Not Strictly Business!: Prodigal Son / The Boss and Miss Baxter / The Baby Deal. Victoria Pade

laughed. “I’m sure I’ll hear worse before the launch. The point is to make this a safe destination for children. I’m willing to do everything possible to make that happen. Even if it means driving the IT guys a little crazy.”

      David grinned. “Good for you. Next week let’s set up a meeting to talk about publicity for the launch. I’ve already reserved some space in a couple of kid magazines and there will be a few Saturday morning cartoon spots.”

      Samantha stared at him. “Television advertising?” She knew how much it cost.

      “Jack said you were going to be the one to save the company. So he told me to think big.”

      She doubted Jack had ever said she would save the company but she knew the Web site could go a long way to boosting the bottom line. Still, she was surprised and pleased to find out how much he was supporting her.

      “I’ll call you,” she said. “I have a lot of ideas for the advertising.”

      “Why am I not surprised?”

      She laughed. “I have ideas for pretty much everything.”

      “That’s what Jack said.”

      There was something in David’s voice that made her wonder what else Jack had been saying about her. Not that she would ask.

      Several clients walked into the ballroom. David excused himself and went over to greet them. Samantha followed more slowly, wanting to give him a moment to talk before she moved close and introduced herself.

      She’d done plenty of industry parties. They had a simple formula for success. She had to make sure she spoke with everyone, was charming and friendly and remembered their names. Then, during the second half of the evening, she needed to circulate, chatting about anything and finding subtle ways to talk up the company. She’d also learned to pay attention to anyone who seemed to be on his or her own. Being lonely at a party was never a good idea. Taking a little time to be a friend and then introduce the shy person to others went a long way to making the evening a success.

      David spoke with the group of eight men and women. She waited for a lull in the conversation then moved in closer.

      David smiled at her. “This is Samantha Edwards, one of our newest and brightest additions to Hanson Media Group. Samantha is working on an incredible expansion of our Internet site for kids.”

      One of the women raised her eyebrows. “Do I want my children spending more time on the computer?”

      Samantha smiled. “Probably not. Aren’t they on there so much now?”

      The woman nodded.

      “It’s a real problem,” Samantha told her. “One I’ve been working on. My goal isn’t to trap them inside for more hours, but to make their computer time more efficient, fun and safe, all the while making sure their homework gets done and their parents are happy.”

      “That’s a big order,” one of the men said. “Can you do it?”

      She nodded. “Absolutely. Let me tell you how in two minutes or less.”

      She launched into the pitch she’d spent the last week perfecting, then stayed long enough to answer a few questions. When the group had moved away to sample the buffet, David took her by the elbow.

      “Well done,” he said.

      “I believe in being prepared.”

      “Good. Let’s go over here. I have some more people I want you to meet.”

      About an hour later, Samantha felt a distinct tingling on the back of her neck. Careful to continue to pay attention to the conversation, she casually looked around to find the source of her hyperawareness.

      It didn’t take her long to locate Jack standing by the window with two older men.

      At the sight of him, she felt her blood surge a little faster. Her skin seemed to heat as her toes curled.

      He looked pretty amazing in his tailored tux, but then he had the James Bond sort of good looks that were made for formal wear. The stark white of his shirt contrasted with his black tie.

      Yummy, she thought, instantly recalling the kiss they’d shared and how her body had reacted to his nearness. Despite the fears left over from her previous marriage and her general wariness of men like Jack, she found herself wanting a repeat of their make-out session along with the time and privacy to take things further.

      She forced her attention back on the conversation and away from Jack. After a few minutes, the tingle increased, then she felt a warm hand on the small of her back.

      “Having a good time?” he asked everyone, even as he continued to touch her.

      “Great party,” Melinda Myers, the president of the largest string of car dealerships in the Midwest said. “Your father would be very proud, Jack.”

      Samantha guessed she was the only one who felt him stiffen slightly.

      “Thank you,” he said graciously. “Despite everything that has happened recently, I wanted to keep the family tradition going. Your business has been very important to us.”

      Melinda smiled. “Hanson Media Group has been a good partner for me. I don’t want that to change.”

      “Nor do I,” he told her.

      Melinda nodded at Samantha. “I’ve been hearing great things about the new Internet site. Impressive. Samantha was just telling me about her plans and some innovative ways for my company to be a part of it.”

      “I hope you take her up on her offer,” Jack said.

      Melinda smiled coyly. “Of course I will. I know a good deal when I hear one. That’s how I got to where I am now.”

      Samantha did her best to pay attention to the banter but it was difficult with Jack’s fingers pressing against her skin. Heat radiated out from him, feeling hot enough to burn.

      Warmth spread out in all directions, making her breasts swell and her thighs melt. She wanted to blame her reaction on the liquor, but she’d yet to take more than a sip of her wine. Her next best excuse was that she hadn’t had much to eat that day.

      A tall older man approached and asked Melinda to dance. Several other people excused themselves, leaving Samantha and Jack standing together beside the dance floor.

      “So what do you think?” he asked, his dark eyes locking with hers.

      She assumed he meant about the party and not her awareness of him. “The night is a hit,” she said. “I had wondered how our advertisers would react to all the recent bad news, but they’re taking it in stride. A lot of that is you.” She grimaced. “I’m sorry. I know you don’t want to hear that, but it’s true. They see you as a capable replacement for your father.”

      “Nice to know they think I can do as well as a man who defrauded investors.”

      She touched his arm. “They don’t mean it that way.”

      “I know.” He set down his glass on a nearby tray. “Want to dance?”

      She would never have thought he was the type to be comfortable on the dance floor and, to be honest, the thought of being that close to him was two parts thrilling and one part pure torture. Still, she’d never been able to resist things that were bad for her.

      She set down her wine. “Absolutely.”

      He took her hand and led her to the edge of the parquet dance floor, then drew her into his arms. She went easily, finding the sense of being against him and swaying to music almost familiar. Had they done this before? In grad school? She didn’t remember a specific time when they’d—

      “You’re frowning,” he said. “I’ll admit my moves are pretty basic, but I didn’t think they were frown-inducing.”

      “What? Oh. Sorry.