Your Room or Mine?

carefully blank look practically shouted that there was more going on than he was willing to say, which only furthered Jack’s suspicions of a downsizing.

Gavin shrugged. “I want an outsider’s unbiased opinion on how the group interacts. An objective rundown of the personalities. That sort of thing.”

Seeing as how Mad Dog didn’t even have a personality, Jack seriously doubted her ability to objectively judge anyone else’s.

“Yeah, she’s a frosty one,” Gavin said with a chuckle, as if reading his mind.

Definitely frosty. No doubt if she were cut, little ice cubes would fall from her veins instead of blood.

“But that’s what makes her good at her job,” Gavin continued.

“She doesn’t get personally involved. It’s all strictly business.” He rose and walked to the door, indicating their meeting was over. “Carla will have the memo and itinerary ready shortly,” he said, nodding toward his secretary’s desk. “Plan to meet with me Monday to give me your impression of the weekend.”

“Great. Can’t wait.”

Jack headed back toward his office, smiling on the outside at his staff whose desks he passed, grumbling on the inside. Damn it, he had nothing against team building, in fact he’d participated in it before and had been impressed with the results. But while it was one thing to have to reschedule his plans, having to do so in order to spend the weekend with her, after suffering her company all week long… he could sum that up in one word: blech.

Damn blech since he’d had big plans this weekend. Seriously big plans. He just hoped Claire would understand. He heaved a regretful sigh. And Sophie, too.

Two

“I’m having trouble drudging up any sympathy for a woman who’s spending the weekend at the fabulous Casa di Lago,” said Emma Haygood, stabbing at her Caesar salad with a plastic fork.

Madeline Price looked across the small marble-topped table at her best friend. They’d managed to meet for lunch-something they tried to do once a week, but between Madeline’s rotating job assignments and Emma’s crazy schedule at the local television station where she worked as a producer, it wasn’t always possible. But since Java Heaven’s offices were close to both the TV station and the huge food court where they now sat, they’d been able to meet more regularly.

“It would be fabulous if I were going for a round of golf, a tennis match, and a facial,” Madeline grumbled, using her wooden chopsicks to pick up a stir-fried shrimp. “Unfortunately, it’s going to be all work and no play.”

“Surely you’ll have some downtime.”

“I guess. But not much. Maybe I can squeeze in a massage.” Yes, a massage would be great. God knows she’d been tense lately.

Emma leaned closer and said in a low voice, “I think you should squeeze in some S-E-X.”

Madeline laughed. “Oh, sure. Like that’s going to happen at a corporate team building. I know it’s been a long time since I’ve actually had sex, so my memory’s a little fuzzy, but if I recall correctly, one requires a partner. A living, breathing partner, as opposed to a battery-operated one.” Still chuckling, she popped her shrimp into her mouth.

“And that’s what I’m suggesting you find.” Emma waggled her brows. “Just like I did.”

Madeline paused midchew, then swallowed. “What did you find?”

“A living, breathing partner.” Emma heaved out a gushy sigh.

“And I can sum him up in one word: yummy. He was all action, no talk, and just what the doctor ordered. I highly recommend a good old-fashioned one-night stand.”

“When did this happen? Where? How? I thought we were on a man sabbatical.” After suffering through one too many disastrous dates with men who were either boring or arrogant or commitment-phobes interested only in sex, she and Emma had decided to take a break from the singles scene and concentrate on themselves. They’d taken up jogging and signed up for a cooking class, and for a while things had gone well. She’d lost three pounds-which she gained back during the cooking class-but it was such a relief not to have to deal with dating.

Lately, however, relief had morphed into loneliness and she’d been rethinking her decision. Unfortunately, with work so busy, she didn’t have the time right now to devote to a social life.

“We were on a sabbatical,” Emma agreed. “But after six months of celibacy, I was feeling kinda stressed, not to mention horny. I met a man who lit my fire, and whew!” She waved her hand in front of her face. “Let me tell you, he was hot. As for when and where-last night, at the Ritz-Carlton. And as for how”-her lips curved in a slow smile-“Good lord, how didn’t that man please me?”

A fissure of what could only be described as envy rippled through Madeline. “Okay, I’m officially jealous. But I meant how did you meet him?”

Emma waved her fork around. “Right here. In this very food court. Yesterday. The place was packed-not an empty table in sight. Tons of schoolkids. Must have been some mega class trip downtown. There was an empty chair at my table, he asked if could join me, and… there you have it.”

“If he was so fantastic, why was it just a one-nighter? Why not see him again?”

“He lives in New York and was here just for a few days for a conference. He flew home this morning.” Emma forked up another bite of salad. “Which made it perfect-a night of great sex with no expectations, no messy relationship stuff, no awkward date. I feel sooooo much better. You should try it. This weekend. At the resort.”

“Right. Except you’re forgetting I’ve never been good at the one-night stand situation. The few times I’ve made the attempt, it just didn’t work out.”

“You mean you chickened out.”

“I did not. I was just struck with shyness.”

“Uh-huh. Which is secret code for ‘I chickened out.’ ” Emma helpfully demonstrated her point by flapping her arms and making clucking sounds.

Maddie sighed. “Okay, fine. I chickened out.”

“So this time don’t. Be brave. Be bold. Be daring.”

Could she do it? History said no, but she was so tired of being alone. “Well, if I was going to give it a go, who do you propose I have this steaming one-nighter with? Certainly not one of the Java Heaven people. You know I never swim in the company pool.” An image flashed in her mind-of deep blue eyes, dark hair, and a sexy smile-an image she instantly banished. Why in God’s name did that annoying pest Jack Walker always pop into her mind at the most inappropriate moments?

“I know, although I think it’s a gray area since your tenure at any company is finite. But in this case, it’s not necessary to even consider anyone from Java Heaven.” Emma reached into her soft-sided leather briefcase and pulled out the newspaper. She shuffled through several sections, then handed the sports section to Maddie. “Check out the little blurb on the bottom left.”

Maddie quickly scanned the brief article. “There’s a charity golf tournament taking place this weekend at Casa di Lago.” She glanced up. “What does that have to do with me?”

Emma rolled her eyes. “Did you not notice who’s taking part in this golf tournament? Firemen. Lots of firemen. Hot, sexy, muscular, sexy, delicious-did I mention sexy?-firemen. At least one of whom I’m sure would be very willing and able to end your sexual drought. You’d have a great weekend, let off some steam, then never have to see him again. Take it from me-it’s a perfect opportunity.”

The thought of a no-holds-barred, no-commitment-required, liberating night of wild sex rushed heat through Maddie’s entire body. “That sounds good,” she admitted.

“Of course it does. Just a little something to take the edge off.”

“Right. ’Til the real thing comes along.”

“Exactly. Good grief, Maddie, you’re twenty-eight years old. It’s time you indulged in a one-nighter. Don’t be so serious all the time.”

“I’m not serious all the time.” Yet even as she said the words, she realized that over