CHAPTER ONE

Anika Hart took a step back, wineglass in hand, and looked around the crowded ballroom. The fund-raiser was intended to be more fun than business, yet business was on her competitors' minds.

Casper Sullivan stood in the middle of a large crowd across the room. He appeared at ease, as if he was in his environment, with an easy smile. It should be illegal for a man to be that attractive. Anika loved a man who was sure of himself.

Given the long, probing stares they'd exchanged in recent weeks, she'd be a fool not to consider where things may go, if only he wasn't a potential customer. She was desperate to land this client.

She needed the account—her boss and the agency were dependent on her—but she refused to sleep with the man to acquire it. Anika averted her gaze from Casper Sullivan before she grew too engrossed in merely observing him. They'd been doing a delicate dance around each other since he'd sacked his last advertising agency. He was aware that she desired him professionally.

The issue was that once a large corporation, such as Cass Pharmaceuticals, fired an agency, it became an open season. The other agencies surrounded us like sharks. She could not help but think Casper Sullivan was secretly tickled by the attention that he caused where ever he went and not only because of his good looks.

"I'm delighted you made it, Anika. “Have you contacted Casper yet?" Anika turned to see Jacob Stoll, her boss, standing a foot away. He wasn't drinking anything. He didn't even appear to be overjoyed to be here.

Her brow furrowed. “A tux. Jacob, you look good. "Are you, however, keeping the ladies at bay?"

In response, he growled, his lips twisting in disgust. "No Anika. I brought Sarah with me."

Anika peered over his shoulder to see his attractive assistant standing a few feet away. Anika smiled and waved as Sarah approached.

"You look beautiful," Anika exclaimed.

Sarah grinned and bowed her head, but not before Anika noticed the tiny pink on her cheeks. Jacob made an impatient motion toward Casper. "Why are you standing here while he is standing over there?" Jacob's face stiffened as he examined the room. "I should have known the old bastard would be here."

Anika followed his eyes and found Pete Foxhorn holding court within earshot of Casper. Though she wouldn't confess it to Jacob, seeing their business adversary hammering on Casper Sullivan made her incredibly nervous.

Pete Foxhorn owned Foxhorn Promotions, and he'd not only enticed away a couple of their major clients in recent months, but he'd also initiated a public relations campaign against their company. It was a filthy pool, but that didn't surprise Anika. Foxhorn was merciless, and he would go to any length to win.

"Well, yes," Anika said quietly. "His ad executives are trying their best to talk to Casper."

"Is there any reason why you aren't?"

She put a hand on his forearm. She understood how crucial this account was to Jacob—and to everyone at Stoll Communications.

"I need you to believe me, Jacob. I've done a lot of research on Casper Sullivan. He is aware of my interest. He'll find his way to me eventually. I'm certain of it".

"I know I'm asking a lot," she admitted quietly. "But I can't just walk over there and pull out the seductive wiles." She motioned to the women gathered around Casper.

They weren't making any noise about how far they were willing to go to sign him. "That's what he expects, and you know I can't do it." Jacob, I can land this account on the concepts. I've spent every waking moment working on this pitch. He's not going to pass it up."

Jacob looked at her for a long time, his eyes glittering with what appeared to be respect. She really enjoyed working for him. He was tough. He was obstinate. He was the only person she’d told her own side of the story at what happened at her last job.

"I never expected you to land the account based on anything less than your brilliance, Anika," Jacob replied quietly. "I sincerely hope I never gave you any other impression."

"I know. I value your assurance more than you realize. I will not disappoint you. I will not fail Stoll Communications."

Jacob ran his hand through his hair and took another look around the room. He appeared exhausted. He did work really hard. To him, the agency was everything. However, new wrinkles have formed around his eyes and Anika desired more than anything to be able to give over this account to him. She looked up to see Casper weaving his way through the crowd.

"Don't look now, but he's on his way our way." "Perhaps you should take Sarah out to dance or something." Jacob turned and vanished back into the crowd as swiftly as he'd approached.

Anika sipped her wine and pretended to be unconcerned as she felt Casper approach in. It was impossible to overlook him. When he was near, her body seemed to heat up.

And his scent. Despite the noise and bustle of the busy room and the blend of so many feminine scents, she could detect his distinct scent. Rough. Masculine and tantalizingly seductive. It made no sense to her, but she was sensitive to it.

"Anika," he whispered.

She smiled as she turned. "Hello, Casper. Are you having a good time?"

"I think you know I'm not."

She arched an eyebrow and looked at him over the rim of her glass. “Do I?”

Casper snatched a flute from a passing waiter and focused his full attention on her. It was everything she could do not to gasp under his intense inspection. He undressed her in front of a room full of people. He had amazing eyes, and they were currently devouring her, penetrating beneath the modest evening gown she'd picked. She felt naked.

"Anika, tell me something." Why didn’t you come along with the others assuring me that your ad agency will propel Cass Pharmaceuticals to the top?"

Her lips curled into a smile. "Because you are already at the top?"

"You're such a tease."

Her smile vanished at that point. He was correct. She was flirting, which was the furthest thing from her mind. She looked across the room to where the other ad executives were staring holes in her and Casper.

"I'm not in a hurry, Casper. I'm confident in my abilities. I know my suggestions for your advertising campaign are fantastic. Is it arrogant of me? Maybe. But I don't need to sell you on nonsense. All I need is the opportunity to demonstrate what Stoll Communications can accomplish for you."

"Whatever you can do for me, Anika."

Her eyes widened in shock at the obvious insinuation. And then he went on to correct her erroneous assumption.

"If your ideas are as brilliant as you claim, I wouldn't be taking on Stoll and what the agency could do for me." I'd like to hire you." She grimaced, annoyed that she was suddenly at a disadvantage. Her fingers curled a little more around the glass, hoping they wouldn't shake and reveal her anxiety. He looked at her with interest, having picked up on her unease.

"It was not a proposal, Anika. You'd notice the difference, believe me."

In an audacious gesture, he extended his finger and traced a line down the naked skin of her arm. She couldn't stop the shivering or the sprinkling of icy bumps that danced across her skin.

"I only meant that if you impress me with a pitch and I sign on with Stoll, you won't relegate me to some junior executive." I'd expect you to be in charge of the campaign at all levels."

"And do you intend to sign with Stoll Communications?" she inquired quietly. In his green eyes, there was a spark of enjoyment.

He took a slow sip of his wine and then looked at her. "If your pitch is compelling enough." Foxhorn Communications has some excellent suggestions. "I'm thinking about it."

Her lips clenched. "Only because you haven't seen mine yet. He smiled once more. "I admire self-assurance. Anika Hart, I'm excited to see what you have in mind. Jacob Stoll is fortunate to have such a tenacious employee. "I wonder if he realizes it."

“Are we moving into the appointment phase?” she asked lightly.

“Maybe,” Casper murmured close to her ear.

“So how is next week? I have Thursday free. I was thinking we could meet informally and you could go over what you have in mind.” 

“Sure. I can do Thursday.”

“I’ll have my assistant call you with the time and location then.”

He picked up her hand and brought it to his lips. The warm brush of his mouth over the back of her hand sent a bolt of pleasure straight down her spine.

“Until Thursday.”

She watched wordlessly as he strolled away. He was immediately swallowed up by a crowd of people again, but he turned and found her gaze. For a moment they simply stared at one another and then the corners of his mouth lifted into a smirk. Oh, yes, he knew. He knew exactly what her reaction to him was.

On the way, she passed Jacob and Sarah, who were standing somewhat awkwardly to the side. Jacob didn’t say anything. Of course, he would have seen her dancing with Casper. Jacob probably hadn’t looked at anyone but Casper all night. A shame, really, since Sarah looked regal in her purple gown.

“Thursday,” she said in a low voice. “I meet with him Thursday. No formal pitch. He wants to hear my ideas first. If he likes them, he’ll arrange a time for us to hit him with both barrels.” 

Jacob nodded, and she saw the gleam of satisfaction light his eyes.

“Good work, Anika.”

Anika smiled and resumed her path to the door. She had a lot to do.