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  She was speechless when she walked into the ballroom at the Westin. Everything looked spectacular. Someone had hung a giant disco ball in the middle of the room, so there were little points of light all over the room, and reflecting off the modern, geometric-shaped chandeliers. The effect was fabulous. The room was softly lit, but not so soft as to be romantic, just soft enough to be inviting and comfortable. In keeping with the campaign, it was supposed to feel like a post-modern wedding reception, only with better food.

  Along one wall was an enormous, modern fireplace that extended about 15 feet. The food stations and bars were discreetly placed in little pockets throughout the room. The far end of the room sported a stage with a backdrop of a large screen where the ads would be displayed. Currently the screen was lit up with the new Bradford Aviation logo that blended the Callahan Enterprises logo with it. The tables had floating candles and flowered centerpieces that displayed a lot of bark and stem in them, lending a masculine touch. Everything was tasteful and modern, perfect for bringing Bradford Aviation into a new era.

  Promptly at 7 the Bradford folks began to arrive. They’d invited the whole company to the party, but only about 125 or so of the 200 employees had committed to coming. It was a good amount, though, and would make a great showing for the company. The few press people from the trade magazines that were covering this would have enough to write about, Judy was sure. Cocktail hour was from 7 to 8, and then they’d have presentations for about an hour or so, and after that people could just have a good time.

  As she looked around the room, she was nervous about presenting, but not nearly as nervous as she was about seeing Jason. And having him see her. She smiled to herself.

  “If I forget to tell you later, you look stunning,” Mark said as he approached her and handed her a glass of champagne. “That dress was made for you. You’ll knock ‘em dead during the presentations.”

  “Thanks Mark, you clean up well, yourself.”

  And he did. She hoped Tracey noticed and if she still didn’t want him, she let him down gently. Mark had been perfect on this campaign. He was the guy’s guy that Rich seemed to want, but instead of coming off chauvinistic like Rich, Mark carried it off without offending the women. She was impressed with him. He was respectful and smart. He’d be the perfect person to head up this account even after Matthew returned.

  As she mulled over Mark’s good work, she felt a sudden shift in the air around her. She knew what that meant: Jason was near. She could always feel him before she saw him, and the butterflies in her belly upgraded to eagles.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  JASON GOT OUT OF the cab and headed into the Westin, straightening his tie. He was tired. It had been another grueling week of flying, and except for a couple of days ago, he hadn’t seen Judy since last weekend. A company party was the last thing he wanted to do. This was something his dad would have loved, but not Jason. He hated these things.

  But Judy was here, and he needed to be where she was. He needed to see her, touch her, wrap her up in his arms and never let her go. The good news was, after tonight they could hopefully go public with their relationship. He was ready. He liked to keep things simple, and secrets were never simple. Secrets complicated everything. He understood why they had to keep their relationship a secret, but it didn’t mean he liked it.

  He was so in love with her he couldn’t stand it. It was all he could do to not try and convince her to marry him every time he was with her. He knew now that he had been smitten with her that first day when she threw up in his plane. He constantly found himself envisioning a future with her. He saw marriage, kids, and knowing each other’s families.

  This had never happened to him before. He’d never really wanted the whole marriage/life thing with a woman before Judy. It wasn’t that he wanted to be a bachelor, he’d just never really thought about it. He knew Vanessa and maybe other women he’d dated had thought about it, but it just wasn’t something that was on his bucket list. He had liked his life the way it was.

  Then Judy arrived in a blaze of glory, with her airsickness and douche husband, and sent a cosmic shift through his life. He still felt the ripples of the aftershocks. He silently thanked the forces of the universe for bringing them together not once, but twice. He would not let her go again.

  These thoughts swirled around in his mind as he walked toward the ballroom. All he had to do was get through tonight, and then their relationship would get easier, simpler. Except for the part about loving her. That had been easy and simple from day one.

  He stood at the open doors into the party and surveyed the scene. Man, someone had gone all out. It was like an adult prom, but with booze. He was thinking he should get a drink to loosen up and help him get through this massive social hour, and then his eyes hit on Judy.

  Holy shit.

  What was she wearing? Someone forgot to put the back part of her dress together. He could only see her from the back, but wow, what a view. Her dress hugged her curves around her fully exposed back. He felt a tightening in his groin as he imagined touching her back, kissing it. Then he realized that there is no way she could be wearing a bra with that dress. He choked back a groan. It was going to be a long night.

  “Hey Jason, welcome to the party,” Stephanie said as she sidled up beside him.

  Stephanie looked great, too. She was wearing fire-engine red and it looked good on her. The bold color and tight lines of her dress suited her.

  “Hi Stephanie. This place looks great—you sure know how to throw a party,” he said, willing himself to make eye contact with Stephanie and not outright ogle Judy.

  “Judy and Mark planned the whole thing. I hope you enjoy it. This is one of the fun things we get to do.” Then she gave him a sideways smile. “She looks lovely, don’t you think?”

  He was momentarily caught off guard and felt like they’d been found out. Or maybe he’d been busted for outright staring at Judy.

  “That she does.” Jason tried to sound casual. “As do you, Stephanie.” He smiled.

  “Thanks. You’re not so bad yourself. Well, I’m going to see if I can track down some champagne. I’m sure we’ll talk later.” Stephanie glided away.

  How do women do that so effortlessly? They drop bombshells and then just float away in search of a drink. Though at that moment, a drink sounded pretty good.

  He started to walk toward the nearest bar, but then spotted Rich heading over to Judy. Not trusting Rich to behave himself, he changed direction and headed Judy’s way also. He was not about to let Rich touch her. Especially with that dress and its missing back.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  JUDY STARTED TO TURN around when she heard Rich say, “Well if it isn’t the man and woman of the hour,” as he walked toward her. He put out his hand to vigorously shake Mark’s hand and then leaned in to drop a peck on Judy’s cheek. “I can’t wait until the presentations, but mostly, I can’t wait to hit the bar. I’ll catch up with you two after I’ve spent some time with Johnny Walker,” Rich ambled on.

  Right then she noticed that Jason was behind Rich and it was his turn to greet them. His charcoal suit fit him perfectly. She could see the outline of his thighs when he moved, and she felt herself start to melt. He had on a cobalt blue tie, which brought out the deep cerulean of his eyes. The lighting was perfect for highlighting his honey and blonde streaked hair. He smiled the big genuine smile of someone glad to be there, and she swore she heard someone swoon behind her. God, she hoped it wasn’t her. He was a Norse god with his honey blonde locks and those piercing eyes.

  Jason reached out to shake Mark’s hand, “This is a great party, you’ve all outdone yourselves. Everything looks amazing.”

  He turned to Judy and put a hand lightly on her waist. He leaned in and delivered a peck on her cheek just like Rich did. As he did this he whispered, “Great dress.”

  Heat was searing through her bloodstream, originating from the point where he touched his waist with his hand and from her cheek wher
e he put his lips. She knew she was flushed and all that heat made her feel like a glow stick.

  She tried to find her voice to respond to Jason and greet him as a professional would, but she had trouble concentrating on anything but his eyes, which he wouldn’t take off her. He mentally removed the front of her dress as well, given the expression on his face. Thank God Mark was on top of it and helped to break the spell.

  “Welcome Jason, let’s get you a drink.”

  The two of them start to walk toward the bar and Judy drained her champagne in one gulp just as Stephanie approached.

  “Whoa there, Judy. Save some for the rest of us,” she said with a wink.

  “Nerves, you know.” Judy smiled weakly. Stephanie wasn’t buying it.

  “I’d say it was less nerves and more being caught up in the sex web I think Jason is weaving all over this room. My God, that man is hot.”

  “Well, yeah, a little of that, too.”

  She took in Stephanie’s dress. She looked amazing. Her dark hair hung in waves perfectly framing her face in a short bob. She looked powerful and feminine at the same time. Her dress was a sleek, red version of the Little Black Dress. It brought out the hue of her cheeks and her perfectly lined lips.

  “You look gorgeous,” Judy said.

  “Backatcha,” she responded. “I know Jason noticed. He saw you from the back when he came in and he just stopped, like he was paralyzed for a minute. That boy has it bad for you, Judy.”

  She couldn’t begin to control the bloom of joy that spread through her at Stephanie’s words.

  “I know, I know.” She was unable to hold back a smile, but Stephanie’s critical expression was not lost on her. “I’ll be careful. But you have to admit, it’s nice to be admired,” she said a little wistfully. “Well, I’m off to get this party started. Show time.”

  “Good luck,” Stephanie said, giving her a hug.

  Judy climbed the steps to the stage and took her place at the podium. Mark took his place beside her, and they looked out into the crowd. It was quite a sight – everyone dressed in their finest, and the room glittering with tiny reflected lights everywhere. It felt festive and exciting.

  “Good evening, folks,” she began, speaking into the microphone while Mark readied the media. “Welcome to the Bradford Aviation launch gala!”

  As the room applauded, her nerves started to dissipate. This was just like the board room pitch, only everyone was dressed better. The presentation went off without a hitch. Mark had just the right amount of champagne beforehand to lose his nervousness, and they both delivered their lines with sincere camaraderie. It had been fun, and the crowd seemed to love the ads.

  *

  With the presentation finally over, she was ravenous and the full scope of her exhaustion hit her. She packed a plate full of crudités and other assorted appetizers, grabbed a glass of wine and headed to an empty table. Soon after, she felt Jason approach. He also had a glass of wine.

  “May I join you?” He asked.

  As if. Even in her exhaustion, she couldn’t quell the desire he awakened in her.

  “Of course,” she said, smiling.

  “That was a great presentation,” he said, careful to not touch her but telling her with his eyes how much he wanted to.

  “You and Mark are really good together. I mean, you work well together,” he clarified, smiling sheepishly.

  She gazed at him. She wanted to say thank you and be the professional account executive, but this was Jason. He knew her so well, and she was too tired to pretend.

  “I’m so glad it’s over,” she sighed. “I’m exhausted.”

  And then he touched her on the arm and leaned in. “I know, it’s been a grueling few weeks. I can’t wait to take you home and bundle you into bed where you can sleep for a day if you like.” He whispered all of this so softly that no one would hear, and in a low, deep growl that again makes her feel like her panties were a little pointless.

  “I’m afraid you are going to have a little work to do before I sleep, Prince Charming.” Jason’s reaction was instant, and she knew her words had the desired effect, just like the dress.

  “What’s all this secret talk going on over here,” Rich plopped down on the other side of Judy, double bourbon in hand. He had obviously drunk through the entire presentation and was feeling no pain.

  “Jason was congratulating me on the presentation. He said that Mark and I work well together,” Judy said, trying to put the focus on her with anyone else but Jason.

  “It was brilliant,” Rich agreed. “You two make a great team and you both look pretty enough to stop a tumbleweed in its tracks.”

  “Thanks.” She tried not to wince.

  “Hey there, Jason, would you do me favor and get me another one of these drinks? I think they pour them a little short for my liking and they just seem to disappear.” Rich handed Jason his glass.

  It was obviously a ploy to get a little one-on-one time with Judy, and Jason’s expression was again one of impassivity. She had figured out that when Jason went impassive in his expression, it meant he was beyond angry or dealing with some other intense emotion.

  “Sure,” he said, mildly. “Johnny Walker?”

  “That’s the one,” Rich said.

  As soon as Jason turned away to head up to the bar, Rich looked at Judy with something predatory in his eyes. He couldn’t have been more obvious. It looked like the evening was about to take a turn that she was not going to like. He put his arm on the back of her chair and leaned in. She could smell his whisky-soaked breath.

  “So, pretty lady, wanna get out of here?” He winked at her and smirked, looking red-faced and watery from the booze.

  “No, I don’t think so - I need to stay for the whole party.” She needed to tread lightly here.

  “Oh, we’ll be back before it ends. I have a room upstairs; I was wondering if maybe you wanted to take a look at it. It’s the penthouse suite. Pretty swanky.” Rich said, taking a shot at subtlety.

  “I don’t think so, Rich, but I am genuinely flattered to be asked,” she lied, crossing her fingers and trying to put a little distance between them. His breath was 100 proof.

  “Well, okay,” he cast his eyes downward in resignation and something that was supposed to be apologetic. “Would you at least accompany me outside while I smoke a cigar? It’s a nice evening.”

  “Okay, for a few minutes,” she conceded.

  It was just the balcony, and a little air might do her some good. She was so tired she was not exactly firing on all cylinders. She just needed to get through this evening.

  Judy and Rich walked outside, and she took in the wonderful evening. Technically, summer didn’t begin until July 5 in Seattle, but tonight it was perfect. The sun had not quite finished setting, and they had a lovely view of the water and darkening blue sky on the western horizon. The air hung on to the heat of the day, and it warmed her skin.

  As she enjoyed the night breeze and the ocean smell that lingered all over Seattle in the summer, she felt Rich’s arms come around her. She was momentarily caught off-guard, and for a split-second she didn’t react. In a swift move, Rich attempted to kiss her. Her brain kicked in then and she pushed Rich away. She had a lingering impression of his erection against her thigh and the scent of Johnny Walker in her nose. Gross.

  “Rich, what the hell are you doing?” she nearly shouted at him.

  Apparently taking that as encouragement, Rich moved in for the kill again, this time putting more force behind it.

  “I’m doing what that dress has been saying you want all damn night. Come on darlin’, let old Rich give you a little satisfaction.” This time he held her to him like a vise. She struggled against his arms and grunted in exasperation. “Yeah, that’s it, baby, make some noise,” he said as he roughly nuzzled into her neck. He continued to press himself against her and startedgrinding. All she could think of was getting away from him.

  “Get the fuck off me,” she said with clenched teeth.
“I will scream.” She tried to maneuver her knee to aim for Rich’s nether regions.

  “And you will lose the Bradford account, honey,” Rich responded with another grinding motion against her. “God, you are so hot.”

  Just as her knee connected with Rich’s crotch, she heard glass breaking distantly. She turned and there was Jason with murder in his eyes, having dropped Rich’s glass of Johnny Walker.

  “What the fuck?” He said as his eyes found Judy’s.

  “Help me,” she pleaded, trying to push Rich away. His body had gone rigid after the knee to the balls he took but he wouldn’t let go of her. Jason was on Rich and between them in a second.

  “What the fuck are you doing??” Jason asked as he pushed Rich into the balcony railing. “Jesus, Rich, have you ever heard of ‘no means no’?” Jason advanced on Rich in a dangerous way. He was bristling with fury.

  “Jason,” Judy began, thinking that maybe a scene is the last thing they needed, even though the bigger part of her was horrified. No one inside the ballroom seemed to have noticed what was happening.

  “Yeah, Jason, listen to your gal. I was just trying to get a piece of that tail that it looks like you’ve been getting. I thought it was part of the campaign package.” He chuckled at his own joke.

  But it was a crucial mistake on Rich’s part. After that insult, Judy wouldn’t try to stop Jason, and he wouldn’t have listened to her anyway. In a flash, he punched Rich and Rich went down like a sack of potatoes, losing consciousness.

  Jason turned and was on Judy in a second, his arms around her, comforting her. She hadn’t realized she’d started crying until he whispered, “Shhh, Judy, it’s okay. I’m here. It’s going to be okay,” over and over.

  Stephanie and Mark wandered out onto the balcony only to discover Rich out cold on the floor next to a broken tumbler of whisky, and Jason holding Judy in his arms, rubbing her back trying to calm her down.

  “What the holy hell…,” Mark started.