Лиза Джонс - Secrets Exposed

His eyes traveled her body in a slow inspection. Soft white skin peeked out of her black dress in perfect contrast. Even the dark smudges under her eyes couldn’t hide the perfection of her complexion. Her dress was simple, but a woman like Lindsey didn’t need a lot of frills. The soft material fell over her slim waist, accenting her luscious curves.

She was gorgeous, plain and simple. But her appeal came from inside out. His eyes moved back to her face. She was blushing. How many women, who had seen the things Lindsey had seen, could still blush? A woman with many facets, he thought, and he would love to unfold each and every one of them.

“What are you doing here?” She asked the question and then averted her gaze, feigning all-consuming interest in her already mopped-up dress.

He was making her nervous. “I was invited, remember?” He sauntered towards the middle of the room, watching her, trying to decide how to approach her. She was on edge, ready to attack.

“You declined,” she said in a clipped tone. Swiping the tissues at her dress one last time, she tossed them into the trash.

“I’ve changed my mind,” he said as he propped himself on the arm of a chair directly in front of the desk, remaining at eye level with her.

Lindsey’s eyes jerked up to his face, her eyes narrowing. “Why?”

He chuckled softly. “You get right to the point, don’t you?”

She just stared at him with those amazing green eyes. Damn, this woman got to him. He let one brow inch upward. “I thought this is what you wanted?”

Suspicion clouded her gaze. “It was,” she agreed reluctantly. “But you made your position abundantly clear. You said you wouldn’t come back, period. You don’t strike me as a man who changes his mind without good reason.”

“I guess that means I have a good reason.”

She rested one hand on the desk, palm down, peering at him with intent. “Which is?”

She killed him. In a good way. She practically begged for his help, and now she demanded to know why he offered it. “Does it matter?”

There was a brief silence as she thought about his question. “Yes, I think it might.”

He was here for her , plain and simple. She wasn’t ready to hear that anymore than he was willing to say it. “My reasons are my reasons. You have what you wanted. I’m here, aren’t I?”

He was attracted to Lindsey, but his reasons for being here were so much more immense. The shadows and fear he’d seen, still saw, in her eyes, had haunted him for days. She wouldn’t like that, he was certain.

Lindsey’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, you are, aren’t you?” Uneasiness laced her tone. “You were adamant you wouldn’t come back to Paxton. Make me understand your change of heart.”

Mark was careful to keep his expression blank. Lindsey didn’t want to need anyone. But she needed him. He didn’t know why he knew this. He just did. He also knew she wouldn’t take his help if he made it seem as if he thought she was weak.

Giving her another reason seemed critical. A strategy formed in his mind. “Okay, if you must know, I care about my reputation. After some thought, I’ve decided the link between me and this place could hurt my consulting business, if I don’t step in and get it under control.”

He gave himself a silent pat on the back for giving her such a damn good excuse.

She gave him a measuring stare. “So you’re here to protect your reputation?”

“Right.”

“So you’ll take the firm back?” She seemed skeptical.

He gave her another single, cool nod. “Under certain conditions.”

She sat down behind the massive desk, as if she wanted the barrier between them. “Ah.” She gave him a knowing look. “I figured there was a catch.” Her arms crossed in front of her body as she leaned back in her chair.

Waiting.

He arched a brow. “Did you now?”

He saw a flash of frustration in her eyes. “Mark, please don’t play games with me. I can’t take games right now.”

His eyes softened. He loved hearing her say his name. Everything male in him wanted to grab her and pull her into his arms and tell her everything would work out. But that wasn’t what she needed. She needed help getting Paxton back in shape, and she needed help bringing her life back in order. “Here is what I’m willing to offer. I’ll come back.” He let his words linger in the air for several moments before adding, “But for no longer than six months.”

Lindsey started to object, but he held up a staying hand. When he knew she was listening again, he continued, “I will mentor you to take back over the firm. A lot has changed since you were last here. We’ll rebuild it together, and most importantly, I’ll help you with the Williams case.”

She sat up, hands on the edge of her chair, anger in her tone. “I don’t want to be mentored for a job I don’t even want,” she blurted quickly, her face filled with exasperation.

He looked at her, completely unscathed by her declaration. He had expected as much. “Look Lindsey, if you choose to leave after the six months, that’s your choice. This way you’ll know what you need to know to pass along the gauntlet. And don’t forget, you’ll have Williams behind you by then.”

“No,” she said. No compromise in her tone.

He hated having to put it on the line to her, but she left him no choice. Deep down, he knew he was helping her far more than she would understand until much later. “I’m not coming back to stay, and I’m not coming back without you being here. You really don’t have a lot of options.”

“I can’t do it,” she stated with a hint of desperation in her voice. “My job is waiting for me in Washington.”

His voice was firm and unmoving. “You have to, Lindsey.”

She balled her hands up at her sides as she pushed to her feet, and glared at him, desperation in her voice. “Why are you doing this?”

It was hard pushing her, knowing she hated him at this very moment. But he knew it was for the best. “You asked for my help. I’m offering it.”

“Help?” she demanded. “You call this help?” She glared. “I have a job to get back to. I asked you to take back your old responsibilities, minus me. This,” she waved around the room, “is yours, not mine. Take it back.”

He kept his expression blank. She spoke like the firm was a material item to simply give or take. It was so much more complex. “I can’t do that,” he said softly.

Her hands flattened on the desk, her voice a low, angry promise. “I’m not staying. You can have this damn place. There is no use mentoring me because I’m not staying. Mentor someone else.” Her voice softened. “Please.”

Their eyes locked. There was a long, tense silence. “You and I both know Edward wouldn’t allow me to take the firm without you.”

“I’ll convince him.”

“I’ve got a news flash for you, Lindsey. I’m walking away from consulting work to do this. My being here is no small request. I am not the enemy.” He paused, and then added, “I’m a friend.”

Her lips pursed. “Yeah, right. Friend?” She crossed her arms in front of her body, and turned her face away from him. “I don’t think so.”

Mark pushed to his feet and covered the distance between them as she backed up against the credenza. He stopped directly in front of her, intentionally not giving her room to escape. She looked up at him, surprise in her eyes. She didn’t move. He didn’t move. They were so close that their legs almost touched.

He could smell the soft scent of her perfume. He could taste the torment eating at her. And he could feel the connection between them . . . and damn, it was hard to push her, when he just wanted to comfort. But he had no choice. “Do we have a deal, Lindsey?” he asked in a quiet, steady voice.