Hero(21)
Author: Samantha Young

“Mr. Lexington is here to see you.”

“Send him in.”

I gestured to the door. “His Majesty awaits.”

He nodded. “Thank you, beautiful.”

The heavy door shut behind him and yet I heard Henry ask, “Someone in a mood?”

The speakerphone. Caine had left it on. I opened my mouth to tell him when he returned with “I don’t remember the last time I was in a good mood. Oh, right … the pre-Alexa days.”

My mouth shut, my skin hot and prickling with hurt, embarrassment, and annoyance. It was one thing for him to be grouchy and insulting to my face, but to talk about me with other people. Not nice.

“Oh, well, you must be an idiot, then,” Henry responded cheerily. “I find her delightful. In fact, I find Alexa so delightful I’m asking her to the Andersons’ Anniversary Ball on Saturday.”

I clamped a hand over my mouth to smother my gasp.

Caine had had me arrange appointments so he could get a new tux for the Andersons’ ball. Richard Anderson was a well-known media magnate. He and his wife, Cerise, were leaders of Boston society. Cerise was on every board of directors for charities and the arts in the city. It was their fortieth wedding anniversary on Saturday and they were throwing a party fit for royalty. Everyone who was anyone in Boston had been invited.

Henry wanted to take me as his date?

“Don’t even think about it,” Caine bit out.

“Is it because she’s a PA? Do you think she’s beneath us? Because I have to say, considering your humble background, that’s pretty shitty of you.”

It was pretty shitty of him.

You tell him, Henry!

“It’s not that.” Caine’s voice sounded tight, strained. “It’s because you can’t keep your dick in your pants. I won’t have you and that wandering dick anywhere near Lexie.”

I sank back in my chair.

Lexie?

Lexie?

What the hell?

I heard Henry harrumph. “You sound jealous …”

Was he jealous? My belly flipped at that thought.

“I’m not jealous.” Caine sounded like he was sneering at the thought. “Despite her smart mouth she’s the best PA I’ve ever had. I won’t have her chased off because you like her legs.”

Best PA?

Best PA?

“Not just her legs. I’m quite taken with the whole package. She’s gorgeous, she’s funny, she’s smart. I won’t be bored out of my mind all night. Anyway, you’re taking Marina Lansbury. I’m not going as some juvenile third wheel.”

Marina Lansbury?

My belly flipped again, this time the sensation unpleasant.

“Henry, you’re a Lexington. You can ask any woman in Boston to be your date and she’ll say yes. You’re not asking Lexie on an evening out with us. It’s crossing the line.”

Like, say … thinking of me as “Lexie” behind my back? What was that all about?

“Oh, get the stick out of your ass, Caine.”

I was really starting to like Henry more and more.

“Shit, Henry, surely you can do better than Lexie.”

That burned.

I blinked back the sting of tears and clicked the speaker off. That was what I got for eavesdropping.

The burn in my chest wouldn’t dissipate and I had to really struggle to hold back the urge to cry. I couldn’t believe how much it hurt.

I was such an idiot. Caine was never going to see me as anything more than Alistair Holland’s daughter.

The door to the office opened and Henry and Caine stepped out. I avoided Caine’s eyes but gave Henry what I hoped wasn’t a wobbly smile.

Henry took my smile as an invitation and perched himself on the corner of my desk again. I shot a look at Caine, who stood behind him, waiting impatiently.

More than impatiently.

If he could have flayed Henry’s back with his eyes, he would have.

“Alexa.” Henry drew my attention back to him. “I’m sure you’ve heard about the Andersons’ Anniversary Ball on Saturday. I know it’s a little late notice, but I’d be honored if you’d say yes to being my date to the party.”

I didn’t even have to think about it. I gave him one of my own flirty little smiles that made his eyes dance. “Yes. I would love to.”

Caine walked away and Henry glanced over his shoulder to watch his friend’s departure.

“Everything okay?” I said innocently.

Henry gave me a reassuring smile. “Everything’s wonderful. If you give me your address I’ll pick up you up at eight.”

I took the fact that Caine gave me a nod of acknowledgment when he returned from lunch as a good thing, so later that afternoon I dared to be bold. We were returning from a business meeting with the CEO of a flailing investment company.

We were quiet in the car as it took us back to the office.

As always, the tension between us was thick.

I sought to break it … or make it worse. It was a toss-up. “I was hoping I could take a late lunch tomorrow so I can buy a dress for the Andersons’ ball on Saturday.”

I watched as Caine stiffened and then he stared at me with an infuriating imperiousness. “A late lunch? For a dress?”

“It’s about time I spent some of that money I’m making running around after you.” I smiled sweetly.

His eyes raked down my body and they took their time drinking me in on the climb back up.

I flushed, squirming. “Well?”

He looked away, returning his gaze outside the window at the city passing us by. “Move the meeting with Peter from Risk Management tomorrow and I’ll accompany you.”

What? No. He was joking, right? “Are you kidding?”

“No.” He drew the word out with impatience. “You’ll still be representing me and my company on Saturday. I have to make sure you don’t dress … inappropriately.”

My blood started to heat. “Inappropriately?” I said through clenched teeth.

“I don’t have to look in your wardrobe to know it’s filled with shorts and tank tops that show too much cleavage.”

Ugh! “Let’s not forget the fancy-ass work clothes you make me squeeze into on a daily basis,” I snapped, forgetting I was talking to my boss.

He glared at me. “They’re the only appropriate things in your wardrobe. You’ve made my point for me. I’m taking you dress shopping.”

Like hell! “No offense, sir, but I am not going dress shopping with you. It’s supposed to be fun, and I’m sure you understand that having my boss there detracts from the fun.”