“Wow.” He shook his head, smiling as though dazed. “You look … wow.”
The “wow” was for the amazingly fantastic olive green dress I’d found for a bargain on the sales rack of a small boutique on Charles Street. The material was a vibrant silk that felt wonderful against my skin in the muggy Boston summer air. It had a halter neckline and a low-cut back with a slit up to my knee on the right side of the dress.
Overall it was not demure, it was not conservative, but it was still classy as hell and sexy to boot. It was going to piss Caine off and I was going to love every minute. I’d made an appointment at the hair salon that afternoon, and after experimenting with different looks we decided to go with an elegant updo, leaving a few wavy strands loose.
“Thank you.” I took Henry’s proffered arm. “You look very handsome.” And he did in his sharp, immaculately fitted tux.
He grinned at me. “If I look good it’s because I’ve got you on my arm.”
I laughed and shook my head. “You know your charm only has a very superficial effect on me.”
Henry chuckled. “That works for me.”
The Andersons’ mansion was in Weston and as soon as the limo joined the line of cars on the massive circular driveway, my nerves began to multiply a hundredfold. The redbrick mansion with its white trim was the biggest house I’d ever seen in real life. It seemed to engulf us, casting us into shadow as the driver held the door open and Henry helped me out after him.
He patted my hand, seeming to sense my nerves. “It’s just a house.”
“That swallowed ten other houses,” I said.
Henry laughed. “Come on. I’ve seen you paste on a serene smile when Caine is trying your patience, so I know you can fake it with the best of them. You’ve just got to pretend you belong here. It’s how Caine does it, and no one ever questions him.”
There was truth in that and it actually helped calm my nerves. I gave him a grateful smile. “Thanks.”
“Ready to dazzle them?” He held out his arm.
“Let’s do this.”
We were greeted at the mammoth double entrance doors by big brooding men in black suits wearing earpieces. Henry handed over his invitation and the men waved us through. I tried not to gulp as we walked into a large oval-shaped entrance that seemed to have been built entirely of marble. We followed the guests down a small group of stairs at the end leading us into a huge entrance area. Oversized pocket doors had been opened on our right, leading directly into a ballroom.
An actual ballroom.
“Someone should tell them they have a ballroom in their house and that it’s roughly half the length of the entire mansion.”
Henry’s body shook with amusement as he led me into the gargantuan room. “I think they might already know about it.”
“True. It’s kind of like having Godzilla living with you. It’s not like you’re not going to notice that baby.” I took in the high arched ceiling and the stunning chandeliers that hung from it. Long tables draped in pale gold tablecloths were lined with hors d’oeuvres and glasses of champagne. A champagne fountain sat proudly in the middle of the center table. The room was decorated with simple elegance, but everywhere seemed to sparkle. Classical musicians were seated way, way down at the other end of the room where four sets of French doors led out into the garden. “Or in this case drape it in white gold and silver and fill it up with five-hundred-dollar bottles of champa …” I trailed off when I realized that some of the elegantly dressed guests were staring at us.
“Your fingernails are biting into my arm.”
“Because people are staring,” I whispered, and my pulse picked up speed.
“That’s because—and I’m trying very hard not to sound like a conceited ass—you’re with me, a Lexington, and more important, you’re stunning and they’re all wondering where I found you.”
I eyed him suspiciously. “You better not tell them Hollywood Boulevard.”
He laughed. “Damn, ruin my fun, why don’t you?”
Relaxing at his good humor, I let my gaze drift over his shoulder, and what (or whom, rather) I saw made me stiffen with surprise. Uneasiness quickly followed the surprise.
My grandfather was here.
With my grandmother.
Shit!
Why did I not think? I’d been so harassed this week and so caught up in my own crap that I hadn’t spoken to Grandpa and I’d completely, stupidly, so, so stupidly, forgotten that these were his people. Of course he’d be at one of the biggest society events of the year.
Oh God.
Where was my brain?
Oh yeah, Caine had turned it to mush.
“Alexa.” Henry tugged on my hand, pulling my focus back to him. He was frowning. “You okay?”
“Uh, yeah—”
“Henry, Alexa,” Caine’s voice interrupted. He’d come to a halt, standing only a few feet from us. Even through my panic I still felt the impact of him. He wore a tux cut similarly to the one Henry was wearing, but the effect it had on me was entirely different. My gaze drifted over his outrageous handsomeness, and the yearning inside me overwhelmed and depressed me. When our eyes met, his gave nothing away.
There was no “wow” from him.
So much for the expensive dress.
“This is Marina Lansbury.” Caine touched his hand to the lower back of the brunette he was with. She was as tall as me but curvier in a way that was alluring and sexy. Some might say without the makeup Marina was almost plain, but that body of hers, in that figure-hugging black dress, made you forget all about that. She looked amazing. “Marina, you remember Henry Lexington.”
She smiled politely and held out her hand to shake Henry’s. When I shook her hand her gaze was assessing in a competitive way she just couldn’t hide.
I mentally grimaced.
Clearly she was one of those women—the kind who viewed other women as competitors no matter what. Those kinds of women were exhausting. I thought I’d left them behind in college.
“And this is my PA, Alexa Hol—”
“Hall.” I quickly cut off Caine, holding out my hand. Marina reluctantly shook it.
I ignored Caine’s questioning look. I couldn’t introduce myself tonight as a Holland. All hell would break loose for Grandpa.
I had not thought this through.
“Well.” Caine gently pressed Marina to the left. “Just wanted to say hello. We’re going to get a drink. We’ll talk later.”
Once they were out of earshot, Henry sighed. “It’s not like him to disappear with his date like that. He usually sticks close to me. He likes to keep me around to smooth things over when rich people say things that annoy him.”
I raised an eyebrow. “That actually happens?”
Henry nodded. “Caine doesn’t have the patience for ignorance and snobbery.”
“Yeah, well, he has a funny way of showing that.”
Henry touched my lower back and began walking us toward the champagne. “You have a habit of bringing out his worst side.” He grinned at me. “I find it highly entertaining.”
I laughed, shaking my head at his nonsense. “You need to grow up, Henry.”
“And why would I do that?”
The hours passed and Henry charmed and entertained me. He introduced me to people and they were genuinely interested to learn I was Caine’s PA. No one looked or talked down to me, and I used my experience from years of dealing with celebrities on the job to converse with them like I wasn’t intimidated. I was cool, appropriately witty but inoffensive, and I bounced well off Henry, who everyone seemed to love.
Henry was convinced Caine was deliberately avoiding us, and it aroused his suspicion. He just didn’t get what it was about me that Caine so abjectly disapproved of.
I wasn’t about to enlighten him.
After returning from the ladies’ suite (yes, suite), I’d only taken a few steps back inside the ballroom when I saw my grandfather and grandmother walking straight toward me.
&nbs
p; I halted, not knowing what to do.
Grandpa was in the middle of talking to my grandmother when he glanced over casually and then froze when his eyes locked with mine. They drew closer.
I held my breath.
“I don’t know what was in that vol-au-vent, Edward, but my stomach is unsettled,” I heard my grandmother complain as they approached.
“Adele,” Grandpa said, voice weary, eyes still on me, “you just had it fifteen minutes ago. I doubt it could have taken much effect already.”
“I know what I know. A brandy will relax it.”
“I’m sure it will,” he replied sardonically, dragging his gaze from mine. “Dick’s in his study hiding out. He’ll have some.”
They walked right by me, his shoulder almost brushing mine.
I stared after him, my chest burning with hurt, even though I understood why he had to pretend he didn’t know me.
I got it. I did.
But fuck, that killed.
I blinked back the sting of tears and spun around, only to draw to an abrupt halt.
Caine stood before me, staring down at me in question. “I understand now why you introduced yourself as Hall. I think you forgot to mention that you’re not on speaking terms with the rest of the Hollands.”
I shifted uneasily, glancing around to make sure there was no one close enough to overhear. “I am with my grandfather, but he can’t acknowledge me publicly. No one in the family knows he and I are in contact. It would cause problems.”
Caine looked past me to where my grandparents had departed. “Yet another reason you shouldn’t be here.”
His rejection on top of my grandfather’s was too much. I took a step toward him and I saw something flicker in his gaze. I wanted to hiss and insult him and make him feel as bad as I felt right then … but as I stared up into those dark eyes I slumped with disappointment.
I shook my head, words failing me, and I pushed past him, hurrying to Henry’s side.
“You okay?” Henry frowned when I reached him.
My cheeks flushed with anger and wounded pride. “I’m fine.”
“Do you want to get some air?”
No, I wouldn’t be chased from the ballroom by Caine’s insensitivity and determination to make me feel unwelcome. “Let’s just dance, okay?”
Henry led me onto the dance floor and expertly maneuvered me into the slow dance. He held me close but not too close, and I knew without a doubt that Henry and I were just friends. When a guy danced with you and held you, you were supposed to feel tingles and butterflies and go all melty inside. I just felt comfortable with Henry. I guess that was nice in its own way.
“He has spent most of the night scowling and brooding and ignoring his date,” Henry murmured suddenly, obviously talking about Caine. “Last time I saw Marina she was flirting with Governor Cox.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Isn’t he married?” And why, oh, why, would you flirt with Governor Cox when Caine Carraway was your date?
“Yup, but his wife is flirting with Mitchell Montgomery.”
“The toilet paper guy?”
“The one and only. Although we have a different name for him in our circle.”
“And that would be?”
“The Asswipe.”
I burst out giggling at the hilariously childish moniker. “How fitting.”
Henry grinned. “What it lacks in sophistication it makes up for in entertainment.”
I leaned into him, laughing harder.
“Sorry to interrupt.” Suddenly Caine was there, towering over us both. He fairly bristled with impatience. “I need Alexa.”
“What for?” My momentary amusement was gone.
“That was Arnold. He’s got a colleague in Sydney on the phone, and it’s important I take this conference call. We need to get to the office.”
“We?” I shook my head. “Do you really need me for this?”
He bent his head toward mine, thunderclouds in his eyes. “I will need coffee and assistance for whatever else might be needed this evening. That’s what I pay you to do. To assist me.”
I could not believe it!
Was he kidding me with this crap?
I glanced back at Henry to apologize, only to find him wearing this weird, triumphant little smirk on his face. He quickly smoothed his expression. “I’m sorry to have to leave you,” I said, eyeing him in confusion.
He further confused me by shrugging nonchalantly. “When work calls you’ve got to go.”
I decided to ignore his weirdness for now. I could only deal with one puzzling man at a time. “Thank you for understanding.” I kissed his smooth cheek. “And for a lovely evening.”
He gave my hip a squeeze. “You’re very welcome, beautiful. Thanks for classing up the place.”
I laughed, my amusement dying another quick death when the impatient Caine whirled around and strode through the dance floor. I gathered my own worn-out patience before hurrying after him.
CHAPTER 9
The atmosphere between us was fraught to say the least as the limo driver took us back into Boston, heading for the financial district.
Caine obviously wasn’t in the mood to chat and I definitely wasn’t either after the way he’d treated me this entire week. His behavior had gone from being overbearingly bossy to downright insulting.
We made it to the office without uttering a word to each other. I tried to keep up with his long strides, but I was struggling in my heels and long dress.
I drew to a halt outside Caine’s office. The entire floor was empty.
No Arnold.
Nobody.
Caine unlocked his door, flicking on lights as he strode inside his office. I followed him in.
He turned and looked at me blankly. “It appears I missed it. I’ll take you home.”
Uh … what? I held my hand up, palm facing out to stop him. I gestured around the room, my agitation mounting. “Where is Arnold? Where is this conference call?”
He shrugged. “Obviously I missed it and Arnold locked up.”
“Without calling you?” I asked, incredulous.
He shrugged again. “Let me take you home.”
“Did you lie? Did you lie to get me out of that party?”
“I don’t lie,” Caine said, sounding affronted. “I manipulate. It’s how I got rich. Now let me take you home.”
No. We weren’t going anywhere until I got to the bottom of this. It felt like I had fire in my blood, I was that angry with him. Suddenly I didn’t care if he fired me. “You lied to get me out of a party and away from my date. Are you that much of a snob?”
“It wasn’t about that,” he snapped, his eyes sparking with his ire. “I didn’t want you there and I made that clear. When I want something a certain way I get it. I thought I’d also made that clear by now.”
“You son of a bitch!” I shouted, losing all cool. “All week you’ve made me feel like I’m nothing, like I’m worthless. And now this crap!”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Monday afternoon. Henry came to your office and you forgot to switch off the speakerphone.”
The air around him crackled dangerously. “You were eavesdropping?”
I flushed. “I was going to tell you, but then I heard … Henry started talking about me and it’s only natural to listen in to a conversation about yourself,” I argued. “And you were beyond insulting.”
His expression cleared. “Is that why you said yes to Henry? To piss me off?”
“I said yes because he was complimentary. And yes, I have to admit to getting some satisfaction out of irritating you since it was so clear you think I’m beneath you.”
His nostrils flared. “Bullshit.”
I blinked rapidly at the denial. “Seriously? You’ve been treating me badly all week. Not to mention how you were tonight? You’re not a stupid man, Caine, so you had to know I was hurt when my grandfather chose to ignore me, and you just dug the knife in deeper. You’re never going
to see me for me, are you?” I clenched my hands into fists. “You’re just going to wound me and humiliate me. You’re determined to make me pay for what he did.” At his silence my anger increased. “Aren’t you!” I yelled.
Suddenly my back hit the wall behind me as Caine moved me there, caging me in as he crowded me against it, his hands pressed to the wall above my head. Emotion blazed from his eyes. “I don’t think you’re beneath me,” he hissed.
The surprise of finding myself barricaded in by him had knocked my attitude down a few levels. “Then why were you cruel?” I whispered.
Remorse flickered in his eyes. “I didn’t mean … I just didn’t want you there. With him.”
And the shocks just kept coming.
I sucked in my breath and then slowly exhaled. It isn’t possible … I didn’t think so, but … I took in the aspect of his dark gaze that hinted at another emotion besides anger. “You’re jealous?”
The muscle in Caine’s jaw flexed.
My heart started to slam against my ribs and I couldn’t seem to get control of my rapidly increasing breathing. With our eyes locked, our bodies touching, the heat around us blazing off the charts, I forgot where we were. I forgot everything but him.
“Cai—”
He crushed his mouth over mine, swallowing my gasp of shock and excitement. His cologne, the heat of his skin, and the taste of him, hot and sharp … it all overwhelmed me as he gripped the back of my neck with one hand and slid the other down my stomach … He smoothed it down my hip and under my thigh.
Realizing his intent, I kissed him back harder and clung to him, my fingers digging into his back, as he tugged my thigh up so he could press deeper between my legs. My lips parted on a whimper of lust and triumph. Caine growled. The sound caused a ripple of arousal in my lower belly and I pushed into him.
His hand tightened around my neck and he groaned again, the vibration of it causing more heat to shoot through me, tugging at my nipples, melting through my belly, and exploding between my legs in a burst of needy tingles. His kiss grew more demanding, long, drugging kisses that muddled my head and took me with him to somewhere else entirely. We were panting and pulling at each other’s mouths like we couldn’t get deep enough. Caine crushed me harder against the wall, grinding his erection against me. My belly squeezed again, and it occurred to me I’d never been this turned on from just kissing someone in my life.