Dating the Enemy

by Amber Page

  CHAPTER TWO

  NICK SIGHED. HE’D JUST spent three hours going through the advertising materials for the Goddess account, hoping to see a spark of brilliance that he’d overlooked before, but Phyllis was right. They were old. Tired. Stale. There wasn’t a single mention of social media, or online videos, or anything interactive at all.

  Thornton had missed the digital advertising boat entirely. It was no wonder that Roar had been able to wow Phyllis so easily. His agency hadn’t even tried.

  He put his feet up on the giant wooden desk he’d been given and leaned back in his chair, looking for answers on the ceiling. He knew how to turn Thornton & Co. around. He just had to convince his father to listen to him.

  Right on cue, his father barged in, storming through the door with his usual attitude of barely contained rage.

  “Thanks for knocking, Dad,” he said, hoping his father would notice the sarcasm dripping from his voice.

  “What? Are you hiding a girl in here or something?”

  “Of course not. But—”

  “But nothing. I need to talk to you—and I’m not about to let that secretary of yours come up with an excuse to keep me out again.

  “She prefers to be called my assistant.”

  “Whatever. I don’t want to talk about the woman you’ve got taking your calls. We need to discuss the lion woman.”

  “Lion?” Nick asked, genuinely confused.

  “Yes. The gal who runs the web thing.”

  “Oh. You mean Jessie. Her agency is called Roar.”

  His father snorted. “And if that’s not a ridiculous name for an agency I don’t know what is. You got any Scotch in here?”

  “No. I’m not in the habit of drinking in the office.”

  “More’s the pity,” his father said, before settling in one of the ancient burgundy leather armchairs Nick had inherited when he took over this office. “Your generation has taken all the fun out of advertising. I remember when—”

  “Dad. I don’t have time for a trip down Memory Lane right now. I’m trying to figure out how to save our agency.”

  “Yes. That’s what I wanted to discuss with you. First of all, you need to eliminate Roar from the picture.”

  “Obviously that would be ideal, but we don’t have the resources to do what she does. If you had invested in digital when I told you to we wouldn’t be in this situation,” Nick said, trying not to let his temper get the best of him.

  His father waved his hand. “Let’s not start that again. I brought you back because you said you wanted to fix things—not rehash the past.”

  Nick motioned toward the piles of spreadsheets and glossy ads in front of him. “That’s what I’m trying to do.”

  “You’re not going to find the answer in paperwork. You should be buttering Phyllis up—getting her to fall for the good ol’ Thornton charm. I know you’ve got it in you.”

  Nick couldn’t stop the roll of his eyes. “Phyllis is smarter than that. Besides, she’s been happily married for a million years.”

  “True. But she’s still a woman.” His father folded his hands behind his head and looked up at the ceiling, as if a slideshow was playing there. “There’s not a woman in the world who doesn’t want to feel wanted by a handsome man. Why, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve closed a deal because of—”

  “Dad!” Nick shouted.

  He sat up straight again. “What?”

  It took everything he had not to grab a roll of duct tape and shut his father’s mouth for him. “I don’t want to hear about your glory days. I want to talk about how we can set this agency up to start winning again—and shut down the buyout bid.”

  His father slumped back in his chair and sighed. “All right. Fine. Shoot.”

  Nick took a deep breath. He had to remain calm if he wanted his father to listen to him. “We need to go digital. Now. I need you to give me free rein to set up an online advertising division. I’ll invest in the latest equipment. Steal all the best people from the already established agencies. And then I’ll have them create spec work for all our current clients. Before you know it we’ll have a giant new revenue stream without having to go through a single pitch.”

  “And how does that help us with our current problem?”

  “It ensures that we never lose another piece of business to an upstart like Roar.”

  His father nodded. “All right. I’ll think about it. In the meantime I want you to get the Goddess launch back in our court.”

  “I plan to—but I’ll need to prove to them we can handle their digital needs first.”

  His father slammed a fist into the arm of his chair. “You don’t have to prove anything. Just give ‘em a little theater. Come up with a great campaign idea, put together a slick presentation, and bam! Roar is history.”

  “It’s not going to be that easy to beat Roar. Phyllis loves Jessie.”

  “You think so?” he asked, one eyebrow raised.

  “I know so. Phyllis has commanded us to appear at the charity ball together. She wants us to present a united front to make the higher-ups feel better.”

  “And you agreed?”

  Nick sighed. “At this point I’m willing to do just about anything to keep Phyllis happy.”

  His father nodded as he got up to leave. “Just make sure you keep it about business. It wouldn’t do to get involved with this harpy.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  That was a lie. He’d been dreaming about what she’d look like with her clothes off quite a bit.

  For now that was off the table. But after he’d beaten Roar he had every intention of getting her naked.

  Jessie looked at herself in the dressing room mirror, smoothing her hands over the emerald-green silk of the form-fitting evening gown she was wearing.

  “I don’t know, Gloria. It’s a little too …”

  “Too what? Elegant? Classy? Gorgeous?” snorted the long-legged brunette from her seat on the floor.

  “I was going to say too much. It isn’t me.”

  “Oh, Jessie. You’re going to a black tie gala. That sequined bandage you usually pass off as formal attire isn’t going to work this time.”

  “Maybe we should keep looking.”

  “No. No, we shouldn’t. You’ve already tried on every other dress in your size in the store,” Gloria said, pointing at the towering stack of evening gowns that was draped over the dressing room’s upholstered chair.

  “You’re sure?”

  “I’m sure.”

  Jessie sighed as she twisted her hair up into a loose bun and stared at her reflection. She knew her sister was right, but she felt like a little girl playing dress-up in her mother’s clothes. The elegant, polished woman staring back at her from the mirror was a stranger to her.

  “Maybe I shouldn’t go at all. I could just call Phyllis and tell her something came up.”

  “What’s going on, Jessie?” her sister asked, crossing the small room to stand in front of her. “This isn’t like you. Are you scared?”

  “No, not scared. Just intimidated.”

  “Why? Your agency—the agency we started less than two years ago—has been chosen to launch a huge make-up line. You’ve been asked to attend one of the year’s most prestigious charity balls as the guest of that same make-up line. And you’ll be sitting right next to someone from New York’s biggest and oldest ad agency—the agency that you showed up and outdid. This is your moment to shine!”

  “But what if I say or do something stupid and completely blow it? I’m afraid they’ll know I don’t belong there the minute I open my mouth.”

  “You’re going to be sitting with a bunch of aging white guys, wearing a gorgeous dress and looking like a million bucks. You could speak in pig Latin all night and no one would blink an eye.”

  Jessie grinned, realizing her sister was right. Powerful men always seemed to want her. “Should I see if I can get Roar a sugar daddy?”

  “Roar doesn’t need one. We’v
e got you. But no one would blame you if you wanted to get one for yourself!”

  “Nah. I don’t want to get chained down to anyone—let alone some ancient guy—even if he comes with designer shoes and private yachts.”

  “What about the hot young advertising executive who’s escorting you?”

  Nick. As soon as his name crossed her mind a confusing mix of rage and lust clouded her thoughts. She remembered the way he’d sneered at her after he’d found out it was her agency that had stolen his business. And how he’d tried to use his size to intimidate her. She wouldn’t go near him with a ten-foot pole.

  “Thanks, but no thanks. His ego would take up too much of the bed.”

  Gloria squeezed her shoulder. “All right—whatever, sis. Just don’t let him get to you. You’re worth ten of him.”

  Jessie nodded, feeling better after the pep talk.

  “Thanks, Gloria,” she said, moving in for a hug.

  Gloria squeaked and backed out of her reach. “No hugging while you’re wearing that dress—you might wrinkle it. Pretend you’re one of those frozen heiress types. Air kisses only!”

  “Right. Okay. Help me out of this, will you? I don’t want to play the frozen princess until I have to.”

  “We’re here, boss.”

  Nick started. “Already? That was fast.”

  “Not really.” Bob snorted. “You were just lost in space. I don’t think you blinked once the whole way here.”

  Nick frowned. “Just trying to figure out how to handle the evening. I’m used to escorting shallow debutantes—not my biggest competitor.”

  “Just treat her like you would any other woman. Open doors, pull out her chair and turn on the charm. She’ll be a puddle at your feet in no time.”

  Nick tried to imagine Jessie melting, but the image that came to mind was of her vaporizing him. “I don’t know about that. This one’s a fighter.”

  “You won’t know until you try. Go.”

  “You’re right. As usual.”

  Besides, he had no choice. Phyllis was expecting them in less than an hour. Nick took a deep breath and looked at his surroundings. The neighborhood of elegant but boring brownstones didn’t look like the kind of place Jessie would call home.

  He motioned toward the one they were parked in front of. “Are you sure this is the right address?”

  “That one’s not. But that one is,” Bob said, pointing across the street.

  Nick laughed out loud as he took in the fuchsia-painted exterior of the house Bob was pointing at. “Of course it is.”

  He got out of the limo and walked up the brightly tiled mosaic path that led to the front door, still grinning. He pushed the doorbell and was unsurprised to hear a lion roaring in response inside the house.

  Seconds later a fresh-faced brunette opened the door. “You must be Nick,” she said.

  “The one and only. And you are …?”

  “Gloria. Jessie’s sister and office manager. Come on in. She’ll be down in a second.”

  Nick stepped inside and was surprised to find himself in a lobby environment, complete with receptionist’s desk and pink and black polka-dotted armchairs.

  “You guys run Roar out of here?”

  “Yep. The ground floor and basement are for the business. Jessie and I live on the top two floors.”

  “I just assumed it was a bigger operation.”

  The woman shrugged. “It’s bigger than it used to be. There’s fifteen of us now. When Jessie and I started it was just the two of us.”

  “And when was that?

  “A little over a year ago. Can I get you some water or something?”

  He shook his head, trying to wrap his brain around the fact that his competition was so inexperienced. How had they managed to snag an account like Goddess?

  “Okay, then. Make yourself comfortable. She’ll be down in a minute.”

  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?”

  “Wel
l, 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.