The Forever Dream (11 page)

"You expect me to just sit still while you try to seduce me, after the way I've been treated?" Her dark eyes were flashing fire. "In spite of your research you don't know me very well if you think I'll submit meekly to your neat little plans."

"I know you well enough to realize that you can't resist a challenge," he drawled, his gaze narrowed on her face, flushed with indignation. "I have no doubt that you'll fight me tooth and nail both mentally and physically. But have you considered that an intimacy exists in battle that's as primitive as a sexual confrontation? I can build on that too."

She felt a tiny thrill of excitement run through her as she met the cool confidence of his gaze. Perhaps he did know her after all. Certainly the gauntlet he'd thrown down might be impossible for her to resist picking up. She was filled with heady exhilaration as she contemplated doing battle with him. She'd never been beaten yet, and Jared Ryker would prove an antagonist more worthy than she'd ever encountered.

"Let me understand you," she said carefully. "You refuse to let me go?"

"Yes."

She felt a tingle of emotion that might have been satisfaction. She knew herself well enough to realize it quite probably was. Now that she'd decided to accept his challenge, she would have been disappointed if Ryker had withdrawn it. "And this battle you're talking about," she said briskly, "what are the terms?"

He grinned with frank enjoyment as he observed her face come alive with eagerness. "Seduction, not force. You set the boundaries. Fair enough?"

She nodded with satisfaction. "More than fair," she said. "You're going to wish you'd been a great deal less generous before this is over, Ryker."

"I might at that," he said wryly. "Are you always this happy when you're contemplating an enemy's demise?"

"Always. But then, I always enjoy myself no matter what the circumstances. I decided a long time ago I could only be defeated if I let that joy be taken away from me." The smile she gave him was almost affectionate. "I intend to have a very good time taking you on. Would you like me to detail my battle plans for you?"

"I can hardly wait."

"My first priority will be to escape," she said calmly. She scowled as she regarded the mountainous terrain

surrounding them. "I do wish you'd chosen some other obstacle for me to overcome. I've had it with mountains."

"Sorry," he said solemnly, though his lips twitched with amusement. "I'll keep that in mind in the future."

"Do that," she said, grinning mischievously. "That is, if you get the chance, of course. You may have changed your mind about the pleasure of my company by that time. I'm going to make your life perfectly miserable, you know."

"For instance?"

She pretended to consider. "Well, I don't approve of sexual teasing, but I've decided to make an exception in your case. If you think you're aching now, you're in for a shock. I'm going to drive you out of your mind, Jared Ryker." Her dark eyes narrowed determinedly. "And through it all you're going to know that you're never going to get what you want. Never."

There was a glint of admiration in Ryker's eyes as he said softly, "We'll see, little Piper. Remember, you're not doing the choreography this time. The moves may not be what you expect."

"But that always makes the dance that much more exciting. And a triumphant finale is even more satisfying."

He chuckled, and for an instant she thought she saw a flicker of pride in his face. "You're going to be a joy and delight, Tania Orlinov." He stood up and reached out a hand to pull her to her feet. "The crown of thorns and stinging nettles you have in mind for me just might be worth it." He slipped an arm affectionately around her waist and turned her in the direction of the chateau. "Now, though I know it's abominable tactics to reveal one's weaknesses to the opposition, I have to confess I'm freezing my ass off without that jacket." He made a face. I've spent most of my time the last few years on an

island I bought in the Caribbean, and it didn't equip me for autumn in the Laurentians. Let's get back to the chateau and get some hot coffee."

She obediently fell into step with him, and they made their way through the formal gardens in an oddly companionable silence. It wasn't until they'd nearly reached the courtyard that she noticed that Jared was scowling.

"Windloe," he said abruptly. "Are you still his mistress?"

Her momentary surprise was quickly replaced by satisfaction as she noticed the smoldering of Ryker's eyes. So the cool man of science had a jealous streak. It was a good thing to know.

"I don't think I'll answer that." Then, as his expression grew stormy, she said softly, "Stinging nettle, Ryker. Just a little touch of stinging nettle.”

Chapter 5

The next morning Tania was up at six, as was her custom, did her stretching and warm-up exercises, and out of the shower by seven. She was feeling remarkably fit, she realized with surprise as she quickly dressed in a pair of dark corduroy slacks and a cowl-necked cashmere sweater in a delicate shade of peach. She seemed to have recovered completely from the effects of the drugs she'd been given and was as vigorous ad full of zest as usual.

In fact, she'd felt almost as well last evening, but she hadn't been able to convince Ryker of the fact. After coffee in the library, he'd insisted she return to her room ad be served dinner there. When she'd protested, bed been met by an implacability fully as strong as her determination.

It hadn't seemed worthwhile to argue the point last night, but Ryker wouldn't find her equally compliant today. He was about to discover she'd meant everything bed told him and that she was a force to reckon with. However, before she could start to wage open warfare, bed have to reconnoiter her surroundings as well as her antagonists and determine their strengths and weaknesses.

She left her bedroom and found her way downstairs with a good deal less difficulty than she'd experienced yesterday. That small victory caused her spirits to brighten. Knowledge and optimism were already easing her path in this bizarre situation.

She was met at the bottom of the grand staircase by the same broad-shouldered young man in the dark jacket who'd served coffee in the library last evening. What had Ryker called him? George, that was it. She smiled. "Good morning, George. I don't believe we've been introduced. I'm Tania Orlinov, and I'm going to be here a while." She made a face. "I guess that piece of information is redundant. I understand you've already been told to make quite sure that I don't leave."

George's expression of surprise vanished swiftly. "George Brady, Miss Orlinov," he supplied politely.

"I'm very happy to meet you, George." Tania beamed cheerfully at him. "I just wanted to tell you that I have no intention of being here for very long, but I hope we'll be friends while I am. No hard feelings, okay?"

"Okay." George seemed a little dazed. Then, with an obvious effort, he gathered his faculties to say, "I was told to show you the breakfast room as soon as you came down. Mr. McCord and Dr. Ryker have already eaten."

So she wasn't the only one who started the day with the rising sun, she thought. The early start of the two men was a trifle inconvenient at the moment, though. She'd hoped to see McCord at breakfast and put a few questions to him.

"I'll have breakfast later," she said. "Will you tell me where Mr. McCord is, please?"

He glanced at the grandfather clock in the stairwell. "He's usually in either the gymnasium or the sauna at this time of the morning. But I don't know—"

"Thank you," she interrupted firmly, giving him a dazzling smile. "Now, will you tell me how to get there?

I really must get someone to draw me a map of this monstrosity."

He hesitated briefly before shrugging his shoulders and proceeding to give her the directions she required.

The large gymnasium was empty when she arrived, so she headed directly to the door at the far end of the room, which led to an area well equipped with everything from steam and sauna rooms to a good-sized whirlpool. She paused before the birch door that obviously led to the sauna. So much for the shower she had taken earlier, she thought wryly as she stripped off her clothes and wrapped herself in one of the large bath towels she found folded and stacked on a shelf by the door. Then she opened the door and stepped into the cubicle.

"What the hell!"

Kevin McCord had been lying full length on the long bench across the room, but sat bolt upright as he glanced up to see her standing just inside the door. The room was bathed in a rosy glow from the red light that was the only illumination in the cubicle, but she had an idea that McCords face would have been scarlet anyway. His arms dropped to shield his loins. She'd thought only women acted with that instinctive modesty when surprised in the nude.

She couldn't quite keep the laughter from her voice as she said, "I'm sorry to disturb you, Mr. McCord, but I thought we should have a talk." Her lips were twitching. "Perhaps you'd feel more comfortable with a towel. Would you like me to get you one?"

"Please." His answer was somewhere between a gulp and a gasp, and it caused the smile to linger on her lips as she left the cubicle to return with the towel. She crossed the few yards to the bench, carefully circumventing the pewter tray of hot coals in the center of the room, and handed him the towel before dropping down on the bench beside him.

He stood up and wrapped the towel around him with lightning swiftness. The glance he shot her as he resumed his seat was almost comically wary. "Couldn't it have waited until I was out of the sauna? You caught me a little unprepared."

Which might be to her advantage. "How was I to know that you'd be nude?" she asked with a grin. "But don't worry about it. I wasn't at all embarrassed."

"I'm glad to hear that," he drawled. "Are you always this precipitous?"

"Most of the time. When I have something on my mind, I like to take care of it right away and get on with other things." She leaned her head back comfortably against the wall behind her. "Where is Ryker this morning?"

He shrugged. "Probably off on one of his long rambles around the estate. He does a lot of walking, says it helps him to think." He lifted his brow. "Is that why you invaded my privacy and caused me to react like I was thirteen years old again? You were looking for Jared?"

She chuckled. "Did I do that?" Her dark eyes were twinkling. "Actually, I noticed the shock had a much more mature effect. Though I noticed your complexion turned a lovely shade that almost exactly matched your hair."

For a moment he looked indignant, but then he shook his head and smiled. "You're a very unusual woman, Miss Orlinov. I don't think I've ever met anyone quite like you."

"That's because there isn't anyone else like me," she said calmly. "I'm unique. I work very hard at it." Then, as he chuckled, she continued, "And no, I didn't want to see Ryker. It's you I wished to speak to."

"Now, why does that make me feel so nervous? I haven't felt this on edge since the senator had me arrange a sub rosa meeting between the President and Castro."

"There's nothing to be the least bit nervous about," she assured him kindly. "All I want is the answer to a few questions."

His expression was immediately cautious. "I told you I had instructions not to talk about Jared's work, Miss Orlinov. I can't disobey those orders."

'Tania," she urged. "How can I pump you and find out all I want to know if you're so formal? And I don't give a damn about Ryker's bomb or whatever. That doesn't pertain to my situation."

She could see the tension leave the man next to her as he, too, relaxed and leaned back against the wall. "Well, I'm glad of that at least. I have an idea you'd be as tenacious as our friend Betz if you put your mind to it. Pump away, Tania. I'm entirely at your disposal."

"Good. Now, what do you know about Jared Ryker?"

"As much as anyone, I suppose," he said slowly. "I've gone over his dossier. What precisely do you want to know?"

"Everything," she said briskly. "You can start with his background. Where was he born?"

"In a small town in West Virginia," he answered. "His father was a coal miner, who died of black lung disease when Jared was sixteen. His mother had divorced Jared's father when Jared was ten, giving him custody of Jared and a younger sister, Lita. His sister died a short time after Jared's father did."

"So he was virtually alone from the time he was sixteen," Tania said thoughtfully. "He mentioned that he was moderately wealthy. How did this come about with a background like his?"

"You wouldn't ask if you knew Ryker a little better," McCord said wryly. "I'd say he decided one day that it would be nice to be rich and set about accomplishing that end. He can be remarkably singleminded when he wants something." Then, as she continued to regard him patiently, he asked, "You want the details?"

"I want the details," she said emphatically.

He shrugged. "Jared is fantastically brilliant. Not only does he have an IQ that's out of sight, but he has a photographic memory. Probably what's even more valuable is the fact that his thinking is so original. He has the ability to shed preconceived theories and look at problems with an entirely fresh viewpoint. With his drive and genius it was inevitable he'd be offered every scholarship going, even the Rhodes." He glanced at her. "More?"

"More."

"He has several doctorates, including one in medicine, but he specializes in cellular chemistry. He spent three years in Viet Nam, which he doesn't like to talk about. As for money, after working for a large pharmaceutical company for a few years, he and Phillip Bartlett went into partnership to start their own firm. Several years ago he sold his shares in the company and disappeared from view, presumably to do some private research of his own. He's thirty-eight, doesn't play chess, and is positively lethal in a karate match, as I can testify." He lifted a brow inquiringly. "Now that you've completely stripped me of information, are you satisfied?"

"Not quite. What about women?"

McCords face resumed its former cautiousness. "I think Jared might place any discussion of that subject in the same category as his work."