Chapter Nineteen

“Lacey Rogers, Jack Dalton, I’d like you to meet our client, Jake Bonneville,” Cam said as Lacey and Jack entered the inner sanctum also known as the executive conference room. Almost a week had passed since Lacey and Jack talked in the cemetery. A week packed with days finalizing the design concept and selling it to Cam and nights filled with heated passion. Now it was show time.

Jack forced the million-dollar smile he’d gone in with to stay in place as his brain fought to make sense of the scene before them. Jake Bonneville? The mega-entertainer? Why would he be interested in a retirement community? He was barely in his thirties.

The superstar rose from the chair at the far end of the conference table and offered his hand, first to Lacey, then to Jack. “Ms. Rogers. Mr. Dalton. I’m pleased to meet you.”

Jack forced himself to relax. He’d been under the impression their client had yet to arrive. Now he had to launch immediately into presentation mode. He studied their client/guest. The guy was a little shorter than him but not much. His light brown hair was close-cropped on the sides, the top a little longer, jagged cut, the kind of refined scruffy look guys paid at least two-hundred dollars to achieve.

Bonneville offered a confident, friendly enough handshake, but there was something in his expression that gave Jack pause. The guy’s eyes didn’t quite meet Jack’s when their hands came in contact. “The pleasure is all ours, Mr. Bonneville,” Jack said. “Caught your act in Vegas last year. Never would’ve guessed that same big-time entertainer was our client.”

Bonneville gazed at Jack, his mouth a straight line. “Entertainers make investments too, Mr. Dalton. Especially in their home towns.”

“That’s right. You’ve been away so long, I’d forgotten you grew up here,” Lacey cut in, attempting to smooth over Jack’s sudden stiffness. “Please, call us Lacey and Jack.”

“Lacey, Jack.” Bonneville didn’t return the offer.

Introductions made, Cam suggested they be seated at the large mahogany conference table where the portfolios they’d assembled for their boss and client awaited.

Bonneville followed but remained standing.

“I’ve been telling Jake here even though you’re two of my most creative people, I’m still marveling at how you’ve put something so spectacular together in record time.”

“Yes, well—” Bonneville said.

“Why don’t we let them get right to it?” Cam interrupted, apparently not wanting to give the man any chance to delay. “Jack, Lacey, enlighten Mr. Bonneville about baby boomers, change, and—”

“Their presentation won’t be necessary,” Bonneville cut in. “I’ve been trying to tell you, Mackenzie, my plans have changed. I’m no longer interested in developing the property we discussed.”

The sound level in the room dipped to nothing as Lacey, Jack and Cam absorbed the shock.

“I beg your pardon?” Cam finally said, dropping his portfolio. “Surely I didn’t hear you correctly? You’re still interested in building a retirement community for baby boomers, aren’t you?”

Bonneville removed the hand he’d been resting on one of the spread portfolios, as if to demonstrate his decision to disassociate himself with the project. “Yes. Yes, I do still want to build. But not like we discussed. Not outside town. Nor as a collection of individual home sites.”

“But, but—” Though obviously at a loss, Cam attempted to counter Bonneville’s announcement.

Jack knew his boss well enough to anticipate a major eruption once the surprise wore off. Cam had been had. People didn’t undercut their boss.

Eyes narrowed, jaw taut, Cam marshaled his dignity. “Why didn’t you tell me you changed your mind before my staff committed so much time to this project?”

Bonneville sat a little higher. “I fully intended to go through with the plans I discussed with you until I ran into an accountant friend of mine several days ago. Though I kept our plans in confidence, I shared the general idea with him. He convinced me it would be a waste of money. I’d get more return on my investment if it were in a high-rise here in town.”

“A high-rise?” Jack bolted from his chair. “Have you checked out that theory, Bonneville? It may be more cost-effective, but research shows the people who live in such structures really don’t feel a sense of community. Especially baby boomers.” Had he really said that? Jean’s research and Lacey’s theories had fully permeated his brain.

“I’m well acquainted with baby boomers, Dalton. At least my mother, and she’s the only one I care about. That’s why I’m pursuing this development. To get her out of the rundown neighborhood she lives in and keep her safe while I’m on the road.”

“But—” Lacey attempted to add.

Bonneville turned to Lacey and Jack. “I’m sorry I wasted your time.” Shooting a gaze at Cam, he added, “Of course I’ll pay you for your firm’s efforts to date. Sorry this didn’t work out, Mackenzie. No hard feelings.”

He headed for the door. As he passed Lacey and Jack, by way of closing, he said, “Dalton. Ms. Rogers.” Raising his eyebrows, he turned back to Lacey. “Rogers? You wouldn’t be related to Brian Rogers, would you?”

“He’s my brother,” Lacey said flatly. “Why do you ask?”

Bonneville paused. “I suppose there’s no harm telling you now. Brian Rogers is the accountant who advised me to switch to the high-rise.”

He exited the room, leaving three mouths gaping behind him.

****

Cam was the first to speak, his initial bewilderment replaced with denial. “He can’t do this to me!” He started for the door. Turning back to them, grim-faced, he said, “I’m going after him. See if I can’t talk him out of this absurd idea. You two stay here. If I can’t save this deal, we’ve got to figure out our next steps.”

“Next steps?” Jack spit out the words as soon as the door closed behind their boss. “Aside from finding a new client, nothing’s going to salvage this project. Geez, Jake Bonneville is an—”

“Perhaps,” Lacey interrupted, sparing Jack from saying the word. She’d gone to the sideboard to find a glass of water, hoping a few sips would help her process what just happened. “It sounds like the real culprit might have been my own brother. But that can’t be. Bonneville had to be wrong about the accountant’s name. Brian would never interfere in my business.”

Jack’s eyes sought hers. “You really think so?”

She swallowed more of the liquid before answering. “I don’t know. Brian hasn’t said anything about this, especially knowing this big-time entertainer. But then, I haven’t seen much of him lately, since we’ve gone underground to finish the concept piece.”

Jack moved to her and placed a hand on her arm. “Bonneville must’ve been mistaken. Brian’s not exactly my favorite person, but I can’t believe he’d deliberately set out to sabotage us. At least you. He’s a pretty honorable guy. He definitely wouldn’t hurt his own sister. Why don’t you sit down? You look like you’ve been hit by a truck.”

They returned to the conference table and settled in to wait for Cam. Neither said much for the next several minutes. Eventually, Jack asked, “What are you thinking?”

Lacey had been flipping idly through her copy of the proposal but set it back on the table to answer. “Nothing coherent. I can’t get my mind around this setback.”

“I know what you mean. The only lucid thought I’ve had has been to realize I’ve just made the acquaintance of a mega-entertainer in a business suit.”

She couldn’t resist a slight smile. “Always the Beau Brummel, aren’t you?”

“Made you smile.”

Bless his heart. The world was collapsing around them, and he was trying to keep her laughing.

If Cam couldn’t convince Jake Bonneville to change his mind, or find a new taker for the project, this really was the end of Project Veronica. She analyzed the situation philosophically. She’d put so much of herself into it, into her research on boomers. She’d probably get past the disappointment after a bout of soul searching, several times around the walking track and a pint of maple nut ice cream. Then she’d wait for the next project to come along with which to make her name. But she doubted she could say the same for Jack. “Wish I could return the favor,” she told him. “Make you smile. I know this project meant a lot to your career.”

He curled his lips in a rueful version of a smile. “If this is a wash, something else will turn up, though I may be waiting longer than ever for the word principal to follow my name.”

“Surely Cam won’t hold Bonneville’s defection against you?” How could what appeared to be such a bright future for both of them just minutes ago have turned so totally against them? If Brian had anything to do with this, her relationship with him was in for hard times, only surviving relative or not.

Squeezing her hands, he said, “Too late to be concerned now. We have to focus on recouping our losses.”

Lacey glanced at the door. “Do you think Cam will be able to change his mind?”

“Maybe, but don’t count on it. Bonneville was pretty clear the deal was off. Cam’s gonna be hot if he can’t turn this around, so let me do the talking. He’ll say things he won’t remember when he cools off. Don’t take anything personally.”

She started to protest, to tell him she could defend herself, when Cam burst into the room. “Pack up your books, boys and girls. Bonneville’s a no-go.” He went to the sideboard, rummaged through the cabinet underneath. “Where’s the whiskey? There’s nothing here but gourmet coffee.” He pitched a vacuum-packed bag into a nearby wastebasket.

“He wouldn’t reconsider?” Jack asked.

“Show people! You’d think all they’d care about are their audiences or going platinum with their latest CD. Who’d have thought they paid much attention to business. The guy even knew what return on investment meant!”

Jack asked, “Did you make a pitch for our doing the high-rise?”

Cam snorted. “Think I’d miss the chance to pick up some of the pieces? He said we could bid on it, but he was starting over and it would be months before he’d be ready to proceed.”

Jack’s shoulders caved inward as the futility of the situation sank in. “Sorry, Cam. I know how much you were counting on this project. We all were.”

Cam hung his head and rubbed his neck. “Go home, you two. There’s nothing more you can do here.” His voice had gone quiet, full of disappointment and regret.

Lacey had never seen her boss like this. He seemed so defeated and lost. She wanted to reach out to him. “Wouldn’t you rather we stay here with you, Cam?”

“You! How dare you try to comfort me when it was your own brother who cut us off at the knees?”

“We don’t know that for sure.” She could barely get the words out through her cotton mouth, but until she talked to Brian, she wasn’t ready to condemn him.

“Really? Bonneville said the guy he talked to was Brian Rogers. Your brother’s name is Brian Rogers. The guy was a local accountant. Your brother’s a bean counter here in town, yes?”

“Well, yes.” She couldn’t deny those points, but they didn’t necessarily add up to her Brian.

“Bonneville described him as the epitome of buttoned-down conservatism, even though the guy was in his early thirties.”

She sucked in her breath. “Okay. That does sound like my brother. But I can’t believe he’d deliberately undermine our business. There must be another side to this.”

“Then you find it, because I’m fresh out of angles.” Cam collapsed in one of the conference chairs and jerked his necktie loose.

Jack motioned for her to accompany him out of the room. In the hallway, his face screwed up in a frown. “I thought you were going to let me do the talking?”

“I had to defend my brother. Do you think Cam will fire me if it turns out my Brian was Bonneville’s Brian?” The thought hadn’t occurred to her until then, because she’d been so caught up in the drama.

“Probably not. But I’d keep a low profile for a few days, if I were you.”

Not what she wanted to hear. She’d hoped he’d reassure her, tell her no, her job was safe.

She had to get to the bottom of this business. If she was to keep her distance from Cameron Mackenzie, she might as well use her time tracking down the facts. “I’m taking off for a few hours. I’ve got to talk to my brother and get to the bottom of this.”

Brian barely made it inside the door of her apartment before Lacey confronted him. “Since when have you become an architectural consultant?”

He dropped his briefcase on a side chair, then settled on the living room couch. “Got any tea?”

“No.”

“No? You always have hot water going when you’re home.”

“I do. I’m just not offering any. Now answer my question.”

“What question?” His expression remained bland.

Lacey glared back at him.

“You mean your offhand comment about architectural consulting?” He shrugged. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I leave building design to you.”

Lacey continued to stand. She took several deep breaths, attempting to slow her rapid pulse before proceeding with her interrogation. “Jack and I presented our design concept to the client this morning. You know, the hush-hush one we’ve been working on night and day?”

Brian nodded but remained quiet.

She planted herself in front of him. “Imagine our surprise when we learned our client had changed his mind. He no longer wants to proceed with the project because he’s been advised he could do it much cheaper as a high-rise.”

He blinked. He did know something!

“Said he received this advice from an accountant friend he’d run into recently. None other than one Brian Rogers.”

Brian was off the couch in a flash, nearly knocking her over, a look of guilt clearly reflected in his eyes. “That was your project?”

She tapped her foot. “I’m waiting.”

He scrunched his forehead, apparently connecting the dots. “Your mysterious client turned out to be Jake Bonneville, the singer?”

She didn’t say anything.

“I ran into him in a bar a week or so ago.”

Her stomach clenched as the truth of the situation became crystal clear. How was she going to explain this to Jack and Cam? She felt like she’d personally let them down.

“I was at loose ends, so I didn’t go right home. I found myself downtown at this bar and grille, and who should sit next to me but Bonneville.”

“This superstar entertainer shows up in town and seeks out your company?”

Brian shook his head. “No, of course not. I don’t know why he was there. Never said. He was in my class at Roosevelt, although we didn’t run in the same circles. He had a band, I was in math club, but he actually recognized me from back then. He didn’t strike it big time until you were away at college or in Europe.”

“So he said, ‘Why, hello, Brian Rogers. What’s your opinion of my building a retirement community outside town?’”

“Not immediately. He asked what I was doing these days, so I told him. Then I asked what brought him to town. He hedged at first, instead started asking me about real estate investments around town. I shared some of my views. Eventually, he got around to residential developments. Told me he was considering putting one up outside of town.”

“Uh-huh.” So far, his recollection seemed innocent enough though still difficult to take in.

“He described his plans in broad terms. Asked if I thought they sounded like a wise investment. How was I supposed to know it was your project? He never mentioned your firm.”

She could think of a dozen red flags he should have seen, but she remained silent.

“So I gave him my opinion.”

“Which was?”

“I was flattered to be asked. I probably laid it on a bit thick.”

She knew all about Brian’s tendency to expound when it came to finance. “A bit thick?”

“I suppose I spoke with more expertise than I actually possessed. You know how I feel about urban sprawl, especially digging up the countryside, wasting good farmland. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to make a pitch for responsible urban development. Building up rather than out.”

She was well aware of his opinions about responsible expansion. They’d argued more than once about her role gentrifying previously undeveloped properties. She’d countered by spelling out how many green features she incorporated into her single-family designs.

“He said he agreed with me. Something about the land he planned to develop having been in the family for years and a promise he made to his grandfather to be a wise steward. He questioned whether developing the property would be in keeping with his commitment.”

She’d heard enough. One bar conversation and more than a little exposition from Brian and their project and futures went down the tube. “How could you?” she charged, grabbing his forearm. “You’re not an expert in those areas. That was pure proselytizing.”

He pursed his lips. “I had no idea he’d take me seriously. We had dinner together. Well…shared a couple burgers at the bar. For as much as I knew, he was simply passing time before he could get back to the Coast and all his high-priced consultants.”

“Your passing time with him caused Mackenzie and Associates to lose the account! Probably our biggest project ever.”

He swiped at a few stray beads of perspiration dotting his forehead. “Gosh, Lace. I’m sorry. I never realized.”

Though he sounded contrite, his apology wasn’t enough. The disappointment was still too new and too raw. “My boss and Jack know you’re the one responsible, which makes me look bad.” She held back from sharing her fear of losing her job.

“Look, sis—”

“How could you do this to me, Brian? I’ve spent several weeks trying to help you get your life back in order, and now you’ve turned mine upside down.”

He cocked his head, squinted. “Helping me? Get my life back in order?”

Damn! She hadn’t meant to get into the business with Celia, but now she had no choice. “I couldn’t bear to see you so miserable without Celia, so I fixed things so you could get her back.”

He retreated a step, his expression incredulous. “You what?”

“I thought you’d come running back to her if you saw her with someone else.”

At first, Brian simply stared, like he didn’t comprehend what she’d said. Then a pinkish tinge inched its way up his neck to his ears. She’d witnessed a similar reaction several times in her rebellious teen years but had rarely seen it since.

“You played matchmaker with her and Dalton?”

Her heart caught in her chest. Although her plan hadn’t worked, she never meant for him to find out.

Her brother drew himself up to his full six-foot stature. “Since when did you become an authority on love? You’ve chased away every guy who ever showed the slightest interest!”

Ouch! Though he was correct, their situations were completely different. She wasn’t about to capitulate, because she’d acted in his best interest. “You were so tight-lipped about why you broke things off with her, I thought all it would take to get you back together was for you to see her with someone else and realize what you’d done.”

His eyes flashed. “Does Celia know about this?”

“I, uh, worked it all out with Jack, but Celia agreed.”

“Dalton’s in on this?”

“Uh, yes. They sort of broke things off after the Euchre night at your apartment.”

“Why didn’t she say anything when I ran into her at the cemetery?”

This was getting complicated. “Obviously, she didn’t want you to know. Guess she was embarrassed.”

“How could you accuse me of sabotaging your life when you’ve been so busy making me look like a fool?” Brian nudged past her, retrieved his briefcase and made for the door. “I’ve looked out for you ever since our dad disappeared. This is how you repay me?”

Before she could answer, she was staring at the door as the harsh sound of it being slammed penetrated her ears.

He’d turned the tables on her. For Pete’s sake, she was the injured party.

Lacey debated whether to go after him. She couldn’t bear to be at odds with Brian for long. He was her only living relative and the person she trusted most, despite her developing relationship with Jack. Brian’s part in all this was unintentional, although he certainly hadn’t helped. But before she went after him, she needed to bring Jack up to speed.

****

Jack spent the rest of the day holed up in his office, unsuccessfully attempting not to dwell on the demise of Project Veronica. He idly considered how they could convert some of their ideas to a high-rise environment and heaved a big sigh as he cast a look at the pile of rejects. The old Jack, the guy who could charm almost any client with his wit and ability to convince them they liked his designs, seemed to have disappeared. This new Jack, one half of the team of Dalton and Rogers, was having trouble putting two and two together.

He didn’t blame Lacey for her brother’s indiscretion. The guy was a self-important know-it-all. Even Lacey had conceded as much. But it sure did beat all, his being the one who undercut their project. Had Lacey inadvertently revealed too many details to the guy? Nah, she’d been just as surprised by Bonneville’s mention of her brother as the rest of them. At least, she appeared to be. What could she possibly gain from their losing the project? It wasn’t like she planned to go after the high-rise on her own.

The sounds of a commotion coming from the hall punctured his self-recrimination. Jean’s raised voice called out to someone. Within an instant, he got the rest of the picture as Brian Rogers burst through the door.

Unsmiling, his unexpected visitor announced, “You and I have some issues to settle, Dalton.”

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Dalton. I couldn’t stop him,” Jean said from behind the intruder.

“That’s okay, Jean. I have a few things to say to Mr. Rogers as well.”

Once Jean hesitantly retreated from her post, Jack motioned to one of his visitor chairs. Brian continued to stand, so Jack rose as well.

“Celia Fairchild is very dear to me. I don’t care to see other men take advantage of her vulnerability.”

“What?” Jack had anticipated hearing something about the Bonneville fiasco, since he was sure Lacey had by now found her brother and raked him over the coals. The subject of his dating Celia came as a surprise.

“I didn’t like it when you started seeing her. Your reputation as a ladies’ man reached beyond your firm. But she seemed to see something in you, so I kept my peace.”

What a self-righteous prick. Jack couldn’t help inserting, “Like you did at Mackenzie’s birthday party?”

Rogers sniffed. “I’m still very fond of her. Now I hear you were only dating her to make me jealous.”

Foiled. How’d he find out? “Look, I don’t know what Celia told you, but…”

“My sister told me.”

“Lacey?” He’d made Celia promise not to tell Lacey.

Rogers straightened. Pulled at his collar. “While my sister was busy chewing me out for advising your client to drop your project, which I knew nothing about, she let it slip how she’d arranged with you to make it look like you and Celia were an item. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.”

What a cliché, but then, the guy was the cliché type. “You rejected a really special woman, who for reasons I still don’t understand wanted you back, so I agreed to be her fake boyfriend. But you’ve got things wrong. It wasn’t Lacey who arranged this. It was Celia.”

“Celia? No, Lacey told me she talked you into it.”

Why would Lacey tell him such a thing? To protect Celia? “Maybe you should check with Celia.”

Lacey’s brother stomped toward the door. “We’ll just see who told who what.”

After Rogers departed, Jack realized they never once discussed the guy’s role in their losing Project Veronica. Damn!

Then he recalled the part about Lacey setting him up with Celia. Could it be true? If it was, no wonder Celia agreed not to tell Lacey. She already knew.

Had it really been Lacey who pulled the strings behind his so-called courtship of Celia? Made more sense than sweet, straightforward Celia orchestrating things. Why hadn’t he seen it before? Because he’d just started working with Lacey when Celia approached him and wasn’t yet aware of his partner’s facile brain. She definitely was capable of putting such a plan together.

Even though he’d asked Celia not to tell Lacey, why hadn’t Lacey confided her part in the scheme once they got closer? It didn’t make sense. She’d made such a big deal about them sharing, being able to trust each other. If she hadn’t told him about something as innocuous as her role in his fake courtship, what else hadn’t she told him?

His copy of the portfolio lay on the desk, abandoned, forgotten. It couldn’t be more than three-quarters of an inch thick, and yet within it, he thought he’d seen his future. No longer. Its only future now was the wastebasket.

He studied the other name on the cover sheet. Then it came to him. “The project!” She made no secret about wanting to jump-start her career. With Janice’s help, she’d put together a great concept. But he’d been the one to deliver on the design segments, his forte, which she’d readily admitted. Had she invited him into her bed just to assure the success of the project? Used him, just like Jorja had years before?

She was beautiful with a fabulous body. An inspired lover. Helped him deal with his parents when they invaded his space. He’d liked her enthusiasm and dedication from the start, but he’d also come to like her as a friend.

Doubt fought with his growing belief in his partner. Had she duped him? He’d learned of Jorja’s betrayal too late to confront her. But Lacey was still around. Only one way to find out. He moved over to where the portfolio landed, retrieved it, smoothed the cover and set it gently back on his desk. Then he exploded from the room.

****

“Jack! I was just about to come see you,” Lacey said.

He couldn’t bring himself to sit once he’d entered her apartment. He concentrated on framing the right question. Ah hell! Just spit it out. “Are you the brains behind my squiring Celia around town?”

“I…why do you ask?”

“Not that it matters, but I heard it from your brother. He just left my office after telling me what a low-life I was. Seems you told him my pretending to be the new man in Celia’s life was your idea.”

“Brian came to see you?”

He nodded. “I’m surprised my head is still attached to my body because he sure wanted to chop it off. Didn’t even touch on how we’d lost Bonneville as a client thanks to him.”

Her eyes took in everything in the room except him. “I’m sorry he came to see you.”

“Sorry because it wasn’t the most pleasant experience or sorry because he gave you away?”

“Sorry because I let my own personal fears interfere in others’ lives, including yours.”

Unexpected response. “Huh?’

“I haven’t had a traditional two-parent family since I was six, like I told you, so having my own family has become a driving force in my life. The irony is, thanks to my father’s desertion and my fiancé jilting me, I don’t trust any man to stay with me long enough to make my dream happen. Brian’s the only man capable of that kind of loyalty, so I was counting on him to give me my family through my nieces and nephews.”

Her words slammed into his chest. All the pieces, all the clues had been there just waiting to merge into the simple truth she’d just revealed.

She continued, “When Brian broke things off with Celia after almost two years, I panicked. If he couldn’t make himself commit to someone as perfect for him as Cee, he was never going to find someone. Which meant I was never going to get my family. Since Celia was as devastated as I was, well, you know the rest.”

“Well, yeah, but why me? When he let me have it earlier, your brother pointed out how he’d worried from the start I’d hurt her because we traveled in such different circles. Why not someone who would’ve been a more believable suitor?”

She wandered across the room and picked up her stuffed bull. “Because you were too great a temptation for me.” She raised her eyes and gazed directly at him.

“Temptation? We hardly knew each other when I agreed to Celia’s scheme.”

“When we were trapped under that tree trunk, I knew instinctively you were going to be trouble.”

Trouble? He’d caused havoc in a lot of lives over the years, but what had he done to Lacey? “I didn’t cause that accident. You’re the one who insisted on rescuing me, to your own detriment.”

“Emotional trouble. Something happened when I was stuck there so close to you. And I’m not talking about the hard-on you stuck in my back,” she stopped to smile, “although it was the first warning sign.”

Was she going where he thought she was with this? When they talked about trust in the cemetery, she’d mentioned sensing something was happening between them. She hadn’t explained what she meant, nor had she brought it up again since, as they’d simply enjoyed being with each other. Did he really want her to go on? If she said too much, he’d have to disappoint her, because he wasn’t ready for something more. Was he?

“I hoped your squiring Celia around town would act as a buffer between us, keep me from doing something I knew would not be good for my emotional stability. And if you thought I believed the story about you and Celia, it would prevent you from crossing the line with me, which is why I didn’t want you to know my role in Celia’s plan.”

It all made a crazy kind of sense. Sort of. “Why didn’t you tell me once we, uh, got together anyhow?”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she countered.

“I asked first.”

She handed him the bull. “I guess once you and Celia broke up and you and I made love, it no longer mattered.”

Made love? He’d never heard her use that expression to describe the sex they shared. Significant? Should he be concerned? Then he knew. She was being completely open and honest. No matter where things went from here, she trusted him, a huge step for her. He also realized he trusted her. Cared for her. More than he’d been willing to admit to himself until now.

“But your explanation does matter now, because it explains so much.”

She lowered her eyes. “I guess it does.” She added, “Funny. We’ve just lost the biggest opportunity either of us may ever have to send our careers soaring and rather than gear up to go after the consolation prize Bonneville held out to us, we’re talking about withholding information which is no longer important.”

He took her hands, gazed into her beautiful blues. “Granted, the information we withheld from each other may no longer matter, but why we both held back does. Truth be told, I didn’t want to be tempted by you any more than you tried to avoid me.”

She blinked, apparently surprised by his admission. “So we’re okay? You were pretty angry when you arrived.”

“I thought you’d duped me. Although this thing with Celia was no big deal, I worried it meant you could withhold other information. Worse yet, be working against me.”

“Like Jorja.”

“Yeah. I was wrong. This trust thing we’ve been striving for wasn’t quite there yet, until you explained why you’d gotten so involved in your brother’s life.”

“And now?” Her tone held a tentative note.

“As you pointed out, we both held back. From here on, trust is no longer an issue. It’s just there.”

She slipped her hands around his neck and pulled him toward her. He happily obliged, picking her up and heading toward her bedroom. He laid her gently across the mattress and began unbuttoning the silk blouse she wore under her new pant suit. God, he’d come to anticipate these times when he’d strip her of clothing to reveal her fantastic body. His cock was clearly ahead of his fingers.

She raised already darkening eyes to his. “Jake Bonneville isn’t going to defeat us, Jack. You’re still my superstar, in the bedroom and the office.”

Though his body was already primed to take hers, her words permeated the blur of sexual arousal. Superstar, she’d said. He was, God dammit! He never should’ve let Cam go after the entertainer. Their boss was a great leader and organizer, but he didn’t have Jack’s gift for selling an idea.

He jerked his head up, removed his hands from her front. Maybe there was still time to regain Bonneville’s buy-in.

“Jack? What’s the matter?”

He gave her a quick but firm kiss. “You reminded me who I am. I’d almost forgotten.”

He rose and readjusted his clothing, tucked the boys into place and hoped his dick would understand postponed coitus. “I’ve gotta find Bonneville before he leaves town. Stay here. Keep the home fires warm.”

“What are you going to do? You don’t even know where he is, do you?”

“Good point. But your brother might. I need his number.”

She followed him to the living room, reached in her purse and took out her cell. “I’m transferring it to you now. Be nice. He may have chewed you out, but it was his way of covering his embarrassment from ruining our project.”

He followed her advice, kept his tone noncommittal when Brian picked up. “I ran into him at Morgan’s Pub downtown,” Brian supplied. “But I doubt he’d go back there again. It was just close to the place where he’d given a lecture. The night I talked to him, he was catching a late flight back west. Private jet. Apparently he’s got a friend who’s a pilot. You might check the airport.”

Fortunately, a former client of Jack’s owned one of the town’s few private air services. Jack called him and pulled a few strings to get his info. Yes, Bonneville was known to occasionally fly in and out of town on a private jet piloted by a friend. The aircraft varied, because the friend borrowed them from his friends, so the former client couldn’t confirm whether Bonneville was still in town. But there was an executive jet still on the tarmac, so it was possible. All the incentive Jack needed. He ran for his car and headed to the airport.

The former client met him at the gate to let him in. Of course he couldn’t go beyond Security, but if Bonneville was on the way, he’d have to come through the unsecured area first. Jack remembered to pull out one of the high-end bottles of scotch he carried in his trunk for special customers to thank the former client.

They didn’t have long to wait. A town car pulled up and Bonneville and a sandy-haired guy emerged to walk briskly through the small lobby. “Bonneville.” Jack slid in front of the megastar.

“Yes?” Bonneville responded, pulling up. “You’re from Mackenzie’s firm, aren’t you, Dalton, right?”

“Yes, Jack Dalton. I know you’re in a hurry to get going, but I’d appreciate you giving me a minute or two.”

“Your boss doesn’t give up, does he? I haven’t changed my mind since this morning and I don’t intend to.”

“Cam sometimes gets overexcited when he’s explaining a concept to clients. I thought perhaps I could clarify any points he might have missed.”

Bonneville gave him a you’ve-got-to-be-kidding expression, but merely returned, “Not necessary. My mind’s made up. Your trip out here was pointless.” He shifted to the side and began to pass him.

“Wait! If you’re absolutely set on a high-rise, let’s talk about transferring to it some of the features of the plan we presented. My partner and I conducted quite an in-depth study of the wants and needs of baby boomers. You read the ‘Change plus Purpose’ part of our design concept, right?”

Bonneville took a deep breath, as if seeking the patience to deal with Jack’s continuing presence. “Look, I appreciate the time you and the Rogers woman put in working on this project. Like I told Mackenzie, I’ll reimburse your firm well for your efforts. I just don’t want to go that direction any more. Now, I’ve got a plane waiting for me. I don’t want to discuss this further.” He shoved past Jack, making his intent crystal clear.

Jack stood there for what seemed like hours, only a minute or two in actuality, trying to get his head around the guy’s attitude. He’d been so smooth with his arguments, but Bonneville still didn’t want to listen. Clients rarely turned him down outright. They might find their resources couldn’t support the projects he proposed, but they always loved to hear his ideas. What had happened to the superstar architect? Had he really lost his touch, as he’d considered just a few weeks ago when he’d first been teamed with Lacey?

Noticing his former client eyeing him from across the room, Jack straightened, threw out his shoulders, and forced a smile. No need to telegraph his failure to this guy. Shaking his head, as if Bonneville was the loser and not him, he steered toward the door like he owned the place.

Once back in his car, though, everything collapsed, his ego and spirit most of all. He’d made things worse. Bonneville probably wouldn’t even consider their pitch to do a high-rise now. Damn! He really thought he could charm the guy into reconsidering.

Though he didn’t want to, he called Cam from the car. The boss needed to know even his golden boy couldn’t retrieve this one.

“You did what?” Cam screamed once Jack briefed him.

Jack repeated his report.

“Of all the stupid things to do. What gave you the idea you could do this without first consulting me?”

This wasn’t the response he was expecting. He thought Cam would be disappointed instead of angry. On the other hand, the guy probably needed something/someone to blame for his frustration. “You’ve never questioned my going directly to the client in the past.”

“We’ve never had a multimillion-dollar deal slip through our hands before. God, Jack, you’ve been so close to earning the title of principal, but this decision showed absolutely no good judgment.”

Panic seized his gut. Cam finally said the word “principal” out loud, only he’d made it sound like a near miss, a chance already come and gone. Jack fought to keep his tone even. “Bonneville was leaving town. I caught up with him on his way out to a private jet. There was no time to call you, Cam, either to get you here or get your permission. My way with clients has always stood me in good stead before. I saw no reason why it wouldn’t work this time.”

“But it didn’t, did it?” Cam was no longer screaming, but his tone had turned belligerent. “Maybe your charm has finally run its course.”

“What do you want me to do now, Cam?” Could he sound more pathetic?

“You and your partner had better start cranking out a scheme for landing his high-rise. Better yet, maybe I should turn this project over to some of the senior architects who know what they’re doing.” With that, Cam clicked off.

Had he finished off a carton of sour milk, Jack couldn’t feel more queasy. The boss’ temper was notorious, but he’d never gotten quite so personal and vindictive. Jack had really misjudged this one. That old ego mistakenly assumed it could bring anything back from the brink. Not only had he lost Bonneville’s support, he’d lost the boss’ approval. Kiss being named principal good-bye. His silver tongue was gone as well.

What would he tell Lacey? When he left her, he’d acted like the super hero who could save the world. Now he’d not only jeopardized his future, if Cam really did bring in someone else in the firm to pick up the pieces, he’d cut off her chances of showing her stuff as well.

Time to cut his losses. At the very least, give himself space to reevaluate his abilities. Lacey didn’t deserve to be linked with the loser he’d become.