by Amber Page
“I want you more than I’ve wanted anything in a very long time,” he said. “But if you get in my way I’ll still crush you like a bug.”
She gasped, outraged. But before she could think of a suitably cutting retort the driver opened the door.
His face turned into a blank mask as he sat up straight.
“Let’s get this over with,” he muttered.
She slid out of the car, gulping the fresh, non-Nick-scented air to clear her head. Obviously he knew the effect he had on her and wasn’t afraid to use it. But now that she knew he intended to play that game, he wouldn’t be able to surprise her again.
This was business. And he was the enemy. It wouldn’t do to forget that, even if they were playing nice for the evening.
Seconds later, Nick appeared beside her.
“Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
He nodded and set off up the marble stairs, not looking to see if she was following. She did her best to keep up, but the five-inch stilettos she was wearing made it difficult. At the door he turned, and looked momentarily chagrined when he saw her still picking her way up.
“Sorry about that. I seem to have forgotten my manners this evening.”
“I suppose that’s to be expected when you’re forced to play escort to a woman you don’t even like,” she said, trying to make light of the situation.
Nick smiled, purposely letting his gaze drift down to her cleavage. “I like you fine. In fact, if you agree to give up the Goddess account, I’ll make sure we have a lovely evening.”
Jessie pulled her wrap more tightly around her shoulders. “Not a chance, bud.”
He shrugged. “All right, then. I’ll escort you to the table and then you’re on your own.”
“Fine by me,” she said shortly.
He held the door open, sweeping his arm out with false gallantry. “After you.”
Seeing the mockery in his eyes, she straightened her spine, held her head high, and stepped through into the ballroom beyond.
She didn’t need him, no matter how sexy he was. She had all of New York’s advertising elite waiting to be wrapped around her little finger.
CHAPTER THREE
“NICK! JESSIE! THANK GOODNESS!” Phyllis said as they approached the table. “I thought that perhaps you weren’t coming!”
Jessie forced herself to smile as Nick gave the plump older woman’s matronly purple dress an appreciative glance.
“I wouldn’t have missed the chance to see you looking this beautiful for the world. You will do me the honor of dancing with me this evening, won’t you?”
“Oh, Nick. Always such a flirt,” Phyllis said.
Realizing that she needed to make her presence known before Nick stole the show, Jessie shouldered her way in to their cozy circle. “I’ve never met an ad man who wasn’t. But Nick is a master!”
“You’re certainly right about that,” Phyllis said. “Thank you, you two, for doing this. I know it’s an awkward situation I’ve put you into.”
Jessie waved her comment away. “No problem. It sounds like we’re going to be working very closely in the future. Might as well present a solid front now!”
“Indeed,” Nick added. “The only thing that matters is that your company is successful. We won’t let our egos get in the way of that.”
“Good, good … Jessie, let me introduce you around. There are some people here you need to meet. Nick, you’ll come with us, won’t you?”
After the introductions were over Nick excused himself and Jessie found herself sitting alone at the table. Picking up her long-neglected glass of champagne, she took a good look at her surroundings. She couldn’t believe how many of the women were wearing the kind of designer gowns she’d only seen in fashion magazines. They were all thoroughbred-thin, their brittle expressions weighed down by heavy make-up. Circulating around them were dozens of self-important businessmen, their wealth apparent in the size of their Rolexes and the youth of the women on their arms.
She didn’t belong here. At all.
Even the music was wrong. There was a band playing, but the songs they played were old and slow. Nothing like the dance music that blared in the clubs she liked.
She gulped down the last of the bubbly liquid and opened her black satin clutch to peek at the clock on her phone. Only an hour had passed. She definitely couldn’t leave yet. But perhaps she could find herself another drink.
Just as she was about to push away from the table a suave gray-haired man approached.
“Is anyone sitting here?”
“You are,” she said, hoping she looked less intimidated than she felt.
“Great.” He pulled out the chair. “I’m Brad Thornton.”
She knew she should know that name, but her mind was drawing a blank.
“It’s nice to meet you, Brad. I’m …”
“Jessie Owens—the digital marketing sensation. I know.”
“How did you …?”
He smiled. “I know everything that goes on in this town. Especially when it concerns one of my clients.”
Everything fell into place. She looked at her empty glass, wishing she could have a quick sip of champagne to settle her nerves.
“Oh, so you’re Nick’s …?”
“Father. And, for at least a little while longer, the head of Thornton & Co.”
Crap. This was one conversation she wasn’t prepared for. “I’ve always admired your agency’s work,” she said, grabbing at conversational straws.
He relaxed back into his seat. “I wish I could say the same about yours, but I don’t have any idea what you’ve done.”
Jessie wondered if she should be insulted by his ignorance. Either way, the man deserved to be taken down a peg or two. “Well, you will soon enough! We’re in charge of the launch for the Natural Goddess line—as I’m sure your son told you.”
His face darkened. “I know. And I am not thrilled. But we have been resting on our laurels a bit. It was about time for someone like you to come along and shake us up.”
Jessie let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “You’re not angry?”
His mouth twisted up into a grim smile. “Oh, I’m angry, all right. But not at you. My son will answer for this one.”
“What is it that I’m answering for?” a familiar voice growled from behind them.
The elder Thornton looked up. “Ah, Nick. We were just talking about how you let the Natural Goddess launch slip through your fingers.”
Nick pulled out a chair and sat down, his face a polite mask. “Really? Did you also happen to tell her that I’ve only just returned from our London office? And that Goddess Cosmetics has only been mine for two and a half months? Or were you about to place the blame for three years of failure at my door?”
“There’s no blame being placed here, Nick. Only the foundation for a new partnership.”
As the two men eyed each other Jessie found herself becoming more and more uncomfortable.
“Well, it seems as if you two could use a little time alone to work things out. If you’ll excuse me …?” she said, rising to go.
Nick’s hand clamped around her wrist. “Don’t leave. I was just about to ask you to dance.”
Well, that was a switch. “You were?”
“Yes. Will you?”
Despite the alarm bells ringing in her brain, Jessie nodded. “Of course. We’re presenting a solid front, right?”
“Right.”
“It was nice to meet you, Brad,” she said, ignoring the pressure Nick was placing on her hand.
“Likewise. I look forward to having many more conversations with you.”
She nodded and let Nick lead her on to the dance floor.
Nick led Jessie into the center of the dancing throng before pulling her into his arms. The band had begun a slow waltz and his body automatically began to move to the music, even though his temper was raging. If it hadn’t been for his father’s inability to keep up with t
he times they wouldn’t be in this situation in the first place.
“What was that about?” Jessie asked.
Nick looked down at the gorgeous redhead in his arms and tried to think of an answer that wouldn’t give anything away. The last thing he needed was for her to get wind of the company’s financial troubles. If Phyllis heard about it she’d have even less faith in their abilities.
“Nick?”
He blinked. Oh. Right. She was waiting for an answer.
“I’m sorry—what was the question again?”
She rolled her eyes. “What was that thing with your father all about? For a minute there I thought you might punch him.”
“Oh, just the usual family drama. My father brings out the best in me, if you know what I mean,” he said, trying to keep the snarl out of his voice.
“And my existence brings out the best in you both, apparently?”
Nick managed a smile. “Neither one of us is used to being bested—especially not by someone as sexy as you. It stings the pride a bit.”
“Ah, so you’re admitting to being beaten?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
“We lost a battle, but I’m confident we’ll win the war.”
Jessie took a deep breath and he could see the temper sparking in her eyes. But instead of rising to the bait she shook her head and smiled.
“I think we’d better change the subject before our cover is blown, don’t you?”
“You’re right.”
For a moment they were silent as they twirled around the room.
“You’re quite the dancer—even when you’re angry,” Jessie finally said.
Looking down at her, he felt something shift inside. His anger dissipated, only to be replaced by a different kind of heat. God, but she was gorgeous. And fun. If circumstances were different they could have a seriously good time together.
“If you’re going to do something there’s no sense in half-assing it.”
He spun her out for a twirl, pulled her back in and swept her down into a dip, just as he had at Becky’s wedding.
With his face inches from hers, he said, “I pride myself on doing things right.”
Jessie’s face flushed and he could see the desire he was feeling reflected back in her eyes.
“I’ll just bet you do.”
Nick became all too aware of how well her lithe body fit in his arms, and of the silk-clad thigh currently locked between his legs.
Quickly, he set her on her feet. “Man, it’s hot in here. I’m going to get some air,” he said, motioning toward the doors open to the rooftop deck.
“That sounds like a fabulous idea.”
Moments later they were standing in the chilly night air, looking over the deck’s railing, the lights of the city sparkling below and around them.
The tension Nick hadn’t even known he was feeling evaporated into the night. “I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of the way New York looks at night.”
“Me neither. The first time I came here my mom took me up to the top of the Empire State Building at night and said, ‘See those lights? Fairies live in every sparkle. There are millions of them, all around us. New York is the most magical city in the world.’”
“Fairies, huh? I never thought of that.”
Jessie looked at him with a sad smile. “Most people wouldn’t. But my mom saw things other people didn’t.”
“Past tense?”
“Yeah. She died when I was sixteen,” Jessie said, hunching in on herself.
She looked so vulnerable Nick wished he could put his arm around her. “I’m sorry,” he said instead. “That’s a rough age to lose a parent.”
“Yes. It is. But it taught me an important lesson.”
“What’s that?”
She spread her arms wide. “To live. Really live—not just go through the motions. I don’t want to be on my deathbed thinking about all the things I wish I’d done, you know? That’s a terrible way to spend your last days.”
“Well, from the little I know of you, I’d say you’re doing a pretty good job so far.”
She turned away from the railing and looked up at him, her eyes searching his.
“What about you?”
“What about me?”
“Are you really living?”
“I’d like to think so.”
She waved her hands toward the crowded ballroom. “Does this make you happy?”
“I thought I’d made my position on charity balls pretty clear? They’re a giant bore. This side of New York life is not my thing.”
“Then let’s get out of here,” she said, grabbing his arm and tugging. “I’ll show you how much more fun my New York is.”
Nick blinked. That was a switch. “Together? But I thought you couldn’t stand me?”
“I can’t stand Nicholas Thornton, advertising bigwig. But Nick the guy is growing on me. How about we forget about our real lives and pretend to be two regular people out on a Saturday night for a few hours?”
The suspicious part of him wondered if she was playing some sort of game—trying to get a competitive advantage. But he decided to play it cool. “That’s definitely a change in attitude. Are you always this impulsive?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “Usually. It makes life way more exciting when you go with your gut. So what do you say?”
Nick was silent for a minute. Rationally, he knew he should say no and head back inside to network and flatter. But he really wanted to get to know this fascinating woman better. Besides, if they spent more time together he might discover something that would help him get the Goddess account back.
“All right. Let’s go. Where are we going?”
“I don’t know …” She shrugged. “Somewhere.”
“Somewhere it is,” he said, and gave her his hand. “Lead the way!”
Jessie hummed as she weaved down the familiar set of backstreets and alleyways, still holding Nick’s hand. The evening had become pretty surreal. One minute she’d been trying to think of a graceful way to make an exit. The next she’d heard herself inviting him to come with her.
It was the conversation about her mom that had done it. Whenever she let herself remember how abruptly her mom had died she found herself doing something reckless. Something that made her feel alive. Something she usually regretted later.
“Are we there yet?” Nick asked, breaking into her reverie.
Jessie blinked and looked around her. Then she nodded and pointed at the faded sign ahead. “Yep. Welcome to the first stop on your tour of Jessie’s New York.”
“Tina’s Thrift Shop?”
“Yep. We have to change before we head to our next venue.”
Nick stopped cold. “You’re kidding?”
“Nope. What are you? Chicken?”
Nick’s expression heated as he played with a tendril of her hair. “Of course not. But you didn’t have to drag me all the way down here to get me out of my clothes. You could’ve just asked. I would have happily obliged.”
Jessie ignored the tingles his words set off in her thighs. “Well, I do plan on getting you hot and sweaty tonight. But I have no interest in what you’re hiding beneath that monkey suit.”
“All right—have it your way,” he said. “But mine would be more fun. Let’s go.”
The bell tinkled as she led him inside.
“Jessie, what a nice surprise,” a disembodied voice called.
“I need your help finding some eighties gear!” Jessie called back.
Suddenly a small woman popped her head out from around a clothing rack and whistled.
“Wowsa. Looking good, girlie.”
Jessie twirled. “I know—don’t I? Too good. And so does he. Help us out, would ya?”
After giving Nick a quick once-over, she nodded. “Of course. Come with me.”
Jessie grinned and followed her to the back of the store, where Tina was already digging through piles.
“How about one of these?” the woman asked, holding up
a lime green mini-dress and a black net shirt.
Jessie threw an evil smile in Nick’s direction. “Yep, those would be perfect for him.”
His carefully impassive expression cracked. “You’re kidding. I …”
“Relax—I wouldn’t do that to you.” Jessie giggled, enjoying his discomfort. “However, I do think you should get these,” she said, throwing the red parachute silk pants she’d found at him.
“You’re not serious?”
“Just try them on. Please?”
His smile widened and his expression grew predatory. “Fine. I’ll put them on. On one condition.”
“Which is …?”
“You help me.”
Oh, no. She didn’t need to be anywhere in the vicinity when his clothes came off. That crossed the line from recklessness to insanity. “We can’t go in the dressing room together,” she blurted. “Tina wouldn’t allow it.”
“Oh, sure you can, honey,” Tina called. “You’re going to need someone to help you get that dress off anyway.”
“See? It’s fine.” He grinned at her. “What are you … chicken?”
Damn. He had her. She couldn’t stand to be called a coward. “Of course not. Lead the way.”
A few minutes later she was still kicking herself as he drew his shirt over his head. As hard as she tried she couldn’t bite back the gasp that worked its way up her throat when she saw the tight muscles of his chest gleaming in the fluorescent light.
“Like what you see?”
She cleared her throat. “Meh. I’ve seen better,” she lied. In reality, she wanted nothing more than to press herself against him and kiss every muscled inch of his torso.
“Oh, really?”
“Of course. This is New York, after all. Handsome men are a dime a dozen. In fact, you should probably just get dressed now.”
“Fine. If that’s the way you want to play it,” he said, reaching behind her to grab the black silk T she’d found him.
She sighed quietly as the fabric hid his magnificent pecs from view.
Dressed again, he stood staring silently at her.
“What?”
His eyes glowed with challenge. “I showed you mine. Time to show me yours.”