As she approached the kitchen again, she heard the sound of raised voices, her father and sister, arguing.
“I said no. I already gave you money to buy interview clothes. I can’t imagine you need more.” Their father rarely raised his voice, so Lexie assumed this conversation had been going on since she’d walked out.
“Dad, please. It’ll be the last time. I promise. I just really need—”
“What?” Lexie asked. “You really need what?” She stepped into the room.
“Nothing. It’s between me and Dad.”
“Of course it is,” Lexie muttered.
Lexie glanced at her father, who guiltily looked away. Well, at least the shopping bags had an explanation; however, she doubted her sister had been buying interview clothes.
When they both remained quiet, Lexie threw her hands up in frustration. She headed to the table only to discover they’d already cleaned up.
“Your rooms are available if you want to stay over,” her father said as if nothing was wrong.
Which was the story of her life. Sweep everything under the rug and pretend. “No, I think I’ll pick up what I need and head back to the city.”
Kendall pouted. “Well, I think I’ll stay.”
Probably to spend more time pressuring their dad for cash. Lexie shrugged, fed up with all of it. “Suit yourself.”
Feeling suffocated by this house, the people in it, and the painful memories, she needed to get out of here.
A little while later, the dress she’d worn to her father’s big formal company Christmas party was packed up. She added a pair of sexy heels and dressy jewelry she didn’t normally need and headed back to the city.
Alone.
Lexie stepped off the train at Penn Station after dark and decided to splurge on a taxi instead of taking the subway uptown by herself. Depressed from seeing her mother, and particularly down after getting confirmation that her sister’s excessive spending wasn’t under control, which meant her illness wasn’t either, Lexie’s emotions were at the surface.
She felt raw, fragile, and alone. The only person she could turn to for understanding was her father, and clearly he was having his own challenges dealing with her mom and sister. Sometimes she was angry with him for keeping her mother at home, for not trying harder, for giving Kendall money … and other times she felt sorry for him because in addition to a full-time job, he had to juggle his wife’s and his daughter’s problems.
It wasn’t like she thought she could do a better job. Hell, Kendall lived under Lexie’s roof, and she couldn’t keep track of what her sister did when Lexie wasn’t around.
She really didn’t want to go home to the empty apartment, where she’d do nothing but dwell on her frustrations and worry about her family. Waffles wouldn’t even be there to greet and distract her, but she had no choice. The only person she wanted to be with, to talk to, was someone she wasn’t close enough to warrant calling … just because she needed a friend or an ear. But she still had to fight the urge to give the driver Kade’s address, because she believed he’d understand her sadness and frustration.
Which was odd, considering they were just beginning to test the idea of a relationship outside the office. Because she still was worried about mixing business and pleasure. And because she just knew her personal life, her sister, mother, father were all ticking time bombs waiting to explode and drag her under, ruining everything in her life she cared about. Including Kade, should she let him near.
After a difficult night’s sleep and a lot of tossing and turning, Lexie woke up Saturday morning, an entire day of beauty appointments ahead of her. Although it was hard, she had no choice but to put last night behind her and focus on today. She’d splurged on a spa day. She had appointments for a massage, manicure, pedicure, spray tan, waxing, and hair before having her makeup professionally done at Saks Fifth Avenue.
By the time she returned home to get dressed, she felt like a princess, never having treated herself quite this way before. To her relief, her sister wasn’t home when she returned. Of course, she experienced a healthy dose of guilt, as well, for feeling that way. Waffles was nowhere to be found, so maybe her twin was still at her parents’ place.
No matter, Lexie had a date to finish getting ready for and a man she couldn’t wait to see.
Chapter Eight
Saturday night with Lexie felt like it was weeks away instead of only one night. Kade’s mind whirled with all the problems he was worried about, and instead of focusing on his upcoming date, he obsessed about Julian’s vendetta. At times like this, he missed his regular workouts, where he could count out reps, one soothing number after the other. But thanks to his damned hand, he was sidelined. Lifting weights didn’t just bulk up his muscles, it calmed him during times of stress, and he had a lot of tension to work out. So he’d turned to the treadmill, but he had a hard time quieting his brain. And he ended up running … and dwelling—fuck, he was obsessing—about his one-time friend and his threat to Kade and his company.
So far, the investigator his partners had hired had come up empty on anything about Julian’s current life to use against him. According to the PI, Julian was currently clean, working the program … and coming after Blink’s money. The guy was digging deeper into Julian’s recent past. Unless they came up with something to counter his ex-friend’s threats, they’d have to pay him big money for his minimal role in Blink and to keep quiet, something Kade wasn’t willing to do. All of which left him antsy and out of control.
Kade didn’t like when life wasn’t manageable. Orderly. Under his direct command. As a young kid, he’d thrown tantrums and acted out when he felt frazzled and overwhelmed, which resulted in his father soothing him with things. Whatever money could buy. As an adult, Kade had developed subtler techniques to handle his emotions and anxiety.
Upon entering college, he’d been unwilling to admit he needed help, instead trying to tackle his issues himself. He’d minored in psychology in a search for answers, and his studies had allowed him to accept that he had difficulties that necessitated therapy and medication. Too bad his parents hadn’t taken the time to figure that out when he was younger, but there was no point dwelling on the past now.
Derek and Luke joined him at the gym Saturday morning, where he ran hard, and they talked about everything but Julian and their potential business problem. His friends understood they were helping Kade work out his stress, and they needed to do the same. They might have his back, but their futures were at stake too.
The one bright spot in his day was an event he might otherwise find a reason to bail on and cut a nice check instead. He supported the MHA without reservation, but he wasn’t in the mood to socialize with people. He was, however, in the mood to spend the night with Lexie.
He hired a car for the night, dressed in the tuxedo he tried to wear as little as possible in any given calendar year, and gave the driver Lexie’s address.
He’d planned to pick her up at her apartment door but instead found her waiting downstairs at exactly the time he said he’d arrive.
She was dressed in a white dress with an off-the-shoulder contrasting black band; the hem fell high in the front, revealing her gorgeously tanned legs and black sandal heels. The dress skimmed her luscious, mouth-watering curves. And her hair fell over her shoulder in long curls, making his fingers itch to wrap themselves around the long strands and tug while he kissed her bright red mouth.
She took his breath away. Every long minute he’d waited to see her this weekend had been worth it, and as he climbed out of the car to greet her, a single red rose in his good hand, he needed a second to steady his breathing and calm his sudden, burning need.
“Lexie,” he said, walking up to her. She glanced up at him and smiled. “You look gorgeous.”
A pretty blush stained her cheeks. “Thank you.” She reached up and straightened his bow tie. “You dress up nicely yourself.”
She slid her hand down his lapel, and it was all he could do not to
grab her small wrist, pull her against him, and let her feel the depths of his desire.
He extended the rose, the same color as her lips, the flower the only means he could come up with to convey he was glad she’d agreed to join him.
“Thank you. It’s beautiful.”
“Not as exquisite as you.” He couldn’t stop the compliments, and when she smiled radiantly, he didn’t want to. “Are you ready to go?” he asked in a roughened voice.
She nodded.
He held out a hand, and she placed her palm against his. A shock of electricity raced through him at that simple touch, and he curled his fingers possessively around hers, leading her to the open car door. He helped her into the backseat.
The driver sped away from the curb, and he studied this beautiful woman sitting next to him in charged silence. Her makeup was heavier than usual, thick lashes fluttering over big blue eyes, her soft, pillowy lips beckoning to him.
“How was your weekend?” he finally managed to ask.
She turned toward him and paused before answering. “Not so great, to be honest.”
“I’m a good listener.” He offered her an ear because he was truly interested in her life.
“It’s just… I went home last night to pick up my dress. And my mother was holed up in her room, unresponsive. Completely unaware that I was even in the room. I was shattered, but my sister didn’t seem to be affected at all.” She shook her head, her eyes shimmering with tears. “Forget it. I don’t want to ruin our night by starting it on a down note.” She turned her head, glancing out the window.
“Hey. Don’t apologize or turn away. I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want to hear.” He lifted her hand, placing it inside his, running his thumb over her soft skin.
“Thank you. For some reason, I thought you would understand.”
He hesitated before answering, then decided fuck it. He might as well offer her something in return for her honesty.
“I get it. I don’t have a relative who suffers from depression but I … I suffer from—” He stammered and wanted to take back the initial, tentative words that now stuck in his throat painfully. Though he’d thought he’d come to terms with this part of himself, embarrassment rushed through him now.
“I know.” She squeezed his hand in hers, the silence understanding, not judgmental. “I know.” She met his gaze, her expression warm and full of acceptance.
He didn’t need to elaborate or use the word anxiety, because after only a short time in his employ, she did understand. She’d seen things firsthand. Walked in on him pulling out an anxiety medication. Remade his coffee when he couldn’t drink it for reasons no one but him would understand. Put his clothes away in his closet exactly how he’d have done it himself.
Nothing he did or said had driven her away.
Before he could formulate a reply, the car came to a stop outside the venue in the financial district downtown. Formerly the headquarters of a major bank, the facility was now a landmark building in the National Historic Register, and a lineup of black Town Cars and drivers surrounded them.
“We can talk later,” he said, although he selfishly hoped there’d be less talking and more other things before the night was through.
“Thank you.” She leaned close, treating him to an up-close-and-personal whiff of her scent, one that was new to her but with a hint of the sweetness he always associated with this woman.
And as she pressed her lips to his cheek, his cock, which he’d managed to contain, now pressed hard and insistently against his pants. Thank God his jacket would cover the tenting or he wouldn’t be able to get out of the car.
She pulled back, then giggled, the sound light and airy and perfect to break the serious moment and put them in a better mood for the night.
Reaching over, she rubbed her fingers against his cheek. “Lipstick,” she murmured.
“Cover me in it any time,” he said in return.
Her sexy lips parted in an O just as the driver opened the door, breaking into their moment.
Kade stepped out of the car, holding Lexie’s hand as she did the same. He’d never thought about how he looked arriving at an event, but with Lexie on his arm, he was damned proud to be there.
“Those ships, they’re gorgeous,” Lexie said of a large 225-foot mural covering the back wall.
“It’s spectacular,” he agreed, hoping she wouldn’t ask who painted it.
Kade didn’t bother himself with art, so he couldn’t name the creator. He only knew, from previous years at this event, the mural was always a talking piece, and clearly Lexie agreed.
No sooner had they stepped into the ballroom than people came up to Kade. The co-chairs of the event, to thank him for his substantial donation, potential investors in Blink, all people he needed to be more than polite to—when all he wanted to do was find a private corner and be alone with Lexie. He glanced her way often, worried about ignoring or, worse, boring her. But each time he looked, she was interested in the discussion he was having, talking to someone’s wife while the men talked business, or waiting patiently for the person to have their say.
She didn’t whine or complain, for which he was grateful, but she also genuinely seemed to enjoy herself, and that had been his goal for the evening. Not his only goal, he thought, using a rare moment alone to look his fill of the siren in the black-and-white dress. He couldn’t take his eyes off the whole package, but he particularly liked the shorter hem in the front that teased him with the idea of lifting the dress higher and slipping his hands up her thighs and over her damp sex.
“Wine or champagne?” a passing server asked, breaking into his thoughts just in the nick of time.
“Thank you.” Lexie accepted a glass of champagne.
Kade picked up a flute for himself and turned to face her.
“Excuse me.” A man with a camera around his neck, obviously the hired photographer for the event, interrupted them. “May I?”
Resigned and aware this picture would show up somewhere in the papers or online tomorrow, Kade stepped closer to Lexie and wrapped his injured hand around her back. The photographer snapped a quick shot and disappeared, on to the next couple.
“Now where was I?” he asked, then held up his glass. “To … new beginnings.”
She hesitated before tilting her glass, touching his.
If he weren’t so sure the chemistry between them was hot and mutual, he’d be concerned with her reticence. But she was here, and when he wasn’t looking directly at her, she was sneaking glimpses of him. Whatever had her uncertain, it wasn’t a lack of attraction or desire.
“I like it when we’re not bickering,” she mused.
“Is that what we do? I thought it was you calling me out on asshole behavior.”
She grinned and took a sip, allowing the bubbles to slide down her throat. He couldn’t look away, his gaze drawn to the slender column of her neck, his hearing attuned to the purr of approval that escaped her lips. “Mmm.”
“If you make that sound again, I just might drag you into the nearest coat closet and fuck you senseless.”
She choked on a sip of champagne, and heat tinged her cheeks, her mouth parting in a silent O. Add in the sudden hitch in her breathing and he knew she was as into the idea as he was.
Not that he’d take her that way their first time, but he couldn’t deny the notion had distinct appeal. He reined in his inappropriate thoughts because his dick was standing at attention and they were in a ballroom full of people. Nothing had been discussed about taking whatever their relationship was to that next level. But he wanted to.
He placed his glass on the table just as a familiar voice called out his name. “Kade!”
He turned. “Dad!” he exclaimed, taken off guard.
“Dad?” Lexie asked, surprise etching her features.
Shit. He’d forgotten his father was also a major donor at this event because it was important to Kade. Say what you want about his father, but he tried to please his son any way h
e could.
“Don’t look so shocked to see me. I’m here every year, just like you,” his dad said.
But Kade had been so wrapped up in thinking about Lexie and in the issues with Julian, he’d forgotten. “It’s good to see you, Dad.”
His father pulled him into a bear hug, and Kade returned the gesture, aware of Lexie’s eyes on him the entire time.
“What did you do to your hand?” his father asked, concerned, as he glanced at the splint.
“Nothing. Just an accident.”
He frowned before meeting Kade’s gaze once more. “Well, it’s been too long. You really need to come visit your father.” Keith turned to Lexie, a wide smile on his face. “And who is the pretty young lady?” he asked before Kade could get a word in to introduce her.
“Lexie Parker,” she said, extending her hand. “I’m Kade’s a—”
“Date. She’s my date,” he said before she could put the assistant barrier between them. Which he was certain she’d been about to do, and he wanted to know why.
But he also jumped in and clarified things, more for her benefit than his father’s. Because his goal at the end of the night was to convince her to come home with him after the event ended. Anything less was unacceptable, and if she started thinking about the fact that she worked for him, he wouldn’t be able to get her into his bed.
His father’s smile widened at the pronouncement that Lexie was his date. “It’s great to meet you, Lexie. Kade doesn’t normally bring a date to these events, so it’s a real treat.”
“Dad,” Kade said in warning. He didn’t need the old man embarrassing him with details about his life.
But Keith was on a roll and continued, ignoring Kade’s irate tone. “It’s even rarer that I get to meet someone he’s seeing so—”
“Dad! Can you give it a rest? Please?” Kade asked, annoyed he didn’t just drop it.
Keith waved a hand in a dismissive gesture. “Oh, please. Let a father be happy for his son. She’s a beautiful woman.”
Summer Heat: A Steamy Romance Boxed Set Page 9