“I didn’t threaten anyone.I simply explained what I’d have to do if his company went ahead with plans to publish your book.”
“You call it an explanation, I call it a threat.You’re trying to manipulate me by manipulating Templar.Where do you get off doing that?Who do you think you are?”
“I’m a man who doesn’t want the intimate details of his life printed for all the world to see,” he said calmly, which infuriated her all the more.
“Why not?You’re a big deal—public property now.”
“No.If I were a politician, I’d be fair game.But I’m not.”
“You’re famous.Surely you can take a little jabbing.Don’t you think people are wondering anyway?Don’t you think there were people who saw that20/20piece and said to themselves, he must sweat just like the rest of us?”
“I’m respected.I won’t have that respect tarnished.”
He sounded so pompous that she wanted to scream.It was all she could do to keep her temper in check.“If you didn’t want it tarnished, you shouldn’t have been such a sleaze.Did you honestly think you could get away with it forever?Did you think that just because you donate ten grand, to this or ten grand to that you guarantee yourself a good name?”
His dark eyes flashed.“I have a good name.I won’t have it ruined.”
“So you’d ruin my career instead?You can’t do that, John.It’s a free world.The Constitution protects my right of free speech, and my book is an exercise of that right.”
“Well said, but worthless,” he sneered.“I don’t give a damn what the Constitution says.Given the choice between your right to free speech and my right to self-protection, I’ll opt for myself any day.”
“The courts won’t agree.And I will go to court, if I don’t get my contract as it was agreed on two months ago.I’ll sue the publishing house, and I’ll sue you.”
“You won’t have a chance of winning.I’ll smear you to kingdom come.”
“Based on what?What can you smear me for?Have I ever had someone beaten?Have I ever illicitly changed someone else’s will?You don’t have a thing on me.”
“I’ll find something.”
She shook her head.“The only really stupid thing I’ve done in my life is to come when you call.But that’s over, John.Over.”
His mouth twitched.Softly, he said, “Is it?”
“Definitely.”
“Now that would be a stupid thing.”He started toward her with the slow walk she found so attractive.“We’re good together, Hillary.We may have a few philosophical differences—”
“A few?We have so many it’s a miracle we could ever stand being in the same room together!We’re miles apart on just about everything that matters.”
“We’re not miles apart on this.”He reached out to touch her but she swatted his hand away.
“No, John.I didn’t come here for that.”
“No?”
“No.”
“Then it’s a pity.You do it like no one else does.I could use some of your fire.”
Immune to the seduction in his voice, she glared at him.“Talk all you want.It won’t make any difference.You’ve pushed me too far this time.”
“I haven’t pushed you anywhere.Give me the chance, and I will.”This time he caught her around the waist and hauled her against him before she could duck away.
She pushed at his chest.“Let me go, John.”
“I like the feel of you against me.”
She pushed harder.“Let … me … go.”
