The CEO's Surprise Family

by Teresa Carpenter

  She loved him? She wanted them to be a family?

  He couldn’t wrap his head around those possibilities.

  Maybe he should have taken Jackson’s advice to have a drink and settle down.

  He’d been too hurt, too angry to listen. When he saw Lexi ensconced with his family, he saw red. He knew she longed for an invitation to Thanksgiving. He’d even considered it, because the thought of having all his family together appealed to him clear down to the bone.

  But he knew he’d be a basket case when Lexi left with Jazi. From the beginning, he’d made it a priority to save his friends the same pain. Why was that a bad thing?

  Lexi reached the last vehicle in the long drive. Stubborn woman, when was she going to give up this pretense? The sooner she returned, the sooner they could resolve this. Raw from walking in on a betrayal, he’d said some harsh things. Things he regretted. They’d talk more calmly when she came back.

  Wait, he frowned, he didn’t recognize the sporty little SUV. Panic set in when she stopped and pulled keys from her pocket.

  “Lexi!” He started down the drive. Too late. She climbed in, met his gaze for a brief second and then she threw the gear into Reverse, and was gone.

  He trudged to a stop, hung his head. Something wrenched in his chest; the pain in her eyes ripped him in half. No telling how long he stood there before Jackson came out and fetched him. The others were gathered in the living room off the foyer. Grace wrapped him in a warm hug.

  “Where’s Jazi?”

  “Sierra is with her in the game room. We want to talk to you.” She led him to a cream sofa. “To say we’re sorry. We pushed Lexi to bring Jazi here. She told Clay it wasn’t a good idea, but we insisted. Jazi is your daughter—we wanted to know her.”

  Jethro perched on the edge of the sofa, stared down at the plush cream carpet. “Lexi said I was hurting all of you by not letting you see her. Was she right?”

  Silence met his question. He looked up, met their gazes, shook his head. “Seems I’m the one who should apologize.”

  Grace laid a hand on his arm. “We don’t understand why you won’t let us help you.”

  “It’s not about me. It’s about you. All of you. I knew having Jazi stay with me was going to be tough. The truth is it’s been brutal, harder than anything I’ve ever gone through. I wanted to spare you.”

  “Noble, but unnecessary,” Ryan said. “Family stands together no matter how tough it gets.”

  A round of ascents echoed through the room.

  “I should have known when you all tried to sneak by the penthouse and meet her that you weren’t going to stay out of it.”

  “You knew about that?” Jackson grinned, clearly unrepentant.

  “Lexi told me everything.”

  “I like her,” Clay announced. “I didn’t think I would, but I do.”

  “The problem is I do too. More than I should.”

  “Why is that a problem?” Grace demanded.

  Back to scrutinizing the carpet. “She’s leaving. Plus, you all know what a disaster I am at relationships.”

  Clay humphed. “You’ve never been in love before.”

  That brought his head up. “What are you talking about?”

  “You love her.” Ryan seconded Clay’s declaration. “You look at her the way this poor sap looks at Grace. What’s really telling is you’ve had the adoption contract for a month and can’t bring yourself to sign it. Maybe I should be writing up a prenup instead.”

  Marriage to Lexi? Surprisingly the concept didn’t throw him into a panic. Not like watching her drive away.

  He’d missed her. He never missed people, taught himself at a young age not to bother. It didn’t bring them back so it was wasted emotion. Worse, it was wasted energy. There’d only been one exception until now. Mama Harman. He still missed her.

  And he’d missed Lexi. Missed her smile, the sweet smell of her hair, the exchange of glances when Jazi did something new. He missed how she teased him and the way she made him laugh. Most of all he missed the feel of her in his arms.

  She’d spoken of a connection. He felt it too, the closeness, the chemistry, the bonding. With her he felt a sense of togetherness that chased the loneliness away. He just hadn’t known what to call it.

  “She said she loves me.”

  Jackson clapped him on the shoulder. “Then why are you still here?”

  “Because I’m an idiot.” He surged to his feet, pointed at Ryan. “You can forget the prenup.”

  “I’m not one to talk, but dude, don’t deny yourself a chance at happiness.”

  “Oh. I’m going after her. And when I catch up with her, I’m never letting her go.”

  * * *

  Lexi didn’t remember the drive to the hotel. Between fighting off tears and struggling to breathe around the constriction in her chest she was lucky to make it back at all.

  But she did make a decision. As painful as the confrontation had been, it revealed to her exactly what she needed to do.

  She let herself into the suite and absorbed the quiet, the emptiness. Smelled the turkey and dashed away fresh tears. She set the key card down on the foyer table. She wouldn’t be using it again.

  Everything had changed. Just not as she’d hoped.

  She loved Jethro.

  Her breath hitched as she fought back unwanted tears. He didn’t deserve them. She’d offered him her heart, told him of her dreams of becoming a family. Okay, she threw the words at him. But they’d been out there hanging in the balmy November day. And how did he respond? With harsh words and distrust.

  In her room she went right through to the bathroom and splashed water on her face. The cool soothed the burn in her eyes. She began opening drawers and emptying them.

  He’d accused her of destroying his life.

  The woman in the mirror was the one shattered. Not only by his rejection, but because she knew in her heart of hearts that Jazi belonged with him.

  Meeting her eyes in the mirror, she admitted she’d known it for a while. But today drilled the fact home. The look on his face when Jazi flew into his arms said it all. For that instant love broke through the anger and betrayal like the sun through rainclouds, lighting him up. Which made the ice he turned on her all the more devastating.

  She dragged her suitcases out of the closet, opened them on the bed.

  Her promise to Alliyah had become more of a crutch than a motivator. Father and daughter loved each other, and much as Lexi would like to take Jazi and run, she couldn’t justify it. The biggest thing she had to offer Jazi was love. And now she had that with her father.

  Plus an aunt and a whole slew of uncles, all waiting to spoil her.

  Uncaring of wrinkles, she began throwing things into the suitcases. Her heart couldn’t be more broken; it only made sense to leave now. Make one big break. Let Jethro and Jazi begin their life together.

  She swiped at her cheek, and stuffed her boots in the bigger case before zipping it. She had to lean her weight into it but she got it closed. Back in the bathroom she gathered her toiletries into a cosmetic bag. What didn’t fit, she dumped in the other suitcase.

  She wanted to be gone before Jethro got here. Which could be any minute considering how exhausted and angry he’d been. If he came home with Jazi before she left, Lexi feared she wouldn’t have the strength to walk away.

  And being in his life but not a part of it really didn’t work for her. As painful as this was, it revealed to her exactly what she needed to do.

  * * *

  Silence met Jethro when he let himself in the suite.

  He’d made a point of introducing Jazi to his friends. Lexi was right. They were his family and he wanted them to know his daughter. He wished Lexi had been there. As Jazi’s mama, she was family too. Whether he got
her to forgive him or not.

  The place smelled of Thanksgiving. He stepped into the kitchen; it sparkled. But in the refrigerator a full turkey took up one shelf, and he saw carrots and potatoes. He hadn’t answered her repeated queries about what they’d be doing, so she’d taken matters into her own hands. Had she planned for it to be just her and Jazi? Or had she hoped he’d join them?

  He’d meant to. The stop at Jackson’s was only to give a report and wish everyone happy Thanksgiving. And then he was going home. Because that’s what Jazi and Lexi were to him. Home.

  The pain and disappointment on Lexi’s face continued to haunt him. Lord, help him, he needed to make this right.

  But the silence told him she wasn’t there. Just to be sure he checked her room. Dread burned through his belly, filled his heart. Her things were gone. Closet and drawers were empty. The bathroom cleared out. All that lingered was her scent, haunting him like a ghost.

  Where would she have gone?

  He headed out determined to find her. He’d try her apartment first. Then start tracking friends. Clay would help if needed.

  That was when Jethro saw the note. On the foyer table right next to her key card.

  Dearest Jethro,

  I’m sorry for giving you an ultimatum today. That wasn’t fair to either of us and I’ve come to cherish you as a friend.

  You are a good man. I don’t know what horrific circumstances forced your mother to give you up. But I can only think she’d be proud if she could see you today. Not for your financial success, though that’s impressive, but because you are a man with a good heart.

  Jazi belongs with you. She’s happiest when you’re around and she deserves to grow up with at least one of her parents. And you deserve to know the gift of your daughter’s unconditional love.

  You’ve restored balance to her world and she’s brought joy to yours. I love the two of you too much to take one of you away from the other. So it’s my place to bow out.

  Forgive me for leaving this way. I don’t think I could do it face-to-face.

  Hugs and kisses to you both,

  Lexi

  P.S. Maybe you could bring her to see me dance someday. I’d like that.

  Raw emotion choked him. Lexi loved him. She’d told him so, but he hadn’t believed her. Others had said the words and then left because he’d failed so miserably at communication, at sharing himself. He shared with Lexi without even thinking about it. And she’d left, too, but by God, the sacrifice of it astounded him.

  She thought his mother would be proud of him. Even after he tore her heart out and chased her away. Her crazy attempts to explain why he’d been in the trash had niggled at his psyche, causing some of the hostility to fade. He would never know the truth but it helped to contemplate a reason other than flat rejection by his mother.

  Lexi thought she could tell him that and just walk away? That she could profess her love as if it didn’t matter? Oh, no.

  And suddenly he knew just where to find her.

  * * *

  Lexi’s eyes stung from sweat and tears. Her image in the mirrors blurred from the moisture. But the music blasted, the beat rolled through her and she danced. She pushed all her sadness, her pain, her loneliness into each heartfelt motion.

  She felt like she’d never be happy again, that she’d left her heart in the penthouse so far overhead.

  She needed to get away, to make plans. Maybe she’d go to a new city, try out for a musical on Broadway. She was free, wasn’t she, to do anything she wanted. That’s what mattered. Right?

  So why did her precious independence suddenly burn like acid in her belly? Why did having someone accept her for who she was suddenly seem like the true meaning of freedom?

  Jethro had seen her, done things he didn’t have to do. He found her a place to dance because he’d known she needed to dance. He’d introduced her to Veronica which gave her access to her world, and a chance at a new aspect of it. He’d arranged a jam session for her, negotiated for her to get credit for her participation.

  Sway, pivot, lunge. Down, up, kick extend. Fast then slow and then faster still. Her feet pounded over the floor. Glided. Lifted her into the air. She danced until her legs shook and every breath became a labored effort.

  Fatigue dragged her to a halt. Head down, chest heaving she finally let the tears come.

  A moment passed, two when warm arms closed around her, holding her to a hard male body. Jethro’s scent surrounded her.

  “I’m sorry.”

  She went still. He’d come. He’d known where to find her. Everything in her longed to turn to him, to wrap around him. But he’d hurt her. She wasn’t looking for pacification. She wanted love, a future.

  “So sorry. I didn’t mean the things I said. I was angry and tired from my trip. God’s truth I don’t remember half of it.”

  “Then why say it?”

  He rested his chin on her head. “I don’t know.” His body went taut the full length of hers. “No, that’s the old me. I want to do better with you.” The words were flat as if squeezed through a tight throat. “When I came down the stairs and saw you there, I had this moment of absolute joy. Here was everything I’d ever longed for. And in the next instant it was wiped out because I’d promised to give it all up. And everyone I cared about was at risk.”

  “You lashed out.”

  “And you were the convenient target. I’m sorry. I don’t remember much of what I said, but I do remember the hurt on your face.” He rubbed his hands up and down her arms. Turned her to face him. With a gentle touch he wiped the tears from her face.

  Heart pounding she stared up at him, half fearful, half hopeful. And, oh, my, she was so afraid to hope. What excited her was his effort, his openness. He was talking to her, a huge step for him. But would he make it all the way to a commitment?

  “I take it back, all of it.” Contrition stamped his features. “I talked to the guys after you left. You were right. They were feeling left out. They didn’t need me to protect them. I took the time to officially introduce them to Jazi. Because family stands together.”

  “That’s nice.” She was happy for him. But it didn’t change anything between them.

  “I love you.” Blunt. Declarative. Absolute. And so unexpected.

  No way to doubt what she’d heard. To question his resolution. Happiness bloomed from her heart, warmed the chill from her blood, gave strength to her legs. She threw herself into his arms. He caught her, swung her around, sealed his lips to hers.

  “I love you,” she said against his mouth, “I love you. I love you.”

  He set her on her feet and stopped her talking in the best possible way. He pulled back, framed her face with hands that shook just a little.

  “I want a family with you and Jazi. I want to give her a sister or brother, maybe both. I love you. Will you do that with me?”

  She clasped his wrists, angled her chin up. “Are you going to require me to have an escort everywhere I go?”

  His jaw clenched and his posture stiffened. Oh, he wanted to say yes. The fact he stopped to think showed his love as nothing else could.

  “Were you serious about learning self-defense?”

  Ah. Compromise, a relationship essential.

  “I am if it gets rid of the babysitters.”

  “Then, no,” he conceded. “Unless there’s an imminent threat, you’re free to roam at will.”

  Sweet, sweet words. She looped her arms around his neck. “Are we talking marriage? It’s not a deal breaker for me, but it’s probably best for the kids.”

  His eyes lit up. “You’d give your freedom up for me?”

  See, he got her. “You and Jazi are my freedom. You don’t contain me, you fulfill me.”

  “Then, Lexi Malone.” He went down on one knee, held her ha
nd in both of his. Looked up at her with such love. “Will you marry me?”

  She cocked her head, pretended to consider? “Can we build a place by Jackson and Grace?”

  He stood and yanked her into his arms. “This is not the time to tease me, woman.”

  “There’s the man I know and love.” She cupped his cheek, kissed him softly. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

  “Good.” A huge grin broke across his face, revealing a dimple in his left cheek. “I already picked out the lot.”

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from THE BILLIONAIRE FROM HER PAST by Leah Ashton.

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