"Wouldn't I?"
He ignored her sarcasm andcontinued. "Our contract will read that you'll be required to have theline over Elephant Crossing completed eight weeks after work begins, and yourtrack must join with Medford's seven months from the day you start. That's theexact estimated period Medford judged it could be done. If you miss thedeadline over Elephant Crossing, you'll forfeit fifty percent of your totalfee. If you don't complete the total line in seven months, you forfeit anotherthirty percent."
"Why are you telling methis? I'm not interested in your terms."
"You will be. Because, ifthe railroad is completed on time, I'll give you enough money to start your owncompany and fund its operation for the first year."
Her eyes widened with shock."You don't mean it."
"It's all there in thecontract. Once the railroad is built, that amount of money will mean nothing tome. But it would mean a great deal to you, wouldn't it, Jane?"
"Yes." It would be amiracle. Freedom to build. Freedom to work. But it was only a deliciouslybaited trap. She had to stop thinking about it.
"You could give yourfriend Li Sung a high position in the company. He'd have a place in thecommunity and the respect he deserves. You'd have enough money to properly takecare of Patrick."
"Be still," shehissed.
"You want it, Jane,"he said softly. "You know you want it."
"Not from you."
"Who else would give itto you? I know a dozen men who would sell their souls for an opportunity likethis. Security for the people you care about and the chance to get rich."
Freedom. Li Sung. Arailroad.
"I don't want to hear anymore."
"Why? When it's so sweetto your ears?"
She whirled on her heel andstarted down the path.
He was beside her in aninstant, his hand on her arm.
"Let me go!"
"Not until you've heardme out."
She had already heard anirresistible siren call, and it was tearing her apart. She said jerkily,"You've made your offer. It doesn't tempt me."
"The hell itdoesn't," he said grimly. "You wouldn't still be at Glenclaren ifyou'd been able to get work anywhere else. Youwantthis and so doI."
"And it's worth all thatmoney to get me there?"
"Oh yes." He paused."Because when I have you on Cinnidar, I'm going to find a way to punishyou. You won't escape as you did here at Glenclaren."
It was the answer sheexpected; there was no reason to feel this jolting hurt. She laughed withoutmirth. "Good God, then why would I be fool enough to go?"
"I've told you all thereasons." He smiled. "Except one."
She waited.
"Obsession is seldom asingular passion. It demands a response and you're a very responsive woman. Youwant your railroad, you want safety and happiness for your friends." Hepaused. "And you want what we had together in Kasanpore."
"No!"
"It's not finished yet.We tasted just enough to tantalize us. We've never had enough. Neither one ofus can ever be free of the other until we do." His gaze was almostcaressing as it moved over her face. His words were soft, persuasive, weaving asensual spell around her. "And you want to be free of me, don't you, Jane?Every night I was with you when you lay down in that bed in the cottage, justas you were with me on the mountain. Did you toss and turn and curse me as Idid you?"
She moistened her lips."It wasn't like that. I didn't—" Damn him, he was smiling faintly,knowingly, and she felt suddenly naked, as if he had been there watching herduring those nights when she had not been able to close the thought of him out.
