Miss Prim And The Maverick Millionaire. Nina Singh

know that. Why let him off easy? Clearly, Cabe Jordan was used to having things handed to him merely because he asked. Unlike someone such as her who’d had to work hard all her life for every accomplishment.

      A small part of her nagged that resisting might indeed be a mistake. She still needed this job, pride or not. What if he called her bluff? Her pride won out. “You have to understand, Cabe. I’m no longer sure how I feel about working for you. Given our past history as friends, and that you’ve known me for decades, I would have appreciated it if you’d come to me right from the start.” Oh, heavens. She nearly choked on the words. For all her bravado, she had to acknowledge that he’d genuinely and wholly hurt her. She’d been foolish to expect any more from the Jordan CEO, regardless of past friendship.

      But then Cabe held both hands up in surrender and she had a split second of panic. For all her bravado, she really would prefer to be gainfully employed as she looked for another position. Her breath held while he spoke.

      “Let’s compromise. You just help me on this one overseas project. We’ll start from there.”

      “And then what?”

      “Then we revisit the situation and the matter of your employment.”

      She gave her head a small shake. “You’re going to have to be more specific.”

      “I just mean that I don’t think you should make any lasting decisions right now, in the heat of the moment.”

      Jenna’s phone rang but she ignored it, unable to tear her eyes away from Cabe’s intense, steel-blue gaze. “We don’t want to be impulsive.”

      She decided to give in just a little. “Perhaps we don’t.”

      Cabe pounced, assuming success. “Do you have a valid passport? If not, we can request rush processing and you can meet me there once it arrives.”

      She raised an eyebrow. “Cabe?”

      “Yes?”

      “Do you actually know the definition of impulsive?”

      Her question gave him pause, and then he laughed. “I see your point. Nevertheless.”

      “I have a current passport.”

      “Great. It’s settled, then.”

      She stood, met him eye to eye. “Not so fast, Cabe.”

      Was that a smile still on his lips? He couldn’t be enjoying this. “Before I say yes, I have a stipulation.”

      “What’s that?”

      “Once the new site is opened, upon completion of this project, I want a glowing recommendation from you. In case I decide to look for a position elsewhere.”

      “I hardly think that will be ne—”

      She cut him off. “It’s nonnegotiable. I want your word that you will assist me if I decide to leave Jordan’s Fine Jewelry.” It was the least he could do. After all the long hours of blood, sweat and tears that she’d put into this company. After the way he’d just treated her. And for all the work she was about to put in on this project. He owed her at least that much.

      He merely nodded. “If, at the end, a recommendation is still what you want then I will give you one.”

      “It will be.”

      He crossed his arms in front of his chest and gave her a wide smile, the kind of smile that would have had her swooning if they were still in high school. Even now, her knees grew weak.

      “Not if I change your mind.”