The Tycoon's Proposition

“Terri?” a familiar male voice said her name.

“Parker?”

“It’s nice to know you recognized me.” He was a determined soul.

“If you were hoping to talk to your brother, he’s asleep in the next room. I don’t dare disturb him.”

“I’m glad to hear that because it’s you I wanted to talk to.”

“I was asleep, too,” she lied, not knowing how to put him off without hurting his feelings. But maybe it would have to come to that if he didn’t take the hint soon.

“A word of advice. Don’t let him boss you around. Ben’s a notorious slave driver.”

That made her mad. She sat up in the bed. “He should still be in the hospital.”

“As you’ve found out, he lives by his own set of rules.”

Yes. That’s why he’s such a remarkable man, her heart cried.

“I appreciate your interest, Parker, but I have to hang up now.”

“Why? Is he calling

for you again?”

“As a matter of fact I am,” Ben whispered into the phone unexpectedly.

Terri’s hand tightened on the receiver. Though she hated the fact that the call had disturbed her patient, she wasn’t sorry he’d broken in on a conversation that was going nowhere.

“Goodbye, Parker,” she said.

After hanging up the phone, she jumped out of bed and threw on a robe. Turning on the light in the hall, she made her way to Ben’s bedroom. Halfway across the floor she heard the phone ring again. That meant her host had brought an abrupt end to the conversation with his brother.

“Do you want me to get it?”

“Please.”

She picked up the receiver, ready to do battle if Ben’s brother gave her any more trouble. “Parker? I’m sorry, but we can’t talk to you right now. Maybe tomorrow. All right?”

“For your information, Mrs. Jeppson, this is Martha Shaw. I phoned the hospital and found out Ben had been released, so I’m assuming he’s well enough to talk to me. I can’t imagine what you’re doing there with him. Put him on the line please.”

“Just a minute.”

Sucking in her breath, Terri covered the mouthpiece, then turned to Ben who looked far too appealing lying there in the semidarkness. His gaze trapped hers.

“Tell Martha I’m asleep.”

Terri blinked. “How did you know it was she?”

“The accident has given me psychic powers.”

He might mock, but she wondered if he and the other woman weren’t in the middle of a lovers’ quarrel. “She cares for you very much. Is there some kind of message I could give her so she won’t stay upset?”

“No.”

Terri had been around Ben long enough to know he meant what he said.

She lifted the receiver once more. “I’m afraid you’ll have to call back in the morning, Ms. Shaw.”