The vultures were circling.
Celia Taylor stood back, wineglass in hand, and surveyed the crowded ballroom. The fund-raiser was supposed to be more pleasure than business, but business was uppermost on the minds of her competition.Across the room, Evan Reese stood in a large group of people. He looked relaxed, seemingly in his element, an easy smile making his extraordinarily handsome face even more gorgeous.It should be a crime for a man to be that good-looking. Tall, rugged, he looked every inch the kind of man who’d be at home in the athletic wear his company designed and sold. There was an aura of confidence and power around him, and above all, Celia loved a man who was sure of himself.Given the long, searching glances they’d exchanged over the last few weeks, she’d be a fool not to entertain the idea of seeing where things could lead.If he wasn’t a prospective client.A client she wanted to land very much.She wanted the account—her boss and the agency was counting on her—but she drew the line at sleeping with a man to get what she wanted.Celia turned away from the sight of Evan Reese before she became too enthralled in just watching him. They’d performed a delicate dance around each other ever since he’d fired his last advertising agency. He knew she wanted him—in the professional sense of course. Hell, he probably knew she wanted him naked and in bed too, but she wasn’t going to dwell on that. Maybe later tonight when she could afford to indulge in a little fantasy.The problem was, anytime a big company like Reese Enterprises fired an agency, it became open season. The other agencies circled like sharks. It was a dog-eat-dog world, and in reality, she should be over there, shoving herself down his throat like the rest of her competition, but she couldn’t help but believe Evan Reese was secretly amused by the attention. He took a different hand. She was sure of it.“Celia, glad you made it. Have you spoken to Reese yet?”Celia turned to see her boss, Brock Maddox, standing a foot away. He wasn’t drinking. He didn’t even look particularly thrilled to be here.Her eyebrow rose. “A tux. Why, Brock, you look positively decadent. However are you keeping the ladies at bay?”He grunted in response, his lips curling in distaste. “Cut it out, Celia. I broughtElle along.”Celia looked beyond his shoulder to see his pretty assistant standing a few feetaway. When Elle looked her way, Celia smiled and waved.“You look beautiful,” Celia mouthed.Elle smiled and ducked her head self-consciously but not before Celia saw the faint blush that colored her cheeks.Brock gestured impatiently toward Evan. “Why are you standing over here while Evan Reese is over there?” Brock scanned the room and his expression hardened. “I should have known the old bastard would be here.”Celia followed his gaze to see Athos Koteas holding court within hearing distance of Evan. Though she wouldn’t admit it to Brock, it made her extremely nervous to see their business rival hammering so relentlessly on Evan Reese. Koteas owned Golden Gate Promotions, and not only had Koteas lured away a few of Maddox’s top clients in recent months, he’d also launched a PR campaign against Maddox. It was dirty pool, but it in no way surprised Celia. Koteas was ruthless, and he’d do anything to win.“Well, yes,” Celia murmured. “His ad execs are busy working Evan over.” “Any reason you aren’t?”She laid her hand on his forearm. She knew how important this account was to Brock—to everyone at Maddox Communications. “I need you to trust me, Brock. I’ve studied Evan Reese extensively. He knows I’m interested. He’ll come to me eventually.I’m sure of it.”“Are you fifty million dollars sure, Celia? Maddox is small, and this kind of deal means our employees keep their jobs whereas if we continue to lose clients and accounts, I can’t make any guarantees.”“I know I’m asking a lot,” she said in a low voice. “But I can’t walk over there and pull out the seductive wiles.” She gestured toward the women standing around Evan. They weren’t making any bones as to how far they’d go to sign him. “It’s what he expects, and you of all people know I can’t do it. I can land this account on the ideas, Brock. I’ve spent every waking minute putting this pitch together. There’s no way he won’t go for it.”Brock studied her for a long moment, his eyes gleaming with what looked like respect. She loved working for him. He was hard. He was demanding. And he was the only person she’d presented her side of what had happened in New York in her last advertising job.“I never expected you to land the account on anything less than your brilliance,Celia,” Brock said softly. “I hope I never gave you any other impression.”“I know. I appreciate your confidence more than you know. I won’t let you down. I won’t let Maddox Communications down.”Brock ran a hand through his hair and glanced once more across the room. He looked tired. It was true he worked hard. The agency was everything to him. But in the last few months new lines had appeared around his eyes. More than anything Celia wanted to be able to hand this account to him. He had believed in her when everyone else was willing to think the worst.She glanced up to see Evan threading his way through the throng of people. “Don’t look now, but he’s headed our way. Maybe you should take Elle and go dance or something.”As quickly as he’d approached, Brock turned and melted back into the crowd.Celia sipped at her wine and practiced nonchalance as she literally felt Evan close in. It was impossible to miss him. Her body always seemed to heat up about five degrees whenever he was anywhere near.And his smell. Even amid the hustle and bustle of the crowded room, the mix of so many feminine perfumes, she could pick out his unique scent. Rough. Masculine and mouthwateringly sexy. It made no sense to her, but she was attuned to his every nuance, and that had nothing to do with all the studying up she’d done on him and his company.“Celia,” he murmured.She turned with a welcoming smile. “Hello, Evan. Enjoying the evening?”“I think you know I’m not.”She raised one eyebrow and stared at him over the rim of her glass. “Do I?”Evan snagged a flute from a passing waiter and turned his attention fully on her. It was all she could do not to gasp under his heated scrutiny. It was as if he undressed her right then and there in front of a roomful of people. Her blood simmered and pooled low in her belly. He had beautiful eyes, and they were currently devouring her, delving beneath the modest evening gown she’d chosen. He made it seem like she wore the most scanty, revealing dress imaginable. She felt nude and vulnerable under his searing gaze.“Tell me something, Celia. Why aren’t you over with the rest of the piranhas convincing me that your ad agency will take Reese Enterprises straight to the top?”Her lips curved upward into a smile. “Because you already are at the top?”“You’re such a tease.”At that her smile faded. He was right. She was flirting, and it was the last thing she wanted to do.She glanced across the room to where the other ad execs stood staring holes through her and Evan.“I’m not desperate, Evan. I know I’m good. I know my ideas for your ad campaign are spectacular. Does that make me arrogant? Maybe. But I don’t need to sell you on a load of malarkey. All I need is the time to show you what MaddoxCommunications can do for you.”“What you can do for me, Celia.”Her eyes widened in surprise at the blatant innuendo. And then he went on to correct the errant assumption she’d just made.“If the ideas are yours and are as brilliant as you say, I’d hardly be taking onMaddox and what the agency could do for me. I’d be hiring you.”She frowned and hated that she suddenly felt at a disadvantage. Her fingers curleda little tighter around the glass, and she prayed they wouldn’t shake and betray her unease.He studied her curiously, having obviously picked up on her discomfort.“It wasn’t a proposition, Celia. Believe me, you’d know the difference.”In a daring move, he reached a finger out and traced a line down the bare skin of her arm. She was unable to call back the shiver, or the sprinkling of chill bumps that danced over her flesh.“I only meant that if you wow me with a pitch and I sign on with Maddox, you won’t pawn me off to some junior executive. I’d expect you to oversee the campaign at every level.”“And do you anticipate signing with Maddox Communications?” she asked huskily.There was a gleam of amusement in his green eyes. He took a measured sip of his wine and then regarded her lazily. “If your pitch is good enough. Golden Gate has some good ideas. I’m considering them.”Her lips tightened. “Only because you haven’t seen mine yet.”He smiled again. “I like confidence. I don’t like false modesty. I look forward to seeing what you have in mind, Celia Taylor. I have a feeling you put every bit of that passion I see burning in your eyes into your work. Brock Maddox is a lucky man to have such a fierce employee. I wonder if he knows it.”“Are we moving into the appointment phase?” she asked lightly. “I have to admit,I’ve enjoyed watching you surrounded by the piranhas as you call them.”He put his glass down on a nearby table. “Dance with me and we’ll discuss appointment times.”Her eyes narrowed.He lifted one finely constructed eyebrow into what looked like a challenge.“I’ve also danced with female ad executives from Golden Gate, Primrose, SanFran Media—”She held up her hand. “Okay, okay, I get it. You’re making your selection on who’s the best dance partner.”He threw back his head and laughed. Several people around them turned to stare, and she had to resist the strong urge to flee the room. She hated the attention that Evan seemed to have no issue with whatsoever. How nice it must be not to have to worry what people thought about you. To have your reputation intact and not have suffered the stupidity and vindictiveness of others. But then men rarely suffered in cases like hers. It was always the woman. The vilified other woman. Knowing no graceful way to bow out of the dance, she set down her own glass and allowed Evan to lead her onto the ballroom floor.To her relief, he held her loosely. To anyone looking on, they could find no fault or impropriety. She and Evan didn’t look like lovers, but she knew the thought was present in both their minds. She could see the desire in his eyes and knew he could probably see it in hers.She wasn’t practiced at hiding her emotions. Maybe being the only girl in an all-male household growing up was th
When Celia pulled into her father’s driveway, she was relieved to see Noah’s Mercedes parked beside their father’s pickup. She pulled her black BMW on the other side of the truck and grinned at how the two expensive cars flanked the beat-up old piece of family history. As she got out, she heard the roar of another engine and turned to see Dalton pull in behind her. To her utter shock, Adam climbed out of the passenger seat.“Adam!” she exclaimed, and ran straight for him.He grinned just before she launched herself into his arms. She hit his chest and as she’d known he would, he caught her and whirled her around. Just like he’d done when she’d been five years old and every year since.“How come I never get greetings like that?” Dalton grumbled as he climbed from behind the wheel.“I’m so glad to see you,” she whispered fiercely.His big arms surrounded her in a hug that nearly squeezed the breath out of her. Adam always gave the best hugs.“It’s good to see you too, Cece. I missed y
Celia had just done a cursory examination of her stock of food—cursing the fact she hadn’t been to the market in far too long—when the door buzzer sounded.She strode across to the call box and mashed the button. “That you, Noah?”“Yep, buzz me in?”A few seconds later, Noah walked in, and she smiled her welcome.“I know that smile,” he said suspiciously. “That’s a smile that says you lured me here under false pretenses. You don’t have any food, do you?” “Weeeell, no. But I did just order pizza.”“You’re forgiven, but I refuse to have a reasonable discussion until it gets here.” She laughed and punched him on the arm when he flopped on the sofa next to her. “If I didn’t need a favor from you, I’d make you pay for it.” His expression grew serious. “So what is this favor, anyway?”“Oh, no. I’m not asking you for anything until you have a full stomach. Again, since you ate not even three hours ago.”He grunted but didn’t offer any argument. His stomach was too important.He reached for
Evan walked into the suite of offices he leased for the times he was in San Francisco. It wasn’t home, and though Union Square was a sumptuous neighborhood that catered to upscale businesses, he preferred the funky modern feel of Seattle. He nodded a good morning to his receptionist but halted when she came out of her seat, a concerned expression on her face.“You shouldn’t go in there,” Tanya said in a hushed whisper.He raised an eyebrow when he realized she was gesturing toward his office.“Why the devil not?” he demanded.She put one hand up to shield her mouth and then she tapped her finger against her palm—in the direction of his office.“Because she’s in there.” Evan turned to stare down the hall toward his office, but the door was closed. Damn, but he didn’t have time for this. He looked back at Tanya and tried to stifle his growing impatience. The girl was highly efficient if a little eccentric. But he liked unconventional, and while she’d probably fit in better with his Se
“Not now, Ash, she called as she hustled by. “Late for an important lunch date.” She didn’t even look to see his reaction.She ran past Shelby and hollered back as she punched the button for the elevator.“If Brock asks, I’m having lunch with Mr. Reese. Just tell him Friday got moved up. If anyone else asks, just tell them I’ll return this afternoon.”The elevator opened and she ducked in. As she turned around, she saw Shelby’s look of befuddlement just as the doors slid shut again.When she reached the lobby, she stopped in the bathroom long enough to check her appearance. She wouldn’t stop traffic for sure, but at least she didn’t look as frazzled as she felt.The heels she’d chosen to complete her outfit were fabulous—as long as she didn’t have to actually walk in them. A trek down the block on uneven cement sidewalks wasn’t what she had in mind. She kept tennis shoes in her office for just such occasions, but five minutes notice on the most important lunch date of her career didn’
Celia stepped off the elevator and walked by Shelby, who held her hand up to get Celia’s attention. “Later, Shelby,” she called as she headed for Brock’s office.When she got to his door, she was nearly run over as Ash came out. He sidestepped her and kept on walking, his forehead wrinkled as if he were lost in thought. She wasn’t even sure he’d seen her.She stuck her head in Brock’s door and breathed a sigh of relief when she found him alone. He glanced up and motioned her in.“What’s with him?” she asked, jerking her head over her shoulder in Ash’s direction. “He’s been weird lately.”Brock gave her one of those puzzled male looks that suggested he didn’t have a clue what she was talking about. She rolled her eyes. Ash had been walking around in a fog, which wasn’t typical. He was usually on top of everything and everyone. Celia had overheard Shelby talking about a falling out with a girlfriend, but then she hadn’t even known Ash had been seeing anyone. Not that he would have con
The car that Evan had sent to collect Celia pulled up to the plane parked on the paved landing area that led to the single runway and stopped just a few feet from where the door to the jet lay open. Celia looked out the window to see Evan standing a short distance away. He was waiting for her.The driver opened her door, and she stepped into the afternoon sun. She blinked a few times then pulled her shades from her head over her eyes. Maybe then it wouldn’t be so obvious how she ate Evan up with her gaze.He was dressed casually. Jeans, polo shirt and loafers. She’d only ever seen him in suits, and she hadn’t imagined he could look better. She was wrong. So, so wrong.The jeans cupped him in all the right places. They clung to his thighs, rounded his butt and molded to his groin. They weren’t new, starchy-looking jeans, either. They were faded and worn, just like a good pair of jeans should be.“Celia,” he said with a nod as she approached. “If you’re ready, we can be on our way.”“I
Celia froze. There was a horrible buzz in her ears, and she stared in horror at Evan. She hadn’t heard him right. What kind of idiotic thing had he just done? She wasn’t sure who was more stunned. Her or his family. Bettina looked as if she just swallowed a lemon. Mitchell looked annoyed, while Evan’s father simply frowned. His mom was the only person who actually seemed happy about the bomb.“Oh, Evan, that’s wonderful!”Celia found herself in the older woman’s arms and was hugged so tight that she was in danger of passing out.“I’m so glad to meet you, my dear.”She held Celia out at arm’s length and beamed at her. Then she proceeded to kiss her on both cheeks and if that wasn’t enough, she yanked her into another long hug.This was insane. Evan was insane. His entire family was nuts. She opened her mouth to blast Evan with both barrels and ask him what the hell kind of stunt he was trying to pull when Evan’s father put his hand on Evan’s shoulder to steer him away from the women.