Trust in Advertising (33 page)

“M-hmm.” Lexi scrolled through a few more explicit texts and snickered.

“Oh, give that to me. I was drinking last night. Half of those comments were made under the influence.”

“Hey, I was just getting to the good ones about Sean’s lips wrapped around an olive!” Lexi pouted.

“Okay, okay. I admit it! The guy is incredibly sexy and charming, and he makes me all hot and bothered when he calls me ‘babe.’ There, I admitted it.

But he’s still a pig and a jerk, and he’s going to need to work on that before he gets to put his hands on this.” Hope gestured her hands down her curvaceous body.

“Fair enough.” Lexi hopped off the stool she had been sitting on and waved her friend into her room. “I have to get in the shower, but come tell me about your night.”

While Lexi showered, Hope filled her in on all the details of her night with Sean. Lexi was impressed. It sounded like he had behaved like a perfect 194

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gentleman, although he had definitely turned on the charm. Hope had put on a brave face with him so he wouldn’t know that his words and actions turned her insides to mush.

“So, wait—did you two dance at the club?” Lexi wrapped her hair up in a towel and strolled out of the bathroom in just her robe.

“Oh my God, Lexi, the man can move. He’s big, but has rhythm and grace like you couldn’t even imagine. The hip action alone …” Hope fell back onto the bed, fanning herself.

“Are you going to see him again?” Lexi flicked through her closet and pulled out a blue wrap dress. She held up a pair of silver heels to Hope, and when she got the thumbs up, she placed them on the bed.

“I have no idea.”

“Did he kiss you goodnight?” Lexi yelled from inside the bathroom as she got dressed.

“On the cheek.”

“His idea or yours?” Lexi asked as she ran her fingers through her hair to help it dry and stepped back into her bedroom.

“Mine. He still has to earn the lips.”

Lexi was putting on mascara when her phone beeped with a text from Vincent.

What apartment number?

Lexi quickly texted back.

403—You better be leaving your place and not sitting in front of mine.

She stifled a laugh at his response.

I just took my car out of my pocket and am pulling onto the street now. Be
there in a few.

“Oh great, he’s on his way already. I need to hurry. Hope, how messy is the apartment out there?”

“What do you care? You aren’t trying to impress him, are you?” She smirked at Lexi from the bed.

“No, but he’s my boss and I don’t want him to think that I live like a pig.

Just go make sure the place is straightened up while I finish my makeup and dry my hair.”

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Hope left the room and began picking up the already clean apartment for her friend. Lexi frantically dried her hair and touched up her makeup. While getting ready, she kept running through the presentation in her head, mentally marking the points Vincent needed to drive home. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn’t notice the voices in the other room until she was slipping her shoes onto her feet.

“This one is of her and Harry when she was seven. I personally like the blue frosting all around her mouth.”

“Hope Lila Greyson!” Lexi came flying out of her room, ready to kill, but her breath left her lungs in a whoosh when she saw Vincent, showered, pressed and looking like a specimen of male perfection as he leaned his shoulder against her wall and examined her family pictures. When the smell of his cologne hit her, she had to hold onto a nearby chair to steady herself. Her reaction didn’t go unnoticed.

“You okay, Lexi?” Hope asked, biting her cheek to keep from laughing.

“I was just showing Vincent some of your pictures while he waited for you to finish getting ready.”

“And I assume you showed him the naked baby pictures too?”

“Nice birthmark,” Vincent chuckled until he saw Lexi’s face pale. Then he threw up his hands innocently. “I was just kidding. She didn’t show me anything.

But, good guess about the birthmark, huh?” He rubbed the back of his neck and looked away, embarrassed.

“I’m sorry you had to wait. I’m ready.” Lexi grabbed her purse and jacket and ignored Hope’s cackling in the corner.

“No problem. I was actually a few minutes early.” Vincent’s warm smile instantly calmed Lexi’s thundering heart.

“Hope, before I forget, I need a ride—”

“We talked about Madison’s tea party while you were beautifying, and Vincent doesn’t mind taking you.” Hope snuck a wink in Lexi’s direction. “So I’m going to get your car from the shop this afternoon and bring it up to his sister’s place and pick you up there.”

“If you’re sure you don’t mind, Vincent,” Lexi said.

“I already gave her Anna’s address. Oh, and Sean told me to send you his regards,” he told Hope.

She quirked an eyebrow at Vincent in disbelief.

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“Fine, he actually asked me to tell you that he can’t get you out of his head, but I thought that sounded a little creepy, so I edited.”

“Maybe you can teach the guy some gentlemanly manners.” Hope smiled.

“You seem to know how to treat a lady and make her swoon.” Lexi glared at her from across the room.

“Sorry, Hope. Sean’s … Sean. Love him or hate him, what you see is what you get. He’s actually the most upfront and honest person I have ever met. If he thinks it, he says it.” He gently ushered Lexi toward the door. “Oh, and he thinks you’re incredibly sexy when you talk cars.”

“Will he be at your sister’s place tonight?” Vincent nodded his head. “And does he know I’m coming?” Hope beamed when Vincent slowly shook his head no.

“Perfect.” Hope fell back onto the couch with a silly grin on her face. “Get out of here, you two, and good luck with the presentation.”

Lexi peeked over her shoulder as Vincent held the door open for her. “Will you lock up?”

“Of course.” Hope waved them out the door. “Good luck! Break a leg, or whatever I’m supposed to say for an advertising presentation. Basical y, don’t suck!”

Vincent laughed and closed the door behind him. “I can see why Sean’s so smitten with her.”

“Smitten?” Lexi giggled at his antiquated word while she leaned against the wall, waiting for him.

“Yes, smitten.” He leaned his head closer to her. “It means to captivate, to affect someone strongly, or to fill someone,” Lexi gulped audibly as his eyes darkened, “with love or longing.”

Lexi blinked a few times, not saying anything. When she found her voice, she squeaked out, “Smitten is good.”

“You’re absurd sometimes, do you know that?” Vincent pushed away from the wall and headed for the elevator.

“So I’ve been told.” Lexi pushed the button and waited for the doors to open. “Not to sound like a total girl, but do I look okay? I have no idea what one wears to a presentation. I hope this is acceptable.”

“You look perfect. Professional. And I must say, that color looks beautiful on you.”

Vincent’s phone beeped. He glanced at the display, and then tucked it back into his pocket. The third time it happened he cursed under his breath.

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“Is everything okay?” Lexi watched him become more and more agitated.

“It’s fine. Nothing that concerns you.” His wall had gone back up.

“Well, it looks like something. And since you’re about to pitch one of the biggest campaigns of your career, maybe it will help if you get it off your chest so you can move on and make a decent presentation. But if I’m wrong, just tell me. No need to spare my feelings.”

Vincent opened and shut his mouth three times as they stood beside his car before he finally said something. “Jade’s pissed I didn’t call her last night to make sure she arrived safely or answer any of her calls. I guess she left some messages with Leigh today too that I might have ignored.”

Lexi remained silent and let him talk. The more he said, the more difficult it became to keep quiet and not voice her abysmal opinion of Jade.

“It’s not like you didn’t have a lot going on since she left, Vincent.”

“I know,” he said, throwing his hands into the air. “I’m working like crazy trying to make a name for myself, trying to show people that I am more than just the boss’s son. And every time I have to pay attention to work rather than her, I catch grief.” His hand raked through his hair. “I mean, when she has to leave for a week to do some ridiculous photo shoot or get ready for a runway show, I don’t complain. I understand it’s for her career. Why can’t she extend me the same courtesy?”

“I’m sorry. That sounds incredibly difficult.”

His phone beeped again, and this time he laughed then showed it to Lexi.

“Great, now she’s dragged you into it.”

I know you’re with that two bit whore of an assistant right now, you prick,
because she isn’t picking up your office line. Leigh is trying to cover, but I
don’t buy her lies, not for a second. Call me!

Lexi sighed. “Why don’t you talk to her and explain what’s going on?”

“Because, frankly, I don’t have time, and I don’t feel like it.” He took a deep breath and smiled. “Thank you for letting me complain. Usually I bother Sean with this kind of stuff. I appreciate you listening, and I’m sure he will be grateful for the break from my ranting.”

“You’re under a lot of pressure, Vincent. And I’m sure she just misses you.”

Somehow Lexi managed to get the last part out without gagging.

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Vincent snorted. “You, Alexandra White, are an amazing person.” He brushed his thumb lightly over her cheek. “Sean usually just tells me to dump her skinny ass. Actually, he begs me to do it.”

Lexi gave Vincent’s hand a squeeze and tried to make him laugh. “Well, Sean is pretty smart. Maybe he knows best.” His phone buzzed again, and this time when he took it out of his pocket Lexi grabbed it and stuck it in her purse. “Problem solved. Jade’s been muzzled. Now, are you ready to give this presentation?”

“Yeah, I think we’re ready.”

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You remembered to download the projection charts, right?” Lexi asked as she slid into the car. Holding her door open, Vincent poked his head in.

“Yes, Lexi.”

As he slowly walked around to his side of the car, another thought popped into her head. “The album covers! Did you print out the revised ones?” she shouted as he opened his door.

Vincent cast an amused smile in her direction as he put his key in the ignition. “Yes, Lexi.”

“What about the—”

Vincent turned toward her, wrapped his arm around the back of her seat, and leaned in. She felt the warmth in his smile all the way down into the pit of her stomach. “I’ve done this a few times, you know. Don’t worry. We have everything we need. Trust me.”

Embarrassed, Lexi dipped her head and fidgeted with her seat belt strap.

“I’m being silly, I’m sorry. I’m a little nervous.”

“Don’t apologize.” He lifted her chin so he could look her in the eye. “It’s my fault. I’m used to doing this alone, without a partner. I tend to be a control freak on these things. What I should have done was give you a list of everything I was bringing. You were just looking out for me. Thanks.” He eased himself back into his seat and pulled into traffic, the loud purr of the engine turning the heads of the people on the street. “And don’t be nervous. You know this presentation better than I do. Actual y, I should just let you do the whole thing. You up for it?”

Trust in Advertising

Lexi’s mouth fell open, wide with shock, as Vincent patiently watched and waited for her answer. Her grip on the door handle tightened, her knuckles turning white from the intense pressure she was exerting. “Y-you ca-can’t—”

He waited a few seconds as Lexi stammered, then tipped his head back in laughter. “I’m kidding. Breathe, Lexi, breathe.”

Her hand slapped his shoulder repeatedly as she yelled at him. “That wasn’t funny. It’s all fun and games until Lexi throws up in your Lotus.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me.”

“Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Forgive me?”

Lexi crossed her arms and faked annoyance. “You just better get this account, pal, or I’m going to be pissed that I missed my night out with Hope trolling for hot guys.” She watched his brows knit together, his lips turning down in a slight frown until she saved him with a smile. Only then did Vincent grin and roll his eyes, realizing that she was kidding.

He was the picture of calm as he drove through the streets of San Francisco.

Lexi’s stomach, however, flipped and flopped relentlessly with each smile or glance he cast in her direction. At first, she assumed it was because of the importance of the impending presentation, but the longer she stayed in the cramped space with Vincent, the more she realized that the presentation had nothing to do with it. He was gorgeous and sexy enough to make any woman’s heart race, but it was more than that now that she knew him better. When he wasn’t storming around the office, he was actually a lot of fun to be around. He was smart and clever, and the carefree banter back and forth between them felt so natural, like they’d been doing it for years.

Never in her life had Lexi felt so comfortable around a man or free to just be herself. That was just as appealing to her as Vincent’s broad shoulders and killer smile. The more she was around him, the more she found herself wanting to be around him.

The feelings that she had taken great care to bury deep ten years ago when she walked out of Riverdale for NYU were now peeking out and springing to life again with each smile or touch from Vincent Drake. If she was being completely honest with herself, what scared her most was knowing that she was falling for him again, even more deeply, with absolutely no chance of ever having him.

“Are you all right, Lexi? You’re so quiet. I really was kidding about the presentation thing. I’m sorry if I stressed you out. Honestly, this is the fun 201

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part of my job. I could give presentations all day.” He had a boyish grin on his face as he explained his approach—he wasn’t only selling his idea, but he was selling himself and his skills to the client. He could have a great idea, but it came down to presenting competence, control, and power when he walked in the room. Clients more often than not went with someone they felt comfortable with over the best pitch. If he could walk in there with a great idea and prove himself worthy to Julian, then according to Vincent it would be a done deal.