Point of Danger (Triple Threat #1) - Irene Hannon Page 0,51
got on her program last Wednesday?”
For a few seconds, the tinkle of cutlery against china, the clink of ice in glasses, and the background hum of conversation and laughter faded as she digested his question—and the implications.
Doug suspected she’d played a role in Wednesday’s incident. That her ambition had driven her to take desperate measures to unseat Eve and create a slot for herself.
Perhaps he even thought she’d been involved in the fake bomb and the latest incident he’d referenced.
Wow.
The man was much more astute—and far less blinded by attraction—than she’d deduced.
They were on dangerous ground here, and she had to think the situation through.
“Why would you ask me that?” She stared at him, her shock real rather than manufactured, buying herself a few moments to regroup.
His attention remained riveted on her. No eye shifting now. “Because I know you want a chance on radio . . . and you’ve always followed Eve’s career . . . and you were clear in your call on Wednesday that you’d be interested in her slot if the situation the caller created blew up.”
She swallowed past the expletive that popped onto her tongue.
All these months she’d been convinced she had Doug snowed.
But apparently hormones hadn’t disengaged the left side of his brain.
“I was super stressed Wednesday, and I overstepped. I’m sorry for that. However, I make no apologies for being ambitious.”
He saw through her hedge. “I don’t expect you to. Eve was also ambitious. But she got her chance through hard work rather than resorting to subterfuge.”
Despite the sudden churning in her stomach, Carolyn managed to keep her brain firing.
There was only one way to play this unexpected turn of events.
She snatched up her purse, pulled out a twenty, tossed it on the table, and stood. “I expect it’s too late to cancel my order. Take my lunch back to your office for someone to enjoy. I’ve lost my appetite.”
Lifting her chin, she walked away.
Before she got three steps, he spoke. “Carolyn. Wait.”
She paused. Exhaled.
Her bluff had paid off.
After letting him sweat for a few beats, she angled back, shoulders taut. Like anyone’s would be if they’d been accused of orchestrating the kind of coup her mentor had suggested.
Doug had risen, and he circled around the table to join her, keeping his voice low. “I’m sorry if I offended you.”
The words were appropriate—but he looked more uncertain than sorry.
“I can’t believe, after all the months we’ve known each other, that you’d think I could do such a terrible thing.”
“Ambition can be powerful—and temptation can be hard to resist.”
At such close proximity, the creases in his face were more pronounced than usual. Definitely a man past his prime.
The appeal of the plucking option continued to wane.
But in light of that remark about temptation . . . and judging by the hunger in the depths of his eyes . . . she might still have a certain amount of power over him if they could get past this glitch.
And she’d use it if necessary, distasteful though it would be.
She softened her stance—and tone. “What kind of temptation?”
His features tightened, almost as if he was in pain. “To have something that isn’t in your best interest.”
Doug wasn’t talking about the radio show she coveted.
He was talking about coveting her.
That was reassuring—but for now, she’d play the innocent. “Why wouldn’t the chance of a radio job be in my best interest?”
“I’m not saying it isn’t—but rushing an opportunity could be a mistake. There are repercussions for every decision.”
Like cheating on your wife?
But that was his problem. Her sole concern was her career. “Not all repercussions are bad. And I’ve always believed you should seize opportunities, because they may not come again.” She smoothed out a crease in the lapel of his sport jacket. “That doesn’t mean I believe you should resort to anything underhanded to foster them, however.”
He studied her, conflict scoring his features. “I’d like to think you’re being honest with me.”
“As you should. Always think the best of people—especially friends who’ve given you no cause to distrust them.”
Her response didn’t placate him. “Carolyn—I want to give you the benefit of the doubt. But your call Wednesday . . . it bothered me.” He massaged the puckers on his forehead. “Can you assure me you’ve had nothing to do with all the troubles plaguing Eve?”
She huffed out a breath and retracted her hand. “Do I look like someone who would leave a fake bomb?”
“No—but I have no experience with people who leave fake bombs. I don’t