All She Ever Wanted by Barbara Freethy

decade, gained weight, gone bald, sprouted a hairy mole on his face. Any number of things could have happened to him. She wouldn't know what unless she opened the damned door and walked inside.
    Squaring her shoulders, she did just that, letting the heavy door swing silently shut behind her. The lobby was small, round, and dimly lit with dark wood paneling, thick black carpet on the floor, red leather benches that wound around the room, and a series of monitors along one wall that flashed with animations. A reception desk sat between two doors but was currently empty. Stepping farther into the room, Madison noted a wall full of newspaper and magazine clippings. Taking a closer look, she saw that Club V had been written up in a number of publications, including several articles in the Parish family newspaper. Trust Cole to take care of his good friend Dylan. She would have expected no less. The men had always been as close as brothers, although Madison had sometimes wondered if Cole had any idea that his best friend had a raging crush on his sister, Emily.
    A door opened, and Madison caught her breath, not letting it out until she realized it wasn't Dylan, but a young woman approaching her. Wearing low-rise blue jeans and a clingy tank top, she came across as young and very hip, probably not more than twenty-one years old.
    She offered Madison a smile and said, "I didn't realize anyone was out here yet. We don't officially open for a few more minutes, but I can get you set up. What are you looking for today? A trip down Niagara Falls, a walk across a tight wire under the big top, or a lap at the Indy 500? We offer virtual experiences for every fantasy."
    "Really?" Madison wondered if she could purchase a fantasy that involved Dylan. She'd certainly had a few ideas over the years.
    "Absolutely. What's your pleasure?"
    "That's a loaded question."
    The woman laughed. "I'm afraid all of our virtual adventures are rated PG-13."
    "Actually I just want to speak to Dylan Somerville. Is he here?"
    "I'm always here," a man said from behind her.
    Madison whirled around, caught off guard by Dylan's unexpected appearance. She'd hoped to see him first, catch him by surprise, instead of the other way around. She should have known it wouldn't be that easy. Well, she wouldn't make it easy for him, either. She flashed him the smile that had won her legions of admirers and deliberately ran her gaze up and down his body.
    Dressed in black leather pants and a black turtle-neck sweater, Dylan was all male. He was only of average height, but he was well built, broad shoulders, flat stomach, narrow hips, tight ass. And his face, all angles and planes, thick eyebrows and dark eyes, a long nose, full lips, and a sexy stubble darkening his jaw. All that marred his face was his expression, which was exactly the way she remembered it, irritated and grumpy. His mouth had always been set in a perpetual frown, at least when she'd tried to talk to him. The only person who had ever made him smile was Emily.
    "What can I do for you?" Dylan asked.
    Her jaw dropped at the casual question. He was acting like he didn't remember her. What the hell was wrong with him? No one forgot her. Ever.
    "The question is—what can I do for you?" she replied, gathering herself together. "I've come to offer you a very special opportunity."
    "I don't think I'm interested in whatever you're selling," he said briskly.
    "You haven't heard what I'm selling."
    "I have a pretty good idea." This time he was the one to run his gaze up and down her body. "You haven't changed a bit, Madison."
    So he did remember her. She felt a foolish wave of relief, not that she intended to show it. "You haven't, either. You're still in a bad mood."
    "So what's this opportunity you're offering?"
    "I'd like to hire you to perform some of your magic tricks at a masquerade party benefiting charity. It's a very big deal. Everyone who is anyone in San Francisco will be there. It would be terrific exposure for