The Ceo's Surprise Family

“Indeed. Irene fell in love with a couple of prints we’ll be taking off your hands.”

“Irene, I’ve always admired your taste.”

The older woman beamed under his approval. “And you’ve redeemed my opinion of yours when it comes to women. Oh, I know how you young men like to play the field, but I hope you realize what a treasure you have in this girl.”

“You know Lexi.” Jethro’s expression went blank.

Oops. Time to do her job. He was either insulted, and trying to find a nice way to tell a good client to mind her own business. Or counting to ten before blasting her, with no consideration of future relations.

“Irene, you’re going to make me blush.” Lexi interceded before Jethro could react. “There’s actually nothing romantic going on. Jethro knew Alliyah and today was her birthday. We’re just celebrating her together this evening.” She smiled through the sadness. “She would have loved this.”

“Oh, my dear.” Sympathy filled Irene’s brown eyes. “She would indeed. My apologies, Jethro. Such a tragedy to lose her so young. Do you know how her—”

“Family is doing?” Lexi quickly interrupted before Irene could mention Alliyah had a daughter. “Yes. Everyone misses Alliyah terribly but we’re doing as well as can be expected.”

“Good, that’s good. She’s lucky to have had you for a friend. You let us know if we can do anything.”

“Absolutely,” Thomas confirmed. “And remember, you’re welcome back with the troupe anytime you want.”

“Thank you both. You have a good evening now.” She gave them both a peck on the cheek and sent them on their way.

“Sorry about that.” She patted Jethro on the arm. “But no harm done.”

She hoped not anyway. She wanted to be the one to tell Jethro about Jazi. To gauge his reaction and sway him to her cause. He was a sharp guy; she didn’t want him to be wondering about a child in Alliyah’s life and start counting down the months.

“What are you after?”

“What?”

Jethro’s firm grip on her arm gave her no option but to join him in a dimly lit hallway.

“Hey.” She tried to shake her arm loose, but he held on.

“Who are you?” he demanded.

“I don’t know what you mean. I’m Lexi.”

“How is it that you know everyone?”

“I don’t know everyone. That’s crazy.” She pulled against his grip. “You’re hurting me.” Not really, but he had her unnerved and that was close enough.

“Quit squirming and it won’t hurt.” His fingers loosened but he retained his hold, forcing her to follow him down the hall.

“Let me go and I’ll quit squirming.”

He opened the door of a well-appointed office. It had a feminine feel and Lexi guessed it belonged to Lana, the gallery manager.

Jaw clenched, he released her. Then frowned at the red marks on her skin. “Your skin is too delicate.”

She rubbed her arm singeing him with a reproachful glare. “Apology accepted.”

She dropped into a visitor’s chair and crossed her legs.

“Sorry,” he muttered belatedly, grudgingly. He sat on the edge of the desk. “Now tell me how you know so many people. I saw you talking with people all over the gallery.”

“Just because I talked to people doesn’t mean I know them. Is this about me not protecting you from the madding crowd? You seemed fine whenever I glanced your way.”

“Mocking me will not save you. Answer the question.”

“Save me?” She laughed.

He didn’t.

“You targeted me, Ms. Malone. I want to know why.”

CHAPTER FOUR (#ulink_762d1faf-c1d9-5831-bcff-fa4624d7a903)

LEXI PUSHED THROUGH her front door, slammed it shut behind her and threw the bolts. Unable to shake the sense of being pursued, she backed away.

Pull it together, girl. The man had better things to do than chase her down.

After Jethro dropped his question bomb, she’d slipped out when Lana and Ethan walked in carrying the piece Ethan had chosen for Jethro.

Best timing ever.

Okay, she’d panicked.

She hadn’t been prepared for his questions.

In the bedroom she grabbed a nightgown—a lavender bit of silk edged in black lace—and headed into the bathroom for a shower. She’d bolted. What else could she do? He thought she was some femme fatale intent on getting something from him.

And, in a way, she was.

He’d been so intense she didn’t know if she’d ever be prepared to face off against him.

But she would. For Jazi.

Lexi clung to the fact he gave Miguel a healthy tip when he learned of his new baby. It showed he had some sensitivity for kids. Right?

During the cab ride home she’d decided she needed to call tomorrow and make an appointment with Jethro. She’d see him before she went into work and get this all straightened out.

Stepping under the spray, she rinsed her hair, letting the hot water soothe her. As plans went, it lacked finesse and relied heavily on his willingness to see her again. But what she’d learned of him tonight told her an up-front, honest approach was her best bet.

All the things she could say filtered through her head as she dried off and applied a tropical-scented lotion in honor of Ethan’s Escape painting. The silk of her nightgown glided over her skin in a sensual fall, ending at midthigh. She continued to ruminate while combing and drying her hair. The thick auburn tresses were still damp when she thought she heard a knock on her door.

Flipping off the hairdryer, she listened and the knocking came again. She wrinkled her nose. The last thing she needed tonight was the distraction of a friend coming over for gossip and coffee, something dancers liked to do. Since she’d left the troupe, she often had people dropping by.

Or maybe that’s exactly what she needed. To just get out of her head and focus on someone else for a while. By the time she reached the door, she was ready to embrace whoever stood on the other side.