Undercover in the CEO's Bed(22)

Yeah, he knew exactly the little thing she liked best of all, the thing that made her blush to ask for it. And he loved doing it to her, loved everything it did to her, because when she was like this, there was nothing in her world except his lips, his tongue, his teeth, his fingers, his hair, all driving her feverishly crazy. She was his completely, and nothing could interfere and spoil it. He tried to stretch it out as long as possible, loving her swollen wetness, her little squeaks of bliss, her fingers tugging on his hair, but eventually he knew she couldn’t hold out.

“Lex!” she begged, her voice hoarse and dark. “Please...”

He allowed his teeth to skim over her clit one last time, giving her a brief zip of pain before he lapped her deep and long, his tongue lascivious and greedy. He buried his head between her legs, holding her as he felt her orgasm rip through her. He stayed there until the last ripple was spent.

Finally the storm passed, and he lifted himself away from her, her taste lingering on his tongue and in his memories. She was such a turn-on, so sexually in tune with him, but he had to keep reminding himself that was as far as their compatibility went. He couldn’t put his faith in her. She’d disappoint him, just like she had before, just like his parents had in the past. She drove him wild in bed, but out of bed he had to keep a cool head around her.

…

The next morning, Jacinta woke up to the sound of a faint tapping. Rolling over, she discovered the pillow next to hers was empty, and when she lifted her head she saw Lex sitting at the far desk. He was fully clothed and working on his computer.

At the rustle of the sheets, he glanced up. “Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you. You can sleep in if you want.”

The elegant little clock on the nightstand told her it was almost nine, way past when she usually woke up. She leaned back in bed, yawning and stretching. No wonder she’d slept late after everything she’d enjoyed with Lex last night. She shot him a quick peek, conscious of the pleasurable ache in her pelvis. Did he have the same enjoyable, dull throb? She didn’t regret what they’d done last night, even though she knew it had been a stupid thing to do. A person couldn’t go through life always choosing the sensible path. That was too boring, too safe.

She slid out from under the sheets. Last night’s red evening gown lay crushed in a puddle of silk on the carpet. Her panties were ruined. Her dressing gown was nowhere to be seen. And the en suite bathroom was way on the other side of the bedroom. Lex was still at his desk, his profile turned to her. Oh well. Shaking back her hair, she walked across the carpet buck naked.

As she reached the bathroom door, Lex’s voice rose from behind her, lazy and amused. “I love the way you shimmy that ass of yours, but take pity on me. I’m trying to work here.”

She bolted into the bathroom. When she emerged fifteen minutes later, showered, scrubbed, and wrapped in a thick white bathrobe, Lex was still at his desk, except now he had a deep line scoring his forehead.

“Is anything wrong?” she couldn’t help asking.

He lifted his head. “It’s nothing.”

But the creases across his brow said otherwise. “If it’s nothing why do you look ready to strangle someone?”

“I do want to strangle someone.”

She sat down in the chair near his desk and frisked her damp hair with a towel. “Not another leak, is it?”

“No.” He snapped the laptop shut before thrusting his fingers through his hair. “It’s just... Can I tell you something in the strictest confidence?”

“Of course.” Trepidation wriggled in her stomach. “What is it?”

“It’s about the company.” He bent and rested his elbows on his knees. “The thing is, some of our bank loans are due for renegotiation soon, and, we’re not doing as well as the market thinks we are.”

“But that can’t be right. You’re a mammoth company. You earn millions each year.”

“We’ve also been borrowing too much, buying assets that don’t match our business and for too much, and now we’re running short of capital. I only started uncovering the extent of our problems when I took over as CEO.”

She leaned forward. “You mean your dad was hiding these shortfalls?”

He pulled a face, avoiding her eye. “Yes. He overinflated the value of some of our assets.”

“And you haven’t told anyone what your dad was up to?”

Frowning, he squeezed his knuckles. “Whatever he did, he’s still my dad. I don’t want him condemned when he’s not here to defend himself.”

Jacinta couldn’t help sighing at the irony of the situation. His father hadn’t trusted Lex with the truth, and yet here was Lex still trying to protect the memory of his dead father.

“You should tell your family,” she said quickly. “Kirk, Holly, Ralph, and your grandmother. They should all know.”

“The hell I will.” He shoved back his chair and jumped to his feet.

“But they’ll find out eventually, won’t they? If the loans are due soon?”

Lex moved restlessly about. “If one of them is the mole, and I tell them the problems, he or she will have a field day with that information. I can’t afford to take that risk. I need to find out who’s sabotaging me first, and I need to know fast, because I’m meeting with the bank in two weeks’ time.”

She drew in a breath. “So that’s why you only gave me three weeks to find the mole.”

“That’s right, and it’s becoming more urgent by the day.”

“What if you just told one of your relatives? Kirk maybe?”

“And if he’s the leak? I’d be handing him a loaded gun to point at me. No, I can’t tell anyone.” He stopped in the middle of the room and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Look, I shouldn’t have said anything to you at all.”

Her heart sank. For a moment there he’d trusted her, but now he regretted it. “But I—”

“Just forget it, will you? And remember that confidentiality agreement you signed.”

“As if I’d tell anyone, regardless of that stupid piece of paper.”

“Well, I’m just reminding you.”

She stood, sighing. “You always do that.”

“Do what?”

“Push people away. What are you so afraid of? That someone might actually be able to help you?”

His eyebrows shot up. “That’s bullcrap.”

“I understand you had a crappy childhood. Your mom ignored you, and your dad failed you, but that’s no reason to cut yourself off and vow never to ask anything of anyone. If you broke your rule and dared to trust someone, you might be amazed by the results.”

He pressed his lips into a thin line. “Are you done?”

She lifted her hands, helplessly aware that she’d achieved nothing except to rile him up. “Lex, people want to help you, if you’d only let them.”

“Oh yeah? People like you? Oh, but wait, I almost forgot. You’re only helping me to help your brother, so I guess you don’t count.”

His accusation stabbed at her. She caught her breath. “That’s...uncalled for.”

“But true.”

“Not entirely. I want to help you because—because...” She lifted her shoulders. “Now that I know about your family, I...”

“Feel sorry for me?” Lex grimaced.

Oh God, what exactly did she feel for Lex? He was so stubborn and prideful, but now she had an inkling where that came from, and his isolation made her heart go out to him. She wanted to help him, protect him, fight for him. Feelings she’d never had for him before or for any man. Feelings she couldn’t express when he was in this acidic mood.

“I’m on your side,” she said quietly. “I’m here to help you.”

His face remained aloof. “If you want to help, find out who the mole is. Fast.”

The chasm between them seemed as wide as ever. Suddenly cold, she nodded before pulling the bathrobe tight around her and hurrying away.

…

It was a few hours later before she spoke to Lex again. The place buzzed with activity as dozens of staff rushed to complete preparations for the garden party. She went for a walk to calm herself after the argument. When she returned to the bedroom, she pulled out Lex’s laptop and immersed herself in security logs. Lex didn’t want her advice, so she should stick to fulfilling her end of the bargain. Kevin needed that job, and the sooner she uncovered the mole, the sooner she’d get away from Lex.

A while later, Lex entered the bedroom. He was already dressed for the party in an elegant, lightweight navy suit with a striped tie and pristine white shirt. His freshly shaven face was inscrutable.

“Sorry I was so short with you earlier,” he said straightaway as he advanced on her. “I shouldn’t have burdened you with my problems.”

“You didn’t burden me,” she said quietly. “And you know I won’t breathe a word to anyone.”

“I appreciate that, but let’s just stick to the script, okay?”

“Sure.” Stick to the script. Don’t improvise. Don’t stray. She pointed at the laptop. “I’m in the middle of another scan.”

“Good idea. Don’t let me disturb you.”