"That's harsh. But you know how guys are. They don't really like to deal with their feelings."
"That's for sure."
"But, Riley's man whore ways may have just paid off."
"How so?"
"The reason he and Jennifer left is because she wants the lead in Daddy's Angel."
"Are you shitting me? That would be amazing!"
"I know, right? She was who I thought of when I was writing the script."
"That's so cool."
"I have some other news. We hired a new Senior Vice President. The two of you will be working closely together. I got Riley to okay your firm doing the publicity for Daddy's Angel. You have done well with Riley's PR. This is the next step. If this is a hit, you'll get all you can handle."
"Really? That's amazing. Who is the new VP?"
"He's right here," Tyler says from behind me. I stand up and turn around. "Vanessa Flanning meet--"
"Dawson Johnson," I say, finishing his sentence.
"You two know each other? Perfect. I can stop playing tour guide and get my work done. Dawson, I'm leaving you in Vanessa's capable hands."
I stare into the eyes of the boy I met at Keatyn's eighteenth birthday party. His dark brown eyes lock with mine, reaching inside my soul and grabbing something deep inside me and pulling it to the surface.
I have two simultaneous desires. I want to both comfort him and screw his brains out. And I have no idea why.
The comforting part, I mean.
It's obvious why I would want to screw this man.
Dawson leans in and gives me a sweet kiss on the cheek. "The Alpha of all Alphas. How are you? You look amazing."
Amazing doesn't begin to describe how scrumptious Dawson looks. He's matured, obviously, in all the right places. His shoulders are broader. His neck is thicker. I can't see what's under his perfectly tailored navy pinstripe suit, but based on the way his jacket tapers in at the waist, I'm guessing it's good. His dark, thick hair is cut short and he's a walking advertisement on the perfect amount of scruff. He and Riley look a lot alike, but Dawson is bulkier, his face fuller, and his shoulders even broader.
"Thank you," I finally say, tearing my eyes away from his. "Long time no see."
Oh, for god's sake, I sound like a teenager at the mall.
Maybe because that's what I feel like.
"Awww!" Keatyn says. "Everyone loved the lines you said in the movie! Vanessa, do you remember what you said to Dawson at my birthday party after I introduced you?"
"I haven't seen the movie yet," Dawson admits, "But I do remember. Keatyn said, This is Dawson Johnson, he's headed to NYU this fall and plans to major in luxury marketing." He looks deeply into my eyes again. "Do you remember what you said back?"
"We have a lot in common, then, because I plan to major in luxury spending."
Dawson smiles broadly and laughs. "Then you invited me to Tommy's office for a glass of scotch. That was fun."
"And here you both are now," Keatyn claps. "Working for Captive on just that. I have to get going. Vanessa, I was wondering if you might be able to spend the day with Dawson. Talk shop. Get him up to speed on your current projects and impress him with your plans for our future, especially Daddy's Angel."
"I'd appreciate that, Vanessa," sexy Dawson agrees. "I've already gotten the tour of the place, but Keatyn was a little vague as to what I'd be doing on a day-to-day basis."
I know what I'd like to be doing with him on a day-to-day basis.
But, somehow, I doubt that's what Keatyn had in mind.
CHAPTER NINE
Captive Films - Santa Monica
DAWSON
It's be a while since I felt anything for a girl.
Make that a woman.
Vanessa may have been a girl when I met her, but now she's all woman. She still has the confidence and poise I remember, but her smile is tinged with something I see in my own.
Sadness.
When we were teenagers, everything seemed so simple. So hopeful.
You're hot. Let's hookup.
Sadly, that's still the only pick up line I know.
It's really hard to concentrate on what she's telling me. She's giving me an overview of projects Captive Films is working on. She's discussing target audiences for each. All stuff I understand well.
Except I find myself just staring at her lips.
Lips I kissed on a night that feels like it was a lifetime ago.
I've been feeling old since Whitney left but sitting here today, looking at her lips, I feel young again.
"I'm staring at your lips," I tell her.
She immediately brings her hand up to her lips, like she has something on them. "Why?"
"They're exactly as I remember them. Full. Lush. Perfect. And you still wear the same color lipstick."
She smiles. "It's funny, I just started wearing red lipstick again. I wore it back then because it made me feel confident. I guess that's why I've been wearing it lately."
"Why in the world would you need help feeling confident?"
She looks at her watch. A beautiful diamond encrusted one. The kind a man who has both money and taste would have bought her.
I look at her left hand. No wedding ring has appeared since the last time I checked ten minutes ago.
How is it that she's not married?
"It's nearly lunch," she says. "I'm going to need a martini if we're going to get personal."
"A drink sounds good to me."
CHAPTER TEN
Captive Films - Santa Monica
VANESSA
"Do you have a car or would you like me to drive?" I ask him as we head outside.
"I have no idea where to go, but I'd love to drive." He points toward a gorgeous new red Ferrari.
I try not to cringe at his choice of cars. My ex, Bam, had a thing for Ferraris. He even had their prancing horse symbol tattooed on his chest. "You like Ferraris, I see," I say, trying not to choke on the word.
"Don't tell Keatyn, but it's not really me."
"It's not?"
"It's a little flashy, don't you think?"
I laugh as he opens the door for me. "Yeah, just a little."
As he joins me in the car, he's still talking. "But, I will admit, she's fun to drive. And listen to this engine purr. Maybe if I ever get one for myself, I'll get it in silver. This looks more like Riley. Have you ever seen his neon green Viper?"
"I have. And out of all the cars he has, that's still his baby. It was his 18th birthday present, right?"
"Yep. That's a tradition in the Johnson family. All the men get together and choose your first car."
"What'd you get?"
"A modified silver BMW," he says, which makes me like him even more. "So where are we going?"
"It's a gorgeous day. I think we should have lunch and drinks poolside at Chateau Marmont."
"I've heard of that place. Isn't it a hotel where lots of famous people stay?"
"Yeah, the history of the place is pretty great. And don't be alarmed when we get there, but I'll have to check us into a room."
There's an amused look on his face and I wish I knew what he was thinking. Probably that I want him.
Which, let's be honest, I do.
"A room?"
"Yes, a poolside bungalow. So that we can enjoy lunch and drinks poolside."
"Oh, I get it. You can't use the pool without a room."
"Exactly."
He drives to the hotel and when we get there he says he'll check us in.
Knowing what a suite costs, I balk. "Oh, I'll do it."
"Absolutely not," he says, as he takes my hand to help me out of the car.
When I stand up, we're face to face and he's staring at my mouth again.
"I changed my mind," he says. "This car matches the color of your lipstick. That alone might be reason enough to love it."
My mouth goes dry, my knees feel weak.
He totally made me swoon.
When's the last time a man made m
e swoon with his words and not his wallet?
I smile, I can't help it.
Plus, I don't know how to respond.
And I always have a quick comeback for everything.
Once we're checked into our suite, I open the doors to the outside.
He stands close behind me, looking out at the view.
"I have to say," he says, "I thought a lot about what my first day would be like. I never imagined this."
When I turn around to reply, my chest grazes across his suit.
Even in my heels, I have to look up at him.
Our eyes lock and we share a moment. That perfect moment right before a kiss. I tilt my chin ever so slightly upward, giving him permission.
A flash of sadness washes across his eyes and he backs away from me.
In that moment, I vow to discover the reason for his sadness.
And make it go away.
