What a Man Needs. Patricia Thayer

down either. “What are the rules?”

      “We’ll work from early morning until the afternoon. You’ll also be responsible for the care of your horse. There will be no media around, and you’ll move out here for the next ten days.” And he asked for a larger amount of money for his services than she had originally offered just to see how far he could go. He expected her to tell him to go to hell.

      “And what if I don’t agree?”

      “Then we say goodbye…this time.” Inside he wasn’t sure what he wanted her to do. He knew he didn’t need this distraction, but he still wanted Cyndi. Maybe during the ten days she’d be here, he would get her out of his system.

      Cynthia stepped back. “I have one condition of my own. We keep this arrangement strictly business. What happened last night will not happen again.”

      We’ll see about that, Patrick thought. “Agreed. Strictly business.” He shook her hand then released it before he broke his promise right here and now. “Talk with Nora and she’ll show you where you’ll be staying.”

      He started down the steps toward the barn, then turned. “I’ll be busy most of the day, so you’ll be fending for yourself. But tomorrow I expect to see you in the barn at 6:00 a.m. If you’re not, I’ll figure you’ve changed your mind.”

      “Oh, I’ll be there,” she tossed back, a challenging look on her beautiful face. “So be ready to live up to your reputation.”