A Negotiated Surrender by Castle Jayne

Author:Castle, Jayne [Castle, Jayne]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: mom 05/31/2014
ISBN: 9780440164982
Publisher: Dell Publishing
Published: 1982-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

dancer encroaching on his private preserves!”

“I’m glad you realize you’re private property,” he shot back, sliding behind the wheel. “Now, let me have your promise.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

“I see no reason why I should give you my word on a matter like this,” Calla began imperiously as Slade started the Mercedes and pulled away from the curb with a frowning glance into the side mirror. “My relationship with Gary is strictly my business!”

Calla considered his hard profile for a moment, a strange curiosity driving her next question.

“What if I were to tell you that Gary and I are merely friends? That our ‘relationship’ has never gone beyond the classroom? That he sent the flowers simply because he was a friend who knew I was involved with a difficult situation at work?”

“Are you telling me all that?” Slade retorted coolly, flicking an amber glance across the seat at her cold, withdrawn expression.

“Yes.”

He shrugged. “In that case, I believe you.”

“You do?” Calla was somewhat flustered. Drew would never have believed her in a million years. He would have ranted and raved and accused her of having a sordid affair. He would have called her every name in the book.

“But that doesn’t change anything,” Slade went on evenly. “I still want your promise not to see him outside the school.”

“You just said you believed me when I told you I wasn’t having an affair!” Calla cried in angry frustration.

He was exactly like Drew after all! He would never trust her!

“I do believe you, honey,” he said quietly. “But I want your word, nevertheless.”

“Why?” she demanded starkly.

He sighed. “Isn’t it obvious? You’re an adult, Calla. Haven’t you learned by now that any friendship between a man and a woman carries with it the risk of one of the two wanting something more?

Whatever you’ve had with Crispin, I can guarantee he’s starting to want more out of it. I’m a man, Calla.

Give me some credit for understanding my own sex!”

“But Gary’s never said or done anything to indicate he wants anything more than a friendship with me!”

she protested.

“Perhaps he didn’t even realize what he wanted until he saw you walk away with me tonight. Some men are like that.”

Unhappily Calla recalled her initial impression on seeing the two men talking quietly in the waiting area of the academy. Like two dogs on the verge of quarreling over a bone…

“Calla, both of us should have learned that a marriage is a delicate structure that must be treated with care and respect. A man and a woman owe that much to each other when they agree to live together, don’t you admit?”

“Yes, but you and I haven’t reached any sort of agreement!”

“You’ve agreed to let me court you,” he reminded her blandly. “That means you’re thinking about marriage. And that means you ought to be willing to refrain from encouraging other men.”

“Slade,” she said in a distant tone, her eyes focused on the passing scenery, “do you really believe me when I tell you I’m not having an affair with Gary?”

He threw her a somewhat surprised glance.

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