“Or any other actress,” he added, clearly indicating he didn’t care what Margo did to anyone else, except Jillian.He stopped in front of her, reached out, and cupped her cheek.
“Can you really do that?”
The smile he gave her said he could do just about anything.
“Then make it more general.You know, no misbehaving in public.”
“You’re freezing and should be changing instead of worrying about her.”He leaned in and captured her lips in a scorching kiss, until warmth replaced the cold that had crept under her skin.She pressed closer to his warmth, but he broke the kiss and whispered, “You didn’t have to ask me to be your protector, Jillian.I took up the challenge the moment you smiled at me across that parking lot at Ferris in your clown makeup and the ugliest wig I’ve ever seen.”
Jillian sputtered in indignation, which earned her a grin from Lex and another silencing kiss.Then he was striding toward the door.“Get rid of those wet clothes, sweetheart.I’ll get you something to wear.”
“I’m not your sweetheart, and I did not look like a clown,” Jillian yelled at his retreating back.
“An adorable clown,” he called over his shoulder and opened the door.He glanced at her and added, “Inside that bristly, tough exterior is a total sweetheart, and I’m going to enjoy knowing her.”
Jillian opened her mouth to protest, but he was already gone, the door closing behind him.She didn’t have a tough exterior, and “adorable clown” was even more insulting.It brought to mind kittens playing with balls of yarn, or cooing babies.Both were distractions, but easily forgotten.Was that how he saw her?A temporary source of entertainment?Just when had he decided she was the perfect material for a fake wife if she’d looked comical?
She couldn’t figure Lex out.She’d grown up surrounded by men and knew how easy it was to please them.Feed them, stroke their egos.Give them a remote and a six-pack, and you had them eating out of the palm of your hand.She just had to end up with one so complicated he drove her crazy whenever he opened his mouth.Or closed it on hers.
Sighing, Jillian entered the bathroom and peeled off her wet clothes.Her new dress was ruined.And her silk panties were wet and clung to her skin.She wrapped a towel around them, hoping the towel would absorb most of the water.Now where did he say the robes are?
She found one hanging on a peg, ran a hand down the material, and purred as she shrugged it on.From the familiar masculine scent wrapping around her senses, it was Lex’s.Despite being humiliated beyond measures, she couldn’t ignore the pure luxury of her surroundings.
The bathroom was done in gray marble with blue accents, the sunken tub huge enough to accommodate two people.A mounted TV faced the tub, and the assortment of expensive jars and tubes of—
A knock resounded at the bedroom door, and Jillian jumped.
The knock came again, followed by, “May I come in, dear?”
Estelle Fitzgerald?Jillian tightened the sash of the robe and left the bathroom.She expected the door to open before she reached it.The room was huge.She swept her wet strands away from her face, took a deep breath, and opened the door.
Mrs.Fitzgerald’s smile was apologetic.“I’m sorry for what happened downstairs, my dear, but Lex tells me you insist the woman be left alone, so I come bearing gifts.”
Jillian tried not to fidget when Mrs.Fitzgerald gave her a once over.
“You and I are about the same size,” Estelle said.“And I haven’t worn this since it was dropped off.”
She unzipped the dress bag to reveal a silver dress Jillian recognized from Spring Fashion Week.It was one-of-a-kind, something she could only afford in her dreams.Jillian remembered it because the dress had been a hit with editors and online fashion bloggers, and the designer’s collection was featured in one of the top fashion magazines.
“Try it on,” Mrs.Fitzgerald urged.
“Mrs.Fitzgerald, I couldn’t possibly—”
“Estelle, please, and if you don’t accept it, I will be very hurt.You were accosted in my home, at my party, and your beautiful dress is ruined.I have way too many of these just sitting in my closet gathering dust.”
Jillian smiled.“It was editor’s top pick from Falasha’s Spring Collection.”
Mrs.Fitzgerald chuckled.“Now you know my secret.I hoard beautiful gowns, but Faith’s creation deserves to be noticed.No one will blame you if you choose to stay up here for the rest of the evening.But if you decide to rejoin us…” She pushed the dress into Jillian’s arms.“This could show them that a dunk doesn’t break you.”
Jillian knew a challenge when she heard it.“I think I’ll rejoin the party.”
Mrs.Fitzgerald grinned.“That’s the spirit.Now about some intimate apparels, the dress doesn’t need a bra, but—”
“I have that covered,” Jillian said, heat rushing to her face.
“Okay then.I’ll be back to check on you in case in you need anything else.”
As soon as the door closed behind her, Jillian hurried to the bathroom.In seconds, she was studying her reflection.The dress hugged her curves in the right places and moved when she did.The designer—Faith, as Mrs.Fitzgerald had called her—was gifted.The best part was the sleeves, which came to her wrists and covered her bruises.
