Marla’s blush deepened and her eyes grew moist. “I don’t…”

Dan leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Knock ’em dead, gorgeous,” he whispered, just loudly enough so that Jessica could hear.

Her attention shifted from her assistant to this odd man she’d hired to be her escort. How could he have known that Marla had been struggling to transform herself from a somewhat geeky youth into a confident young woman? That this dress, this whole approach to her looks was new and untested? That what she needed most was a man, particularly a good-looking, confident man, to affirm that she was beautiful, that she could relax into this new phase of her life?

Marla practically floated away with a vague promise to check into something, leaving Jessica alone with Dan. Well, as alone as one could be while waiters and team members scurried about straightening this and adjusting that. He smiled at her, but not in a self-satisfied, gloating way, which she had sort of expected. He’d made the night for Marla, and most men she knew would have worn that triumph like a trophy.

“May I get you something to drink?” he asked. “Or maybe there’s some work I can do? I’m pretty handy with a hammer or even a dish towel.”

Jessica shook her head. “No, thanks. I think we’ve got it under control, but if you’d like, you can come with me while I do a final check.”

“It would be my pleasure.”

AFTER A GOOD HALF HOUR talking with the deejay, checking on the liquor and the hired staff, Jessica led Dan back into the main room of the club. Marla was stationed at the door, welcoming the first of the guests. From this distance Jessica couldn’t see who it was. As they walked across the dance floor, she felt Dan’s hand slip from her shoulder to the base of her neck. His long fingers felt warm and a bit ticklish. Her first reaction was to cringe, but she mastered herself quickly. She’d never really thought about all the places a man touched a woman that went beyond casual boundaries. An acquaintance could certainly touch a hand, an arm, even a shoulder. But a touch to the neck or face carried with it an unspoken message: I’m entering into the land of the private, here. You’re allowing me to. That means we’re more than friends, and if you let my hand linger, it means we’re heading for intimacy. Jessica hadn’t let anyone into her privacy in years, and she wondered if she’d been on a date with Dan, would she have cringed? Or would she have welcomed his touch?

As it stood now, she couldn’t very well shake him off. He was simply doing his job. Making it clear to all and sundry that they were a couple. She didn’t dare tell him to back off in case Owen was in sight, because Owen could be anywhere at any time, watching for just this kind of thing. In fact, she slowed her pace, looked up to meet Dan’s gaze, and slipped her hand around his waist.

“Hey there,” he said.

“You’re good at this,” she said.

“I’ve been on dates before.”

“This isn’t one.”

“Not technically, no. But why let a little thing like a pesky, oversexed boss get in the way? I’m going to enjoy every minute of tonight, and I hope you are, too.”

“It’s not important that I enjoy myself. I can’t afford to forget I’m working.”

“Who says the two are mutually exclusive? You can be observant, take care of business, and still have a blast.”

She stopped him short. “What planet are you from?”

He shook his head, his expression puzzled. “Why on earth would you want a career that isn’t fun?”

“Fun? Fun isn’t the issue.”

“Why not? What better criteria are there?”

“Money, power. You know, the things that make the world go round?”

“So you get off on power, do you?”

“Sure.”

“You say that like it’s a given.”

“It is. Power is what it’s all about.”

“Why?”

“Come on, Dan. Look around. Those who have the most power win.”

“Win what? What’s the prize?”

She looked over at the front door. More and more people were arriving, and she shouldn’t leave Marla to face the crowd on her own. “Let’s talk about prizes later, shall we? I need to get over there.”

“Of course. But I’m not going to forget where we were.”

“I’m sure you’re not.”

They reached the entrance and Marla stepped to her side. “Donna Karan is here, and so is Kate Spade. The limos are starting to pile up.”

“Great. Do me a favor, go ask Eddy to start the champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Have you seen Owen?”

“He got here a while ago. He asked me where you were.”

“I’m sure he’ll turn up.”

Marla gave Dan a big smile, then headed off for the kitchen. Jessica turned to find Donald Trump at the door with his latest girlfriend. She settled in for a long hour of greetings, aware the whole time that Dan was close by.

When the bulk of the crowd had arrived, Dan led Jessica away from the door into the heart of the party. The music, an eclectic mix by one of the most popular deejays in the city, was just loud enough to make conversation difficult. Drinks and food flowed at the hands of the ever attentive staff, and everyone seemed to be having a hell of a good time. He hoped to make that true for Jessica.

She’d handled the introductions like a pro, but when he touched her he could feel the tension in her muscles. Owen had come by briefly, pretty much ignoring Dan, but the crowd had been such that he had to leave Jessica be. Now that they were out in the open, so to speak, Dan felt sure Owen would make his move.

They were in the middle of the dance floor, Madonna singing a techno-song with a strong beat. Dan grabbed Jessica’s hand and spun her around to face him. “Let’s dance,” he shouted.

She shook her head no, and tried to turn away but he stopped her.

“Come on, one dance. It’ll do you good.”

She closed the distance between them and he bent at the waist so his ear was near her mouth. “I don’t know how.”

“Ah,” he said. “Then I’ll wait for a slow song.”

“Dan, I have work to do.”

“What work would that be? Everything’s going great.”

“I need to make sure it continues.”

“It will. Look around.”

She did, with a slow arc, turning around until she’d seen the whole room.

“See? These people know how to party.”

She nodded, but seemed captivated by something in a dark corner. He followed her gaze to find Marla standing with Shawn Foote. The two were huddled close as Shawn talked to her.

“Is something wrong?”

Jessica shook her head. “No, it’s fine. It’s just that Marla has a-”

He lost the tail end of her sentence. “What?”

She stood on tiptoe and cupped her mouth. “Marla has a huge crush on him. I’m proud of her.”

“Ah. Good for her.”

The song ended and another fast number took its place. “Is there somewhere quiet around here?”

“The only place I know of is the bathroom.”

“No good.”

“Oh,” she said. “There’s the roof.”

“Perfect. Where’s the door.”

She pointed toward the kitchen. “At the back, to your left.”

He laughed. “You’re coming with me.”

“No, I can’t.”

“You can.” He grabbed her hand and led her through the press of bodies. It took a while, but they got past the dance floor. He’d even managed to snag a glass of champagne on the way.

The kitchen bustled with activity, but Dan didn’t let her stop to investigate. He just kept leading her toward the door. When they reached the exit, Jessica put on the breaks. “Dan, I can’t.”

“Five minutes. We’ll get some air, have a drink. Then we’ll come on back and get as serious as you want.”

“That’s not the point,” she said, clearly not ready to give in. But just then Owen McCabe saved the day. He was on the far side of the room, but he’d spotted them. His voice, calling out Jessica’s name, was barely audible over the din.

“Uh-oh,” Dan said. “Owen, six o’clock.”

“Damn.”

“Come on, before he gets any closer.”