Sex, Lies and the CEO

Three

Shane’s proposition was a dose of reality.

Darci realized she had truly lost her mind. Her common sense had fled while she was plastered shamelessly against him, swaying to the music. No wonder he thought she was coming on to him.

His expression faltered. “I’m sorry. That didn’t come out right.”

But she was pretty sure it had come out exactly the way he’d meant it. And she was pretty sure she was the one to blame for leading him on.

“I meant for the rest of the party,” he said. “I don’t want you to leave before the end of the party.”

She took a half step back, telling herself she was here to spy on Shane Colborn, not to hook up with him. Even though hooking up with him seemed like a perfectly reasonable idea.

Okay, that had to be the wine talking.

He closed the space between them. “Please don’t stop dancing.”

She had to own up to her part in this. “I didn’t mean to give you the wrong idea.”

He took her hand. “You didn’t.”

“We’ve only just met. I’m not... That is...”

He eased her into his arms, and she couldn’t bring herself to fight him.

“My bad,” he murmured, taking up the rhythm of the song.

She told herself to end the encounter and politely leave. She needed to regroup.

During a few bars of the music, she gathered her thoughts and then forced herself to speak. “Thank you for the tour of the wine cellar. I’m grateful that you took the time.”

There was a smile in his voice, and it broke the tension. “But not that grateful?”

His unexpected joke was disarming.

“I’m never that grateful,” she said.

“I’m very glad to hear it.”

“I’m not buying that you’re glad.”

He chuckled. “Let’s say I’m glad you’ve never been that grateful with any other guy.”

“You have an opinion on my personal life?”

“I do.”

“You do recall we met only two hours ago?”

He was silent for a moment, guiding them around the other couples on the crowded dance floor. “It seems like longer.”

“Are you bored?”

“Not even a little bit.” He drew back to gaze at her. “But I’m feeling oddly proprietary.”

She knew she had to change the direction of the conversation, but her curiosity won out over good sense. “In what way?”

He glanced around the big room. “I don’t want anyone else to dance with you.”

“I doubt they will.” She didn’t know anyone else here.

“I’m certain they will. That is, if I let you go.” He gathered her a little closer. “So, I’m not going to let you go.”

That truly shouldn’t sound like such a good idea.

“I don’t think that’s practical,” she said. “You’re the host.”

He gave a shrug. “My cousin is helping with hosting duties.”

“Isn’t she busy in the wine cellar?”

“We have a caterer and fantastic staff.”

“So, you plan to ignore everyone else and dance with me all night long?” As soon as the words were out, she knew she should have said evening instead of night.

His blue eyes glowed, and his voice went gravelly. “I’ll do anything you want all night long.”

She gave him a jab in the ribs with her elbow. “You know what I meant.”

“Doesn’t mean I can’t tease you.”

“Are you always like this?”

“Like what?”

The song changed, but she pretended not to notice. “So friendly and familiar with people you’ve just met?”

“Are you?”

The question took her aback. He made a good point. She was just as guilty as he was.

“I’m not,” she said. “Never. That’s why I assumed it had to be you.”

“I’m really quite aloof.”

“Sure you are.”

“Ask anybody.”

“I will.”

“Ask Tuck.”

“I am going to ask Tuck.”

It was a lie. She didn’t expect to ever see Tuck again.

Shane went silent for so long that she began to worry.

But then he spoke. “You never dated Tuck, did you?”

Her worry fled, and she sputtered out a laugh of surprise. “I’ve definitely never dated Tuck.”

She realized now would be the time to confess that she didn’t even know Tuck.

“Because that would be awkward,” said Shane. “Tuck and I are very good friends.”

Darci didn’t know how to react to the statement.

“And you can’t,” Shane continued. “You know, with your best friend’s ex. I mean, it’s not a 100 percent rule, but it’s kind of ironclad.”

“Two hours,” Darci felt compelled to point out. “Do I need to remind you again that we’ve only just met? We’re not dating.”

“We should be dating.”

“You’re out of your mind.” She could assume only that this was some kind of well-practiced, pickup strategy.

He was pretty good at it, but she wasn’t going to let herself take him seriously.

“What are you doing on Friday?” he asked.

“I’m working.”

“You know I meant Friday night.”

“I’m working then, too. I have my own business, and it’s very busy right now.”

She also had a secret job at his company, a mystery to solve and a huge vendetta against his family. He might be handsome and charming, but going on a date with Shane was out of the question.

“Give yourself some time off,” he said.

“I have clients and deadlines.” There was no way in the world he was talking her into a date.

“We could do dinner or take in a play. Or both. You like comedy? The Twist is getting rave reviews, and there’s a great little seafood place about a mile from the theatre. Very posh, very exclusive.”

She tipped her head back. “You do understand that I’m saying no?”

“You do understand that I’m not giving up?”

“I won’t go on a date with you, Shane.”

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

“No.” Then she mentally kicked herself. A boyfriend would have been the perfect excuse not to see Shane again.

“Something a little more active?” he asked. “The park? The jazz festival? Or, wait, a harbor cruise?”

“Shane, stop.”

“Or we could have a date right here,” he carried on without stopping for a breath. “The gardens are gorgeous on a summer night. We could dine out on the deck, pick ourselves a fine bottle of wine from the cellar, now that you know what you like.”

As he spoke, Darci’s brain locked on to an idea. If she came back to the Colborn mansion, especially if they went down to the wine cellar, she might have another chance to snoop around. Getting to know Shane on any level was a big risk. But she’d never get back into the mansion without getting to know him at least a bit better.

A male voice interrupted them. “Why are you hogging Darci?”

Shane stiffened against her. “Hello, Tuck.”

Darci twisted her head to see Tuck, shocked that he’d remembered her.

“I’m cutting in,” said Tuck.

“No, you’re not.”

“Of course I am.”

Shane looked to Darci, eyes narrowing. “I thought you said you’d never dated him.”

“I haven’t,” she managed in a strangled voice, feeling the walls close in around her.

Something bad was about to happen.

“Quit messing around,” said Tuck. “Petra’s hot on my trail. I need a dance partner.”

“Find another one.”

“What is your problem?” asked Tuck.

“If you were interested in Darci, you should have said so before now.”

Darci jumped in. “Listen, I—”

“Before now?” asked Tuck in clear astonishment. “When, before now?”

“I don’t know,” Shane drawled. “In the months, maybe the years since you met her.”

If the floor would only open up and swallow her, maybe she could get herself out of this.

“Shane?” came a new female voice.

Shane turned his head.

“Looks like Maddie needs you,” said Tuck.

Then he deftly tugged Darci from Shane’s arms and twirled her away.

She scrambled to get her feet sorted out beneath her, regretful to leave Shane and also realizing she’d just blown her opportunity to return to the mansion. She should have accepted his invitation as soon as he’d offered it.

“Sorry about that,” said Tuck, as they settled a little awkwardly into dancing. “But Petra’s one determined woman.”

“You seem like a very determined man.”

Tuck laughed. “So was Shane. By the way, why did he think I might be dating you?”

Darci’s face heated with embarrassment. “That was my fault. I’d mentioned you earlier, and he misunderstood. I should have corrected his assumption.”

“Nah. It’ll be more fun this way. I’d rather mess with his head. He spent most of our teenage years messing with mine.”

“He did?” She was intrigued.

“We were both rich young men with fast cars, who could tip our way into the best nightclubs, but he was better looking.”

“There’s nothing wrong with your looks.”

Tuck had heavier features than Shane, a slightly crooked smile and a scar on his chin. But he was still a handsome man.

He chuckled. “I wasn’t fishing. Every time I found a new girl, Shane would flirt with her.”

“That’s not nice.”

“He grew out of it. And, I figured out he was testing them, checking to see if they truly liked me or if they’d go with any rich guy.”

“Did they all pick Shane?” She felt a rush of sympathy for Tuck.

“All except Roberta Wilson back in high school. She didn’t give him a second look.”

“And?” Darci prompted.

“And I dated her for six months in senior year.” He shrugged. “And then it ended. She went off to a different college. Our whole carefree lifestyle ended abruptly when Shane lost his parents.”

Darci was reminded that Shane hadn’t always had things easy.

They danced in silence.

“It sounds like Shane is protective,” said Darci, wondering how far he’d go to defend his father’s honor.

“And loyal,” said Tuck, then he glanced over her shoulder in Shane’s direction. “So tell me about Darci Lake. I have a feeling I’ll get quizzed after you leave.”

Darci wasn’t crazy about perpetuating a ruse with Tuck, since he was an innocent bystander. Then again, what were a few more lies? She was already in deep, and it looked as if it was going to get much deeper before it was all over.

“What do you want to know?” she asked.

“Where are you from? What do you do?”

“I grew up in Chicago, went to Columbia.”

“Nice.”

“I have a graphic-art business. We mostly design websites.”

“That’s a growth industry,” said Tuck.

“So far, business is good.” In fact, it was so good, between working at Colborn Aerospace during the day and trying to keep up with her website contracts at night, she was barely getting any sleep.

“I might want to hire you.”

“I’ve got a waiting list right now.” She could fit in another client, but she was staying well away from Shane’s friends. “Tell me something more about you.”

“Good idea. Shane will probably quiz you, too.”

Darci doubted it. Once again, she mentally berated herself for having let the opportunity to come back to the mansion slip past.

“I’m the second son of Jamison Tucker, who was the only child of Randal Tucker, founder of Tucker Transportation. I’m a vice president. My older brother Dixon is the president-in-waiting.”

“Does that bother you?” Darci couldn’t help but ask.

“That he’ll be top dog and not me? Nah. More time for me to goof off.”

“Because being second in command is such an easy job?”

“It is if you—”

“You’re done.” Shane reappeared, scowling at Tuck.

“Looks like I’m done,” Tuck agreed, letting her go. “Thank you for the dance, Darci.”

“Thank you,” she replied, surprised that Shane had come back to her.

He pulled her rather forcefully into his arms.

She immediately felt the difference in his posture. He was stiff, his movements jerky.

“Was that fun?” he asked her in a tight voice.

“It was fine.” She struggled to find the rhythm.

“You like Tuck?”

“Tuck’s perfectly nice.”

“Nice?”

“Nice.” The circumstances suddenly struck her as ridiculous, and she fought a grin. “Stop doing that.”

“Doing what?”

“Acting like I betrayed you by dancing with Tuck. You can’t lay claim to every woman you’ve known for two hours.”

“Three hours.”

“I stand corrected.”

He went silent, but his movements gradually smoothed out and his shoulders seemed to relax. As the minutes ticked by, he drew her nearer, once again bringing his cheek to rest against her hair.

“Friday night?” he asked.

She saw no benefit in being coy. “On your deck? With another fine bottle of wine?”

“Absolutely.”

“Then okay. It’s a date.”

His tone was a deep, sexy rumble. “It’s a date.”

She swallowed. Her stomach flip-flopped with trepidation, but she knew she had to see this through.

* * *

“Run that past me one more time,” said Jennifer.

“It’s the best, probably the only way to get back into his house,” said Darci from the third rung of the stepladder, as she tapped a picture hook into the wall. She had no intention of repeating the details of her dance with Shane.

“So, you’re dating Shane Colborn.”

“I’m pretending to date him.”

“But, he won’t know you’re pretending.”

The hook seemed solid, so Darci went backward down the ladder. “That would be the entire point of pretending. You think the orchids on this wall or the sky scape?”

“The orchids. But you’re attracted to him?”

Darci moved to the breakfast bar to retrieve a measuring tape and level. The five connected, abstract orchid paintings needed to be hung with precision.

“He’s easy to be attracted to,” she said.

Jennifer began tearing the brown packing paper off the largest of the orchid paintings. “And you don’t think that’s dangerous?”

“I’m saying I think I can pull it off without anything personal getting in the way.”

He’d likely kiss her. In fact, she was positive he’d kiss her. And that was fine. What was a kiss? She could handle a kiss.

“And if you can’t?” Jennifer asked.

Darci took a measure and positioned the level on the wall.

“If you’ve got a better idea,” she said, “I’m all ears.”

“You’ve checked the entire Colborn records center?”

“I’m still working through the stacks. I haven’t found anything that old in the computer system. But there are a lot of files on paper only. It’s going to take some time.”

“Maybe you should finish with the office first. It seems a lot safer.”

Darci made a mark with her pencil and reeled in the tape measure. “I’m doing it concurrently. I can’t spend the rest of my life at this.”

She needed to find her father’s schematic drawings, restore his reputation as an engineer, get justice for him and quit her job at Colborn.

“I suppose.” Jennifer sounded dubious.

“What exactly are you worried about?”

“That you’ll get caught, of course.”

Darci climbed back up the ladder, hammer and hook in hand. She had to admit, getting caught was a definite risk. She wasn’t an experienced spy or a cat burglar or a con artist. This playacting and clandestine snooping was definitely out of her comfort zone.

“I don’t think it’s a really serious crime.” She hammered as she spoke. “It’s not like I’m taking anything valuable. I’ll even give it all back, once I’ve proved my point.”

Jennifer spoke over the sound of tearing paper. “If you’re right, those drawings could net you millions and millions of dollars.”

Darci countered, “It’s not about the money.”

“Maybe not to you. But it’s definitely going to be about the money to Shane Colborn. All the money he stands to lose. What do you think a man like that would do to protect millions of dollars?”

Darci gave a laugh and went back to work. “You think he’ll lock me in the tower or hire a hit man?”

“Hit men have been hired over a lot less.”

“You’ve been watching too many crime dramas. Quit worrying. Now, tell me you didn’t call Ashton today.”

“I didn’t call Ashton today.” But there was a thread of guilt in Jennifer’s tone.

This time Darci turned more slowly, gazing incredulously at Jennifer, who was balancing a painting against her legs. “You’re lying.”

“I didn’t talk to him. I swear.”

“But you tried,” Darci guessed. “You tried, but you didn’t get through?”

Jennifer glanced guiltily down. “I got his voice mail.”

Darci groaned. “Please tell me you didn’t leave a message.”

“I didn’t leave a message.” Again, there was a distinct thread of guilt in Jennifer’s tone.

“But?”

“I might have breathed for about five seconds. But I made the right choice. I hung up. I didn’t say anything.”

“He’ll see your number.”

“It’s blocked. I blocked it.”

“So that you could call Ashton?”

Jennifer tapped her fingertips along the top edge of the painting. “Maybe.”

“We need to get you into a twelve-step program.”

“Big talk from a woman embarking on a life of crime.”

“My life of crime will have a net positive outcome. You calling Ashton is only going to mess up your life.”

“I wish I could say you were wrong.” Jennifer lifted the painting, then stepped forward to hand it up to Darci. “It’s not that I can’t see the danger. But he’s like chocolate-ribbon cookie dough. You know you’ll regret it in the end, but sometimes a girl just has to go for it.”

“You’re making me hungry.”

Jennifer grinned while Darci turned to position the center painting.

“How’s that?” Darci asked.

Jennifer took a few steps back. “Perfect.”

She retrieved the next largest painting and passed it to Darci.

Darci married the hook to the hanger. Then she stepped down to see how they looked.

“The spacing looks right to me,” said Jennifer.

There was about four inches of cream-colored wall between the two connected oils.

“You’ve given me a craving for ice cream,” said Darci.

“We don’t have any ice cream. But I do have a box of almond-caramel crunch.”

“Bring it on.”

While Jennifer went for the chocolates, Darci moved the ladder and measured for the next picture hook.

“Tell me about your upcoming date,” Jennifer called from the kitchen.

“Dinner and wine on his deck. My plan so far is to get him to the wine cellar, pretend I need the restroom, then snoop my way through the basement.”

“And if he comes after you?”

“I’ll pretend I’m lost.”

“It might work,” Jennifer conceded.

On her return, she picked up the remote control and put on the TV in the living area. A news reporter’s voice filled the background.

“He might get suspicious.” Darci hung picture number three, then stepped back, liking how it looked. “But he’s never going to guess the truth.”

“Maybe he’ll think you’re a reporter writing an expose on him,” said Jennifer.

“You think?” That hadn’t occurred to Darci.

“You wouldn’t be the first.”

“What do you mean?”

“Look,” said Jennifer.

Darci turned.

Jennifer pointed to the television. “Bianca Covington just published a book.”

“Who’s Bianca Covington?”

“Somebody gorgeous and famous, I guess.”

Darci moved for a better view. A young blonde woman sat across the table from Berkley Nash, an infamous, local reporter. The camera zoomed in on a book with a fuchsia cover, titled Shane Colborn—Behind the Mask.

“The perils of being rich,” said Jennifer.

“I wonder if it’s flattering,” said Darci while a headshot of Shane came up on the screen. Her chest contracted at the sight. He was cover-model gorgeous.

Suddenly, she couldn’t combat her rising trepidation. Why had he been so insistent about arranging a date with her when he could have any woman in the city? Sure, she’d been wearing a four-thousand-dollar dress, and her hair and makeup had been stellar. But she was no Bianca Covington.

She had to allow for the possibility that Shane knew who she was and was stringing her along.

“There are some scandalous accusations between these pages,” said Berkley.

Bianca gave a throaty laugh. “I think readers will be shocked to discover the dark side of Shane Colborn.”

Jennifer raised her brows at Darci. “Dark side?”

“I’m sure she’s exaggerating for ratings.”

“You’re going to his mansion.”

“It’ll be fine.”

“Alone.”

“He’s not Count Dracula.” Darci wasn’t fearful at all. Well, except for the worry he might know her real identity.

“But you’re going to cross him.”

“I am.”

“And he’s got a dark side.”

“Well, I have a dark side, too. I’m spying on the man.”

“Ruthless,” Bianca stated with conviction, her darkly outlined eyes wide. “And completely narcissistic. The silver spoon is still lodged in that man’s mouth.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad,” said Darci.

Except for the ruthless part, she supposed.

Maybe she should pick up a copy of Bianca’s book before Friday, just so she’d know what she was up against.

* * *

At a corner table in Daelan’s Bar and Grill, Shane could feel the critical glances of the other patrons flick from the television above the bar to him and then back again.

“It’s about what we expected,” said Justin as the news program moved on from Bianca. “And at least we’re still in the running for the Gobrecht Airlines contract.”

“She’s pretty hot,” said Tuck, taking a drink from the mug of lager in his hand.

Shane had a deluxe burger and fries on a plate in front of him. A minute ago, he’d been starving. But now he’d lost his appetite.

“This is going to go on for a while,” he stated to no one in particular.

“She does seem to enjoy the limelight,” said Justin.

“Was she worth it?” asked Tuck.

“Not even close,” said Shane.

Bianca had been bubbly, energetic and fun. Agreeable to anything Shane suggested, he realized now that she’d been humoring him. She probably wasn’t even a Bulls fan.

“There has to be a way to fight back,” he said.

Over the past few days, he’d concluded that Justin was right. It didn’t much matter what she said about their sex life. But her accusations of corporate misconduct stood to hurt Colborn Aerospace.

“Fuel to the fire,” said Justin.

“Libel? Slander?” asked Shane.

“You have to be ready to prove it.”

Tuck stepped in. “I’d be willing to go undercover. Date her. Sleep with her. Write some juicy lies about her.”

“She knows we’re friends,” said Shane. Not that he’d ever agree. He wanted to stop her, not get revenge.

“Worth a try,” said Tuck.

“You can’t sleep with your friend’s ex,” said Justin.

“I shouldn’t sleep with my friend’s ex,” said Tuck. “But once she betrays him, all bets are off. Shane doesn’t care if I sleep with her. Do you, Shane?”

“The woman can sleep with an entire offensive line for all I care.”

“See?” said Tuck.

“You have no morals,” said Justin.

“Bianca has no morals,” said Shane.

Tuck raised his glass. “I think we can all agree on that.”

The men clicked mugs, and each took a swig of beer.

“So, what happened with Darci?” asked Tuck.

“You stay away from Darci,” Shane warned, deciding to eat some of the fries, after all. No point in starving for the sake of his deceitful, immoral ex.

“Who’s Darci?” asked Justin.

“The anti-Bianca,” said Shane.

“She saves orphans and feeds the hungry?”

“It was all I could do to get her to say yes to a date with me.”