Propositions (7 page)

Another Friday night. Another function to attend. At least this time Jessica was grateful to be a guest and not the host. She was standing at a bar table in the foyer of the ballroom waiting for the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority event to commence and for Max to join her. It was early, so Jessica took a sip of her wine and savored the quiet moment before too many other people arrived.

She still couldn’t believe how crazy life had turned in the past few weeks — first, meeting Nate and second, reuniting with Troy. A mischievous smile tugged at the corner of her mouth as she thought of Nate and how he made her feel. He lit her fire in a way she never thought was possible. So much more than she’d ever experienced with Troy—from what she could recall. And miles ahead of Graeme—well that was a no-brainer.

In her head, she was still trying to work out the logistics of how her arrangement with Nate would work. Secrecy and lies had caused her so much angst in the past; more could only lead to no good. Maybe she should end this affair with Nate before it even started.

Would she regret not relishing in more of his kisses, his voice seducing her and his lovemaking blowing her mind? She shook her head feeling so confused and conflicted. Because if word got out that they were together, the consequences could be ugly. Her business and respectability were at stake. Too much was at risk. She couldn’t ruin her reputation, jeopardize the success of the launch or cause grief to Nate.

Jessica was startled when someone slid an arm around her shoulders. But the touch made her smile. She looked up and saw Max, looking tired at the end of a busy day.

“Sorry I’m late. Court went overtime. And then walking five blocks in new shoes wasn’t smart. My feet are fucking killing me.”

“Here,” Jessica grabbed a glass of red wine off a waiter’s tray and plonked it down on the table in front of her. “Get this into you.”

“Look, the doors have just opened. Can we go inside and sit down at the table? I really need to get off my feet.”

With glass in hand, Jessica led Max through the array of tables in the function room and found their seats.

“Oh that’s better.” Max looked relieved as she sat down. “Shouldn’t you be schmoozing all these potential clients?”

Yes she should be, but she just wasn’t in the mood. All she wanted to do was sit back and enjoy hearing about Max’s hectic week and have a drink or two to get her mind off work … and other things. “Later.”

“Good. So before this presentation gets underway and we are all bored listening to the Harbour’s development plans, tell me, what’s going on with your love life?”

Jessica rolled her eyes. That was just the topic she had wanted to avoid. But Max wouldn’t let up until she spilled the beans. Damn lawyers—they were too good at interrogations!

“How’s the whole Troy debacle going?” Max asked as a waiter refreshed their glasses.

Jessica placed her napkin across her lap. Every time she thought of Troy, she could see his piercing blue eyes in her mind. But then telling Conner and seeing the painful reaction spread across his face made her heart ache. Where to from here? She had no idea. “One day at a time is all I can say. Time will tell.”

“So … What about Nate?”

“Shh. There are way too many people in this room who know him.” Jessica’s eyes darted nervously around the room as it filled with guests taking their seats.

“Okay. Let’s call him Mr ComeFuckMe then.”

Jessica laughed. Talking about Nate sent a sizzling reaction through her body.

“No more encounters?”

“No. None. And before you ask, there are none planned either. He’s been away all week. The more I think about it, the more I shouldn’t do what you suggested. Before it even starts … or should I say progresses further … it has to stop.”

Max shook her head. “Are you crazy? Casual sex with someone that hot, no strings attached and then he’s gone.”

Maybe she should? It would be nice. The sex was fantastic. He’s hot.
She sighed. Yet again she was toing and froing with the idea. Why could she not make a clear decision, stick to it and move on? This was driving her insane. Jessica shook her head because she just shouldn’t do it. He was her client. “Believe me, Max, his proposition is very enticing but there’s just too much risk and too many complications.”

As her eyes surveyed the room, she nearly got whiplash when she felt a pull, a disturbance in the air that grabbed her attention. She turned toward the entrance. Her breath caught in her lungs.

There he was.

Nate.

He was talking to people around him and as they cleared from his path, Jessica swore under her breath. Meredith Bowen from EyeOn was by his side.

She nudged Max. “Speak of the devil.” She nodded toward the door. “There’s Nate.”

“Where? I so want to meet him.”

Jessica restrained Max from jumping out of the chair. “No. Look who he’s with; it’s Meredith.”

“What the hell is she doing here?”

Jessica didn’t want to jump to the wrong conclusions. Meredith’s company did a lot of work for the Harbour Authority. Some of her clients were here, as were Jessica’s.

“Oh my God! Is she his date?” Max gasped “Do you think Nate’s screwing her too?”

The thought made Jessica’s skin crawl and nausea loomed in her belly. “Thanks for that horrid vision.” She shuddered. “Surely not.” But doubt had been planted firmly in her mind. “I didn’t even know Nate was coming. The invites for this function were out months ago, before we even won the Somers account.”

Jessica couldn’t take her eyes off Nate. He looked up. Straight at her. Then a smile crept across his face that made butterflies take flight in her stomach. The longing to be with him blazed to life, overpowering any form of reasoning. All her thoughts of calling off their affair dissipated into thin air. That smile of his should be made illegal.

Max was kicking her under the table. “Here he comes. You were right. He’s so much better looking in person.”

* * *

Jessica was here. Nate inhaled deeply, intoxicated by the very sight of her from across the room. He ignored the people he was with and made a beeline for her table.

He couldn’t help himself. His body was drawn to hers in some mysterious manner. As he approached her table, Jessica rose from her seat, moved behind her chair and met him face to face. Her hand slipped into his. Her skin was so soft it made the rest of him ache, because now he wanted to touch her all over.

“Hi,” she said, a girlish smile inched across her lips.

He took a moment to absorb her attractive features. Her mouth looked irresistible and he longed to taste her lips against his. And as he stared into her eyes, there was no doubt in his mind that they reflected his own burning desire.

“Ah-hum.” A woman cleared her throat loudly as she joined Jessica at her side.

“Um. Yes. Max, I’d like you to meet Nate Somers.” Jessica introduced her friend without breaking eye contact. “Nate, Maxine Gordon.”

He reluctantly drew his attention away and shook her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“And you. But please call me Max. FYI, I’m the friend who knows
everything
.”

Nate raised his eyebrows in surprise. Jessica winced and nodded. “She’s right. She’s my best friend.”

What happened to discretion? Should he worry about Maxine?

“You two are like bunnies on heat, aren’t you?” said Max.

Nate couldn’t believe his ears at the bluntness of this woman. He took a step back from Jessica, fighting against the desire to keep contact with her skin.

A group of people gathered around them in the clearing between the tables. A woman’s nasal voice drew his focus momentarily away from Jessica.

“Ah! There you are, Nathan.”

Meredith!

“Well hello, Jessica. Maxine.”

It was as plain as day, Jessica stiffened. Every muscle on her face tensed and her eyes narrowed. There was no handshake, no friendliness in their manner. The warmth in the air seemed to drain away.

Jessica looked suspiciously at him. “So, how do you know Meredith?” There was a definite sting in her voice. “Did you two come together?”

“No. We just bumped into each other outside in the foyer and we seem to be at the same table with the Harbour Authority representatives. I met Meredith when EyeOn did their presentation during the tender process for the launch.

“Fancy seeing you here, Jessica,” Meredith said. “I wondered if you’d make an appearance, especially after this afternoon’s announcement.”

“What announcement?” Jessica asked dubiously.

“EyeOn are taking over another one of your accounts. The national food chain giant,
Garcon’s.
”

“No. I hadn’t heard. I was out all afternoon at meetings.” Jessica flinched, as if she’d had a quick blow to the stomach.

That was cruel of Meredith. He could see the hurt in Jessica’s expression, even though she still held herself with an air of grace. He knew the feeling of losing business all too well. All he wanted to do was reach out and put his arms around her and tell her it would be okay.

He noticed a triumphant smile extend across Meredith’s face. She seemed to puff out like a peacock on display. The nerve of this woman to gloat about winning an account in front of others, at the expense of someone right there, was downright rude and unprofessional in his opinion.

“See, Mr Somers.” Meredith turned to him. “We’re an international company, expanding and growing. Excelling in everything we do. We would’ve put on one outstanding show for you if you’d chosen us to help you open your hotel.”

Did she just flutter her eyelids at me? Oh, that’s so wrong!

“Jessica’s organization is doing an outstanding job for us. Their professionalism and creativity has been beyond our expectations. It was their proposal that outdid all other bids by far. It was not about their company’s size or growing client list.”

That shut Meredith up.

He didn’t want to be in the middle of an escalating territorial war between these two businesswomen.

The screech from the microphone saved him, diverting everyone’s attention as the MC announced that the evening’s function was about to begin, and requesting the guests to please take their seats.

“I’ll see you after dinner.” Nate placed his arm on Jessica’s to offer a friendly show of support.

“Maybe.” Jessica turned away from him without so much as another glance and returned to her chair. Meredith, still looking like she’d won a prize, bustled him off through the crowd to find their table.

* * *

“Well that was boring as all fuck.” Max said as they had a drink at the bar after the function. “You really need to talk to these guys about doing a much better event for them. Seriously, I was digging my fingernails into my thigh just to try and stay awake.”

Jessica giggled. “You crack me up.” But she’d hardly focused on the speeches; her attention certainly lay elsewhere in the room.

“No, wait. The ice-cold glares you kept giving Meredith and Nate were entertaining. I think you scared half the people at our table. “

“I’m sorry. But Meredith rubs me the wrong way.”

Seeing Meredith—her arch-enemy—next to Nate made Jessica want to draw her talons and scream “
Back off bitch, he’s mine”
. In more ways than one! She didn’t like Meredith’s approach to business and gossipy tactics. She didn’t like their campaigns and didn’t want Meredith’s hands on any more of her clients.

“Thanks for the evening out, but next time I think locking myself in a room full of geriatric lawyers would be loads more fun.” Max finished off her drink.

“Sorry, I didn’t think it was going to be this bad,” said Jessica. “The food was nice though!”

“True. I’m going to head off and catch a cab home. You stay here and have some fun. Find that Mr Somers, and stay out of Meredith’s firing line.” Max said as she hugged her goodbye.

Jessica finished her drink and placed her glass on the counter. She was in no mood to network with the mob of suits that lingered around after the event. She gathered up her coat and scarf, hitched her bag on her shoulder and made her way out of the bar to the bathroom for a quick visit before heading home.

She toweled off her hands and opened the door back out into the hallway only to run into a wall. A wall made of man. She knew that scent. She knew the shape of that chest. She looked up, straight into Nate’s eyes.

“Why didn’t you tell me about Meredith?” he asked.

Jessica gasped. “Tell you what?” Oh crap. Did blabbermouth Meredith tell him all about their history. Even when she tried to take them over? It seemed so. “Excuse me.” She tried to side step around him but he blocked her path.

“She wanted to buy you out to avoid being your competition. That’s a smart business tactic, but I for one am glad that didn’t happen. We may have never met otherwise,” he said. “But I think she’d still want to take Kick if you gave her the thumbs up.”

She couldn’t hide how crushed she felt inside at the thought of selling, “I know she would, but my company is not for sale.” Would Nate think that Kick was unstable and unable to carry off the launch?

“So why the tension between you two?”

This was not the conversation they should be having in the bathroom hallway, but Jessica couldn’t help herself from babbling.

“It’s so much more than that.” She lowered her chin and looked away. “She’s like an annoying woodpecker pecking continuously. Or a vulture trying to eat you. She has her eyes set on us and is willing to do anything to steal, win or chisel our clients away. I just don’t like the way she conducts business and she won’t accept no for an answer.”

“If it’s any consolation, I know where you’re coming from,” Nate lifted her chin with the tip of his finger. “We’ve been the target of several ruthless takeover attempts in our time. Look, we wouldn’t have selected your agency for our launch if we didn’t believe that you had the financial capability, the unique creativity, and that you operated in a manner that suited our style. We did our research. Besides, I personally prefer to deal with smaller organizations like yourselves rather than massive multinationals like EyeOn.”