Undercover in the CEO's Bed (7 page)

“Yeah, we’re good.” She glanced at the dress in her hands. “I’d better hang this up.”

She moved toward the walk-in closet, all the while conscious of Lex’s gaze pinned on her body. He was still on that bed, that plush, comfy bed they’d soon be sharing. For two nights she’d have his body just inches away from her. Would he sleep in the nude? He always had with her.
Oh dear God
. Lex, naked and tanned, stretched out right next to her like a smorgasbord of sex. How was she going to control herself?

But she had to. She was a pretend girlfriend, so she’d just have to make do with pretend sex.

…

In a walled garden away from the house, Jacinta found a long, rectangular lily pond with a stone cherub perched on its rim, holding an upturned flagon from which water trickled. Iridescent dragonflies hovered over the water, while orange and white koi drifted under the lily pads. The tranquility should have soothed her, but she couldn’t get rid of her jitters. The impending party, her meeting with Nana Alice and Holly, and the prospect of being with Lex the entire weekend and having to maintain her guard, all combined to play on her nerves.

The crunch of feet on gravel interrupted her. She swiveled around to see Holly nearby.

The young woman sauntered forward. “Hi there. Hope I’m not disturbing you.”

Jacinta shook her head. “Of course not. It’s so peaceful here.” It was a shame she couldn’t absorb some of it for herself.

“I don’t blame you for wanting some peace. It’s all systems go at the house with boring old relatives arriving by the hour.” Holly slanted her gaze at Jacinta. “Lex not with you?”

“He had some work to finish.” It was true. When she’d emerged from the walk-in closet, he had unpacked his laptop on the desk by the window, and when she’d mentioned she was going out for a walk, he had replied he’d be busy for a while.

Holly rolled her eyes. “Figures.” Jacinta must have let something show in her expression, because Holly leaned forward, her tone apologetic. “Sorry, how rude of me. I didn’t mean to insult him in front of you, but, well, isn’t that just typical of my cousin? The first time he brings a girlfriend here, he leaves her to wander about on her own while he buries himself in work.”

“I’m the first?”

“As far as I know.” Holly widened her eyes. “Why do you think Nana was all over you like a rash? She’d never admit it, but Lex is her favorite grandchild, and she’d do anything to see him settle down.”

Jacinta almost choked. Lex settle down? The idea was ludicrous. “What did you tell her before we arrived?”

“Don’t worry. I said all the right things, that you seemed like a lovely person and Lex was really into you that night at the art exhibition.” She threaded her fingers through her hair, a coy expression on her face. “And what did Lex tell you about me? I bet he said I’m a pain in his ass.”

“Well, um...” Jacinta mumbled, taken aback by Holly’s brashness.

“Ha, I knew it. Lex and I are like oil and water, but I don’t hold any grudges. Honest.”

Did she mean that? Or was she just saying it to deflect suspicion? Holly was sharp as a tack, gutsy enough to pull off the betrayal and smart enough to cover her tracks. She wouldn’t give away anything easily. Jacinta decided to borrow some of Holly’s forthrightness. “So you aren’t still upset about the way he got you arrested and thrown into jail?”

Holly let out a laugh. “Yeah, I was mad as hell at first. I didn’t think he’d go that far, but he called my bluff.” She shrugged ruefully. “I overplayed my hand. Lex has a tendency to go extra hard on anyone who might seem to use their connections to influence him, especially family members. I couldn’t expect an easy ride just because we’re related. In fact, he went out of his way to make an example of me. He’s freaky like that.”

Jacinta’s stomach clenched. How familiar Holly’s words sounded. Lex had shown as much mercy on Holly as he had on Kevin. He had singled Kevin out because he’d wanted to emphasize he wouldn’t be swayed by his relationship with Jacinta. Wanted to demonstrate that all his dealings were way aboveboard. Well, at least he’d been consistent.

“No, I don’t hate him for that anymore,” Holly continued. “I acted like a brat, and I deserved what I got.” She scooped up a handful of pebbles and began to throw them one by one into the lily pond. “But you should know I don’t like the way he’s treated my brother. He’s been so unfair to Kirk.”

“I haven’t met Kirk yet,” Jacinta said.

“He’ll be here soon, and my dad.” Holly scowled as she lobbed another pebble at the pond. “Lex has been trying to push Kirk from the company because he feels threatened. He’s doing to Kirk what his father did to mine.”

There was more than a hint of melodrama to Holly’s words, Jacinta decided. She knew nothing about the relationship between Lex and Kirk, but she doubted very much that Lex would feel threatened by anyone.

“I don’t know much about the situation, but is that really what’s going on?” she asked mildly.

Holly’s cheeks went pink. “I can figure it out. Lex has been telling Kirk he doesn’t need to come in to work, that he’s got it all covered.”

Jacinta frowned, puzzled. “But isn’t that because of his wife passing away?”

“That’s Lex’s excuse, of course.”

“It’s a valid reason. Why would your brother—”

“Lex is just pretending to be concerned when in reality he’s using Kirk’s absence to move his own stooges into place, like that Carl friend of his. If Kirk doesn’t watch out, there’ll be no room for him.” Holly threw away the last few pebbles in disgust and dusted her hands.

“I still don’t see why Lex would do that.” Irritation rose in her. What did Holly know? She was biased and overdramatic; she had no idea what Lex was really like. The Lex Jacinta knew would never stoop to petty jealousy.

Holly’s face glowered. “It’s obvious, isn’t it? Kirk stole Lex’s girlfriend and married her, and Lex has never forgiven him. That’s why.”

Jacinta stared at Holly. “Kirk’s wife was Lex’s ex-girlfriend?”

“Yes.” Holly squinted at her, the scowl evaporating. “You didn’t know about Alison? She was one of the Hancocks. Those Hancocks, the ones that own a third of California.”

Jacinta didn’t know about any of Lex’s past girlfriends, but everyone knew who the Hancocks were. Another billionaire family like the Rochesters. She could just imagine what Alison Hancock must have been like—sophisticated, elegant, assured of her place in society. Had Lex been in love with Alison Hancock? Was that why he resented Kirk? The idea of Lex being in love with someone else—someone so rare and refined—brought a cramping pain to her sides.

Conscious of Holly’s curious stare, she quickly composed herself. “I didn’t know. Lex doesn’t talk about that kind of thing.”

Holly bit her lip. “I guess that was sorta tactless of me. It happened years ago.”

But Holly had suggested it still rankled with Lex, that the real reason for the lack of trust between the cousins was because Kirk had stolen the woman Lex loved.

“I should ask Lex about it sometime.”

Holly sucked in her cheeks. “He’ll probably call me an interfering busybody but yeah, I think he should tell you. There shouldn’t be any secrets between you.” She raised her chin, still bold, before her gaze shifted and her expression brightened.

“Kirk! You’ve finally arrived.” Brushing past Jacinta, she ran toward the garden entrance.

The man who must be Kirk walked toward them. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with more than a passing resemblance to Lex, though his figure was distinctly leaner. His gaunt face lifted into a smile as Holly hurried up to him.

“Hello, Holly,” he said in a quiet voice. “Thought I’d find you out here.”

Jacinta stood still. So this was Kirk, Lex’s cousin. The man who had stolen and married Lex’s girlfriend.

Chapter Eight

“So you’re Jacinta.”

Aware of Kirk’s eyes assessing her, Jacinta shook his hand, hoping he hadn’t overheard any of the conversation between her and Holly.

“And you must be Kirk,” she said.

“Has Holly been talking about me? She’s a chatterbox, my sister.” He grinned as Holly aimed a punch at his arm. “Nana was looking for you, Holly. She needs some help with something. Do you mind?”

“Of course not. See you later.” She took off through the trees in the direction of the house.

Kirk turned back to Jacinta. “I hear this is your first visit to Mariposa. What do you think of the place?”

“It’s magnificent, the little I’ve seen of it.”

“My grandfather bought Mariposa for my grandmother when he made his first millions. Back then, it was falling to pieces, especially the gardens.” He gestured around him. “All this is thanks to my nana’s dedication.”

On the surface Kirk seemed normal enough, but she sensed turbulence beneath the politeness. He looked wired and weary at the same time. A muscle in the corner of his eye twitched every now and then, and his skin was stretched and pallid, with dark circles beneath his eyes, as if he hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in years.

“Would you like me to show you around?” he asked.

“I wouldn’t want to bother you so soon after your trip.”

“It’s no problem.”

“But you look tired—” She broke off, aware she’d wandered into a minefield.
Of course he looks tired. He lost his wife not long ago
.

“You mean these big bags under my eyes? I think they’re permanent.”

“No, I didn’t mean to imply...”

He waved her off with a wry smile. “Only kidding. We Rochesters aren’t the easiest of people to meet, I’ll admit.”

“Knowing Lex, I guess I should have been forewarned.”

“Let me make it up to you by showing you around some of the gardens.”

“I’d like that.”

They made their way through the gardens, and as they rambled, Kirk told her more about the history of Mariposa. His conversation was cordial, but she felt him still sizing her up.

“How is Lex anyway?” Kirk suddenly said. “I see him around the office, but we don’t get much one-on-one time. Is he okay?”

She was instantly alert. From what she’d been told the two cousins were hardly best buddies, so why the sudden interest in Lex’s welfare?

“Why do you ask?” She feigned bewilderment. “Do you think he’s not okay?”

Kirk lifted one shoulder. “To be honest, he hasn’t looked too good the last couple of months. I haven’t been at the office a lot, but the few times I’ve seen him, he seemed to be under a lot of pressure.”

All her antennae trilled with rising suspicion. Was Kirk probing her for information he could use against Lex? She squinted more closely at him. He appeared genuine, but there was a lot she didn’t know about the relationship between him and Lex. A lot Lex had hidden from her, like what Kirk’s late wife had meant to him. Shouldn’t he have disclosed that information? She found her hands were curled into tight fists.

“Lex doesn’t talk about business much,” she said.

He gave a quick grunt. “Huh. You’re very loyal. Lex should count himself lucky to have you.”

“I don’t follow you.”

“Come on. You must know there’s a coolness between Lex and me. I wouldn’t call it frosty, but it’s definitely on the chilly side.”

Were all the Rochesters this blunt with virtual strangers? Or was it because they saw her as Lex’s girlfriend? The thought of Lex made her frown. He was so damned guarded about his relatives, but if he’d told her why he didn’t get along with each of them, he might have spared her some embarrassment. In contrast to Lex’s tight-lipped silence, Kirk seemed too eager to spill the beans on him. That didn’t sit well with Jacinta.

Resting hands on hips, she fixed Kirk with a sharp stare. “Why are you telling me all this? Are you trying to stir up trouble between Lex and me?”

He blinked. “What?”

“I know you and Lex aren’t the best of friends, but Lex hasn’t given me the details. He hasn’t bad-mouthed you, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“I wasn’t trying to...” Kirk began before he heaved a sigh. “Okay, yes, you’re right, and I’m out of line. I’ll shut up. I don’t know what it is about Lex that brings out the worst in me.” He exhaled another breath. “And to think we used to be such close friends when we were boys.”

“You were?”

“Yeah. We’re the same age. We spent vacations together here at Mariposa, and we went to the same school. But as we became older, we drifted apart.” He lifted his shoulders. “I guess our personalities are just too different.”

And then there was Alison, his late wife and Lex’s ex-girlfriend. But she couldn’t ask about her.

She started walking toward the house. “Maybe you and Lex could still be friends.”

“Maybe.” Kirk sounded dubious. “But these days he doesn’t seem to trust me at all.”

What was new? When she and Lex had been a couple, he hadn’t trusted her enough to confide in her. He’d kept her apart from his family, kept himself apart too. And even now, in the depths of his crisis, he couldn’t bring himself to talk about the rifts separating him from his cousins and uncle. His patent lack of trust pierced her. Well, why would he trust her when he didn’t care for her?

They walked up a flight of stone stairs and reached a terrace that bordered the house. As they climbed the final stair, Jacinta’s heel caught on the stone riser. She stumbled forward, in danger of falling until Kirk steadied her.

“Thanks.” She smiled at him just as Lex emerged from the house. Kirk’s hand dropped away from her arm as Lex strode over, his shoulders straining against his shirt.

“Are you okay there?”

“Yes, fine.” She blinked at him, surprised by the stiffness in his expression. “Kirk here just saved me from an embarrassing face-plant.”

“Hey, Kirk.” Lex nodded at his cousin, his lips lifting into something that resembled a grimace more than a smile. “I see you’ve already met Jacinta.”

“That’s right. I showed her around the garden.”

Lex’s gaze flicked between his cousin and Jacinta. “Oh? I was going to take Jacinta on the tour.”

“It was no big deal.”

“I’m sure it wasn’t.” The top button of Lex’s shirt looked in danger of popping off. He drew her to him, draping his arm ostentatiously around her shoulders. It was a deliberate move for his cousin’s benefit, she was sure, the kind of Neanderthal tactic that usually didn’t impress her, but this time she didn’t know what to make of it.

She cleared her throat. “Do you think I could get a cold drink from somewhere? I’m parched.”

Lex pressed his weight into her. “Let’s go inside. There’s a cold buffet in the dining room.” Still holding her, he steered her into the house.

…

Lex stayed silent as they reached the dining room. There was no one else in there. A sideboard groaned with platters of cold meats and salad, while several small tables had been set up around the room, bistro style.

He shouldn’t have been so short with Kirk. But the sight of him holding Jacinta so closely had stirred up a powerful sensation in him, and he’d grabbed her almost instinctively. He still had his arm around her waist, was enjoying the feel of her body too much to let go, but she peeled herself free as soon as they stopped moving.

“Do you and your cousin always act like growling hyenas toward each other?” Jacinta asked.

Lex opened a refrigerator concealed behind the wall paneling and took out two bottles of iced tea. “I let him get to me. I shouldn’t have.” He handed her one of the bottles. “Do you want anything to eat? It’ll be a while before we have dinner.”

“You haven’t answered my question.”

“You obviously know the answer already, so why ask?” He picked up a plate, stabbed a piece of ham, and dropped it onto his plate.

“I want to hear it from you.” She pursued him as he added coleslaw to his plate. “Tell me why you and Kirk don’t get along.”

He moved to a table in the corner and pulled out a chair for her. Kirk was the one person who might have cottoned onto the secret Lex was hiding if he hadn’t been occupied nursing and then grieving his late wife. Was he the mole? What had he and Jacinta talked about on their private walk? The questions made him chomp harder.

“Well?” she prompted as he continued to eat in silence. “You want me to help you find who’s leaking information. If you suspect your cousin, then you have to tell me why.”

“It’s a long story.”

Lowering her voice, she said, “If it helps, I already know about Alison Hancock.”

He blinked at her before slowly setting down his knife and fork. “And what exactly do you know?”

Jacinta squirmed. “Well, she was your girlfriend first. But she married Kirk instead.”

“That’s right.” He contemplated his half-finished meal as he thought about Alison. “I always wondered whether Kirk married Alison just because she went out with me first.”

Jacinta’s eyes grew round.

“Did that sound like a cheap shot?” Lex pushed aside his plate, his appetite gone, and leaned his arms on the table. “Kirk and I were always competing against each other. It started at school and never stopped. If I excelled at math, then he had to beat me in English. If I became captain of the football team, then he had to be head of the basketball team. If I landed a big deal, then he had to land an even bigger one.”

“And vice versa?”

He lifted his shoulders. “Okay, yeah, I wasn’t immune to a bit of one-upmanship myself. My dad encouraged it, said it was good for the company.” Survival of the fittest, he’d said. And he expected Lex to be the fittest, to take over as CEO when the time came. “Kirk and I kept our rivalry to business until I started seeing Alison. She and Kirk met at the company Christmas party. Shortly afterward, I went to Europe for a couple of months on business. When I came back, they were an item. They got engaged a week later.”

Jacinta hunched her shoulders, as if reluctant to hear what he was saying. “You must have been hurt, angry,” she said, her voice quiet.

“Not really. It wasn’t a complete surprise. Oh, I didn’t think she’d hook up with Kirk, but I knew she wasn’t happy with the way things were going with us.”

His brief affair with Alison had quickly fizzled out. He’d let things slide between them, had deliberately avoided her. He should have broken things off cleanly, but business consumed his hours, and he’d assumed they could manage a civilized breakup when he got back to San Francisco. When he did return Alison and Kirk were together, and that was that. His pride had taken a bit of a hit, but he’d been secretly relieved.

Jacinta gazed solemnly at him. “Out on the terrace, you grabbed me like I was the last Popsicle on a scorching hot day. Maybe you haven’t completely forgiven your cousin for taking Alison.”

Hell, the reason he’d grabbed her had nothing to do with Alison and everything to do with male instinct. He’d reacted like a primitive caveman claiming his mate.
My woman
, his brain had snarled, and his body had responded. But he’d be damned if he’d admit she had that kind of hold over him.

“You’re wrong,” he said. “As far as I’m concerned, Kirk was more than welcome to Alison.”

Her gaze veered past him, her face tightening with dismay. As he turned, his heart sank when he saw Kirk, Holly, and Uncle Ralph standing in the doorway. By their censorious expressions, they’d overheard his last line.

Silently he cursed his bad timing. He should have known talking about his relatives would be disastrous.

…

By the time Jacinta had dressed for dinner, she was exhausted and wishing she could crawl into the comfortable bed in their room and fall asleep. Her day had been full, she was dead tired, but now she had to go downstairs and mingle with twenty-five of the Rochesters’ nearest and dearest.

The door to the bathroom opened, and Lex strode out, bare to the waist. She jerked upright, her fatigue evaporating at the sight of him half naked. In the flesh he was way more magnificent than any of her dreams about him. His tanned, sculpted abs arrested her attention. The smattering of hair on his chest made her fingers twitch with the urge to trace the line of hair as it arrowed down his flat stomach and disappeared beneath the waistband of his black trousers. He stopped in front of the mirror and wiped his chin with a towel, his shoulder muscles flexing in the soft light. The pants hugged the curve of his butt. Oh, what a perfect butt he had. Heat flashed through her. She bit her lip to stop a telltale moan from escaping.

“Wanna have a quickie?” Lex grinned.

He could see her in the mirror, she realized. Could see her checking him out. And blushing now. How the hell could he sound crude and irresistible at the same time?

She met his brazen stare. “I’ll admit you’re a beefcake, but I’m on a strict diet.”

“I’m fat-free. Look.” He pinched his lean torso. “Here, test me if you don’t believe me.”

She couldn’t help grinning. His banter sent a fizz through her bloodstream faster than champagne. “Fat-free is misleading. It’s the calories you have to watch.”

“Just think of all the calories you’d burn if you let me have my way with you.”

“No thanks, I’m on a heart smart diet.”

Shoot. Why had she said that? Heart smart. Now he would think she was still hung up on him. He reached for his shirt, his face slightly wooden.

To cover her discomfit, she bent down and pretended to adjust the strap of her high-heeled sandals. When she straightened, Lex had buttoned his shirt, put on his bow tie and his jacket, and was busy combing his hair. They were just like a regular couple dressing up for the evening, she thought with a pang.

“You look very nice,” he said, breaking the growing silence.

“You think so?” Oh God, why that squeak in her voice, betraying her need for his approval? She tweaked the skirt of her cherry red crêpe dress, then patted the sides of her classic updo to smooth down any stray hairs.

He walked toward her. “That dress looks great on you. I should have bought you some diamond earrings to set it off.” He reached out and touched her earlobe briefly.