Chapter 8
Murphy’s Laws of Sex #19
“Experience enables you to recognize when you make the same mistake again.”
Starling suggested they talk in his office, which turned out to be big enough to have a conference table, six chairs besides two large desks, several bookshelves, and cabinets. There were a dozen or more black-and-white framed photographs among which she recognized such notables as Madame Curie, Einstein, and Fermi. Two large color photos of an older woman and a bearded gentleman she didn’t recognize were prominently displayed. She couldn’t remember seeing any photos or pictures of people in Starling’s bedroom upstairs. None appeared to be his parents. She still didn’t know what to make of the man.
Starling offered her a seat and then stared off into space for a moment. Turning to her, he asked, “Would you like a drink, scotch like last time?”
Toni rolled her eyes. He must have memorized a book on how to be a good host. “No, but thank you.”
Starling sat across from her, clasping his hands before him on the table. “So, Ms. Crenshaw, why do you want to see me? I had the impression you wouldn’t be back.”
She blinked at that. He was always blindsiding her with his unexpectedly direct and accurate appraisals. The room was cool after being outside in the sunshine. Absently rubbing her arms, Toni studied the man, trying to imagine him with hormones or a full set of human emotions for that matter. She failed.
Pulling on her jacket, she said, “Well, my feelings aren’t an issue in this, Dr. Starling. You asked that I be your contact with Rayaneta, so here I am.”
“If you’d rather, I can request someone else.”
That left her at a loss for words for a moment. “No, that won’t be necessary.” She pursed her lips. “Why did you request me in the first place?”
Without any indication that she’d asked for a potentially embarrassing reveal, he said, “There are a variety of reasons, Ms. Crenshaw, but primarily, you’ve been the only representative of the board I’d worked with to any extent.”
“That’s one.”
“You’ve been honest with me, unlike the board.”
Ouch ! “I see. So, you know about the board’s duplicity with your contract?”
He nodded but said nothing more.
“Okay, I’ll bite. Why do you think I’ve been honest, considering I’m the one who negotiated your contract, representing the board as you say?”
He smiled. “People in your office overheard your conversation with Mr. Yates. From what I understand, you were upset about the board’s duplicity.”
“How in the hell did you hear that?”
“By listening.” He shrugged, his smile widening to a grin at her incredulity. “It’s news when anyone yells at their boss. Tara in my lab group talked to Nancy, who talked to Janice, who overheard a conversation with Crystal, who . . .”
“Okay, okay, I get it.”
“Besides, you are often a topic of conversation on the company gossip channel.”
Toni could feel blood rising to her face and waved a hand dismissively. “Yeah, well, I’ve never been one to seek a low profile.”
“Perhaps, but I know that,” he said and paused a moment. “Professionally, you’ve always treated me as you do any other colleague or client. I value that consideration. It hasn’t always been the case with people I work with.”
“Uh, I try.” His considered pause made her face grow hotter. Was he thinking of her teasing in the lobby, ‘outside of the office,’ or her heated exit last time she was here?
Looking at him, she felt sure there was more to the story. She damped down a burning curiosity to hear more while he was being so candid, but she was afraid of what further analysis of her ‘honesty’ might disclose.
Driving to his house, she’d decided the direct approach was best. He’d beat her to the punch. She mentally sighed . And honesty. The longer she remained a lawyer, the more that word felt ethereal and any application treacherous.
“The board has asked me to make a request,” Toni began. “They would like to buy your ‘Cozy’ scent now, instead of waiting until the end of your sabbatical year. They see it as very promising and are concerned that with development and production, it will push any marketable product out two years or more if you wait to sell them.” There, let’s see what he does with that.
Starling’s eyebrows did a little dance and then came together, wrinkling the bridge of his nose. He linked fingers, one thumb rubbing the other. He sat silently for what seemed a long minute.
Finally, he said, “The formula isn’t developed to my satisfaction. On top of that your reactions last Saturday convinced me that any production formula should be extremely diluted to keep anyone from taking advantage of its effects.”
“I agree.” Toni was relieved, glad that Starling had at least seen the dangers of his potion. She didn’t want Bateman to get his hands on it, but she coveted the lead counsel position. Crap. Had she wanted the lead counsel position so badly that she’d made a deal with the devil, or the CEO equivalent?
“All right. When do you think you would have a formula you would feel confident selling?”
“I haven’t done any more with the ‘cozy’ formula. It’s a dead end as far as I am concerned. My goals are scents that attract men and women romantically,” he said and shrugged. “And sexually. That’s a primary purpose of perfume, isn’t it?”
Toni could only imagine what such a formula could do after her experience with the ‘cozy’ scent. He’d be dead meat if he tried his sex scent on her. “Well, it’s one reason for it, I guess. I would think most people just want to smell nice. That’s attractive.” She waited a moment but got no response. Ooookay. “When do you see the ‘romantic’ formula being ready?”
“Trials in three to four months, if everything goes well.”
“That soon?”
“It’s an estimate, but yes.”
“Would you be willing to sell that formula, if everything goes well?”
“I might consider it, depending.”
“Depending on what?”
“Ms. Crenshaw . . .”
“Toni.”
Starling gazed at her with that expressionless face of his but nodded. “Toni, please call me BJ.”
“Seriously, that’s what you want to be called?”
He smiled softly at her. “Yes, seriously. I am tired of people making faces and laughing when I tell them my name is Baynard. The only alternative was BS, which wouldn’t work.” He chuckled at that and pushed away from the table. “Toni, whether I want to sell it or not depends on the formulas. However, there isn’t anything I need or want from the Board.”
That was to the point. She sat and thought. What the hell did the company have that he might want? What could she offer?
“In exchange, your own lab, fully equipped with the latest gizmos? More autonomy, less bother?”
“No, I have everything I need or want right now.” He stood, waving toward his laboratory. “Besides, I enjoy working with the Rayaneta ‘lab rats.’”
Toni cringed. So he’d heard that too. She looked away, unable to think while meeting his electric blue gaze. Did she really speak disparagingly of the lower floors at Rayaneta? Another embarrassment. She considered the calm mystery across from her. What could he want?
She twitched as an idea came crashing in uninvited and closed her eyes.
God, did she want to do that ? She looked up at Starling silently standing in front of her waiting and bit her lip . Well, crap . She knew what she wanted.
She stood. “Dr. Starling.” He gave her a chiding look . Sigh. “BJ, last Saturday you asked if I would help you. If I agreed to help, depending on what kind of help you want, would you agree to sell your two formulas when you have them ready?”
He sat down again with a confused look on his face. “You appeared to be insulted and very angry when I suggested it Saturday.” He leaned back, looking very concerned. “Was I mistaken?”
“Uh, well, no.” Sitting, Toni stammered for a moment. “I was angry. When you asked for my help, I thought you meant helping you score in bed. I won’t do that.”
One corner of his mouth pulled back pensively. “If I understand you correctly, no, I wasn’t asking you to help me have sex with a woman.” He cocked his head. “I was asking you to help me understand women, how they think, the intricacies of dating, and particularly, romantic relationships.” Pausing, he rubbed his forehead with both hands but with only two fingers.
It was such an odd gesture that Toni wondered where it came from.
“It is important for determining the effects of the scent,” he said. “You can also help moderate tests of the scent.”
This was more than she could have hoped for. She would be in a perfect position to monitor the uses of the scents and direct any controls before the sale.
Watching him, she abruptly realized she was also intrigued. Who was he? She surprised herself. Because of sheer curiosity, she was willing to spend more time with him, as much as he unsettled her with his behavior and observations. They weren’t the usual reasons she had for getting to know men. She rarely found men that intriguing. On the other hand, Starling was a very odd duck playing with fire, potentially treacherous formulas.
Starling pensively traced the table’s wood grain with a finger. “I need to have at least a rudimentary understanding of the relationship dynamics between men and women if I am going to create scents that incite and support them.” He gazed at her, apparently assessing her reception of the idea. “And that must include an appreciation of what women respond to.”
“So, why me? Bonnie would seem perfect, and willing from what she’s said.”
Scrunching up his face, Starling said, “Yes, but she’ll only be here for another week.” He hesitated. “Bonnie is a good example of my problem.”
“Oh?” This should be good. “How’s that?”
“As you said, Bonnie would be more than willing to help. She suggested it herself, but when I told Sam, it upset him. Why, I don’t know.” He waved his hand despondently. “Sam didn’t want me involving Bonnie, so I won’t, but he wasn’t willing to explain why.”
Toni chuckled. “He’s just protecting his sister.”
“From what?”
“You.”
“Me?” BJ sat back with a baffled look on his face. “Why would she need protection from me?” He shook his head. “Sam’s my friend. So is Bonnie. I would never hurt them.”
Toni felt sorry for the guy. He was facing a crash course in adolescent love and family relationships at 27. “You can hurt people when you don’t mean to or don’t want to. You’d be in close contact, working together. Romance can be a possibility in that kind of situation.”
“Sam thinks Bonnie would want to be romantic with me?” When she bit back a laugh at his surprise. He simply frowned, and calmly asked, “So, if the idea is so laughable”—Toni’s face grew warm again— “what is Sam worried about?”
Geesus , the man was disconcertingly frank and didn’t seem to be embarrassed by his own ignorance. Had he suffered a male-ego extraction? She didn’t understand it, which further piqued her curiosity. She found it strangely refreshing.
Toni waved a hand at the difficult question. “Because it’s hard to control being romantic, to control lust and love, or to know the difference. At times, it’s difficult to avoid hurting others. Families protect each other.”
“Does your family protect you?”
Toni felt her jaw muscles tighten to keep her expression neutral. “Yeah, far too much.” She shrugged away the question. “Sam may be worried about you too.” I know I would be.
Starling considered that and then leaned forward. “From what I’ve heard, you’ve been able to avoid those pitfalls. How do you keep from hurting the men you’re romantic with?”
She felt her face prickle again and leaned across the table, making him lean back, startled. “From what you’ve heard ? Let’s get one thing straight, Herr Doktor , my personal relationships are not part of your research.”
The bewildered look on Starling’s face made Toni regret her harsh tone . She had nothing to feel ashamed of, right? “Sorry. Look, BJ, I have fallen in those ‘pitfalls’ at one time or another. It’s a delicate balance. Many people don’t see it coming. That’s why they call it ‘falling’ in love. You don’t think your way to real feelings, or out of them with planned steps.”
“I understand the unplanned ‘falling’ part, but . . .” He ran a hand over his head of short hair, looking defeated. “This is worse than learning a new language. People say things, but they make no sense at all, and few will explain themselves.” He looked at her with his now familiar lost expression. “And when they do, I don’t understand or I make them angry, as I did you just now.”
He brushed invisible scraps off the tabletop, and then looked at her again. “Clearly, I need help. I want the scents to work without hurting anyone.” Opening his hands to her, he added, “And you seem to have much more experience than Bonnie or Joan. Sam has placed them out of bounds anyway.”
Toni glared at him.
“There. What have I said wrong this time?”
“Look, every time you say I’m ‘experienced,’ you make me sound like a bed-hopping slut.”
“Because you’ve dated a lot of men?” BJ asked with a mystified expression. “I know you date far more than Bonnie and Joan. Besides, you are years older.”
Toni rolled her eyes. “Just stop. You are only making it worse.”
“Why? What have I said that isn’t true? You are twenty-eight, they’re both twenty-three.”
Exasperated, she tapped her pen on the table. “How do you know they date less?”
“As I said, because I listen, and ask questions. How else?” A penetrating gaze followed. “So far this year, you’ve dated Miles Owens in Research Admin., and then there was Stan Hendricks in Cosmetics, both within a month’s time. After them, there was an executive from Microsoft. You ended that relationship recently.”
“What have you been doing, stalking me and taking notes?”
Starling shook his head. “Of course not. As I said, among all the women in the lab and surrounding offices, you are an ongoing topic of conversation. Most people will talk freely around me as though I don’t exist. Then again, it might be because you’ve dated men from many of the Rayaneta offices or that you are a successful lawyer. I can tell you most of the men you dated in the last year, far more than Joan and Bonnie in the same time period. You’re dating a broker named Steve at the moment. People said—”
“All right, already, I get it! So, I date a lot and people talk.”
“I assumed because of your experience, you have a comprehensive understanding of romance and men-women relationships. Am I wrong?”
Toni raised her arms in surrender. “Fine, I’m an expert. What do you want to know?”
“I need some avenues of study to follow other than the biological reactions between men and women.”
“Biological reactions?”
BJ nodded. “Oh, I know the biology, the physical signs of attraction, arousal, the process of intercourse, and a wide variety of related topics.” He leaned forward. “Did you know that women employed as lap dancers earn much higher tips when ovulating? The scent and subtle changes in movement of an ovulating woman raises the testosterone levels in men. More than one study has found statistically significant differences.”
Toni pursed her mouth to keep from saying something harsh. “Do you know what a lap dancer does?”
He nodded. “I watched internet videos and movie clips.” She wrinkled her nose at his bland comment. He gave her a teasing smile at her reaction, making her smile back in surprise.
BJ followed his charming little glance, saying, “Then there are the European voles. Some varieties have males that are monogamous throughout their entire life. Others are the opposite, attempting to mate with any female in sight without any nesting behaviors. The only difference is a single gene. Fascinating.”
“Yes. Fascinating.” Toni drummed her fingers on the table. “Ovulating lap dancers and randy vole genes are a looong way from romance and relationships, boyo.”
“Yes, I realize that, hence my need for help.”
Could she derail his focus on ways for men to attract women? “Why not scents that excite men? Isn’t that what the lap dance was about?” BJ nodded, so Toni followed up with “Far more women wear perfume than men do cologne. That’s where the money is.”
BJ pensively rubbed his thumbs together before answering. “I have created that fragrance for men.”
“What?”
Starling smiled at her incredulous question. “Compared to women, men’s responses to pheromones are fairly simple. Men select women by sight, then approach into ‘scent range.’ When they see a woman who appears healthy and fertile, they choose. Once they move to close proximity, then a woman’s pheromones can affect them, like the ovulating lap dancers. Those pheromones can only strengthen a man’s previous decision to choose, rather than instigate it. The formula only elicits a decision by a man to stay close.”
“A decision?”
“That is what pheromones are designed to do, provide information and elicit a decision, like the decisions you made about me, and my house incited by the cozy scent.”
Reviewing her mindless behavior around him, words failed her, her face warmed again . Where was her lawyer’s cool? “So, so why not offer the women’s formula for attracting men to the Board?”
“It doesn’t work much better than the women’s perfumes currently on the market. That’s part of the reason I wanted to do this outside of Rayaneta. Any pheromone scent complex I discover affecting women would be far more powerful and groundbreaking. I didn’t want Rayaneta involved as I experimented.”
Curious, Toni asked, “Why should a women’s pheromone formula be more powerful?”
As BJ warmed to the subject, an enthusiastic light shone in his eyes. “Women require far more information before any decision, so their pheromone triggers are far more complex. Seldom triggered, a women’s response will be that much stronger.
“One pheromone focus is the MHC, the prospective partner’s immune system and long-term health. Men’s biology generally doesn’t look for such things. Women are looking to provide for a broader immune system, better health for any offspring, and a man who will stay to support them. Several studies have established that those subconscious preferences are often based first and foremost on smell.”
“What is the MHC? Mind-numbing Human Chemistry?”
With a chuckle, BJ shook his head. “The Major Histocompatibility Complex or MHC is a gene family which links the immune system and body scent. Similar to my experiments, the University of Chicago asked a group of women to sniff a T-shirt worn two consecutive nights by thirty different men to determine which smells they liked . The women chose T-shirts with their closest genetic matches—though there are millions of unique MHC genotype combinations.” He noticed Toni’s quizzical look and nodded. “A woman’s ability to unconsciously identify biological and gene differences through smell alone is extraordinary.”
“Right, extraordinary.” Toni didn’t hide her skepticism. “How does this help create your love potion?”
Starling gave her a patient glance at her calling his formula a ‘love potion.’ He held out an open hand, and said, “When it comes to romantic relationships, I find it far easier to understand such research, which led me to the cozy formula. The chemistry does get me in the paint, so to speak.”
Toni stared at BJ. “Did you just use a basketball metaphor?”
He grinned. “Surprise.”
Toni gave him a teasing look of censure, saying, “All right, you. You came up with this cozy scent by isolating smells in T-shirts, but what makes you think you can create a scent that will drive women wild?”
He frowned and gave a shake of his head.
Toni flipped her hand. “Okay, drive them romantic , then.”
After his familiar stare into space, BJ looked at her again, and said, “Smell is the strongest of the five senses when it comes to sexual functioning for two reasons:
“Smells are powerfully associative. For instance, since anything musky mimics the scent of testosterone and sweat, it engages a woman’s libido. That’s why it’s common to find musk in men’s cologne, or dill and salty scents. Women like the smells.
“That’s one thing my formulas have and will do: trigger associations and cause the release of prolactin, epinephrine, oxytocin, phenylethylamine, serotonin, and particularly endorphins, all the hormones, enzymes, neurotransmitters associated with intimacy and sexual arousal.
“Scents of arousal and intercourse leave strong, lasting impressions and lead to subconscious decisions such as choosing T-shirts.” He smiled for a moment, but Toni didn’t smile back.
“In the brain, the scent, sex, and memory centers share very close quarters. The other four senses are regulated through the consciousness in the frontal cortex. But not the olfactory sense . Smells send signals directly to the emotional centers, a person’s reactions and affected decisions thus often remain unconscious. Like your reactions last weekend.”
Toni wished he’d stop referring to her cozy experience. Again, it provoked a shiver of fear, which led her to frown at him.
“Why focus on women?
“The challenge.
She playfully responded with a raised eyebrow. “Women are a challenge?”
BJ returned a broad grin. “For me, absolutely, but I meant the chemical challenge. It’s never been done. Women’s complex pheromone responses are an unsolved scientific mystery, so I was curious, and I enjoy challenges.” Waving a hand, he added, “Personally, I find women a complete mystery.”
Toni sat back studying him, attempting to assess his motives. Of course, the man-child would be captivated by romance and sex, two of life’s biggest mysteries. She mentally chided herself. Then again, what male isn’t interested? “Okay, so how do you see this scent working when you’ve created it?”
He pursed his mouth thoughtfully. “All I need to do is combine the ‘cozy’ and sex-triggering scents into a single, coherent solution. It’s really about the needed combination of scents that will activate the VNO, so it—”
“The what?”
He nodded, pointing a finger close to the bridge of her nose. “The Vomeronasal Organ is in the nose, a cluster of nerves specifically for reading pheromones, a major sex organ if you will.” Uncomfortable with the gesture, she playfully crossed her eyes focusing on his finger. He grinned, an open expression of amusement, his reaction delighting her more than she wanted to admit.
BJ continued, palms down on the table. “All animals have the clusters, even whales, which have no other scent receptors. When activated, the VNO produces strong behavioral reactions in insects and mammals, all except in humans. Or rather no one has figured out what triggers a woman’s Vomeronasal Organ—yet.” He raised his eyebrows and waited, but Toni didn’t take the bait, lost in the chemistry, frightened by the implications.
“The Mondell Chemical Senses Center and the Sense of Smell Institute have done preliminary research on humans without conclusive results, but I’ve discovered why.
“Seriously? Those are real organizations?”
Starling gave her a patient half-smile, and said, “A woman’s VNO needs a very specific and complicated sequence of chemical scents to be fully activated. I think human females evolved a far more sophisticated pheromone-triggered selection process than men because of their long gestation and nurturing period compared to other animals. Women needed far more information, need to be significantly more judicious in selecting a mate. Men less so when multiple mates in any time frame are possible.”
His calm, clinical explanation left her wanting to ask for more details. Any scent success would be incredibly manipulative, yet she found his knowledge of how scents worked intriguing and . . .
Toni closed her eyes and swore to herself. Damnation, Crenshaw, do you really want to know more? What the hell does he know about real women and sex? This science determining the unconscious decisions that draw women to men without rational thought was disturbing. She sat back and blew out her breath. “This sounds like chapters from Dr. Lust’s manual, The Chemistry of Romance .”
BJ nodded, as though she’d said something serious. “Well, there is Dr. Helen Fisher. She’s a fellow at the Kinsey Institute. She has discovered that four neural systems underlie the constellation of personality traits—all dealing with the hormones dopamine, serotonin, testosterone, and the estrogen/oxytocin systems—pheromone territory. The survey she developed has been used by Chemistry.com and Match.com. Fascinating really, she has—”
“Geezus Christ, I was joking! There’s more to relationships than chemicals.”
He grinned at her and cocked his head. “Chemistry is what I know.”
“Well, it isn’t enough. You need to experience real people and their real relationships instead of studying more scientists’ research papers or creating your own.”
There was that mesmerizing gaze again. She looked away to avoid being caught by it. With what she knew was an impatient expression, she waited for him to continue.
A short eternity later, the Boy Scientist nodded. “Yes. Like my ‘cozy’ field tests. That’s what I need to do.” He smiled at her. “Your original suggestion to find out what my perfumes did made me realize that I’ve been an observer, ever since I can remember, watching chemical reactions, and people, reading research—it’s been my life. You’re right. Beyond my field tests, I need to personally experience the dynamics to understand.” He gestured toward her. “That’s why you’re here.”
Taking in his unguarded expression of enthusiasm over one more of her lame suggestions, she had a shudder of déjà vu. God help me. She took a deep breath and said, “Whoa, there, Romeo, I didn’t mean to run out and get romantic with women. Especially not me.”
He grinned again and shook his head. “No, of course not. I need to be careful. For me, it will be a risky endeavor.” He touched his cheek. “I want to avoid any more black eyes.”
Toni enjoyed his open smile for a moment after that confession. “Okay, so what exactly do want from me?”
“I’m three or four months away from any formula I can test, so I really can’t use your help with specifics and safeguards until then. That’s when I will fine-tune the formula and test how well it works. But you’ve helped already.”
“That’s good to hear, I think.” Geesh, I pray this inspiration doesn’t lead to similar problems for me like his sabbatical. “Let me get this straight. Right now, you want me to provide ideas for studying men and women relationships, topic suggestions, and coaching? You do the participating.” He nodded. “And you don’t need my participation with field tests until September?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Look, if you want to tap into whatever experience you think I have, that’s fine within limits. But I have little idea of what to suggest for a ‘course of study’ in love and romance.”
“None?” He grinned. “You’ve already provided one excellent suggestion: direct observation and participation.”
Holy mother of . . . That never occurred to him until now? She thought for a moment and sighed. “Okay, here you are: Before you go ‘participating,’ and to avoid any more black eyes, read lots of romance novels for what they tell you about women. Look up Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus. Or better, if you want more scholarly works, In a Different Voice . I guess sex manuals too, maybe The Joy of Sex would be helpful. And find out all you can about nonverbal communication.
“Nonverbals?
“Yes. The body language and expressions that are an unspoken language. There are books on the subject, both personal and for business.” She quickly wrote down their titles on her tablet and tore off the page. At his quizzical look, Toni said, “As a lawyer, I’ve studied the topic.” Handing the list to him, she said, “Oh, and stay away from any online ads that say they can teach you how to make a woman go to bed or fall in love with you.”
BJ looked up from reading the titles. “There are people claiming to teach such things?”
“Unfortunately. You should spend time observing people in real life, men and women and how they relate. Restaurants, parks, street corners, basketball games. You can do that without getting into trouble, can’t you?”
Dr. BJ gave her a wry glance. “We’ll see.” He made more notes and then looked up, smiling. “Thank you. Sam had no idea where I should start.”
Toni winced. “My ideas aren’t all that hot either, babe.”
BJ gave her a captivating smile that made her look twice. It was the kind that melted hearts. He said in a husky voice, “Perhaps, but I’ll keep asking if you’ll keep calling me ‘babe.’”
Toni sat back. “Are you flirting with me?”
With a laugh, he said, “Am I? I wouldn’t know. I was trying to be humorous. Your use of ‘babe’ is appealing.”
“I see. ‘Appealing.’” She grinned. “You’re saying I’m giving off a dessert-menu vibe?”
Another bright smile appeared, but also an assessing glance. “Perhaps you are, but ‘appealing’ is still apropos.” He rubbed his chin with a pleased expression. “If that is all flirting involves, I might be able to master it.”
Toni frowned. She was torn between teasing him again to see that smile—or being self-conscious about her reaction to him. She’d enjoyed talking to him, even with the science dump about his dangerous formulas. A weird feeling left her without a thought in her head.
As the silence lengthened, he said, “I’ll call you when I’m ready with a testable formula, hopefully September. Then I’m going to definitely need your direct assistance.”
“Yes, I’m sure you will. Call if you have more questions.” Relieved, she rose, picked up her briefcase, and held out her hand for him to shake. He stood but didn’t take it. Another deep think was in progress. Good . Dropping her hand, she smiled. For once she suspected what he was going to say. Wait for it.
“Ms. Crenshaw—Toni? Would you write up our agreement for each of us to sign?”
“Of course. I’ll have it to you by tomorrow.” Got you, Doctor . She’d make sure the agreement was airtight. She’d need to be very careful, writing a contract that would satisfy both Bateman’s greed and Starling’s desire to get it right. Laying that in front of Bateman should placate him, knowing how impatient he will be with a three-month delay to his grandiose plans.
She was ‘in’ and could work on Starling and guide the needed safeguards when he had finished his formulas. The position of lead counsel was practically hers now that he’d agreed to sell his formulas in return for her help.
It was a deal they both wanted after all. So, why did she feel guilty? She knew why. Because she was using him. Starling agreed to sell it only when he is satisfied with it, so that might be never. She needed to control the use of his formulas and obtain the Lead counsel position. Damned if you do and damned if you don’t .
Standing, they looked across the table at each other, she found herself paying attention to the new carpet smells in the room, but she didn’t think she smelled him.
Finally, he shook her hand. She was having a problem keeping eye contact, which wasn’t like her at all. Afraid of what he might see or what she’d see in him? The more time she spent with Starling the more unexpected were her reactions to him amid the guilt. Toni pulled her fingers loose. His hand felt far warmer and more substantial than last time she shook it.
Without another word, he led her out to her car. Striding beside her, he wasn’t the same pasty beanpole she’d walked next to two months ago. No, not a boy, but a man? She still had no friggin’ idea where he stood on the clueless—genius continuum.
Crap. Glancing at his serious expression in the rearview mirror as she drove away, she wasn’t sure she’d ever be comfortable calling him BJ, let alone being responsible for helping introduce him to women and romance. Frowning, she abruptly realized she hadn’t employed any of her ‘feminine wiles’ on him today. That felt odd, like part of her had been forgotten at the office.
Well, she had over three months to stew about it all— hopefully .