Oh God, Lex was supposed to pay her three hundred and fifty grand at the signing of their contract.In cash.She should be happy.Her family would be out of the hole.Instead, the very thought filled her with dread.Where the heck was she going to hide that kind of money?How was she going to pay off her father’s debt?The Finnegans were proud people, and her father was at the top of the pyramid.He would never accept money from one of his kids, and her brother Cian was sure to tell him even if she told him not to.
Jillian had entertained delivering the money personally to the Albanians and had even parked across the street from their club and played detective on a stakeout.The place hadn’t seemed busy, which was surprising.Hookah bars were quite popular.
“If I asked you to do a U-turn and get me out of here, would you get in trouble?”Jillian asked.
Douglas chuckled.“No, but Mr.Fitzgerald would be very disappointed.He’s looking forward to seeing you.”
“And we don’t want to disappoint him, do we?”
“No, miss.In his case, it’s always better to go along with what he wants.”
Once again, Jillian wondered how much the man knew about their arrangement.Whether he was judging her or not.Not that his opinion mattered.She’d hate for him to think she was a gold digger.
As though he’d been waiting, Lex stepped out of the house and started for the Rolls.Jillian’s stomach dipped with excitement and panic, the two emotions that often accompanied her whenever he was around.
He was dressed in a button-down shirt, except it was unbuttoned near his throat and showed his powerful neck.Everything about him was neat.Shirt tucked in, pants crisp, blazer fitting his broad shoulders to perfection.It made her want to untuck his shirt, ruffle his hair, and get him all dirty.
Before one of the valets could open the door for her, he said something that caused the young man to step aside.Lex opened the door, offered Jillian his hand, and helped her out of the car.
“Finally,” he said, not bothering to hide the fact that he’d been awaiting her arrival.A smile tugged his sculptured lips, his eyes shooting from warm to hot as he studied her.
The look in his eyes said he liked what she was wearing, which was great.She’d dressed specifically to impress him.She might not wear couture, but she knew what flattered her figure without making her look skanky.The shawl over her shoulders did more than complement her outfit.It hid bruises on her arm from this morning.
“I was tempted to beg Douglas to get me out of here,” Jillian said.
“You hate parties or you’re chickening out?”
“Hate parties, and I don’t chicken out.”
“I’m happy you don’t.”One hand came to rest on her elbow; the other cupped her cheek.“We have an audience.Don’t look,” he added quickly when she shifted as though to see behind him.“Kiss me,” he whispered, but it still came out as an order.
She wasn’t kissing him.“Who is it?”
“My mother and friends.They’re dying to meet you.”He lowered his head, eyes staring into hers.If all this wasn’t staged, she could easily get lost in his gorgeous grays.He had ridiculously long lashes and amazing cheekbones.When she didn’t move, his eyebrows shot up in challenge.
That look did it.She wasn’t scared of him.It was just a kiss, and she was in control.Despite her pep talk, her heart started beating in a staccato as she placed her hands on his chest for balance, reached up, and pressed her lips to his.
His lips were soft and warm, and she could feel his heart pound steadily under her palm.His chest was hard and warm even through his shirt.A crazy urge to sweep her tongue along the moist interior of his lips and taste him blindsided her.She broke the contact and gave him a tiny smile.
Lex sighed.“You call that a kiss?We’re supposed to be crazy about each other.”
Okay, her attempt was pathetic, but he didn’t have to sound so disappointed by her performance.Maybe she just didn’t turn him on.
“I told you I’m not good at performing on cue.”
“Then I’ll lead from now on while you follow.”He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss on her knuckles.
The warmth of his breath on her skin sent a shiver through her.There was no way she was letting him lead.He already had all the advantage.All he had to do was look at her and heat pooled low in her belly.Controlling her actions was all she had.
She tugged her hand from his.“I don’t think so, pal.This ismyshow.”
His expression was skeptical, his chuckle—when it came—infuriating.
“The problem with you, Alexander,” Jillian said, “is you’re looking for an excuse to take charge.It’s not going to happen.”She reached up, cupped his strong jaw, and ran her thumb across his lips with feather light touches.“I’m just warming up.”She felt the change in his breathing and hid a grin.She caressed the corner of his mouth and then moved to his dimpled chin.
“What are you doing?”he asked in a low and velvety voice.
“Removing the lipstick stain I left behind.”Her lipstick didn’t smudge, but it was nice to turn tables on him.
