by Lyric James
Yes, he could admit he caught her at a weak moment. He’d known she was jealous of Jackie, and after the conversation she’d had today with those women he’d dated, well, he’d seen it in her eyes. She wanted him again. Was he an ass for taking advantage? Hell yes. When he looked at her, saw the tell-tale signs in her eyes, saw her lips part, he couldn’t let that go, couldn’t let it pass. He couldn’t let an opportunity to experience a real life with her, go.
The fact she didn’t slap his face or put an abrupt end to their mutual pleasure meant on some level she wanted him. She was sexually attracted to him, obviously. But could there be more? Before he told her about his true relationship with Jackie, she’d been jealous and hurt. Didn’t that mean on some level she cared about him? Yes. It did. Deep down he knew it did. He was determined to find some way, some action that would let Jade Conner know she was meant to be his, in every way. And when the time was right, when he had permission, he’d tell her everything she wanted to know about Maya.
A smile slowly spread across his face. He knew exactly what he needed to do. Jade thought she knew him so well. All she saw was a rich playboy, a different woman on his arm every night, with a job in title only, trying to keep a secret. Well, he’d show her he was a lot more than that. He was good at wining and dining women, so he’d use that, plus a little something extra to throw her off guard.
Yes, he had a plan for Jade Conner, because this time Rhys was playing for keeps.
Chapter Ten
Jade sat staring at the computer screen in front of her. The minutes dragged by at a snail’s pace. She alternated between fiddling with the necklace around her neck to tapping her favorite purple pen against the keyboard. She hadn’t heard a sound coming from Rhys’ office since he’d walked out. It annoyed her that she found herself repeatedly glancing over her shoulder, wishing he’d step through it. Wishing he’d come back in her office, take her in his arms, convince her she was the woman of his dreams and make love to her again and again. And this time, she wouldn’t deny what she wanted.
She was stupid.
An idiot.
Slumped in her chair, she stared at the ceiling and wondered what the heck she should do next. The phone rang and she reached across the desk to answer it.
“Lieutenant Governor Cunningham’s Office. This is Jade.”
“Hey, Jade. This is Mitch.”
The name and voice made her sit up.
“There were no prints on those letters.”
She slumped back against the chair again and closed her eyes. “Damn. Did you find anything?”
“The only thing I can tell you is that the words and letters were taken from newspapers published in the last year.”
“Really?”
“Yes. The Herald, specifically. They changed their printing press about a year ago. It uses a specific kind of ink and manipulation software.”
She’d already come to the conclusion the person who was leaving the letters at least lived in Memphis and had a friend who worked in the building. This confirmed it. “Well, I guess that’s some good news.”
“You got anything else for me?” he asked.
Jade reached into her desk and pulled out the last letter left on her desk. “Actually, I do. My client got another letter today. Can I bring it by when I pick up the other ones?”
“Definitely,” he said. “I’m getting ready to leave, so I won’t be in the office for the rest of the day, but I’ll be here tomorrow.”
“Okay, I’ll see you then. Thanks again.”
“No problem.”
Jade hung up the phone. Frustration settled in her chest like a water-filled balloon. Even though she really doubted he would find anything, she’d hoped for a smidgeon of a fingerprint. Something.
What was she missing?
Every woman who used to be involved with Rhys still liked him. Questioning Jackie was out, and even though her message hadn’t been returned from the other woman, she had no doubt Cynthia would tell her the exact same thing the other two had.
The person making the letters was using The Herald newspapers printed in the last year but was smart enough to wear gloves and not leave fingerprints.
What was left?
Someone he worked with? Something he was working on? She’d only been here a week. There was no way for her to really know what it could possibly be about unless she went through every one of his files. Swiveling around in her chair, she stared at the filing cabinet in the corner. Ugh. She dreaded having to do that. But if she wanted to find out who was sending the letters, she may not have a choice. It also occurred to her that she never sat down and had a conversation with Cecily. She could provide Jade with the office gossip she might need to solve this case.
She glanced down at the list of names, had a thought, and picked up the phone again, dialing the familiar number of Private Jane Inc.
“Hey, Nicole. It’s Jade.”
“Hi. What can I do for you?”
“Can you do me a favor? Run a few background checks for me?”
Jade knew she had exhausted the personal aspect of this investigation. Every woman Rhys had been involved with still thought he was the greatest guy in the world. Out of his two best friends, one was married to her boss and the other, a guy named Cade she’d never met, was a U.S. Marshal, so she knew it wasn’t either of them. At least she hoped it wasn’t either of them. She would hate to find out that one of his closest friends was responsible for this. The only conclusion had to be business related.
“Sure, I just need names and addresses. Social security numbers if you have them. You know the drill. Well, it’s more than a few really. Can I fax the names to you?”
“Sure.
She grabbed the list she’d already compiled, swiveled around and to the side of her credenza to the fax machine beside it, and began to dial the number. “Good. It’ll be there in less than minute.”
“No problem.”
Tucking the receiver between her head and shoulder, she asked, “How’s your case coming? Stolen African artifacts, right?”
“Yeah. It’s coming along.”
Jade heard a hint of something in her voice and was about to ask about it when she heard Rhys’ door open. She turned to him just as she hit the send button on her computer screen. His head was down as he slipped his suit jacket on.
“Look. I have to run. Get that information to me as soon as you can.”
“Sure thing.”
Jade hung up.
“Come on. Let’s go,” he said.
Her eyes widened. “Excuse me.”
He stopped by her desk. “My meeting.”
She still wore a surprised expression on her face.
“I want you to come with me,” he said. “Take notes for me. This committee meeting is very important.”
Jade shot out of her chair, grabbed her purse and a notepad, and slipped it inside the leather folder sitting on her desk. She followed him out the door and closed it behind them. She almost thought about leaving it unlocked, but she was curious to see if the culprit would leave another letter. So she locked it instead.
He bounded down the steps and she had to quicken her pace to keep up. Outside, his chauffeured limousine was waiting. He stepped aside and allowed her to enter first, then got in and sat across from her.
Silence descended in the small cabin like a thick cloud. She was still too tongue-tied from what happened between them earlier to say anything or even attempt casual conversation. What else could she possibly say after what she’d told him already?
A few long minutes passed, and she found her tongue. “What’s this meeting about?”
Reading over a file, he barely looked up at her. “Funding for the community center on Jackson Street.”
Jade remembered hearing about the center on the news because it was in danger of closing due to lack of money and community support. Before she could ask him anything else, they pulled up in front of the public library where the meeting was to be held. The
driver opened the door for them and again, he allowed her to get out first. Taking her elbow, he led her inside. Tingles slid from the back of her arm up to her neck.
Was she going to experience this type of reaction every time he touched her? She’d slept with him. Big deal. She’d gotten it out of her system. Twice. Hadn’t she? Get over it already. But she knew why that wasn’t going to happen. She’d been afraid of this. Before she even took this assignment, she’d been attracted to him. And secretly she’d hoped he’d be attracted to her. Now that he was, she was scared to take it further. Scared to make it more than sex. Hell, who was she kidding? She was already half in love with him and it had only intensified since she’d been around him this week.
Jade walked by his side as he made his way to the back of the main library building to where they had rooms for special meetings and other occasions. There were several people already there. He pulled a seat out for her near the front of the conference table and then sat in the chair next to her.
A young lady came around, gave them each an agenda and asked if they wanted something to drink. Jade asked for a bottle of water. Rhys declined.
Before long, the committee chairman, a man with a bald head and round body sat at the head of the table. The meeting began and within ten minutes several people were arguing their cases either for or against more funding for the center. Rhys argued for.
She watched in amazement as he went to bat for underprivileged kids he didn’t even know. And she admired him for it. By the time they left, it was nearing six o’clock, and Jade had written almost ten pages of notes. In the end, Rhys had gotten what he wanted. Money for their after school program, money for educational field trips and new computers for their lab. He had a big grin on his face as he shook the chairman’s hand.
“Thanks, Bob. You don’t know how much this is going to mean to these children.”
“It’s all due to you, Lieutenant Governor. If it wasn’t for your staunch support, I think that center would have closed a long time ago. Your father would be proud.”
“Yes, I think so too.”
“I’ll see you next month.”
“Sure thing.”
The smile on his face brightened as they walked out the door. She couldn’t help but be proud of what he’d done. He could have just written a check himself, but he went out of his way to make them understand that it took an entire community to help support the center, not just one single individual.
After they were settled inside the car, she said, “That was really great what you did in there.”
He clapped his hands together. “Thanks. I want to celebrate. How about dinner?”
He wrapped his knuckles against the glass enclosure that separated the driver from the rest of the car. It slid open. But before she could even answer him, he was already issuing his chauffer instructions.
“Charles, take us to Copelands.” He turned back to her. “Is that alright with you?”
Jade nodded her head. “Um…sure. It’s fine.”
The happiness exuding from him was intoxicating. By the time the center received the money and began the after school program and bought the computers, she was sure to be back in her office, investigating other cases, catching more cheating spouses, calling her contacts at the phone company and the revenue office. But right now, his excitement was intoxicating, his joy in helping those kids palpable.
As soon as they got inside the restaurant, they were led to a table. Being a Cunningham and also the lieutenant governor of Tennessee had its privileges.
The restaurant was cozy and romantic. The lights were dim, and each table seemed set for a romantic candlelight dinner. They sat in a corner booth next to a window and were able to catch the sun just as it began its descent into the horizon.
Rhys ordered champagne for both of them, then draped his arm across the back of the booth behind her. Suddenly, the booth they were sitting in was too small. He gazed into her eyes, and for a moment she saw a flash of the lust that permeated his features earlier that day when he was making love to her.
She gulped.
“How is the investigation going so far? Anything new?” He was almost too cheerful, despite what was going on in his personal life.
Jade took a deep breath and pinched herself under the table in an effort to snap herself out of the lust-filled haze that clogged her mind. Even now, she wanted him, but she shook the sensation away. “Yes, actually. One of my contacts called me back today. There were no fingerprints on the letters.”
He circled the rim of his glass with his index finger. “Somehow I knew they wouldn’t find any.”
“Me too. But I was hoping for something. He did say they were using newspapers from The Herald printed in the last year. But other than that, I’m clueless.”
Rhys took a sip then set the glass down. “Well, what other ideas do you have, besides ex-lovers wanting revenge?” The left side of his mouth tilted up in a smile.
Jade blushed all the way to her roots, if that were possible. “The only thing I can think of, if it’s not personal, then it has to be business related. Are there any important proposals or senate measures you’re working on?”
His left brow rose. “Not worth killing over, I don’t think.”
“People have threatened and killed for some pretty stupid reasons.”
He nodded his head. “You’re right.” He leaned back against the seat. “There are proposals on the Senate floor to increase teacher pay, to lower the tax rate for construction companies who build cost effective homes for low-income families, and to change the state employees work day from five days to four.”
“Is that it?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “Off the top of my head, yes. There’s always more. What? You think some crazed teacher or state employee is gunning for me if I don’t vote their way?” he asked and laughed.
She joined him in his laughter. “No.” She took a sip of her champagne. The cool liquid didn’t do much to help chill the flame sizzling inside her. With each word, he seemed to move closer. His thigh touched hers under the table. The silky material of his slacks tickled the bare part of her thigh, causing goose bumps to erupt up and over her legs. His hand was so close to her neck she wanted to lean back against it and allow him to caress her skin. “But you never know.”
The waiter arrived and took their orders, but she doubted she’d be able to taste a thing. A tremor of sensation rumbled through her and her heartbeat thrummed heavy in her ears. She wanted to be closer to him, skin to skin. How could this be? She’d just had sex with the man a few hours ago.
Snap out of it.
He still wasn’t being totally honest with her, and she’d begun to wonder why he cared so much about those other kids when he wouldn’t even publicly acknowledge his own. But could she really fault him for it? Since she pushed him away, he had no reason to be honest with her. After all, they weren’t in a committed relationship. Plus, she really didn’t know the history behind why no one knew about Maya. Maybe it hadn’t even been his decision. Maybe the mother wanted it that way.
Whatever the reason, it didn’t seem to bother her body. It still wanted him, desired him. Wanted him inside her again and again. She had to get her mind on something else. “Tell me something. Why was getting this funding so important to you?”
He looked at her, and she saw a moment of indecision slide over his features. “You know Zechariah and I have been friends since we were little? Probably six or seven years old, I think.”
Jade picked up her glass and nodded her head before she took a sip.
“Yes, Karyn told me that.”
“Well, despite what you may think, I didn’t spend my childhood going to boarding schools and country clubs. I spent it at the community center.”
She released an incredulous gasp. This definitely surprised her. Rhys was born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth, and the thought of his parents sending him to a community center to play was unfathomable. What she’d ima
gined of Rhys’ life was one of privilege, and exactly what he said: boarding schools, country clubs and summers spent on a beach. No way had she expected him to spend time with the common folk. But maybe that was how he met the mother of his child.
“My parents were really down to earth people. They didn’t believe in all that country club elitist bullshit. My father grew up with working-class parents and had a great childhood. He wanted me to have the same. He didn’t want me to grow up thinking I was better than anyone else just because they had money. So, from the time I was seven till I was a teenager, I spent my summers at the community center. Even worked there a couple of years when I was old enough. And that’s where I met Zechariah.”
He twirled the stem of his champagne glass between his fingers and didn’t say anything for a couple of minutes.
“I wasn’t blind. I noticed things. I saw how some of the kids dressed, the shoes they wore, and it wasn’t from the same stores my parents bought my stuff from. Zechariah confided in me. Going to that community center saved him from a life of violence and gangs and all the other mischief some kids got into at that age. I do it in memory of that. There are still children out there who need that community center for the exact same reasons Zechariah needed it when he was young. I’m determined to make sure it stays open and funded so they can still have a safe place to go to after school and during the summer.”
“Wow… I never knew.”
“I know. You thought I was just some rich jerk with a job title but no substance behind it.” Humor glinted in his charcoal gray eyes. “I’m used to it. Sometimes, when people think they know you, expect certain things from you, it can leave them at a disadvantage. I use that to get what I need for my kids.”
Jade was learning a whole lot about Rhys Cunningham that she really didn’t want to know. Not because she wasn’t interested. She was. But because it threw her off. And, unfortunately, left her at the disadvantage. She’d had him all wrong. He was not the person she’d assumed him to be.
