The Harder They Fall Read Online Free Page A

no wonder she wanted to hang on to the restaurants so badly. Well, that wasn’t his problem. His problem was getting Ed Welham to part with them.
    He looked down at his list, dismissing the twinge of guilt that pricked him. “About the uniforms . . .”
    “What about them?”
    “I like them, don’t get me wrong. On the men they’ve got just the right touch of class. But on the women, I don’t know.”
    “What would you change?”
    Michael looked up. “Something more . . . feminine, I think. Not sexy, but feminine.”
    Lips twitching, Tom said, “I’m surprised you’ve noticed.”
    Michael frowned. “How could I help but notice?”
    “Well, I’ve overheard a few complaints from some of the female employees. Apparently, they don’t think you notice enough.”
    Chuckling, Michael sat back. “Are you referring to the rumor that I’m gay?”
    A startled hiss rushed from Tom’s lips. “You know about that?”
    “Of course.”
    Tom’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t look too upset.”
    “Upset?” Michael laughed. “Are you kidding? I’d encourage it if I knew how.”
    “Why?”
    Sighing, Michael said, “It saves me a lot of hassle. I don’t believe in mixing business and pleasure. Unfortunately, some women don’t give a damn what I believe. So, this is just . . . easier.”
    “I hate to tell you, but Darcy doesn’t believe it for a second,” Tom told him. “In fact, I think her exact words were, ‘If that man is gay, I’m Jessica Alba.’”
    Something rocked his system every time Michael heard Darcy’s name. Something that irritated him thoroughly. That something was physical desire. Beyond all reason, he was attracted to the woman who was trying to ruin his career.
    The females grumbling about his lack of interest were right on the money. He had no interest whatsoever in any of them. His feelings concerning the women’s uniforms stemmed solely from his desire to see Darcy Welham in something other than slacks, vest and tie. He realized it was a totally unbusinesslike craving; and that, in itself, was enough to make him furious with her.
    He stretched out his legs and crossed his ankles. “To tell you the truth, I was wondering if she wasn’t the one to start the rumor.”
    Tom grunted. “That just goes to show how little you know about Darcy. She’d never start a rumor like that. “
    Michael grunted right back at him. “She started the rumor that I wear elevator shoes,” he retorted, still feeling the insult.
    Tom waved. “That was just a little joke.”
    Pointing at the man, Michael said, “I overheard her talking to one of the waitresses in the break room. I heard Darcy tell the girl I have big ears.”
    Tom did a poor job of stifling a snort of laughter.
    “And that my nose is too long,” Michael added, his indignation growing. “And that I pad the shoulders of my suits!”
    By this time Tom’s laughter had turned to guffaws. He slapped his knee. “Well, it’s the least you deserve after posting that Breakage Chart.”
    Michael opened his mouth, but the crashing of the office door against the wall interrupted him. He winced, praising God that he wasn’t standing behind it this time.
    Darcy stood on the threshold, her eyes blazing green fire. Her chest heaved with indignation and the hand she pointed at him shook. But what really caught Michael’s attention was her hair. For the first time, he saw it out of a bun. In thick, glossy waves, it fell nearly to her waist.
    “I have a bone to pick with you, Davidson,” she said, her voice low and shaky.
    Michael regulated his breathing and slapped a bland expression on his face. “It wouldn’t be the same bone your customer nearly choked on yesterday, would it?”
    He knew it was an unfair attack on her, because Darcy certainly hadn’t stuffed the bone down the man’s throat. In fact, she’d surprised Michael by quickly and easily performing the Heimlich maneuver on the customer, effectively saving his life. Still,