wanting to keep her and use her for himself, he hadn’t been sure it would work. Plan B had always been and supposedly was still an option. But now that she’d been seen with him in public it would be difficult to remain completely detached. He didn’t want the addition of Emily, and especially John Vandersol, to upset his perfect equation.
Tony contemplated and a rush of fury swept his consciousness. He realized that she was questioning—no, arguing his decision. Not only was she arguing, he was considering her request. It was the damned pictures in the stupid frames. A small part of him cared that he’d taken all that away from her. That hadn’t bothered him five months ago. It had actually been quite the coup, but now . . . Hell, it is just one call. Maybe if he could control the content. Reassuring himself—of course he could control the content, he controlled her. He could control a telephone call. Tony decided that first he would see how badly she wanted to make this call. He would stand back and watch, see how far Claire would push, observing her resolve in the face of much adversity, as she attempts to manipulate him. Yeah, no lie, that courage turned him on. Finally, he said, “I will think about it.”
He didn’t bring up the subject again on Sunday. Monday came and went, they spent time together but he didn’t bring up her request. Tuesday was Emily’s birthday. He could sense Claire’s impatience. Her self-control since Sunday was impressive. He wondered if she would just abandon the idea if he didn’t bring it up.
Claire wasn’t sure if Tony thought that by avoiding the subject she would forget her own sister’s birthday, but she didn’t. She’d been good and hadn’t pushed. She rationalized he’s busy, maybe he forgot. Deciding to wait through dinner, if he didn’t mention it, she would bring it up.
They ate on the back patio with a slight breeze blowing her hair. The evenings were becoming increasingly cool and Claire regretted not bringing a sweater or light jacket to dinner. When they’d finished eating Tony began to stand, Claire bit her lip and spoke. “Tony, today is Emily’s birthday.” She’d created an illusion of equality in her mind and didn’t want to beg.
He resumed sitting and leaned into Claire, his voice slow and deliberate. “So you have decided that this is a subject worth risking reprimand? I believe that my last answer had been I would think about it.”
Claire swallowed, held her head high, and looked directly into his dark eyes. “Yes, I feel talking to Emily on her birthday is worth the penalty you believe I deserve for pursuing the subject.” Tony didn’t speak but intently watched her. She waited for his response. Finally, she spoke again, “Tony, may I please call my sister for her birthday?”
“I have her telephone number in my office. You may call her from there.” Claire’s heart jumped and her eyes sparkled. She started to stand but he indicated for her to sit. “You will speak to her on a speaker phone, with me present. Before you call, we will discuss the limitations of your discussion.” She hated his tone, the one he used when he felt the need to show his authority, but his words were saying that she could talk to Emily. The rest didn’t matter.
Claire nodded her head as Anthony spoke. “I understand. Thank you, Tony.”
Walking down the marble corridor toward Tony’s office Claire thought about her sister. They hadn’t spoken in over five months. She fought the incredible urge to run the length of the corridor and grab his telephone. Once in his office, Tony instructed her to sit near his desk. She could see the phone, the anticipation was agony. First he proclaimed the guidelines she must follow: do not tell Emily or John that she had been or is living in Tony’s house, only that she lived and worked in Iowa, near the Quad Cities. Claire should keep the conversation focused on Emily, avoid discussion of her. If pressed, she could admit to accompanying him to various events. But this was not to be initiated by Claire. If the subject of getting together came up, Claire was to be evasive. The shorter the conversation the better chance she wouldn’t make a mistake. To emphasize her obedience, he added, “Disobeying these rules is not an option, the consequence will not be pleasant.” He then asked if she had any