The Courtship of Dani by Ginna Gray

business and that was the way she wanted it, that Jason St. Clair was not attracted to her—at least not on any deep, emotional level—and that, too, suited her just fine. And then she would remember the way those hot, dark eyes had looked at her, the feel of those big, rough hands on her skin, the trembling awareness she had felt in his arms, how she had been fascinated by that rugged, compelling face—and she would find herself wondering what it would be like to feel his mouth against hers, to be crushed against that large, lean, totally masculine body.
    Oh, stop it, you idiot, she commanded herself disgustedly as she swung her car into the asphalt parking lot fronting Jason St. Clair's newest acquisition. Even if he is interested, you know that all he wants is a quick roll in the hay. At most, a brief affair. Dani brought the car to a halt and switched off the engine, a look of distaste pinching her face. That kind of temporary arrangement was, as far as Dani was concerned, the ultimate in being used, and she wanted no part of it.
    Dragging her heavy briefcase with her, Dani climbed from the car and started across the parking lot.
    The Stratter-Lite factory was a jumble of huge, ugly, corrugated metal buildings. In front of them, set slightly to one side, was the long three-story prefab concrete structure that housed the offices, and it wasn't much better, as far as eye appeal went. But the setting isn't all that great, either, Dani mused as her eyes swept over the surrounding countryside.
    There was little to see: another smaller metal building down the road, a leaning weathered barn in the distance, a few houses that were little more than shanties, a railroad track that paralleled the highway. Beyond the chain-link fence that surrounded the factory yard, the land stretched out pancake flat, covered in waist-high marsh grasses and dotted here and there with stunted Chinese tallow trees. And covering all was a thick layer of dust that turned everything a uniform, dismal gray.
    At least they chose their site well, Dani thought as she pulled open the plate glass door and stepped inside the office building. As far as she was concerned, this was one of the most unattractive parts of Houston. Not even an unsightly factory could make it look worse.
    When Dani introduced herself to the young receptionist in the lobby she was told that the team of consultants from Update had arrived and were waiting for her upstairs.
    On the third floor Dani paused outside Jason's office to brush nervously at her gray suit and adjust the collar of her garnet silk blouse over the lapels. It was her most severe, businesslike outfit, and she was thankful that she had chosen to wear it that morning. Squaring her shoulders, Dani took a deep breath, grasped the doorknob and stepped inside.
    The secretary in the outer office looked up as Dani closed the door behind her. "Good morning, Ms. Edwards," the woman said, flashing her best professional smile. "The others are all inside. Please go right in."
    Dani returned the smile with a mumbled thank you and headed determinedly for the door.
    Conversation stopped and several pairs of eyes turned in Dani's direction when she stepped into the office, but she saw only one. Those were dark and compelling, and belonged to the golden-haired man behind the desk.
    "Dani." Jason rose to his feet. "It's good to see you again."
    As she walked toward him a polite smile curved his mouth, but his dark eyes glinted with... what? Amusement? Arrogance? Wariness? Dani couldn't tell.
    "I'm sorry I kept everyone waiting, but I didn't know about the change in project managers until I got to work this morning." She gave Jason a level look, but he just shrugged and smiled urbanely.
    "It was a last-minute decision, but Frank assured me it wouldn't create any problems," he replied, neatly deflecting the subtle rebuke. "Won't you have a seat, Dani, and we'll get down to business."
    A round of introductions followed. Arthur Fields,