One White Lie: Barrington Billionaire's Series: Book One (9 page)

She swallowed hard and turned her eyes from his. “Bri—”

He reached out and stopped her, cupping her face in his hands, his thumb brushing against her soft lips.
God, I want her.
His lips claimed hers, and his tongue forced her lips to open to him. Her hands came up and pushed against his chest, trying to gain distance from him. That only enticed him to probe her mouth deeper with his tongue. Brice felt her resistance ease. Her hands were no longer pushing him away. Now she clung to him, bringing her hands up to his shoulders and pulling him to her.

His blood began to rush through his veins. Everything in him ached for release, but he needed to stop. What happened last week inside his office couldn’t take place in the open. Not that he cared who saw what, but the security team downstairs watched everything. The only rooms not on camera were his and Asher’s offices. There was no denying she wanted him, but he was sure she wouldn’t forgive him for letting others watch.

“Lena,” he said softly against her ear.

A sigh of pleasure escaped her lips, and she trembled in his arms.

Damn, you’re not making this any easier.
“Baby, if we don’t stop now, I won’t be able to later.”

Her eyes met his, and then she looked around. Her beautiful olive skin glowed with the realization of her predicament. Lena pulled out of his arms and went back to sit at her desk, trying to act as though nothing had happened.

Brice reached out and took her right hand in his. Bringing her fingers to his lips, he placed a gentle kiss on them. “Have dinner with me.”

Her eyes were still covered by her long dark lashes as she shook her head. “I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“I’m . . . ah . . . I’m meeting someone at six.”

Was it the man she was professing her love to earlier? “You want to be with me.” It wasn’t a question. Her flushed cheeks weren’t only from embarrassment.

When she spoke again, her voice could barely be heard. “It’s too late, Brice. We can’t go back.”

“I’m not asking you to.”

She finally raised her head to look at him. For the first time, he saw someone who was unsure.
Is it that you don’t know what you want? Or who you want? I’ll help you make that decision.

“I’m . . . not the same person I was years ago. I’ve . . . moved on.”

He heard the words, but they meant nothing to him. She may want to move on, but she hadn’t. She was on fire when he touched her and met his kisses with her own. Whoever Lena thought she loved right now was only a sad replacement for him.
No competition.

Letting her hand go, Brice headed to his office. Over his shoulder he said, “We’ll leave at four. I’ll make the reservation.”

S
he was here, but that didn’t mean she was going to enjoy herself. If he wanted to be a controlling, arrogant ass, then she had no problem being a bitch.

The waitress came over to take their order.

“Water, please.”

Standing there, pen in hand, she asked, “And for your entrée?”

Lena turned from the waitress and looked at Brice. Smiling, she answered, “Just water for me, thank you.”

His expression changed briefly, and it pleased her that she’d caught him off guard. Was he so used to everyone bowing to his demands that no one ever said no to him? Well, he’d forgotten who he was dealing with. She’d challenged him back then, and since their breakup she’d gotten even stronger.

The well-trained waitress didn’t comment. She turned to Brice. “And for you, sir?”

Brice continued to meet her gaze straight on. “Prime rib with a baked potato.” When the waitress left, he asked, “Not hungry, Lena? I know you like their food; we used to come here often.”

She hadn’t forgotten. In fact it was where he took her on their first date. When they pulled up to the restaurant, her heart sank as the memories came flooding back to her. She wondered if he had purposely chosen it as a form of torture or if had he had forgotten. Lena had her answer now and should have known before. Brice didn’t leave anything to chance. He never forgot anything. But she wasn’t about to play the game of Memory Lane. Holding her chin up in defiance, she stated, “I believe I told you I already have plans for dinner.”

Lena expected him to ask about them, but he didn’t.
Maybe he knows I’m not going to answer any of his questions about my personal life.

“That’s unfortunate. I believe your favorite dish here was the prime rib and, for dessert, a piece of lemon meringue pie.” His grin said a lot. No matter how much she didn’t want to be there with him, he apparently had every intention of enjoying his meal no matter if she ate or not.

The waitress delivered his food. Brice cut into it. It was perfectly cooked. Her mouth watered to sample such a treat again. The last time she’d eaten anything so decadent had been when they were dating. Being a single mother meant you made different choices. No longer would she drop fifty dollars for a meal when she could use that money for diapers and food for her son. Though she tried to ignore it, she found herself watching him lift the fork to his mouth.

“If you change your mind, I might let you have a bite of mine.” Brice smiled before taking a succulent morsel into his mouth.

Damn you, Brice. Does everything have to be like this? An endless tease of something I can longer have?
It wasn’t a cut of meat that had her emotions tied up in knots. It was him, taking her to this place, back to a time where they were happy, in love, or so she had thought. His lack of understanding only confirmed her actions back then. Not calling him had been the right thing to do. Not telling him about her, but more importantly about Nicholas. Everything was his way or no way at all, and that was not how she wanted her son to live. To only have a father in his life when he chose to be there. No, he deserved so much better than what Brice would have been able to give him.

She felt sick keeping this from him, but he had made it very clear back then, no one, not family, not her, was more important than his damn job. Even this dinner had nothing to do with him wanting to be with her. It only had to do with control, and she wasn’t about to fall for it. It would only lead to more pain than she could possibly bear.

Lena needed to stop thinking of him, of them, and their past. It would change nothing. Instead, she would hold to her promise to Zoey and mention how he had changed.
Let’s see how you like being questioned, Mr. Henderson.

“Your sister was very disappointed you blew her off for lunch the other day.”

“She’s knows I’m busy.”

“Yet you’re not too busy to be sitting here with me, when you know I don’t want to be sitting here with you.” Folding her hands in front of her on the table she asked, “Why is that, Brice?”

He laid his fork down and stared at her. “Protest as much as you want, but you are here because you want to be.”

Like hell I am.
“You forced me to come,” Lena said with a voice full of anger, both at him and at herself.

Brice leaned across the table and said softly, “I don’t recall dragging you here, kicking and screaming.”

“You’re my boss. What was I supposed to say after I clearly told you I didn’t want to go?”

He grinned. “So, what you’re telling me is I hold all the power to make you do anything I wish because I sign your paycheck?” She didn’t answer. “That’s good to know because next time I’ll invite you to have breakfast in bed with me.” His laughter echoed through the room. “Would tomorrow work for you?”

When she went to tell him exactly where he could stick that offer, he raised his hand to cut her off.

“I’m joking, Lena. When did you become so uptight? Was it so long ago that you can’t remember how to laugh and enjoy yourself when you’re with me?”

I remember everything. I wish I didn’t.
“I don’t think about the past. Like you, I only look toward the future.”

“Good. What are your future plans with what’s his name?”

“Who are you talking about?”

He was watching her closely as he spoke. “The guy who sent you the roses. Was it his thank you for a good time over the weekend?”

They weren’t from you? Who could they be from? There’s no one.
She would not give him the satisfaction of knowing that since their breakup, she’d been alone. Going out with Rex over the weekend had been the closest thing she’d had to a date in nearly three years, and that was a casual outing with an old friend. What she didn’t understand was why Brice cared who she spent time with. He didn’t want her, so why would he care if she found someone who did? Was it possible he was regretting how things ended between them?
God knows I do.
Was he hoping for a second chance to make it work?

Do I want a second chance with Brice Henderson?
The old Brice had been everything she’d wanted in a man. He was brilliant. He’d been attentive, kind, focused, funny, and it would be a lie if she thought she’d experience anyone better in the bedroom. Now he was cold, volatile, and unpredictable, and seemed to have no concern about sleeping with her even if he thought she was with someone else.
Would he do that to me if I took him back? Sleep with another woman just because he wanted to?
Part of her wanted to take him back, but the decision didn’t only affect her. Nicholas would be affected by whatever choice she made. Her feelings for Brice, whatever they were, needed to stay buried. She couldn’t risk exploring them more than she already had. If he found out he had a son, it would end everything and possibly risk having to share custody with him.
That’s never going to happen. Never.

The only way to make sure was to let him believe there was someone else in her life.
But who is that person supposed to be? I’m home every night with my son.
Searching her list of friends she could ask to pretend to be her boyfriend was limited. Everyone male she knew was married or related.
Except Rex.

“Have you forgotten his name already?” Brice accused.

“My relationship with Rex is none of your business.” There. She said it. He has a name. Hopefully, now he can drop the questions. By the look on his face, she knew he was more adamant than ever.
Sorry Rex. Hope you forgive me for this.
“We had a wonderful time together this past weekend. Dinner, a movie—it was great. What did you do this weekend, Brice? Spend all your time in the lab?”

He had asked but had hoped she didn’t have an answer for him. Brice knew the flowers weren’t for her birthday so it left only one thing: they were for something special. He use to bring her flowers but never bought roses; they symbolized of a lack of imagination.

Rex? What kind of name was that?
Lena never had been one to run around, so spending the weekend with the guy meant they must have known each other for some time. He was tempted to ask her more about him, but she was only going to give him what she wanted him to know. Brice didn’t have time to play games. However, Asher had just mentioned bringing on someone new as head of security. He had meant to give Bennett Stone a call himself regarding the status in Trundaie; he might as well add Rex to the list of things he wanted information on.

“My project is complete. I have time this weekend if you want to spend it with me.” That was a total boldfaced lie. His formula was ready, but after the call from Asher, he had no idea what adjustments would need to be made. Asher had no concept that the formula needed adjustment based on temperature as well as altitude. If things weren’t going as planned for Trundaie, he was not as close as he thought he was.

“Did you not hear me say I am seeing someone? Why would you ask me to spend a weekend with you when you know there is someone else?”

Because I want you.
“Were you seeing him last Friday when you came to my office?” He knew his words were far from kind. But she couldn’t tell him she loved this guy, Rex. Not after the way she touched him and gave herself to him that afternoon. No, that guy was nothing. If she thought otherwise, she was lying to herself, but then again he remembered she’d sounded sincere on the phone earlier.

Lena stood up abruptly. “How dare you speak to me like that?”

Brice looked at her and said, “Sit down.” He wasn’t about to apologize for what he said.

Lena looked around the room then sat down.

“Lena, I am not trying to interfere in whatever it is you have with this Rex. Do what you want. I don’t care. But you didn’t answer my question. Would you like to spend the weekend with me?”

He knew she wanted to, but she couldn’t bring herself to agree to it. Was it embarrassment? They were adults who once were lovers. Why couldn’t they continue to enjoy some mutual satisfaction?
God knows it’s good between us. And I can’t picture anyone making you feel as good as I can.

She sat quietly for a moment. When she did answer, it wasn’t a rejection. “Brice. Things are so complicated. Spending time together is only going to make things even more so. You only want me now because I’m here; it’s easy for you. Once my assignment is through, and I’m gone, you will forget all about me again.” Her voice was soft, and he could hear pain as she spoke the next words. “I can’t go through that again, Brice. You might not remember how it ended the first time, but I’ll never forget. You hurt me like no one else had. I waited and hoped you would call, but you didn’t. You cut me out of your life. Don’t ask me to let you back in now, especially not as some sexual play toy for you to enjoy whenever you want.” She looked him in the eye. “Now if you will excuse me, as I mentioned, I have dinner plans and cannot keep him waiting.” Getting up, she said softly, “Let’s forget Friday ever happened. It was poor judgment on both our parts.”

He didn’t try to stop her. She was right; he had been an asshole back then. It had not been a great time of his life, and he wasn’t proud of his past behavior. Brice had been so focused on his project that when his father gave him the ultimatum, he lost his mind and had cut everything and everyone who meant anything to him out of his life.

It hadn’t been an easy choice, but at the time, it was all he had been able to do. If he had stayed with her at that time, she would have spent her nights and weekends alone, waiting for someone who wasn’t coming. He needed to focus all his energy to make B&H one of the most powerful companies around. He felt guilty for the way he’d broken things off, but he would feel worse if she had spent the last three years sitting around waiting for him.

The thought that she was with another man pissed him off, but it was better than her being alone. He had had lovers since her as well, but they’d only provided a release for his sexual tension, nothing more. Lena had never been that person to him. Not then and not now.
Hell, I don’t know what you are to me now, but you’ve got me tied in knots.

There was only one problem. He’d heard her on the phone. Her voice, when she’d said those three words, had been spoken in truth. She loved that guy.
But we’d had sex on Friday.
Only a complete asshole would ignore that and pursue her anyway. Getting up from the table, he threw money down to cover his tab and walked out.
Good thing I’m an asshole.