A CONTRACT ENGAGEMENT

Two large-screen plasma televisions were positioned on either side of the large reception desk, and Standard Gates’ latest ad campaigns were predominantly displayed in a series of commercials.

Behind the desk, a cheerful looking younger woman smiled a warm welcome as he approached.

“Good morning and welcome to Standard Gate Communications.” She said cheerfully.

He returned her smile. “Can you tell Nina Taylor that Julian Martin is here to see her?”

The sudden awareness in the receptionist’s eyes told him she knew well who he was. She recovered quickly, though. With brisk efficiency, she rounded the corner of her desk and gestured toward the set of couches in the waiting area.

“If you’ll have a seat, I’ll get her at once. Would you care for some coffee?” she asked him.

“No, thank you.”

She turned to stride down the hallway, leaving Julian standing there. He walked to the window to look down on the street instead of sitting. If he had his way, he wouldn’t be here for long anyway.

A few moments later, he heard the tap tap of heels and turned to see Nina approaching, a confused, wary look in her eyes.

“Julian,” she greeted. “I wasn’t expecting to see you. Aren’t you supposed to be at the office?” she frowned slightly. “Is anything wrong?” she asked, getting a little bit worried.

She’d put her impersonal business face on the moment he looked up. It annoyed him that she was pushing him away, already distancing herself from the weekend they’d shared. It should be him doing the pushing. He should have gotten her out of his system after making love to her more times than he could count. But he hadn’t, which was why he found himself standing here, trying to come up with an excuse to see her again.

“Nothing’s wrong. My plans changed. I thought we could have lunch. If you’re free, that is.” he said.

She checked her watch, a quick, nervous motion that told him she was merely stalling-and trying to think of an excuse why she couldn’t.

“I would very much like to have lunch with you, Red.” he said softly.

Her forehead wrinkled in indecision. She nibbled at her bottom lip. He took advantage of that moment to move closer until he crowded her. Before she could take a step back, he grasped her arm.

Alarm flared in her eyes, and she broke the contact, stepping hastily away as she stared wildly in all directions.

“For God’s sake, Julian, not here,” she hissed.

Her hand trembled as she raised one to smooth her hair. Instead of repairing the knot, she only managed to work more strands free. They fell down her neck, calling attention to the slim column. He was reminded of all the time he’d spent nibbling at that sweet flesh…. And now she was acting like…. He didn’t want to think about that right now.

He raised an eyebrow at her vehemence but kept his distance.

“Lunch?” he asked again.

“All right. Let me get my purse. I’ll meet you downstairs.” She replied.

Her dismissal rankled him. He was used to calling the shots when it came to women and relationships. Hell, now he was thinking of her in terms of a relationship? The only thing he should be thinking about was how quickly he could get her back into bed so that hopefully this time he’d get rid of the burning ache he felt when she crossed his mind.

Crossed. What a funny word, one that denoted an occasional, unintentional meeting. She lived in his mind. She was never gone from it. He didn’t like it, didn’t particularly care for the implication, but he was powerless to rid himself of her assault on his senses.

After getting over that huge crush on her in high school, he was right back where he was. Wanting her… Needing her. Except this time it was worse, because now he knew what it felt like to have her in his arms… And the thought of not having that anymore drove him crazy.

He stared at her for a long moment, and only because he was convinced she was ready to bolt, did he acquiesce.

“All right. I’ll call my driver around. Oh, and Red. I don’t like to be kept waiting.” he said.

Nina spun around before she exploded. She wished she could blame it all on her anger and his arrogance, but she’d been flabbergasted when Rebecca had rushed into her office to tell her that Julian Martin was here and he wanted to see her.

The giddy thrill that sizzled down her spine annoyed her. And then his arrogant presumption that she’d drop everything to have lunch with him. He didn’t like to be kept waiting. Who the hell did he think he was? She wanted to punch him for messing with her system so much. Things weren’t supposed to have gone this far between, but it had… And now she couldn’t get him out of her mind.

She sighed as she collected her purse. Where to even begin? He was an important client. The most important client of her career. And then there was the fact she’d acted as his fake fiancée, and oh yeah, she’d slept with him. Repeatedly…. Oh God… The memories.

A hot blush shot up her neck and nearly burned her cheeks off as she remembered just how often they’d had sex. They’d re-enacted all his fantasies and some of hers, too.

They’d been insatiable.

Hell and damnation but she’d expected several days to recover from the weekend before she had to see him again. In her utter befuddlement and not to mention being blown over by the sex, she hadn’t even mentioned the season opener to Julian. It was as good an excuse as any to accompany him to lunch. At least then she could pretend it was all about business.

After a quick wave to Rebecca, she rode the elevator down to the first floor. She passed the busy cuisine restaurant with the lunch crowd lined up at the door and exited the building.

Julian was standing at the curb, one hand resting on the open door to the backseat of his car, the other shoved into his pocket. He looked positively arrogant. Like he not only belonged in the world but owned it.

He nodded as she approached and motioned her inside the car. Then he slid in beside her and shut the door.