The CEO's Surprise Family

by Teresa Carpenter

  Tucking her into bed, Lexi kissed Jazi’s petal-soft cheek. “Night-night, pumpkin.”

  “No. Book.”

  “You want a story.”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay.” Pretending Jethro wasn’t observing her every move, Lexi held up a finger. “But only one.”

  Jazi held up her hand with all the fingers spread wide.

  “Five?” Lexi laughed and closed her hand around the tiny digits. “You don’t even know how much that is. Two, final offer. Go pick out your books.”

  She came back with her fish book and then ran to the couch where she’d left Rainbow. With the stuffed fish tucked under her arm she crawled into Lexi’s lap. Lexi kissed the black curls and opened the book. A glance at the door found it empty.

  Since this was the little girl’s first night in a new place, Lexi stayed with Jazi until she fell asleep. A task that took longer than she anticipated due to the toddler’s long afternoon nap. Lexi left a lamp on low and pulled the door half-closed. She wanted to be able to hear if Jazi stirred in the night.

  She went in search of Jethro to make her apology, but didn’t find him in the common rooms. Standing outside his bedroom door she heard music, a slow bluesy jazz and decided not to disturb his peace.

  She thought about going to bed because early to bed would be early to rise for her little charge, but Lexi was a night owl. As a dancer in a casino production, her schedule had practically been the reverse of norm. She’d left dancing behind, but old habits were hard to break. Not to mention she was a bit antsy in this new place herself.

  After changing into more comfortable clothes, she strolled down to the kitchen and made a pot of coffee. Then she sat at the table and started a list for groceries. From there she made out a menu for the week, adding a few items to her shopping list as she went.

  She drummed her fingers on the table. And what about laundry? According to Jethro the hotel handled that as well. Uh-uh. No way was she letting strangers wash her undies. Not to mention a two-year-old went through a lot of clothes in a week. There was a concierge for the penthouse floor; maybe there was a laundry as well. Grabbing her key, she went in search of what she could find.

  The floor held two penthouse suites that spanned half the hotel, one on the north, one on the south so they both had views of the strip. The elevators were in the middle. Lexi padded barefoot down the hall until she found an unmarked door. It opened at her touch.

  And yes, there was the trash chute and next to it a laundry chute, a good indication there was a laundry on the floor. She kept going trying doors along the way.

  “Bingo.” At door number three she hit pay dirt. The small room held two industrial-sized washers and dryers, and one set of standard-sized. “Perfect.”

  “May I help you, Ms. Malone?”

  “Oh.” Lexi jumped at the cool male voice. She swung around. A slim, dark-haired man stood just inside the door, hands clasped behind his back. “Hello. You know my name.”

  “Of course. I’m Brennan, executive concierge. Mr. Calder instructed me to assist you as needed, however, I was expecting a phone call not a visit.”

  “Oh, well, I was looking for the laundry. Do you suppose it will be okay for me to use these machines?”

  “That would be highly unusual, Ms. Malone. Most inappropriate.” Brennan moved to stand between her and the machines as if to protect them from her. “There are bags provided in the suites. Just place your items in the bags and I shall see they are properly cleaned.”

  “See, that’s the thing. I don’t know you well enough to let you handle my underthings.” Lexi smiled to show no hard feelings. “I’m sure you understand.”

  Pink flushed bright against his pale complexion. “I can assure you there is no impropriety, Ms. Malone.”

  “I’m sure. I’d still prefer to do my own laundry.”

  Relief flooded his features as he looked beyond her. “Ah, Mr. Calder.”

  “Brennan.”

  Lexi swiveled toward the door. “Jethro.”

  He stood in the doorway, hands on hips. Except for the jacket, he still wore his suit except the buttons of his white shirt were undone at the neck and the sleeves were rolled up exposing his hair-dusted forearms.

  “Thank you for coming.” Brennan rushed forward. “If I might explain—”

  Jethro held up a hand. “I heard. I think it’s best if we allow Ms. Malone to handle her own laundry.”

  Brennan nearly sputtered in his indignation, but he pulled himself together and nodded. “Very well, sir. Ms. Malone, I’ll provide you with a list of times the machines are available.” With a nod he departed.

  Jethro met her gaze, gestured for her to precede him. He was annoyed.

  With good reason. There’d been no need for Brennan to drag Jethro into this. Lucky he had, though, since she hadn’t been making much headway.

  “I’m sorry you were drawn into this, but I’m used to doing for myself and with the machines right here it seems ridiculous to have someone else taking time to do what I’m perfectly willing to do.” Somehow it felt too intimate to bring up her underwear with him.

  He said nothing. They reached the penthouse and she used her key to let them in.

  “Good night, Ms. Malone.”

  “Wait.” Maybe his reticence wasn’t about the laundry at all. “I was looking for you earlier.” She waved toward the living room. “Can we talk for a minute?”

  He gave a shake of his head. “I’m in the middle of reading a report.”

  “Please, it’ll only take a moment.”

  His jaw clenched, but he followed her into the living room.

  “Would you like some coffee?” she asked, nervous now she had his attention. “I made a pot earlier, but it’s still hot.”

  “Sure. I take it black.”

  She half expected him to follow her into the kitchen to prompt the discussion he obviously wanted no part of but he didn’t. She poured two mugs, doctored hers with cream and sugar and carried them to the living room.

  He hadn’t bothered to turn on the lights. He stood silhouetted against the window, the flickering glow of the strip. From this distance she had no view of the hotels, just the brilliance of the lights that rivaled the sunset in color and brightness. And his bold, strong form.

  Hands in his pockets, shoulders straight and stiff, he looked so alone it broke her heart.

  She set the mugs on the tray on the ottoman and went to him.

  “I want to apologize for what happened earlier with Jazi,” she said gently. “I know it was a shock and not what you wanted.”

  “It wasn’t your fault. You were surprised as well.” He spoke to the window.

  “I was.” Relief that he didn’t blame her steadied the hand she placed on his shoulder. “But I should have foreseen someone would put thoughts of daddy in her head. I’m sorry.”

  “You’re worried this changes things.”

  She remembered the vulnerability in his eyes and held her breath. “Does it?”

  “No.”

  Oh, she wished she could believe that. “It would be easier for you to make a clean break.”

  That brought him around. There was no softness in his features now. “My mind won’t rest easy until the three months are up.”

  Her gut compressed. “I’ll take good care of her,” she promised.

  “I know. And still her safety is too important to take chances on.”

  She nodded. It was the one argument she couldn’t fault. For now, she’d put her faith in him.

  “Do you mind if I go down to the gym for a while? Jazi is out and I’m too antsy to sleep yet.”

  He glanced away but not before she saw a spark of panic quickly subdued. He shrugged. “Don’t be too long.”

  “I won’t.”
She bit back a small smile at the show of nerves at being alone with Jazi. “And I’ll keep my cell with me. Call me if she wakes up and I’ll be right here.”

  “I think I can handle a sleeping child.”

  “Hmm.” Lexi hoped so. Hoped Jazi didn’t wake with one of her screaming fits. The yoga pants and tee she wore were fine for a short workout, so she grabbed her key and headed for the door. “Thanks. And thanks for helping with the laundry. I’ll feel much better doing it myself.”

  “Don’t thank me. I did it for purely selfish reasons.”

  Her brows jumped in surprise. “Really? And what reasons are those?”

  “I don’t like the idea of any other man touching your underwear.”

  Jethro wondered when he’d become such a masochist as he watched the awareness pop into Lexi’s pretty eyes. The soft blue irises lit up like the sea on a sunny day. Or maybe it was wishful thinking and the reflection of the lights from the strip behind him.

  She stood frozen for a moment. And then her gaze raked him from head to toe and back and when those stunning eyes met his, the heat in them had nothing to do with the sun and everything to do with wanting.

  His body urged him forward, but his mind blocked the move so he jerked in place.

  Desire tightening her features, she stepped back and shook her finger at him. “No fair muddying the waters. I’ll be back in an hour.”

  She practically ran to the door.

  Jethro cocked his head unable to resist watching her exit, enjoying the view of her swaying hips in snug yoga pants and the soft bounce of her breasts from the side once she got through the door.

  He turned back to the window and the view outside, seeking a diversion from thoughts of long dancer legs entangled with his as he feasted on lush, cherry-red lips.

  She tempted him beyond reason.

  Because if he were being reasonable, he’d admit she was right and make a clean break from her, from the daughter he was determined to do right by.

  The Lord knew he’d gotten nothing done today while brooding about doing just that. He’d used the excuse of being concerned for Jazi’s welfare, and he was, but he no more believed Lexi would purposely do anything to harm the child than he would. At dinner she’d burnt her own fingers moving a hot dish out of Jazi’s reach rather than risk the girl touching it.

  But he wasn’t giving them up.

  Not one day before the three months was over.

  These were the only days he’d have with his daughter, with the bright and beautiful woman she’d call mother. They might be from the point of view of observer, but he’d still have memories to look back on and cherish.

  Except for anything work related, he always felt like an outsider, and neither Lexi nor Jazi was expecting anything from him so this should be a simple stroll down the boulevard.

  As long as there were no more tantalizing moments like the one they’d just shared. He’d have to control his tongue. And other body parts.

  Who’d think laundry would be the thing to trip him up? He’d been annoyed when he got the call from Brennan that Lexi was snooping through the utility hall. What could she possibly want back there? When he heard her mention strange men in the same sentence as her underthings, his agitation spiked from annoyed to red-hot fury. By the time he reached the laundry room door, she’d had his full support.

  Brennan better heed Jethro’s orders. He’d fire any man who put his hands on any item of Lexi’s clothing more intimate than a winter jacket.

  “Fool,” he muttered. “Pull it together. Time to get back to work.”

  He spied the coffee Lexi had poured for him and took it with him to his room where he gathered up his tablet. He carried both back down to Jazi’s room where he settled in the armchair. Babysitting was new to him. Best he stayed close in case he was needed.

  She slept on her side with one little hand under her cheek and the other flung out at her side. She’d tossed her covers aside, but Lexi had dressed her in fleece pajamas with feet, and the room was fairly warm, so he chose not to disturb her and risk waking her.

  He reached for his tablet quite sure they’d both make it through this experience better if she remained asleep.

  Forty minutes later she sat straight up in bed and looked at him.

  He froze, hoping she’d lie down and go back to sleep. What would he do if she didn’t? No tears, he prayed. He should have asked Lexi for more instructions before he let her go.

  “Jethro.” Jazi blinked a couple of times. Then she slid from the bed. She got the fish book from where Lexi had left it on the bedside table and brought it over to him. Holding the book she lifted both arms up, demanding to be picked up.

  He set his tablet aside and lifted her into his lap.

  “Story.” She snuggled around until she got comfortable and opened the book.

  Turned out he didn’t have to do anything but follow her lead. “Okay, but only for a few minutes and then it’s back to bed.”

  “No bed.” She shook her head. She pointed to the blue fish. “Bow.”

  “Yes, that fish looks like Rainbow.” He’d never held anything so precious in his life. She was soft and warm and weighed no more than a feather. He breathed in the sweet scent of baby powder and decided to let Lexi deal with putting her back to sleep when she returned. He feared he’d have a hard time denying her anything. Better delay than defeat. “Shall we name all the colors in her tail? There’s blue and green and yellow.”

  * * *

  Lexi heard giggles as soon as she walked in the door from the gym. She peeked in the bedroom door and found Jazi curled up in Jethro’s lap. He was reading her book in character. His masterful falsetto was what had Jazi laughing. It made Lexi’s lips twitch too.

  When a laugh escaped, he glanced up, saw her. He lit up with relief. Making no bones about it, he stood up plopped the toddler in her arms, kissed Jazi on the top of her head, kissed Lexi hard on the mouth and escaped out the door.

  His taste on her lips, she watched him go.

  What a way to end her first day.

  * * *

  The next morning Lexi awoke to find Jazi in bed with her. Moving slowly, Lexi managed to slip out of bed without disturbing the sleeping child. Diana had told Lexi that Jazi had a habit of wandering around at night.

  After tucking the covers around her, Lexi slid into the bathroom for a quick shower.

  It had taken forever to get the toddler to sleep last night. Best she stay down as long as possible this morning.

  Lexi pulled on jeans and a purple sweater that fell to her thighs. Jazi woke up as she was pulling on her socks.

  “Good morning, sleepy head.” Lexi gathered her up. “Shall we go see if Jethro is up?”

  Jazi nodded.

  But a quick trip through the suite revealed he’d already left for his office. A plate with toast crumbs and a coffee mug sat in the empty sink, evidence he’d had a little something to eat before he left.

  A note on the counter reminded her of their appointment with the nursery manager at eleven. He asked her to notify Clay if she wanted to leave the hotel.

  She frowned, suspecting she knew what that was about. But if Jethro thought she was taking a babysitter wherever she went, he had another think coming.

  She’d soon find out because she wanted more than toast for breakfast.

  “I hope you’re hungry,” she told Jazi while dressing her in gray knit pants and a lavender-and-gray shirt topped by a soft quilted vest in lavender. “I know a place that makes a great veggie omelet, but it’s huge. You’re going to have to eat your share.”

  “Hungry.” Jazi nodded. “Jethro?”

  “He’s at work. It’s just you and me, kid.” The joy of that caused her hands to shake as she helped Jazi put on the black boots she’d chosen. She’d almost giv
en up hope this day would come.

  She remembered the look in Jethro’s eyes last night and knew regret that her happiness came at his pain. She pushed the thought away. So it wasn’t a perfect situation. The point was they were both doing what was best for Jazi.

  That’s what she needed to hold on to.

  “The good news is there’s plenty of time for us to go grocery shopping.”

  Jazi bounced up and down. “Shop!”

  “You know that word, don’t you? I think I’m in trouble.”

  Jazi giggled.

  “Make that lots of trouble.”

  She called Clay and met him in the lobby. Jethro was with him along with a large, fit man in a dark suit.

  Just as she feared, Jethro insisted she have a bodyguard when out in public. Hurt slammed into her like a kick to the stomach.

  Forget it. She turned and walked away. She’d sit on her butt for three months before she let him make a puppet of her.

  “Ms. Malone,” he called out, her name a demand to stop and fall into line.

  Yeah, right. Not. Going. To. Happen.

  “Ms. Malone.” He sounded closer.

  She walked faster. The elevators were just ahead.

  “Lexi, wait.” He grabbed her arm and her own momentum swung her around.

  She glared at his hand on her arm. “Let me go.”

  “Just listen to me.”

  She yanked at her arm. He released her instantly and she backed away. “I thought we agreed to respect each other. No puppets or puppies.”

  “This isn’t about that.” He blocked her path to the elevators. “This is about Jazi’s safety, about your safety.”

  “Don’t patronize me. Nothing is going to happen to us.”

  “I’m not willing to take a chance. I along with the other chief officers are worth millions. As long as you’re with me, you’re both targets.”

  “I can’t.” She pictured having to constantly account to someone for her movements and claustrophobia closed in on her. Shaking her head, she yanked at the collar of her sweater.

  “Listen, this isn’t public knowledge, last year Jackson was attacked and seriously injured in this hotel. It’s only for three months,” he reminded her, “and it will give me peace of mind.”