She hardly hazarded Julian a glance and could he blame her? He’d been so eager to get to know Elyse, he’d invented the opportunity with Curtis and now she refused to look at him. Julian didn’t know if he could fix this, but he would have to try.
When they landed, she was silent on the drive to her apartment and Julian felt the closer they got, the more distance there was between them.
Had the days and nights of the past week just disappeared with her flick of a switch? But perhaps Elyse was right to put some distance between them. He sure as hell was baffled by the connection they’d found and how he behaved completely out of character. He would follow her lead.
The limousine stopped in front of her apartment complex and Elyse finally turned to face him. “I...” she started and then stopped.
“It’s okay, Elyse,” Julian said. “Call me when you’re ready.”
She looked relieved that he was letting her off the hook without some big argument. “Yes, I think that’s best.” Then she hopped out of the limo.
Julian thought about jumping out and walking her to her door, but instead he took the coward’s way and let the driver take her suitcase.
As he watched her walk toward the building, Julian knew he was in deep trouble.
Eleven
Elyse closed the door of her apartment behind her and dropped the designer luggage to the floor. What had she done? As soon as they’d begun driving into the city from the airport, it was like the sexual fog she’d been in with Julian in Saint Lucia had disappeared and Elyse realized she was like every other woman. She’d succumbed to the great Julian Lockett’s charm and she had no one to blame but herself.
Her mission had been clear: infiltrate the Locketts. And Julian had been her ticket in. Somewhere along the way, she’d gotten caught in his web and the allure of being with him. It wasn’t only his incredible body and the things he could do with it, but hadn’t she been enthralled with what wealth could bring? A private villa on a Caribbean island that easily cost thousands a night. A brand-new wardrobe when she arrived. A brand-new Porsche convertible at their disposal for the week. Not to mention the chartered yacht and fancy spa in the treetops. His entire world was glamorous. How could she, a poor girl raised by a drunk, not be caught up?
She’d lost sight of the goal: get revenge by outing Josiah for the scumbag he was. She wanted Josiah to lose everything or at the very least feel half the pain and hurt her father had. Maybe once the whole world knew what Josiah had done, her father might feel vindicated and obtain the help he needed. She desperately wanted him to get treatment so he could get sober before she had no parents.
Elyse ran her fingers through her hair. How was she supposed to bring down Josiah? It certainly wouldn’t be through work. The job opportunity with Curtis Jackson never really existed. It was just the carrot Julian dangled over her head to get her exactly where he’d wanted her.
His bed.
She was furious with him, but she also couldn’t solely blame him. She’d known exactly what she was doing when she’d gone to bed with him over and over and over again. And it hadn’t just been bed. It had been the shower, the sofa, the rug in the living room, the terrace, the Jacuzzi and anywhere else he’d wanted. She’d been completely complicit during each of their encounters.
How could she have known how addictive sex could be? But it wasn’t just sex. It was sex with Julian. Though sometimes she did wonder if it was making love. There was that one time, their last night in Saint Lucia, with Julian seated deep inside her, that she’d felt a naked intimacy she’d never experienced before. He’d been kissing her deeply, then he’d stopped and grabbed both sides of her face and looked her intently in the eye. They’d rocked together until they’d both shuddered and clutched one another during the throes of release.
It was then she’d known that she was falling for the elusive bachelor, which spelled trouble for her plans to take down his father. Even though he deserved it, how could she hurt the father of the man she’d come to care about? Yet, on the other hand, the need for revenge had fueled her all these years. She needed to set the record straight. Only then would she find peace.
But how would she do it? There was no job with the Locketts and she and Julian were at odds. He was sure to want to move on after the way she’d ignored him on the plane and in the limo. What was she going to do?
* * *
“Well, if it isn’t the prodigal son returned home to roost,” Josiah commented as Julian walked into his office on Monday morning.
Julian straightened, stopping in the doorway. He certainly hadn’t expected his father to pay him a visit. Josiah rarely came into the office. If and when he did, he and Roman were locked away in meetings for much of the day. What had he done to garner a visit from his father?
Steeling himself, he stepped past his father, who was sprawled on the sofa, and walked to his desk. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Don’t be snarky with me, boy,” his father replied. “Did you think I wouldn’t find out you commandeered the jet to fly off to parts unknown with some trollop?”
Julian seethed as he turned to face him. “She’s not a trollop.”
“No?” His father raised a brow. “Don’t tell me someone has finally turned your head. I didn’t think it was possible.”
“That’s because you don’t know me,” Julian replied, sitting and turning on his laptop. “You never have.”
Josiah rose to his full six-foot-five height and stormed toward him. “I don’t appreciate your insolence, Julian. You don’t get to talk to me that way, not after I’m the reason you’re sitting where you are.”
“Is that so?” Julian replied, glancing up at his father. “I don’t recall you sitting in all those endless college lectures or medical school labs. Or perhaps you spent three years in a relentless residency letting people boss you around?”
His father’s eyes turned stormy. “You’re really feeling yourself, aren’t you? Some girl’s got your nose wide open and suddenly you feel six feet tall? Well, you’re not, my boy. You’re nothing but the runt of the litter that I had to push to turn into something.”
It was just like his father to shoot below the belt. “Get out!” Julian yelled.
His father laughed. “This is my company, in case you have forgotten.”
“Then fire me,” Julian responded. He was tired of the endless mind games. “I had the time to take and I took it. Or did I need to ask for your permission?”
His father was silent for several moments. Julian, having learned long ago not to cower to Josiah, otherwise he’d walk all over him, held his ground.
“I don’t know who this woman is, but I like the effect she’s had on you. Bring her to dinner,” Josiah said. His words were a command, not a request. Then he turned to leave, but stopped in the doorway to add, “And the next time you want to use my jet, don’t use your little sister to do your dirty work. Be a man and call me directly.”
His father left the office and Julian was tempted to throw the glass paperweight he hadn’t realized was in his hand at the door, but he couldn’t. It had been one of the gifts from his mother when he’d become a doctor. He wouldn’t give Josiah the satisfaction of having him destroy something that meant a great deal to him. That didn’t mean he wasn’t furious. His father could always get under his skin.
“Did I just see Daddy leave?” Giana asked, coming into his office several minutes later. She hadn’t bothered standing on ceremony and knocking, but had walked right in.
“What do you think?” Julian was livid. He’d thought he and Josiah had come to a relatively peaceful coexistence of late. He hated being in his father’s crosshairs again.
Giana shrugged, smoothing down the jacket of her white pantsuit. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” Julian inquired.
“About telling Daddy that you used the jet.”
“You were the rat?”
“Hey!” She gave him the evil eye. “It’s not my fault you decided to go gallivanting off during the start of the season. Anyway, Daddy wanted to use the jet the day you left and I had to tell him it was already in use. He was none too pleased. He pretty much browbeat me until I gave you up.”
“Oh please,” Julian responded. “You’re his baby girl. I doubt he browbeat you. It’s me he called the runt of the litter.”
“Omigod!” Giana looked horrified.
“Don’t be so shocked.”
Giana came toward him and Julian tried to move away, but his sister wrapped her arms around him. “I’m sorry, Julian. I’m sorry for not protecting you from his wrath.”
“It’s okay, sis.” Julian patted her back, comforting her. “I’m the big brother. I’m supposed to protect you, not the other way around.”
She glanced up at him and Julian saw her blinking back tears. “Don’t go soft on me, G. You know you have to be tough if you want to hang with the big dogs.”
She pushed against his chest to stand straight in her high heels. “I am tough.”
“Sure you are, kid.” He tweaked her nose.
“Stop that!” She swatted his hand away. “I hated it when you did that when I was six years old and I hate it now when I’m grown woman. So, what did Daddy say anyway?”
“He wants to meet Elyse.”
“Oh lord.” Giana glanced upward. “You remember how well it went when Roman brought Shantel home. Do we really have to do this again?”
Julian laughed. “I sure hope not. But, if I don’t bring her, Father will just go sniffing around. Better that I get out ahead of his snooping.”
Giana sighed. “All right. I just pray it all goes according to plan.”
Julian sure hoped so. If not, they were in for a bumpy ride.
* * *
“Where have you been?” Frank asked Elyse when she stopped by after work to check in on him. She wasn’t surprised her father was curious. Andrea had asked her the same thing, but Elyse had promised to tell her all the details over dinner tonight. She’d intended to just drop off her dad’s groceries and be on her way, but when she’d arrived, she could tell that he’d been drinking.
His hair looked like it hadn’t been brushed in days and the pants and shirt he wore were mismatched and wrinkled. A half-empty bottle of whiskey sat on the cocktail table in the living room along with an empty tumbler. She rolled her eyes heavenward and prayed for patience as she put on a pot of coffee.
When she didn’t immediately answer, Frank joined her in the kitchen, stepping in her path as she put milk and eggs into the bare refrigerator. What had he eaten since she’d been gone?
“Well? Are you going to answer me?” he asked belligerently.
Elyse caught the strong whiff of whiskey on his breath. “I went on vacation, Daddy.”
He frowned. “Without telling me?”
She’d turned away, ignoring his question, and continued loading cheese, bread and sundries into the refrigerator and small pantry.
“Elyse Harper.”
“What?” She spun around in a huff. “Is it so wrong that I took a spur-of-the-moment vacation and did something just for me?” At his downcast expression, Elyse realized she’d hurt him.
“I’m sorry if I’ve been a burden to you, but you really don’t need to worry about me. I can take care of myself.” He quickly left the kitchen and went back to the living room to sit in front of the television and watch the football game.
An Atlanta Cougars’ game.
Elyse sighed because she knew this didn’t bode well. “Daddy, I’m sorry.” She put down the bread in her hands and approached the back of the sofa. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
“I know it’s been hard on you all these years, Elyse. That you’ve had to grow up sooner than most girls your age. I’m sorry for that.” He patted her arm. “I don’t think I knew what to do raising a teenager daughter on my own. That was what your mother was for.”
Elyse was surprised to hear her father mention her mother. He rarely did, because remembering her was still as painful for him as it was for her. Elyse walked around and joined him on the sofa. “It’s okay, Daddy.”
“No, it’s not.” Frank pushed her away. “Don’t make excuses for me being a terrible father. I should have done better by you. But I didn’t know how. It was hard enough losing your mother to the cancer, but then the bills started piling up and I lost my share of the Cougars. It was all too much.” He lowered his head.
She reached for his large brown hand and clutched it in her own. “I understand.”
He glanced up and she saw tears on his dark lashes. “I don’t think you do. One moment I had everything. A beautiful family, with a wonderful wife and daughter. A big house. A fancy car. Money in the bank. An interest in a football franchise that was starting to thrive after my investment with my best friend. And then suddenly—” he snapped his fingers “—it was all gone. First by God, or fate, or who knows what. Then by the creditors. And finally, my best friend swindled me. The man I thought I could count on through thick and thin.”
“Daddy, I know. You’ve told me before.”
“Yeah, well, you can hear it again,” he said more forcefully than she knew he’d intended. “Because Josiah Lockett looks out for no one but himself. He saw me struggling, but rather than lend me a hand, he scammed me out of my rightful share of the Altanta Cougars. And now look at them.” He pointed to the television. “They’re doing great. Better than me or Josiah could ever have imagined. Probably on their way to the championships with this new phenom, Curtis Jackson. While I—” he pounded his chest with his fist “—sit here alone with nothing.”
“You’re not alone, Daddy.” Her voice cracked when she spoke. “You have me. I haven’t left you.”
Suddenly, as if he realized she was still there, her father looked at Elyse. “That’s right. You’ve always been my sweet girl.” He pulled her into his embrace. And she let him. Because sometimes she just needed her father.
After several moments, they both pulled away, tears in their eyes. Her father glanced at the bottle on the table. “I’m sorry I failed you, Elyse. I tried while you were gone, but I just couldn’t.”
“It’s okay.” She patted his thigh. “I’ve made some coffee. Let’s get you some.”
And that’s where she stayed for the rest of the evening, canceling her dinner plans with Andrea, but promising to meet her in the morning for breakfast. Her phone buzzed several times during the evening. It was Julian. Her heart raced at just the thought of him. The time they’d spent together in Saint Lucia had been nothing short of magical. She doubted she’d ever experience anything like it ever again, but she had to ignore his calls because her father needed her more. She was already struggling with how in the world she could be with Julian, but still remain loyal to herself and her revenge plans against his father. Something would have to give. She just didn’t know what.
* * *
Julian was going out of his mind with worry. It was evening and he’d tried Elyse for much of the day and, other than a terse text stating she was swamped at work, he hadn’t heard a word from her since the night before when he’d dropped her off from the airport.
Last night, Julian had given her space because...hadn’t he needed it, too? What was it about Elyse that made him feel a sense of rightness whenever he was with her? He had kissed many women, too many to recall, but with Elyse, every kiss was special. Unique. Kissing her was his new benchmark for what a kiss should be. And when they made love, it had revealed her body was the perfect match for his.
She had a right to be upset with him. He’d dangled a job opportunity as bait in order to get closer to her and it backfired. But did that mean she would end their relationship altogether?
That’s why, when he’d come home last
night and tried to focus on other tasks like checking his email or working out, he’d quickly become frustrated. But he’d refused to call last night, refused to show just how weak she made him.
So he’d waited. He’d casually called to see if she was free for lunch today, but she’d been busy. When he’d texted her to see about getting together later, she’d told him she had other plans.
Was he getting the brush-off after he’d done all he could to romance her, to show her how special she was? It looked like it because she’d ignored all his attempts. He’d done this enough times to other women to take the hint. Last week was last week, and now that it was over, it was on to the next thing.
So why did knowing that hurt?
Julian had begun to think of Elyse as the one. He had planned to take her to meet the family. But clearly, he’d made a mistake. Now he understood just how the women he’d dated felt when he’d ghosted them. He simply never expected to be on the receiving end. Especially after all that he and Elyse had shared. Had she been faking it? Had the closeness and intimacy all been a figment of his imagination?
* * *
Later, when she finally made it home to her apartment, Elyse was dog-tired. After ensuring her father drank several cups of black coffee and fixing him dinner, she’d stayed and they’d ended up playing a game of gin rummy at the kitchen table. They hadn’t done it in years and it reminded Elyse of better times before he’d started drinking.
She’d driven home in a daze, thinking of her father and his hatred of Josiah Lockett on the one hand, and Julian on the other. She loved how impulsive Julian could be, even if he’d lured her to their spur-of-the-moment vacation with a fake job offer. But most of all, she missed his kiss, his touch, and the sensual pleasure she’d found in his arms. Because he’d branded her. Made her his.
It made the position she’d put herself untenable. How could she get the revenge for her father that he so richly deserved without hurting Julian, the man she’d come to care about, maybe even love?
Blind Date with the Spare Heir Page 10