Sinfully Sexy (12 page)
Authors: Linda Francis Lee
Tags: #Romance, #Sex in the workplace, #Fiction
"Chloe, what is it?" he asked over a ragged breath.
The truth was, admitting that she had misjudged him and starting
something up with him now were two very different things. Maybe
something could work out between them, but not yet, not until they
finished this show. If he was still interested after they were done,
then maybe ...
Looking up, she touched her tender lips. "The night at the hotel was
crazy, but this, you and me, right now, would be crazier. We're working
together. This"âshe waved between themâ"would cause problems on set and
with the others. This would make things . .. weird."
His dark eyes narrowed. "Weird?"
"See, I really do need those glasses. Already my vocabulary has gone
downhill."
She watched as the clouds on his face began to clear. He drew a deep
breath, then chuckled, his smile revealing straight white teeth and a
surprising kindness.
"It would make things awkward," she restated quickly.
"Only if you let it."
He tried to pull her back.
"No, really." She pressed her hand against his broad chest. "I'm sorry
I've been so rude these last
couple of weeks. I'm sorry that I equated you to your employer."
He went stiff.
"Prescott Media is a horrible placeâ"
Something flickered in his eyes, like candle flames catching for a
second in a slight breeze.
"âbut I see now that you're not anything like that company. You have
helped us. And I thank you for that."
She touched his cheek. "You are honest, and straightforward, and kind.
I admit that now."
He seemed to debate something, or maybe he was counting. Either way,
his features were dark with
some kind of emotion she couldn't place.
"But we still can't be together," she continued. "At least not in the
middle of this hugely important
project. The station is depending on you and me to make this work. We
can't afford any distractions."
She took the opportunity to step away. Clearing her throat, trying to
breathe normally despite her racing heart, she smoothed her clothes.
"Are you heading over to the house with the final load of things?"
"Yes, but, Chloeâ"
"Trey, I'm not going to change my mind. I've got to run. It's getting
late, and I've got to make one last
call before I leave here." She smiled at him with heartfelt kindness.
"Then I'll meet you at the house."
He debated. "Fine. But we need to talk. Challenge or not, there's
something I need to tell you."
"Challenge? Sure, this is a challenge, but it's nothing we can't face
together and make work. I've got to dash, then we can talk later at the
house."
He studied her for a long second, then he nodded. She would have sworn
he looked grim. But he wouldn't look grim for long. After being so mean
for the last two weeks, she decided to put together a thank-you
surprise for him. But what kind of things did he like?
She hurried back to her office and closed the door. Quickly she dialed
directory assistance and asked for the number of Prescott Media in St.
Louis.
When she was sure that Trey was gone, she dialed the number. A
receptionist answered on the first ring.
"Prescott Media."
"Yes, this is Chloe Sinclair at KTEX TV in El Paso. Could you connect
me to Trey Tanner's secretary, please."
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From: Ben Prescott
Subject: Question
Ben
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From: Jason Hughes
Subject: re: Question
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From: Ben Prescott
Subject: re: Question
Ben
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From: Jason Hughes
Subject: re: Question
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From: [email protected]
Subject: Dinner Invite
Dear, dear Ben,
Susie
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From: Diana Prescott
Subject: What's this?
Dear Benjamin:
Diana
p.s. Has Sterling mentioned my condo?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Ben Prescott
Subject: re: What's this?
B
p.s. Haven't heard a word about a condo.
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secretary."
"Who is calling, please?"
"This is Chloe Sinclair. I'm the station manager of KTEX TV in El Paso,
Texas."
"Ms. Sinclair, I'm Bert Parsons in personnel. You were transferred to
me because Trey Tanner's secretary, well, ah, she quit three weeks ago.
Could I help you?"
"Oh," she stammered, her brain trying to understand. "But then Mr.
Tanner must have a
new
secretary. Maybe she's called a personal assistant. Whatever her title
is, I'm certain he talks to her all the time."
"Ms. Sinclair. I'm sorry, but Mr. Tanner is no longer employed by
Prescott Media."
Chloe sat very still at her desk, the pencil she had been doodling with
halting midcurl around one of a
slew of ys attached to a whole slew of Treys she had written over and
over again like she was a silly seventh grader in junior high.
"No longer employed there?" she asked, the words sticking in her
throat. "I don't understand."
"Trey Tanner was ... His employment was terminated."
"As in fired?" Fired! Her mind raced. "Oh, my God!"
She realized in a startling jab to her ribs that he must have been
fired for helping them. That horrid rat Prescott must have been furious
when he learned Trey had offered to help rather than swallow up
KTEX like some gluttonous killer whale. Then Sterling Prescott had
fired him. Trey was here doing
this on his own. That had to be it! He had stayed in El Paso like some
knight in shining armor. And the reason he was in such a hurry to
succeed must have been to insure Prescott couldn't regroup, then
come down here and swallow them up after all.
A few minutes earlier, when Trey had mentioned the challenge he faced,
he must have been referring
to the challenge of going up against Sterling Prescott.
Her stomach roiled with panic and amazement. She could hardly quantify
the myriad ways she had misjudged Trey. She felt guilt and the need to
defend the man at the same time.
"He was fired because he came to El Paso to help us here at the
station, wasn't he?" she accused.
"Miss, I assure you I can't tell you why he was let go. But if you
would like to get in touch with him, let me give you his phone number."
He read off a series of digits. "It's for his home in Clayton."
"Clayton?" she asked, confused.
"Yes, it's just outside of St. Louis. I spoke to him a few minutes ago.
I'm sure you can reach him there now."
The gears in her brain jarred as she took in this new piece of
information. The number he had given her wasn't in El Paso. She tried
to understand.
"Good-bye, Ms. Sinclair."
"Wait!"
The man on the other end sighed. "I'm really busy, and I can't help you
further."
"Betty."
"What?"
Her heart started pounding so hard she thought she would be sick. More
than once she had heard Trey refer to his secretary as Betty.
"Whose secretary is Betty?"
"The only Betty in our employ is Betty Taylor. Mr. Prescott's
secretary."
Her head swam. "Mr. Sterling Prescott?"
"Yes. Would you like me to transfer you to her?"
"No. No! I mean, no," she said, fighting for calm. "I've got a meeting.
I can call back later. Thank you."
She slammed the receiver down in a panic and stared at the phone like
it had burned her. Trey Tanner wasn't Trey Tanner at all.
She felt hot and cold and sick to her stomach. She felt like a
washcloth being twisted at the end of a
long bath.
Sweet, kind Trey Tanner was a figment of her imagination. He was
Sterling Prescott. Cutthroat,
callously indifferent corporate raider of the worst kind.
And a liar.
The words sank in.
They had let the fox into the henhouse.
Chloe sat back in her chair, light-headed with despair. The man she was
drawn to wasn't who she had believed he was. Tears of disappointment
burned in her eyes.
"Why?" she whispered, hating the feeling of betrayal. But wasn't that
how men were? Isn't that why
she didn't date anymore, because eventually they broke your heart?
Hadn't that been the real reason
she hadn't taken the
Sexy!
quiz seriously?
But following closely on the heels of despair came something else.
Something hot and burning that she finally recognized as blazing fury.
As always, it was easier to be mad than hurt.
"Liar," she bit out, yanking up her purse and heading for the door.
"Liar, liar, liar," she added in time
with her footsteps as she headed out of the building.
She got on 1-10 instead of taking Mesa. She drove with her hands
clutching the steering wheel. She was going to show up at the houses,
the sets, and expose the bastard for who he really was.
Then another thought hit her, sending a chill down her spine. What was
he doing here? Why was he pretending to be a man whom he had fired? Was
this some elaborate ploy to gain the station after all?
Had he known that they would resist his lowball offer?
None of it made any sense.
When she pulled up to Julia's house, which would serve as the main set,
she saw Trey'sâno, damn itâSterling Prescott's rented Taurus parked in
the drive like he owned the place.
Slamming out of the car, Chloe marched up to the front door with
furious anger pushing her on. She didn't ring the bell. She entered and
was hit by a crush of voices. Women were everywhere, most of
them the
Roses
who had made
the final cut.
They talked excitedly, looking over racks of clothes that had been
brought over from various boutiques
in exchange for free advertising. Already Chloe could see how the women
gravitated into smaller groups. Cliques.
Heat ran down her spine as it made her think of junior high and high
school. Girls circling together, excluding others. Thank God for Kate
and Julia, since she had never felt all that comfortable around others.
The few times she had gotten friendly with other girls, she never was
able to bring them home
or reciprocate with birthday parties and sleep-overs. Her grandmother
didn't believe in them. Kate and Julia had known all about her family,
or lack thereof. They provided her with a safe place.
One of the Roses sat apart from the rest of the group. The smart one.
Chloe wondered if she had made
a mistake in insisting that Sherry be one of the contestants.
But then she shook the thought away. They needed a variety of
interesting contestants, plus the woman was smart enough to figure out
how to make this work for her. Besides, Chloe had bigger problems to
worry about just then.
She started toward the kitchen, but stopped dead in her tracks when she
saw Treyâno, Sterlingâdeep
in conversation with one of the cameramen. Sterling was tall, taller
than anyone there. Dark and handsome. She remembered their kissâwhat,
had it really been only an hour ago? She remembered
the hope she had felt that he was kind and good after all.
She pressed her eyes closed, railing at herself for being so gullible.
Clenching her fists, she opened her eyes. And found that he was looking
at her. Really looking, as if he was trying to understand what he
sawâor what he felt.
Then he smiled, that chiseled face of his lighting up.
Hello, he mouthed.
Liar.
She turned away, sensed his sudden confusion, but she didn't care. She
ducked and sidestepped her
way through the crowd to find Julia.
Her dearest friend stood in the kitchen, laughing at something one of
the television grips said to her.
Julia had made an art form out of flirting and teasing.
"Chloe, sugar, there you are! I was beginning to wonder if our
illustrious coproducer of
The Catch
and His Dozen Texas Roses
had disappeared." But then her smile
faltered.
Chloe knew that Julia instantly sensed that something was wrong. That
was the way with Julia, all fun
and games and wildness until one of her little chicks needed her. No
one else ever realized that about
the pampered only child of the wealthiest man in El Paso.
"Chloe, sugar, what is it?"
Sterling Prescott started making his way toward them, his gaze hard and
determined.
"We've got to talk," Chloe whispered. She took Julia's arm.
"Of course." Julia glanced around. "We'll go to my bedroom to get away
from this crush of people."
They started forward, but Sterling blocked their path. Chloe tried to
veer around him, and the man's controlled features furrowed even more.
"Chloe." One word, but everyone there sensed the command in his tone.
She ducked her head, held on tighter to Julia's arm, and kept going.
"Chloe!"
But this time it wasn't the man who called out to her.
"Kate?"
Chloe and Julia stopped and found an out-of-breath Kate racing into the
house. "We've got a problem." Kate took in her surroundings, noticed
the crowd. She pushed the kitchen door shut, secluding them
from the rest of the crew and contestants, though she pulled Sterling
inside with the three of them.
"You need to hear this, too."
"I don't think he does," Chloe snapped.
More confusion on his face. But Kate didn't notice. She plunged ahead.
"Our bachelor and one of the Roses ran off to Mexico to get married."
Then silence. Dumbfounded quiet as every one of them absorbed the news.
"You're joking," Julia choked out.
"I wish I were. But I'm not. I had a note on my desk from both of them.
They thought that since I'm newly married, I would understand how they
fell in love and couldn't go through with a show that is
all about finding love after they had already found it. Can you believe
this?"
Kate, always calm Kate, screeched.
Julia said a few things that they definitely didn't teach in etiquette
classes.
Chloe started to pace.
"We'll have to postpone the show," Sterling said.
Chloe whipped her head up. Had this been the plan all along? Was this
his creative way of ruining them? Had he paid the
Catch and the Rose
to run off so he
could claim they needed to hold up the program?
"We can't postpone," Kate interjected when Chloe couldn't get a word
out of her mouth. "We'll be
ruined. We've banked everything on this. Isn't that right, Chloe?"
Everyone looked at her. "That's true. We can't afford not to start
taping. We've already finalized our schedule. Six episodes over two
weeks. We have advertising booked. And everyone here knows that
if we don't run the show, we don't get the ad revenue."
"If we don't get the ad revenue," Julia added, her voice hollow, "we
can't pay the bills."
"And that isn't acceptable," Chloe finished. "We'd go under. You know
that. . . Trey? Don't you?"
He appeared decidedly uncomfortable. His brother, Ben, if he really was
his brother, had walked in
and stood off to the side, his arms crossed on his chest, one dark brow
raised.
"If we don't air
The Catch
tomorrow night at six o'clock as scheduled, we will be a prime target
for a hostile takeover. Isn't that right, Trey?" Chloe continued
pointedly.
She and the man who had come into their lives stared at each other.
Kate threw her hands up. "There's only one solution. We have to find
another bachelor. We never showed the guy's face in the promos. We just
have to find someone else."
All at once, Julia, Chloe, and Kate pivoted toward Ben. It took a
second before he realized what they were thinking.
He stood away from the wall and put his hands out. "Sorry, no can do."
"Why? You'd be perfect," Kate said.
"I can't." He looked at his brother. "I'm on leave," he said, the words
hesitant, "from a job that . . . wouldn't allow me to be on a
television show."
Julia studied him. "What are you, a thief? Not interested in having
your mug on the screen for fear that someone visiting the post office
might recognize you on one of those posters?"
Chloe couldn't tell if Julia was trying to be funny or if she was
really trying to be a bitch. She was only succeeding in the latter.
Though it hardly registered because Chloe had another idea.
She turned to Trey, Sterling, whomever. An unfamiliar but deliciously
wonderful feeling of revenge
slid through her. "I have a better idea. Trey should do it."
"What?" he blurted.
"Yes, the more I think about it, the more I like it. Bachelor Trey. It
has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"
"Oh, no. Not me."
"Why not, Trey?" she asked slyly. "This is your brilliant brainchild,
insisting we had to have a bachelor show called
The Catch
. Remember how you told us
that if we went for it with this, it would save us? Well, surprise!
It's not. In fact, you and I both know that if we don't start taping
and airing the first
show tomorrow as planned, KTEX TV will be ruined." She let the words
sink in. "Or was that your
plan all along, Trey? Maybe you really are as horrible as the
despicable Sterling Prescort, after all."
Kate gasped. Julia cursed.
"That wasn't my intent," the man said through clenched teeth. "When I
came up with this plan, my
intent was to save the station." He scowled, then started to pace,
raking his hand through his hair. "There's got to be someone else who
can step in."
"Who?" Chloe demanded. "We don't have time to do more interviews. And
we sure as Hades can't bring in some stranger off the street. He could
be any sort of stalker and we'd end up with the same sort of debacle
that Fox had over that
Who Wants to
Marry a Millionaire
guy who'd had a restraining order slapped
against him." She smiled without an ounce of humor. "We can't afford to
put our lovely
Roses
in danger like that."
He stopped and skewered her with a gaze. Then all of a sudden, he
changed. She could feel it like a
storm blowing through on a gust, and he surprised her. "Fine," he said.
"I'll do it."
Julia and Kate cheered. Ben choked. Chloe couldn't believe it. And she
really couldn't believe it a
second later when he actually smiled.
"However, there's one condition," he added.
Chloe didn't like the look on his face.
"We also need to find a replacement for our missing Rose," he
explained, his gaze incisive.
"Replacement?" Chloe repeated.
"That's right," Kate said with a weary sigh. "We've got only eleven
women now."
"Eleven, twelve," Chloe reasoned, "what does it matter?
It's the bachelor that's the issue. Trey as the bachelor solves that.
So you have to do it." She turned away.
The truth was, admitting that she had misjudged him and starting
something up with him now were two very different things. Maybe
something could work out between them, but not yet, not until they
finished this show. If he was still interested after they were done,
then maybe ...
Looking up, she touched her tender lips. "The night at the hotel was
crazy, but this, you and me, right now, would be crazier. We're working
together. This"âshe waved between themâ"would cause problems on set and
with the others. This would make things . .. weird."
His dark eyes narrowed. "Weird?"
"See, I really do need those glasses. Already my vocabulary has gone
downhill."
She watched as the clouds on his face began to clear. He drew a deep
breath, then chuckled, his smile revealing straight white teeth and a
surprising kindness.
"It would make things awkward," she restated quickly.
"Only if you let it."
He tried to pull her back.
"No, really." She pressed her hand against his broad chest. "I'm sorry
I've been so rude these last
couple of weeks. I'm sorry that I equated you to your employer."
He went stiff.
"Prescott Media is a horrible placeâ"
Something flickered in his eyes, like candle flames catching for a
second in a slight breeze.
"âbut I see now that you're not anything like that company. You have
helped us. And I thank you for that."
She touched his cheek. "You are honest, and straightforward, and kind.
I admit that now."
He seemed to debate something, or maybe he was counting. Either way,
his features were dark with
some kind of emotion she couldn't place.
"But we still can't be together," she continued. "At least not in the
middle of this hugely important
project. The station is depending on you and me to make this work. We
can't afford any distractions."
She took the opportunity to step away. Clearing her throat, trying to
breathe normally despite her racing heart, she smoothed her clothes.
"Are you heading over to the house with the final load of things?"
"Yes, but, Chloeâ"
"Trey, I'm not going to change my mind. I've got to run. It's getting
late, and I've got to make one last
call before I leave here." She smiled at him with heartfelt kindness.
"Then I'll meet you at the house."
He debated. "Fine. But we need to talk. Challenge or not, there's
something I need to tell you."
"Challenge? Sure, this is a challenge, but it's nothing we can't face
together and make work. I've got to dash, then we can talk later at the
house."
He studied her for a long second, then he nodded. She would have sworn
he looked grim. But he wouldn't look grim for long. After being so mean
for the last two weeks, she decided to put together a thank-you
surprise for him. But what kind of things did he like?
She hurried back to her office and closed the door. Quickly she dialed
directory assistance and asked for the number of Prescott Media in St.
Louis.
When she was sure that Trey was gone, she dialed the number. A
receptionist answered on the first ring.
"Prescott Media."
"Yes, this is Chloe Sinclair at KTEX TV in El Paso. Could you connect
me to Trey Tanner's secretary, please."
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Â
From: Ben Prescott
Subject: Question
Jagger:
I need you to do a search for me. A woman named Chloe Sinclair.
Works at KTEX TV.
Thanks,I need you to do a search for me. A woman named Chloe Sinclair.
Works at KTEX TV.
Ben
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Â
From: Jason Hughes
Subject: re: Question
Ben,
my man. Where the hell have you been? I've called. Left messages. No
response. Is that any way to treat an old academy buddy? Didn't think
so. Let's meet for a beer. Shoot some poof. Let me know that you're
doing all right. You're going back to the PD, right? I keep telling
everyone you'll be back. Don't make a fool of me, buddy. But hey, if
you decide not to, I can always use
you here at Hughes. You'd be great at security.
my man. Where the hell have you been? I've called. Left messages. No
response. Is that any way to treat an old academy buddy? Didn't think
so. Let's meet for a beer. Shoot some poof. Let me know that you're
doing all right. You're going back to the PD, right? I keep telling
everyone you'll be back. Don't make a fool of me, buddy. But hey, if
you decide not to, I can always use
you here at Hughes. You'd be great at security.
Now,
what's this about the Sinclair broad? What do you want to know? I ran
her through the system, and she doesn't have so much as a traffic
ticket.
Jagwhat's this about the Sinclair broad? What do you want to know? I ran
her through the system, and she doesn't have so much as a traffic
ticket.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Â
From: Ben Prescott
Subject: re: Question
Sorry
I haven't gotten back to you sooner. I've been busy. You know how it
is. But we'll get together soon.
As to the woman, I have someone who wants to know things like the
sort of family she's from, what her parents do.
Thanks,I haven't gotten back to you sooner. I've been busy. You know how it
is. But we'll get together soon.
As to the woman, I have someone who wants to know things like the
sort of family she's from, what her parents do.
Ben
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Â
From: Jason Hughes
Subject: re: Question
Will
do. I'll get back to you when I find something.
Also, heads up. I told Susie that I heard from you. She wants you
to come to dinner. You know how women are. She's not going to take no
for an answer. She forced your e-mail out of me.
Jagdo. I'll get back to you when I find something.
Also, heads up. I told Susie that I heard from you. She wants you
to come to dinner. You know how women are. She's not going to take no
for an answer. She forced your e-mail out of me.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Â
From: [email protected]
Subject: Dinner Invite
Dear, dear Ben,
My
feelings are hurt. You haven't called or come by. Little Jason is
wondering where his
godfather has gotten himself to. Come to dinner. Any night you want.
I'll make your favorite
meal. What was it again? See, now you have to call to tell me.
Lots of love,feelings are hurt. You haven't called or come by. Little Jason is
wondering where his
godfather has gotten himself to. Come to dinner. Any night you want.
I'll make your favorite
meal. What was it again? See, now you have to call to tell me.
Susie
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Â
From: Diana Prescott
Subject: What's this?
Dear Benjamin:
Not
a single word from you. Mother's in a fit. What is she supposed to tell
everyone after she promised that you were coming home? And now
Sterling. First you go AWOL in Texas, now Sterling is proving equally
elusive. What is it about that town that appears to be the black hole
for our family? What is going on? And when are you coming home?
Your sister,a single word from you. Mother's in a fit. What is she supposed to tell
everyone after she promised that you were coming home? And now
Sterling. First you go AWOL in Texas, now Sterling is proving equally
elusive. What is it about that town that appears to be the black hole
for our family? What is going on? And when are you coming home?
Diana
p.s. Has Sterling mentioned my condo?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Â
From: Ben Prescott
Subject: re: What's this?
Sorry,
brat, I've been busy. I'll probably come home for a visit during
Christmas. As to Sterling,
let's just say he's got his hands full.
Love to you and Mom,brat, I've been busy. I'll probably come home for a visit during
Christmas. As to Sterling,
let's just say he's got his hands full.
B
p.s. Haven't heard a word about a condo.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Â
NINE
"Yes, I'm holding for Trey Tanner'ssecretary."
"Who is calling, please?"
"This is Chloe Sinclair. I'm the station manager of KTEX TV in El Paso,
Texas."
"Ms. Sinclair, I'm Bert Parsons in personnel. You were transferred to
me because Trey Tanner's secretary, well, ah, she quit three weeks ago.
Could I help you?"
"Oh," she stammered, her brain trying to understand. "But then Mr.
Tanner must have a
new
secretary. Maybe she's called a personal assistant. Whatever her title
is, I'm certain he talks to her all the time."
"Ms. Sinclair. I'm sorry, but Mr. Tanner is no longer employed by
Prescott Media."
Chloe sat very still at her desk, the pencil she had been doodling with
halting midcurl around one of a
slew of ys attached to a whole slew of Treys she had written over and
over again like she was a silly seventh grader in junior high.
"No longer employed there?" she asked, the words sticking in her
throat. "I don't understand."
"Trey Tanner was ... His employment was terminated."
"As in fired?" Fired! Her mind raced. "Oh, my God!"
She realized in a startling jab to her ribs that he must have been
fired for helping them. That horrid rat Prescott must have been furious
when he learned Trey had offered to help rather than swallow up
KTEX like some gluttonous killer whale. Then Sterling Prescott had
fired him. Trey was here doing
this on his own. That had to be it! He had stayed in El Paso like some
knight in shining armor. And the reason he was in such a hurry to
succeed must have been to insure Prescott couldn't regroup, then
come down here and swallow them up after all.
A few minutes earlier, when Trey had mentioned the challenge he faced,
he must have been referring
to the challenge of going up against Sterling Prescott.
Her stomach roiled with panic and amazement. She could hardly quantify
the myriad ways she had misjudged Trey. She felt guilt and the need to
defend the man at the same time.
"He was fired because he came to El Paso to help us here at the
station, wasn't he?" she accused.
"Miss, I assure you I can't tell you why he was let go. But if you
would like to get in touch with him, let me give you his phone number."
He read off a series of digits. "It's for his home in Clayton."
"Clayton?" she asked, confused.
"Yes, it's just outside of St. Louis. I spoke to him a few minutes ago.
I'm sure you can reach him there now."
The gears in her brain jarred as she took in this new piece of
information. The number he had given her wasn't in El Paso. She tried
to understand.
"Good-bye, Ms. Sinclair."
"Wait!"
The man on the other end sighed. "I'm really busy, and I can't help you
further."
"Betty."
"What?"
Her heart started pounding so hard she thought she would be sick. More
than once she had heard Trey refer to his secretary as Betty.
"Whose secretary is Betty?"
"The only Betty in our employ is Betty Taylor. Mr. Prescott's
secretary."
Her head swam. "Mr. Sterling Prescott?"
"Yes. Would you like me to transfer you to her?"
"No. No! I mean, no," she said, fighting for calm. "I've got a meeting.
I can call back later. Thank you."
She slammed the receiver down in a panic and stared at the phone like
it had burned her. Trey Tanner wasn't Trey Tanner at all.
She felt hot and cold and sick to her stomach. She felt like a
washcloth being twisted at the end of a
long bath.
Sweet, kind Trey Tanner was a figment of her imagination. He was
Sterling Prescott. Cutthroat,
callously indifferent corporate raider of the worst kind.
And a liar.
The words sank in.
They had let the fox into the henhouse.
Chloe sat back in her chair, light-headed with despair. The man she was
drawn to wasn't who she had believed he was. Tears of disappointment
burned in her eyes.
"Why?" she whispered, hating the feeling of betrayal. But wasn't that
how men were? Isn't that why
she didn't date anymore, because eventually they broke your heart?
Hadn't that been the real reason
she hadn't taken the
Sexy!
quiz seriously?
But following closely on the heels of despair came something else.
Something hot and burning that she finally recognized as blazing fury.
As always, it was easier to be mad than hurt.
"Liar," she bit out, yanking up her purse and heading for the door.
"Liar, liar, liar," she added in time
with her footsteps as she headed out of the building.
She got on 1-10 instead of taking Mesa. She drove with her hands
clutching the steering wheel. She was going to show up at the houses,
the sets, and expose the bastard for who he really was.
Then another thought hit her, sending a chill down her spine. What was
he doing here? Why was he pretending to be a man whom he had fired? Was
this some elaborate ploy to gain the station after all?
Had he known that they would resist his lowball offer?
None of it made any sense.
When she pulled up to Julia's house, which would serve as the main set,
she saw Trey'sâno, damn itâSterling Prescott's rented Taurus parked in
the drive like he owned the place.
Slamming out of the car, Chloe marched up to the front door with
furious anger pushing her on. She didn't ring the bell. She entered and
was hit by a crush of voices. Women were everywhere, most of
them the
Roses
who had made
the final cut.
They talked excitedly, looking over racks of clothes that had been
brought over from various boutiques
in exchange for free advertising. Already Chloe could see how the women
gravitated into smaller groups. Cliques.
Heat ran down her spine as it made her think of junior high and high
school. Girls circling together, excluding others. Thank God for Kate
and Julia, since she had never felt all that comfortable around others.
The few times she had gotten friendly with other girls, she never was
able to bring them home
or reciprocate with birthday parties and sleep-overs. Her grandmother
didn't believe in them. Kate and Julia had known all about her family,
or lack thereof. They provided her with a safe place.
One of the Roses sat apart from the rest of the group. The smart one.
Chloe wondered if she had made
a mistake in insisting that Sherry be one of the contestants.
But then she shook the thought away. They needed a variety of
interesting contestants, plus the woman was smart enough to figure out
how to make this work for her. Besides, Chloe had bigger problems to
worry about just then.
She started toward the kitchen, but stopped dead in her tracks when she
saw Treyâno, Sterlingâdeep
in conversation with one of the cameramen. Sterling was tall, taller
than anyone there. Dark and handsome. She remembered their kissâwhat,
had it really been only an hour ago? She remembered
the hope she had felt that he was kind and good after all.
She pressed her eyes closed, railing at herself for being so gullible.
Clenching her fists, she opened her eyes. And found that he was looking
at her. Really looking, as if he was trying to understand what he
sawâor what he felt.
Then he smiled, that chiseled face of his lighting up.
Hello, he mouthed.
Liar.
She turned away, sensed his sudden confusion, but she didn't care. She
ducked and sidestepped her
way through the crowd to find Julia.
Her dearest friend stood in the kitchen, laughing at something one of
the television grips said to her.
Julia had made an art form out of flirting and teasing.
"Chloe, sugar, there you are! I was beginning to wonder if our
illustrious coproducer of
The Catch
and His Dozen Texas Roses
had disappeared." But then her smile
faltered.
Chloe knew that Julia instantly sensed that something was wrong. That
was the way with Julia, all fun
and games and wildness until one of her little chicks needed her. No
one else ever realized that about
the pampered only child of the wealthiest man in El Paso.
"Chloe, sugar, what is it?"
Sterling Prescott started making his way toward them, his gaze hard and
determined.
"We've got to talk," Chloe whispered. She took Julia's arm.
"Of course." Julia glanced around. "We'll go to my bedroom to get away
from this crush of people."
They started forward, but Sterling blocked their path. Chloe tried to
veer around him, and the man's controlled features furrowed even more.
"Chloe." One word, but everyone there sensed the command in his tone.
She ducked her head, held on tighter to Julia's arm, and kept going.
"Chloe!"
But this time it wasn't the man who called out to her.
"Kate?"
Chloe and Julia stopped and found an out-of-breath Kate racing into the
house. "We've got a problem." Kate took in her surroundings, noticed
the crowd. She pushed the kitchen door shut, secluding them
from the rest of the crew and contestants, though she pulled Sterling
inside with the three of them.
"You need to hear this, too."
"I don't think he does," Chloe snapped.
More confusion on his face. But Kate didn't notice. She plunged ahead.
"Our bachelor and one of the Roses ran off to Mexico to get married."
Then silence. Dumbfounded quiet as every one of them absorbed the news.
"You're joking," Julia choked out.
"I wish I were. But I'm not. I had a note on my desk from both of them.
They thought that since I'm newly married, I would understand how they
fell in love and couldn't go through with a show that is
all about finding love after they had already found it. Can you believe
this?"
Kate, always calm Kate, screeched.
Julia said a few things that they definitely didn't teach in etiquette
classes.
Chloe started to pace.
"We'll have to postpone the show," Sterling said.
Chloe whipped her head up. Had this been the plan all along? Was this
his creative way of ruining them? Had he paid the
Catch and the Rose
to run off so he
could claim they needed to hold up the program?
"We can't postpone," Kate interjected when Chloe couldn't get a word
out of her mouth. "We'll be
ruined. We've banked everything on this. Isn't that right, Chloe?"
Everyone looked at her. "That's true. We can't afford not to start
taping. We've already finalized our schedule. Six episodes over two
weeks. We have advertising booked. And everyone here knows that
if we don't run the show, we don't get the ad revenue."
"If we don't get the ad revenue," Julia added, her voice hollow, "we
can't pay the bills."
"And that isn't acceptable," Chloe finished. "We'd go under. You know
that. . . Trey? Don't you?"
He appeared decidedly uncomfortable. His brother, Ben, if he really was
his brother, had walked in
and stood off to the side, his arms crossed on his chest, one dark brow
raised.
"If we don't air
The Catch
tomorrow night at six o'clock as scheduled, we will be a prime target
for a hostile takeover. Isn't that right, Trey?" Chloe continued
pointedly.
She and the man who had come into their lives stared at each other.
Kate threw her hands up. "There's only one solution. We have to find
another bachelor. We never showed the guy's face in the promos. We just
have to find someone else."
All at once, Julia, Chloe, and Kate pivoted toward Ben. It took a
second before he realized what they were thinking.
He stood away from the wall and put his hands out. "Sorry, no can do."
"Why? You'd be perfect," Kate said.
"I can't." He looked at his brother. "I'm on leave," he said, the words
hesitant, "from a job that . . . wouldn't allow me to be on a
television show."
Julia studied him. "What are you, a thief? Not interested in having
your mug on the screen for fear that someone visiting the post office
might recognize you on one of those posters?"
Chloe couldn't tell if Julia was trying to be funny or if she was
really trying to be a bitch. She was only succeeding in the latter.
Though it hardly registered because Chloe had another idea.
She turned to Trey, Sterling, whomever. An unfamiliar but deliciously
wonderful feeling of revenge
slid through her. "I have a better idea. Trey should do it."
"What?" he blurted.
"Yes, the more I think about it, the more I like it. Bachelor Trey. It
has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"
"Oh, no. Not me."
"Why not, Trey?" she asked slyly. "This is your brilliant brainchild,
insisting we had to have a bachelor show called
The Catch
. Remember how you told us
that if we went for it with this, it would save us? Well, surprise!
It's not. In fact, you and I both know that if we don't start taping
and airing the first
show tomorrow as planned, KTEX TV will be ruined." She let the words
sink in. "Or was that your
plan all along, Trey? Maybe you really are as horrible as the
despicable Sterling Prescort, after all."
Kate gasped. Julia cursed.
"That wasn't my intent," the man said through clenched teeth. "When I
came up with this plan, my
intent was to save the station." He scowled, then started to pace,
raking his hand through his hair. "There's got to be someone else who
can step in."
"Who?" Chloe demanded. "We don't have time to do more interviews. And
we sure as Hades can't bring in some stranger off the street. He could
be any sort of stalker and we'd end up with the same sort of debacle
that Fox had over that
Who Wants to
Marry a Millionaire
guy who'd had a restraining order slapped
against him." She smiled without an ounce of humor. "We can't afford to
put our lovely
Roses
in danger like that."
He stopped and skewered her with a gaze. Then all of a sudden, he
changed. She could feel it like a
storm blowing through on a gust, and he surprised her. "Fine," he said.
"I'll do it."
Julia and Kate cheered. Ben choked. Chloe couldn't believe it. And she
really couldn't believe it a
second later when he actually smiled.
"However, there's one condition," he added.
Chloe didn't like the look on his face.
"We also need to find a replacement for our missing Rose," he
explained, his gaze incisive.
"Replacement?" Chloe repeated.
"That's right," Kate said with a weary sigh. "We've got only eleven
women now."
"Eleven, twelve," Chloe reasoned, "what does it matter?
It's the bachelor that's the issue. Trey as the bachelor solves that.
So you have to do it." She turned away.
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