Web of Lies: A Brook Brothers Novel

by Delaney, Tracie

  He held open the car door for her and then walked around to the driver’s side. Dex used the few spare seconds to calm her racing heart. Why was she panicking? She’d spent a night in his bed, and he’d seen, not to mention touched, kissed, and licked every part of her body, and yet the idea of sharing a meal with him had her tied up in knots—and not in a good way.

  “Where are we going?” Goddamn, her voice sounded breathless.

  “To the emergency room if you don’t slow your heart rate, Titch,” he said with a brazen grin.

  “Cocky bastard,” she muttered.

  His grin widened. “Yeah, so you’ve said, once or twice.” He gripped her chin and turned her to face him, planting a hard kiss on her mouth. “I missed you today, Titch.”

  Despite the stress of visiting her mom and the looming difficult decisions ahead, her heart soared.

  “You can say you missed me, too,” he continued. “I know you did.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “There’s cocky, and then there’s over-confident.”

  “Yeah, and you find both versions irresistible.”

  A smile tugged at her lips, but at the same time, she shook her head. “You are incorrigible.”

  He fired up the engine. “Wow, that’s a big word, Titch, especially for someone of your size.”

  She scowled at him. “Isn’t that joke getting old yet?”

  He picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles. “Not even close.”

  Staying annoyed at Nate was like swimming against a riptide—impossible. And he knew it, too, because those dimples stayed in place the entire drive to the restaurant. But when Nate parked in front of a smartly dressed valet outside one of the best restaurants in town, Dex inwardly groaned. This wasn’t a jeans and top kind of establishment—at least for the women—but more a cocktail dress purchased from some exclusive place on Rodeo Drive.

  She bit the soft skin inside her mouth and turned her eyes on Nate. “Can we go somewhere else?”

  He frowned. “Don’t you like Italian food?”

  “Oh, it’s not that.” She fiddled with the hem of her top, putting a crease in the material. Terrific. Now she’d look even scruffier.

  “Then what?”

  She offered him an embarrassed smile. “If I’d known you were planning on bringing me here, I’d have put on a dress or something. I mean, I don’t have any that are very smart, but smarter than jeans and a—”

  He cut her off, not by interrupting, but by kissing her. And not simply a peck either. No, a full-on heavy-duty kiss that had her stomach vaulting with lust and her toes scrunching inside her shoes.

  “You’re fucking adorable,” he said drawing back, his eyes boring into hers. “And if I have a single complaint about the way you’re dressed, it’s that you’re wearing far too many clothes for my liking.” He shrugged. “As for this place, if they have a problem with you, then I’ll have a problem with them.”

  He climbed out of the car. Her eyebrows shot upward. Nate Brook was a full-of-surprises kind of guy, and the more she saw of him, the more she liked him. He opened her door, helped her out, and tossed his keys to the waiting valet. He didn’t even wait for a ticket, like normal people. She guessed they knew who he was so there wasn’t the same need as for a stranger.

  “Mr. Brook.” The maître d’ smiled broadly and held out his hand. Nate released her so he could shake it. “How wonderful to see you again.”

  “Hey, Charlie. How’s things?”

  Charlie tapped on a keyboard and then picked up two menus. “I can’t complain. Follow me, please.”

  He led them into the restaurant. Dex tried to keep her head facing forward, but she still caught the odd stare cast their way. They’re staring at him, not you. At least she hoped that was the case. Nate cut a much more dashing figure than her, so it made logical sense that he’d draw the eye. He drew her eye. All the damn time.

  “Is this table satisfactory, Mr. Brook?”

  Nate glanced around and then pointed at a booth a few feet away. “We’ll take that one.”

  Charlie followed his gaze while Dex shrank in on herself, horrified. She rarely went to restaurants, but she never, ever questioned the table she was given, yet Nate had dismissed the one they’d been offered out of hand. Charlie, though, seemed unperturbed. He simply nodded then briskly changed course. Nate let her sit down first, and instead of sitting opposite, he slid along the bench next to her.

  “Thanks, Charlie,” he said, taking the menus. “Do you want some champagne, Titch?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t like champagne. Tastes like vinegar.”

  Nate laughed while Charlie’s eyes widened in shock at her blunt response. Well, too bad. She wasn’t putting on airs and graces for anyone.

  “Wine instead?” Nate asked.

  She nodded.

  “Some still water and a bottle of Montrachet it is then, Charlie.”

  While Nate buried his head in the menu, Dex took the opportunity to look around. This is what Dad would have called a fancy-pants place, all marble and granite and expensive lighting. If only he could see her now. And wait until she told Elva. Her sister would probably turn green with envy.

  But when she checked out the menu for herself, an uncomfortable feeling stole over her. The price of a single steak would almost pay for a day of her mother’s care. It was obscenely over-the-top, especially as steak cost less than five bucks a pound at the store where she worked. Her stomach growled at the smells coming from the kitchen and nearby tables, but she couldn’t, in all good conscience, stuff her face with overpriced food in a pretentious restaurant that only existed because the rich and famous wanted to feel special. And then she turned the menu over—and her stomach flipped in a really nasty way. How much? For a bottle of wine? Oh no, no, no.

  “What’ll you have?” Nate said, oblivious to her dismay. “The filet is good, obviously, but the sea bass isn’t bad either if you prefer fish.” When she didn’t say a word, he frowned. “I haven’t tried the vegetarian menu, but I’m sure it’s perfectly edible. And there’s always pasta.”

  “I want to go, please,” Dex said, her voice small and quiet.

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Nate said. “We only just got here.”

  How did she begin to explain her feelings to him without spilling the entire details of her sorry-ass life? However attracted Nate was to her, he’d run a mile if she allowed him a peek of her reality. She couldn’t stay here, eating this disgustingly overpriced food and drink, and pretend it was okay. It wasn’t okay. Not by a long shot. Play it cool, Dex.

  “The prices are ridiculous,” she said. “Why don’t I cook us a meal back at mine?”

  Nate scratched his cheek, confusion marring his features. “Stop worrying. It’s on me.”

  “It’s not about who’s paying,” she whispered under her breath. “But that bottle of wine would pay a family’s food bill for a month. A single bottle of wine. I’m sorry, Nate, but I can’t do it.”

  “Jesus.” He grimaced. “Chill the fuck out, Titch. I never pegged you for one of those principled types.”

  Irritation prickled her skin. “Why do you say principled as though it’s a curse word? I appreciate the value of money, Nate, because, unlike you, I don’t fucking have enough.”

  She clapped a hand over her mouth, horror at her stupid reveal widening her eyes. Nate, in response, narrowed his.

  “What do you mean?”

  She inwardly cursed. You’re an idiot, Dex. “Nothing. It doesn’t matter. Please, just let’s go.” She shoved a hand against his arm, but she might as well have been trying to move a stone statue.

  “Is this why you’re working a second job?”

  Lying wasn’t her style, so she remained mute instead, worrying her lip with her teeth as she stared into space.

  Nate grazed the back of his hand over her cheek, the caress so warm, so tender, that the urge to spill every worry, every panicked moment that kept her up at night was so str
ong, she had to clamp her jaw shut. Nate wasn’t her boyfriend. He wasn’t even a friend. He was just a guy she had the serious hots for, who she’d panted over for months. A guy she’d spent a hot, sweaty night in bed with, followed by this fuck-up of a so-called date.

  There certainly wouldn’t be a second one.

  “Talk to me.”

  She closed her eyes for a brief moment, but they flew open when Nate put his mouth on hers. It wasn’t an urgent, passionate kiss like the one he’d given her in the car. It was a gentle kiss meant to coax and reassure.

  She gave him a wry smile. “I bet you didn’t expect tonight to turn into an impromptu episode of Dr. Phil.” She chuckled, determined to put him off the scent. “Forget it. I’m an idiot. Let’s order.”

  Nate’s hand sliced through the air. “We’re not ready.”

  Dex frowned, and then realized he was talking to the approaching server. The man spun on his heel and headed back the way he’d come from, the move so smooth that being dismissed in such a manner must be a regular occurrence.

  Nate stared at her without saying a word, his eyes searching her face, although she didn’t have a clue what he was hoping to find. And then he sighed. Scooched down the bench. Stood. Held out his hand.

  “Come with me, Titch.”

  “Where to?”

  His lips twisted to the side. “Get your ass moving and you’ll find out.”

  * * *

  Fuck, fuck, fuck. You are a fucking idiot. A self-absorbed dick with your head so far up your own asshole, you can lick your own goddamn tonsils.

  He should have realized that someone who worked their butt off all week for a cock like Bernard, and then spent their weekends slaving away at a supermarket checkout wasn’t exactly flush with cash. But that wasn’t the only reason taking Dex to his go-to haunt had been the wrong move. Dex was different, unique, special. She wasn’t a fame-hungry sycophant with grabby hands. If he’d stopped for one second to think about it, he would have guessed her reaction to such unnecessary affluence.

  He risked a glance sideways. Dex was staring out the side window, a faint blotching on her neck, although whether it was from embarrassment or annoyance, he couldn’t know. Her hands were lying still in her lap, fingers laced together, and she was chewing the inside of her lip.

  Five minutes later, Nate pulled off the highway and stopped in front of a local diner. “Better?” he asked, turning to Dex with a grin.

  She grinned back at him, her eyes lighting up with delight. His insides did the same. “It’s perfect,” she said, her hand already on the door latch. “Come on. I’m starving.”

  “If my ass sticks to the plastic seat, you’re in deep shit,” he said, getting out of the car to the sound of Dex’s throaty laugh.

  They walked inside the diner, her hand firmly clasped in his. He pushed the door open. A bell above the door tinkled. Nate refrained from rolling his eyes. The podium was unmanned, although a sign stated: Please wait to be seated.

  On one side was a line of booths covered in red plastic—yep, as clichéd as he’d expected—and on the other side, a line of tables, some seating four, others two. At the counter, sitting on a chrome stool, was an obvious homeless guy, his clothes dirty and scuffed, nursing a steaming cup of coffee.

  The waitress came over. “Just the two is it, lovelies?” And then came a squint followed by a squeal that had every single diner looking their way. “Oh my God. Wait there. Don’t move. I have to get Susan.” She dashed off, her white sneakers squeaking on the checkered floor. “Suze!” she yelled. “Get out here now. You’re gonna want to see this, babe.”

  Nate glowered down at Dex, whose grin couldn’t get any wider, and he muttered in her ear, “You owe me a blow job for this, Titch.”

  She licked her lips. “Doesn’t sound like much of a punishment.”

  He almost groaned. “Fuck me.”

  “Later,” she whispered as the waitress came barreling in with another woman, a platinum blonde in her mid-fifties, he’d guess.

  “Oh. My. God,” she cried. She grabbed his hands. “Oh, I love you in that show.”

  “Thanks,” Nate said, pasting on a winning smile. “That’s nice of you to say.”

  “I need you to sign something.” She cackled and gave him an over exaggerated wink. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll keep it clean.”

  Dex stifled a laugh, hiding it with a cough. At the rate she was going, he’d be getting blow jobs for a month. He gave her the side-eye. Her forehead crinkled, all innocent.

  “He wouldn’t mind if it wasn’t. Isn’t that right, Nate? Anything for his fans.”

  I’m gonna kill her.

  “How about a napkin, or your cap?” he suggested.

  She whipped off the cap—thank fuck—and thrust it at him, along with a pen. He addressed it to her and signed his name.

  “Can you add a couple of kisses on the end?” she asked.

  Dex snorted.

  “Sure.” He handed it back to her with a broad smile. “Could we take the booth at the very end? My friend and I have a few things to discuss.”

  “’Course you can, sweetheart. You sit yourselves down, and I’ll bring a couple menus across.”

  “Thanks.” With his hand firmly pressed in the small of Dex’s back, he propelled her to the far end of the diner. Her body shook beneath his palm, and one look at her face told him it was with laughter not desire.

  “Keep going, Titch, and you’ll be giving me that blow job right here.”

  She stuck out her tongue. “You’re not that brave.”

  He cocked an eyebrow. “Try me.”

  She ignored him and slipped into the booth. He followed her, sitting on the same side. “What’ll you have?” he said, scanning the menu.

  “The Dino burger,” she said, licking her lips. “And a chocolate milkshake.”

  Nate couldn’t contain his amusement. “You’re much more comfortable here, aren’t you?”

  “Yep. I’m a sweats and sneakers kind of girl.” She gave him an impudent grin. “I bet you’re not feeling as comfortable, though.”

  She couldn’t be more mistaken. He was more at ease sitting in a cheap diner with her than he had been with anyone in years. Ever since his life had turned upside down, he’d avoided intimacy, including with his family, in case he slipped up and shared what he knew.

  He nudged her playfully with his shoulder. “Actually, you’re wrong. I admit, I fucked up taking you to Alessandro’s.” He shrugged. “I guess I wanted to take you someplace special. But if you’re happy here, then so am I.”

  “Even with Susan fawning over you.” She laughed. “Your face was priceless. I bet you thought she was going to ask you to sign her boobs.” More laughter. “Now that I’d have paid to see.”

  His insides warmed at her genuine happiness. When he’d picked her up, her mouth had been pinched at the sides, and she’d seemed tired and more than a little overwrought—which he hadn’t helped with by taking her to the wrong restaurant. But now, even though she was still pale, her color had picked up, and she looked a lot better. Freer even.

  He curved one hand around the back of her neck, leaving his other free to explore. “Oh, Titch. Payback time.”

  “Wha… oh.”

  “Yeah, oh,” he said, flicking his thumb over her nipple a second time. “Why do you think I chose this seat?”

  “What can I get for you, lovelies?”

  Dex jumped and tried to squirm out of his reach, but Nate held her in place as he lazily turned toward Susan who was proudly sporting her baseball cap with his signature scrawled across the peak.

  “Two Dino burgers and two chocolate milkshakes. And if that man at the counter hasn’t eaten, tell him to pick whatever he wants and put it on my tab.”

  “Oh my.” Susan clasped a hand to her chest. “Well, aren’t you the gentleman. That’s real good of you. I’ll be back soon with your burgers.”

  “No rush.” He turned back to Dex. “Now, where were we, Titch?
”

  “I can’t believe you did that,” she said, her eyes all soft and misty. “Carry on like that, Nate Brook, and you’ll find yourself mistaken for a nice guy.”

  He shrugged, even though he was secretly pleased at her response. Making Dex happy was fast becoming his favorite pastime.

  “Even if he orders one of everything off the menu, it’ll still be cheaper than two steaks at Alessandro’s.” He wanted to ask her to expand on the comment she’d made about being short of money, but instinct told him he wouldn’t get anywhere. Not with the direct approach anyway. Lucky for him—and unlucky for her—he had a plan for exactly how to make her talk.

  Susan came across with their burgers and shakes, and Dex’s eyes lit up. “They look fabulous,” she said, sending a grin Susan’s way.

  “Best thing on the menu,” she confirmed. “And there’s a piece of apple pie waiting after that. My treat for being so generous to Terry.” She jerked her head back toward the homeless man who was tucking into a burger of his own, along with a huge side of fries. “He’s ex-military, you know. Down on his luck. When you think of what he did for this country, too.” She shook her head sadly. “Terrible how we treat some of our veterans.”

  Dex and Nate finished their burgers and the promised apple pie. She flopped back in her seat and rubbed her belly. “I couldn’t eat another thing.”

  Nate wrapped her ponytail around his hand and tugged her head back. “That’s too bad, Titch, coz you owe me a blow job.”

  Dex blinked rapidly. “You’re not serious?”

  His lips brushed hers. “Deadly.”

  He stood and wandered over to the counter to pay. He gave Susan a large tip, which earned him a dazzling smile and a kiss on the cheek. Weirdly, he didn’t mind at all. In fact, he might bring Dex here again.

  As they walked to the car, he didn’t have to look at Dex to feel her beside him, almost buzzing. Good, because if she’d balked, he’d have taken her straight home. He wasn’t in the business of pressuring women to do anything that made them uncomfortable—at least when it came to sex. Talking? Now that was a different prospect all together.