by Kathryn Shay
“So do I.”
“Well, hallelujah!” She snipped quietly for a minute, then asked, “It’s your dad who’s keeping you hushed up, isn’t it?”
Alexis nodded.
“You’re a big girl, Lexy.”
“You don’t understand.”
“What’s there to understand?”
Suddenly, Alexis yearned for a confidante—a girlfriend to share the joy of a new relationship, as well as the difficulty. So, in precise, measured words, she told her cousin and friend about Jamie’s father and about the complications at work inherent in her relationship with Spence. As Portia finished the haircut, and proceeded to add peroxide paste to strands of hair, Alexis confessed the entire sordid affair with Greg. It took Portia a full minute to respond. She flushed and tightened her lips. “The bastard.”
“Greg?”
“Him, too. I meant your father.”
“My father?”
“Yeah. What gives him the right to judge you?”
Alexis cocked her head and frowned. “Because it was a work thing. There was talk that Greg had used me to get ahead in the company.” She felt the clutch in her heart. “Spence might be using me, too.”
“You didn’t accuse Spence, did you?”
Alexis scowled.
“Oh God, I can’t believe Keag would tolerate that.”
“I didn’t really accuse him. It entered my mind, is all. I’m just insecure, and he knows I didn’t mean it.”
Portia simply stared at her.
“What?”
“Lex, I’ve known Keag for years. He’s got a lot of pride. He’ll only take so much of your secrecy and suspicion.”
“I need four more weeks. By then I’ll have made my decision about funding Guardian.”
“A lot can happen in four weeks.”
A foreboding worthy of a Greek tragedy coursed through Alexis. She shuddered, remembering the night she had gone to the hospital alone, when she’d realized how empty her life was. Damn, she could control this situation. She would. “Spence and I are going to be fine. I won’t blow it, Porsche.”
Portia gave her an encouraging smile and stood. “Whatever you say.” She moved toward Alexis’s hair. “Now, let’s see if this little hairdo is gonna knock Keag’s socks off.”
o0o
WHEN ALEXIS STEPPED onto the deck that night, Spence felt as if he were nose-diving in an aircraft. It wasn’t that she’d gained almost fifteen pounds—in all the right places. He couldn’t even see most of those places in the blue, tan and red print sundress she wore. It had big straps that bared her golden shoulders and was cinched at the waist. He’d be able to see she’d gained a few inches there, even if that supple flesh hadn’t pulsed beneath his bare hands recently.
It was her hair. As she sauntered toward him, the five o’clock sun beamed down on her head. Carrying a tray of hors d’oeuvres, she smiled. “Hi. I was wondering when you’d get here.”
He continued to stare, like a person gawking at a movie star on the street. Finally he murmured, “You’re just lucky all these people are here already.” He nodded across the deck at Jeff and Jamie, huddled in conversation, and Portia, Clare and Austin, socializing at an umbrella table. Max stood by the front railing, peering out over the water.
Alexis gave him an owl-eyed look. “Oh, really? Why?” she challenged.
His gaze shifted from her eyes to her crown. “What’d you do to it?”
The mirth fled from her face. She reached up and tugged self-consciously on the just-a-bit-shorter strands that curled around her face and accented her eyes. But she didn’t reply.
Between gritted teeth, he got out, “It makes me wanna rip your clothes off, lady.”
Color returned to her cheeks in a quick flush. “Yeah? Porsche says I look a little like Jenna.”
“You look better than Jenna,” he growled.
“Why Mr. Keagan, you’ve made my day.”
“Quit flirtin’ with me, Lexy. I mean it.”
She giggled, attracting the curious stares of Jamie and Jeff; from the corner of his eye, Spence noticed that Austin’s head swiveled, too. A father’s protective antenna going up, if the worry on his face was any indication.
Grabbing a cheese and cracker from her tray, Spence took a bite and deliberately shifted his gaze to the lake.
Alexis understood the gesture and murmured, “I guess I’ll leave, then.” She strolled away, giving him a clear view of her completely bare back.
He hid a delighted smile, but enjoyed the view all the same. When he could no longer see her, Spence made his way over to Jeff and Jamie. “Happy birthday, kiddo.” He ruffled her hair. “Hey, you and your mother both visited ShyLocks.”
Jamie shot Jeff a knowing look and said, “Yeah. You like it?”
“Absolutely. You look great.” Tilting up her chin, he cocked his head and studied her delicate features. With her natural hair color, her skin seemed lighter and her brown eyes bigger and darker. “’Cept for your eyes, you look more like your mom.”
Jamie glowed in response. Embarrassed, she fingered her eyebrow. “I kinda miss the ring, though.”
Jeff rolled his eyes heavenward at Spence over the young girl’s head. “I—” His words were drowned out by the sound of a motor splitting the air. Jeff pivoted, his eyes darting anxiously toward the water. The rest of the guests followed suit, watching as the little Starfish came closer.
Spence knew what was coming and braced himself. Of course, he’d helped engineer the surprise, though it wasn’t easy breaking years of habit. But Alexis had asked for his help. She’d been sprawled naked on top of him after lovemaking that had nearly done him in. He’d been drained, with his eyes closed, seconds away from sleep…
“I need to talk to you.”
“I never liked discussions that started with that phrase.” Lazily, he rubbed his hand over her bare ass.
“Jamie’s birthday is Saturday. This is kind of late, because I wasn’t sure I wanted to do it, but I’ve decided to buy her a boat.”
He’d chuckled at that. “She’ll think she’s died and gone to heaven.”
“I, um...”
He opened one eye. Her face was taut, and she was biting her bottom lip. “That is...she liked the Starfish and I was thinking...”
It was in that moment that Spence began to really fear for his heart. He knew what she was asking, and realized he might never be able to deny Alexis Castle anything. For chrissakes, he even needed to rescue her from this awkward moment. “Jamie should have a KeagCraft—they’re the best.”
“Do you mean that?”
“Uh-huh.”
She’d kissed his chest. “I’ll call Jeff tomorrow.”
As it turned out, Spence had accompanied her to the marina, and asked the Keagans to pull some strings to have the boat ready for today. Judd had been delighted by the request and promised to deliver the boat himself the night of the party. Moved by his generosity, Spence had told Alexis, afterward, she could invite his father to Jamie’s birthday celebration if she wanted to. Then her face had shone with soft approval and once again Spence had feared he was in too deep.
“Who do ya think it is?” Jamie asked, as the boat docked. “Somebody else invited?”
“It looks that way.” Alexis had crept up behind them.
“It’s your grandpa,” Jamie told Jeff. “In that awesome little boat again.” She yelled to Max, “Maxine, that’s the boat I told ya about. Wanna go check it out?”
Max nodded and the girls hurtled down the steps to the dock. Excited, they didn’t notice everybody following—even Clare, whom Austin assisted down the sloped concrete walkway.
The guests were gathered on the dock, right behind Jamie when she greeted Judd. “Hey, James Bond. I love your newest toy.”
He grinned at her. “Hi, Jamie.”
Offering a hand, Jeff helped Judd out of the boat. That small gesture had Spence’s eyes narrowing. No longer could his father leap out onto the dock like the robust
forty-year-old man that Spence still believed him to be. Judd Keagan had aged. He clapped his grandson on the back and scanned the crowd. His gaze zeroed in on Spence; he nodded in greeting. Then his eyes found Alexis, who also nodded—to indicate Jamie. Austin faced the kid and silently held out the keys.
She frowned down at them. “What’s this?”
“My understanding is that these belong to you, young lady.”
Jamie gave him that indulgent smile that teenagers often bestow on adults who’ve said or done something incredibly stupid. “Nah, I don’t have a—” Her mouth dropped open when she realized the significance of his gesture.
And for the first time since Spence had known her, Jamie Castle was speechless. She froze for a minute, then turned, searching for Alexis. “Mommy?” she asked, softly. Her eyes filled with tears.
Alexis threaded through Max and Jeff to get to her daughter. Jamie grabbed onto her and, literally, cried in her arms.
For a few seconds. Then she drew back, wiping her eyes. “This is so awesome, Mom. I can’t believe it.”
“You can take it for a spin, if you want.” Alexis’s voice was a little hoarse. “Jeff’ll go with you.”
Dragging Jeff along, Jamie jumped in the boat before anybody else could speak. In minutes, the two sped away.
Portia, Clare and Max turned to head for the house. Austin Castle remained on the dock and studied Spence, as if seeing him for the first time, then he looked at Judd. Until now, Spence had only spoken to Alexis’s father as a neighbor of Clare’s. He didn’t think Austin even knew he worked at Guardian. Surprisingly, Judd walked up to Austin and held out his hand. “Castle, nice to see you again.”
Austin shook his hand. “You, too, Keagan.”
“How’s the golf game? I saw you hit that long drive on the ninth last weekend.”
“Yeah, she was a beauty. Will you be at the next company presidents’ meeting in the fall?”
“Yes.”
Austin surveyed the crowd again. “I’m somewhat surprised to see you here.”
Smooth as hot molasses, Alexis sidled in between the two men. “He’s Jeff’s grandfather, and Spence’s dad, so I asked him to stay for dinner. We bought the boat from KeagCrafts early in the week and Judd was nice enough to deliver it personally for Jamie’s birthday.” She smiled her corporate smile at Judd, then at her father. “I guess the CEO has some clout, wouldn’t you say, Dad?”
“Apparently.” Her father’s face was neutral, but Spence detected a shark-like awareness in his eyes. “Let’s go on up, then. Judd can help me barbecue the chicken.” He gave her a measured look. “We have a lot in common.”
The four of them set off again but when Spence lagged behind Alexis, she waited for him and called, “Spence, you coming?”
He nodded. He couldn’t put his finger on why he was bothered by what had just transpired, so he caught up with her and followed Austin and Judd to the cottage.
It wasn’t until later—when he came upon Alexis and Austin in the kitchen preparing the chicken for the barbecue that he realized what had stuck in his craw on the dock.
“Wait a minute, Alexis,” Austin said as she headed for the door. “I want to ask you something.” From his vantage point in the hallway, Spence saw Austin put down the plate of chicken and lean against the counter. In the harsh fluorescent lighting, the older man’s color was pale and he appeared much older than his sixty-two years. But he was every inch the CEO, dressed in designer shorts and a matching golf shirt. Just like Judd and Jeff. And so unlike Spence with his plain, cotton, white shorts and dark blue T-shirt.
“What is it, Dad?”
“I find it odd the Keagans are here.” He speared her with the look of a Spanish Inquisitor. “This is a family birthday.”
Alexis held her father’s gaze. “Jamie made the guest list. She’s gotten close to the Keagans.”
“Spence lives next door to Clare, doesn’t he?”
“Yes, you knew that.”
“What I didn’t know is that he worked for Guardian Flight Base. Judd told me.”
Alexis was as cool as a cucumber. “Oh, didn’t you know?”
“No.”
She shrugged, not a nerve showing. “Small world, right?”
“It appears that way.”
She smiled so genuinely that Spence himself would have suspected nothing. His stomach knotted. “Let’s get this chicken on, shall we? It’s parboiled but it’ll take a half hour.”
Austin held back. “Alexis?”
She turned at the door. “Yes?”
“Is there anything you want to tell me about you and Keagan? I get the impression you’re holding something back.”
“No, of course not,” she said brightly. Was it only Spence who noted the faint blush on her cheeks?
“You haven’t forgotten what happened with Greg, have you? It’s disastrous to get personally involved with someone who is even remotely associated with the company.”
“No, Dad, I haven’t forgotten. Now come on, let’s go get this meat cooked. You know how Jamie likes to eat.”
The screen door slammed, letting Spence know that he could come out of the hall. Instead, he slouched against the wall and closed his eyes. He almost didn’t recognize the hard ball in the pit of his stomach because he hadn’t allowed himself to feel it for so long.
But he guessed you never forgot what betrayal felt like.
o0o
ALEXIS GAZED FROM her bedroom window at one o’clock in the morning. There was a sprinkling of stars tonight, and a sliver of moon that resembled a sideways smile. By the light of an outdoor halogen lamp, she watched Spence march down from his deck to the dock, cross to the end, and execute a shallow dive into the water. The beginning of August was excruciatingly hot this year, and Spence probably couldn’t sleep, either. The air was absolutely still, and heavy.
Alexis eased away from the window and, without turning on a light, fumbled in her drawer. She located the neon-red and pink two-piece that Jamie had picked out and slipped into it. She giggled quietly. The suit was way too small now that she had put on weight— she was virtually falling out of it.
Maybe that will help Spence sleep. Afterward.
Grabbing a beach towel, she left the bedroom and was out the door and on his dock, just as he hiked himself up from the water and plunked down facing the lake. Softly, she called out to him.
He glanced over his shoulder. “Hi,” he said, and just stared back out at the lake again.
Coming up behind him, she knelt down and placed her hands on his slippery shoulders. “Couldn’t sleep?”
He shook his head.
“Hot?”
“That was one reason.”
She lay her head on his back; her warm cheek connected with cool wet flesh. “Did it upset you to see your father?”
Night sounds echoed around them—the soft knocking of his boat against the dock, the quiet rustle of the water. He waited a long moment before answering, as if he were deciding whether or not to tell her. She knew Spence had difficulty sharing his feelings, so she gave him space. Finally he said, “No, it was seein’ your father that upset me.”
Against her will, Alexis stiffened. The night had gone well, even with Austin’s interrogation about the Keagans. “I thought Dad looked pale,” she said neutrally. “A little...older, I guess.”
“I couldn’t say.” In a surprisingly fast move, Spence grasped her hand and pulled her down to sit next to him. He watched her—studied her almost—the rugged planes of his face half hidden in shadow. “I overheard your conversation with him in the kitchen.”
Her heartbeat escalated. Sweat beaded between her breasts. “You did?”
He nodded.
Drawing in a heavy breath, she averted her gaze to the lake. She was angry he’d eavesdropped. Or was she upset with herself? “I didn’t lie to him, Spence.”
“Technically, you didn’t.” His voice was raw. “But you also didn’t deny that I could be after the grant money.
”
“He didn’t accuse you of anything.”
“Indirectly he did.”
“No, he didn’t. And what exactly should I have said to him?” He hesitated so long, she asked, “Spence?”
Sighing heavily, he looked up at the stars, as if for guidance. “I can’t believe I’m gonna say this. I’ve never...I don’t talk about...oh, hell!” He grabbed her wrist roughly. “I wanted you to tell him you care about me. That we’re involved. And that you were sure I had no ulterior motives.”
Alexis wasn’t surprised, but she felt a little bit cheated. “You said we’d keep quiet about us for a few more weeks. You said that was okay with you. I just got the audit, and I’ll be starting the comparison analysis next week. It’s almost over, Spence.”
Up close now, she could see his eyes. They were sad, and held a rainbow of disappointment. “I know all that.”
“You asked me not to lie. I didn’t.”
“I know that, too.” He dropped her hand and slid into the water. “Look, forget I said anything. I’m going for a swim.” He dove underwater, surfaced and headed out to the float, about a hundred yards into the lake.
You deliberately ignored his feelings, Lexy told her harshly. You know damn well he plays things close to the chest. To even tell you how he felt was a big step. A pause. You blew it, Alexis.
With a lump in her throat, she watched Spence swim to the float. He circled to the other side, where she knew there was a smaller platform, about two feet below the top deck and only four feet wide. He was completely obscured from her view. Alexis stared after him a few moments, then slid into the water and swam to the platform.
He was slouched on the small deck, legs dangling in the water. When she swam up to him and grabbed onto the ladder, he said, “I don’t want to talk about this anymore, Alexis.”
Alexis. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”
He didn’t respond.
“You feel betrayed, don’t you?”
“I said I didn’t want to discuss it.”
She let go of the ladder and edged over to him. Suddenly, she dove underwater and surfaced right between his legs. He was forced to look down at her. Holding onto his hips, she whispered, “I care about you, Spence. You have to know that.”
