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“Like what?” Courtney asked.
“Never mind.” Clearly Courtney was oblivious to the attention she obtained from the male species. Gabrielle doubted any man had ever looked at her quite like that. Not even Preston, with whom she’d shared a short but compatible relationship at school. He’d been a pleasant enough boyfriend who treated her well and who accepted her as she was. He hadn’t expected her to gussy herself up.
“What are you having?” Courtney asked.
“Not sure yet.”
“I’m thinking the flat-iron steak and mashed potatoes. Being a model is tough at times. I have to maintain my figure, otherwise I won’t keep getting loaner clothes. So I’d better stick with the pecan-crusted chicken salad.”
“That suit isn’t yours?”
“No, the designers all send me clothes off the rack in the hopes that I will wear them and be photographed.”
“It must be awful not to eat what you enjoy,” Gabrielle said as she sipped on her water.
“That’s the thing, I do eat,” Courtney said, “which is why I’m in the gym six days a week, two hours a day to maintain this figure.” She motioned down from her head to her toe. “Anyway, enough about me. Why don’t you tell me the real reason you accepted a position with your archrival?”
Gabrielle nearly spit out her water and began coughing uncontrollably.
“I’m sorry,” Courtney apologized and reached across to slap Gabrielle’s back. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I guess I wasn’t prepared for you to be so…uh, straightforward.”
Courtney smiled broadly. “You mean blunt, but I appreciate your tactfulness. You’re also avoiding answering my question.”
“Adams Cosmetics is a great company.”
“But we are a small boutique firm,” Courtney added.
“Not anymore.”
“True.” Courtney nodded. “But you must have known that accepting this position meant working closely with Shane, who according to him, you despised.”
“Despise? No, I don’t despise Shane,” Gabrielle said. How could she? She’d always been secretly attracted to him, but she would never tell another soul that.
“Then what?”
“Then nothing.” Gabrielle stared intently at the menu, hoping Courtney couldn’t see the truth.
Courtney remained silent for several long, excruciating moments before finally saying, “You have a thing for my brother, don’t you?”
“Shane?” Gabrielle’s voice rose several octaves. “Of course not. We’ve always had a rivalry. Much like siblings would,” she added for good measure, trying to cover her tracks.
“And you see my hazel-eyed, athletic, immensely attractive brother like a sibling?” Courtney raised a brow. Now there was a lie she hadn’t heard before.
“I don’t deny Shane has a certain appeal.” Gabrielle chose her words very carefully. “He always has. I remember in school how he had a bevy of women who would fawn all over him, and he ate it up with a spoon. I’m sure Shane has never been at a loss for having a beautiful, sexy woman on his arm.”
“Ah, so there’s the rub,” Courtney said, eyeing her suspiciously. “You’re envious of the other women. You think he’s superficial, so you’ve chosen to downplay your looks in the hopes that he will finally notice the inner you.” Courtney placed her hand over Gabrielle’s. “Darling, let me tell you, you could end up alone in bed every night if you continue on this route. There are a number of women trying to trap my brother into marriage, and if you don’t act quickly, someone will snap him up.”
“I am not interested in Shane.”
“Sure, you’re not.”
The waiter came back to take their order and Courtney ordered the salad while Gabrielle chose the chicken fusilli pasta. That didn’t prevent Courtney from taking up where she left off in the conversation once he’d gone. “My advice to you would be to glam it up. Let my brother see that you are a force to be reckoned with. And knowing Shane, he will not back down from a good challenge.”
“How can you talk this way about your own brother?” Gabrielle asked Courtney. “You just met me, and clearly Shane did not speak well of me in the past.”
“True, but I have a good feeling about you. I knew you were different when we met, which is why I asked you to lunch,” Courtney replied. “Call it female intuition, but I think you are exactly what my brother needs.”
“You have it all wrong, Courtney. I’m the exact opposite of the kind of woman your brother dates.”
“Which is why you’re absolutely perfect for him,” Courtney replied. “And it’s why I’m going to make you over so you can win him over.”
* * *
Gabrielle sat in the car on the way back from lunch with Courtney completely flabbergasted. She’d tried explaining to Courtney that she dressed conservatively so that men would take her seriously in the lab. But the more she tried to convince Courtney that she wasn’t interested in Shane, the more she dug in her heels, determined to fix the two of them up. Gabrielle could see the wheels turning in Courtney’s mind.
She had to get her bearings at Adams Cosmetics first, and she couldn’t afford a failed love affair with her boss. It had “disaster” written all over it. No, she had to make Courtney realize the error of her ways.
“Thank you again for lunch, Courtney,” Gabrielle said as she exited the vehicle. “It was a really nice treat.”
“You’re absolutely welcome,” Courtney answered. “I just know this is going to work out fine.” She had barely finished her sentence when Shane pulled up beside her in his Jaguar.
Shane couldn’t believe his eyes. Was that really his sister with Gabrielle Burton, of all people? Why was she being friendly with the enemy? He jumped out of the car with a frown on his face. “Courtney…” He nodded at his sister. “What’s going on?”
Courtney looked at Shane then back at Gabrielle, trying to gauge their reaction to each other. “I ran into Gabby in the hall and took our new employee out for lunch. Do you have a problem with that?”
Gabrielle watched Shane’s eyes narrow at Courtney’s use of her nickname and her lack of response. Somehow Courtney using it didn’t seem to bother her nearly as much as when Shane did.
“That’s awfully nice of you, sister dear,” Shane replied. “Remind me to thank you at dinner tonight. Gabrielle, if you’re finished, can we get back to work?” Shane turned his back and headed into the building.
“Of course.” Gabrielle smiled at Courtney before quickly rushing behind Shane. “See you soon.” She waved to Courtney.
* * *
As he lay in bed, Shane stared at the ceiling and pondered how he was going to handle having Gabby in his domain. She was going to challenge him at every turn, just as she’d done in school, which had always been kind of a turn-on. Back then, he’d thought that all she needed was a good lay. You know, a man to work out all that inner hostility that she’d stored up and most often directed at him. And he’d thought that man might have been him, but Gabby had not been even remotely interested.
Shane had no idea why she’d taken such offense to him back then. Although they’d been rivals for the top spot, he’d always treated her with respect like the true southern boy he was, as his mother, Elizabeth, had raised him. Thinking about his mother brought a smile to his face. He’d inherited her easy nature, quick wit, fair coloring and beautiful hazel eyes, unlike Kayla, who had favored their father with his fiery temper and mahogany skin.
Although he loved his father, Shane had to admit Byron Adams was hard to handle and couldn’t be an easy man to love, yet his mother made it look easy. He’d always wondered how his mother had endured thirty-five years of marriage, all the while helping Byron start his own cosmetics company.
His grandparents certainly hadn’t been happy when she’d decided to end her three-year courtship with their choice for a mate, Andrew Jackson. He was born to the right family and had the right pedigree, unlike poor Byron Adams, a lowly employee of Graham International. They’d tried to talk her out of the marriage, but his mother loved his father, and although she hated to break Andrew’s heart, she’d refused to give Byron up.
Elizabeth Adams was beautiful, intelligent, courageous and steadfastly loyal. Shane admired his mother a great deal, which is why few women could ever live up to his high standards. As he drifted off to sleep, Shane wondered if there was any woman who could.
* * *
In her hotel room later that evening, Gabrielle kicked off her heels and plopped down onto the plush pillow-top mattress. It was not going to be easy working with Shane day in and day out. He was conceited and superior, but despite those less-than-admirable qualities, she had to admit Shane was a brilliant and dedicated chemist. She was amazed at just how much he’d been overseeing in the laboratory.
He had projects in the works for every line of business at Adam Cosmetics. No wonder Ethan had looked at hiring him some help. If he continued at that pace, he would burn out. Of course, no one could tell him that. Like a typical male, Shane Adams was sure he could handle anything life threw at him.
But fortunately for him, she had some ideas of her own. She’d been cultivating them since she was at L’Oréal, but the head chemist had been unwilling to try them out. She hoped Shane wasn’t as closed minded. She knew the lab was his domain, but she was determined to carve out a place for herself, even if it was by his side.
She was just about to head into the shower when she heard a knock on the door. Gabrielle had no idea who it could be, as she wasn’t expecting anyone. Nothing could have shocked her further when she opened the door and saw the man standing on the other side was none other than Andrew Jackson.
Chapter 3
“Mr. Jackson?” Gabrielle gasped, touching her chest. “What are you doing here?” She hadn’t seen her father’s employer since she’d left Marietta well over eleven years ago. “And at this hour?”
Andrew Jackson looked the same as she remembered. He was well over six feet, lean and dark as night. Nearly a dozen years had passed, but he still wore his black hair the same, slicked back from his face without a hint of gray, and he had the same mysterious dark eyes. As a child, she could never tell if he was happy or sad.
“Gabrielle, how wonderful to see you again, darling,” Andrew Jackson said with a country accent. He kissed her cheek and walked into her hotel room without an invitation.
Gabrielle was a little stunned at his rudeness, but closed the door anyway. Did everyone think she was supposed to follow them today? “I have to admit I’m surprised by the visit, Mr. Jackson.”
“It has been a while, hasn’t it?” Andrew glanced around the hotel room, noting the elegant decor and plush surroundings. Trust Ethan Graham to spare no expense when it came to hiring the best. He’d scouted a chemist last year himself, but had he known Gabrielle Burton was open to moving back to the States, he would have snapped her up himself. Jax Cosmetics could use a chemist like her.
He turned back around to face Gabrielle. “So, little lady, how has life been treating you in ole Paris? It’s been what ten, eleven years since you’ve been home?”
“Give or take.” Gabrielle had no intention of discussing her personal life with anyone, much less her father’s employer.
“What can I do for you, Mr. Jackson? I’m sure you didn’t come all this way to ask me about my years abroad.”
Andrew laughed at Gabrielle’s forthrightness. Time had turned the once-timid little girl into an outspoken woman. “I came by to bring you up to speed on what’s been going on with your father.”
“You’re here about my father? Is something wrong? Is he okay?” Gabrielle’s heart started pounding loudly in her chest. Although she may not be as close to her parents since Seth’s death, she certainly didn’t wish her father ill. And their family certainly couldn’t handle another loss.
“No, no.” Andrew took a seat on the couch. He spread his arm across the back and folded one leg across the other. “It’s nothing like that.”
Gabrielle preferred to stand while Andrew appeared to be making himself quite comfortable in her quarters. “Well, then, what is it?” What would bring Andrew Jackson all the way from Marietta to her hotel room at night uninvited?
“You may not be aware, but James has developed a drinking problem and a gambling habit.”
Gabrielle folded her arms across her chest as she digested the information. For some reason, she wasn’t surprised. Her father had always wanted more. A better house, a better job, more money, nicer clothes. It wasn’t a stretch for her to imagine he thought he could win it at a casino table.
“He’s racked up quite a debt,” Andrew continued, watching Gabrielle carefully. She didn’t bat an eyelash and appeared unaffected by the information he’d just given her. Perhaps he’d underestimated how far she would go to protect her family.
“What’s it to you?” Gabrielle asked.
“To me?” Andrew asked. “I would imagine it would mean something to you since he’s in debt to the wrong sort.”
“And what do you mean by wrong sort?”
“The Goretti family,” Andrew answered swiftly. “You may not have heard of them, but they are the sort who don’t mind breaking a few ribs, if you get my drift.”
“I do. But if the ‘wrong sort’—” Gabrielle used her hands to make quotation marks “—are looking for money, they are barking up the wrong tree. I live within my means.”
Andrew raised a brow. “You don’t sugarcoat your words, young lady, so let me get straight to the point. I would be willing to pay your father’s debt, if you do something for me in return.”
“Of course.” Gabrielle laughed shrilly as understanding dawned on her. “You wouldn’t help him altruistically.”
They had come to the crux of why Andrew Jackson was there in the first place. He wanted something from her. What? She wasn’t sure. She couldn’t fathom what she could possibly offer him that was worthwhile. She had some money in savings for a rainy day, but that was about it. “What do you want, Mr. Jackson?”
A crooked smile spread across Andrew’s face. “I hear you’ve accepted a position with Adams Cosmetics. And that could be beneficial to me.”
Gabrielle frowned and several lines formed across her forehead. “I don’t understand. How so?”
Andrew couldn’t believe how naive Gabrielle was. He would have to spell it out. “You could supply me with information.”
“What kind of information?”
“Oh, you know…” He paused. “Their latest research, marketing and, of course, any upcoming products.” Andrew searched her face to ensure she was getting exactly what was on the table.
“You want me to commit corporate espionage?” Gabrielle couldn’t believe her ears.
“I wouldn’t call it that,” Andrew said. “I would say one hand is washing another. You give me information to help boost Jax Cosmetics and help level the playing field. In return, I save your father from a terrible fate at the hands of some mob henchmen.”
Gabrielle swallowed hard. There was a reason she had never quite trusted Andrew Jackson even as a child, and now she knew why. He was the devil incarnate.
“I think you should go, Mr. Jackson.” Gabrielle had heard enough and walked toward the door.
Slowly, Andrew rose to his feet, buttoned his suit jacket. He walked toward her and when he reached her, he glared down at her. “Listen, little girl, your father is in a bind.”
Gabrielle hated his condescending word usage, but couldn’t help replying much too petulantly to her liking, “My father is a grown man. He made his bed and he’ll have to lie in it.”
“So you would leave your father hanging in the wind?” Andrew asked. When she didn’t answer right away, Andrew knew there was still hope he could get her to do his bidding. “Why don’t you take a little time to think about it?” He opened the door to her suite. “I’ll be back in touch.”
Seconds later, the door closed behind him, and Gabrielle breathed a sigh of relief. What the hell had just happened? Had Andrew Jackson really just asked her to risk her job, her freedom and commit corporate espionage to save a father who in the past decade hadn’t shown an ounce of interest in her?
* * *
“Morning,” Shane said unenthusiastically at the breakfast table the next morning. It was a beautiful day, and their butler had set up a table out on the terrace so they could enjoy the fresh air.
“Hello, grumpy,” Courtney said as she poured granola over her fruit yogurt. She’d just enjoyed a leisurely dip in the pool and was famished.
“I’m not in the mood for you today, Courtney.” He’d slept fitfully the night before, barely getting a few hours of sleep, and now he was irritable. He reached for the carafe of coffee and poured a cup. He drank it black, uncharacteristically.
“Okay, okay.” Courtney held up her hands. “I will leave you alone.” She ran her fingers through her damp hair.
“What has got you in a bad mood?” his mother asked, sipping her coffee. It wasn’t like her son to be so snippy with his sister.
“No reason.” Shane lowered his head, adding some eggs and bacon to his plate from a nearby platter.
“Are you sure about that?” Elizabeth looked at her son suspiciously. She could read him and knew when he was hiding something. “How did it go with your new employee yesterday? You weren’t at dinner last night, so I couldn’t ask you how it went.”
“It went fine.” Shane dug his fork into his eggs and ate a generous amount.
“You could have fooled me,” Courtney returned. “I ran into her in the hall and she looked positively flustered.”
