Chance on Love (16 page)

“Sorry to disappoint you, Grandfather. Love and I aren’t a match—in more ways than one.”

“Sorry to disappoint
you
, scamp, but I think it’s just the opposite. I think you’ve finally met your match in this...Love.” He tilted his head. “Isn’t she the little spitfire who told us all off at the meeting?” He smiled. “Yeah, there’s your match all right.”

“Crazy,” he muttered, shaking his head.

“Let’s put it this way, boy:
You
may not know why you brought her here.” He sat back, puffing his cigar. “But I do.”

Chance laughed. “We’re not engaged in some magical fairy tale that will end in marriage and babies. I’m not falling in love with that woman. What do I have to do to make you understand that?”

“Oh, that’s easy.” Ross Lucas grinned. “Fire her.”

Chapter 19

Jennifer threw her head back and laughed as she pulled Stephanie into the mansion’s foyer by her hand. “He did
not
really say that!”

Stephanie smiled. “I swear he did!” She had racked up a huge bill on Chance’s card during her little shopping spree. Fortunately, she was pretty sure it was unlimited. Only the best of everything, though—Jennifer insisted on it.

Stephanie had searched for the bargain bins, but apparently, those weren’t en vogue in Beverly Hills. Chance’s sister, however, thought the prices they’d seen were reasonable. Totally different mindsets they had, but Chance hadn’t been lying about her great taste in music. They’d quickly bonded over the awesome sounds of the eighties. Naturally, Stephanie had to share Chance’s mistake on a certain band’s name.

“Just wait until I see him,” Jennifer said. “A Colony of Seagulls...crazy.” She smiled and shook her head as they walked into the sitting room. “You can just leave these here. I’ll get someone to put them away.” She placed the shopping bags she held in her hand on the loveseat.

Stephanie did the same, all the while feeling a little strange about having someone following behind her doing things she could easily do. “I can put these up. Really, it’s no problem.”

Jennifer waved the comment away and looked at her watch. “There’s still plenty of time for my brother to take you around the city, if you want to see some sights. The guests won’t start arriving until around seven.” She walked toward the sitting room door. “I’ll go see if my parents are here. Try to find Chance,” she called back.

Apparently, he had returned to Beverly Hills for his maternal grandmother’s seventy-fifth birthday celebration. Stephanie was still marveling at the fact that the Arrogant One thought enough of the woman to drop everything for her.

Not that he had a glamorous life in Oklahoma City, but he was usually swamped with work. She pushed the thoughts aside before she started getting
too
soft on the guy.

Stephanie looked down at herself. Gone was her rumpled, chain store clothing from before. She now wore a hunter green, fitted, knee-length dress and matching heels. She had resisted the purchases at first. She wasn’t much of a color person; she tended to dress in neutrals.

Jennifer had worn her down, though, and Stephanie was grateful. Superficial, yes, but she now felt amazing. Smiling, she left the room in search of the man who had made it possible for her to be walking around wearing what equated to a month’s salary.

She looked up in awe at the grand staircases again before frowning. She didn’t even know where to begin looking. Turning to her left, she caught a glimpse of Rupert walking down a hallway. “Excuse me,” she called out, but he didn’t seem to hear her. She started walking in his direction.

“Ms. Love, is it?” she heard a voice behind her ask.

Stephanie turned. “Mr. Lucas,” she said, smiling, as she extended her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you—officially.”

He kissed her hand. “The feeling’s mutual. Walk with me, will you?” he asked as he turned and headed in the direction from which he’d come.

“Of course,” Stephanie said, quickening her steps to catch up with him.

He clasped his hands behind his back. “So how have things been at the station?” His voice held a faint Southern drawl.

“A little rocky at first, but I think everyone’s adjusting fairly well.”

“Mm.” He glanced at her. “And how are things with you and my grandson?”

Her face warmed and she cleared her throat. “What do you mean?”

“Well, you’re the Executive Assistant now. Doesn’t that mean you have to work fairly,” he shot her another look, “closely with one another?”

Gulp.
“That
is
part of the job description, yes,” she said smoothly, hoping her voice sounded as calm as she wanted it to.

“That’s not...tense, Ms. Love?” Ross Lucas asked, with a hint of a smile on his lips. “Awkward?”

Hell yes—thank you for asking.
“Why would it be?”

Mr. Lucas shrugged as they turned and walked behind one of the staircases. “You two didn’t exactly endear yourselves to each other upon first meeting.”

Stephanie ducked her head sheepishly. “I was anxious about the changes that were to come, that’s all. Chance—Mr. Valentine and I are...” She thought about how he’d comforted her on the plane, how he’d given up his credit card without a second thought just because he knew she had been uncomfortable. “We’re better now.”

“Mm,” Mr. Lucas said. “Odd, though, isn’t it?”

“What’s that?”

“That it’s not awkward working for someone you’re dating.”

Stephanie widened her eyes and choked back a laugh. “I’m sorry, sir.
What?
”

Mr. Lucas waved her question away. “Drop the act. I’ve already seen Chance’s performance; I don’t need a repeat.”

She crossed her arms as they passed behind the other staircase, circling back around toward the sitting room. “With all due respect, Mr. Lucas, you’ve been misinformed. Your grandson and I are
not
an item.”

“According to Clayton Morrison’s son you are.” He pinned Stephanie with an unwavering stare. “Or did he imagine seeing the two of you engaged in a passionate lip lock at a,” he winced, “bar?”

Clayton Morrison the Third, that little shit. Of course, she had no one to blame but herself. She’d wanted so badly to rub his face in the “fact” that she’d moved on so quickly and was deliriously happy without him.

Kissing Chance in front of him had seemed like a good idea at the time. What the hell had she been thinking? She knew everything went wrong for her—why would that particular plan of hers go any better?

Mr. Lucas snapped his fingers. “And I guess that means Clayton’s son imagined you telling him that you were, indeed, dating Chance and had been ever since he’d started running the station.”

Stephanie looked away. There was no way she could explain any of this without sounding like someone who needed to be terminated immediately. And if he suspected she was sleeping with his grandson, there was still a chance of that happening.

Ross Lucas was shrewd. He’d probably figure the primary reason she’d be having sex with Chance would be for a promotion. Stephanie almost laughed.

That
had
been the plan. But like the rest of her plans...

The sexy schmuck wasn’t so much of a schmuck anymore. He actually had some redeeming qualities, which she tried to think of as little as possible. Chance was kind-hearted—well, at least to most people. Kenny hadn’t fared too well with him. Stephanie squared her shoulders.

That’s what she needed to focus on. There was an unethical, ruthless corporate raider side to the bastard. Who cared if he was nice to puppies, loved his grandma, and could practically make Stephanie come just by setting those blue-gray eyes on her? Those eyes really
were
something, though.

“Have you heard a word I’ve been saying, Ms. Love? Though, I guess we’re beyond formalities now. You’ll be part of the family soon enough, after all.”

She laughed. “Mr. Lucas—”

“Ross, please. Until you and Chance are married. Then, I suppose it should be grandfather.” He sat down on the now empty loveseat in the sitting room.

It was crazy, but she hoped all of her purchases had been put away in an easy to find spot—the place was enormous and she really didn’t want to lose those suckers.

“Ross,” she began again. “I don’t want you to get your hopes up. There’s no way I’m marrying
anyone
, much less that playboy grandson of yours. The man’s more maddening than you can imagine. More importantly, he’s been absolutely awful to someone I care very much about. The list of reasons goes on.”

Mr. Lucas nodded. “He can be spiteful. Ruthless.”

“Yes,” she said excitedly, relieved someone was finally getting it.

“A real bastard.”

She furrowed her brow as she sat in the chair across from him. She didn’t know if she’d call Chance a
bastard
. Well, she did all the time, but she never really meant it. “He’s not—”

“Selfish beyond belief, but I guess that goes without saying when someone’s conceited.”

She held up a hand. “Excuse me, sir—Ross. Chance isn’t at all selfish. And he’s confident, yes, but I wouldn’t go so far as to call him conceited.”

“What?” Mr. Lucas frowned. “What
would
you call him?”

She thought about it as she sat back, crossing her legs. “He’s really intelligent. He’s funny, charming, generous, kind and...strong.” She swallowed past a lump in her throat. “He’s actually pretty wonderful when he wants to be.”

Mr. Lucas raised his eyebrows. “Huh. You’re right. Why the hell would you ever want to be with a man like that?”

Stephanie’s face went hot again. She hadn’t meant to gush about the asshole, only to set his grandfather straight on a few things.

“That was actually...nice. How unlike you, Love. Thanks.”

Groaning, she turned around to see Chance standing in the doorway wearing that disgustingly sexy smirk. She stood, feeling his gaze touch every part of her body.

“You look—” He took a deep breath.

Eagerly, she waited to see what he thought of her decked out appearance.

“Really nice,” he finished.

She rolled her eyes. “Tone down the flattery, all right? You’ll spoil me.”

Chance flashed a dimple. “Wouldn’t want to do that.” He held out a long, thin velvety red box as he walked toward her. “Here.”

Stephanie eyed the box warily. “What is it?”

“Only one way to find out,” Chance said.

“Not really,” she said, looking up at him. “Either someone opens it or you tell me.”

“One of those isn’t happening, Love.” His eyes shone with mischief and...something else. Desire?

She stared into those eyes, barely resisting the urge to smile. She had to stay on her toes with this one. He was
good
. Snatching the box from his hand, she sighed. “Have it your way.”

Shrugging, he gave her a lopsided grin. “I usually do.”

“You are such an—” She pressed her lips together when she realized they still had an audience in one Mr. Lucas. “Amazingly generous person, sir,” she said through clenched teeth.

Chance rolled his lips in, undoubtedly to keep from laughing.

Not sure what to expect, she held the box with an unsteady hand. Valentine had a twisted sense of humor. Hell, the box could very well hold a single key, taped to the bottom. A key to his house.
So I can run over and clean it on my next lunch break.

Opening it slowly, she gasped when she got a look at what was inside. An extremely sparkly, platinum tennis necklace, it had too many diamonds to count. And those suckers were impressive.

“Holy shit,” she mumbled, forgetting her vow to watch her language. With trembling fingers, she picked it up out of the box carefully. It felt slightly heavy in her hand—she couldn’t even begin to guess the total number of carats she was holding.

“Well?” Chance asked. “You like it?”

Not trusting herself to speak just then, Stephanie shook her head as she stared at the necklace. She tore her gaze away from it and looked up at Chance.

“No?” His beautiful eyes flickered with disappointment.

She gave him a little smile. “I love it,” she said softly. They stared at one another as she continued to hold the necklace up. “But I can’t accept this, Chance.”

The burgeoning smile on his face fell in an instant.

“There’s no way I could even begin paying you back. The clothes and shoes alone will take long enough.”

His jaw clenched. “I don’t want you to pay me back, Love.”

She took a deep breath. “How much was it?”

“Don’t worry about it.” He grabbed the necklace from her fingers. “Turn around.”

She opened her mouth to argue.

“Turn...
around.
” His voice was low, insistent, and incredibly sexy.

Stephanie looked at him a few moments more before silently obeying. He softly brushed her hair away from her neck and she closed her eyes. His touch had always been more than enough to start her fires burning. He leaned down and she felt his breath, warm, against her ear.

“You’re beautiful, Love,” he whispered.

A slow, gentle swipe of his tongue on her earlobe had her biting her lip to keep from moaning. Chance clasped the necklace and she opened her eyes. She turned to face him and their gazes connected. And, as the seconds ticked by, they remained that way.

Damn it, there was no way to focus on the hate right then. She wanted him.

Bad.

Mr. Lucas chimed in from his seat. “Well, do
I
get to see the damn thing?”

Chance stepped aside and Stephanie took a few steps toward his grandfather.

He stood up, leaning in as he stared at the necklace. He whistled. “Whoo, boy! That had to set you back at least sixty grand—
if
you got a great deal.”

Her jaw dropped. Sixty grand?

Surely not.

“Quite a gift,” Mr. Lucas said, giving Chance a smug look Stephanie didn’t quite understand. Then, the old man turned to her. “I say, sugar, you must be the best little assistant in the whole world.”

Chapter 20

“My sweet baby,” Chance’s grandmother crooned as she patted his cheek. “I’m so glad you made it back for my birthday.” She gazed at him adoringly.