His mother chuckled.“No, dear.The world does not always revolve around you.We talked about movies and the industry.Your name didn’t even come up.But I was hoping you’d have her meet everyone.Maybe on Sunday?”
They had Sunday brunch once every other month.The last one had been two Sundays ago.“Not yet.Maybe the Sunday after.Jillian mentioned filming in Vancouver on Monday, so she might be leaving over the weekend.”
“You can fly her out there after she meets everyone.”
“No, Mother.She’ll meet the family when she’s ready.”The pilot announced that they were approaching Van Nuys Airport, where Lex usually kept the jet in a private hangar.“I have to go, Mom.We’re about to land.I’ll stop by the house tomorrow.”
“Land where?I thought you were coming home on Friday.”
“We flew back early, but I’ll stay in the city tonight.”
“Oh.Do you and Jillian have plans for tomorrow?We could have family dinner on Friday.”
He heard the loneliness in her voice.Since she’d retired, she’d been involved in one charity work after another, but she didn’t find them challenging.His mother was smart and driven, and at sixty-two, too young to have retired.He’d thought getting involved with Barb’s new production might keep her busy and had invested in it.It wasn’t enough to keep her occupied.
“I don’t know if Jillian will make it, but I’ll check with her.Do you want to have dinner tomorrow night?”
“Oh, that would be lovely.”
“Good.I need help with something I’m working on and could use your expertise.”
There was silence, then a laugh.“Of course, dear.I’ll have Mrs.Sandoval make some of your favorite dishes.”
Now he had to find a project for her to work on.Something real or she’d see through his machinations.His mother started Valdez Realtors before she married his father, and continued to run it until Lex took it over and changed the direction of the company.She’d mainly bought and sold existing listings, he preferred to buy, develop, then lease or sell them.He made one more call just as the plane started to descend.
Usually, Lex was the last to leave the jet.Tonight, he was on his feet and heading out the door by the time the jet stopped inside the hanger.He left the stateroom with the briefcase in one hand and his trench coat in the other, his mind on Jillian.
The others peered out the window and grinned.The scene outside was familiar—spouses, girlfriends, or boyfriends waiting to pick up their loved ones.Whether they arrived in the dead of the night or during the day, it was always the same.Often they stood in groups talking.Douglas tended to keep to himself, only stepping out of the car after he saw Lex.
The pilot lowered the airstairs, and Lex was halfway down when the front door of the Rolls opened.Instead of the familiar graying hair, a blonde head appeared.
Lex froze as Jillian straightened, turned, saw him, and waved.Her smile hit him like a punch, sucking the breath out of his chest.Douglas must have decided to let her drive.
Lex took the remaining steps without realizing it and hurried toward her, a vision in white skinny pants and a floral shirt under a black jacket.She somehow managed to look like a sirenandthe girl next door simultaneously.Lex opened his arms, not doubting for one second that she would step into them.
She did, slipping her arms around him.He didn’t care that he was paying her to pretend to be his girlfriend or that the hug was for their audience—his employees.She was in his arms.He buried his nose in her hair and inhaled.
He leaned back, noted the empty front passenger seat, and cocked an eyebrow.“What did you do with Douglas?”
“The poor guy lost a bet.He should know better than to bet against me.I only go for sure wins, so here I am, your designated driver and all-around whip girl.”A tinkle of laughter escaped her, the sound echoing into the night, sending heat straight to his groin.He had to capture the sound.
Her eyes widened when he lowered his head, but she didn’t shy away from the kiss.She met him, the enthusiasm of her response blindsiding him.
A thud told him his briefcase had slipped from his hand and landed on the ground.He sunk his fingers into her hair, anchoring her head in place as he indulged himself.His body pressed into hers, trapping her against the body of the car.
This was coming home.He nudged her legs and settled between them, one hand palming her thigh and lifting it around his hip.
When he broke off the kiss, her lips were puffy and her eyes glazed.Her legs straddled his hips.The position was so intimate he wished they were alone so he could relieve the ache in his gut.He’d never wanted a woman like he wanted Jillian.
He was aware of the others staring and whispering as they walked toward their cars.There was a first for everything, and Jillian couldn’t have chosen a better moment to pick him up.After the Sunday article about his mysterious date, this should feed the grapevine at his company.
“You’re a ruthless bastard, you know that?”she whispered, sounding both annoyed and aroused.
“When I know what I want, I go after it.”He planted another kiss on her lush lips.“What’s this about a bet?”Did this mean the three-fiftywasa gambling debt?
Instead of answering him, she wiggled, silently asking him to let her go, but he wasn’t ready to do that yet.He liked the position.Besides, he had a massive erection, and even though he didn’t mind her knowing about it, he didn’t want his employees observing his lack of control.Her wiggling didn’t help.
“You keep up that seductive rub and I’ll carry you over my shoulder to the nearest bed, which just so happens to be inside the jet.”
