Mistletoe Maneuvers by Margaret Allison Page A

say enough was enough. And as a result, she got hurt.
    When they got back to shore, Rick made a point of keeping his arm around Lessa, helping her off the boat and down the dock.
    â€œI’ll see you at dinner,” Sabrina said with a cheerful wave.
    When they were out of earshot, Rick said, “What the hell were you doing back there—trying to kill yourself?”
    â€œWhat are you talking about? I was waterskiing.”
    â€œYou know very well what I’m talking about. You were trying to prove something. And your competitive nature almost got you seriously injured.”
    â€œI guess I should be touched that you’re so concerned.”
    Why was he so annoyed? Maybe because the wholescenario reminded him of what she had done at work. She had refused to give up, and as a result, she was about to get hurt. “You didn’t have to prove anything, Lessa,” he told her.
    â€œI know that,” she said, before shrugging off his arm. As she did so, her bathing-suit strap fell down over her pale, white shoulder. The wind gently blew the strands of her still-wet hair. Her eyes sparkled and her pale cheeks flushed with anger. He felt a sudden urge to kiss her.
    â€œSo how do you think it went with Sabrina?” she asked.
    He forced himself to look away. The sight of her bare, slender body was enough to confuse even the most resolute intentions. “Hard to say.”
    â€œI think Sabrina is still interested in you.”
    â€œI told you that’s over.”
    â€œYeah, well, she had to look high and low to find a suit that skimpy.”
    â€œThat’s just how she dresses.”
    â€œAnd the way she kept touching you. Pretending to fall against you and putting on a show with the lotion.”
    â€œJealous?” he teased.
    â€œMe?” she asked. “Hardly. But I think Sabrina is.”
    But he knew better. Sabrina’s flirtation was merely a test to see if he bit. He had no doubt that her line about her advisers reviewing the contract was just an excuse to stall for time. He and Lessa still had a lot of work to do if they were going to convince Sabrina. They needed to prove that their love was tempestuous and passionate. A love capable of desperate breakups and tearful reunions. “At dinner I’m going to ask Sabrina to dance. I want you to act like a jealous lover. I want you to storm out.”
    â€œStorm out? In other words, you want me to act like an idiot.”
    â€œNo. I want you to act like a woman who believes her lover is flirting with another. I want you to act like a woman who cannot bear the thought of the man you love touching another woman.”
    â€œThe man I love…” Her voice drifted off as the implication sank in. “Not all women behave so immaturely.”
    â€œTrue, but we are selling the whole firing as an act of passion. She needs proof. And she certainly didn’t get it on the boat.”
    â€œDid it ever occur to you that the firing could’ve been your fault? Perhaps you quit because you saw me flirting with another man. And you couldn’t stand the thought of me touching another.”
    â€œSorry, sweetheart, but Sabrina knows me, remember?” he said, touching her cheek. His eyes hardened and he took her hand. “I’m not the jealous type.”

Five
    â€œS o I’m not only immature enough to fire you over a love squabble, but I’m also jealous. What exactly do you see in me?”
    What Rick saw was a woman with beautiful green eyes and exotic cheekbones. A woman with one of the most seductive bodies he had ever seen. A woman so stubborn and determined, she would suffer bruises and sprains without the slightest complaint until she learned how to water-ski. Instead, he said, “Perhaps you excel in other areas. Perhaps you’re skilled—”
    â€œIn the bedroom? Is that what you were going to say?” She rolled her eyes and pulled her hand