Undercover in the CEO's Bed (12 page)

“So it’s just your feminine intuition telling you that, huh?”

“Oh yes.” She lifted her chin. “And it’s just as reliable as your good ol’ male gut instinct.”

“Huh.” He grinned briefly before sobering up. “Well, I did ask you here to help find the likely suspect, and if I can’t trust my family, then I shouldn’t trust Nancy either.”

Heavens, she didn’t want to make him more distrusting. “You were great on stage with your family all reminiscing about your nana. I’m convinced you could all get along one of these days.”

“You mean when I’ve uncovered the spy. But I wouldn’t count on it. Even if the company is saved, it’ll mean a huge disruption. It’s a lose-lose situation as far as family unity is concerned, but I’ll have to handle it. I’m going to get to the bottom of this and soon.”

Her heart sank. “I understand why you don’t feel you can trust your family.” She hesitated, plucking a leaf off a lavender bush, before deciding to plunge on. “Carl told me what your dad did to you—setting up your own friend to spy on you. That was a terrible breach of trust, but you don’t have to make the same mistakes as he did.”

She stopped, wondering if she’d said too much.

“Carl, huh?” he finally growled. “Christ, that guy’s been shooting his mouth off.”

She blew out a huff of exasperation. “Carl is your friend. He cares about you.” I
care about you
. She bit back the words just in time.

Lex made an impatient gesture with his hands. “Carl thinks he knows more than he does. My father was testing me, seeing if I was up to the task of leading the company. He didn’t want to leave it to me just because I was his son. I had to prove I was capable. And I did.”

And now?
she wanted to demand. What about now, when the company was floundering after years of his father’s mismanagement? Lex didn’t want to share the problem because of some need to protect his father’s reputation, undeserved though it was. Despite everything his father had done to him, Lex was still determined to be the good son.

Jacinta sighed. Last night she’d shared such an incredible physical connection with Lex, but now he seemed too complex for her to ever fully understand. “Okay, obviously I shouldn’t have said anything.”

To her surprise, he shook his head slowly. “No, I’m glad you did. You don’t seem afraid to stand up to me on anything. I kinda like that.”

She pulled a wry face. “Do you? Even when I’m contradicting you?”

“It’s refreshing.” His lips edged up into a slow smile.

Not ten months ago, it wasn’t
. She bit back the snarky comment. Ten months ago she thought she’d had him all figured out, but now she knew there were a lot of extenuating circumstances to his behavior.

She curled the lavender leaf around her forefinger. “That makes a change.”

“Speaking of Carl...” He took her hand and unwound the leaf from her fingers. “You still have to make it up to me for feeding him that serenade story he can’t shut up about.”

Her senses, ever alert to him, began to hum at his nearness. “I didn’t promise anything. I said we’d discuss it.”

“We are discussing it.” Holding her hand, he stroked the leaf back and forth across her palm. “I can’t wait until tonight.”

The warm huskiness of his voice started to unwind her senses. “I don’t know—”

“I do. It’s going to be even more fantastic than last night.”

The feel of him playing with her hand threatened to turn her brain to mush, but she managed to get out, “Aren’t you being presumptuous? Just because last night we, uh, we...”

“Had an amazing time?”

She flushed. “It’s not right. We’re not in a relationship. We told each other to go to hell.”

“We’re not cheating on anyone. We’re two consenting adults. I don’t see the problem.”

He drifted his fingertips up her arm, promising her Nirvana. Again. A deep ache started to build between her thighs, and she knew she was in trouble.

“Of course you don’t. No-strings-attached sex. What man would have a problem with that?”

His hands stilled before he slowly released her. “At least I’m honest about it, while you’re so busy running from the truth.”

The smell of lavender bruised her throat as she dragged in a gulp of air. The truth? He wouldn’t want to hear the truth from her—that spending another night in his arms would only make it harder for her to say good-bye to him. And maybe she wasn’t ready to face the truth about her feelings for him either.

“I’m not dodging the truth. I’m just trying to be practical,” she said, feeling anything but practical. “I mean, we both know there’s no future for us.” She paused, the breath trapped in her lungs. Was she waiting—hoping—for him to contradict her? To throw her a crumb of hope?

Something pulsed in the depths of his eyes, a dark spark of emotion gone before she could recognize it. “I’m only talking about tonight, Jacinta. One night.”

She released her breath, feeling foolish for harboring a scrap of hope. Of course Lex was only talking about tonight. Nothing more.

“One night.” Sighing, she forced her head high.

“Is that a yes?” His eyes glimmered again, hotter this time, the desire frank.

One more night with Lex. After last night, how much more damage could it cause? Her body was vibrating, every cell screaming yes. So why not give in, take what pleasure she could, and never mind the consequences?

“One night
only
. No more after that.”

A smile played over his lips as he reached out to sweep a stray hair from her brow. “I guess I’d better make the most of it, then.”

…

“Lex, want to play?”

Reluctantly Lex came to a halt in the hallway as his cousin Matthew called from the billiard room. “Another time, maybe.”

“Oh, come on. We need a fourth to make two pairs.”

“Sorry, buddy.” Lex was already heading down the hallway. “Not tonight.”

Not tonight when he had just one thing on his mind. Jacinta had already gone upstairs a few minutes ago. After the buzz of the garden party, everyone was winding down and doing their own thing.

He took the stairs two at a time. Upstairs, the corridor was deserted. He pushed open the door to their bedroom, aware that he was already erect, his body humming with the prospect of what was waiting for him.

The room was empty. For a second his breath caught as he surveyed the unoccupied bed. Then a muffled noise from the walk-in closet alerted him. He started breathing again as he stepped toward the closet and toed the door ajar. Jacinta was in there, slipping her dress onto a hanger. Clad in her cream silk underwear, she reached out to hang up the dress. The sweet curve of her bottom, barely covered by a film of silk, made his lungs constrict again.

Jesus, she was bad for his breathing.

As he entered, she turned. The filtered light from the bedroom glinted on her chestnut hair and glimmered on the smooth cups of her bra.

She licked her lips, surprise showing in her eyes. “I’ll only be a minute here. I’m just hanging up my dress.”

Unable to contain himself any longer, he stepped up behind her and ran his fingers down the sides of her body, exploring her undulating curves. “Take all the time you want,” he muttered. “I’m fully entertained.”

“What is it with you and dressing rooms?” she said, but there was a rosy tinge in her cheeks and a quiver in her body she couldn’t disguise.

“At least we don’t have a saleswoman outside the door.” He skimmed his fingertips up and down her torso, relishing the smoothness of her skin. “Let me be your assistant tonight.”

The creaminess of her skin had his pants straining at the zipper, but he was determined to slow things down a little. Brushing her hair to one side, he fit his mouth into the curve of her neck and laid a row of playful nips across her skin. Her answering shiver was all he needed. With his lips he nudged down the strap of her bra and nibbled at her shoulder.

“I think I’d better check your bra size.” He undid her bra, tossed it aside, and covered a breast with each palm. He was painfully hard now, his control rocking on a knife edge. Her generous breasts filled his hands perfectly. The feel of her nipples growing rigid against his palms didn’t help his restraint. Neither did her little moan as she arched her back, leaning her head against his shoulder and pushing her breasts against his teasing fingers.

If he didn’t contain himself he’d have her up against the wall in five seconds flat. She’d always had this devastating effect on him. He swore no other woman had ever had that power over him.

Unable and unwilling to break free of her spell, he closed his mind to those unsettling thoughts and let his libido take over. He explored her curvaceous waist and buttocks, all the while kissing her neck and shoulders. She writhed up and down his length, rubbing her butt against his groin until he almost snapped. This time he managed to get rid of her panties without ripping them. The scent of her steamy moistness filled the small closet. He eased her around to face him and lowered his head to lick the curve of her breasts.

“I—I didn’t know sales assistants did this,” she murmured between quick gasps.

“My tongue is a very accurate measuring tool. Let me give you a demonstration.” He lifted a breast and took a deep mouthful of her, swirling his tongue around her nipple. He released her slowly with a long, appreciative suck. “Um, a half inch.”

“S-sure?” she panted, clutching his shoulders.

“Mm, I’d better check the other one.” He dipped his head and took her other nipple between his lips, enjoying the feel of her fingernails digging into his shoulder. He suckled her deep before lifting his head. “Yup, they’re a match.”

“Th-thank God for that. I’ve always wanted matching nipples.”

Her face held that dazed, incredibly sexy expression he loved to see as he continued to massage her breasts and play with her nipples. Eventually he let his hands slide down her sides and knelt in front of her. He lifted her left leg and swung it over his right shoulder.

“Lex.” She gulped, her voice thick, almost frantic. “I don’t know if I...”

Her legs were trembling. So much she was just about to collapse. He gripped her hips, bracing her against the wall of the closet. “Jacy, I’m at your service tonight.”

He dipped his head and began to taste her. She quivered against him, helpless little moans filling the air. Moisture slicked his face. He didn’t know if it was him or her, but it turned him on as he continued to lap, greedy and merciless. He wanted her melting and helpless, wanted to bring her to that point where she was completely undone and he was still in control, just barely. But as he felt the last vestiges of her restraint disappear, she suddenly dug her fingernails into his shoulders much more forcibly.

“Stop,” she said, her voice so gruff he almost didn’t recognize it. She hauled her leg off his shoulder and pulled him upright.

“Stop?” He licked his lips, wanting more of her taste. “But we were just getting to the best part.”

“The best part is you inside me. Now.”

When had Jacinta started being so bossy about sex? The extra blood thudding in his groin told him he liked it. Her fingers fumbled for his waistband. He helped her, ripping off his shirt, unzipping his trousers and letting his engorged cock spring out. His own fingers weren’t quite steady as he found the condom in his pocket and rolled it on.

Jacinta ran her hands all over him, pressing soft little kisses into his chest as she pulled him closer, lifting a leg so he fitted into the space between her thighs. In the heaving dimness, her eyes glowed and her lips were full and sweet.

“Quick,” she whispered, her urgency thrilling him. “Now.”

He didn’t need to be told twice. Lifting her leg higher, he thrust his full, engorged length into her slick channel. She gasped and pressed her hands against his butt to pull him further in, as if she was starving for every last inch of him. Hot damn, she was amazing. He had zero chance of doing this slowly. Giving in to his animal side, he pounded into her, lost in her brazen lust.

She rode with him, matching his tempo, her breathless groans filling the confined space. The scent of her perfume mingled with the salty smell of sex, sending him further into uncharted territory. He was lost and mindless to everything except his craving for her, and her only.

Dazed, he looked at her, at their drenched bodies fused together, and knew he’d never seen anything more beautiful. She smiled up at him, her face glistening and sweet, and then she circled her arms around his neck, pulled herself up, and kissed him, her mouth eager and honeyed. The feel of her tongue flirting with his pushed him over the edge. Clasping her hips, he quickened his pace, until he felt her flesh tightening around him and they came together in a roaring climax. The release was acute, as sharp and tangy as the taste of her still lingering on his lips.

Afterward, he kept his arms wrapped around her, his body still physically joined to hers, not wanting to separate. In the humid darkness she gazed up at him, her damp hair sticking to her forehead, her eyes luminous, her body still quivering and warm and desirable.

He couldn’t get enough of her. In a minute or two he’d want her all over again. By the look in her eyes, she felt the same way. He wouldn’t disappoint her. Their final night of hot, earthy sex, and he’d make it a night to remember. But was one night enough for him? Didn’t he want more?

Hell, sex had scrambled his brain too much to think straight. He shouldn’t pay attention to these questions. What more could he want from Jacinta?

Chapter Eleven

Jacinta woke first the next morning. For a while she indulged herself by gazing at Lex’s slumbering face on the pillow next to her. It was so rare for her to be able to study him like this, but now she could watch him to her heart’s content and take in every detail of his mussed-up hair, his sleep-softened cheeks, his relaxed jaw with the dark stubble showing through. In sleep he looked so different, so open and restful and...sweet.

This was the last time she’d see him like this. Her heart fisted in her chest. Stupid, useless daydreams. She wasn’t going to get caught in them. She slid out of the bed and padded quietly to the bathroom. By the time she’d finished showering and returned to the bedroom, Lex was already awake, yawning and looking very relaxed.

“Morning. Bathroom’s free.” She made herself sound breezy, carefree, as she wandered over to the walk-in closet.

“Thanks.” He tossed back the sheets, revealing himself in all his glorious nakedness as he rolled out of bed.

Her feet stumbled. Her mouth dried. Her eyes boggled as he sauntered toward the bathroom, the taut muscles in his butt flexing with each stride. God, how she wanted to rush after him and join him in that shower. How she’d love to get him all wet and soapy and hard...

Somehow she forced her buckling legs to carry her to the closet.
Get ahold of yourself
.
You had your final night with Lex, and that’s the end.

No running after him into the shower. No making him suspect she was getting hung up on him. No risking her self-respect.

She pulled on jeans and a casual cotton shirt and twisted her hair into a ponytail. She pulled out her suitcase and started to pack. When she reached for her pajamas, she found herself frowning. The pajamas were still crisp and clean because both nights she’d spent naked with Lex.

“Everything okay?” he spoke from just behind her.

She spun around to find him close by. A towel hung around his hips. His chest glowed, droplets of water clinging to the hairs.

“You startled me.” She gave a laugh she hoped sounded light.

He flicked the sweep of damp hair from his eyes. “For a minute there, you looked kinda down. Is it about last night?”

She chewed her lip as conflicting emotions warred.

“I’m just...” She shook her head, tried to focus her thoughts. “I’m not like you, Lex. You have no problem jumping in and out of bed with different partners.”

His eyes narrowed. “You make me sound like a complete man slut.”

“It’s different for you. I know you’ve had a few”—floundering, she waved her hand—“other women since we broke up.”

Why on earth was she bringing this up? What did it matter now?

Lex’s jaw hardened. “Who told you that?”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s irrelevant.” They’d split up. Lex was a free man. He could do what he wanted, sleep with whomever he wanted. It was none of her damn business. Except the thought of him with other women made her feel like she’d drunk bleach.

He pushed his fingers through his wet hair, his expression thoroughly riled. “Christ, Jacy, what the hell do you want me to say?”

That it’s all a lie. That you could never be with any woman except me
. But she knew that couldn’t be true.

“Nothing, nothing at all.” She gave him a bright smile that almost tore her lips. “I’m being stupid. Please just ignore me. I’m going to finish my packing and go find some breakfast.” Even though the thought of food churned her stomach. She snatched up a couple of T-shirts and threw them into the suitcase.

Lex moved, blocking her way. He ran his fingers through his hair again, looking strangely uncomfortable. “Look, if you must know, since we broke up I’ve dated a few women, but I didn’t sleep with any of them.”

Her mouth fell open. “Oh.”

“Don’t you believe me?”

Of course she believed him. Why else was her heart soaring like this? “I’m sure you wouldn’t lie about something like that.”

“And you?” His jaw jutted out. The muscles in his shoulders bunched up. “How many men have you slept with since we split up?”

“None.”

“Yeah?” His eyes narrowed. “Not one?” She shook her head, and he exhaled, shoulders relaxing as he became more businesslike. “Good.”

Without another word, he disappeared into the walk-in closet, leaving her to wonder why both of them hadn’t asked the obvious question—
why
hadn’t they slept with anyone else? Were they too afraid to ask because they didn’t want to hear the answer?

A minute later he emerged dressed in faded jeans and tight T-shirt. “The meeting’s at nine thirty,” he said, his expression impassive. ”I’ll see you downstairs.” He left the room.

With a sigh, she forced her mind back to work. She’d meant to do a little more investigating using Lex’s laptop last night, but naturally Lex had proved too distracting. Now, abandoning her packing, she sat down at the desk, powered on his laptop, and flexed her fingers. She had to uncover this mole soon, because the more time she spent with Lex, the harder it would be to say good-bye in the end.

…

Lex nursed his espresso, aware of the ache in the middle of his chest. It felt like indigestion, though he’d had nothing for breakfast except the coffee. Couldn’t face any food, or the meaningless chitchat from other relatives in the dining room. Which was why he’d sought refuge in the deserted conservatory.

He shouldn’t have asked Jacinta if everything was okay. Because everything was not okay with him. He didn’t want last night to be his final night with Jacinta. But what did he want? He wanted her in his life again, but not like before when the sexual heat between them had blinded them to everything else. This time he understood her better, knew the strength of her character. This time he saw how determined and loyal she was, and he could appreciate her strengths.

If he chased after her and convinced her to give them another chance, he could see himself quickly falling under her spell, and this time he wouldn’t be able to write it off as only lust. He’d be forced to acknowledge... No, he wouldn’t follow that train of thought. He downed the last of his espresso and rose to his feet, determined to go through the meeting agenda or some paperwork or anything except dwell on Jacinta.

A tap at the French doors penetrated his roiling thoughts.

“Oh, Lex, just the person I was looking for,” his grandmother said.

He turned to find his grandmother entering the conservatory with Jacinta in tow. Somehow he managed to gather himself in a couple of seconds.

“Good morning, Nana,” he said, marveling at the evenness of his tone.

“Yes! Isn’t it a wonderful day?”

He blinked in surprise. After yesterday he’d expected his grandmother to be tired, but she seemed to be filled with more energy than ever before. She moved closer, drawing Jacinta with her. He allowed himself a quick glance at Jacinta. She looked wary and slightly puzzled.

Nana Alice’s voice lowered to a conspiratorial tone as she linked her free arm with his. “Now that I have you two alone with me, I need to ask you a big favor.” Her eyes shone with unnatural brilliance, while her lips twitched, threatening to break out into an enormous grin.

Alarm bells went off in Lex’s head. “Yeah? What is it?”

“I want you to humor an old lady.” She squeezed both their arms. “I know the two of you are hiding something from me, but, the thing is, I already know your secret.”

His stomach lurched. “You
know
?” His mind spun furiously. How the hell did she know about him and Jacinta? Had she picked up something from their behavior? Had they given something away?

“Oh yes.” Her expression grew a little sheepish. “I have a confession to make. The first night you were here, you two were sitting alone out in the garden, and I, er, overheard some of your conversation. Just a little bit, but it was enough. Jacinta said she felt bad about deceiving me, and you said it wasn’t the right time to tell me. Seeing you two together, how inseparable you are, I worked out what you were hiding from me, and I couldn’t be happier.”

“Happier?” Jacinta echoed, wide-eyed.

“You’re engaged! That’s the big secret you almost told me, wasn’t it, dear? The secret you promised Lex you wouldn’t reveal. Oh, I’m so thrilled!” With a deep laugh, she flung her arms around Jacinta in an extravagant hug.

Over his grandmother’s head, Lex’s gaze clashed with Jacinta’s. She looked completely gobsmacked, just like he was. Nana Alice released her and turned to Lex to envelop him in her arms.

“You’re such a sweetie, Lex. I can guess why you wanted to keep the engagement a secret. You didn’t want to upstage my birthday—that’s it, isn’t it? But you’ve given me the most wonderful birthday present of all.”

Jacinta’s eyes were wide with horror, the plea in them unmistakable.
Make this awful mistake right
.

Light-headed with shock, he hauled in a gulp of air to steady himself. Gently he disentangled himself from his grandmother to hold her at arm’s length. She might need his support when he broke the bad news to her. Her face was like a child’s on Christmas morning. Beneath her cashmere cardigan, her frail arms were like twigs. His gut twisted. This was going to crush her—finding out that there was no engagement, that it was all a figment of her overactive imagination.

He cleared his throat. “Nana, there’s something—”

The door clicked open and several people walked in. Ralph, Kirk, Holly. They stopped as one and surveyed the scene curiously.

Nana Alice turned to the other three. “You’ve arrived just in time. Lex and Jacinta have something very important to announce.”

Everyone looked at Lex. He hauled in another breath. “What I was about to say was—”

“They’re engaged!” His grandmother clasped her hands together to her bosom. “Lex and Jacinta are engaged.”

What the hell?

He couldn’t move, couldn’t speak, couldn’t do a damn thing. Beside him he heard Jacinta choke. His uncle and cousins gaped. For a few seconds no one said anything, then Kirk stepped forward, closely followed by Holly and Ralph.

“Congratulations.” Kirk shook his hand.

“What a surprise.” Holly pecked Jacinta on the cheek.

“You’ve kept this quiet.” His uncle pursed his lips.

“For good reason. They didn’t want to steal the show from my party.” His grandmother chuckled before giving an excited gasp. “Oh, I’ll have to tell everyone else, and get Hazel to open some champagne! We should have some left—”

“No, Nana,” Lex spoke sharply. “No champagne.” He moved in front of his grandmother to block her exit. She beamed up at him, almost intoxicated.

“What do you mean—?” She gasped, clapping a hand to her mouth. “Oh my goodness. Are you trying to tell me Jacinta can’t have champagne because she’s...” Her eyes widened. “Expecting?”

Dammit.
The situation was going to hell in a handbasket. Sweat broke out over his back. Jacinta made a spluttering sound. Everyone’s gaze swiveled toward her abdomen.

“No, no, no, that’s not what I meant at all.” He was panicking, and he had no idea how to stop this car crash from happening.

“I’m not old-fashioned, as you know,” his grandmother continued. “I’m not embarrassed at all. But never mind about the champagne. I’ve got something far more special.” Her smile broadened as she pulled something small out of her pocket. She stepped toward Lex and Jacinta, holding the object to them.

Lex eyed the square, brown jewelry box like it was a rattlesnake.

“My engagement ring.” His grandmother pressed the box into his hands. “I haven’t worn it in years. I want you to have it so you can put it on Jacinta.”

Frigging hell
. A rattlesnake would’ve been preferable. He couldn’t manage to speak a word. A stunned silence filled the conservatory.

“Go on,” his sweet, meddling, irrepressible grandmother urged him. “Open it.”

His hands felt stiff and clumsy as he popped the lid. Nestled on a velvet cushion, a huge, princess-cut diamond surrounded by sapphires winked at him. He stared down at the ring, his heart surging and pumping with emotion, not all of it panic.

“Lex? Don’t you like it?” Some of the bubbling excitement had ebbed from his grandmother’s voice, and now she sounded hesitant and troubled.

It felt as if a giant hand was pressing down on his lungs, suffocating him. “It’s very impressive,” he answered woodenly. He risked a look at Jacinta. She had gone deathly pale, but she managed to peek at the ring and nod to his grandmother.

“It’s, uh, definitely stunning.”

So Jacinta wasn’t prepared to wipe that glow off his grandmother’s face either. He felt oddly relieved by that, and some of the pressure eased off his chest. They’d have to go along with the charade for the moment and figure out a solution later.

“Won’t you put the ring on your fiancée?” Nana Alice asked Lex.

Oh boy. He had no choice but to pick up that enormous rock and slide it onto Jacinta’s finger. It took him a few seconds. He was all thumbs, and her hand quivered in his, mirroring his stupefied feelings.

Nana Alice went all teary-eyed. “Oh, it looks beautiful on you, my dear.”

Silently Jacinta held out her hand weighed down by the giant rock.

“Well, isn’t that nice?” Holly spoke up, a crisp bite in her voice. “A surprise engagement to round off the weekend.”

Was Holly jealous over the ring? And what about Kirk and Uncle Ralph? Personally, Lex thought the ring was too big and ostentatious for Jacinta. If he were to buy her an engagement ring, he’d choose something elegant and simple, something she could wear every day, because he’d want her to wear his ring all the time and never—

Hold it right there
. Why was he even thinking about engagement rings when this whole thing was a concoction of his grandmother’s?

“Nana, you’ve taken us by complete surprise,” he said. “To be honest, we’re not ready for all the attention.”

In an instant his grandmother was all contrition. “Oh dear. Have I made a mess of things? I didn’t mean to preempt you.” Her worried eyes darted between him and Jacinta. “I wasn’t thinking straight. I do hope you’ll forgive me.”