All She Ever Wanted by Barbara Freethy Page A

you."
    "I don't need exposure."
    "Everyone needs exposure. Trust me. That's what I do for a living."
    "You expose people?"
    Was that a tiny smile playing around the curve of his mouth? Who could tell? "I'm in public relations," she explained. "I promote people and their businesses. I'm sure your club could use some publicity."
    "We do all right."
    "Is all right good enough?"
    He considered that for a moment, then said, "What do you really want?"
    "I just told you—"
    "No. You had an agenda when you were nineteen, and I suspect you have one now. There are lots of magicians in this city. Why me?"
    "You're cutting-edge, not old-school card tricks. Everyone is buzzing about your club. I think it would be great to bring some of your technological magic to my party," she said, thinking quickly. "It's a benefit for crippled children. Surely, you don't have anything against helping sick kids?"
    "Nice try, but I'm not buying it."
    "It's the truth. I need something different to set off my event from all the others, and you've always been different—bold, daring." She paused. "I know you never liked me, but surely you can put personal prejudice aside for your business." When he didn't reply, she pressed on. "Why don't you show me around while you're thinking about my invitation? I'd love to see what's behind those doors."
    He hesitated, then waved her forward. "All right. After you."
    She didn't quite trust his sudden acquiescence, but she decided not to question it. More time with Dylan could only work in her favor. She had to get to know him again, figure out what he wanted, so she could get what she wanted.
    "We can start here." Dylan opened one of the doors leading off the reception area and ushered her into a room that looked like something out of a futuristic science-fiction movie. There were computer screens, platforms, and several enclosed booths in the laboratory-like room. "This is our virtual-reality room. You can have any adventure you want."
    She sent him a doubtful look. "I've never been big on video games."
    "These aren't video games. We've created worlds for you to explore and participate in. You will feel like you're really in the event that's happening, whether it's at King Arthur's court or the White House or the Taj Mahal. We combine video with digital pictures that we've created from history books and old films."
    "That sounds like a lot of work."
    "I've spent the last ten years creating a digital library that is incomparable."
    It sounded like he'd been doing more than pulling rabbits out of hats, she had to admit. Still ... "I can't imagine being swept away just by looking at a screen," she said. "I could never forget where I was. It must be like watching a movie."
    "You'd be surprised. The mind is very powerful, but it can be manipulated with music, images, memories, sounds, and actions."
    "So if I stand on that platform, and you rock it, I'm actually going to believe I'm taking off into space?"
    "Absolutely," he said with an arrogance that annoyed as well as excited her.
    She did love a confident man, especially in bed, but there was a fine line between confidence and arrogance, and she doubted Dylan could walk that line.
    "I can probably get you to believe just about anything is real," he added.
    "You sound awfully sure of yourself."
    "I'm very good."
    "Now I remember why I never liked you."
    "That's not the way I remember it." His eyes dared her to challenge him on that statement, but unfortunately a vivid and embarrassing memory of throwing herself at him one night still burned bright in her mind.
    "I doubt you remember things the way they really were," she said. "Everyone has their own version of the truth." She looked around the room. "So what next?"
    "Why don't you try one of our adventures, see if it's something you want to help me promote."
    "I'm not sure virtual reality is exactly what would work for our event." She couldn't imagine these contraptions being effective at a masquerade party.
    "Then we'll