Discretion (Tempt #5)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

“You’re just in time.” Darla grinned, her distinctive Southern twang as prominent as ever. I didn’t miss the twinkle in her eye either.

My former chief of staff might be pushing sixty, but her gray hair was the only indication. She was just as feisty as ever.

“Just in time for what?” I asked, wary.

I’d come over to take her out to dinner. To wine and dine her so she’d remember how much she’d loved working with me. And ultimately, to convince her to return to her job.

“Book Club Bitches. They’ve all been dying to meet you.”

So much for wining and dining. But I wasn’t easily deterred.

“Darla…” I let out an exaggerated sigh. “What did you tell them about me?” I was teasing.

“Enough.” The corner of her mouth was turned up in a mischievous smile. She grabbed my arm and pulled me into her house. “They actually wanted to ask you a few questions.”

Really? “About what?”

“You’ll see,” she said, vague as ever.

Intrigued, I let her guide me out to her back garden, which was lush and overflowing.

It reminded me of Gran’s garden from my childhood.

It made me miss both her and my brother, Graham, who now lived in France.

They had a gift for creating the most magical outdoor spaces.

So much so that sometimes it felt as if stepping into another world.

“How’s it going with Sumner?” Darla asked.

“Great,” I said. “Thanks again for recommending her. She’s brilliant.”

Darla grinned. “Good. I knew you two would hit it off.”

Darla had been right, of course. Sumner was my life coach, and she’d been full of thoughtful advice. She’d helped me gain insight not only into the company but into myself. My motivations. My fears. My goals, especially as I’d transitioned into my new role as CEO.

“And here we are,” Darla said as we approached a group of women. “Ladies, this is Jasper Mackenzie.”

I felt as if they were sizing me up. Several of them were not at all subtle in checking me out, and I bit back a smile.

“Good evening, ladies,” I said to the group.

Darla made the introductions, and I greeted each of them by name. Becky, Beth, and Mary.

“So nice to finally meet LA’s infamous playboy billionaire, Jasper Mackenzie,” Becky said in a cheeky tone as I shook her hand.

Infamous? What had Darla been telling them about me? And why did I get the feeling this was a trap?

“Let’s just get this out of the way since I know everyone wants to ask.” Darla turned to me. “Are you seeing anyone?”

Jeez. Talk about putting me on the spot. “I’m not sure that’s an appropriate question for an employee to ask the boss,” I teased, evading the question.

“Former boss,” she corrected.

“You’re right,” I agreed, pretending to be chastened. But then I said, “Still not appropriate.”

“When has Darla ever been appropriate?” one of the other women—Beth—asked with a laugh.

I chuckled and took a seat next to Becky. “With me? Never.”

Becky patted my thigh. “I have a granddaughter I’d love to set you up with.”

“Granddaughter?” I jerked my head back. “I’m sure she’s way too young for me.”

She gave me a playful swat. “Oh, you are a charmer, aren’t you?”

I chuckled and leaned back in my chair. Darla handed me a glass of what looked like sangria, and I took a sip, eager for some liquid fortification. “Damn. This is smooth.”

“Hibiscus sangria.”

“Delicious.” I savored the flavor, analyzing it. “I’d love the recipe for the café.”

“Good luck with that,” Mary muttered. She leaned over and held a hand up to her mouth. “Secret recipe, so she says.”

I laughed. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt so at ease.

Ever since taking over as CEO four months ago for my family’s luxury hotel business, my life had become one meeting after another—politics and posturing.

But these women were funny and authentic.

They didn’t hold back. They told it exactly how it was.

“You didn’t answer the question.” Becky nudged me.

“A gentleman never tells.”

“I was under the impression that label didn’t apply to you,” Mary said.

Their responses were a chorus of “ooh” and “burn.” I chuckled, enjoying their good-natured ribbing.

“So why did you really lure me here today?” I asked.

“Well, we’ve been reading some billionaire romances…” Beth started.

I arched my brow. Billionaire romances? That was a thing?

“And we wanted to know how accurate they were.”

“Okay.” I was game for just about anything. “Sure.”

“So, in this one book,” Becky started, “the billionaire had a—”

“Sex club,” Beth interrupted. “Do you own a sex club?”

I nearly choked on my sangria. “No. Jesus.” I coughed a few more times.

“But you have a private plane.”

“And a private helicopter,” Darla chimed in.

I furrowed my brow. “What does my family’s private plane have to do with a sex club?”

I could envision the horror on the board members’ faces if I suggested such a thing. The amusement alone might be worth the mention.

“Nothing,” Beth said, interrupting my runaway train of thoughts. “We’re just trying to establish the profile of a real-life billionaire.”

“So…since the fictional ones have sex clubs,” I said, “you’re wondering if that holds true in real life?”

“Maybe,” Mary said. “Or if they frequent them.”

Interesting. Okay. “Why, though? In my experience, women love the idea of dating a rich man. It’s not hard to find a willing companion you don’t have to pay.”

Mary’s eyes widened, and Becky laughed into her hand. Darla slapped me on the shoulder.

“What?” I shrugged, turning to her. “You know it’s true. Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten the many women you had to turn away.”

“Oh, I didn’t forget,” Darla sighed. “I merely tried to block it out.”

It still wasn’t as bad as some of the stuff my cousin Nate had dealt with over the years. Not only was he a billionaire like me, he was also a famous movie star. One time—before he’d met his wife, Emerson—he’d found his daughter’s previous nanny naked in his bed.

Fortunately, I hadn’t had to deal with finding naked employees in my bed. Well, apart from Halle anyway. But that had been consensual. Magical.

What I wouldn’t give to have her in my bed, in my arms, again.

I didn’t care that it was reckless. I missed her.

But things had changed a lot since last summer. Back then, I’d been working in London temporarily. Now, I was the head of the company, and since she was relocating to LA, we were going to be working together for the foreseeable future.

I was going to have to see her every day, work with her every day, and pretend nothing had happened. Pretend she hadn’t turned my world upside down.

“Nor the parade of women you—”

“Okay. Okay.” I held up my hands. “I never claimed to be a saint.”

“Well, that tracks,” Beth said, not pulling any punches.

“Tracks?” I asked.

“Oh, with a lot of the billionaire romances. Many of them are total manwhores.”

“Manwhores.” I chuckled, though it sounded hollow.

While I’d once been happy to be labeled as a playboy, it was a moniker I was finding difficult to shed. It didn’t matter that I hadn’t slept with anyone since Halle. It seemed that my past behavior—even if exaggerated—continued to follow me around.

“What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve ever done for, or on, a date?” Mary asked, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

“Outrageous how?” I asked, arching one eyebrow. They’d already asked about sex clubs. Surely they weren’t…

“Up to you,” she said, and they all leaned in a little.

I considered it a moment. I’d taken dates on private helicopter rides. Invited them to stay in some of the most luxurious hotel suites in the world. And yet, none of that was what I mentioned.

“I prepared a picnic to share at St Dunstan in the East,” I admitted.

“Oh.” Mary turned to Beth. “It’s this beautiful ruin in London. Very romantic.”

I nodded. “That’s right. I paid to rent it out so we could have it all to ourselves.”

“You…what?” Mary gaped at me. “Seriously? I didn’t even think that was possible.”

It wasn’t. Not really.

“That had to be expensive,” Becky chimed in.

“Worth every penny,” I said, and I meant it. Besides, the money had gone to a worthy cause.

“Are you sure about this?” Halle asked nervously. What she meant was, are you sure we should be seen together in public?

The driver had stopped at the curb, waiting for us to make up our minds. I had worked so hard to pull this off, to make it special for Halle. I’d never been more sure of anything in my life. But I didn’t want her to feel pressured to do something she was uncomfortable with.

She was taking a risk with this fling, with me.

If anyone found out…well, she definitely had more to lose.

Keeping it secret was in both our best interests, but that didn’t make it any easier.

Not when I wanted to lavish her with attention.

When I wanted to take her to the most amazing spots in the city—as my date, not as my colleague.

And that wasn’t something I’d wanted in a long time, maybe ever.

But I respected her boundaries. Hell, I knew they were necessary. But that didn’t mean I liked them.

“Trust me,” I said to Halle. It wasn’t a question. It was more of a plea. I wanted her to know that I would take care of her and keep her safe.

She looked to the side, then down, biting back a smile.

“Is that a yes?” I asked.

She hesitated a moment longer, and I thought my heart might lunge out of my chest. Finally, finally, she whispered, “Yes.”

“Good.” I leaned over to give her a quick peck on the cheek. Then I opened the door and stepped out onto the curb, holding out my hand. She placed hers in mine, and then I led her to the entrance to the garden.

She didn’t try to release my hand even now that we were out of the car, and I intended to hold on for as long as she’d let me.

I guided her through the ancient archways, and she gasped as we crossed the threshold into the center of the old church.

Candles lined the stone walkway, surrounding a picnic blanket where a basket awaited us.