For Services Rendered Read Online Free Page B

burgundy chairs, then sat in his own large, black leather one.
    Claire withdrew a yellow pad and a fine-point felt-tipped pen from her briefcase.
    "Before we start on the briefing, I'd like to ask a favor of you."
    "All right." She opened the pen.
    "When the two of us are in a business environment with others, as we will be at this morning's managers' meeting, I think addressing each other as Mr. Callahan and Ms. Kendrick is necessary. But when it's just the two of us, could we drop the formality? I'd like you to call me Nick and I'd prefer to call you Claire." He smiled again, the same mocking smile he'd exhibited yesterday. Its effect on Claire was instantaneous. She felt exactly like she'd felt when she was fifteen years old and jumped off the ten-meter diving platform because of a dare.
    "All right . . . Nick." Saying his name aloud gave her a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach. The smile played around his mouth as he watched her intently, almost as if he knew how uncomfortable and self-conscious she felt. She had a strong urge to smooth her hair, to touch her pearl earrings, to make sure there was no lipstick on her teeth. But she smothered it, sitting quietly as she waited for his next instruction.
    She knew it wasn't a good idea to call him by his first name. The familiarity would change their relationship. Already, just saying his name once had broken down a barrier between them. Why had he suggested it?
    He glanced away, picking up a paper from his desk, then he handed it to her. "That's the agenda for this morning's meeting—so you'll know what's going on. The following page is a list of the attendees. I had Wanda list their titles and give you a brief description of their function within the corporation."
    "Thank you." Claire read through the agenda quickly, then turned to the list.
    "Let's go through them together," Nick suggested. "The first name on the list is Paul Branch, Vice President of our Engineering Division. He's an old hand with the company, started with me when we had one job and no money to speak of. He's loyal and conservative."
    Claire made a quick note next to Branch's name.
    "Ben Bullard is Vice President of our Construction Division. He's only been with us for three years. He spent more than twenty years in Saudi Arabia and has excellent field experience. He's stubborn, but brilliant."
    Claire scribbled another quick note.
    "Next on the list is Hank Conti, Vice President of the Project Management division. Hank is a relative newcomer, been with us about two years after working all over the world. Then comes Albert Girard, Vice President of Finance. Have you met Bert?"
    "Yes, briefly."
    "He's our youngest vice president and very ambitious. I have a feeling he's angling for my job."
    Claire looked up and Nick smiled briefly.
    "Am I going too fast for you?" he asked.
    "No."
    "Any questions so far?"
    "No." It was too soon for questions, she thought. So far, these men were only names on a sheet of paper.
    Nick quickly went through the rest of the list, ending with Ken Boudreaux, Manager of Human Resources and Public Relations. Claire's department fell under Ken, so she knew him, although not well.
    She noticed the absence of any female names and almost said something, then thought better of it. She was here to write an article, not to champion causes.
    "Normally, Tim Sutherland would also be attending the meeting. He has a law background which serves us well. I depend upon him to advise me on all matters concerning contracts and administration." When she didn't answer, Nick shuffled through some other papers on his desk, selecting one and handing it to her. "That's my schedule for the rest of the week. From now on, Wanda and Tim will keep you up to date on any changes. They'll try to give you advance notice, especially if you're going to be required to leave Houston, but occasionally you'll be called at the last minute. My schedule is erratic at best."
    Claire nodded. A shaft of sunlight slanted