Rich nodded. “I get it. Lexi’s dad is a real piece of work, Jack. But I also don’t think it’s smart to get even with him by whisking his daughter away. He’s a powerful man and people in this town talk like crazy. I really think you should rethink this whole idea.”
Jack couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He wasn’t trying to get even with Winston Alderidge. Orwashe? Was that part of what made things so hot with Lexi? The fact that her dad so clearly looked down on him? Was this so forbidden that it made him want her that much more? “All of these points would have been more helpful to me after my first date with her, you two.”
Rich and Angie exchanged plaintive looks. “We know. We just weren’t sure how to bring it up with you,” Angie said. “You’ve been busy and stressed. We aren’t trying to make your life more difficult, Jack. But we’re worried about you. And frankly, we’re a little worried about Lexi, too. I mean, I don’t know her at all, but it can’t be good for her to get involved with another guy right now, especially one who her father doesn’t like”
Jack felt like he had no choice but to engage in the self-reflection he’d been avoiding, but he couldn’t call Lexi and cancel their getaway. She’d be disappointed, and quite frankly, so would he. He’d been looking forward to getting lost in a beautiful woman for at least one night.
“Look,” he said to Rich and his sister. “I love you both. But you need to back off and let me do my thing. Lexi and I are both consenting adults. We want to get away for a night and have some fun. That’s all.”
Angie and Rich looked at each other, seeming to have a silent conversation, all of which suggested that they thought he was being foolish. “Suit yourself,” Angie said. “I’ll be here to help you pick up the pieces when it all falls apart.”
“Trust me. I’m not going to get hurt,” Jack retorted on his way out the door. “I don’t want serious and neither does she.”
He stalked down the hall to his office to check his email while trying to shake off the sour mood he was in after his conversation with Rich and Angie. Was this really that bad of an idea? It was one night.
What could possibly happen?
Lexi wasn’t so worried about her dress this time. Now that she had a better sense of what Jack liked, she was certain the red one she’d told him about hit the mark. Unlike the green gown she’d worn to the event at the TCC, she could breathe in this one, and that was a very good thing. Oxygen made it easier to manage the anticipation for what was ahead...a romantic evening at a five-star hotel, dinner and perhaps dancing, followed by their escape to his luxury suite. They could finally be truly alone, and she couldn’t wait. She wanted Jack so badly it burned inside her, just as hot and crimson as the gown she wore.
Jack had asked Lexi to meet him at the airstrip outside of town, as they would be taking a helicopter to Houston. With his crazy work schedule, it was the best way to get away for a night and not spend too much time traveling. Her suitcase was in the back of her car, packed full of cute outfits, heels, a bathing suit, probably too many toiletries, and a few choice pieces of very expensive lingerie. Lexi liked having options, even if she knew she wouldn’t come close to using everything she’d brought along.
Outside, the charming Royal countryside rolled by, a reminder of her lifelong ties to this place. She loved being back here, despite the recent trouble with her dad. The state of their relationship was a bit of a gray cloud hanging over her getaway with Jack—Lexi and her father were barely speaking after the dustup at the TCC. She knew a big talk was coming, but she’d wanted them both to cool off first.
Lexi’s phone rang. It was Bianca. “What’s up?” Lexi answered. “I’m almost at the airstrip, so I only have a few minutes.”
“You can’t go to Houston, Lex.”
“What? Why? You said you thought it was a good idea for Jack and me to go away. You told me to go have fun. Why are you telling me this now?” Lexi didn’t want to be so annoyed, but her sister’s timing was wretched.
“I came across a news story about this charity event you’re going to. Do you know who’s hosting it? Savannah Lee.”
Her stomach knotted so tight she thought she might get sick. Savannah was the woman who Lexi’s ex-husband Roger had started dating soon after she left Houston. “Do you think he will be there?”
“Even if he’s not, and I’m guessing he will, you won’t be able to get away from the bigger story here. Savannah and Roger just got engaged.”
Ahead, Lexi saw the gated entrance for the airstrip. Jack was likely waiting for her on the other side of that fence. What was she supposed to do? Cancel on Jack? Or don’t tell him and deal with seeing her ex and his new fiancée?
“Lexi? Are you still there?” Bianca asked.
“I am.”
“Are you okay?”
Lexi sucked in a deep breath. “I guess.” She pulled up to the electronic keypad, rolled down her window and punched in the code Jack had given her. “I don’t know what to do.” Straight ahead, Jack was standing next to his car, typing something on his phone. He was sporting sunglasses, wearing another of his perfect-fitting suits, looking as devastatingly handsome as ever. She’d so looked forward to this and now it felt like the universe was trying to send her a signal that this was a bad idea. “Bianca, I need to go. I’m here.”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to ruin your weekend. But I also couldn’t let you walk into that event with no idea of what’s going on.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“Love you, Lex.”
“Love you, too.” She hung up the phone just as she was pulling into the space next to Jack’s.
A few seconds later, he was opening the driver’s side door. “Hello, beautiful.” Jack smiled down at her, offering his hand to help her out of the car. “I can’t wait to see you in that dress.”
She climbed out, her leg naturally slipping out of her gown’s high slit. That should have been a very sexy moment, a precursor to their night ahead, but Lexi was feeling like far less than a seductress right now. “Hi.” That was all she could manage before she was drifting into the safety of Jack’s arms, resting her head against his chest.
“What’s wrong?”
