Dating the Enemy
He sank into one of the plush chairs, shaking his head at the absurdity of it all. But before he had a chance to get too comfortable he heard the clacking of high heels crossing the hardwood floor.
He looked up and felt all the breath leave his body.
Jessie was a vision of sparkling emerald and fiery red. Her dress clung to her curves in all the right places and her hair tumbled loose around her bare shoulders.
“Wow.”
She smiled grimly. “I’ll interpret that as, You clean up well, Jessie.”
Nick rose to his feet. “That you do. You look beautiful.”
She stepped back and gave him a once-over, her eyes slowly roaming over his body.
“You’re not looking too shabby either. I think you’ll do.”
“Good to know.”
An awkward silence fell as they stared at each other, neither wanting to make the next move.
It didn’t bode well for the evening.
Nick sighed, realizing he was going to have to be the one to break the silence if they were ever going to make it out through the door.
“All right, so obviously neither one of us wants to be here. But we’re supposed to be supporting Phyllis, so we need to do our best to look like we’re pleased with the way things are going.”
Jessie raised an eyebrow. “So you’re going to pretend to be happy about losing out on the Natural Goddess launch?”
Nick took a deep breath. He would not let her get to him. “Well, I don’t know if I can channel ‘happy,’ but I think I can do collegial.”
She looked at him silently for a moment, her expression still as stone.
“I don’t know that I can.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really? That’s certainly good for me.”
She crossed her arms around her chest. “What do you mean?”
“Most of the people in the room at this ball are going to hate each other. But they’re perfectly capable of pretending to be best buddies when the situation calls for it. If you can’t play the game, your agency is doomed to fail.”
Jessie scowled. “Of course I can play the game. I’d just rather not play it with you.”
Nick stood to leave. Although Jessie looked damned sexy when she was angry, his life would certainly be easier if she wasn’t there. “Fine. I’ll give Phyllis your regrets. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure they don’t miss you.”
“God, you’re a bastard.”
Nick forced his lips into a smile, trying to ignore the sting her words caused. He liked to think his father was the only devil in the Thornton family. “Indeed I am. It’s good for business. Enjoy your evening.” And he reached for the doorknob.
“Wait.”
He turned back to face her. “Yes?”
“I’ll come.” She shrugged on her wrap. “And I’ll do my best to be cordial.”
He wasn’t sure whether he should be disappointed or glad at her change in attitude. “May I ask why?”
“Because I’m not going to let you beat me that easily. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep this business.”
Nick stepped close, purposely invading her personal space. “Even if it means getting closer to me?”
Heat flashed across her face, but she quickly hid it and stepped back. “Not that close.”
They would just have to see about that.
“Message received,” he said out loud, and held out his arm for her to take. “Shall we go?”
“Yes, indeed.” She put her hand delicately on his forearm.
“Great.”
He shook his head slightly as they set off down the walkway. One thing was for sure—with Jessie on his arm, the evening would be anything but boring.
Jessie tried not to be impressed when she saw the limo that waited at the curb. But when his driver got out to hold the door open for her, her jaw dropped. They were definitely not in Kansas anymore.
“Nice ride,” she said after he’d slid in next to her.
“It is,” Nick answered. “But it’s not my favorite.”
“How many cars do you have?”
“Well, the agency has six limos that are kept for the use of the family. This is one of those. Left to my own devices, though, I prefer to ride my motorcycle.”
“I wouldn’t have pegged you for a biker.”
“And I wouldn’t have pegged you as a cold-hearted boardroom ball-buster,” he answered. “But you are.”
That stung, but Jessie tried not to show it. The last thing she wanted was to turn into another “business first, last and always” power-monger.
“I’m not cold-hearted. Just determined. It’s time the ad world got a shot of estrogen, but you guys aren’t going to make room for female-owned shops like mine if we ask politely.”
Nick smiled. “Actually, I would have been more than happy to work with you. I just don’t appreciate you stealing one of my biggest clients.”
Jessie took a deep breath to calm her temper, but as his spicy scent hit her nostrils she wished she hadn’t. For a moment her inner lioness threatened to take over. And all she wanted to do was crawl into Nick’s lap and find out how he tasted.
But that was definitely not going to happen.
Jessie shook her head to clear it. “We’re supposed to be being collegial tonight, remember? That means no comments like that. Tell me about this ball we’re going to instead.”
Nick shrugged. “What do you want to know? As far as I’m concerned it’s just another boring charity gala in another fancy hotel ballroom, populated by a bunch of socialites with the emotional depth of a pancake. If you’ve been to one, you’ve been to them all.”
“Yes, but I’ve never been to one. Tell me what to expect.”
Just then the car stopped. “We’ve arrived,” the chauffeur said.
“Too late.” Nick slid across the seat until his thigh pressed against hers. “But there’s really only one thing you need to know.”
Jessie swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. “What’s that?”
“You’re going to be the most beautiful woman in the room.”
That was so far away from what she’d expected to hear she wasn’t sure she’d heard correctly.
“What did you say?”
“You heard me. Don’t make me repeat myself.”
The heat in his sapphire gaze pinned her to the spot. He bent his head down toward hers and her pulse jumped in response. He hovered centimeters away, his eyes still locked on hers.
“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 the 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.”
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