Chapter Six
It took a week for Lily to arrange things with her professors and settle on a work schedule. Thankfully, Jake did as he promised and stayed in town, giving her time to catch up on her assignments and get her bearings again.
When she’d last seen him, she’d been so out of sorts, caught in the eye of the storm of grief. She still missed her father terribly, but having taken the time to reflect and center herself, she was confident she wouldn’t react to Jake so easily. She owed him a debt of gratitude for the mountains he’d moved to bury her father’s scandals. Without his interventions, the sheer misery of the situation she’d been left with might have consumed her.
Jake had helped her, and though she knew what he expected in return, she couldn’t give in to his demands. Learning a business she knew little about in less than three months might be impossible, but so was the alternative.
Tolliver-Harris had been her father’s biggest accomplishment, and it would be her salvation. She’d been in the glass-and-steel office building hundreds of times, but never had she been so acutely aware that she had no idea what actually happened there as she was when she reported for her first day. Anxiety niggled at her, but she was a pro at keeping her fears hidden.
Still, she couldn’t help but wish she’d paid more attention when her father talked about the business, or that she’d thought to get a job before. She might have even worked here, which would mean she’d have tangible skills and wouldn’t need to be playing this cat and mouse game with Jake, a lion if ever there was one.
Taking a deep breath scented with the astringent lemon cleaner ever present in the office, she stepped to the reception desk. Before she could eek out so much as a “hello” Jake appeared, taking her by the arm and giving her the world’s fastest tour of the seven floors she might find herself on.
He moved her through everything so quickly, her mind was a whirl with names and titles, many of the faces already familiar. Warm greetings came as no surprise, nor did the thinly veiled pity in the eyes of some employees. Everyone knew the scandalous stories. They probably knew more than she did and had for much longer.
Lily tried not to think about it as Jake settled her in the human resources department. She wanted to demonstrate she wasn’t the simpering bride he thought he wanted, but more than anything, she needed to prove to herself she could take care of her own needs. Allowing Jake to take over where her father had left off might be the path of least resistance, but she’d learned the hard way a road like that could lead you right off a cliff.
The morning in HR went smoothly. She learned how to fill out her own forms, then how they were processed and filed. The clerk apologized for having her organize the files, but Lily loved the rote brainlessness of the activity. She was finishing up the filing backlog when Jake appeared.
Lily tried not to look at him, but she couldn’t help noticing how the women in the department reacted to him. They looked at him almost as if he were royalty. She wondered if they observed the sinuous grace when he moved, how something as simple as walking into a room highlighted the power held under exacting restraint.
“Lily, come with me.” He held out a hand.
She didn’t know whether he meant to keep hold of her, so she let her gaze flick up and away as she joined him. He didn’t say another word until they were in the elevator.
“It’s time for lunch.” He stabbed at the button for the lobby.
“Oh, I hadn’t realized.” She checked her watch, surprised to see how much time had passed. “Since I’m only here three days a week, I shouldn’t take a break. I need to put in as much time as possible.”
“You still need to eat. We’re going to lunch.”
She shook her head. “Funny, I don’t recall you asking.”
Jake turned to face her in the empty elevator, making her take an involuntary step back. She hadn’t realized how big he was, or how small the elevator was, or how close he’d come to stand until he turned his gaze on her. The corners of his sensuous lips twitched into a taunting grin.
“Miss Lilianna Harris, will you do me the honor of allowing me to accompany you to lunch? That’s how they ask in your fairy tales, isn’t it?”
Oh, and he’d been doing so well. “I don’t study fairy tales. I’ve found enough ogres and trolls in real life lately.” She gave him a pointed look. “I study Victorian-era English novelists. Pre-Victorian, really. Jane Austen’s time was a bit before what typically comes under the Victorian umbrella. But, yes, I suppose they’d approve of your attempt at manners and decorum.”
“You really are from another time. Those girls you hang around with at parties can barely string a sentence together, and yet you can probably give a lecture on Pre-Victorian whatever, right now.”
Her instinct was to tell him the women she usually mingled with at events weren’t like that, but she hadn’t heard boo from any of them since whispers of her father’s activities had begun to swirl. Her father had encouraged many of his friends to make investments in projects that were permanently stalled, so it was almost understandable that their daughters would be upset. Almost. The people she had classes with weren’t much better, though with them she expected it had more to do with not knowing what to say, rather than not wanting to be sullied by association.
She’d always kept her life compartmentalized, kept her relationships in the realm they belonged so as not to have any awkwardness. Now, when she could have used a few close friends, she found she had a plethora of acquaintances and no one who cared enough to look below the surface to make sure she was okay.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Lily blinked, not realizing she had been. “Like what?”
“Like an object to be studied. You’re not usually so blatant about admiring me.”
She startled at the idea of admiring him, too caught off-guard to refute it. “I was merely thinking the society set probably can’t form a sentence around you because they’re plotting ways to spend your money. A bank balance like yours must boggle their minds.”
“Too bad you’re not so easily impressed. Imagine if what pleased me pleased you.” A wicked grin lit his face. “Though I am sure in some ways what pleases you will be my pleasure.” The bell rang, and the doors slid open. Jake stepped out first, and Lily followed. She kept her eyes on the marble tiles of the floor, begging her heated cheeks to stop flaming.
She didn’t understand how he could have such issues with his humble beginnings when he had such arrogance about everything else. Especially his obvious prowess with women. She’d witnessed firsthand the way women reacted when they met him. Each time she’d ever been forced to make introductions, she’d later had to confirm a rundown of his assets and availability.
None of that had entered her mind the first time she’d been introduced to him at a dinner party at the house. Her father had called her over to meet a colleague as he often did. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary until she’d found Jake Tolliver’s shrewd gaze trained on her.
She’d managed to keep her voice smooth and calm as they were introduced, but beneath the facade, every fight-or-flight response her body possessed had gone off full tilt. The shadow of unease had darkened as he’d taken her hand and lifted it to his lips. Her heartbeat had accelerated at the teasing glimmer in his dark eyes.
She’d tried to look away but only found herself noticing every detail of his charcoal-gray suit and how it fit his lean, tanned body to precision. Listening to the sensual tone of his voice had her looking at him again. He’d said only that he was glad to meet her, but the way his gaze had boldly raked over her body, coupled with his enigmatic expression, had caused a panic deep within. What had been a shadow of apprehension had crashed against her in a turbulent collection of thunderous clouds.
This was a man not to be overlooked. A man unlike any she’d ever met. She immediately knew trusting him would change her forever. And so she hadn’t.
“Lily? The car?”
She looked up to find they were outside, a few blocks down from the building, where his Mercedes was parked at the curb.
Shaking her head, she put on her best smile and lied. “Just thinking about work.”
“There’s more to life than work.” He pulled open the door for her.
“How would you know?” She slid inside.
Jake laughed as he closed the door, then rounded the car, and climbed in. “I meant you don’t need to be so serious all the time. Always thinking. After all you’ve been through the last month, it’s important you pace yourself.”
“I’m under a deadline, remember? I have to prove to you I understand the firm before New Year’s.” Plus, she had to keep up with her classes, finish her thesis, and then defend it. Deadline was an understatement.
“If it’s too much for you, you can give in and plan a wedding instead of getting paper cuts while shuffling files.” He started the engine and merged onto the street.
“I’ll take my chances with the files. They are much more appealing than being selected as a bride because of my bloodline.”
Something in her response seemed to amuse him. “What makes you think that?”
“You made a business deal on my father’s deathbed that included marriage. Hardly the makings of a romance.”
“Why fall prey to romantic inclination? I want what you have to offer. You need what I can provide. It makes sense.”
His cool, aloof manner irked her. “Not to me. I don’t understand why you think I’ll change my mind.”
“Everyone sees it my way in time.” His smile was smug.
“You’re the most arrogant man I’ve ever known.”
“It takes confidence to convince people to trust you. Honestly, did you ever trust any of those simpering trust-fund brats you dated? The only depth those idiots have ever showed is to a mirror.”
The heavy sarcasm in his voice annoyed her further. “Who I see is none of your concern.”
A muscle clenched along his jaw. “The hell it isn’t. I’m giving you enough rope to tangle yourself up in. We both know coming to work for Tolliver-Harris is merely a stall tactic. I’m indulging it because I think it might help build your confidence.”
“You’re the one tearing me down at every turn.”
“Oh, angel, if I was, you’d still be drying your tears.” He pulled the car alongside the curb and turned to face her. “I want you, Lily, but I don’t want you broken.”
“If I’m so easily broken and overly serious, why do you want me at all? Why not leave me alone and select your bride from a more accommodating catalog?”
“You are the most intriguing woman I’ve ever known. You’re intelligent and generous and completely fascinated by everything I do. You’ve intrigued me from the moment I first saw you. It doesn’t matter if you can’t see how good we’ll be together, because we will be. Besides, nothing I’ve ever enjoyed has come easy.”
The audacity of the man. She offered him a mocking smile. “Not even your fashionista girlfriend?”
He arched a brow. “Dee is certainly nothing like you. Let’s stop bickering like we’re already married. Besides, we’ve reached the restaurant.”
Lily looked out the window, and her stomach sank. She hadn’t been to the VQ since her father fell ill. They’d come here together often, and he’d always see a half dozen people he knew. Her chest tightened at the thought of seeing someone who knew her father, who might still be angry about investments gone wrong.
Jake ushered her inside quickly, and they were immediately led to a table by a waiter whose attentiveness showed he obviously served Jake often. That made her wonder who else he brought here, business associates or his colorful collection of mistresses. As they made their way to the table, Lily felt the weight of the stares on her.
Jake took her hand, keeping her close to him as they walked through the dining room. “Never look down,” he whispered to her. “Face things head-on.”
She didn’t fight his hold on her and held her head high, though she wanted to run. At their table, Jake stood behind her chair as she sat.
“Why are they all looking at me?” she asked.
“Who’s arrogant now? They’re probably wondering about me, not you.”
She didn’t care if he was lying to make her feel more at ease. She’d take it. “Why would they look at you when there are so many pictures in magazines and online.”
“I beat out a few of the people here yesterday. I bought an apparel company.”
“Clothing? You deal in restoration. I understand why you have architecture and construction firms under your umbrella, but clothing?” She spread her napkin in her lap.
“Diversification.” He leaned forward and looked at her intently. “The company has a great product. It’s just poorly managed. I’ll fix that and sell it for a profit within a few months.”
“The way you juggle companies, I wonder why you deal in architecture at all.”
He sat back and sighed. “Because I am a restoration architect. It’s what I love to do. It’s not the only thing I’m good at. A college professor invited me into an investment club that changed my life. Money provides powerful freedom.”
The waiter appeared, but Jake waved off his offer of menus, instead ordering for them both. His selection sounded fabulous, but the audacity of being ordered for sat wrong with her.
“I can read a menu,” she said, taking a sip of her ice water.
“You don’t need to. I know all your favorites.”
“I think you’re overly concerned with what I eat.”
He shook his head. “I care that you take care of yourself. Just like you watch me, I watch you. It’s taught me to notice when you’re neglecting yourself as well as what you like. I know what you move around on your plate and what you will eat. You love shellfish, but not fish, and you rarely bother with poultry in any form. You always finish your salad unless it has olives. You like soups but not chowders, tarts but not cake. I’ve never once seen you spill anything.”
Lily laughed like she hadn’t been able to in months. The absurdity of him studying what she ate was simply too much to hold in. Finally, she wiped her eyes and smiled at him. “Thanks, I needed that.”
“You’re beautiful when you laugh. It makes your eyes sparkle, your whole face glow.”
Her cheeks prickled with heat at the compliment. She dropped her gaze, wishing he hadn’t changed the tone. If things could stay simple between them, she knew she could make him see reason.
“Angel, don’t hide yourself from me.”
She looked up. “Why? Do you plan on punishing me for my insubordinate refusal to marry you?”
“No, because you’ll look back on your behavior as childish.”
“You’re so much older than I am, it is no wonder you think so.” There was less than ten years between them, but considering the differences in how they’d lived their lives, it seemed more like eons.
The waiter arrived with their food, silencing the argument. She didn’t compliment him on his choice of seared prawns with green curry and a Thai-noodle salad for her. She ate it, and he’d have to take that as praise enough.
Conversation over lunch stayed strictly on business. He filled her in on a few of the bigger projects, including one her father had been working on before he became ill. Jake had won a contract to modernize a long-closed hotel. He talked of how he and her father had worked together, brainstorming ideas for the venture. Having someone focus on the good things her father did brought her a comfort she’d been missing. The charities her father supported had all ignored his passing. Generous contributors were usually acknowledged upon their death. She hated how all his good work had been erased by latent indiscretions.
By the time their plates were cleared and the Gianduja-praline truffle tart had been brought to the table with two forks, Lily felt like she knew him. Having someone to talk about her father with brought a comfort she never expected. She didn’t have to bury every memory along with him. Spending time together might be healing for them both, not in the let’s-get-married way, but because she desperately needed a friend. And for better or worse, he was.
She leaned forward, wanting to thank him for today, and the job, and not leaving her to drift the way everyone else had. She wanted him to know. Until she saw the woman stalking toward their table.
Dee Gibson was instantly recognizable with her flowing red hair and perfectly tailored dress, no doubt one of her own designs. Her persona was chronicled in magazines thanks to her stint on a reality tv show. Lily would have to be blind not to know who she was, or what she was to Jake Tolliver.
“Here you are,” Dee exclaimed, sliding a fuchsia talon-manicured hand onto Jake’s shoulder and giving it a squeeze. “I called the office, and they told me where to find you.”
Jake looked up at her, his expression uninviting. “I thought you were busy.”
Lily’s stomach clenched. She didn’t care to witness Jake and his lover having any kind of conversation. This was exactly what she’d been trying to point out to him. Women did not share men, no matter what men found attractive.
“The meeting wrapped quickly,” Dee said. “I thought I’d breeze by since I had to cancel lunch. Not to worry, though. I’ll make it up to you tonight.” She gave his shoulder another squeeze.
Lily let her fork clatter to the plate, the dessert no longer appealing. In fact, she’d be lucky if her lunch didn’t repeat on her. Dee was a far better partner for him than she’d ever be. Dee shot a derisive glare her way that spoke volumes.
“I assumed you’d still be busy tonight. I was about to ask Lily to join me at the fundraiser. She’s well acquainted with the charity set.”
Dee looked Lily over from top to bottom and then turned back to Jake, clearly unthreatened. “Don’t be silly. You know I’d rather be with you than negotiating. After all, that’s what I have lawyers for. Isn’t that what you’re always telling me?”
“If you insist.” He motioned for the waiter to bring another chair and then ordered coffee for Dee and himself. “Lily, would you like some milk?”
“I’m fine.” She bit back the urge to ask why he didn’t already know since he insisted he knew her so well. She needed to stay calm and let Dee stake her claim on Jake. If Dee demanded his loyalty, it would be that much harder for him to push the ridiculous marriage issue.
“Milk?” Dee laughed as she settled into her seat. “How old are you, honey?”
“Plenty of people opt for milk with dessert.” He shook his head and looked from one woman to the other. “I don’t believe the two of you have met.” He introduced them and then leaned back in his chair, watching as if he expected a show.
“Oh, now I understand.” Dee flipped her sheet of red hair over her shoulder and turned her intent gaze on Lily, a bitter and dangerous glint in her eyes. “Such a shame about your father. I hope you’re getting over the shock of everything. The media has been ruthless.”
“I wouldn’t know.” Lily smiled though she wanted to toss her water glass at the redhead. Dee might be the fastest way to make Jake see reason about his marriage delusions, but starting in on her father meant Dee was a bitch of the first order. He deserved so much better. “Jake has made sure I haven’t had to deal with any of it. Besides, there’s nothing more for them to dig up. The whole thing has blown over rather quickly.”
“I’m sure he quieted things the best he could, but the sordid mess is sure to keep coming back. Like a bad penny, I think they say.”
Jake cleared his throat. “Maybe I should quiet you. Lily’s father just died. There’s no need to drag up rumors and conjecture.”
“Of course. I’m sorry, honey. Isn’t it wonderful your father had such a caring business partner willing to look after you?” She rubbed Jake’s arm.
Staying calm grew harder. Lily didn’t know if this woman was trying to provoke her or simply had the social graces of a cow. Perhaps Dee knew of Jake’s plan. Maybe they’d even discussed how things would work. Either way, disrespecting her father and belittling her wasn’t the way for Dee to make nice. Lily reminded herself that they both wanted the same thing, for Dee to be the one with Jake so Lily could remain free. As much as she wanted to gush about Jake’s proposal and watch the woman squirm, it would accomplish nothing. Except maybe a smug sense of satisfaction.
“Jake has been very kind to me,” Lily began. “He’s allowed me to stay at his house, given me a job, and even makes sure I’m eating properly. Really, I couldn’t ask for more.”
“Of course not. Jake always takes care of his responsibilities.”
The venom in the woman’s voice nearly poisoned Lily’s good intentions. Luckily, self-preservation ran deeper. “I’ll try to pay him back the best I know how, looking after the house and working hard at the firm. You know, you should come to the house for dinner. Your designer’s eye could really help Jake put his own stamp on the place.”
Dee’s eyes widened in shock. Lily hoped Dee would recover quickly from the knowledge that her lover had another woman living with him. The house was gorgeous, just the bait she needed to get the other woman to start working Jake on her end.
“That’s a lovely idea, Lily.” Jake had a smirk on his face. “I think you should come out on Saturday night, Dee, since I’ll be spending the weekend at the house.” He winked at Lily from the side of his face hidden from Dee.
He liked it, liked watching two women clash over him. Lily began to worry she’d overestimated his fondness for Dee Gibson. Maybe he saw her as a passing fancy and expected his bride to spar with each new plaything he collected. Lily suppressed a shudder at the thought.
When the coffee was served, Dee monopolized the conversation with talk of fabrics and Jake’s latest acquisition. Boredom drove Lily to the tart. The chocolate and coconut cookie crust was much more interesting than the couple she sat with, and the truffle filling had infinitely more depth.
By the time Dee made her exit, Lily was more than ready to get as far away from Jake as humanly possible.
“You promised to stay in town,” she said through clenched teeth. “If you’ll be at the house this weekend, I’ll find somewhere else to be.”
“Oh no. You just invited a guest. Would you rather I leave you to deal with Dee on your own, angel? I don’t think so. You’re not playing a smart game with her. She has nothing to do with what happens between you and me.”
“In your dreams. She saw right through your plan as well. For a man who knows so much about the world, you know nothing about women if you think she’ll put up with your marriage plans.”
Jake shrugged. “Then she’s free to find another way to get into parties.”
“And you’ll replace her with another model?” Lily huffed. “Sometimes you do go for models, don’t you?”
“Jealousy does not become you.”
“I’d have to care to be jealous. And I don’t. I’ll get out of your way and let the two of you have a romantic weekend at the house.”
“Not happening. You invited her. I’ll help you deal with her, but I won’t clean up the mess on my own.”
Lily sank back in her chair, hating that in order for her plan to work, she’d have to be privy to a Jake-and-Dee love fest. “I think I’m growing to hate you.”
Jake tossed his napkin on his plate and rose. “It’s a thin line between love and hate.”