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“What?” she eyed him suspiciously.
Mark reached out and grabbed her left hand. Her skin was smooth in his grasp, and her blue eyes widened and her mouth dropped open into a little O shape that he decided he liked. She had kissable lips. But then, she always had. Her mouth had been the first thing he’d noticed about her, back when they’d both been eighteen. And that kiss that night…
“We definitely have to catch up,” Mark said, shoving his libido aside as he began his offensive. “My parents will want to hear everything about you, especially since Herb is an old friend. And Joann won’t believe that we ran into each other like this.”
“That’s all?” Lisa stared.
“Well, no,” Mark began, his tone foreshadowing the condition he was about to insist on.
“Lisa.” A harsh male voice cut sharply through the conversation like a butcher knife. “What exactly are you doing?”
The moment the older man stepped fully into the hotel meeting room, Mark observed an immediate reaction in Lisa. She jerked her hand from his as the man closed the door behind him and stared through wire-rim glasses down his pointed nose. He had to be in his early forties, but somehow he seemed so much older.
When he spoke again, his voice was clipped. “Lisa, job. Herb trusts you. Tonight is extremely important and—”
“I’m Mark Smith,” Mark interrupted, his eyes narrowing at the man’s public chastisement. Speaking of politically incorrect behavior, did the man not see Mark’s name tag? “I’m Larry Smith’s son. You are…?”
“Bradley Wayne. I supervise Herb’s campaign.”
“He’s the campaign manager,” Lisa corrected, her tone brutally polite. “I’m the fund-raiser. Together we’ve partnered to get Herb elected.”
Bravo, Mark thought. He’d never known Lisa to be a wimp, which is why it bugged him so much she’d just disappeared that night.
Bradley’s lips frowned displeasure. “And, partner, I need for you to pull your weight. I’d expect this type of behavior from marriage-obsessed Andrea but not from you.”
Lisa crossed her arms and ramrodded her back. “We were discussing his donation check.”
“Which is why you were holding hands.” Bradley’s reply held just a trace of sarcasm.
Mark stared, his business acumen assessing the man in a nanosecond. Given the undercurrents, there was something more here than met the eye. Had Lisa been interested in the guy once? Surely not, Mark decided.
While Bradley Wayne might be an attractive man on the surface, with his perfect hair and manicured nails, he was the type of guy dominated by only one agenda—his own. Men could spot the worst type of their gender immediately, and Mark considered himself an expert after fending off the sharks only out to purchase and subsequently gut his family’s company. Mark inserted himself back into the conversation.
“Actually, Bradley, you’re right. We were holding hands. Lisa was explaining my role in pass-the-hat and we haven’t seen each other in years. Way too long.”
“His sister is my best friend,” Lisa added quickly. She gazed at Mark. “And long enough.”
Ah, the gauntlet, Mark thought. Lisa was mad at him. But for what? He’d shown up in the ballroom to meet her and she’d been gone.
“Well, if you are such old friends, then everything is perfectly acceptable. Lisa, you know I always have your best interests at heart,” Bradley said, his voice too smooth for Mark’s liking.
“Mr. Smith, I’m sorry I arrived at any unnecessary conclusions,” Bradley continued pleasantly, coming across to Mark as one of those disinterested customer-service representatives working at a call center. “My reaction and words were unprofessional and I apologize. My only explanation is that Lisa is my protégée. I’ve been training her these past two years. Now that’s she’s branched out on her own, I want to see her succeed. Tonight is the first major event in St. Louis whose success rests solely on her shoulders, and I want to make certain nothing goes wrong.”
Bradley reached over and drew Lisa aside. “How about I take over explaining the pass-the-hat event to Mr. Smith? That way you can take care of things outside.”
“That sounds fine.” Lisa moved toward the door.
Mark frowned. No way. She was not going to walk away from him again. Not when she owed him an explanation at the very least. “Lisa, wait.”
She stopped, turned, and Mark focused his attention on Bradley. The man shifted his weight under Mark’s scrutiny. “Bradley—I hope you don’t mind if I call you that—I find myself respectfully disagreeing with this current situation. I’d like to suggest that Lisa explains what I’m to do, since this is her event. It should be her call.”
“I am the campaign manager,” Bradley offered with a patronizing smile that didn’t reach his narrowing eyes. “Herb promoted Lisa upon my advice. Lisa, Mr. and Mrs. Auble have asked to meet Herb, so be sure that happens before the end of the evening. The Aubles plan to let Herb and Bunny spend a week at their lake house.”
“I’m on it.” Lisa returned to pushing the door open.
“Then after the speech you, Mr. Smith, will…”
But Mark ignored him and followed Lisa to the door. No matter how tough Lisa wanted to make this, Mark was determined to make it tougher for her to get away. He put his hand on hers and caught her in the middle of the doorway. “I asked you to wait,” he said.
She shook her head, a blond tendril falling out of the updo and landing in front of her ear. She freed her hand and deliberately pushed the wayward lock back. “I have to go. Thanks for starting the hat.”
“We aren’t done talking,” he said. “You and I have unfinished business.”
Her eyes widened for a moment before she regained her composure. “Okay, perhaps we can talk for a few moments afterward,” Lisa conceded. “I’m seeing my parents Saturday and I won’t live it down if I don’t bring news. And Joann would kill me if we don’t talk.”
“Still not acceptable,” Mark said.
Lisa appeared startled at his firm tone, and Mark used the moment to deal with the insufferable Bradley Wayne.
“Mr. Wayne, I’m quite prepared to fulfill my father’s obligations tonight. But I have a problem. I’m dateless and I dislike dining alone at a table full of strangers. I insist that Lisa be my guest. I haven’t seen her for eight years and would like to catch up.”
Bradley wore a stunned expression, as if someone had suggested letting beggars attend a royal ball. “She has a job to do.”
“Exactly. Fund-raising,” Mark inserted. “My father and Herb pledged the fraternity together and are good friends. I’d hate to go home and tell my dad about the miserable time I had and that I just couldn’t, in good conscience, donate his two thousand and two of my own….” Mark purposely paused. “Anyway, I promise to look after Lisa and get that hat moving.”
Bradley’s upper lip curled and Mark faced Lisa. Her jaw had dropped slightly, and she quickly closed her mouth. He’d dumbfounded her. He could almost hear Joann laughing, filling the hole inside of him that she’d left when she’d moved to Springfield. Phone calls and occasional visits didn’t cut it after you’d grown up sharing confidences since the womb. He turned to Lisa. “Ready? You can tell me about my important duties over our rubber chicken entrée.”
Still shocked by the turn of events, Lisa said, “Huh? I sampled the food earlier. It’s actually pretty good.”
“Perfect.” With that, Mark Smith and his Rhett Butler smile swept Lisa out of the room.
Chapter Three
She was going to kill him. The moment she got Mark Smith aside later, in private, she would rip him limb from limb. Being drawn and quartered would be too good a death for him.
Lisa tried to contain herself as the waiter set down her plate. While she’d planned on eating dinner, she hadn’t planned on eating her meal out here, with all the paying guests.
Of all the infernal things…Mark Smith was impossible. First he kissed her and left with another woman, and now…could he not see that she did not need defending? She did not need him to be some pompous Sir Galahad from theArthurian period. She did not need him to gallop to her rescue, much less misguidedly believe he should.
She had a job to do—one she was very competent at, thank you very much—and said job did not include sitting next to him, eating chicken divan and drinking the glass of white wine he’d bought for her at the cash bar.
The man had knocked her down, out and slightly sideways, but Lisa was a consummate rebounder. Always had been, always would be. No man ever got the best of her—except Mark Smith. Tonight he was two for two. Count the wedding reception and you had three times too many.
She controlled her tapping foot, lest her internal seething become too obvious to her tablemates. She’d literally been had. Shortly after their return to the ballroom, Herb had greeted Mark like a long-lost son. And when Mark had repeated his request, Herb had insisted that of course Lisa should occupy the empty seat as Mark’s companion.
So here she was, enduring polite small talk with a way-too-good-looking, arrogant man who had rattled her cage. Didn’t he realize she didn’t want him leaning close? Didn’t he understand he didn’t have the right to whisper in her ear after what he’d done?
But then, wasn’t he just being true to his stripes? Mark was the type of man who wouldn’t even recognize his obnoxious behavior. And while tonight Lisa could watch her step and stay aloof, something inside her still wanted to flirt with danger.
For Lisa, Mark Smith had always been danger. The man was too darn sexy for his own good. His smile had always been to die for; those dark eyebrows arched perfectly over brown bedroom eyes.
But what really made matters worse was that tonight, even eight years later, Lisa couldn’t say she was immune. Despite his actions following their kiss, when he turned up the charm, Mark was like a beacon in the night to which women naturally gravitated.
Part of her screamed, Run! while the other part claimed she was a big girl now and she should toy with Mark Smith, serve him some well-earned payback.
He had led her on, promised her things, given her momentary hope that dreams do come true. Oh, she admitted to herself at least that when she’d first met Mark eleven years ago, she’d fallen hard and fast. She’d had the biggest schoolgirl crush, which was pathetic considering that he’d only come for a weekend visit to see his sister during their freshman year of college.
For the first time in Lisa’s life, the outgoing class leader had found herself tongue-tied. She’d simply been aware of him. When she’d managed to find her voice, their conversations would be charged and heated, often a series of put-downs. She knew her reasons—by slamming him, she could pretend she wasn’t interested. That she was aloof. Unaffected.
All lies. Her crush had never waned, although she deliberately dated people just to prove her immunity to the man. Why not? Crushes were juvenile, and it was clear Mark wasn’t pining for her. Lisa heard enough stories over the years from Joann to determine that Mark wasn’t anywhere close to Lisa’s type.
As was tradition, Mark had followed in his father and grandfather’s legacy and attended the University of Missouri–Rolla and joined the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. While Tori, Joann and Cecile had made the yearly pilgrimage to Rolla for St. Patrick’s Day festivities, Lisa had often skipped, knowing she’d hear about the wildness anyway. The stories had often centered on Mark’s exploits.
For four years Joann had described edited versions of Mark’s escapades. It was obvious that Joann adored her fraternal twin brother despite what she referred to as his flagrant indiscretions. In other words, Mark Smith was a rogue playboy to the nth degree.
So Mark had reached a mythic disproportion, and his branding kiss had simply seared his reputation firmly and forever into Lisa’s mind, making it ironic that she was now his “date” to her own fund-raising event.
Instead of fading into the woodwork, taking notes and drumming up potential political alliances, she was subject to Bradley’s displeasure and Andrea’s soon-to-occur endless questioning. The redhead’s wink and thumbs-up when Mark had pushed in Lisa’s chair had said volumes.
One thing certainly hadn’t changed about Mark Smith. He’d been cocky and self-assured when she’d first met him and he obviously was the same now, if not even more so.
She had to admit, she’d never seen Bradley Wayne so floored as when Mark had announced his ultimatum. Perhaps there was some justice in the world. Bradley, who was hovering on the room’s periphery, had been a little hard to deal with this past year after she’d left his employ and begun working for herself.
He could only be described as a micromanager and nitpicker. He would become even more impossible henceforth, that was a given. Not ever having met Bradley, and just from Lisa’s conversations, Joann despised him and had railed against the man for years. She would probably pat her brother on the back for what he’d done.
“What’s so funny?” Mark’s whisper tickled Lisa’s ear, his warm breath bringing her back to the reality that he was seated only ten tantalizing inches to her left.
And this time Lisa wasn’t a silly freshman who’d lost her voice. This time she wasn’t some starry-eyed bridesmaid high on wedding magic and illusions. She was all grown-up. Confident. Daring. Definitely a woman who could hold her own against the playboy whose conquests had been regaled and reviled over many cups of morning coffee.
Maybe some torture before she killed him for out-maneuvering her and probably hundreds of other women was in order.
She’d never considered herself a knockout; to be honest, she knew she was far from “ten” status. While she’d never grace the big screen or a rock video, she knew beauty was all about attitude and she’d learned to work with what she had. She angled her head and gave him a dazzling smile.
“I just find it funny that fate brought us together like this. I’d planned on going with you that night,” she admitted purposefully, lifting her wineglass to her lips and holding his gaze over the rim. “That is what you wanted to talk about, wasn’t it? That night?”
But Mark Smith was suave, proving his control when the corners of his eyes crinkled and he said, “So why didn’t you leave with me, then?”
She laughed and toyed with her wineglass stem as she drew on eight years of jaded political-arena experience. “Maybe you should be the politician. Turning the question around and volleying it back to me. Such ego. Joann always said you had one, but I always tried to give you the benefit of the doubt. At least I did up until that night.”
“Of course you did,” he said, a cheeky smile easing over his face as he played along. Her stomach did a figurative flip. He lowered his voice. “The benefit of the doubt is a very powerful thing. It’s like the seat of your pants or your gut instinct. Intangible but very real. Like that kiss.”
“Exactly,” Lisa said, her brain racing to process the multiple innuendos. The man was good.
“So tell me, Lisa, now that fate has given us another chance, what is your gut instinct telling you tonight about me?” he queried, not giving her a chance to retrench, reload or rethink.
Oh, he was master of his game. But now so was she. While she hadn’t a tenth of his sexual experience, she’d still learned to play ball and play well. “It tells me that you haven’t changed a bit. You’re older, certainly, but I don’t know if that makes you necessarily wiser.”
“I was wise enough to have you as my dinner companion.” His gleam spoke volumes.
He’d left her the perfect opening and she took it. “I’m only here because it’s my job.”
He leaned back and studied her, and she knew she’d scored a direct hit. However, the conflicting emotions flickering in his dark eyes lasted for only a moment until he again smiled, although not as brightly as before. His words were measured yet delivered smoothly. “At least we know that you have the capacity for honesty. That’s rare in the political world, isn’t it?”
She had to give him credit. A compliment and a dig, both at the same time. “Perhaps,” she said with a slight incline of her head. “Although, I must say that Herb is honest. He means each and every thing he says and he plans to fulfill every campaign promise he makes.”
Pure skepticism crossed Mark’s face, and he had the courtesy not to laugh. “Oh, they all do, Lisa. And everyone knows the road to hell is paved with good intentions and broken promises. That’s the nature of the beast. Politicians have to have some sliver of raw ideology that lets them be idealistic. It lets them feel good about themselves, convinces them that they aren’t addicted to the allure of wielding power. It proves to them that they have a higher calling, that they are somehow fated to save the world. Business is the same to some extent. We’re all about making the world a better place for everyone, but not without padding our own pockets first. At least corporations admit that it’s all about the bottom line.”
“Cynical,” Lisa observed.
“Always,” he said, the sharpness in his tone driving his point home.
“Herb—”
Mark cut her off. “Not to be rude, but I don’t want to hear about Herb’s promises. I’ll vote for him because he’s my father’s friend and because he’s better than the other two candidates.”
“I will personally guarantee Herb is honest.”
Mark stared at her for a minute. “Sure, for as long as he can be before the job changes him.”
“It won’t,” Lisa declared. “He’s proven himself for a long time. That’s why I’m working for him.”
An arched eyebrow conceded that point before Mark attacked on another front. “But everyone knows Missouri politics are family affairs. The Danforths. The Blunts, the Carnahans, the Clays. In office or not, they all have a lot of influence.”
“True, but Herb has a history of interactions with all of those families on both state and national levels. He’s the best candidate for Missouri.”
Mark took a long sip of water, his study of her never ceasing. “Do you have an answer for everything?”
Lisa didn’t hesitate to nod. “It’s my job. I’m sure you can understand that. After all, isn’t your job important?”
“Very,” Mark said with a corresponding nod.
“Then you understand what I mean. And while I thank you for this lovely meal, it wasn’t at all necessary.”
“It interrupted what you needed to do,” he said drily.
“Honestly, yes.” She almost bit her lip but stopped herself. She’d meant to chastise him, perhaps, but it hadn’t come out that way. She mentally cursed herself. She’d sounded petulant.
The right corner of Mark’s lip inched up and he rubbed his chin. “So I find beside me a woman who can save herself and handle sticky situations on her own. And she’s riled that I stepped in.”
“Absolutely,” Lisa said, a prickle of wariness riveting up her spine. While he’d controlled the conversation earlier, this time he was doing more than exerting his expertise. He was leading her somewhere, readying himself to zero in on something still unknown to her.
“Although you admit that your having dinner with me did please Herb and will tickle my father and mother with delight,” he pointed out.
“But my role isn’t to sit here and eat with you,” she countered.
“And if I asked you to another meal instead?”
Oh, he was smooth. But this time she didn’t miss a beat. She said, “I’d say no.”
Instead of being offended, he simply smiled, that grin of his indicating he’d been quite prepared for her rejection. “Of course you would say no. I can even list the reasons. You don’t have time. You’re too career-oriented. And quite frankly, despite our kiss, you’ve never liked me much, have you?”
She reached for her water glass, the movement allowing her needed composure. He’d turned the tables on her yet again by seeing straight through her.
“Well?” he prodded.
“No,” Lisa admitted, sticking with the honesty approach. “I’ve heard way too many stories of your exploits over the years to believe that you’re any kind of continual dinner-date material. You’re a playboy, Mark. You kissed me and left me. Probably a momentary aberration, certainly a lack of common sense on my part. No, I’m sorry, but you aren’t dating material, much less marriage. And with my job, I don’t have time to waste.”
He sat back, his expression thoughtful. “So that’s it.” He shook his head, more to himself than at Lisa. “My misguided-youth reputation precedes me that much. I’ll have to talk to my sister about that. I can assure you that my being a rogue is extremely exaggerated.”
“Right.” Lisa gave a short, disbelieving laugh. “That’s why you attended Joann’s wedding reception with one woman and left with another after kissing me and declaring that I was the one you wanted. Can you deny that you left with someone?”
“I’m already tried and convicted. What’s the point?”
Lisa pushed her dessert plate forward. Thankfully their tablemates were engaged in their own private conversations. “The point is that I’d really prefer not to discuss this, especially here. I apologize for getting us started on this topic, so let’s drop it. How we feel about each other is irrelevant. You pass the hat, and I tell my parents and Joann I’ve seen you and that you’re doing well. You do the same, and we go our separate ways and all is right with the world.”
That dark eyebrow arched in skepticism. “That’s it?”
“There should be more?”
“Fate reintroduced us for a reason. Are you sure you’re ready to sever our newly formed alliance?”
In a show of derision, she arched her eyebrow right back. “What new alliance?”
His voice dropped a notch as he baited her again. “The one that could get you everything you need and want.”
“I’m dating someone,” she said, the fib automatic.
“So am I,” Mark said without blinking. As for his statement, Alanna still didn’t believe the relationship was over, so that certainly made his statement enough of a truth to satisfy a politician.
And as for dating Lisa, as a freshman she’d been cute: blond hair, blue eyes and a smile that, when she got just a little older, would drive all the boys wild. At the wedding reception, she’d been hot. He’d wanted her then. Heck, he remembered being just drunk enough to think that she could be the one. That’s why he’d made a beeline for her at the first opportunity and worked on her all night before finally getting her alone in the hall.
Which was why this grown-up Lisa with her political promises now annoyed him and yet still intrigued him. And he let nothing that piqued his interest simply slide by without some intervention on his part. Especially now that he understood why she hadn’t met with him that night. Women. Always jumping to conclusions. Like now.
His smile faded to indicate his seriousness. “Our alliance has nothing to do with some misguided crush or some kiss or us dating—let’s clear that up. However, given that you and I have Joann in common, you should consider me your ally. Despite my jaded view of politics, I have connections in this town that can get you money for Herb’s campaign. I know people that you can’t reach without me and I have access to even more through my mother. Do you know how thrilled Mom’s going to be when I tell her I saw you? And that you’re working for Herb? Herb, who was in their wedding party?”
“He was?” Lisa hadn’t known that.
“Yes. And the minute I tell Joann, you know she’s going to suggest that I help you, as well.”
“I was already planning on calling her later this week. I also had your parents on my agenda.”
“Well, plans change, don’t they?”
“Obviously,” Lisa said, and Mark knew she was referring to what she saw as his indiscretion at the wedding.
Mark reached forward and took a long sip of water. As he’d said, she already had him tried and convicted. There was no point in revealing the truth now. He’d been raised that you always kept an ace in the hole. Lisa’s misperception was his ace.