thought the meeting was for the BelTek proposal.”
“No, I was taken off that a month ago so I could focus on Triton’s
acquisition of CyberCom. I thought I told you.”
“Why are you meeting them in New York?”
“Nathan Gamble is there this week. He has that penthouse overlooking
the park. Billionaires get their way. So off I go to New York.”
Jason sat up, his face so gray she thought he was going to be sick.
“Jason, what is it?” She gripped his shoulder.
He finally recovered and faced her, his expression an acutely disturbing
one to her–dominated as it was by guilt.
“Sid, I’m not exactly going to L.A. on business for Triton.”
She took her hand off his shoulder and stared at him, her eyes wide with
astonishment. Every suspicion she had dutifully battled during the last
several months now shot back to the surface. Her throat went completely
dry. “What do you mean, Jason?”
“I mean”–he took a deep breath and gripped one of her hands–“I mean,
this trip is not for Triton.”
“Then who exactly is it for?” she demanded, her face flushed.
“For me, us! It’s for us, Sidney.”
Scowling, she sat back against the headboard and crossed her arms.
“Jason, you’re going to tell me what’s going on and you’re going to do
it right now.”
He looked down and played with the bedcovers. She took his chin in her
hand and gave him a searching look. “Jason?” She paused, sensing his
inner struggle. “Pretend it’s Christmas Eve, honey.”
He sighed. “I’m going to L.A. to interview with another firm.”
She took her hand away. “What?”
He spoke quickly. “Allege raPort Technology, they’re one of the largest
specialty software manufacturers in the world. They’ve offered me,
well, they’ve offered me a vice presidency and would be grooming me for
the top spot eventually. Triple my salary, huge year-end bonus, stock
options, beautiful retirement plan, the whole ball game, Sid. A home
run.”
Sidney’s face instantly brightened; her shoulders slumped in relief.
“That was your big secret? Jason, that’s wonderful. Why didn’t you
tell me?”
“I didn’t want to put you in an awkward position. You’re Triton’s
counsel, after all. All the late hours at the office? I was trying to
finish up my work. I didn’t want to leave them in the lurch. Triton is
a powerful company; I didn’t want any hard feelings.”
“Honey, there’s no law against your joining another company.
They’d be happy for you.”
“Right!” His bitter tone puzzled her for a moment, but he hurried on
before she had a chance to question him about it. “They’d also pay for
all our relocation expenses. In fact, we’d make a nice profit on this
place, enough to pay off all our bills.”
She stiffened. “Relocation?”
“Allegra’s headquarters are in Los Angeles. That’s where we’d be
moving. If you don’t want me to take it, then I’ll respect your
decision.”
“Jason, you know my firm has an L.A. office. It’ll be perfect.” She
sat back against the headboard again and stared at the ceiling. She
looked over at him, a twinkle in her eye. “And let’s see, at triple
your current salary, the profit from this house and stock options to
boot, I just might be able to become a full-time mom a littler sooner
than I thought.”
He smiled as she gave him a congratulatory hug. “That’s why I was so
surprised when you told me you were meeting with Triton.”
She looked at him, confused.
“They think I took some time off to work around the house.”
“Oh. Well, sweetie, don’t worry. I’ll play along. You know there’s
attorney-client privilege and then there’s the much stronger privilege
between a horny wife and her big, beautiful husband.” Her soft eyes met
his and she nuzzled her lips against his cheek. He swung his legs over
the side of the bed. “Thanks, babe, I’m glad I told you.”
He shrugged. “Well, I might as well jump in the shower. Maybe I can
accomplish a few things before I leave.”
Before he could stand up, her arms clamped around his waist.
“I’d love to help you accomplish something, Jason.”
He turned his head to look at her. She was now wearing nothing; the