Trust in Advertising (46 page)

His family hated her. They would never tell him that to his face, and he may have been oblivious, but he wasn’t stupid. Whenever Jade walked into a room, Anna and Elizabeth would get identical pucker-lipped scowls on their faces. They never had lengthy conversations with Jade, only speaking to her when absolutely necessary, and Jade was the constant butt of Sean’s jokes. Erik, who had worked with her professionally on photo shoots long before Vincent met her, had warned him to stay away from the infamous Jade, but he didn’t listen.

A few nights ago he had finally been ready to break up with her and end his misery, but as soon as she suggested the possibility of a mole at Hunter, he knew he was screwed and had to keep her around. Jade knew everyone in the business. Her connections ran deep. Her model friends were sleeping with the most influential men in the business, and they spent the majority of their time on location smoking, drinking, and spilling their dirty little secrets. Jade would be an invaluable source of information no matter how much Vincent hated to admit it. And so she stayed.

Lexi made it clear she wouldn’t be pulled into the middle of their unraveling relationship, and he admired her for that. Vincent had blurred the professional line between the two of them enough. He should never have kissed her, no matter how much he wanted to. Lexi deserved better than that. She deserved a man who was committed to her one hundred percent of the time. Now that he had to keep Jade in his pocket, all hopes of developing something more with Lexi would have to wait. He only prayed she would still be there when he was finally free.

The phone continued to dance across his desk until he final y pressed ‘ignore,’

knowing that Jade would leave a lengthy and profanity-laden voicemail. “Go shopping, Jade.” Vincent muttered at his phone as he slid it into the drawer for safekeeping. He glanced at his watch and realized it was already lunchtime. He had been in the office for hours and spent a majority of that time daydreaming of Lexi. When his stomach growled, Vincent gave in and headed over to Lexi’s desk and began rummaging through the drawers for the carryout menu from Archie’s.

“What did she do, take it home with her?” he mumbled as he wiggled on the locked center drawer of Lexi’s desk, having turned up nothing in the other three. “Why the hell is this locked?”

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“To keep my boss out. He’s a real nosey guy, and for some reason he can’t keep his hands off my drawers.” Lexi grinned as she sat down on the edge of her desk, her eyes twinkling with amusement at Vincent’s frustration. She tossed a bag of food at him, and the familiar blue lettering on the plain white sack made his mouth water.

“I swear to God, I don’t know how you do it.” He sat down in her chair and ripped the bag open, pulling the sandwich from the bag and taking a huge bite without hesitation. “You’re the best.”

“Yeah, well, don’t get used to it. You got lucky. On the way over I had a hunch you’d be here today. Remember, Elizabeth edited my job duties and getting your sorry butt lunch is off my daily ‘to do’ list.”

Vincent grinned as he washed down the burger with a big swig of milkshake.

He licked a bit of the chocolate drink from the corner of his mouth, his tongue fascinating Lexi. “Don’t you worry about me. I’m a resourceful guy.”

“Who have you suckered into being your new greasy beef supplier?” Lexi’s hand went to her hip instinctively as she waited for his answer.

“Leigh will get me whatever I want, but she makes me buy her lunch too.”

“Damn, I wish I had thought of that.” Lexi shook her head from side to side. “Hey, you’re getting mustard on my keyboard! Go mess up your own desk.”

He rolled his eyes and wrapped the paper around his burger before he tossed it back into the bag. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled to see you, but why are you here on a Saturday?”

She didn’t answer, but raised an eyebrow in challenge and turned it back on him. “And why are you here?”

“The Marradesi thing. And you?”

“Research,” Lexi said nonchalantly as she pushed him out of her chair and sat down.

“What are you researching?” he asked suspiciously.

“Nothing,” Lexi said as she slipped a file to the bottom of a larger pile, hiding it.

Curious, Vincent grabbed the entire pile before she could stop him. When he opened the folder, he paused, his brows furrowed together in confusion. “Me?

You’re researching me?”

“Give me that.” She was on her feet and snatched the papers from his hand, putting them behind her back. “I was just looking at old campaigns that you’ve done. Just to get an idea what kind of things you like in a design.”

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“And the magazine article from when I was voted bachelor of the year?”

Lexi rolled her eyes. “It’s a cute picture of you. I thought I’d hang it on my wall next to my 1995
Tiger Beat
cover of Leonardo DiCaprio.”

“I’m way hotter than him,” Vincent deadpanned.

“Um, hello? He’s saving the environment, going green. What are you doing, Mr. Cheeseburger with Extra Bacon?”

“I have far better abs than him.” He began to playfully creep the hem of his T-shirt up over the waistband of his jeans.

He watched Lexi’s eyes grow wide, but they never left his body. Knowing she would watch whatever show he was willing to give made his blood run like molten fire through his veins. What he wouldn’t give to feel her hands on his body. When Lexi nibbled on her bottom lip, Vincent had to stifle a groan. The woman had no idea the effect she was having on him as she sat there, innocently watching and enticing him. Wanting to see how far she’d let his teasing go, he slipped his thumb onto the waistband of his jeans and tugged them down an inch, revealing a sliver more skin. When her eyes bugged out of her head, he chuckled to himself, knowing she had reached her limit.

With a squeak, Lexi grabbed his wrist and held his hand in place, acting as if she was revolted by the display. “Spare me the peep show.”

The wicked smile on his face made Lexi tremble. “Your loss.” He gave her hand a squeeze and pointed back at the file. “Seriously, what are you looking for in there?”

“Everyone has something that’s theirs in whatever they design. Elizabeth is the details, the meshing together of the tiniest parts. Fabrics and background props are as important as the message. In yours, you’re all about the idea and selling the overall concept as clearly and succinctly as possible. I guess part of me is wondering what my ‘thing’ will be if I ever get to design a campaign on my own.”

Without thinking, Vincent blurted out, “Passion.”

“Excuse me?”

“Well, it’s just that from working with you and seeing the ads you did for Hope, if I had to label what piece of yourself you put in the things you create, it’s passion. In your ads, people can feel the excitement, they can feel this air of wanting, and it’s the passion you create which draws them to whatever you’re selling. It’s incredibly attractive.” He ran his hand through his hair nervously as he wondered if he’d said too much. He tried to keep his comments solely 280

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about her work, but then she batted her sultry eyes at him and he was lost.

“Your work, I mean.”

A snarky grin appeared on her face. “Of course, the work.”

The coy curl of her lips had him captivated. He knew how soft her lips were, and he knew that he was right. Lexi was full of fire and passion. He had felt it when they kissed, and he couldn’t stop thinking about it. Even now, in the middle of the office during a casual conversation, he could feel it building between them. The desire, the need to touch her was getting to be unbearable.

One hand balled into a tight fist, and he jammed it into the pocket of his jeans, but the other took on a life of its own and reached out for what it wanted. He played with a lock of her long brown hair before brushing it back over her shoulder. A smile escaped his lips when he saw Lexi shiver at his touch.

“Oh, thank goodness you’re both here!” Elizabeth came rushing around the corner, breaking the trance, and bringing them back to reality. “Wait, Lexi, what are you doing here on Saturday? Vincent has no life, I expect it of him, but you must have something better to do.” Her eyes danced between the pair, picking up on the chemistry flowing between them.

Lexi glanced at Vincent, smiled, and said, “Actually there’s no place I’d rather be on a rainy Saturday. So, what’s up?”

Elizabeth motioned to Vincent’s office and followed them inside. Vincent stood off to the side, allowing his mother to sit at the desk. Lexi sat in one of the chairs in front of the desk, her knee bouncing gently with excitement.

“The date of the Marradesi meeting has been moved up. It’s this week.

Paolo just called. They’ll be in town for an opening, and he told me he was anxious to talk to the man who charmed his wife at the gala, so it looks like you’re up, Vincent.”

He confidently nodded his head. “That’s fine. I’ve been researching them for weeks. I’m interested to talk to them and find out what direction they want to take.”

“I’m glad to hear that, because I want Lexi at the meeting, and I want her to design the campaign with you from beginning to end.” Elizabeth waited for the argument from her son, but Lexi chimed in first.

“Elizabeth, this is a huge client. I’m happy to just watch Vincent work. I really don’t think …”

“I agree. Not that she doesn’t have wonderful ideas, but she’s never been in a negotiation before, let alone one this high profile.” Vincent began pacing back and forth across the room.

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Elizabeth cleared her throat and looked pointedly at her son. “And what exactly do you know about makeup, Vincent? Or the way women feel about makeup? You have the marketing part down, but I have a feeling they’re looking for the best niche for them in the American cosmetics market, and from there they’ll go global. This needs a woman’s touch; I can feel it.” She crossed her arms and sat back in his leather chair. “It’s her or me. Pick your poison.”

“Her!” Vincent said emphatically.

“You!” Lexi said at the same time.

“I’ll try not to be offended by how quickly I was cast aside by my own son.” Elizabeth pretended to wipe a tear, but her warm smile overpowered any dramatics. “Lexi, you can do this.” There was no doubt, no convincing, just a clear statement of fact from Elizabeth.

“I can do this,” Lexi whispered to herself. A warm hand gave her shoulder a squeeze.

“
We
can do this.” Vincent’s hand lingered on her shoulder, and Lexi reached up, grasping it for dear life, hoping his confidence would wash away her self-doubt.

“So, now what?” Lexi’s voice was still shaky as she asked the question.

Elizabeth clapped her hands together and then handed each of them a folder. “Well, I hope you didn’t have a date or anything this evening because we have a lot to work on.”

Lexi’s cheeks immediately reddened, and she grimaced. “I think I better go make a phone call.”

Vincent stiffened and watched Lexi exit the room. By the time he bothered to look back at Elizabeth, she had her hands folded sweetly on the desk and smiled angelically at him.

“Are you sure about this? Because if this is you playing matchmaker, you picked one hell of a client to put at risk.”

“I know I’m right. And this is all about business. I’d never risk the Marradesi account. Honestly, the two of you together are magic, even if you can’t see that yet.” With a knowing smile, she stood up, patted his cheek, and headed for the door. “A mother knows,” she said cryptically. “Enjoy your evening. And you can thank me for this later.”

Lexi came back into Vincent’s office after wrapping up her phone call and began studying the file Elizabeth had left for her.

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“Was he mad?” Vincent asked without even looking up from the paper he was jotting notes on.

“Who?”

“Peter.” He peered over the top of the paper, carefully gauging her reaction.

A chuckle slipped from her lips. “Oh, I think he’s fine.”

“If you have plans …” Vincent tried to do the right thing and give her space even though he wanted nothing more than to keep her close.

“Vincent, trust me. Peter will be fine. He’s nice and makes me feel sexy and desirable, but can I tell you a secret?” She crooked her finger and leaned toward the desk as Vincent did the same. “I highly doubt he’ll ever love someone as much as he loves himself.”

There was no stopping the belly laugh that Vincent felt coming. “He gives Narcissus a real run for his money?”

“This is terrible, and I shouldn’t be telling you this, but he took me to a gallery opening Friday night. It was modern art, which I enjoy, but some of it I just don’t get. Anyway, one of the artists graffitied a trash dumpster and named it
The Globalization of Evil
. Another took Styrofoam cups, arranged them in circle, colored one red, and named it
The Tenth Circle of Hell
. This one woman basically hung a bunch of mirrors and called it
Contemplation of Self
. I thought the name fit because as I looked at it, I definitely thought ‘what the hell am I doing here?’ but when I turned to see Peter’s reaction, he was busy winking at himself in the mirror. He did it all night. No matter where he was in the room, he looked at the mirror, saw his reflection, and winked.”

She broke out into an uncontrollable fit of giggles. Vincent doubled over with his head lying on the desk as his entire body shook with laughter. He gasped for breath after a few seconds. “Great, now I’m going to have that in my head every time I see him, thanks.”

“Glad to help.” Lexi sat back in her chair and smiled while Vincent laughed.

“What?” Vincent asked when he caught her staring.

“It’s just nice to see you laugh. You’ve seemed stressed the last few days, like something is bothering you.”

He began moving around the room, trying to figure out how to answer.

Finally, he dug his hands into the pockets of his jeans, stared at the floor and sighed. “Yeah, something is going on, but I can’t talk about it right now.”