Mad About You

approved suspending the governor's ads for a day." The man made a clicking sound with his tongue. "Heads are going to roll over this one."
    "You have my permission to return the governor's ads as soon as possible," Ladden assured him. "I think I've gotten more than enough exposure."
    "Sure thing, Mr. Sanderson. We appreciate your business." The man chuckled. "And when you're ready to propose, we'll work with you."
    Ladden frowned at the phone and hung up. It rang immediately, vibrating on his lap. He yanked up the handset, then wet his lips. "Hello?"

    Jasmine's heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice. She gripped the phone hard. He was just quiet, down-to-earth Ladden—the same man with whom she'd been doing business for years. What had changed? The fact that she had seen a more refined side to him? A glimpse of the gentleness beneath the coarse veneer?
    "Hello?" he repeated, and she yanked her attention back to the phone call.
    "Ladden, this is Jasmine."
    "Oh... hello."
    Silence stretched between them. She couldn't very well admit how flattered she felt that he would openly challenge someone as powerful as Trey McDonald for her affection. Although his methods were a bit old-fashioned—and extreme. Her brain formed words of protest, and she spoke at the same time he did.
    "Ladden, about the billboards—"
    "Jasmine, about the billboards—"
    They both stopped, laughing. "Me first," she said. She inhaled deeply and ordered her pulse to slow. "I, um, always considered us friends, but if I've done anything to make you think there's something between... I mean"—she exhaled— "I'm already involved with someone." Her skin tingled, and she was thankful he couldn't see her.
    "Jasmine," his voice rumbled across the line, "most of the state knows who you're involved with."
    He sighed and she heard him fidgeting with the phone, as if he were walking... or pacing.
    "I'm sorry about the billboards—a well-meaning acquaintance of mine thought it would be funny."
    An odd sort of hurt found its way to her heart. "An acquaintance? You mean you didn't have anything to do with it?"
    "Not really," he said with a small laugh. "And my friend seems to be a bit scarce right now, so I don't expect him to step forward and release us from this predicament." He sighed again. "I'm truly sorry, Jasmine. I hope his stunt didn't compromise your relationship with McDonald."
    Flustered, Jasmine said, "Don't worry about Trey. He trusts me. I told him our relationship was strictly business, th-that you have a rug I want for his private quarters."
    "Which reminds me, my rug expert is dropping by tomorrow."
    "Great," she said cheerfully, relieved that the conversation had turned in a more neutral direction. "Call me when you have a price."
    "If I have a price," he corrected.
    "If you have a price."
    "I do need to deliver that table soon."
    She pulled her lower lip into her mouth. "Um, I'm not sure if it would be such a good idea for you to go to the governor's mansion right now."
    "Why not? It might give more validity to our story if we simply act normal."
    "Story?" She glanced around as if someone might hear her. "This isn't a story we made up to cover some clandestine affair."
    "I know."
    Jasmine swallowed. She had really wanted him to kiss her last night. "I mean, the fact that we are strictly friends is the truth."
    "The whole truth," he agreed.
    "And nothing but the truth," she finished, only to face another expanse of silence.
    "Let's pray no one finds out I drove you home last night," he said finally, voicing her own uncomfortable thoughts.
    "Too late," she said. "A reporter already told me he talked to the guard at my complex."
    "Then the guard can confirm I only dropped you off."
    "Somehow I don't think that clarification will make its way into the newspaper," she offered dryly, panic stabbing her anew. How had her life gone from smooth sailing to storm-tossed in less than twenty-four hours?
    "I told the mob that was here this morning in no uncertain terms that we were just friends," he said.
    "Thank you," she said, feeling awkward again. "I'll be attending a rally with the governor tonight, so maybe this whole thing will blow over soon."
    "Sure. It'll blow over in no time."
    Jasmine studied her pink nails and forced innocence into her tone. "Ladden, this friend of yours... what made him think that you were, um, crazy about me?"
    She detected an immediate change in his demeanor. Sexual energy crackled over the lines. She could