“Sounds like a problem that can only be solved by spending more time with me.”
“See, I still don’t know if you’re serious.”
He took her hand and discretely brought it to his lap beneath the table and laid it across the hard bulge in his trousers. His eyes half closed with pleasure at her touch, then he returned her hand chastely to the table.
“Oh,” she said and couldn’t think of another thing to say besides, “I see.”
The smile he shot her was sexy and private, his tone low enough for no one else to hear. “You could if you wanted to. Just say the word.”
His eyes were mesmerizing. “Not afraid you’ll get your ass kicked?”
He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “Something tells me it’d be worth it.”
She laughed softly, doing her best to not draw the group’s attention back to them. This side of Clay was a temptation she wanted to give in to, but she didn’t want to chance losing the ground she’d made with Sophie. Lexi had never imagined Sophie would feel protective of her. It changed everything.
Clay wants me, but for a night.
Maybe two.
Once the challenge is gone, he’ll move on.
We’re better as we are—dancing around what was never meant to be.
With that, Lexi took out her phone, sent a text, then stood. “I’m sorry to eat and run, but I have a date tonight.”
When Clay didn’t rise to his feet, Asher said, “That hurt to watch.”
Deliberately not meeting Clay’s eyes, Lexi said her goodbyes to everyone and bolted. Clay might be disappointed, but he’d probably soothe that pain away in the arms of some woman that night. Me? I’ll down a few shots until my date’s stories are no longer boring.
It’s better this way.
Chapter Three
The following Monday morning Clay stared up at the ceiling of his office. His feet were propped on his desk and his arms were crossed over his chest.
Kate, Dax’s secretary, popped her head in the door. “Mr. Landon?”
“Yes.”
“I didn’t realize you were still using this office. Does that mean Ms. Chambers—I mean—Mrs. Barrington is returning?”
“No. I’m flying solo this time.” He realized he’d answered sharply when Kate went from relaxed to nervous.
“Well, if you need anything, I’ll be at my desk.” She turned and retreated to her desk outside of Dax’s office.
“Kate,” Clay called out, rising to his feet. He made it to her desk just as she was sitting down. “Do you have a minute?”
Eyes round, Kate glanced at her boss’s closed door then back. “Of course.”
“You’re a woman.”
“That’s what I’m told.”
“If you had to come up with a list of why you wouldn’t sleep with me what would be on it?”
Kate blinked a couple of times quickly. “Besides the fact that I’m engaged?”
“She’s not, so yes, besides that.”
Kate laughed. “Mr. Landon, are you asking me for relationship advice?”
The last thing he needed was her amusement. He gave her a cold look. “When Dax gets in tell him I’m here.” He turned and started back to his office.
“Mr. Landon?”
Clay stopped.
“I didn’t mean to laugh. You just took me by surprise.”
“Because you can’t imagine someone like me needing advice about women?” he asked.
The twinkle in her eye wasn’t flattering. “Yes, that’s it.”
His eyes narrowed. “I could own this company if I wanted to. Why aren’t you at all afraid of me?”
“Honestly?”
Clay threw his hands up in the air. “If I wanted to hear lies that made me feel better I wouldn’t be here waiting for Dax, would I?”
Kate scanned his face slowly, then said, “Fair enough. This is just my opinion but . . . you don’t seem to take anything seriously, so people tend not to take you seriously.”
He thought about how Lexi had said she couldn’t tell if he meant what he said or not. Kate might just be on to something. “Go on.”
She swallowed visibly. “Were you born rich?”
“Insanely.”
Kate made a face. “A certain type of woman might think that’s attractive, but other women might say it means you’ve never had to fight for anything.”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
Kate tapped her fingers on her desk. “Mr. Landon, I like my job here. Mr. Marshall is a wonderful boss. I don’t really want to insult one of his closest friends.”
Clay pulled up a chair in front of her desk. “Your job is safe. You’ve piqued my curiosity. Give it to me straight.”
“You’re a very attractive man,” Kate started.
“Why does that sound like you’re putting it in the negative column?”
“Do you remember the names of all the women you’ve dated in the past five years?”
Clay started to list them aloud, came across a couple he’d forgotten, then frowned. “Why does this matter?”
Kate looked away as if choosing her words carefully. “It paints a picture of a man some women might think will not stick around.”
With a frustrated sigh, Clay slumped back into the chair. “Women have always liked me exactly the way I am.”
“Certain women, I’m sure, but it sounds like you’ve come across one who is different.”
“She certainly is. I texted her this weekend, and she didn’t respond. Nothing. Who does that?”
“What did you do when she didn’t answer?”
Clay shrugged. “What the hell was I supposed to do? She obviously doesn’t want to talk to me.”
“So, you only want women who come to you easily.”
“No, I want this one.”
“But you’re not willing to fight for her?”
“Fight? Who? What? You’re not making any sense.”
Kate rolled her eyes heavenward. “I bet the top of her list of why she won’t sleep with you is because she thinks you don’t actually care about her.”
“Of course I care about her.”
“What have you done to show her that you do?”
“Beyond the text?” God, I’m lame. I have the resources to do anything, and I stopped at a text. “You’re a genius, Kate!”
“Are you bothering my secretary?” Dax asked as he walked up to Kate’s desk.
Kate stood. “Good morning, Mr. Marshall.”
“We might have to share her. She’s amazing,” Clay said with a huge smile.
“You don’t even work here, Clay.” Dax waved for Kate to sit.
“That’s cold, Dax. I have an office. Why would you deny me the ability to staff it?”
Dax rubbed a hand across his eyes. “Kate, is there coffee brewing?”
“Of course.”
“Could you bring two cups into my office? I’m not awake enough for this.” He looked down at his watch. “It’s not even nine, Clay. You normally sleep until noon. Is something wrong?”
“Something was, but thanks to Kate I have a plan. Clear your schedule for the next few hours, Dax. I need your help on something.”
Instantly alert, Dax said, “Absolutely. Come in. Kate, call Taylor and MacMillan and postpone our ten o’clock video conference.”
Clay followed Dax into his office then sat at his desk, an act that sent both of Dax’s eyebrows to his hairline. Nonplussed, Clay searched through Dax’s desk drawers until he found a notebook and pen. He wrote jewelry then crossed the word off. “Jewelry is way overdone. Anyone can buy that. What do women love that most men can’t afford?”
Indulgently, Dax took a seat in front of his own desk. “What the hell are you babbling about?”
Clay held a pen poised over the notebook. “If Lexi thinks I don’t actually care about her, I’m going to prove to her that I do. Come on. This will be fun. You know her. What would she want?”
“You want my help with Lexi??
??
