Chapter Twenty-Two
Lola
As I travel down the grand staircase of my family home for the first time in several weeks, I gaze at the decorations and the crowd that’s gathered. At the base of the entryway is a large placard with my mother prominently displayed. She’s dressed in a crimson sequined gown while resting against the arm of a Victorian sofa. Her black hair is piled high on her head, with loose tendrils accentuating her face. Sapphire blue eyes watch all those who pass by.
Tearing my eyes away from my likeness, I survey the rest of the room. As usual, my father has outdone himself. Everything is stunning, from the interior of the home to the lantern-lined garden. The scent of garlic and other spices wafts through the air.
At the base of the stairs, my father stands welcoming guests. I’ve avoided him for the last three hours. I’m only now encroaching on his territory because there’s a crowd to serve as a buffer.
My father is trim with dark hair. At his temples is the subtle hint of silver. He has a few wrinkles, but they make him appear distinguished, not old. He catches my reflection in the mirror above the entry door and turns with a smile. “Hello, pumpkin.”
He’s happy to see me. My heart swells. Why did I doubt that? No matter what, I’m still his little girl. I stop on the last step and raise my cheek for a kiss. “Hello, daddy.”
“It’s good to see you. I’m glad you could make it.”
“Me, too. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I am happy to see him. Now, to keep from being a spineless jellyfish. The rest of the guests have moved into the ballroom, leaving us alone.
“I was surprised Eddie could convince you to leave behind the little charade you’re playing.”
Never mind. “It’s not a charade. I have an actual job and my own place.”
He waves his hand dismissively. “Whatever. You know I didn’t raise you to work as some clerical halfway across the country. You must come to your senses and marry Trenton. You don’t understand the kind of people out there who would gladly take advantage of a girl like you.” He shakes his head. “Really? An administrative assistant?” he scoffs. “What do you do? Fetch people’s coffee all day and type up meeting minutes?”
My teeth grind together. Even though I’m not an administrative assistant, he’s managed to insult everyone who holds the job. “Sure, Dad. I fill coffee mugs all day.”
“Well, whatever you do, if you insist on continuing to live in the middle of nowhere, you will move to a nicer neighborhood. I had Eddie put money down on a townhouse on the northern end of town this morning. He researched the place. It’s a gated community with full-time security. A much better place for you to be living. But I’m not reinstating your allowance until you come to your senses and move home.”
Should I move back home? The world is full of people who are out to take advantage of others. Besides, Cade has decided I’m not worthy of dating, so what’s back there for me?
Until I open my mouth, I don’t know what I’m going to say. “I’m not moving. I’m fine where I am. I’m not fourteen years old, so I don’t need an allowance or for you to pay my rent. Besides, I have a bodyguard to keep me safe.” Is Cade even here? He”s not your full-time babysitter, so why did you bring him up? To get my dad off my ass.
“The pumped-up Neanderthal that showed up here looking for you. He said he was your bodyguard. I was hoping that wasn’t a euphemism for boyfriend.”
My heart races. Cade is here, and he’s already met my father. Wonderful. I scan the crowd in search of him. I’d planned to keep them apart–one conversation and Cade is going to run for the hills. Not that we’re dating. Sadness settles over my body, weighing down my limbs. But there’s no use pretending I don’t want to be.
When he told me to lock the door after he left, I was a goner. It’s only a matter of time before I fall for him. “He’s not my boyfriend. He works at Truman Security and offered to act as my bodyguard.”
“Why do you need a bodyguard?” His eyes rake over me, looking for injuries.
“I had a minor break-in a few days ago. It wasn’t a big deal. The back door was pried open, but I wasn’t home, and nothing was taken. And my boss heard about the break-ins back here and was concerned someone might come after me because of you.”
“Lola, that’s even more of a reason for you to move back home.” His jaw tenses. “This is ridiculous. I insist that you at least move to a better neighborhood. And how good can this guy be? Why isn’t he here right now? Some bodyguard. I’ll get you one that’ll be smart enough to do the job.” Sarcasm drips off my father’s tongue.
“He started today.” Unless he’s already headed back to Kansas City.
“Ms. Sutherland. Mr. Sutherland.”
I shudder as the rumble of Cade’s deep baritone makes the skin at the base of my neck vibrate. He enters the foyer from the direction of the kitchen. How much of the conversation did he overhear? I twist and gawk at him as he continues to speak. I bite the inside of my lips to keep them together. Otherwise, my mouth would have dropped open.
“I tried to meet up with you before you came down, but your father thought I should wait with the rest of the staff. I think he’s afraid I’ll run off with the family jewels or something.” He smirks like he’s a cocky bastard, and he has every reason to be.
His custom-fit suit is one-size too small, accentuating every muscle and hard angle of his body. His hair has been cut short and on his neck is a large, prison ink tattoo of an ornate cross. How did he get that on there, and how is it staying on? Will it wash off? My mouth waters. More importantly, would he agree to make it permanent?
As his eyes rake over me, my body tingles in all the right spots, and I forget to breathe. He screams–scorching hot badass.
My fingers itch to trace every inch of his body until I reach what’s hidden under his zipper. Where’s my control? And my self-respect? Apparently, it went out the window when I put on the jade slip of a dress that hugs every curve because there’s no doubt sometime tonight, we’re going to spontaneously combust.
“You look like a criminal. Even though you have an invitation, my daughter didn’t say she was inviting a guest.” He glares at Cade like he’s something nasty stuck to the bottom of his shoe. “Or hiring a bodyguard.”
Cade nods. “Completely understandable, Sir. Your daughter wanted to wear her mother’s jewels for this special occasion.” He points at an image that hangs along with the staircase. The stunning antique ruby and diamond necklace and earring set that I slipped on at the last minute sparkled under the lights of my bedroom. “Our boss wouldn’t hear of her wearing the necklace without proper protection.”
It’s heavy and flamboyant compared to what I usually wear, but Cade’s text when I was getting ready makes complete sense now. These jewels have been targeted before and are the perfect alibi for his presence. Even better than a fake break-in of my house. Who would want my mismatched furniture anyway?
***
Cade
“They’re exquisite.” I touch one of the dangling earrings with the tip of my finger.
Lola’s shudder shoots a current of electricity straight to my dick. She’s stunning, and I want to skip the entire evening and bury myself deep inside her. Fuck the party, the suspects, and her father. Mr. Sutherland has another thing coming if he’s going to get rid of me. “I understand there have been previous attempts on the necklace and earrings she’s wearing.”
“Several years ago, there was.” He nods.
The resemblance between the two women is startling, and the large gem nestled between her breasts is a distraction. I inhale and shift my eyes off her perfect tits and motion behind me with my head. “By the way, while I was waiting, I took the opportunity to check out the security for the back entrance. Everything appears safe.”
The jewels were a nice touch. Riding on the nearly three-hour flight had provided me with enough time to thoroughly research the Sutherland family. Her mother had worn them to one of her father’s fundraisers, and after returning them to the safe, someone had attempted to steal them. The thief was caught, and the jewels were returned to their rightful place.
My research had provided me with a little more information on the good congressman. I’d expected him to be a champion for the wealthy, but he spends a lot of time organizing events such as this one. His interests run the gamut from medical research to childhood poverty. The fact he didn’t toss me out on my ass when I came strolling in here looking like a hired hitman was a surprise.
It’s time to give up the pretense. I don’t want to be with her. I need to be with her. The last few days have been brutal. I can’t live without her, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to make things work out between the two of us.
It’s not just sex. It’s everything. I want a wildcat I can tame–one who fights being brought to her knees but loves every second of it. Because she’s cut the legs out from under me, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Yes, I gave them to her when Eddie was born. It was her favorite set.” He turns his attention to Lola. “They look stunning on you and should get the attention of the donors. But be careful. We don’t want a repeat performance of someone trying to nab them.” He shifts his gaze to mine. “I can’t say I’m glad to meet you, but for now, keep an eye on my daughter and the jewels. Not that there aren’t several eyes watching you as well. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to my guests. We don’t want them to feel neglected.”
He shakes hands with several distinguished gentlemen and kisses the cheeks of their attractive companions as he weaves through the grand ballroom. He stops in front of a balding man and chats for several seconds.
Shit. Is that Senator Harris? He turns in my direction. That’s him. The head of the Senate Armed Forces Committee. Hell, he’s met tons of wounded vets. What’s the likelihood he’d remember me after two years? Keep your distance. “Well, that went well.”
Her eyebrows arch. “You think that went well?”
“Sure. He bought our story and didn’t throw me out, which is kind of shocking considering what I’m wearing. What do you think of my suit?”
“Very nice, but a tad tight.” Her eyes dart to my crotch, and the fit of the suit shrinks some more.
“And the tattoo?”
She smiles slightly. “It’s a nice touch. Kind of a combination of a secret agent and a hired killer.”
“That’s what I was aiming for. Let’s talk privately for a minute before we go and find Maitland. We need to get our story straight.” I place my hand on her back. “I noticed a nice quiet place when I was scouting the building.” A private pantry. My cock twitches. Don’t get excited. We’re only talking.
She nods and leads the way as we dodge waiters and waitresses who’re grabbing bottles of champagne and straining to tote trays of hors d’oeuvres. In the distance, a dish clatters to the floor, followed by the muffled curse of one of the wait staff. No one pays any attention to us as if they’re too concerned with keeping the masses pleased.
Once we make it through the enormous kitchen, I curve to the right and open the storeroom door. It’s almost larger than the apartment my mom and I shared when I was a kid. “In here.”
“We’re talking in a storage closet. Won’t someone think that’s a bit odd?”
I waggle my eyebrows and hustle her inside, snapping the door shut behind us. Who puts a lock on the inside of a pantry? Not that I’m complaining. I twist the device, securing us inside. “No. I told some of the staff when I was killing time earlier that we’re dating, but we don’t want your father to know. I’m sure the staff loves a secret liaison. Especially if they can be in on the secret. I figured that would allow us to be together without trying to keep it from them or having them wonder what we’re doing.”
“So….” She steps closer to me. Her eyes dilate the nearer she gets to me. “Since we don’t have to worry about sneaking around the staff, why are we hiding in a closet?”
“Doing what I’ve wanted to do since I saw you take that first step down the staircase in what should be classified as a slip.” I encircle her inside my arms and pull her tight against my body. Her soft curves fit perfectly against me.
She slips her arms around my shoulders and laces her hands behind my neck. “I thought we decided dating wasn’t a good idea?”
“No.” I shake my head as my heart thuds in my chest. “You were mad. I figured when you saw me again, you’d change your mind. Am I right?” I stop with my lips a fraction of an inch above her tempting mouth, waiting for her to answer. The heat of her breath fans against me as she exhales.
When she doesn’t respond, doubt creeps in. I don’t want to be alone with this uncontrollable obsession I have with her. “If you aren’t interested, I’ll back off for good.”
We have a lot to work out. This isn’t going to be smooth sailing, but I had plenty of time to think while planning this mission and traveling across the country, alone, without her. I need her in my life, so I’ve got to relinquish some of my control. Well, outside of the bedroom, that is. If she’ll still have me.
“You were right.” She stretches onto her tiptoes to meet my lips. I groan and dive my tongue deep into her hot, tempting mouth. She tastes like champagne. As I run my hands along her back and to her bottom, she purrs.
I drag the dress up to her waist, revealing the tiny panties she’s wearing underneath. They’re the same color as her dress. I pull her to me, and her heat sears my erection through the fabric. I ache to be inside her. She wiggles against me as if she can somehow get closer, but it isn’t possible.