AKA Lexi Frost (Lexi Frost Series) Page 6

  “Am I taboo?”

  Nicholas ran his fingers through his hair as he thought about that. “Kayley threw Lexi for a loop. She’s not an obstacle anymore. Flynn, I can’t say you’re taboo, but I can’t say you’re in the running either.”

  “That’s fair,” Flynn nodded unhappily. “Is she going to fall for this set-up?”

  Nicholas snagged two more champagne glasses from a passing caterer. “I have no idea.” He handed one glass to Flynn, who quickly drained the new glass, then the one he was already holding. Nicholas drank his almost as quickly.

  “To be honest, I’m not going to complain if Paul convinces her to give him a chance. She’ll be nervous until she gets to know him, but . . . Well, let’s catch up and see where you stand,” Nicholas suggested. “And that’s it for the drinking. Lexi doesn’t really drink, so getting bombed won’t gain you the sympathy vote.”

  They put their glasses on an empty tray as it came by and turned to look for the rest of the group.

  When they caught up to Lexi, she was standing between Kayley and Drew, staring at a geometric painting in browns, greens, and blues. Paul stood behind Lexi, closer than Flynn preferred.

  “What is it?” Kayley asked as Flynn took up position behind Drew and devoted his attention to Lexi rather than the painting.

  “A pine tree,” Lexi answered. She held a tumbler and finished her Dr. Pepper as Kayley tried to make sense of the painting again.

  “How do you figure?” Drew questioned her identification of the item.

  “Look at it sideways.”

  Drew tilted his head slightly to the left.

  “No,” Lexi clarified, “it fell to the right, like it’s been cut down.”

  Paul chuckled softly as Drew and Kayley both tilted their heads to the right. He took Lexi’s empty glass from her and handed it to a hovering caterer. Flynn fought the urge to deck him for the smoothness of the move.

  “It’s crying?” Kayley asked, standing up straight again.

  “Go figure. I’m guessing it’s a protest against deforestation. Hopefully this particular canvas isn’t stretched over a wood frame.”

  “Where would you prefer Paul tricked you into visiting so he could spend some time with you?” Kayley asked, turning and walking to the next painting.

  “Pick somewhere exotic and expensive,” Nicholas prompted.

  “Please tell me that doesn’t mean you’re going to start arranging bogus jobs,” Lexi turned and looked up at Paul. She was on the verge of tears and Flynn had a harder time resisting the impulse to hit him.

  “I won’t need to. You’ve made a name for yourself. Enough people have seen the pictures you took of Kayley to encourage more clients for you. You’re going to start traveling more for those jobs and you know it.” Paul handed her another drink.

  “And you’ll be there waiting,” Flynn finished.

  Paul looked at Flynn curiously for a moment. “I sometimes have other places I have to be, just like you do. Most of the time I can rearrange my schedule. Are you concerned?”

  “She just looks a little shaken.”

  Paul turned his attention back to Lexi and reached out to take her free hand in his. Leaning in close, he whispered in her ear. Flynn’s heart sank as her eyes got wide and she bit her bottom lip. Paul straightened up but kept his eyes locked on her face.

  Lexi stared at Paul silently for a moment, then took a deep breath and released it as she composed herself.

  “Fine,” she nodded to Paul.

  Flynn felt a glass being pressed into his hand and looked to see it was Paul handing him a drink now. He fought the impulse to throw it in the other man’s face.

  “Nicholas?” Lexi’s quiet call interrupted Flynn’s debate on the merits of making a scene.

  Nicholas appeared on Paul’s other side and Lexi turned to him, handing Paul her tumbler.

  “Take me back to the hotel. I’ve got a headache.”

  To Flynn’s dismay, Lexi walked past Nicholas and proceeded to the door without a backward glance. Nicholas hurried off to follow her.

  “What did you say to her?” Flynn demanded of Paul once they were gone.

  “I’m afraid she’d be irritated with me if I told you.” Paul turned his attention back to Kayley, dismissing any response Flynn might have.

  Chapter Five

  Paul was used to big business and big decisions. He therefore knew when to delegate. Paul’s assistant, Tim, flew down to Miami with him and remained quietly in the background handling every detail to make things go smoothly.

  When Paul returned from the exhibition, Tim helped Kayley pack, saw her safely on her way back to New York, and returned to listen to the details of the evening.

  “I’m sure Flynn Peterson is pursuing her, but from what I saw at the beach it looks like they just met,” Paul thought out loud as he paced the length of his suite.

  “You said Drew Little was at the gallery as well?”

  “For backup, I think.”

  “I’ll look into it.” Tim jotted a note in his PDA.

  “I appreciate that.”

  “I confirmed lunch arrangements. An alcove is reserved the entire day so you won’t have to wait to be seated or rushed. It’s not completely private, but I believe I’ve found an adequate solution. Management assures me you’ll have excellent service. They had misgivings about the menu, but I was firm.”

  “Thank you. I’m not concerned about impressing Teri with money or power. I think your suggestion of comfort food was exactly right. She agreed to lunch, but I suspect it was more because she felt trapped than a desire to spend time with me or eat. Putting her at ease in small ways will be helpful.” Paul paused for a moment in his pacing and thought. Tim waited patiently. “Let’s see if we can add a little light humor to the lunch.”

  “Did you have anything in particular in mind?”

  Paul turned to Tim and smiled. “Yes, actually.”

  Teri had a rough night. Nicholas took her back to the hotel and saw her to her room. Like a good friend, he stayed with her as she broke down and raided the mini bar in both rooms when she started to hyperventilate. Then he tucked her in after she finally fell asleep.

  While grateful for his support last night, she wasn’t so happy about him banging on her door to wake her up the next morning.

  “What?” Teri demanded as she jerked the door open.

  “You’re meeting Paul in an hour and a half.” Nicholas walked in, handing Teri a muffin.

  “Oh.” Teri wandered back over to her bed, sat, and took a bite of the muffin.

  “Eat quickly.” Nicholas put a bag on the bed beside her and pulled out a new outfit, complete with sandals. “I went shopping this morning since you didn’t have anything suitable to wear. I know how you hate it when designs around the collar and waist on shirts are only on the front so I found one that completed the pattern. I didn’t realize how hard it was to find a shirt that had the design on the back too.”

  “Now you know why I either wear suits or jeans and t-shirts.”

  “Not today. Finish your muffin and hop in the shower.” Nicholas found her clutch and frowned at it. He looked around and she pointed to her other purse, the one large enough to accommodate her camera. He stared at it, then glared at her.

  “I’m running out for a moment, don’t forget to shave your legs.”

  “Whatever.” She shoved the rest of the muffin in her mouth and took the clothes with her into the small bathroom. Teri finished dressing and busied herself with her make-up until he returned.

  “The only purse in the gift shop is this floral thing.” He held up a smallish bag with an open top and a hibiscus floral print.

  “That’s ghastly. I’ll take the clutch.”

  “You had that last night.”

  “And I’ll have it again today. It’s black, it matches everything.”

  “Not your shoes.”

  “Nicholas, just to clarify, who’s the woman here? If I’m not that anal about this
lunch then you don’t get to be.”

  “I just want to make a good impression.”

  “Then you go.”

  “I would, but for some reason Paul wants you.”

  “Then leave me alone and let me get ready.”

  Teri hurried through her preparations and sat quietly on the end of her bed. She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths.

  “Fighting back panic?” Nicholas asked.

  “Thinking about Paul’s invitation.”

  “To lunch? Regrets already?”

  “He knows Lexi isn’t really my name.”

  “Is that why you agreed to lunch?”

  Teri thought about that. She wasn’t sure she could explain why she agreed to lunch. It wasn’t really accepting an invitation so much as a concession.

  Glancing at the clock, Teri took another deep breath and got up. She grabbed her clutch and headed for the door.

  “He’ll be here in a few, I might as well be on time,” she answered Nicholas’s questioning look.

  “Stick with your Lexi personality for now. It’s your comfort zone and it won’t offend him,” Nicholas advised. “I’ll have the mini bars restocked.”

  “Those little bottles are expensive for what you get. Go buy economy size. I’m going to need it.”

  “Fine, but only as a precaution. Try to keep a positive attitude. Who knows? You might like Paul once you get to know him.”

  Teri stopped and gave Nicholas a withering glare. “I have six teenagers. That’s enough problems without adding men to the mix.”

  Despite Tim’s help and assurances everything was taken care of, Paul still felt a knot of nervous tension coiled in his belly when he arrived at Teri’s hotel. It might be a tad over-dramatic to say the rest of his life hinged on the next couple of hours, but Paul felt that level of pressure nonetheless. That he might lose interest himself didn’t cross his mind. Their future together was in Teri’s hands, and he had to sell it.

  Selling himself wasn’t usually a problem. Paul had a knack for winning people over, to the point of closing deals based on their impressions of him rather than his product or company. This was different, and it bothered him. His cool unruffled character, always a bonus in the board room, was undoubtedly ruffled. His self-confidence hadn’t been this shaken in – well he couldn’t remember how long. And it took a woman to do it. He laughed at himself. If all else failed, he could beg. That would be another new experience.

  A text message from Tim came in just as the limo came to a stop. Paul glanced at it: a reminder that Teri didn’t volunteer her real identity. He was so used to referring to her as “Teri” when talking to Tim that the reminder wasn’t unwarranted. Of course Teri knew Paul was on to her. He ensured that last night when he leaned over and whispered “I’d like to take you to lunch and get to know you better as yourself.” He didn’t outright say he knew her secret, but she stiffened at the implication before agreeing. Given the circumstances, Tim was right. Paul fixed the name “Lexi” firmly in his mind as he walked into the lobby.

  Lexi sat quietly in the small lounge, waiting. She saw him enter, stood, and walked over. She didn’t seem happy to see him. That was to be expected, but his stomach hardened regardless. Wordlessly he offered his arm and she took it gracefully. Leading her back to the limo, he helped her in before taking his place beside her.

  “You know,” Paul started slowly as the driver pulled away from the hotel, “I started checking up on you the first time we met.”

  “I didn’t actually, but it doesn’t surprise me. So you dug up everything you could.” She didn’t look at him as she answered, which Paul took to be a bad sign.

  “Yes, to try to unravel the mystery.”

  “Great. Well done. Satisfied?”

  “Actually, no. I’m not really interested in ‘Lexi’ so much anymore. I’d rather get to know ‘Teri’ if that’s all right with you.”

  Lexi looked at him sharply. Paul expected more of a reaction. He watched her for a moment, uneasy as he recognized her stress.

  “I made you uncomfortable, didn’t I?”

  “I’m the same person. It’s just a name.” Her voice was calm, but she looked away again as she spoke.

  “Do you really believe that?”

  “Do you really believe I have multiple personalities?” She glared at him briefly before looking back out the side window.

  “Of course not,” he chuckled, gratified that she chanced looking at him again. “You know as well as I do that people bring forward different aspects of their character for different situations. People are generally different at home versus at work. ‘Lexi’ is an attitude you adopt when you have to deal with people you want to keep away from your private life. People you would never discuss your feelings or dreams with. People who may know you have children, but nothing about them. I don’t want to stay in that category.

  “I realize it’s not a simple request. You don’t know me very well, and you didn’t willingly divulge your identity. Don’t worry, I’ve been very careful to control that information from the beginning. Since I do know, you don’t need to rein in what you say around me.”

  Lexi nodded slightly. “I understand, but I’m not really sure if that’s a conscious decision. You know the other side where most people who call me ‘Lexi’ don’t, that’s true. But, as you said, it wasn’t my choice. I don’t know you.”

  Paul tried to conceal his disappointment. “That’s fair. ‘Lexi’ it is for now then, with the addendum that the wall between your identities is made of glass in my particular case.”

  Lexi agreed with a curt nod. Paul let the subject drop. He didn’t want to push her too far, she was already uncomfortable. Hopefully lunch would set her at ease.

  Lexi relaxed when they entered the crowded restaurant. She’d been afraid of a quiet, intimate lunch where she couldn’t avoid Paul’s uncomfortable questions or attention. As the hostess led them back toward a series of semi-private alcoves, Lexi gave herself a mental kick. Of course Paul wasn’t going to let something as simple as witnesses thwart his plans.

  The hostess led them to an end alcove, more secluded than the rest courtesy of a floral arrangement custom-ordered to fan across the side of the table as a screen. An aromatic mixture of roses and carnations filled the alcove. Lexi raised an eyebrow at Paul and smiled in appreciation of his efforts.

  “You went all out,” she said as he sat down across from her.

  “Why hold back? You know what I want.”

  “Do I? Just what do you expect of me, Paul?”

  “I want you to allow me the pleasure of dating you. To entice you, with the option to spoil shamelessly in the future.” He smiled softly. “You are the most unique and interesting woman I’ve ever met. I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind.”

  “Have you tried?”

  “Twice.”

  “Really? I’m hurt.”

  “No you’re not, you’re curious. I think I’ll keep it that way for now. Needless to say, I failed.”

  “Bet you didn’t like that.”

  He laughed lightly. “That was a failure I could accept.”

  “And me walking away?”

  “Is not,” Paul said, suddenly serious again. “You know I have wealth, power, luxury -”

  “Kayley.”

  “She recognized my interest and wished me luck.”

  “That’s very sporting of her.”

  “That’s the kind of relationship we have. I don’t begrudge her attempts to find love and she doesn’t begrudge mine.”

  “I see.”

  “I doubt it, but that’s fine for now.”

  “No menus?” Lexi looked around the table, tying to move the afternoon along.

  “Already planned.”

  “Of course. And the topic of conversation? You’ve planned everything else.”

  “To be honest, I’d love to talk about you.”

  “You have investigators that already told you all about me. You’ve see
n the spoilers, so why bother?”

  “Facts on a sheet are dry and lifeless. You are full of energy and imagination.”

  “Don’t forget the drugs. Anti-depressants, anti-anxiety, anti-histamines, caffeine. It makes for quite the cocktail.”

  Paul smiled. “Everyone drinks caffeine and takes anti-histamines. I understand the anti-anxiety pills with the crowd you have at home. I wonder if you even still need the anti-depressants. It’s been awhile now since you lost Allen. Is it still so bad?”

  The question brought Lexi up short. She wasn’t prepared to discuss her late husband. Instead, she reached for her glass of water.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought him up. Clearly it is still affecting you.” Paul reached across the table and took Lexi’s other hand. She flinched briefly at his touch, but then forced herself to relax. Lexi set down her water to watch as Paul slowly stroked her fingers, the inside of her wrist, and traced the lines on the palm of her hand.

  “Are you going to tell me my future?” she joked uncomfortably at his tender caress.

  “I’m going to let you get to know me better. Then you’re going to fall hopelessly in love with me and we’ll be blissfully happy together,” Paul smiled. He turned her hand over and fingered the empty spot where her wedding ring used to be. Lexi fidgeted uncomfortably.

  “Paul, can I be blunt?”

  “You’re asking?” Paul raised his eyebrows in disbelief. She waited and he sighed. “Of course, say or ask what you will.”

  “You don’t really seem like the stalker type.”

  He laughed. “You would certainly know.”

  She froze in surprise and then rolled her eyes in realization. “Your research was pretty thorough.”

  “Of course. You had quite a figure in college with a pretty face. Coupled with your unusual wit it’s not surprising a few of your would-be boyfriends demonstrated some distinctly stalker-like tendencies. Amateurs, thankfully.

  “I’m glad I learned that tidbit early on. I’ve deliberately avoided going to Seattle to see you because I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”