by Jenna Harte
“He would if someone showed him.”
“Maybe, but that someone isn’t me. We’re total opposites. He’s serious and sophisticated. I’m a free spirit who wouldn’t know a good wine from Ripple. I’m only five-three and he’s like ten feet tall. The logistics make it impossible.”
“I’m not telling you to sleep with him. Just take him out and show him a good time.”
Her mouth gaped.
“You’re the one thinking sex, not me. Although, I’ll admit, it would be good for both of you.”
She was going to have talk to his doctor about his medication. Clearly, they were making Oliver delusional. “I’m not going to listen to this anymore. Do you need anything before I go?”
“Wait.” Oliver reached for her hand to stop her. “You’re right. He’s too serious. He needs to lighten up and have some fun. You’re the perfect person to help him.”
“He’s too hoity-toity to enjoy my kind of fun.” Charlotte Tavern had great people and fun events, but she was sure it was nothing compared to the cultural opportunities in New York.
“Lexie, take him with you, or he’ll drive me nuts.” Oliver tugged on her hand, begging.
“Ah, the real reason for your request.”
“If he stays, he’ll be down here wanting to talk business, and I’m tired. I came here to relax.”
She had to admit Oliver’s complexion was paler and he was more fatigued than usual. But helping Drake had been his idea. “So why are you helping him?”
“Because he’s here. He’s doing what I raised him to do. But maybe now, I can teach him to enjoy life. I need your help with that part.”
Harrumph. She hated that his argument not only made sense, but tapped into her own desire to help Drake see there was more to life.
“So you’ll do it?”
She squeezed his hand in reassurance. “I’ll offer, but he probably won’t agree.”
Lexie left Oliver to nap and entered the kitchen, stealing a cookie from the plate while Claire’s back was turned, scrubbing the lunch dishes.
“I saw that.”
“I guess it’s true about the eyes in the back of your head.”
“Remember that.” Claire turned to Lexie. “So did old man Carmichael talk you into taking Drake out with you?”
Resigned, Lexie shrugged. “I said I’d offer.”
“Do you take in stray animals too?” Claire grinned.
“It’d probably be less stressful if I did.” Lexie bit the cookie and decided Drake was right. A little less cooking time might be an improvement.
“Well, your current stray is upstairs. He got back from wherever he went about twenty minutes ago.”
“Do you think a cookie would tame him?”
“Not likely.”
“Right. Well, it’s now or never.”
Lexie stood outside Drake’s bedroom. She rolled her shoulders, gave herself a pep talk, and rapped on the door. The door swung open to reveal a wide wall of exposed chest. Her gaze followed the crisp line of dark hair cascading over his hard abdomen before disappearing in a towel slung low on his hips.
“Great day!” She drew her gaze back up his body slowly. “You aren’t soft at all.”
One dark eyebrow rose. “Thinking about my physique?”
Lexie clasped her hands behind her back. While she wasn’t one to hold back, she didn’t think it’d be wise to follow impulse and squeeze those magnificent pecs. “Sure. I figured all work and no play made Drake—”
“A dull boy?”
She shrugged. “And soft.” Her eyes drifted down again.
“Well, I assure you, I’m not soft … in any respect.”
She jerked her gaze back to his and swallowed. Did he mean he was a hard-ass person? Or he was hard elsewhere? Don’t look. Don’t look. She forced her gaze to stay with his.
“So, did you stop by just to check out my body?”
She smirked. “No. Actually, I came to invite you to go out with me this evening.”
“Like a date?” Wariness laced his tone.
“No. Just an outing with friends.”
“Why?”
“Why not?”
“Because we agreed to stay away from each other.”
She hadn’t remembered verbally making that agreement, but their attempts to avoid each other was an arrangement of sorts. “We agreed not to indulge each other. I’m not inviting you out for sex. I’m inviting you out for drinks and music with my friends.”
His expression remained bland.
“It’ll be fun. You look like a guy who could use some fun.”
“Oliver put you up to this, didn’t he?”
“Yep.”
“In that case, no.”
“Oh, come on, Drake. A man as big and strong as you shouldn’t get wounded just because his granddaddy tries to set him up on a date. Your ego is too large for that.”
“I don’t need to be entertained.”
She cocked her head to the side. “So, if it was my idea, you would’ve come?”
He hesitated. Was he wavering on his ‘no touch’ rule?
“You don’t strike me as being indecisive.” She knew she was pushing his buttons, but it was nice to be the pusher and not the pushed for once.
“I’m not indecisive, but I’m not impulsive either.”
Maybe he’d be more inclined to agree if she shared how much the visit was taxing Oliver. “The truth is, you’re driving your grandfather nuts. He sees it as a good sign you’re here. Perhaps he can redeem himself and save you in the process. But he’s dying, Drake. He needs a break.”
“And you’re assigned to babysit me so he can have a break?”
“Enlisted is more like it. But, it could be fun—”
His brows rose again in a “do you really believe that?” way.
“Well, I know I’ll have fun.”
He frowned. “Who’s watching Oliver while you’re out having fun?”
“Another nurse takes over from Friday night to Sunday afternoon. Even I get a couple days off.”
“I think I’ll stay behind.”
“But—”
“I promise.” He lifted a hand to stop her speech. “I won’t bother Oliver.”
She shrugged. “Suit yourself. But if you change your mind, meet me downstairs at seven thirty. The dress is casual.”
Drake shut the bedroom door and headed back into the bathroom. This time, he ran the shower on cold. He’d taken a much-needed run, despite the oppressive heat, and had just finished showering when Lexie had shown up. Her response to his bare chest did his ego good. Lexie, with her wild-eyed enthusiasm and honesty, let all her feelings show. She’d been impressed and wasn’t afraid to let him know. She was unlike any woman, any person actually, he’d ever met. She didn’t act on pretense. She didn’t play games or let others play them around her.
And then there was the part of her that twisted him all up inside and made his blood run hotter than the jog he just took. That was the part he didn’t get. It wasn’t that Lexie wasn’t good looking, because she was. But she wasn’t like any of the women he’d been attracted to before. In the past, he pursued tall, willowy women. Lexie was small in size, but her sensuality overpowered him. Her curves, from her full cupid lips to the hourglass shape of her petite frame, spoke to him and his libido.
The cold water did little to extinguish the flame she’d ignited, leaving him two choices—take matters into his own hand, literally, or indulge his desire with Lexie. There were a million reasons why he shouldn’t do the latter, the most important being he wasn’t sure where it would take him. In most circumstances, a night of good sex would have relieved the itch, but one kiss with Lexie told him sleeping with her would only lead to wanting more. He couldn’t afford to develop an addiction to her, or any woman. His path was to run Carmichael Corporation the way he knew it could be run. He couldn’t afford to have anything take his focus from his goal. Wasn’t that how Oliver lived his life? Sure, he’d married and
had a son, but he was never a husband or father or grandfather. Only the business mattered. Only the business got his attention. And that’s what Oliver expected of his grandsons.
On the other hand, the constant hard-on he sported was distracting. Too often, Drake’s mind wandered to scenes involving him and Lexie without clothes when he was supposed to be analyzing spreadsheets. Perhaps spending a night with her would take the edge off so he could focus on his real mission.
Chapter Eleven
“I’ve changed my mind,” Drake announced from the top of the stairs.
As Lexie made her way to the front door, she looked up at him, still dark and brooding but looking more comfortable in khaki pants and a red golf shirt that somehow made his eyes grayer. The man was gorgeous. Such a shame he only cared about business. A waste, really. Maybe she could change his mind just for one night—that is, if he meant he’d changed his mind about going out with her.
“I thought you didn’t want to be babysat.”
He held her gaze as he descended the stairs. “I thought you said you’d show me a good time.”
Great day! Did he mean what she thought he meant? Or was she just hoping he meant what she thought he meant? “That, I did.”
Lexie led the way outside. “We can go in my car.”
He stopped short when they reached the vintage sky blue VW Bug with a yellow daisy on the door. “This is your car?”
“Yeah. Great, isn’t it?” She grinned. Lexie didn’t own much. In fact, her car was all she owned. But she loved her little bug with the big flower on the door.
“We can take my car.” Drake eyed the car dubiously.
“Worried it’ll ruin your image?”
“I’m worried I won’t fit.” He gave a pained expression.
He might have a point.
“We can take my rental car.” He led her to his boring, non-descript sedan and helped her in. She imagined it was the nicest car at the county airport’s car rental place, but it probably held far less comfort and luxury than Drake was used to.
“Where are we going?” He pulled out onto the road.
“There’s a free show in the town square. Up here, take a right. Colonial will take us right to it.”
“Who’s playing?”
“I don’t know the band. It’s some sort of Cajun rock. Every Friday night, it’s a different band. Mostly, I go to see my friends.”
“I see.”
Lexie glanced at him. “You’re probably more of a Sinatra fan, aren’t you?”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“You strike me as more of a standards kind of guy.”
“I’m more of a Radiohead or Green Day kind of guy.”
“No kidding? American Idiot Green Day? Hard rock rebels?” Nothing could have surprised Lexie more. Intense, controlled Drake liked hard rock. Then again, he might be all control on the outside, but she’d seen the uncontrolled heat in his eyes and felt it in his kiss. He wanted everyone to see a strong, in-control, indifferent man, but deep down, there was more to him. Had anyone, any woman, ever broken through the wall he built?
Charlotte Tavern was founded in the eighteenth century, and like many older towns, had been built around a center square. Although still small by today’s standards, during the 1970s and ’80s the town grew outward, leaving the park and downtown area neglected. Over the last twenty years, the charm and profit potential of the area had been rediscovered and renewed. Today, the park had play equipment, picnic benches, and a small stage where weekly summer concerts were held. Around the square, shops and restaurants did a good business, especially since the county started hosting a multitude of events such as the concerts and the First Night Celebration on New Year’s Eve from the center square.
The summer concerts were popular and the closest parking Drake could find was a block away. He parked and they walked to the town square.
“Hey, Lex!”
Before she could respond, Lexie was unceremoniously picked up and thrown over Danny Walters’ shoulder.
“Put her down, Danny. You’ll get her all riled. She’ll put you down for that,” her brother, Mitch, said through a laugh.
She came down hard on her feet and immediately pushed the string-bean of man away. He was older by a few years and taller, but he was lean, like Jack Sprat, and Lexie felt sure she could take him.
“Danny Walters!” So much for feeling womanly and sexy. Drake must think she and her friends were a bunch of southern hillbilly hicks. Of course, Danny Walters wasn’t a friend. He was one of her exes that treated her like a kid sister. The only reason she still spent time with him was that he and her brother were friends.
“So, Lexie, who’s your friend?” Mitch took a long look at Drake.
“This is Drake Carmichael. He’s Oliver’s grandson. I was hoping to show him the upscale side of Charlotte Tavern, but you’ve completely ruined that. It’s people like you, Danny, that make southerners look like doofuses.”
“Ah, come on, Lexie. You know I was just messin’ with you.” Danny ruffled her hair.
“I’m Mitch McKenna, Lexie’s brother.” Mitch held out his hand to Drake, but scrutiny shone in her brother’s green eyes. Mitch was the best big brother in the world, except when he couldn’t control Danny. But even that, Lexie could forgive. Mitch had once been more like Lexie, free-wheeling and outgoing. His time in Iraq had changed that.
“Pleasure to meet you.” Drake shook his hand, and, as far as Lexie could tell, he didn’t know or care her brother was sizing him up.
“This is Danny Walters. Don’t mind him. He’s inbred.”
Danny grinned. “She’s just mad because things didn’t work out between us, huh, Lex?”
She wondered if her detective brother would arrest her if she punched Danny. “You need help.”
“Hey, is your teacher friend here?” Danny asked.
“Stay away from her. She’s too smart for you.” Lexie gave Mitch a look that said, “Do something!”
“I think she likes me.”
“Like I said, you need help.” She grabbed Drake’s hand and pulled him away. “The sound is better over here.”
“We’ll come with you.” Mitch followed her.
Lexie rolled her eyes. This was why she’d never marry. Between Danny embarrassing her and her brother intimidating prospective dates, she didn’t have a chance. At least Mitch didn’t wear a police uniform anymore, but how long would it be before he told Drake he carried a gun?
“You know, Missy Clements is over by the gazebo.” Lexie hoped to distract Mitch. That was the other thing that had changed about him since Iraq. He’d been engaged right after college, but something had gone wrong. When he got back from military duty and re-entered civilian life, he’d become a hound dog. Not that the women seemed to care. Mitch maintained enough affability to charm and seduce the ladies. But he was also always clear that he’d never marry. Lexie knew her parents hoped he’d meet a woman someday to change his mind. But as far as Lexie could tell, he was happy the way things were. She couldn’t imagine any woman breaking through the wall he’d built.
“We’re not together anymore,” Mitch said. “Besides, I want a chance to get to know Mr. Carmichael.”
“You can call me Drake.”
“Call me Mitch.”
“And I’m Danny. Want a beer, Drake?”
Lexie sank down on the lush green grass, resigned to the fact her brother and his friend were going to ruin her evening. And probably her life.
“Get Lexie and me each one too,” Mitch told Danny as he sat next to Lexie and grinned at her. It was one of those Cheshire grins older brothers gave when they were purposefully embarrassing their little sister.
“You could have gone with him. He’ll need help to carry four beers.” Lexie butted Mitch with her shoulder.
“And give you the chance to sneak away before I can get to know Drake? Not a chance.”
“Drake is the grandson of my employer, that’s it. You don’t n
eed to get all crazy big brother on me.”
Mitch’s eyes glanced from Drake to Lexie. He laughed and leaned toward her. “You’re hot for him.”
“Mitch!” Lexie looked at Drake, who thankfully didn’t seem to have noticed. He was watching the band on the stage. She turned back to Mitch. “I don’t care if you carry a gun. I’ll use it to turn you into a soprano if you or Danny embarrass me again.”
“Calm down, little sis. At least this one looks like he has manners. And money.”
“You sound like Mom.”
That wiped the grin from his face.
“Now, go away, would you?”
“Nah. This is too much fun.” Mitch grinned.
Lexie huffed and turned her attention to the stage, but she didn’t hear the music. Normally, she would have danced and enjoyed the show, but she couldn’t with her brother buddying up to Drake. It was only a matter of time before he shared some embarrassing story. Probably the one where she got stuck naked outside as a teenager. So much for trying to impress and seduce Drake.
“Hey, Lexie.”
Lexie turned to the soft drawl of Chelsea Beemer, her best friend since pre-school. They’d grown up and attended the local college together; Lexie getting a nursing degree while Chelsea earned a teaching credential.
While Lexie thanked God everyday for sending Mitch back from Iraq, her heart broke for Chelsea, whose brother Brian hadn’t been so lucky. In fact, Mitch and Brian had been childhood friends and served together as well. Mitch had been there when Brian died, and it was one of the reasons he wasn’t the same once he got home.
Not long after, Chelsea’s mother died, leaving Chelsea alone in the world with huge debts. Well, not alone. Lexie was there for her and she knew Mitch did his damndest to fill in as a big brother.
Despite her loss and financial burden, Chelsea was a positive soul. She was the epitome of optimism, with a glass half-full attitude, although in Chelsea’s case, she was happy to just have a glass, even though it was empty.
“Hey, Chels. I wasn’t sure you were coming.” Although school was out for the summer, Chelsea had a second job working at the Dixie Diner. Because she had to work so much, Chelsea didn’t have a lot of free time to spend with Lexie.