Rex

by Lori Wilde

  Sophia’s laugh was shaky. “What would I be hiding from you?”

  “Everyone has a few skeletons in their closet.”

  “Not everyone,” she said. Mike was not a skeleton. They had done nothing more than serious necking. She wasn’t in a romantic relationship with Rex. She owed him no explanation. Had nothing to confess. “Do you have skeletons, Mr. Barrington?”

  “You bet I do,” he whispered huskily, then rang off without another word.

  Rex hung up the phone. He got to his feet, folded his arms across his chest, and walked over to the floor-length windows of his father’s executive office. He stared out at the parking lot beyond.

  Soon, this would be his office, his domain when his father retired, but for now, it still belonged to Thurgood, who was, at this very moment, leaning back in his swivel leather chair, studying Rex with a hard eye.

  “What do you think is the best way to go about revealing my identity to the employees?” Mike asked.

  “Call a meeting and I’ll introduce you. But I’ll warn you now, Rex, this will not be easy. The employees know you as Mike the handyman. Don’t be surprised if they resent you for spying on them.”

  “Dad, it had to be done. If I hadn’t gone undercover to study how the company works, I would never have discovered that my former assistant was selling company secrets to the competition or that Peter Randall in the stockroom had been stealing us blind for years.”

  “Your charade served its purpose,” Thurgood said, “but I can’t help wondering if it will not cost you more in the long run.”

  “What do you mean?” Rex asked sharply.

  “The price of goodwill. By hiding your identity and circulating among the employees without their knowledge, they will feel like they can’t trust you.”

  “Ha! I’m the one who can’t trust them.”

  “I realize that,” Thurgood said. “And it’s your shortcoming, not theirs.”

  Rex frowned and stared at his father. “What are you talking about?”

  “You’ve got a problem with trust, son.”

  “I wonder why that is,” Rex said, unable to keep the sarcasm from his voice.

  A pained expression crossed his father’s face. “I know I wasn’t usually there for you when you were growing up, and I’ll sorely regret it. But you’ve got to let go of the past. I’ve tried to make amends. Inability to trust will keep you from becoming a truly great leader. You need to delegate more. You can’t do everything yourself.”

  “You’re right,” Rex admitted.

  “I know I’m partly to blame. We rose up the social ladder so quickly. I know there were a lot of kids who pretended to be your friend because of who your father was. You never knew who you could trust. I know that bothered you more than your brother. I also know that Erica made things worse. But you can’t go around suspecting everyone all the time. Sometimes you’ve simply got to trust people.”

  “There is absolutely nothing wrong with questioning motives, Dad. Everyone, no matter how nice, has a hidden agenda. Some might say you go to the opposite extreme, that you want people to like you so much that you’ll turn a deaf ear to a bad situation.”

  Anger flared in his father’s dark-brown eyes. “I’ve learned a few things over the years about human nature, son, things they don’t teach you in Harvard Business School. It’s important to trust people until they give you a reason not to.”

  Rex sighed. It wasn’t the first time they’d had this conversation. But if he were honest with himself, he’d admit that over the course of the past few months spent as Mike the handyman, he’d enjoyed being more spontaneous and carefree.

  As Mike, he knew that people liked him for himself. Rex Barrington didn’t have that luxury.

  “Dad, it’s one thing to put your faith in your employees, but it’s something else to be so trusting that you allow them to rip you off.”

  “Maybe so.” His father shrugged. “But in just a few weeks, the problem is all yours. I will relax on the beach in Maui.”

  “You’ve earned it.”

  “What about Sophia?” his father asked. “When are you going to tell her who you are? You can’t just come to work one day and let her find Mike the handyman sitting in her boss’ office.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “You’ve got to tell her privately.”

  Rex blew out his breath. It would not be easy. “I know.”

  “A boss and his secretary have a special relationship,” Rex said. “One that’s built on mutual trust. Don’t be surprised if Sophia feels more betrayed by your ruse than everyone else.”

  “Why should she feel betrayed? I’m the one she’s been plotting to marry.”

  “Don’t judge her too harshly, Rex. Working in proximity with someone can create intimate feelings. Even Mildred and I…” He trailed off.

  Rex’s mouth dropped open. “You and Mildred? Really? You guys are an item?”

  “Are you honestly surprised?” Amusement lit up his father’s face. “Mildred’s been my anchor ever since your mother died. I don’t know what I would have done without her.”

  “Still, I never thought...”

  “What’s the matter? You think you young folks have a patent on love?” His father grinned.

  “I think it’s great, Dad. I love Mildred. Congratulations.” Rex strode across the room to pump his father’s hand. “You deserve all the happiness in the world.”

  “So do you, son.” His father’s face sobered. “That’s why I’ve been lecturing you about trust. Until you can learn to trust people, you will have a hard time finding real happiness.”

  He wanted to find love and get married. But he was afraid. Afraid of loving and not being loved in return. Afraid of losing that love once he found it, like his father had lost his mother. Afraid to trust, to let down his guard.

  And the woman he wanted so desperately was the one female he simply could not trust.

  “You look nice,” Sophia’s mother said.

  They were driving along the highway, headed west toward Rascal Lake.

  “Thanks.”

  Sophia dressed in a blue denim skirt and a white cotton blouse. She had planned her clothing to mimic the outfit Rex said he’d wear. Sophia had heard some psychologist on a podcast say that couples who dressed alike created a relationship synergy. She didn’t know if it was true or not, but what could it hurt?

  She donned blue Vans that matched her skirt and short white socks with pompoms at the back. She ironed her hair flat and pulled it into a low ponytail. A thin gold chain adorned her neck and two gold studs nestled in her earlobes. She thought she struck just the right note between chic, sporty, and modest.

  “I’m so excited I will finally get to meet your boss,” her mother said.

  “Me, too.” Sophia had dreamed of this moment for months. How would he react? Would he hug her? Shake her hand? Would he smile sexily and flirt a little? Or was he more reserved?

  The official invitation to the annual end-of-the-summer fling encouraged employees to bring family members along. Sophia didn’t know whether having Jannette there would make things better or worse, but after seeing the excitement in her mother’s eyes over the outing, she was glad her mother had come along.

  “I’m also happy you broke things off with Mike,” her mother said.

  But she hadn’t broken things off with Mike. He’d broken things off with her.

  Or so Sophia supposed.

  A strange ache lodged in her belly. He’d stopped hanging around her office and barely mumbled a greeting whenever he saw her.

  “Let’s not talk about Mike, okay?”

  Jannette nodded and reached over to pat Sophia’s hand. “It’s for the best, honey. He wasn’t the man for you.”

  But how did her mother know that? Just because she’d had a bad experience with men didn’t mean they were all like Sophia’s father. Mike had so many good qualities. He was fun and optimistic. He had a positive attitude, and people really liked him. The
truth was, she missed him.

  Forget Mike, Sophia. You will see Rex today—the man of your dreams.

  How would Mike act at the picnic? she worried. Would he get jealous?

  Sophia turned off the highway at the exit marked Casa Del Sol Ranch owned by Thurgood Barrington.

  A caravan of cars proceeded down the road in front of them. They arrived at the mansion a few minutes later, and an attendant guided them to park in a field roped off as a parking area. She spotted Amber and her fiancé Heath as they drove by, and they waved.

  “I can’t believe Amber came,” Sophia said as she helped her mother from the car and into her wheelchair. "She’s due to deliver that baby in just over a week.”

  Jannette sucked in her breath. “She should be careful! First babies are often early. Just like you were.”

  “I’m sure she’ll be fine.” Sophia cast a worried glance over her shoulder. Heath and Amber were slowly making their way toward them.

  Sophia waited on her friends, then the four of them chatted on the way to the entrance.

  Heath was so solicitous of his wife. He took her hand with one arm and gently led her across the parking area. Longing stabbed through Sophia. Would she ever have a man like that? A baby to call her own?

  Thurgood Barrington and Mildred Van Hess stood at the gate, greeting the employees and their families as they arrived. Sophia wanted to ask Thurgood if he’d heard from his son, but she was too shy to say anything in front of everyone.

  Cowboy ranch hands welcomed them with “Howdy” and herded the guests toward the activities. A large white banner with red lettering proclaimed Barrington Oil and Gas Goodbye to Summer Picnic.

  A large guitar-shaped pool beckoned swimmers. The corrals displayed a variety of horses already saddled for interested riders. Concession stands offered a wide selection of beverages from soft drinks to lemonade to specialty beers and wine. Five barbecue grills sizzled with hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, and fish. Bowls of salads, pasta, and fresh fruit lay over a bed of crushed ice on trestle tables.

  Heath found an empty table under a brightly colored awning and guided them over. He helped Amber sit down while Sophia set the parking brake on Jannette’s wheelchair. Sophia took a seat where she could watch the front entrance for Rex’s appearance.

  “I’ll go get drinks,” Heath said and took their orders.

  “He’s such a great guy,” Sophia said to Amber who sighed dreamily as they watched Heath make his way to the concession stand.

  Amber smiled demurely and wrapped her hands around her tummy. “I like to think so.”

  “Hello, ladies.” They looked up to see Amber’s old boss, Stanley Whitcomb, standing beside their table.

  Amber’s face brightened. “Stanley. Sit down. You know Sophia, of course. And this is her mother, Jannette.”

  “Hello, Jannette.” Stanley sat down next to her mother and beamed. To Sophia’s surprise, Jannette smiled back.

  Before she knew it, her mother and Stanley chattered like old friends.

  “So,” Amber whispered in her ear. “How are things with Mike?”

  Sophia took a deep breath. “That has cooled down.”

  “Oh.” Amber looked disappointed. “That’s a shame.”

  “No.” Sophia shook her head. “Not really. Rex is coming to the picnic.”

  “Rex Barrington?”

  Sophia nodded. “I’m so nervous.”

  “But what about Mike?”

  “What about him?” Sophia wished her friend would stop bringing up Mike’s name.

  “What cooled things off?”

  A hot necking session.

  “Let’s not talk about Mike, okay?”

  “Why not? Because you still care about him?” Amber sent her a knowing expression.

  “No.”

  “You can tell me the truth. I won’t judge.”

  “I’m telling you the truth.”

  “Then why is Mike standing over there staring at you as if you were made of spun sugar?”

  “What?” Alarmed, Sophia’s eyes followed Amber’s gaze.

  Sure enough, there Mike was, lounging around a split-rail fence, his eyes devouring her. She did not expect her skin to catch fire, but it did.

  Their gazes met briefly, but she couldn’t hold his stare. Her chest suddenly went tight, and her head swam. She had to get out of here.

  Now.

  10

  Sophia glanced over to find Jannette’s attention focused on Stanley Whitcomb.

  Knowing she was taking a chance on missing Rex’s entrance, Sophia turned to Amber. “If my mother asks, I went to the bathroom.”

  “Are you all right?” Amber asked.

  “I will be.” Once I get away from Mike.

  Head down, Sophia hustled away. Where were the restrooms? she wondered, desperate for a cool damp towel and a place to hide out from Mike. She rounded the corner of the building, paused, and caught her breath.

  Briefly she closed her eyes.

  Calm down, Sophia. You see Mike every day at the office. What’s the big deal?

  Yes, but at the office he was fully clothed. Here, Mike wore tight blue shorts and the top two buttons on his white polo shirt were undone, revealing more of his masculine chest than she cared to see. His legs were long, tan, and very muscular. Just as she had imagined they would be.

  And his tush!

  Well, somewhere there were angels singing Hallelujah over this man. To see her midnight fantasies brought to life was rather overwhelming.

  “Morning, Sophia.”

  That voice! So warm and deep. Just like Rex Barrington’s. Was he here?

  Startled, her eyes flew open, and her heart dropped to her feet.

  Mike.

  Standing inches away. A grin on his face, one arm draped casually against the side of the building. There was something primitive about him, something elementally male.

  “Hello, Mike,” she croaked.

  He took a step toward her, and she forced herself not to slink backward, away from his heat. She could handle this.

  “I’ve been thinking about you,” he said. “A lot.”

  “Mike...I...”

  “I can’t forget what happened in your office that Friday night. Lord knows I’ve tried. I’ve kept my distance. I know I’m not what you want in a man.”

  Oh, but he was! He was!

  Therein lay the problem.

  Mike was all wrong for her, but Sophia wanted him. More than she could express. Her lower abdomen ached with longing whenever she looked at him. Her breast felt heavy as she remembered his frisky tongue. Her thighs burned with the thought of having him between them. She felt dizzy, wild, out of control.

  He reached over and gently brushed a lock of hair from her forehead. Sophia gulped against those red-hot fingertips.

  “I’ve got something to tell you,” he said huskily.

  A spike of desire drove straight through her. “Yes?” she whispered.

  He gazed into her eyes.

  Sophia was shocked at what she read in those green depths. Could Mike the handyman be in love with her? She shivered. No. It couldn’t be. Not Mike. He could never settle down to one woman, one city, one life.

  Could he?

  They stood staring at each other, enrapt.

  “What?” Sophia asked. “What did you want to tell me?”

  Was he going to propose? What on earth would she say if he did? And if he did, what would she do about Rex?

  “I’m quitting my job.”

  Sophia stared, not absorbing what he’d said. “Huh?”

  He nodded. “I’m leaving Phoenix.”

  “Why?”

  Mike shrugged. “I can’t keep working at Barrington Oil and Gas, caring about you the way I do, knowing you’re in love with your boss, knowing there’s no chance for me.”

  “You can’t leave because of me. You like your job.” She reached out to squeeze his hand. “Please reconsider.”

  “There are other jobs.” He
gave a wry smile. “But there’s no one like you, Sophia.”

  How foolish she was to let him walk away from her because he was not successful in the traditional sense of the word. How shallow for her to see money as the bottom line. What mattered was how they felt about one another, and how he treated her.

  Right?

  “When are you leaving?” she asked, feeling as if she’d just had a rug pulled out from under her.

  “I’m giving my two-week notice on Monday.”

  “So soon?”

  “I’ll miss you.” His voice and eyes darkened.

  “I’ll miss you, too.” She said it lightly, as if she didn’t really care, but she did! She cared so much. Too much. It felt as if she’d just caught a bullet with her chest.

  He jammed his hands into his front pockets. “I wanted you to be the first to know.”

  “You haven’t told your boss yet?”

  “No.”

  She took a breath so long and deep, it rippled through her body. “Mike?”

  “Yes?”

  “Kiss me.”

  Why was she asking him to kiss her when she should say, Congratulations, have a good life? I wish you all the best.

  “What?”

  “Kiss me.”

  Mike pulled her to his chest and wrapped his arms around her. “Are you sure?”

  “I’m certain.”

  But the minute his lips grazed hers, Sophia realized she was in too deep. She was lost.

  “Oh, Mike,” Sophia whispered, then helplessly succumbed.

  Mike hadn’t intended for things to play out this way.

  Last night, lying in bed thinking about Sophia, he’d promised himself he would tell her the truth. That he was Rex Barrington, the man she’d been scheming to marry. Instead, without even knowing he would say it, he’d told her he was quitting his job and leaving Rascal.

  Why?

  For this.

  His mouth moved against her heated lips, soaking up her essence, reveling in the woman that was Sophia Shepherd. She intoxicated him with her clean, fresh floral scent. Her full lips drove him crazy. The smooth curve of her thigh against his leg had Mike battling for self-control.