He hated that he couldn’t flat out say no because he recognized in her the essence of the little girl who’d once believed in magic. “All right. I’ll think about it.”
Chapter Six
CHAPTER SIX
“JACK, this has been the best day.” Maddie sighed and leaned back against the cushy leather of the town-car seat.
“So you’re not sorry we played hooky from work and went sightseeing?”
Not sorry. Surprised. Apparently he’d gotten over being angry at her for talking him into seeing his father.
“Sorry? Oh, please. This is me.”
“I know,” he said, a faux serious expression on his face. “I was afraid you’d implode when I suggested breaking the rules and taking a day off.”
“I’m organized, not inflexible.”
Her heart stuttered and skipped when she glanced sideways at him. He looked so good. That dark hair, mussed as if he’d carelessly run his fingers through it, yet so perfect for him. Blue eyes that danced when he laughed, brooded when he didn’t. In jeans and navy sweater, he looked every inch the wealthy bad boy. Staying in London had put them in contact 24/7 which was probably why she was beginning to overdose on his appeal. She’d enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to leave the seductive confines of their suite.
“Let’s just say I appreciate your dedication,” he said. “And I think it should be rewarded.”
“Well, there’s nothing like a trip to Buckingham Palace to let a girl know she’s appreciated.”
He rested one arm along the back of the leather seat. “You do realize you’re not the first person to try and get a rise out of the guards?”
“You mean the guys in the funny hats and bright red jackets?”
“They’re very well trained.”
“They’d have to be,” she scoffed. “In the states, any guy who went out in public dressed like that had better be able to defend himself. Or run like the wind.”
Jack laughed. “Actually I meant they’re trained not to show emotion, or give any indication what they’re thinking.”
Just like you, she thought. Maybe he had been a palace guard in a past life, because she rarely knew what he was thinking. He’d put her off about the embassy party and she wondered if this whirlwind day was her consolation prize because going solo to the ball would make her look like a loser.
“Well, it was a lot of fun, Jack. Thanks for taking me.”
“You’re welcome.”
The car slowed and pulled smoothly to the curb. Maddie looked outside at the fashionable row of shops. “Why are we stopping here?”
“An errand.”
The driver opened the door and the cold air made her shiver as Jack got out. He reached a hand back to her, then wrapped his fingers around hers and tugged her into Stella’s, an upscale dress shop. The inside was brightly lit by crystal chandeliers. In the center of the room was a carpeted dais surrounded on three sides by paneled mirrors. Around the perimeter, fancy dresses in vibrant colors and different materials hung on racks.
A twenty-something brunette in a sweater and skirt with a flirty, flared hem smiled. “Mr Valentine?”
“Yes. And this is Maddie.”
Maddie gave him a wry look even as a twinge of annoyance tightened inside her. Until now it had been such a perfect day.
“I’m Rhona. We spoke on the phone and I’ve picked out some lovely dresses for you to choose from. Size four, I believe you said?”
Dresses? Choose? Maddie pulled her hand from his. “You don’t need me for this.”
“Actually, I do,” he said. “As you’ll be the one wearing the dress to the party tomorrow night, the fit could be important. And since I’ll be your escort, the public at large will have to look elsewhere for proof of your weirdness.”
Her eyes widened as his words sank in. “You’re going to the party?”
“With you. Yes.”
Inside her, happiness swelled and spilled over. Maddie threw herself into his arms and hugged him. “Thank you, Jack.”
He pulled her tight and she thought she heard a soft sigh before he let her go and smiled down. “Now then, you need to try on dresses. This place comes highly recommended.”
“Says who?”
“Says my sister Emma who confirmed it with my cousin Louise. So, off you go with Rhona.”
Maddie followed the saleswoman down a corridor to a large mirrored dressing room containing several racks of dresses and two overstuffed chairs with a table in between.
Rhona sighed. “I must apologize in advance, Maddie. We normally schedule fittings in order to give clients our undivided attention. But Mr Valentine was quite insistent that you need something for tomorrow night and apparently so does half of London. It is New Year’s Eve. We’re a bit short-staffed today, but I’ll—”
Maddie held up her hand. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll be fine.”
“Then have fun,” Rhona said, indicating the dresses. “I’ll be back as quickly as I can.”
When she closed the door, Maddie went through all the racks and organized the dresses into priorities: the ones she loved, the ones that might be flattering, possibilities, and not in this lifetime. There was no way to eliminate by price because none of the creations had tags and were probably all outrageously expensive. She would just have to cross that bridge when she fell in love with something.
After slipping out of her jeans and sweater, she welcomed the challenge and quickly eliminated dresses that were unflattering or the color was wrong for her hair and skin. She’d just pulled on a strapless black chiffon and practically twisted herself into a pretzel trying to zip it without success. Maybe she could track Rhona down. Barefoot and holding the bodice of the dress up, Maddie opened the door and scanned the corridor. She followed it the way she’d come, hoping to find the saleswoman in the main area of the shop.
Rhona was nowhere to be seen, but Jack was there and spotted her before she could dart back. “Hi,” she said, feeling self-conscious. “I—I was just looking for Rhona to—”
“Need some help?”
“No—it’s just a zipper. I think it’s stuck.”
“I think I can handle that.”
She’d just bet he’d done up a girl’s zipper a time or two. This would never have happened if she’d stayed in New York, but Maddie didn’t think she had a choice. There was no delicate way to tell him he made her nervous in the way of a woman who was too attracted to a man who didn’t think about her that way. That kiss on Christmas was simply that—a holiday sweet nothing.
“All right, Jack.”
She came out into the room and turned her back to him. It seemed there were mirrors everywhere and she was mesmerized by the sight of his tanned hands dealing with the delicate back of her dress. His fingers skimmed the bare flesh of her lower back and raised tingles of awareness. It felt as if he were touching her everywhere. His gaze met hers in the mirror and it was intense, stunningly intense, and all the more exciting because of that. Her breath caught, then speeded up as she struggled to conceal it. Not easy when the bodice of the dress was cut daringly low and the swell of her breasts clearly visible.
She tried to think of something to break the tension, but couldn’t since her brain had also taken the day off. Fortunately Rhona came bustling into the room.
“Maddie, there you are.” She looked harried and blew out a breath as she critically studied the black dress. “I don’t know about that one.”
“I know,” Jack said. His voice was deeper than usual and there was a raspy sort of quality to it.
“I agree, it certainly looks lovely on her,” Rhona said, gazing at Maddie thoughtfully, “but I’ve got something in white that I think would suit better.”
Jack’s eyes grew dark and hot and sent desire dancing up and down Maddie’s spine. “I don’t know if my heart can handle better,” he said hoarsely.
Rhona laughed. “Come with me, Maddie.”
A short while later, Maddie was dressed and st
anding beside Jack as Rhona set the hanger of the dress on a hook. The dress, a strapless white silk creation, had fit perfectly. Now that she thought about it, how did Jack know her size? Because he’d had women in all shapes and sizes, of course. She refused to acknowledge the twinge. This was a lovely gesture. One she’d keep in perspective, though it threatened to expand. But this was Jack, after all.
Maddie took a deep breath, preparing herself for the exorbitant price of the dress she’d fallen in love with. “What’s the damage, Rhona?”
“I’m taking care of it,” Jack said.
The saleswoman smiled at him. “I assumed you would.”
“No,” Maddie said. “We’re not— I mean I’m not his—” Wasn’t this awkward? “I work for him.”
That hadn’t come out right. When heat crawled up her neck and flushed her cheeks, she didn’t miss Jack’s grin.
“I can’t let you pay for this,” Maddie protested.
Jack assumed battle stance as he folded his arms over his chest and stared her down. “Okay, we can do this the easy way or the hard way.”
“What’s the hard way?”
“That’s where we argue for ten minutes and I pull rank and do whatever the hell I want.”
“What’s the easy way?” she asked.
“You graciously give in and let me buy this for you as a belated Christmas gift.” One corner of his mouth curved up. “I prefer the easy way. I ruined your holiday and dragged you into all this stuff with my family. I’ve been an insensitive jerk. Let me make it up to you.”
When Maddie glanced at Rhona, she knew the woman was half in love. Join the club, she thought. Who wouldn’t fall for a man being so charmingly sweet, even after Maddie had assumed he’d stopped here to get something for one of his women. If she let him buy, did that make her one of his women? Not in this lifetime.
“All right, Jack. You win.” She smiled. “And thank you.”
December 31—Meridian Embassy
With her hand tucked into the bend of Jack’s elbow, Maddie walked into the ballroom. The white silk she’d fallen for at first sight made her feel beautiful and she had to admit Rhona had been right about it. Jack had been rendered speechless the moment he’d seen her in it and she wasn’t sure why that mattered so very much.
“I feel like Cinderella at the ball.” Maddie looked up. “Pinch me, Jack, so I know I’m not dreaming.”
He covered her cold hand with his own warm one. “You’re not, Princess.”
That was the closest Jack had ever come to an endearment and it meant a lot, especially when she knew he wasn’t delirious with joy about being here. It wouldn’t be wise to read too much into this, but he had come because she wanted to. And he’d surprised her with this dress. The thought produced a glow inside her.
“So, if I’m Cinderella, that would make you what? Prince Charming?”
“If the crown fits—”
His grin, sudden and spectacular, went straight to her head as surely as alcohol on an empty stomach. The tuxedo and the fact that he looked amazing in it certainly multiplied the intoxication factor.
“Thank you for bringing me tonight,” she said.
“You’re welcome.”
She’d expected a teasing comeback and was both pleased and surprised when it didn’t come, indicating he was on his best behavior. This was new.
“So,” she said, “should we get in the receiving line?”
He didn’t look happy. “Do we have to?”
“She’s a queen now. I’m sure there are rules. Something you’re not very good at.”
And she must have a screw loose because the man who thumbed his nose at rules appealed to her in or out of a tuxedo. Jack was no prince, but she’d seen his charming and successfully resisted. It was the man he’d become in London who could really hurt her. But what was the harm in relaxing her guard just for one night? They were in public. What could happen?
“I’d like to say hello.”
“The way you look tonight…” Blatant male approval was in his eyes as his gaze lowered, settling on a place in the vicinity of her cleavage “…how can I deny you anything?”
Maddie felt as if she were floating on air as he escorted her across the room and they took their places in the receiving line. Tables with candles, flowers and white linen cloths graced the perimeter of the room. Overhead chandeliers dripped golden light on a wood floor already polished to a high gleam and poinsettias adorned tables standing in front of walls painted pale blue and decorated with window-frame molding. A Christmas tree with splashes of red, golden bows and white lights dominated one corner of the reception area.
Their arms brushed as they continued to move forward and Maddie could almost see the sparks. She definitely felt the heat as Jack focused his attention on her and she wanted to be in line with him forever. But eventually they reached Emma and Sebastian, who both smiled with genuine pleasure.
“Maddie. Jack. I’m so glad you came,” Emma said. She looked like a queen in a one-shoulder, full-skirted black chiffon gown.
“Nice of you to invite the peasants,” Jack teased.
“Nice of the peasants to come,” Sebastian said, but his eyes were warm with humor.
Emma looked at him. “Max tells me you agreed to look at his business plan for the restaurants.”
“I did, yes. I’d discuss it with you, but, frankly, I’d rather get Maddie into a dark corner.”
“Don’t you just love his sense of humor?” Maddie said. But the idea of Jack and a dark corner held too much appeal.
“Who’s joking?” He nodded at the other couple. “See you later.”
He moved her off and slid his arm around her waist, drawing her closer against his side. A possessive gesture, she thought. With overtones of protectiveness. Jack didn’t do protective. He also didn’t do dark corners. Not with her, but she thought she’d like it. A lot. His best behavior could deal a major blow to her willpower. While Maddie and Jack stood on the sidelines, musicians took their places in a corner of the room opposite the Christmas tree and began to play a waltz.
He bowed slightly. “May I have this dance, Princess?”
“You may, your Lordship.”
On the outside, Maddie pulled off cool, calm and collected, which was a miracle because her heart was going a hundred miles an hour. Somehow she managed to move gracefully into his arms even as tingles skipped over her skin. But she thought her knees would give out when he settled her snugly against him.
With her fingers on his broad shoulder and the other hand swallowed in his, Maddie tried to relax and follow his lead. This was another first—she’d never danced with Jack. Was that a good way to start out the new year? Not if she wanted to keep from getting hurt.
She forced herself to meet his gaze and tried to think of something innocent to say. “So, have you made a new year’s resolution?”
“I honestly haven’t given it much thought.” One corner of his mouth curved up. “Is there one you think I should make?”
She remembered what his sister had said on Christmas. “I just want you to be happy, Jack.”
Surprise flickered in his eyes. “I expected something about not being a scoundrel.”
“Your words, not mine.” She liked the scoundrel because that made him resistible. She didn’t want to know he could be more than that.
He touched a finger to her chin and nudged it up. “What about you? Any resolutions?”
Other than to keep her heart in one piece? “Continued success,” she said.
A waiter was just passing with a tray of champagne and Jack let her go in order to grab two. He handed her a crystal flute. “Here’s to many years of success working together.”
“I’ll drink to that,” she said, touching her glass to his.
Food was served buffet fashion from silver chafing dishes and platters. The music was alternately lively and lovely. Jack was solicitous and suave as he stayed by her side and pretended he didn’t notice any of the beautiful wom
en in the room. Although they both smiled at Louise who was busy networking with the prestigious guests. Maddie had been to some of the most exciting parties in New York, but couldn’t remember having a more elegant, enjoyable evening. She had a bad feeling it had nothing to do with the environment and everything to do with her escort.
Not unlike Cinderella, before she knew it midnight approached. The wait staff circulated with trays of champagne until each person had a glass for the toast. When the time came, everyone in the room counted down to midnight.
“Five, four, three, two. One,” Jack said. He looked down at her. “Happy New Year, Princess.”
“Same to you, Jack.”
They sipped from their glasses just before he lowered his mouth to hers. It should have been a quick, chaste, traditional kiss, but the moment their lips touched something sizzled between them that had nothing to do with static electricity and everything to do with a sensual connection. He met her gaze and his own was filled with dark intensity as he cupped her cheek in his palm and kissed her again.
Maddie rested her free hand on his chest and curled her fingers into his satin lapel. The softness of his lips was exquisite and her heart pounded as excitement poured through her. When he traced her lips with his tongue, she instinctively opened to him, then heard his quick intake of breath. He took what she offered and plundered her mouth thoroughly, leaving her breathless and clinging to him, wanting more yet unsure what more there was.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly though she couldn’t seem to get enough air into her lungs. When he dragged his mouth from hers and stared down, he was breathing hard. Maddie swore she saw yearning mixed with the tension in his eyes. He downed the rest of the liquid in his glass in one gulp.
“We’ve done our duty,” he whispered, not taking his eyes from hers. “Let’s get out of here.”
In the car, on the way back to the hotel, Jack savored the anticipation flowing through him like wine. Maddie Ford turned him on and the realization blew him away. Her beauty was a given, but at work she’d always pulled primness around her like a force field.
Crazy About The Boss Page 7
