"Hello Serena," he said, "I'm Nicholas, not in the least interested in ladder climbing. Here alone and pursuing lonely female guests." He put the cigarettes away.<br/><br/>Nicholas knew McCants vaguely. Just another face in this huge company that was top heavy with executives.<br/><br/>"We should really be inside busily mingling. You especially, the beautiful wife, scoring points for your hubby. But I'm glad you're out here." He sighed and, abandoning pretense, said, "Is there any slight chance of my seducing you, Serena McCants?"<br/><br/>What the hell, he thought. She'd turn on her heel and go inside and he'd leave this place and head for a bar and set his sights a little lower? But she was lovely.