If Bryan was surprised, he did not show it. There was a beat of time when he just stood there considering the idea and absorbing the possibilities.
'That is a very flattering offer but I will have to know precisely what you have in mind and of course I will have to think about it but in principle, I am interested.David beamed. 'I hoped you would be.Youbwont regret the decision if you accepted, that I can promise you Bryan.You could have a splendid future with us that is far exciting than your prospects. Ours is s a family bank and you are my only male relative'.Sharon felt bad that David was staying the situation as clearly as that. She felt that he was betraying how weak his position was and knew that Bryan would take advantage of it. She looked at him with cold hostile eyes but he was looking at David.Sharon would have given anything to know what he was thinking but he gave no indication.'I'l get Sharon to prepare a proposition for you, stating all the terms', he called for the bill. 'I think that your mother should have been provided for in her father's will. She should have had some shares in the bank.Bryan nodded. 'She should'.There was a ruthless set to his jaw, a spark of anger in his black eyes. If David thought that Bryan did not resent the way his mother was treated, he was sadly mistaken. Bryan resented it bitterly.Sharon shivered afraid for David and hoping that he had not made a fatal mistake. Yet what threat could Bryan possibly present to him? David owned a majority of the shares in the bank. Bryan couldn't possibly hurt him.David smiled at him apparently unaware of the dark feeling in the younger man.'I want to make up for the past Bryan. I want you in the family business where you belong'.Sharon wanted to scream at David, 'Haven't you got eyes? Can't you see what he's like under the good looks and formal good manners?David may not be picking up her agitation but Bryan was as he threw one brief cold look her way. He looked into her eyes, then looked away, one dark brown curling sardonically.Sharon flushed with anger. She knew what his lifted eyebrow had meant. She might oppose him but she wouldn't be a problem. He would deal with her.Well if that was what he thought, then they would see about that.David signed the bill and folded some notes as tip for the waiter. He stood up looking drained as he yawned.I'm sorry, Sharon's, he said in an apologetic voice. I had planned on driving you home myself but I can barely stay on my feet. Will you be very cross if I put you into a taxi back to Chelsea?''Don't worry about it', she began but Bryan interrupted.'I have my car parked outside. I shall drop her off'.'I thought you said you were staying at the Savoy? There is no need driving out to Chelsea. I can easily get a taxi'. Sharon certainly didn't want her driving her home.The very idea of being alone with the man sent shivers down her spine.'It's still early. I could enjoy a drive along the river', he shrugged.David beamed. ' I should have thought of it myself. That is a wonderful idea. Both of you can get to know each other better. Bryan, Sharon is indispensable to me, she can tell you anything you need to know about how the bank runs.As he started walking towards his car across the road, Sharon saw his secret smile. She bristled. If she had not known how it was going to hurt David, she would have slapped his face.Turning back, she walked David to his car, watching him anxiously.'You look quite ill, David. You have been working too hard for far too long. I think that you need a long vacation. Why don't you take a few days off work and get away?''I will, soon', he said quietly and bent down and gave her a kiss on the cheek.'You are my guardian angel, don't think that I am not aware of it.Now be nice to Bryan, I want him to join us. Sell the bank to him.I have done some quiet research on him and he has quiet a record, he's pulled off some brilliant deals. Even if he wasn't family, I'd still want him but since he is family, I am determined to have him by hook or by crook'.'Well in that case, I'll do what I can't, she promised as David got into his car.She meant everything she said despite her private reservations about the man, she would definitely sell the bank to Bryan Ferdinand though she doubted that it would be necessary. No permission would be required to make him join them. He had always planned to do just that.David nodded. 'I know I can always trust you. Goodnight Sharon, see you tomorrow.He drove off and she turned back to find Bryan right behind her lounging against a long sleek- vintage black Rolls -Bentley. It was one of the loveliest cats she had ever seen. Her mouth watered at the sight of such a car. She loved old cars.He opened the passenger door for her. 'Where am I to take you?' he asked.'Do you know Chelsea?' she asked curtly having discovered that he had been to London a number of times.'Vaguely', then he gave a description of where Chelsea was situated and Sharon confirmed it.'I will guide you when we get to Millbank', she said as she slid into the car, instinctively stroking the cream leather seats.'Is this yours or have you borrowed or hired it?' she asked as Bryan got in beside her.His long hands holding the wheel, he turned back to give her a long cool look.'It is mine. I just bought it'.It must have cost a fortune. She wondered how much he earned a year to have been able to afford a toy like this. Well, she would find out soon when he and David began negotiations.'You aren't married, Mr. Ferdinand?'He shook his head, that Sardonic smile in evidence again.'Have you ever been?''No, have you?' he asked.'No', she answered tersely.'You are a devoted secretary though', he drawled. 'Lucky David'.He turned his head again, deliberately to star at Sharon and she let all her dislike and distrust of him show in her face.'If you hurt David in any way, I'll kill you' she threatened him.His brow shot up and he gave her that Sardonic smile, then took her breath away by what he said next.'If he was going to marry you, he would have done that a long time ago, you know. You are wasting your time waiting for him which seems a pity, looking the way you do'. His dark eyes flicked down over her body and a wave of heat flowed through her.Then he said softly. 'I am sure alot of men would help you forget about David. I might even volunteer myself'.Sharon went dark red, her hands clenching, her teeth together but she refused to play his game by responding or defending herself.Explsining that he was wrong, information was power. David thought her that a long time ago. So she let him think that he had hit the truth.Just gave him an icy stare and said in a tight voice, 'Take the next turn on your right, would you?'He swung the car in the direction she had directed.'No comment then? Bryan Ferdinand asked, looking at her out of the corner of his eye.'Stop here, please', was all that she said.He braked and stopped the car then turned towards her but she was already getting out of the car.She got out, slammed the door and bent over the window, he leaned over to wind it down for her so he could hear what she said.Sharon looked into his gleaming dark eyes.'Remember, if you hurt David, I'll make sure you pay for it', she said then tuned on her heel and walked away.Bryan looked at her for a very long time without knowing what to make if her but he had to admit that she was a looker.He had thought that she would take the bait. But she was shrewder than he thought.It irked him that she should choose an older man like David over him. He would teach her to show him attitude What arrogance!It was already four months since Bryan Ferdinand started working with them and already he was a voice to be reckoned with. She had watched grimly as he became the director. At board meetings, he dominated, pushing David further and further away. This was what she had been afraid of but even now, David would not listen to a word against him.At the office it was as though everyone and everything revolved round him especially the female folk. Half the women were in love with him and the other half was fascinated with him except for her of course. Sharon still despised and distrusted him just as much as she did the first time they had met only now it was much more.Amanda one of the share analyst would not allow her rest with talks of Bryan.'I do not know why you detest him this way', she said. He is the hottest thing that has happened to this office. Look at the hot deals he has won for the bank since he started with us'.Sharon did not know how else to do away with this girl. She seem
Sharon swallowed her uneasiness and looked at the screen in front of her.'Have you seen the lastest Japanese figures?''More or less as I predicted', he shrugged.'Yes, right again, as usual', Sharon said with saccharine sweetness.He laughed. She couldn't even make him angry. It was infuriating. She wished he would go away. He was ruining her morning.'I am rather busy', She said, 'So unless you want to tell me something important....''David just rang me from home', he said, 'About the Rome Conference ....''Yes?' She was supposed to fly a road with David to Rome for an international banking conference and she was looking forward to it. It had been so long that she had been anywhere interesting and she wanted to get away from the office now dominated by Ryan Ferdinand for a little while.'His doctor has advised him to stay in bed for a week, so he won't be able to go', Bryan said coolly.'What's wrong? Is he I'll?' Sharon asked but Bryan shook his head.'Just tired, I gather. A tou
Aren't you dressed yet? We agreed we'd meet at Eight o' clock'. Bryan reminded her, his gleaming eyes roaming slowly over her dishevelled, damp could of auburn hair, her flushed face, the short black robe that she wore which left her long legs bare and revealed the deep cleft between her breasts.They had indeed agreed to meet to discuss and pull ideas concerning the conference that was going to take place the next day at nine o'clock am.The way Bryan was undressing her with his eyes made her self conscious and she instinctively put a hand to pull her robe lapels together to hide her breasts and saw Bryan's mouth twist in wry comprehension.'I must have fallen asleep', she said feeling disoriented. 'Why don't you go ahead into the bar and keep yourself busy with a drink, I shall be ready in a jiffy, I promise'.She shut the door quickly, afraid that he would notice that she was trembling, switching on the light, she leaned on the bed for a moment, to steady her nerves. What on earth
'This is probably good at this time if the year", he suggested pointing. Autumn is the best time for wild mushrooms and I love them served with seafood'.'Mushrooms and seafood?' Sharon asked.'Exactly'. Bryan's deep voice had a husky tone. She felt his warm breathing on her bate shoulder.'Okay, I'll have that', she said hurriedly, nervously aware of him and his body even closer to hers.'And I suppose that I'll just have pasta for the main course'.She would have moved away then but Bryan shook his head, pointing to the menu again.'Don't be so predictable!', he said softly, very close to her ear. 'Try the saltimbocca....''What's that?''It means...hmmmm...'Jump in the mouth'... it's veal escalope, rolled in harm, flavoured with sage, fried and then simmered in Marsala wine. Very rich but it's a Roman specialty. You must try it once at least. While you are in Italy and especially in Rome,you must be more adventurous, take a few risks for once in your life!'She tensed. Picking up t
They talked about the conference over the table at first then as the evening wore on, Sharon spoke less and less. She was feeling light headed, dreamy, a heat and excitement running through her veins.Across the table, Bryan watched her with those hypnotic eyes while they drank their coffee.'Liqueur?' he suggested as the wine waiter arrived with his rattling trolley of bottles.She hastily shook her head. 'I have already drunk too much wine. I don't want a headache in the morning', she looked at her watch. 'In fact, I think that I should be on my way to bed now, we have to get up very early and there's a very crowded day ahead of us'.On their way to the lift, she paused to look out through the main doors at the Rome night.'It's stopped raining.What I wanted to do this afternoon was take a walk round the city, but I couldn't go out in all that rain'.'Why not take a short stroll now?' Bryan suggested.'It's much too late and I haven't got my jacket with me', she said. But she was dra
Sharon felt cold indeed. What had she been thinking? How could she have allowed this arrogant man touch her the way he had? What a mess. He must think that he had her where he wanted her.She had always known that he was dangerous to her but she had not really known the extent of the danger.What weakness could have made her lose herself, her self control and all this way?She could not look at him, she did not know what she would find in his eyes, mockery? scorn? triumph? condescension? She did not want to know. She just did not want anything to make her feel lower than she was already feeling just then.'Come to my room, Sharon's, Bryan said with an urgency that made her stiffen.She turned on him, her face white now. 'I feel sick, do you know that?' she broke out. 'You got me drunk and you knew that I was not used to drinking and you kept pouring wine into me, right the way, through dinner. You had this in mind all the time, didn't you? You set me up and it nearly worked. I almost
Sharon had her breakfast in her room: black coffee,orange juice, a couple of rolls with black cherry jam.She may have slept badly but like she had already decided, it was nothing a careful make up job would be unable to hide.She made up and her make up hid most of the evidence of her bad night. She put on the clothes she had delibrately picked which was smoothly tailored dark grey suit, short jacket, straight skirt with a crisp white shirt under it, to make herself fade into the crowd, mostly men, in city suits who would be attending the conference.Even her auburn hair was pulled back austerely from her face but she could do little about her long legs in their sheer black stockings. Men always starred at them. a car was coming at eight-twenty to take Bryan and herself to the hotel where the conference would be held, so she left her room at eight- fifteen.Bryan appeared a moment later, elegant and formal in a dark city suit, red and white striped shirt with a stiff white collar an
'So is there any man in your life', Gerhard asked again as Sharon looked at him saying nothing but smiling.She shook her head.'Not at the moment. Have you met the girl of your dreams yet?'He laughed. 'I keep hoping, but so far not luck'.'Maybe you are too difficult to please!''I have been brought up to expect the best', he agreed with wry amusement. 'No doubt you are right but never mind, I enjoy my life. I'm free, single and love to mingle as they say'.'You still watch that program on TV?''All the time. When I work at home, I have the TV on the music program blaring, it helps me think and keeps with awake during long nights'.'I wonder how people managed before recorded music!'Sharon said thoughtfully.Gerhard told her how his parents had their own personal chamber orchestra.Sharon ate her salad slowly as she listened to him. She had just finished her salad when the delegates started moving away towards the conference hall. The conference was starting again in fifteen minutes'