The CEO's Surprise Family (10 page)

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 given 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.”

“Jackson was hurt here in the hotel?” The shocking news got to Lexi where arguments would fail. “Okay.”

Jethro escorted her back to where the men waited. Clay introduced the man with him as Damon Gregory, head of security for the casino and hotel. He'd accompany Lexi whenever Jethro or Clay couldn't.

* * *

“I don't know why you're doing this,” Jethro stated as they walked through the supermarket doors. “I told you to make out a list and Brennan would order the groceries in.”

“I like getting out.” She helped Jazi into the seat of the cart. “And I like to do my own shopping. Especially this first time. It'll make me feel more at home in the kitchen. Is there anything you want me to add to the list?”

He stared at her for a moment. “I don't expect you to cook for me.”

“Don't be ridiculous.” She waved that away. “We live together. It only makes sense we eat the same meals. And it's just as easy to cook for three as two.”

“I don't want to impose.”

“Please.” Imposing was asking her to move in for three months. “You're buying the food. You're welcome to whatever I make. So—” she pulled her list from her purse “—anything you want to add to the list?”

“I'm sure I'll like whatever you make.”

“Then you get what you get.” Honestly, the man's picture should be next to
difficult
in the dictionary. With her list in hand, she breezed through the aisles. Jethro worked on his phone the whole time. She said nothing when he tossed in a bag of chocolate cookies except to ask if there were any other sweet treats he liked. Without breaking off his conversation, he grabbed a bag of peanut butter sandwich cookies and added it to the cart.

Back at the hotel Jethro pulled in to the valet, instructed the captain to have the groceries delivered to his suite and escorted her inside, the package of chocolate cookies tucked under his arm.

“Was that so bad?” he quizzed her.

She wrinkled her nose at him.

The corner of his mouth crooked up at the end in a half smile. He yanked on her ponytail. “Try to give us at least a half hour notice when you want to go out. See you.” And off he went.

“Not so bad,” Lexi said to Jazi, “but still restricting. And we didn't encounter a single threat.”

“Cookie?” Clearly Jazi had other priorities.

“Later, kiddo. We just ate.”

The groceries would take a few minutes to get to the penthouse so Lexi stopped off at the Modern Goddess Spa to introduce Jazi to her friends. Of course everyone exclaimed how adorable she was. The little tyke loved the attention, especially when she got a cookie.

But the visit took a wicked turn when Maggie pinned Lexi with a knowing grin and demanded, “So you and Jethro Calder, hum? Spill, girl. I want details, vivid, leave-nothing-out details.”

CHAPTER NINE

T
HE
VISIT
TO
Modern Goddess lasted longer than Lexi planned. Her watch read ten-thirty when she carried Jazi into the suite. She and Jazi both needed freshening up so the groceries would have to wait. She planned to toss the perishables in the refrigerator and organize everything when she got back.

Except everything was already put away.

She set Jazi down and checked out the cupboards and refrigerator. “Okay, I could get used to this.”

Jazi helped by opening one of the lower cabinets and pulling out pans until the door opened. “Jethro!” She ran to him and he swept her up. “Hi.”

“Hello. It looks like someone got cake.”

“A cookie actually.” Lexi shoved the pan back in the cupboard and joined him in the foyer. “We were just headed in to get cleaned up. We'll be ready in a jiff.”

He glanced at his watch as he handed over Jazi.

“Don't worry,” Lexi reassured him. “We won't be late.”

He lifted a skeptical brow.

Oh, challenge on. She had to forgo changing her clothes, but she added some color to her cheeks and a swipe of gloss to her lips. Jazi got a clean diaper, a dusting of powder and the soiled vest was replaced with a pretty sweater with bows on the shoulders.

Within ten minutes they were back in the foyer waiting on Jethro.

The meeting with Velveth turned out to be interesting. The hotel nannies were available twenty-four-seven, and could watch a child or children in the guests' room or in their care center which looked like a preschool with all its toys and amusements for the children. There were cribs and daybeds in a quiet chamber and a theater room for TV and movies. For older kids a media room held game consoles and computers with customized parental controls. There was a lounge and a play area.

All the rooms were monitored by cameras and two people manned the control room at all times.

From what Lexi saw, all the kids, from a one-year-old to a young teen, seemed to be having a good time. Jethro let her lead the appointment. She asked a few questions of Velveth and a few of the other nannies and she liked what she heard. If the need arose, she'd feel comfortable leaving Jazi in their care.

At the end of the appointment, Jethro thanked Velveth and escorted Lexi and Jazi out of the nursery.

“I have one more thing I want to show you.” A warm hand in the small of her back directed her toward the casino.

He dropped his hand but stayed close through the casino. Just past the cashier cage, they came to a set of double doors discreetly marked Employees Only. A hallway led to a world she knew all too well, backstage of the theater.

Stagehands and crew members scurried about prepping the theater for the evening show. And from the sound of feet slapping wood, dancers were on stage rehearsing. Her senses absorbed the sights and sounds, the very beat of the world she'd left behind. It was a moment of comfort and angst.

Curiosity got the best of her. “What have you got up your sleeve, Jethro?”

He looked up from his phone. “You'll see. Here's Veronica now.”

A woman swept toward them. Just shy of plump, she wore a colorful, flowing robe over a leotard and tights and her gray hair flowed over her shoulder in a thick braid. A beautiful bohemian.

Lexi recognized her immediately. Veronica Snow, choreographer of Pinnacle's dance production
Acropolis
. The woman had an Emmy, a Tony, and an Oscar.

“Jethro!” She claimed a kiss on the cheek. “How good to see you. You so rarely visit us.”

“Ronnie, you'd never get anything done if you had to chase away all the men who'd like to spend time here.”

She threw back her head in a hearty laugh. “This is true. But for the handsome four, we would make an exception.”

Handsome four? It fit the Fabulous Four perfectly. Jethro had a fan.

Jazi stirred, disturbed by the talking. Lexi patted her back.

“Ronnie, this is the friend I was telling you about.” Without asking Jethro lifted Jazi from her arms and settled her against his shoulder.

“Yes, I see. You didn't tell me it was Lexi Malone. How are you, dear? I've seen you dance. You're good, very good.”

“Thank you. That means a lot coming from you. I truly admire your work.” She stepped closer to Jethro to make room for a man carrying a large torch to get by.

“And I yours.” Used to the hustle and bustle, Veronica ignored the activity. “You dance from the heart but hit every beat perfectly. Such musicality is a gift. If you're looking for work, there was no need to go through the usual channels. The answer is yes, we'd love to have you.”

“Oh.” Shocked and overjoyed, it was on the tip of Lexi's tongue to grab the offer. How she missed performing. But that wasn't her life anymore. She glanced at Jethro to gauge his reaction. Was this a test?

Was he hoping she'd choose dancing over Jazi, freeing him from his promise?

Not going to work. She loved dancing, but she loved Jazi more. And she'd promised Alliyah she'd take care of her.

His expression gave nothing away. After a moment, he lifted one dark eyebrow prompting a response.

Veronica Snow watched Lexi expectantly.

With the call of dancers pounding in the background it took all her will to say no.

She clasped her hands over her heart. “I'm very flattered. And I would honestly love to take you up on the offer, but I've given up performing. I'm a mother now. I need to be available during the day for Jazi's care.”

“There is a wonderful nursery on-site here at the hotel. I'm sure we could work something into your contract.”

Though it really did hurt to do so, she shook her head. “I'm afraid I have to refuse.”

“So you really just want to practice?”

“Practice? I don't understand?”

Jethro spoke up. “I know you miss the dancing, so I asked Ronnie if you could have access to the practice room for exercise.”

“Really?” The gesture overwhelmed Lexi. “That would be so perfect.” She turned hopeful eyes on Veronica. “Would it be okay?”

Veronica's thick braid bobbed with her answer. “I think we can figure something out. I'll send you our practice schedule. You understand the process so you know I can't promise the practice room will be empty of dancers at any given point, but you are welcome to use the room.”

“Right, someone is always wanting extra practice time. I promise to stay out of the way.”

“It's agreed then.” Veronica smiled. “I have to get back to work, but I hope we'll have the opportunity to get to know each other better.”

“I'd like that.” Lexi's feet itched to hit the boards, but it would have to wait until later. She held back until the other woman disappeared behind the curtains before throwing her arms around Jethro.

“Thank you.” She hugged him and Jazi too. “Thank you. Thank you.” She pulled back, fought the urge to kiss him smack on the mouth. “This is the best thing anyone has ever done for me. It's so thoughtful of you.”

“It's sheer self-preservation.” He stepped back to soothe Jazi, who got jostled during the embrace.

“What do you mean?”

“I've seen you dance, Lexi. It's more than an occupation for you. It's an outlet. If you can't dance, you're likely to drive me crazy over the next three months.”

“I likely will anyway.” She hooked her arm through his for the walk out. “But maybe not as badly. And I'm too happy to care if the gesture has ulterior motives. Thank you.”

He held the door open for her and relented a little. “A dancer should dance.”

She nearly stumbled over her own feet. It was the nicest thing he'd ever said to her.

* * *

Lexi juggled two boxes of cupcakes and a balloon bouquet while trying to insert the key card for the suite. She held the card, she'd thought that far ahead, but she couldn't see what she was doing. Suddenly the door opened and she fell inward.

Jethro reacted quickly, stepping forward to block her fall and catch the boxes. He did a quick juggling act of his own and his arm ended up around her waist and she ended up pressed to his side while he easily handled the two boxes with one hand on the bottom.

For the first time in her life she knew what it meant to swoon. Cradled against him, admiring his quick reflexes and agile movements, while surrounded by his strength and warmth, inhaling the sexy musk of man and soap, she just wanted to melt into him.

Control, Lexi, no jumping the man and burying your nose in his neck.

Instead she pulled away from his support.

“Whoa. Good catch.” She let him take the boxes, watched as he set them on the foyer table. “I wasn't expecting you for a while or I would have knocked.”

“My meeting wrapped early.” He looked handsome as ever in his black pants and white shirt. And as reserved. She followed as he returned to the living room. A big pink box sat on the coffee table. He sat down and picked up a big white bow.

“Good. I can use the help. I'm running a little late.” She grabbed a couple of bags from the corner and brought them over. She dropped to the floor across from him and started pulling things from the bags. “I still need to wrap my gifts.” She hesitated. “I'm so glad you could be a part of the party.”

“It's likely the only birthday I'll spend with her.”

Yeah, she hadn't wanted to mention that.

“She'll be thrilled.” His words were matter-of-fact so she should take them that way and move on. Except she couldn't. If he was only going to get this one birthday with his daughter, it should consist of more than a party in the nursery surrounded by noisy kids and employees. “I'm going to take her to the arcade for dinner. You're welcome to join us if you want.”

“I'll have to see how my schedule looks later.”

“Of course.” Gathering the balloons floating about the foyer, she anchored them before following him into the living room.

“What's in the box?”

“You'll have to wait and see.”

“Okay, be that way, then.”

He frowned, eyed her uncertainly. Poor baby. She really shouldn't tease, but she'd never met anyone who needed it more. He took life way too seriously.

“Well, I got her an animated movie. A baby doll with clothes. And a bag of plastic building blocks. When you're done putting your bow on, you can help wrap mine.”

“Wrapping really isn't my thing.”

“You're doing a great job. And I have bags for mine. You just drop the gift in, put tissue paper on top and you're done. Thank you by the way.”

“For what?”

“Authorizing the party. I get the feeling Velveth would have been a lot less cooperative if not for you.”

“Having it in the nursery was a smart choice.”

“Right? Instant party. Which is perfect for this year. Velveth had a few concerns. Thanks for smoothing the way there. I talked to her a few minutes ago. She's getting parent consent forms as kids are dropped off. Nobody has objected and luckily none of the kids so far have allergies, so she's happy.

“I'll confess I'm glad there will be staff to help with this party. I'm still too new at this mothering thing to be comfortable wrangling a dozen kids.”

“I'm sure you'll be fine. You must have plenty of experience with birthday parties.”

“Not as much as you think.” She focused on the cupcake tower she was assembling. “When my dad was alive he made the whole day special and there was always a big cake with buttercream icing.” She licked her lips. “Best icing ever. But when it was just mom and me, it was just dinner out and a birthday sundae. What about you?”

“I wasn't really into celebrating my birthday. Most of the foster families respected that.”

“Well, that's sad.” She was curious but did not push for more information. She didn't care to expound on her history so she'd give him the same courtesy.

“Mama Harman felt the same way.”

“That's the home where you met Jackson, Ryan and Clay?”

“Yeah. She felt life was to be celebrated. She had a tradition for birthdays where she cooked the birthday boy's favorite meal and baked a cake. I was to be no different.”

“It sounds like a nice tradition.”

“Yes, well the other guys wanted cake, so I went along with it. She made me a present.”

“The cap in your closet.”

He arched a dark brow at her. Sheepish, she smiled and shrugged.

“It's all I have left from her.” Rather than look at her he opened the biggest gift bag and dropped in the blocks.

“She must have been a remarkable woman to take on the four of you.”

“There would be no Fabulous Four without her influence.”

Mangled tissue topped the gift. Lexi let it go, more concerned with him than his wrapping skills. When he reached for the next bag, she laid her hand over his. “Then the world is truly a better place because of her.”

He did look at her then, undefinable emotion darkening his eyes. He nodded. “Thank you.”

* * *

“Mr. Calder, Lexi, hello,” Velveth greeted them. “We got the cart you sent down and we are ready for you.” She led them to the meal room where they'd pushed several tables together to make a square big enough for all the kids to sit around.

“This is perfect,” Lexi exclaimed. They'd set up a festive table with the party items she sent down. She'd chosen a fish theme in honor of Jazi's favorite book. The cupcakes served as a centerpiece and favor bags waited at each seat.

“Thanks for letting us have the party here.”

“We are pleased to be of service,” Velveth replied, her gaze sliding toward Jethro. “Shall we call the children?”

“I'm ready if you are.” Lexi wandered over to where Jethro leaned against a work counter.

She copied his stance, waiting to see Jazi's expression.