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“That was a long meeting with Josie,” he said. “How’d it go?”
“Much as I expected. She’s determined the only way she’ll make me a partner is if I convince Sonya Fremont to let us plan her event. What if I can’t do that?”
“You could quit. Start your own business.”
A long pause greeted his words. “Starting from scratch would take more time and money than I have.”
“You have thirteen thousand dollars.”
“You know what I’m going to use that money for.”
They’d been around and around on the subject of her upcoming motherhood. In Roark’s opinion she was too young to tie herself down with a child. “I’m sure there’s at least one investor in Manhattan that believes in you and would be happy to lend you some start-up capital.”
“I’m not taking any more of your money. Besides, I’m going to start the in vitro treatments as soon as Thanksgiving is over. I want to be a mom more than I want to be an entrepreneur. What I need is the security I will get from becoming Josie’s partner.” A thread of frustration ran through her voice. “But enough about my unproductive morning. Are you calling to tell me what time you’ll pick me up tonight?”
“I’m calling to let you know that I’m not going to make it to the gala tonight, but I want you to go. I’ve already spoken with Vance. He will escort you.”
“I’m not going if you can’t.”
“If you don’t go you’ll miss the chance to meet Sonya and speak with her in person about her gala.” Over the past several days, she’d grown more melancholy as the anniversary of her sister’s death approached. Leaving her alone on the holiday ate at him, but he needed to get those documents back.
“Very well. Why aren’t you able to make it tonight?”
“I have a lead on the thief that stole the Gold Heart documents.”
“You’re leaving town?” Her voice cracked.
“I’m on a plane right now.”
Silence greeted him.
“Elizabeth, you know I have to get the provenance paperwork back or the statue’s only worth will be the gold it’s composed of.”
“Of course, I understand. When will you be back?”
“A few days. No more than a week.”
“You’ll miss Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
But it wasn’t. Roark heard a whiff of disappointment. They both knew it didn’t belong there. Which is why she’d worked so hard to sound neutral.
“I hope you still intend to celebrate with Vance and Charlie.”
“I’ll make some excuse.”
“They will be expecting you.”
“They’re expecting you and your fiancée.” She let her point sink in for a second before saying, “Looks like there’s an emergency with the Chapwell party. Stay safe.”
She disconnected the call before he could reply. The jet raced down the runway, the momentum pushing him deep into his seat. They took to the air and Roark’s stomach gave a familiar lurch. Land fell away as the plane climbed.
Unable to shake the sensation that what he was leaving behind was as important as what he intended to retrieve, he shut his eyes, but what played through his mind wasn’t the mission ahead, but the night before. Elizabeth naked above him, her full breasts offered up for his possession as she rode him into a storm of pleasure so acute it had shaken him to his core.
With a silent curse he jerked his attention back to the present.
