by Barbara Lohr
“Rhonda. Good to see you.” Stick straight, Alex looked annoyed and backed off. “Have you met Vanessa Randall?”
But Rhonda’s attention remained riveted on Alex.
“Call me?” she said, sliding away with a backward glance at Vanessa. If looks could kill.
Alex said nothing as he steered her away.
“Friend of yours?” Vanessa asked.
Alex shrugged. “I have a lot of friends. Nothing serious.”
Was that what women meant to Alex Compton?
Why should it matter to her?
Turning to the task at hand with some effort, Vanessa kept pace, meeting contacts and trying to remember the names. After all, that’s why she was here. Not to check out the women who Had Alex on their radar screen.
But making their way through the crowd together sure took her back to the crowded convention in Vegas four years ago. She’d been a single working girl, shaken by a nasty breakup. Alex had stepped up to help with a smile that said trust me. Fingers clicking over the keys, he was so sweet. She was so vulnerable.
They’d been like two planets colliding.
But tonight they were on course. They knew the score. She was a working mother. He was her mentor. That pretty well summed it up. For a second, her world steadied. Back in Oak Park, Bo should be asleep by now. Jillian was probably watching Storage Wars with Grandpa and Christine. That’s all she needed in her life, all she wanted.
She took another sip of her wine as Beverly Nash approached, her knockout beaded black dress catching the light.
“Vanessa. How good to see you again. Alex’s been telling me about your progress.” Beverly’s eyes circled between Alex and Vanessa with just a hint of curiosity.
“I'm so grateful for all his help.”
“We try to do more than just provide funding,” Beverly explained. “Mentoring is a part of what we offer on Eye of the Tiger. See you two later.”
“She’s great, isn’t she?” Vanessa stared after her.
How she longed to be a Beverly someday. Established and Successful. The last four years had definitely put a crimp in her career. Still, she wouldn't change it for the world.
Alex gave a little laugh. “Beverly's great, and you’d hoped to work with her. Oh, don't deny it. You didn't fool me. First Wolf wasn’t there. Then Beverly backed out. I was your last resort.” His brown eyes sparked with mischief.
Well, he had her there. “Beverly has a history of supporting women’s ventures. But you’ve been great, Alex. I appreciate it.”
His brown eyes studied her. Then his smile returned. “Did the money hit your account yet?” Business was back on the table.
“Yes, and thank you.”
“And the media schedule is good? You’ve gone over that?”
“Yep, and it’s working. Contacts are up. Seventy percent conversion rate. We’re good.”
The overhead lights began to blink.
“Looks like they’re ready to start.” Alex handed her his wine, grabbed some bid sheets, and began scribbling.
“You don’t even know what you’re bidding on,” she pointed out as Alex moved quickly along the table, pen in hand.
He barely looked up. “Doesn’t matter. Good cause.”
Kate and Michael greeted them when they got to their table. “So did my brother bid on the moon?” she asked with a knowing smile in Alex’s direction.
“Maybe.” Vanessa laughed, shaking out her napkin.
But she stiffened when Jack and Marcia joined them. Probably an office romance, when she’d thought he was a better man. From the angle of Jack’s arm, he had his hand on Marcia’s thigh. Vanessa pulled her gaze away and reached for her water goblet.
Michael soon had the whole table laughing. Dinner was served and Vanessa relaxed. Funky and fun, the menu helped set the mood. “Food even a child would enjoy,” the program read. All proceeds benefited the children’s oncology unit. Watermelon gazpacho was followed by a cucumber and dill salad on dandelion greens. The main entre of mini sliders surprised everyone. Served on a narrow, stylized plate, each mini-burger was seasoned differently, like bacon and brie, or blue cheese and fig jam.
“What do you think?” Alex leaned toward her, a bit of brie in the corner of his mouth.
Without thinking, she swiped at the cheese. He caught her hand. Gold flecks sparked in his eyes, and her heart stuttered. Pulling her hand away, she focused on the mini burgers. “I think I’m going to make some like these for Bo.”
“Good idea.” Picking up one of his burgers, Alex began to eat. Slowly. One night during a discussion that left them weak from laughing so darn hard, McKenna, Amy and Vanessa had decided that a man’s approach to eating pretty much defined how he’d be in bed. She never forgot it.
Now that she thought about it, Alex had wanted to take his time that night. She’d been the one to rush.
In a big hurry to forget.
And now she couldn’t.
Vanessa’s mouth went dry. The ice water wouldn’t quench her thirst. How could a woman eat when Alex Compton was just an elbow away? His hand dropping onto hers to make a point, his thigh nudging hers, as if by accident. His lips closing over the food in moist appreciation.
“Excuse me. Be right back.” Grabbing her bag, she raced toward the ladies room, Kate right behind her. “Having fun?” Kate asked when they reached the cool privacy of the elegantly appointed ladies room.
“Yes, very much.” Vanessa fussed with her hair.
Kate’s eyes swept Vanessa with approval. “Love your dress.”
“You look like a model.” Taking out a tube of gloss, she dabbed some on her lips.
“So what did you think of my brother’s lake house?” Kate asked, brushing her long hair.
Vanessa popped the gloss back into her bag. “It’s fabulous. You must enjoy staying there.”
“Not to worry.” Kate lifted one shoulder. “I spend most of my time in the city.”
“Michael seems like a great guy.”
“He is. And because he's a public personality, just about every woman in Chicago wants him.” Kate made a face.
“I'd say you don't have to worry about that.”
Kate gave her a long look. “Ditto,” she finally said before swirling out of the room.
“Oh, but we’re not—” Vanessa began, but Kate was gone. Noticing her pale cheeks, Vanessa added a touch of sun-kissed blush. Then she ran cold water over her wrists. Anything to settle the thoughts that stoked her.
When McKenna popped in, Vanessa wasn't at all surprised.
“Okay, what gives?” McKenna fisted her hands on her hips. Head of a group of midwives, she was used to giving orders.
“About what?” Vanessa took her time drying her hands.
“Alex Compton, of course. He's ten times more attractive in person than he was on TV.”
“Probably a player, McKenna.”
Her friend’s eyebrows arched and then pulled together in a frown. “Players don't look at a woman like she's the only person in the room.”
“Sure they do. That’s how they become successful players. Ethan looked at me that way. For a while.” Well, she wouldn't need any more blush. Her cheeks were blazing red and she turned to leave.
“Later. Full report,” McKenna threw at her as she followed Vanessa back into the main room.
As she slid back into her seat, Alex turned toward her. “Where’ve you been? I missed you.”
A slow burn flamed in her body. She just couldn’t go there again. Mentally, she dug her heels in the sand.
Chapter 10
The master of ceremonies had taken the podium. Her welcome address described the new oncology unit at Children's Hospital. The darkened room and the speeches gave Alex a chance to study Vanessa. She had a great profile, delicate yet strong.
“What a great cause,” she murmured as shots of the proposed unit flashed on the screen. He hated to see those gorgeous blue eyes fill. Probably thinking about her little boy.
&n
bsp; Leaning over, Alex squeezed her hand. “Bo’s lucky.”
“I’m the one who’s lucky,” she whispered back, coffee sweet on her breath. When Vanessa licked her lips, his stomach clenched. He remembered her tongue.
The auctioneer leapt onto the podium, and the pace picked up. Alex grabbed his paddle. Anything to take his mind off that damn dress that clung to Vanessa’s breasts and hips like a towel after a shower. She might be sitting down but he had a good memory. Paddles flashed in the air as photos of sport cars, vacation homes and even pedigreed pets flashed onto an overhead screen.
Alex and Kate jumped into the bidding, along with Michael and Jack. Delamerced looked bent on impressing Marcia. Alex was surprised to see the receptionist on Jack’s arm but pleased when he saw Vanessa’s reaction. She’d been pretty impressed with Jack at his office. Maybe big offices and employees who kiss ass could do that to a woman. Marcia hanging on Jack’s arm might clear up the picture.
Kate threw Alex a playful smile when a custom Jaguar flashed on the screen. “Alex, how about another toy?”
“My garage is full.” That hadn’t stopped him in the past, but he was beginning to realize that Vanessa had a conservative side. He didn’t want to come off as another Jack Delamerced.
“How about a dog?” Kate leaned over when a golden retriever puppy appeared on the screen. “How cute is he?”
“Haven’t I told you I don't do relationships?”
They all laughed at his stock response, but Alex didn’t miss the jerk of Vanessa’s body. Damn. That old line came too quickly.
“You don't mean that.” Kate frowned at him.
He opened his mouth and snapped it shut. For him, a relationship might lead to a commitment like his parents’ marriage. This wasn’t the time to remind his sister about the silent tension that had sent both of them scurrying for their rooms.
“Now, let's see who the lucky winners are for the silent auction,” the auctioneer trumpeted.
Distracted, he pulled his attention back to the stage. Beside him, Vanessa had folded into herself, hands knotted in her lap. He’d seen her do that before at the coffee shop. She had a way of sealing herself off. Just at that point, Michael won some kind of weekend in New Mexico. The explosion of applause revived Vanessa.
“Something I should put on my calendar?” Kate raised her eyebrows at her date. “Mud baths are right up my alley.”
“Let’s talk.” Michael gave her a rakish smile. Women just ate him up, but Michael only had eyes for Kate. They made a great couple. He wouldn’t mind having Michael for a brother-in-law someday.
“And now we come to the five-day family vacation in an internationally known theme park.” Nodding to the orchestra the auctioneer waved his hand, and the orchestra blared a dramatic chord.
“Alex Compton.” The crowd clapped, some craning their necks with amazement.
He was speechless.
“Really?” Kate laughed, leaning toward him.
“Preoccupied, I guess. Probably donate it.” But looking over at Vanessa, he wondered. His ADD mind hopped from one possibility to another.
The auction closed, and the orchestra struck up slow dance music. He was no dancer, but that sexy saxophone and Vanessa’s blue dress brought him to his feet. “Care to dance?”
“Oh, I haven't danced in a long time.” Looking terrified, she gripped her seat with both hands.
He wasn’t letting her off that easy. “Maybe it's time.”
Ignoring her protests, he led her to the dance floor. In his big mitt, her hand felt so delicate. He almost laughed when she tried to stiff arm him, left arm bowed as she held him off. With a tricky turn that surprised even him, Alex pulled her close, cupping her right hand against his chest.
“You're a pretty good dancer.” A surprised smile cracked the business exterior Vanessa had worn all night like a goddamned shield.
“My parents made me take dance lessons in middle school.” His cheeks heated up.
Her giggle rippled through his body at warp speed.
“Yeah, right. Funny for you.” He pulled the pout his mother saw a lot when he was little.
Her laugh died. Smile slid right off her face.
“What? My mother always thought I was cute when I pouted.”
“Nothing. It’s just, nothing.” She looked dazed.
Maybe his mother had been wrong. The vocalist was singing something about “taking all of me.” Vanessa was humming along, and he pulled her closer.
Raw yearning whipped through his gut, and his body reacted as they moved together. Angling Vanessa over to one of the windows, he backed off. Pretended to look at the moon while she murmured something about how bright it was. Didn’t want to make complete spectacle of himself. He couldn’t be the only guy here with a hard-on.
The music changed. He cooled down but didn’t let go of her hand. Vanessa didn’t resist when he guided her back to the dance floor. With a sweet sigh, she went along with it, and he was glad she was having a good time. Now the band was playing some number about red sails in the sunset and finding someone.
Finding the right someone was the problem.
“You smell nice.” Inhaling, he nudged one of her sparkly earrings with his nose.
“So do you.”
Really? “It's way too warm in here.” Ripping at his tie, he tugged it open and unbuttoned the top button on his shirt. He felt her breathe in, and the warmth in his belly swirled downward.
“Yeah, right,” he heard her murmur.
Did she realize what she was doing to him when she curled her body into his? Sure, he’d had plenty of women plaster themselves against him on the dance floor. They’d been way too pushy, not that he’d complained.
Vanessa didn’t even try, and he was a raging nut case.
As they swayed, her soft curves shifted, accommodating every angle of his body. He wasn’t going to fight this. He held her closer. Maybe he’d opened his shirt, but he definitely wasn’t cooling off.
She rested her forehead against his chin until it was damp with perspiration. His? Hers? Did it matter? When she eased back for a second, his body raged. Hungry. Needy. The dress had molded itself to her body like shrink wrap, and he sure didn’t want any other man to see it.
Memories from Vegas flashed in his head like a strobe light.
“You know I tried to find you,” he murmured.
“When?” She gave her head a shake that released another wave of perfume.
“You know when. Vegas. After my business settled down, I sent for a program that showed the layout of every booth in that conference center. Months had passed. It was hopeless. Later, they finally admitted they’d given me the layout for the wrong convention.” He’d wanted to kill the guy.
“Oh, Alex. That was just one crazy night.” Her breasts lifted when she sighed.
“Maybe.” With his thighs, he nudged her back into the rhythm of the dance, but he wanted a different kind of rhythm. Was about out of his mind for it. So damn hot in here. Wouldn’t the lake be great? The breezes coming across the water could be so cool this time of night.
After selling his online security system and relocating to Chicago, he got caught up in the social scene. Plenty happening in the windy city. But he found himself comparing other women to “Vivien.” She seemed like a class act. A wild class act.
Pure snobbery on his part, but, after all, he was from the East Coast.
Then suddenly, there she was. Funny that she’d grown up in Oak Park. Once when his parents came to visit, he’d taken them on a tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright homes in the western suburb. He’d gone up another notch in their eyes. Sickening, but their approval still mattered.
“You never told me your name,” she reminded him, tugging him back to the present. “Or where you lived.”
Alex groaned. “I thought I had time.”
“I suppose the other girls always stick around, hoping you'll take them out for breakfast.” Her smile teased him, but her eyes didn’t.
Dipping lower, her lashes curtained her eyes. “I'm sorry, Alex. That wasn't warranted. You've been nothing but nice to me.”
So prim. He hated it. For just a moment, he wanted Vivien back, the sexy hell cat. Tightening his grip, he began to move again but slower. Slow enough that he could imagine all these curves warm in his hands.
His feet stalled when it hit him that he liked this uncertain Vanessa better than the hell cat. After all, he’d been in her house, met her family. And he liked them all.
But tonight he didn’t like sharing her with this crowd. “Want to go to the lake? Walk on the beach. Maybe make a fire.” He threw suggestions out like flat rocks.
“Hmm?” Soft and dreamy, her eyes lifted to his. “What did you say?”
“Let’s get out of here. It’ll be a short ride.”
“What? Where?”
“Let’s drive out to the beach. It’s beautiful this time of night.” Leaning back to search her face, he kept his arms wrapped tight around her.
“A walk along the beach sounds nice.” The wistful tone in her voice tightened his breath.
“Let’s go say goodnight.”
~.~
Why had she agreed to leave? Vanessa felt torn, waiting for Valet Parking to pull Alex’s Mercedes around. Had they danced at the gala, or was that foreplay? Cushioned in the leather sofa minutes later, she snapped on her seat belt.
Gunning it, Alex screeched onto Lake Shore Drive.
“That feels great,” she murmured after he cracked open the sun roof. Lifting her face into the cool breeze, she imagined it was water flowing over her. The solid brick homes of the South Side of Chicago flew by. All she could think about as Alex got on I 94 and headed for the lake was the subtle pressure of his body on the dance floor.
The music had been so hopelessly romantic. What a great idea to go to the beach, even though Kate had given her a secret smile when they said good night. A break. That’s all this was—a walk on the beach. She pulled the bracing night air deep into her lungs.