back? As tempted as she was to confront him right there and then, she couldn't risk it. What if was just an awful coincidence? After all, she knew Rick had engaged in many affairs. Perhaps Sabrina was just another one of his women.

“We've come to make you an offer,” Lessa said, glaring at Rick. She wanted to get this over as soon as possible.

“She's all business, isn't she?” Sabrina asked him.

“She's determined.”

Why were they talking about her as if she weren't there?

“As Rick will attest,” Lessa said, flashing him a smile, “I don't believe in wasting time.”

“Something else we have in common,” Sabrina said.

Something else? Lessa had nothing in common with the overly made-up, phony woman standing across from her.

Sabrina motioned toward the chairs and took a seat on the couch across from them.

“I don't mean to pry, Rick,” Sabrina said, “but I was a bit surprised to get your phone call yesterday. After all, I had heard that you weren't working at Lawrence anymore.”

“Reports of my demise were greatly exaggerated,” he said.

“Were they?” She focused her black eyes on Lessa. “I had heard that Alessandra fired you.”

“A lovers' quarrel gone public,” he said, putting his hand on Lessa's bare knee.

“Really?” Sabrina crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair. “So you and Alessandra are…together, shall we say?”

Rick nodded. “For some time now. Of course, we've been hesitant to take our affair public, for obvious reasons.”

“And she got mad and fired you. Tsk, tsk, Rick. What did you do to deserve such treatment?”

“It was all a misunderstanding,” he said, giving Lessa a squeeze.

Sabrina's lip curled up suspiciously, as if she didn't believe him. “Very vindictive of you, Alessandra. Not to mention stupid. You should've been aware that firing him would make your company vulnerable.”

How dare she? “I was acting under—”

Rick gave her knee a light squeeze and she knew he was signaling her to be careful. “I wasn't thinking very clearly at the time,” Lessa said, doing her best not to take Sabrina's bait. “And it cost me dearly.”
Very dearly,
she felt like adding.

Sabrina said nothing; she merely glanced at Rick.

“She's a very passionate woman,” he said with a shrug. “For better or worse.”

“And I remember how much you enjoy passion,” Sabrina said, giving him a little smile.

Lessa couldn't stop herself from sending Rick a look of her own, an angry one.

“Oh dear, Rick,” Sabrina continued. “It looks like she's not very happy with you. I certainly hope I didn't cost you your job again.” Sabrina laughed. It was a cold, empty sound, just as haunting as Lessa remembered.

But the laugh was enough to remind her of her mission. Pretending to be Rick's lover was bad enough. She would not play the weak and hurt mistress. “Oh, no,” Lessa said. “It's just difficult for me to keep all of Rick's old lovers straight. In fact, when I first heard about your takeover attempt, I assumed it was the move of a bitter ex-girlfriend. You know, retribution for his new romance.”

The smiled faded from Sabrina's lips. “She's very spirited, Rick. I can see why she caught your eye. Although she looks a little buttoned-up for you.”

Buttoned up? “I'm losing my patience,” Lessa said, standing. Rick took her arm and raised his eyebrow, motioning for her to sit. She knew that he was right. She had no choice but to continue.

When she was seated, Rick turned to Sabrina. “The
bottom line is that the situation is not what you thought. I am not leaving Lawrence Enterprises.”

“You can't defeat both of us,” Lessa added.

“So my purchasing stock was enough to heal a…” Sabrina glanced at Rick. “How did you describe it? A lovers' quarrel? Perhaps you should be thanking me, Rick, for winning back your job.”

“Let's face it, Sabrina, If not you, it would've been someone else.”

“If I remember correctly, there was someone else,” Sabrina snapped. “There were several in fact.”

Was she implying that he'd been unfaithful when they'd been seeing each other? Lessa wondered.

“Let's hear your offer,” Sabrina said.

“We're willing to buy back your stock at a decent premium,” Lessa explained as Rick opened his briefcase and handed Sabrina the contract.

After scanning the document, she put it on her desk. “Why should I agree to this when I could have all the properties?”

Rick leaned forward. “Because you're never going to get all the properties.”

“I'm not so sure. You two seem to have a tumultuous relationship, to say the least. One that is not having positive repercussions on the company. Your stock has dropped rather dramatically.”

“Actually,” Lessa said, “when you look at our revenues in the context of the economy, we had an excellent year. And Rick has some properties due to open that should dramatically increase our value. But then again, you know our property is valuable, otherwise you wouldn't want it so badly.”

Sabrina hesitated and glanced down at the contract. “I'll need some time to discuss this with my advisers. Unfortunately, they're out of the office right now, inspecting some properties. Perhaps, if you're not in a rush, you could stay until dinner. They'll be back by then and we can all discuss this further.”

Lessa felt her heart stop. As excited as she was to think that perhaps Sabrina would abort the takeover, she couldn't bear the thought of carrying on this charade any longer than necessary.