Dating the Enemy

by Amber Page

  “Try me.”

  “Wow. You really are an ass,” Nick said. He was having a hard time believing this was the same man who’d used to be so passionate about the agency.

  He just shrugged his shoulders. “Only if provoked. Don’t do it.”

  Unable to think of anything to say that wouldn’t sound like a teenager’s tantrum, Nick got up and walked out. He started for his office, but realized he was too angry to work so headed for the elevator instead.

  Damn his father anyway. If it wasn’t for that man’s total inability to compete in the modern world he’d already have a successful digital division at Thornton and they wouldn’t be in this situation in the first place.

  Instead, he was trying to save the entire agency from that dinosaur by winning a key piece of business back from a particularly smoking hottie—and now he had to add keeping his father from destroying said hottie’s agency until he could convince her to sell it to his list.

  He had no problem beating her in the boardroom. But these underhand tricks …? That was just bad business.

  Speaking of which … He whipped out his phone and fired off a text.

  Got the answers you need. Need to meet to talk.

  Seconds later, her response pinged.

  Okay. How about The Pub?

  He started to text back that the advertising community’s most popular hangout would be fine, but then realized that it would be a terrible idea. All it would take would be for one of his father’s cronies to see him with her and his grandfather’s legacy would disappear.

  Not there. Somewhere less … popular.

  Ever heard of Rachel’s Diner?

  No.

  Great. Meet me there in an hour.

  Nick stepped inside the brightly lit restaurant and grinned. It looked like Hollywood’s idea of a greasy spoon, complete with chrome counters and ripped vinyl seating in the Formica-topped booths. Jessie was right. There was no chance they’d see any of his cool cat colleagues here.

  “Hey, good-looking,” said a large woman with caramel-colored skin who must be Rachel. “You can sit wherever you want, but I sure hope you find yourself a seat over here in my area.” She waved at the entire left side of the restaurant.

  “Actually, I’m looking for someone. She …”

  “Oh, are you Jessie’s boy? She’s back in the corner over there, honey.”

  He looked where she pointed and saw Jessie’s unmistakable red curls beckoning to him from the far corner of the restaurant. His heart skipped a beat at the sight.

  “Thanks,” he said, and crossed to where she was sitting. She was curled around her phone, texting furiously, and didn’t see him slide into the booth.

  “Are you telling all your friends about your hot date?”

  She looked up, startled, relaxing only slightly when she saw it was him.

  “No, just telling my lawyer about your father’s hugely inappropriate antics.”

  Nick’s heart stopped. “Seriously?”

  “No. Just talking to Becky.”

  “Oh. Good,” he said, forcing out a laugh.

  An uncomfortable silence fell over the table. He knew what he had to tell Jessie, but he was so embarrassed he didn’t know quite how to start. Thankfully, Rachel chose that moment to arrive.

  “Jessie, when you told me you were expecting someone you should have been more descriptive. I just about had a heart attack when I saw him come through the door.”

  Jessie grinned. “Sorry, Rachel. I’m used to looking at him. I forget the effect he has on unsuspecting women.”

  Nick found himself feeling strangely flattered. It was good to know that Jessie found him just as attractive as he found her.

  “So, what will you two lovebirds be having this evening?” Rachel asked.

  “Burger. Fries. Chocolate shake,” Jessie rattled off.

  “I’ll have what she’s having. She’s the expert.”

  “Coming right up,” Rachel said as she hurried away.

  Once she was gone, Jessie pinned him with her piercing blue eyes. “So. What did you find out?”

  “You were right,” he said.

  “Right about what?”

  “About my father. He’s trying to close you down.”

  “Why?”

  “You took a big chunk of business from him and refused to sell him your agency.”

  “Well, yes. But that was business. This feels personal.”

  “It is. You did both things while being a woman. That is an unforgivable sin in his eyes.”

  Jessie slumped back in the booth. “Did you tell him to back off?”

  “Yes, but he didn’t listen. He hardly ever does. He might have dragged me back from London to save the company, but that doesn’t mean he actually trusts my advice.”

  “But he is obviously establishing a digital arm for the agency. That was your recommendation, I’m guessing?”

  “Yes, he is.” Nick said, unable to help the satisfied smile that crept on to his face. “And, supposedly, I have carte blanche to do whatever needs to be done to get it up and going.”

  “As long as ‘whatever it takes’ includes sending me and my employees to the unemployment line, right?”

  “That seems to be his strategy, but it’s not mine. Although my offer to buy Roar stands. We’d be good together—and we’d all make boatloads of cash.” If only he could make her see how much sense it made for them to join forces, he wouldn’t have to steal Goddess back from her.

  Jessie toyed with her napkin, shredding it into little pieces. “That’s good to know. But my answer is still no. I like being independent.”

  He decided to bait her a little. “All right—fine. I’ll hire my own group of awesome women, become known as a feminist agency, and start creating kick-ass work.”

  Her head snapped up. “I thought you just said you weren’t going to try to put me out of business?”

  Nick laughed. “I’m not going to do that. I was just trying to get your goat.”

  “Oh.” Jessie’s shoulders relaxed. “Good.”

  Rachel arrived, carrying a loaded tray. “All right you lovebirds, it’s time to dig in.”

  “You are a woman with impeccable timing,” Nick said. “Thank you!”

  “Anytime, honey.”

  After she’d left they busied themselves with napkins and silverware and dug in.

  Nick took a bite of his hamburger and groaned out loud. “This. Is. Delicious.”

  Jessie nodded. “Rachel’s is the best. Reminds me of this place I used to go with my mom, growing up.”

  “In New York?”

  Jessie shook her head. “Nope. In Detroit. It was this greasy little diner down the street from our house. We’d go there every time she decided we needed some girl-time. She’d order us burgers and chocolate malts, and we wouldn’t leave until we’d sorted through whatever problem I was having.”

  “That sounds pretty great,” Nick said. He was surprised to realize he was a little jealous. His mother had certainly never spent that kind of time with him.

  Jessie’s smile turned sad. “It was. Many a childhood heartache was solved in that diner. I should ask Becky if it’s still there.”

  “I take it you don’t go there anymore?”

  “Nope. Haven’t been back since the day my mom took me there to tell me about her cancer.” Jessie’s blue eyes darkened with pain. “That pretty much ruined it.”

  Nick reached over to squeeze her hand. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” She returned his squeeze and then let go, reaching for her milkshake, now half gone. “Now I have Rachel’s. Totally makes up for it.”

  He raised his glass. “I propose a toast. To Rachel’s.”

  She clinked it with hers. “I’ll drink to that.”

  They spent the next two hours talking about everything and nothing. The longer they talked, the more Nick found himself attracted to Jessie. She was such a mass of contradictions. One minute she seemed like an impulsive party girl. T
he next she was all business. And the minute after that she segued into creative genius mode.

  It didn’t hurt that when she was seriously into something her eyes sparkled and her skin flushed. She looked delicious. The caveman in him wanted nothing more than to pick her up, lay her down on top of the table, and melt her into a puddle of screaming orgasm.

  “What are you thinking?” she asked.

  Nick blinked. What could he say that didn’t sound incriminating?

  “I was just thinking about how amazing you are. If things were different I’d be doing my best to sweep you off your feet right now.”

  She blushed, then got an evil glint in her eye. “That’s very sweet of you. I wouldn’t bother with sweeping you off your feet. I’d go directly to getting your clothes off.”

  Nick laughed. “Like I said. You’re amazing. I’ve never met a woman like you.”

  Rachel bustled over. “You two need to get a move on. Chef’s getting antsy. I heard him talking about bringing out the frying pan.”

  Nick looked around, startled. Sure enough, they were the only people left in the restaurant.

  “Oh, he’s all talk,” Jessie said. “If I went back there he’d try and feed me a piece of pie.”

  Rachel smiled. “You ask me, I think he’s jealous of Mr. Model over here. You’ve never brought us a piece of man meat before.”

  “Tell him not to worry,” Jessie said. “We’re just business associates.”

  Rachel stepped back, carefully evaluating them.

  “Okay … sure. Just don’t forget to invite me to the wedding, okay?”

  Jessie rolled her eyes. “Fine, fine, whatever you say. Can we have our check now?”

  “Oh! It got dark out here,” Jessie said.

  Time seemed to flow differently when Nick was around. When she’d left the office earlier that evening she’d had every intention of getting the information she needed from him and getting out as quickly as possible. She’d even told Gloria to text her at the half-hour mark so she could make up an excuse to go. But when the message had come she’d decided to ignore it.

  She might have been eating with the enemy, but it had turned out to be the most enjoyable meal she’d eaten in quite a while.

  Jessie turned to face Nick as he came out into the cold and her heart skipped a beat. He looked so solid and warm it was all she could do not to burrow under his coat. Down girl, she told herself. This man is off-limits.

  “Thanks for the information,” she said, wrapping her arms tightly around herself so she wouldn’t give in to the impulse to snuggle up against his broad chest.

  “Sure. It’s the least I could do.”

  “I don’t have any idea what I’m going to do now, though.” She didn’t even know where to start.

  Nick waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll talk my father around. He might be pig-headed, but he’s not an idiot.”

  “I’m not sure I believe you, but I’m too worn out to care right now. I’m going to head home, okay?”

  Nick nodded. “Do you want to share a cab?”

  “Me? Oh, no. No, thanks. I’ll just walk. It’s not far.” Spending any amount of time sitting next to Nick in the dark seemed like a bad idea. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to keep her hands to herself.

  Nick frowned. “Too far to walk alone in the dark.”

  “Don’t worry about me. I’m tough.” And she was pretty sure there was nothing in the streets as dangerous to her wellbeing as this man.

  “Tough, but tiny. Let me walk you home.”

  “You don’t have to do that,” she insisted.

  If he walked her home she’d have to invite him in. And if he came in—well, her bedroom was far too close for comfort.

  “Nope, I don’t. But I want to,” he said, holding out his hand.

  Obviously he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. “Fine,” she said, slipping her glove-clad hand into his bare one. “But don’t complain to me when your hands fall off from frostbite.”

  He snorted. “It’s not that cold. Besides, having you this close to me makes me feel plenty warm.”

  Jessie knew what he meant. His touch sent invisible sparks traveling up her fingers and through her arm, dancing dangerously close to her heart before heading to regions farther south.

  “What was the sigh about?” he asked, bringing her out of her reverie.

  “Oh, nothing. Just wishing it was spring.”

  “I know what you mean,” he said as they started their stroll. “Spring has always been my favorite season in New York. I remember one year in high school I went walking through Central Park every afternoon in April, picking all the daffodils I saw for my girlfriend.”

  “That’s so sweet! Why did you do that?”

  “They were her favorite. And she said if I brought her every daffodil in Central Park she’d have sex with me.”

  “And did she?”

  Nick’s smile turned sad. “She did. On a blanket under a tree in a quiet corner of Central Park, as a matter of fact.”

  Try though she might, Jessie couldn’t help but imagine what that would be like. “That sounds romantic.”

  “Well, I was a pretty clumsy lover at that point, so I was hoping the setting would distract her.”

  “Did she come back for more?”

  Nick smiled down at her. “Did she ever. We went at it like a couple of rabbits that spring.”

  Jessie grinned. “Then I’m guessing you did just fine?”

  “Yeah. It was one of those fabulous teen love affairs you read about in books. We thought we’d be together forever.”

  He looked so sad Jessie’s heart broke a little. “What happened?”

  “My dad thought we were getting too serious. So he paid her to go away.”

  Jessie stopped dead in the middle of the sidewalk. “Really? Your dad offered your girlfriend money to break up with you? And she did?”

  Nick nodded, obviously trying as hard as he could to look nonchalant. “Really.”

  “Wow. I don’t know which one of them is worse. Your father for offering, or her for selling out.”

  Nick shrugged. “They’re both pretty terrible human beings.”

  “Damn. I didn’t think people like that really existed.”

  “New York is full of them, sweetheart,” he said, his voice tight with bitterness.

  “Not my New York,” she said, looking at the faceless crowd swirling around them on the sidewalk. “My New York is full of weirdoes and drama queens and misunderstood geniuses. But not people like that.”

  “I think I like your New York better,” he said, looking at her with eyes full of sadness and desire.

  They drew her in like a magnet, and before she could stop herself she reached up on her tiptoes. “I think I like you,” she whispered as she touched her lips to his.

  When their lips connected, her world shrank until all she was aware of was the exquisite sensation of his mouth on hers. The kiss started soft and tender, speaking of shared losses and unspoken regrets. Then he groaned and wrapped his arms around her, almost crushing her against his solid warmth as his tongue sought entrance to her mouth.

  She gave way as something deeper than desire flooded her body, demanding that she get closer to him. Her hands found their way around his neck and she twined herself around him as his tongue flicked around hers, hard and fast, plunging into her mouth over and over again. Heat flared deep in her belly and she whimpered involuntarily, wanting more.

  “Get a room!” a rough voice shouted.

  The moment was broken. The city once again filled her consciousness and she broke away, panting. Wow. That wasn’t supposed to happen.

  “Sorry.” She tilted her head down so he wouldn’t see how much their kiss had affected her. “I didn’t mean to jump you in public.”

  “Don’t be sorry. That was amazing,” he said, his voice husky with need. “In fact, I think we should take that man’s suggestion. There must be a hotel around here so
mewhere.”

  She laughed. “What happened to sweeping me off my feet?”

  “I’ll sweep you off your feet … on to a bed.”

  Now that their kiss was over her brain was back online, reminding her again of what a bad idea that would be.

  Looking around, she realized they were standing on her street corner. “Sorry, Casanova. Not tonight.”

  Nick kissed the hand he still held. “You sure? I’ll make it worth your while.”

  Jessie shivered. Every fiber of her being wanted to go with him. “I’m sure. In fact, my place is right down the street. We should probably say goodnight right here.”

  “Nah, I’ll go with you. I’m not done trying to convince you to see things my way.”

  She wasn’t sure what to say to that, so she nodded and set off down the block. They walked in comfortable silence, their hands twining together of their own accord. All too soon they reached the path that marked the entrance to her home.

  “Thank you,” she said as they slowed to a stop. “For everything.”

  “You’re welcome,” he answered, tugging her close.

  She thought he was going to try and kiss her again, and panic swirled. If he touched her she was pretty sure she wouldn’t be able to say no. But instead he laid a soft peck on her forehead.

  “For everything.”

  “All right, then. I’ll see you around.” She turned to go.

  “Jessie?”

  “What?”

  “Can I see you again?”

  She turned back to face him and said what she knew needed to be said. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “Why not?”

  “Well, because we’re competitors, for one. And I know you’re still trying to get Goddess back from me—even if you won’t admit it. Plus—and this is a doozy—your father is trying to put me out of business. He’d have kittens if he knew we were spending time together.”

  Nick smiled. “Actually, he expressly forbade it. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to listen.”

  “I know, but …”

  Nick grabbed her hands in his. “We’re adults. We can do what we like. I don’t want to put you out of business.”

  She shook her head. “You’re forgetting I don’t do relationships.”

  “Who said anything about a relationship? I don’t do relationships either. I just want to go on a date with you.”