The Ceo's Surprise Family. Teresa Carpenter
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and dimension.” He spoke right in her ear, his breath blowing over the sensitive skin. She shivered and fought the urge to lean back against him.
“Yes. I can see the shadows are key.”
“Ethan, there you are. And Jethro, you finally made it. Excellent.” A woman with pale skin, black sharp-edged hair and bright red lips swept up to them. She wore a black suit that flowed around a reed-thin body. Hooking her arms through each of the men’s, she led them away. “The press are here. Time to make nice.”
Lexi followed as best she could considering the crowd quickly closed around her now she didn’t have the almighty Jethro Calder with her. When she got cut off, she decided to look around at more of the art. The woman obviously worked for the gallery and it sounded like Jethro would be busy for a few minutes, so he shouldn’t miss her.
As she strolled around, she encountered several people she knew. The director of her last dance review at the Golden Link and his wife, a pit boss from Pinnacle and his partner, and a client of hers from Modern Goddess. She chatted briefly with each making sure to talk up the artist; she even influenced a sale with the director.
She kept her eye on Jethro in case her duties were needed but the dark-haired woman, whom she’d learned was Lana, the gallery manager, guarded him like a lioness with her cub. No wannabes were getting through her.
Ethan found Lexi by the buffet table.
“Hey, I’ve been racking up sales for you.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” He grabbed one of the fancy bottles of water. “And I’m glad I caught you alone.”
“Ah-ah.” She shook her finger at him. “You promised Jethro no flirting.”
“He’s who I want to talk to you about. I want to thank him for his patronage by giving him one of the pictures. I thought you could help me choose one for him.”
“Oh, goodness. We really haven’t known each other that long.”
“Maybe not, but you obviously have his number. And he likes you.”
What an interesting comment. She wondered what made him think so. She laughed. “I think we both have you fooled.”
“No.” Ethan shook his head, his green gaze serious. “As a photographer and an artist, I’ve learned to read people. I’ll admit Jethro is tough to get a read on because he doesn’t show much emotion. Most people don’t even try unless they want something from him.”
“That’s just sad.” She dismissed a pang of guilt. He couldn’t miss what he didn’t know he had.
“Yes.” Ethan sipped the expensive water. “But it’s a persona he fosters. He doesn’t let people close.”
“You’re just proving my case.”
“I’m proving my case. Because you see the man. You recognized his excitement for my work. You tease him.” He shook his head. “Seriously, I’ve never seen anyone talk to him the way you do. And he takes it. That’s how I know he likes you.”
Okay, he’d made a couple of good points, but Lexi still wasn’t convinced. She’d love for Jethro to like her. It could only help her case, make him predisposed to help her. But the evidence seemed pretty flimsy to her.
“That and the way he looks at you. He hasn’t taken his eyes off you all night.”
Of course the comment had her searching out Jethro, and sure enough he looked right at them even as he talked with an elderly Japanese couple. She waved and he cocked a dark brow.
“This should really be your choice.” She told Ethan.
“I’d still like your help.” He insisted.
“Okay, but I should get back to him soon.”
“This won’t take long,” he assured her. “And he’s busy taking care of business so we have time.”
“Business? You mean patron stuff?”
“No. He doesn’t have to do much with that except praise my work.”
Uh-oh. She sought him out again. Had she misread the Japanese couple? Could they be overeager gamesters she should be saving him from?
“He’s dealing with boring owner stuff.” Taking her arm Ethan led her to the first picture. It already had a red dot indicating it had been sold. “There’s plenty of time for you to help me.”
“I didn’t know Jethro owned the gallery. Is he going to be moving it to the Pinnacle?”
“He hasn’t mentioned any plans to do so. And it has a following here, so I wouldn’t think so.”
Interesting. Calder was associated so closely with Pinnacle, she found it difficult to think of him branching out to other casinos. But then Pinnacle wasn’t just a casino but part of a huge entertainment conglomerate. The company started out creating and distributing video games. The hotel and casino were decorated based off the first game, a postapocalyptic world where everyone fought to survive.
The diversification made her wonder if he might be considering breaking away from Pinnacle. When she got the time, she’d have to think of what that might mean to her plans.
“Has Jethro shown an interest in any particular piece?” she asked Ethan. “That might be a place to start.”
“Good idea. Let me think.” He stopped and propped his hands on his hips. His gaze ran over his work displayed on the walls. “No. He’s shown general appreciation but not for any specific piece. As I said, Jethro doesn’t give up a lot about himself. That’s why I was hoping you could help.”
Lexi spied a picture of a smoking cigar in a crystal ashtray next to a bottle of aged bourbon in the forefront of an old-fashioned parlor. The colors were muted but powerful. She thought of the old-world elegance of Jethro’s restaurant and knew he would appreciate the piece.
“That one.” She nodded toward the painting. “It would fit nicely in his restaurant so it’s something he’ll like.”
Ethan considered the painting and then nodded. “You’re right. It fits him. Let me grab it before someone buys it. Thanks.” He dropped a kiss on her head and strolled off.
“He’s still making moves on my date,” Jethro drawled close to her ear. “I might have to have a talk with him.”
Lexi jumped and swirled around. “Geez, how long have you been there?”
“I just walked up. Why? Something happen you don’t want me to know about?”
“Nope. You startled me, is all.” Looking to divert his attention from Ethan, she gestured to the crowd. “You must be pleased. Ethan told me you own the gallery.”
“It’s a recent acquisition.”
“Calder.” Her former director and his wife came up to them. They made a stunning older couple. “You’re doing a great job here at the gallery. Ethan Kittrell is quite a find.”
“Thomas and Irene.” Jethro offered his hand to the couple. “Thanks for coming. We’re always pleased to provide something unique for our collectors.”
“Indeed. Irene fell in love with a couple of prints we’ll be taking off your hands.”
“Irene, I’ve always admired your taste.”
The older woman beamed under his approval. “And you’ve redeemed my opinion of yours when it comes to women. Oh, I know how you young men like to play the field, but I hope you realize what a treasure you have in this girl.”
“You know Lexi.” Jethro’s expression went blank.
Oops. Time to do her job. He was either insulted, and trying to find a nice way to tell a good client to mind her own business. Or counting to ten before blasting her, with no consideration of future relations.