The Santa Monica Pier. I'd seen it in movies, but it was even more beautiful in real life. The ferris wheel against the backdrop of blue sky. The sounds and smells that could only be found in a place like this. All of it was everything I'd ever dreamed.

We walked slowly, sometimes talking, sometimes just enjoying the setting sun. Just before the sun reached the horizon, the lights came on, turning the pier into something almost magical. We stopped at a distance so that I could get the entire panoramic view.

I sighed as I leaned against the railing. The smell of salt water mingled with the other scents and I could hear the gentle lapping of water beneath my feet. It was the week after Labor Day, so most of the vacationers had gone home, leaving the pier virtually empty, at least by New York standards. If you weren't pressed shoulder to shoulder with complete strangers, it was almost empty.

I was watching the sun slowly starting to disappear when it happened. Taylor put his hand over mine. I jerked back automatically, turning towards him.

“What do you think you're doing?”

He shrugged, giving me a grin that I was fairly certain he was used to charming the pants off of women. If I hadn't wanted this job so badly, it might've worked for me, too.

“Maybe I'm off here, but I could've sworn I was sensing some attraction.”

Dammit. I hadn't been as careful as I'd thought.

“I was under the impression that you liked me.”

I sighed again, this time not out of contentment. “I do like you,” I confessed. “But you're a client of Mirage. I can't date a potential client.” I laughed. “Look, if this was New York and I'd met you there with no strings attached, or even here under different circumstances, I totally would've jumped your bones. But I'm trying to make something of this opportunity, not just continue on as if I was back home.” I gave him an apologetic smile. “Sorry.”

He took a step towards me, closing the distance down to just a foot between us. “Come on, Krissy.” His gaze was heated as it ran down my body and back up again. “I'm just one small client with Mirage, not even close to their top one hundred. They don't give a shit about whether or not we hook up.” He reached out and ran the tip of his finger down my arm. “I swear, I won't say a word. No one will ever know.”

“I'm sorry, Taylor.” I kept my voice cool and firm. “It's not going to happen.” I turned my back on him to watch the rest of the sunset. I really hoped he'd take the hint because I wanted to enjoy my view for a bit longer.

He was silent as he moved to stand next to me, but I didn't sense any animosity, which was good. He kept a respectful distance as we finished watching the sunset and I was able to relax and let myself absorb the beauty of what I was seeing. We stayed standing there for several minutes after the last sliver of sun had disappeared, waiting for the first of the stars to begin to come out. The lights from the Pier kept them from being as bright as I knew they'd be out in the country, but it was still far more than I'd ever seen in New York or Chicago.

Finally, I pushed back from the rail and broke the silence. “I should be getting back.”

He nodded and flashed me a polite smile that made me feel like perhaps things would be okay between us. That was good. As bad as it would be to date a client, I had a feeling Mirage wouldn't look too fondly on a client being pissed at me either.

We made small talk on the ride back to my hotel, keeping it light and nothing personal. By the time he pulled up in front of the hotel, I had regained the sense of wonder I'd had when I'd first stepped off the plane.

“So,” he said as he flashed that beautiful white smile again, “What do you say to a night-cap in the bar?” He winked at me. “Or in your suite?”

He was like a dog with a bone.

“You're super cute and very persistent.” I kept my voice polite. “But I can't do this. You're a client and I'm taking this job opportunity very seriously.”

If anything, his grin widened. “But what if you don't get the job?”

Now I was annoyed. Persistence was one thing, but if he kept pushing it, even his pretty face and rock-hard body weren't going to be enough to keep me from saying something I'd regret. “If I don't get the job and you're ever in New York, look me up.” I opened the door. “I'm sure you'd be fun for a couple days.” I didn't wait to hear a response, but rather climbed out of the car and headed for the front doors.

I really hoped that put an end to it. I so didn't need a client stalker.