Jade told him.
“I’ll text you my address. Come whenever you’re ready.”
“Okay, I’ll let you know when I leave Jerry’s,” she said, her smile wider.
God, he wished he could lean over and kiss her. But his mother’s shop wasn’t exactly the place to do it with customers around.
“So how’ve you been?” he asked softly.
Jade opened her mouth to answer but stopped when Fely came out with an armful of blossoms.
“These flowers okay, Jade?” Fely asked.
“Yes, they look great. I think as long as there are at least three tiger lilies, my sister-in-law would be happy.”
“I know Ruby gives you a discount. How much does she usually charge you?” Fely asked.
“Don’t worry about this bunch,” Lucas piped in. “It’s complimentary.”
“Why?” Jade asked, frowning.
“Mum’s orders,” he said, saying the first excuse that popped in his mind. He just felt funny letting Jade pay for flowers when he was behind the cash register.
“No. I’m paying for this, Lucas,” she insisted.
“Well, I’m not taking your money. You can argue with Mum if you want to. But since she’s with customers...”
“She’s already too generous with her discounts every time I come here, Lucas. I can’t accept this. She’s running a business.”
He shook his head stubbornly. He’d put his own money in the till to pay for Jade’s flowers when she’d left.
“If she doesn’t let me pay, I won’t come back to order flowers from her again,” Jade declared.
He stared at her. Yes, she looked like she meant what she’d said. Sighing, he held out his hand for her payment.
With a victorious smile, Jade handed him her credit card.
“How much does she usually charge you?” he asked dryly.
Jade told him. “And not a cent less,” she added.
He rang up her purchase, not happy he lost this battle.
*****
Lucas swept a critical gaze at his dining table, making sure everything—including the candles—were in place, before running to answer the intercom.
“Hi, babe,” he said, knowing it was Jade. “Come on up.”
“Thanks,” she responded.
Lucas took his chicken pasta bake out of the oven and placed it on the table before going to the door and opening it. He leaned against the frame while he waited for Jade to arrive.
He’d decided to cook tonight, since he had some time. Besides, this meant they’d have plenty of time to talk in private.
He was a bit nervous, though. He’d never cooked for a woman before. Well, in fact, he’d never had a date this ‘proper’ before.
He sighed, not knowing whether to be amused or worried by his unusual behaviour.
The elevator pinged and his heart thundered harder.
Ah, there she was, looking so beautiful with that incredible smile on her face.
“Hi,” Jade said.
“Hi.” He promptly cupped her face and kissed her lips. “I missed you," he found himself saying.
“I missed you, too,” she breathed.
He placed his arm around her waist and led her inside.
“Something smells good,” Jade commented, sniffing the air.
“I hope it tastes as good as it smells,” he said with a laugh. “Ready to eat?”
“Yes, I’m starving.”
He escorted her to the table and pulled out a chair for her.
“This looks nice, Lucas,” Jade murmured, her eyes wide.
He merely smiled as he poured them some wine. He had no idea how to tell her he’d never done this before. And it scared him to think about that fact, so he pushed it away.
*
“This is really good!” Jade said.
“Thank you,” Lucas said, relieved that his chicken pasta bake turned out perfect.
“So do you want to know what Mr. Bilton and I talked about?” Jade asked, peering at him through her lashes.
He smirked. “I was actually thinking we should do that after dinner. The topic might give us indigestion.”
Jade laughed. “There’s not much for me to say because he didn’t tell me anything.”
He frowned. “And what was his excuse for not telling you anything?”
“I said to him that I bumped into you at the pub when I was having drinks with a friend who turns out to be a buddy of yours, too.”
“Rick, I presume?” he said with amusement.
“Yes,” she said, sighing as if she was unhappy with herself—for lying to her boss, he supposed.
“Mr. Bilton got quite excited,” Jade continued. “He asked if you avoided me or if you were friendly. I said that you were friendly enough for me to get the courage to ask why you got angry at his letter. Then I told him what we’ve agreed to—that you’ll tell me your reasons if I share with you his reasons for wanting to communicate with you.”
“Hope he didn’t bite your head off after hearing that,” he said, suddenly realising Jade's job security might be threatened. While he’d prefer her to be working somewhere else, he’d still wring Thomas’ neck if the man sacked Jade because of this.
“Actually, he thanked me for having another breakthrough with you. He said he was more than happy to tell me what’s really going on, but that he wants you to tell me first what it’s all about. He said he didn’t want to tell me anything that you wouldn’t want me to know.”
“What?”
“He made me sign a nondisclosure agreement that covers everything you and he tell me about this matter. I’ve already signed it and I have a copy of it for you in my handbag. He also recorded a message for you on my phone. I can play it after dinner.”
“Okay.”
He had no idea what was going on in Thomas’ mind. But this new revelation was, once again, totally unexpected. He was more curious now than he’d ever been.
*
“Lucas, this is Thomas Bilton. I’m grateful that you’re allowing Jade to help with our issue. As you know, she wants to know some details. I believe you’ve told her that you’ll only speak about it if she tells you what I disclose to her. I presume this is because you’re mindful of the agreement another individual has made with me in the past.
“I’m open to letting Jade know the details if it would help in resolving our differences. So I’ll let you talk to Jade first. I’ll follow your lead in terms of what you want her to know. All I want is to make right the wrong that has happened in the past.
Thank you, Lucas. I look forward to hearing from you.”
Lucas slumped on his couch after listening to the recording on Jade’s phone. Thomas’ actions were becoming more and more unpredictable by the day. What on earth was the man up to? He rubbed his face, confused.
“Will I be remaining in the dark, Lucas?” Jade asked softly.
He looked at her, undecided.
“If it’s too personal and you don’t want to tell me, then can I ask a favour?”
“What’s that?” he asked.
“Could you tell Mr. Bilton that you’d prefer for me to stop getting involved in this? It’s just too hard being caught in the middle and not knowing anything. Mr. Bilton is my boss and your mother’s my friend. And you’re...”
The pinking of Jade’s cheeks didn’t escape Lucas. He smiled. She had no idea whether to call him her boyfriend. Well, he wasn’t sure, either.
She was right about one thing, though. To continue to be dragged into this conflict wasn’t fair to her if she knew nothing. Besides, he could tell Jade was sympathetic to Thomas’ cause. He didn’t want her thinking that he was the bad guy who simply didn’t want to resolve an ongoing issue he was having with her boss.
“I suppose you should hear about it from me,” he said.
“Thank you,” Jade responded.
He took a sip of his wine before resting his head on the back of the couch. He stared at the ceiling as he decided where to
begin.
CHAPTER NINE
“My mum and Thomas had an affair years ago,” Lucas said after a long period of silence. “As luck would have it, I learned about it when I was sixteen.”
Jade gaped at Lucas, stunned from his disclosure. He’d previously indicated that Ruby was involved in his conflict with Thomas, but she wasn’t expecting this.
“Mum said she had no idea that Thomas was already engaged when they got together. He only confessed the day he said he wouldn’t see her anymore. A few days after that, Thomas sent someone to make my mum promise never to divulge their affair to anyone. Obviously, Thomas was afraid that the truth would ruin him. Mum found out through an acquaintance that while Thomas had the Midas touch in business, it was his fiancée’s parents—now his in-laws—who invested heavily in Bilton Machineries. It’s not hard to come to the conclusion that if they’d learned about the affair, they would have pulled out their money. Bilton Machineries wouldn’t be as big as it is now if that had happened.” He paused, taking a sip from his wine glass.
“Mum said that the last thing she wanted was to see Thomas again after all that. But an unexpected situation forced her to contact him a few months after their affair had ended. Instead of responding to Mum’s request to see him, Thomas sent someone else again. Mum was told to shut up and stay away from Thomas. They threatened to take away something very important to her if she continued to make contact with him. Mum made a decision then that it would be better for all concerned if she went along with what Thomas wanted.
“She probably shouldn’t have caved. She had the perfect leverage to bring him down. But Mum didn’t want to—or couldn’t—deal with the pressure Thomas’ henchman was putting on her. Even when family and friends encouraged her to take action, she refused, scared of what Thomas would take away from her if she did.”
Lucas stared into space, finishing his wine.
“If I have my way, the world would know what a lowlife Thomas Bilton really is,” he said. “But Mum made me promise to leave it alone. She said it wasn’t worth messing with someone as influential as Bilton. I know there are ways to shame him and make him pay, but it would be at the cost of my mother’s peace of mind. She doesn’t deserve to relive her past hurts, especially now that she’s doing well with her business and is happy with her life. So I also keep my mouth shut about their affair. Ironic how he’s been wanting to communicate with me for the last few months.
“So that’s why I’ve asked you not to let my mother know about Thomas wanting to talk to me, Jade, and why we have to maintain a fake story for her,” Lucas said, his eyes imploring. “Heaven knows she’s already been hurt enough by that man.”
Jade nodded, empathising with him. But something did not fit.
“Lucas,” she said gently, “do you think it’s possible that Mr. Bilton is sorry for what he’s done to your mum?”
Lucas snorted.
She placed a hand on his arm. “When he found out that you’d read the letter at the café, he was ecstatic. Then he had the same reaction when I told him I’ve spoken again with you. He was clearly very thankful. There was nothing about his actions that said his motives didn’t come from the heart. And I’m not saying that because he’s my boss, it’s what I saw.”
Lucas shook his head. “You misread his responses, Jade. I’m sure that his motivation is about protecting his and Bilton Machineries’ reputations. I’m positive it’s not about wanting to make amends for his past deeds. I can’t see him having a change of heart for no reason.”
She took a deep breath, not convinced. She might only have known her boss for a few weeks, but from what she’d seen so far of Thomas’ conduct towards his employees and business partners, plus Lexie’s constant praise despite his eccentric behaviour, Thomas seemed to be a decent, trustworthy man. “Mr. Bilton did say to me that he wants me to keep trying to get you to talk to him.”
“I’m sure he couldn’t stand the thought of not getting his way,” Lucas said with a mirthless laugh.
“But don’t you think he’d try to talk to Ruby? I’m surprised it’s you he seems keen to smooth things with when it’s Ruby he’s hurt in the past.”
Lucas stared at her long and hard before the look in his eyes changed. There was vulnerability there that made her want to comfort him.
“My mum’s affair with Thomas happened thirty years ago, Jade,” he said quietly. “She got pregnant.”
Tears rushed to Jade’s eyes. Now she knew the real heart of the matter. “Lucas,” she whispered.
“Just three months ago he was still vehemently denying me as his son. Whatever plans Thomas has, it’s not just to smooth things with me. He’s feeling threatened because he’s scared I’ll let the secret out of the bag. He’s countering that threat in an unexpected way. But I’m not fooled by his smokescreen.”
Jade took a deep breath, not knowing what to say or think.
“Can you tell Thomas something for me?” he asked.
“Of course.”
“Tell him I meant what I said—that I’m keeping my mouth shut as long as he leaves my mother and me alone. We’re happy not to have anything to do with him.”
“I’ll tell him that. But I’m sure he’ll have more messages for me to deliver to you if you continue to refuse to talk to him.”
“I won’t hold that against you,” Lucas said with an attempted grin. “But please understand that I’ll keep saying no to whatever your boss asks for. He’s up to something, Jade. If I take the bait, it could mean trouble, especially for Mum.”
Lucas tried to hide it, but Jade could see that his anger was his way of covering up his pain. Thomas’ rejection had cut him very deeply.
Determination bubbled within her. She’d wanted out of this conflict between the two men, but now she was changing her mind. If there was anything she could do to straighten out some misunderstanding or heal some wounds, she’d do it. She wouldn’t be able to do that if she was out of the loop.
“Jade.”
“Yes?”
“Sit closer to me, please.”
She scooted next to him and Lucas hugged her tightly, as if squeezing out whatever comfort he could.
She lifted her head to offer him her mouth. Lucas claimed it without hesitation, his kiss soft and seeking. She cupped his face and let her lips convey that she was there for him.
Her heart was bursting out of her chest. It felt as if it was too big, that half of it should be inside Lucas. The urge to meld with him, physically and emotionally, was almost overwhelming. She pressed herself against him.
Lucas groaned and deepened their kiss, raking her hair with his fingers.
Desire erupted within Jade. She locked her arms behind Lucas’ neck and pulled him down on the couch with her.
At the edge of her consciousness, she sensed she was drowning. If she didn’t swim for shore now, it would be too late. But she found herself not caring. Not while she was with Lucas.
Lucas reared up to look at her, his eyes dark with need.
“Bed?” he asked.
She nodded.
“All the way?”
She smiled, touched by his consideration. “If I say no?” she teased.
He grinned, gently brushing a stray strand off her face. “Then we’re gonna have to continue with the game of seeing how far you want us to go,” he murmured.
Ooh, she loved that game.
“It’s a no for now then,” she said, smothering her smile. “What first step do you have in mind?”
His lips curved sensually. “I think it’s just fair that we pick up where we left off, don’t you? If I remember correctly...” Lucas reached for the zipper at the back of her dress. “You were already half-naked.”
She helped him take off her dress, happy with his suggestion.
“And this was already out of the way,” he continued, unfastening her bra and discarding it as well.
She hadn’t been this naked when they were interrupted the last time. But although there w
as still some shyness left in her, she was glad it wasn’t enough to want to cover herself from his heated gaze.
“Now we restart,” Lucas said seductively. Then he leaned down to capture her mouth.
“I think I remember my legs were around you like this,” she said against his lips, parting her legs so he could settle in between, and wrapping them around his.
“You’re right. And I was doing this,” he said breathlessly, rocking his jean-clad hips against hers.
She gasped as she felt his burgeoning erection.
“Did you have enough of this last time, baby?” he asked, bending to lick a nipple.
Her answer was a little moan.
“Didn’t think so.” He kneaded one breast and tweaked the bud with his fingers while he gently sucked on the other.
She ran her fingers through his hair, breathing through her mouth, as she watched what he was doing to her. It made her hotter, seeing Lucas so enthusiastic while he stoked her desire. She tugged on his shirt, impatient to see him without clothes on.
He sat up to strip off his top.
Oh God, he was just as glorious as she’d imagined him to be. But instead of taking off his jeans like she’d expected, he leaned back down and started kissing her belly, then the side of her hip.
She quivered as he lifted her leg and placed it over his shoulder. He kissed the inside of her thigh, going higher and higher until he was nipping at the edge of her panties.
She bit her lip, this time from nerves. On the two previous occasions she’d had sex, only one guy had attempted to go down on her. When she’d told her date he didn’t have to do it, she couldn’t even tell who’d been more relieved—she or the guy.
“Lucas,” she said, gently pushing his head away.
Lucas looked up, eyes round with surprise.
“Come back up here,” she whispered.
“You don’t like this?”
“Um... I don’t know... but you don’t have to—”
“You don’t know?” he asked with a frown.
She gulped, embarrassment cloaking her.
Lucas smiled, placing a swift kiss on her thigh. “Can I just try, baby? You can always tell me to stop if you don’t really like it.”
The Unwilling Executive Page 7
