She let out a huff of breath, grateful that her hands were busy. She didn’t know how else she could have prevented herself from slapping his calm, self-satisfied face. “You’ve had your joke,” she said, finding her key at last. “Now I’d like you to do me the courtesy of never speaking to me again.”

“I don’t know where you got the impression I was courteous.” Before she could unlock the door, he’d put his hand over hers on the key. She felt the little tingle of power and cursed him for it even as she met his calmly amused look. “You did mention, however, that you’d like to speak to me. We can talk over dinner tonight.”

She stared at him. Why should she have thought he wouldn’t be able to surprise her again? “You have the most incredible nerve.”

“You mentioned that already. Seven o’clock?”

She wanted to tell him she wouldn’t have dinner with him even if he groveled. She wanted to tell him that and all manner of other unpleasant things. Temper fought with practicality. There was a job she’d come to do, one she’d been working on unsuccessfully for three months. Success was more important than pride. He was offering her the perfect way to do what she’d come to do, and to do it more extensively than she could’ve hoped for. And perhaps, just perhaps, he was opening the door himself for her revenge. It would make it all the sweeter.

Though it was a large lump, Lee swallowed her pride.

“That’s fine,” she agreed, but he noticed she didn’t look too pleased. “Where should I meet you?”

He never trusted easy agreement. But then Hunter trusted very little. She was going to be a challenge, he felt. “I’ll pick you up here.” His fingers ran casually up to her wrist before he released her. “You might bring your manuscript along. I’m curious to see your work.”

She smiled and thought of the article she was going to write. “I very much want you to see my work.” Lee stepped into her room and gave herself the small satisfaction of slamming the door in his face.

Chapter 3

Midnight-blue silk. Lee took a great deal of time and gave a great deal of thought to choosing the right dress for her evening with Hunter. It was business.

The deep blue silk shot through with thin silver threads appealed to her because of its clean, elegant lines and lack of ornamentation. Lee would, on the occasions when she shopped, spend as much time choosing the right scarf as she would researching a subject. It was all business.