Heart of Steel (8 page)

     A combined groan rose from her group.

     “What are you going to do? If you’ve been up all night on a diet of caffeine, stressed to the limit, couldn’t your temper snap? Or what if you’re not thinking clearly, so you offer him what he wants, no matter what the price?” A burst of laughter rang out as Logan frowned and shook his head.

     Chandler smiled. “At that moment, anything can happen because you’ve lost control of your mind and body. In a stressful situation, our adrenaline takes over and we act on instinct. In a business meeting you only want to rely on your wits. So, if you’ve been taking care of yourself and the client balks, you can clearly see options. You can catalogue his weaknesses and strengths; decide whether to bluff or walk away from the deal; make a judgment if he needs more finessing or his mind is made up.

     “That’s what we want to learn. This class may not cause miracles to happen, but it will teach you to become aware, and with awareness comes control. Mr. Grant hopes this seminar will give you a fuller, healthier lifestyle which will be reflected in your work and keep you here for years to come.”

     Chandler knew she had their interest. The women nodded as if in agreement, and the men looked less skeptical about the entire program. Even Logan seemed to watch her with approval. She ignored the warm rush of pleasure and decided not to probe her feelings too deeply. “I’m going to teach you some breathing techniques and then we’ll discuss various causes of stress. I’d like everyone to get comfortable with me at this point.”

     The rest of the time flew by. From the corner of her eye, she noticed one of the women inch her way toward Logan. She’d never seen a breathing pattern that made a woman’s breasts lift so high, nor strain against the material of a t-shirt so tightly—all in perfect view of Logan’s eyes.

     When the class ended Chandler noticed them laughing together quite intimately. The woman touched his shoulder in a familiar gesture. Chandler determinedly ignored them as she went about folding mats and chatting with the employees on their way out. It was no business of hers that the boss was on such friendly terms with his workers.

     “Do you need some help?”

     She turned to face Richard Thorne. “Thank you. Let’s put them over there in the corner.” They finished clearing the mats and stacked them on top of one another. “It’s good to see you in class. What did you think?”

     He smiled. “I loved it. My days are so stressful, I find if I don’t do something to come down at night, I’m wired. Yoga is a great way to relax.”

     “I agree. When I first started my practices, I realized how I’d been mistreating my body. Now, I know exactly when I’ve been pushing too hard.”

     “Same here. I can’t even eat a jumbo burger anymore.”

     “Are you a vegetarian?”

     He shrugged. “Yeah. But I don’t like to publicize it too much.”

     Chandler studied the man before her with growing admiration. Not too many males had self awareness about their lifestyles, but Richard Thorne seemed to have reached a nice balance. He was a successful businessman, but knew how to have a healthy life.

     Dressed in a white t-shirt and navy blue sweats, he radiated an open, friendly energy she was immediately drawn to. Light brown hair fell in neat waves over his forehead. Chestnut eyes gazed into hers with a steadiness that soothed her. Nothing like the silver heat from the man last night. She couldn’t picture Richard dragging her into his arms and seducing her on the couch, swearing he would “take care of everything.”

     Not like Logan Grant.

     “Chandler?”

     She shook off her thoughts. “Yes?”

     “Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night?” he asked. “There’s a great new Thai restaurant I wanted to check out.”

     She hesitated. Then watched Logan say his good-byes to the rest of the employees and stride across the room. He moved with a powerful, masculine energy that made her weak all the way down to her toes. Especially when she remembered last night. His lips over hers. His hands on her body. All his intense concentration focused on giving her pleasure.

     Oh, God.

     She’d sworn off all businessmen, but Richard Thorne seemed different. Safe. He was the type of man she might be able to explore a relationship with. She tore her gaze away from Logan.

     “Yes, I think I’d like that.”

     A pleased grin curved Richard’s lips. “Great. I’ll get your address tomorrow and we’ll set up a time.”

     “Fine. Have a good night, Richard.”

     “You too. Hey boss, see ya tomorrow.” He gave her a friendly wink as he passed Logan, obviously ignoring his boss’s thunderous expression. Chandler swallowed hard and tilted her chin up.

     “Set up a time for what?” Logan demanded.

     She shook her head in exasperation. “For dinner. We’re going out tomorrow night.”

     A range of emotions flickered across his carved features, then quickly disappeared. “That’s not a good idea.”

     She arched one eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

     “You’re doing this to prove a point, aren’t you?” Her mouth dropped open. “Why do you think everything has to do with you? I’m going out with Richard because he’s a nice guy, and I think we’ll have a good time.”

     “You think he’s safe, and you’re scared to death of the way I make you feel.”

     She sputtered with indignation. “That’s ridiculous. You have no right to make assumptions about the way I feel.”

     He didn’t respond. His charcoal gaze raked over her face, as if searching for some expression she refused to show. His voice dropped. “Chandler, I want you to stay away from him. He’s not who you think he is, and until I find out what’s going on, it’s best if you don’t see him on a personal level.”

     Anger shot through her. “Businessmen are all alike.” She clenched her fists at her sides. “You want to control all aspects of a relationship. A few kisses and you’re ready to claim me as your own personal property to the world, and God forbid any other man challenge you.”

     “Chandler—”

     “There’s nothing more to Richard than what he shows. He’s a hardworking man who’s trying to balance his life. I didn’t see any hidden motives, or evil plans to take over the world. And I’m going to dinner with him tomorrow night.”

     “Chandler—”

     “I mean it, Logan. We have a business relationship but I will not let you dictate to me who I can go out with.”

     She took a deep breath, ready to do battle. She waited for an explosion of testosterone temper and steeled herself for a defense. Logan was being outrageous. Okay, so she’d let things go a bit far last night, but he had no right to bully her.

     His lower lip kicked up in a grin. She gazed in astonishment when he shook his head in typical male exasperation. “I thought yoga teachers never lost their temper,” he said. “Now I find there’s a hellcat waiting to get out. You just cover it up with all that deep breathing and chanting.”

     She opened her mouth to speak but no words emerged.

     He reached out and ran one thumb over the curve of her lips, an indulgent light gleamed from his gunmetal grey eyes. “I figured you wouldn’t listen to me. Go ahead and make your dinner plans. Convince yourself you’re crazy about Thorne. Pretend our kisses meant nothing.”

     With that last statement, he turned on the heel of his leather Nikes and strode out the door.

     “Hmmm, that’s funny. I didn’t know the boss liked Thai food.”

     Chandler looked up from her spicy vegetable stir fry and watched Logan pull out a chair for his companion. The woman tossed her perfect mane of red curls and laughed at something he said. Her short black dress rode up her thighs as she took a seat, and Chandler noticed Logan seemed to look his fill. A surge of emotions shot through her and took her off guard. She turned and deliberately focused on Richard. “I guess he decided to take time for certain pleasures, after all.”

     Richard gave her a strange look but let the remark pass. “A redhead this time. Logan’s a killer when it comes to the ladies,” he said. “Hair color is a big deal to him.”

     She narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”

     Richard grinned. “You know, blondes one week, brunettes the next. I guess red-heads are getting their turn.”

     Her fingers tightened around her chopsticks. “How archaic.”

     “Yeah, but at least he’s fair. Every woman gets a shot.”

     She raised one brow in warning. “And you think that's okay? I hope you’re teasing me, Richard.”

     He winked. “Now, Chandler, you know I’m not like that. I firmly believe in getting to know a woman first. Sexual attraction is great, but not lasting.” He took a healthy swallow of saki. “I used to be like Logan, but then I decided I needed more.”

     She smiled in understanding. “Someone to share your life with, right? A woman who really sees who you are, and wants you anyway.”

     He gazed into her eyes. “Exactly.” He reached over and touched her hand. “A woman who believes in the same things I do.”

     “Richard. Chandler. What a wonderful surprise!”

     They both looked up as a deep, gravelly voice cut through the air. Logan stood over them with a sense of masculine satisfaction. She held back a sigh. Somehow, she wasn’t surprised at his tactics. The man was impossible to deal with.

     “Such an odd coincidence,” she said. “We both picked the same restaurant in Manhattan. And on the same night! Imagine that.”

     The man never missed a beat. “I know, I thought the same thing when I spotted you. Please join us.”

     Richard gave her an uneasy look. “No, we don’t want to interrupt you on a date. Maybe another time.”

     “I won’t take no for an answer. There’s nothing I like more than spending time with my employees outside the office.”

     Richard rubbed his temple. “Uh, Logan—”

     “We haven’t ordered yet, so we’ll join you. I’ll have the waiter set two more place settings.”

     He stalked away and motioned for one of the waiters. Richard groaned. “I can’t believe this.”

     She smothered a giggle. “This is starting to remind me of an old Seinfeld episode.”

     The waiter discreetly adjusted their table setting, and suddenly the red-head stood before them. Her lower lip jutted out in a slight sulk. “Logan, we really shouldn’t intrude. They probably want to be alone.”

     Chandler decided the woman was not happy about the new seating arrangements. Logan waved one hand in the air. “Lisa, let me introduce Chandler and Richard. We work together. I probably just saved Richard from a lecture on nutrition. Chandler’s our yoga expert at the company, so she tries to convert everyone to good health. Richard’s normal obsession is for jumbo beef burgers.”

     Chandler choked on her water and tried to keep a straight face. She caught a flash of anger pass over Richard’s features before he carefully concealed his emotions with a bland smile. Uneasiness flickered deep inside when she realized how quickly he could change his expressions. But he had every right to be annoyed with Logan. She firmly pushed away the doubts as everyone got settled.

     Lisa ordered a salad and made a production out of moving around the lettuce leaves on her plate. Actually, Chandler was surprised at the adept way she kept dropping things off the table so Logan could get a healthy glimpse of cleavage. Not that it mattered. Chandler didn’t care about Logan’s long list of bimbos ranked by hair color. Not one bit. She was grateful her own escort wanted sparkling conversation rather than a perfect body. Chandler clung to the thought.

     “Darling, how do you manage? After working long days, you actually show up for a class that does nothing but twist up your body. What a sacrifice you make for your employees,” Lisa cooed.

     “I do my best,” Logan said.

     Chandler rolled her eyes.

     “I met a yoga teacher once.” Lisa’s eyes ran over her with a dismissing gesture. “She believed in saving the environment. Especially water. I guess that’s why she didn’t believe in bathing.”

     Chandler smiled sweetly. “Yes, I have the same philosophy. Birthdays and holidays I treat myself to a bath.”

     Her gaze met and locked with amused charcoal eyes. He raised his glass to her in silent salute, and Chandler mentally chided herself for making such a smart remark. Her actions indicated jealousy. But of course, she wasn’t.

     Moments later, she realized the lovely Lisa actually believed her comment. The woman seemed a bit nervous and adjusted her chair.

     The waiter appeared by their table. “May I get anyone an after dinner drink, coffee or dessert?”

     Richard shook his head. “Sugar and caffeine. I’ll pass.”

     Lisa agreed. “I’m so stuffed I feel like I’ll explode. I’ll pass, too.”