A CONTRACT ENGAGEMENT

There was nothing gaudy about any of the furnishings. It looked very masculine.

It even smelled masculine. Leather and suede. Earth tones.

Beyond the three rows of seats, there was a small sitting area with a couch and one chair with a coffee table and a television. To her left between the seats and the cockpit was a small galley area complete with a steward. The older man smiled at her and welcomed her on board.

She saw that Abby was already seated and had made herself comfortable.

As she and Julian took their seats beside each other, the steward introduced himself as Bill and asked her if she wanted a drink.

She glanced at Julian then back at Bill. “Do you have wine?” she said.

Bill smiled. “But of course. Mr. Martin keeps the airplane stocked with all the necessities.” he replied.

She’d agree that wine was very necessary.

A few moments later, Bill returned with two glasses of wine.

“The pilot wished me to tell you he is ready for takeoff at your convenience.”

Julian took the glasses and offered one to Nina.

“Tell him I’m ready,” he replied.

“Very good, sir. I’ll close the doors and we’ll take off shortly.”

“Comfortable?” Julian asked Nina.

She settled back into her seat and sipped at her wine. “Mmm, very. Nice jet.”

She should have sat with Abby, she thought, or across the aisle from him, but that would be rude since he’d chosen the seat next to her. His nearness was killing her, though. His scent drifted enticingly across her nostrils and she could feel his heat. When he moved, his arm brushed against hers, and short of shifting in her seat-which would be terribly obvious-there was no escaping him. Furthermore, she didn’t really want to.

It was on the tip of her tongue to suggest they use the time on the flight to go over her ideas, but she couldn’t bring herself to have business intrude. She mentally shook herself. Intrude on what? This wasn’t some romantic getaway. It was business. Only business and nothing else.

It was unfair that she should be attracted to someone who was a solid no in her rule book. She’d never broken that unspoken rule. She had never been involved with a friend’s relative. But that wasn’t the point.

She had never been tempted to get involved with someone she worked with, or worse-a client. It didn’t matter, though, because she’d carry the stigma of someone who advanced her career by bestowing sexual favors, and she didn’t want that.

She had to relax and stop thinking too much about this. She’d worked damn hard to go beyond and against her father’s decision and expectations. And the thought of having all of it taken away by someone in a position of power over her made her head explode.

The advertising community was small, and gossip was rampant. She knew speculation ran wide. She knew people talked. Knew her coworkers probably whispered behind her back and pondered the possibility that she’d slept with Evan to secure her position in the agency and to be granted the opportunity to land Julian Martin’s account. They probably thought she’d do whatever it took to persuade Julian.

“Is everything all right?”

Julian’s softly spoken question jarred her from her thoughts. His hand had gone to hers, and he carefully uncurled her fingers that were wound so tightly that the tips were white.

“Do you have a fear of flying?” he asked her.

She shook her head. “Sorry. I was thinking about something else.” She replied.

He studied her intently, his gaze stroking her cheeks and then her mouth. “Seems a shame to waste time on such unpleasant thoughts.”

The urge to deny that her thoughts had been unpleasant lasted all of about two seconds. She wrinkled her nose and grinned ruefully.

“Busted.” She said,

He chuckled. “I like an honest woman.”

It was then she realized that they were already in the air. Wow, she really must have been intensely lost in thought to have missed the takeoff.

“Relax. There’ll be plenty of time to discuss business during our stay. Let’s begin the trip by enjoying the short flight.”

Either she was exceedingly transparent or he’d just anticipated her jumping into things right away. Either way, she was perfectly willing to delay their discussion until she felt a little more on equal footing. Sitting here in such close proximity on his jet, drinking his wine….. it was more than a little overwhelming.

His hand remained on hers, his thumb sliding idly over her knuckles in a soothing pattern. She liked it. She liked it too much.

Survive, Nina. Survive this weekend. Be a professional. After this weekend you’ll only have to see him in a business environment… And when he comes to the apartment to see Abby… which wasn’t all the time.

She swallowed and let calm descend. There was no way she’d screw this opportunity up just because she couldn’t get all her girly hormones in check.

The flight went quickly, and oddly, after the first awkward moments, Nina sat back and enjoyed the casual conversation with Julian. Abby had brought her earphones with her and had plugged them to her phone immediately she sat down. Her eyes were closed and she looked so relaxed. Bill had kept a steady presence to refill their wine glasses and offer a variety of finger foods.

By the time they landed at the Airport, Nina was limber and completely relaxed. Probably due to the wine.

They were met by a hotel representative and were quickly whisked into a waiting shuttle. It only took a few minutes to arrive at the gorgeous beachfront resort. It was so beautiful, it took her breath away.

The sunset over the water gave the place a decidedly romantic feel, but then they were here for a wedding, so Nina supposed it was only appropriate that romance positively danced on the air.

Julian escorted Nina and Abby through the glass doors into the lobby. A bellhop followed behind with a rolling cart that held their luggage.

“You guys wait right here,” Julian murmured to them. “Take a seat if you like. I’ll get our room keys so we can go up.”

Before he could go, a feminine voice rented the air.

“Julian! Abby! Oh, you guys are here!”

Julian stiffened against Nina. He went positively rigid, and Nina could swear she heard him curse under his breath. Nina turned in the direction of the call and saw a regally dressed older woman hurrying across the lobby, her heels tapping delicately on the polished floor.