Playboy Boss, Live-In Mistress. Kelly Hunter

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СКАЧАТЬ Lex turned to stare out the window at the passing suburbs, cursing Sienna’s long-dead mother for willing her a keepsake she couldn’t keep, cursing himself for not figuring it out sooner. He knew Sienna was touchy when it came to money, knew he shouldn’t have pushed her for answers she wasn’t prepared to give, but, dammit, why couldn’t she just confide in him the way she used to?

      It wasn’t until the limousine pulled into the circular driveway and stopped at the entrance to his sprawling luxury mansion that Lex made a determined effort to shake his black mood and play the host. He didn’t bother pointing out again that it would be far cheaper for Sienna to live here with him than find somewhere else to stay. She knew that already.

      The front door opened and Lex felt his lips curve ever so slightly as the dour and imposing Rudy stepped out. Rudy was doing his bodyguard-butler impersonation today—black trousers, a black T-shirt that strained across his massive torso, black wrap-around sunglasses, and an almighty scowl.

      Sienna had seen him too. ‘Rudy the territorial?’ she queried with a glance that held equal parts wariness and apology.

      ‘Yes.’

      ‘You didn’t tell me he looked like Steven Seagal.’

      ‘That’s because he doesn’t.’

      ‘Does he talk like Steven Seagal too?’

      ‘Steven Seagal doesn’t talk,’ said Lex. ‘His skills lie elsewhere. Come to think of it, Rudy doesn’t talk either, unless he has to.’

      ‘I swear you make some of the strangest decisions when it comes to choosing hired help,’ she said.

      ‘So I’m noticing,’ he said and stifled a smile as her chin rose defiantly and those remarkable eyes narrowed in silent warning. ‘Come on, I’ll introduce you.’

      Rudy nodded curtly in greeting as they got out of the car, then he headed for their luggage. Sienna followed.

      ‘Sienna, this is Rudy. Rudy, this is Sienna Raleigh, my new PA. Sienna’s a little different from my old PAs. She’s practically family.’

      Rudy’s sunglasses zoned in on Sienna first and then Lex. What he thought was anyone’s guess. The limo driver began unloading bags from the boot and setting them on the steps. Rudy joined in. Sienna went to retrieve the smaller of her two suitcases only to have Rudy swipe it at the last minute and set it firmly behind him. ‘What’s she doing?’ he asked Lex gruffly.

      ‘Hard to say,’ said Lex. ‘Sometimes she goes looking for an argument.’

      ‘She picks up that suitcase and she’ll get one,’ muttered Rudy. ‘Inside. Now. There’s iced tea, chicken and cucumber sandwiches, and crème brûlée waiting for you in the west-wing drawing room.’ The sunglasses zeroed in on Sienna again. ‘You eat the crème brûlée last.’

      ‘I knew that,’ she said loftily.

      ‘Family, you said,’ said Rudy darkly.

      ‘I’ve known her since she was five,’ said Lex.

      ‘Six,’ said Sienna.

      ‘And you employed her.’

      ‘Believe me, point taken.’

      Sienna stared from Lex to Rudy in indignation. ‘What is this? Some kind of boys’ own shorthand?’

      ‘Did I mention the handmade French chocolates?’ said Rudy pointedly.

      ‘Nice try,’ she said. ‘But I’m more of an ice-cream person. Now if you’d said you had handmade triple-cream French Vanilla ice cream waiting for me in the west-wing drawing room I’d be there already.’

      ‘There’s one in every family,’ muttered Rudy.

      ‘I know,’ said Sienna agreeably. ‘Annoying, isn’t it?’ She looked up at the house, her expression faintly wistful. ‘Thing is, Rudy, I’m not family and I may not be staying here so could you leave my bags by the door?’

      Rudy ignored Sienna and looked to Lex. ‘She’s not staying?’ he queried ominously. ‘I’ve laid in provisions for two.’

      ‘Family spat,’ said Lex. ‘I’ll handle it.’

      Rudy glanced towards Sienna, who’d abandoned the conversation in favour of making her way towards the front door. ‘Does she sail?’

      ‘Like a champion.’ Lex had seen to that part of her education himself.

      ‘Her bags will be in her room,’ said Rudy. ‘I hate clutter at the front door.’

      ‘Don’t mind me,’ called Sienna. ‘I’m moving through the front door and into the beyond. No clutter here. Come to mention it, there’s nothing here but space and sunshine. What happened to all the furniture? Where’s the umbrella stand? The sideboard and the vase full of flowers?’

      ‘It’s all right,’ said Lex reassuringly. ‘She’s not serious.’

      ‘You need sleep,’ muttered Rudy. ‘You’re becoming delusional.’

      This was a distinct possibility. He’d packed too much work and far too much wanting of Sienna into this day already. It was time to set things back on track.

      He caught up with Sienna in the atrium, just inside the doorway looking curious and tentative all at once. ‘What do you think of it?’ he asked her casually, trying hard to pretend that it didn’t matter what she thought. The house was a modern-day masterpiece, all sleek lines and open spaces. Lex hadn’t designed it, the previous owners had, but it suited him well and Rudy kept it immaculate. Sienna would like it, he knew she would. She just had to give it a chance.

      ‘It’s lovely. Very private. Bigger than I expected.’

      ‘I told you there was plenty of room. South wing’s yours,’ he said and, heading left, proceeded to show her the guest wing, complete with luxury spa, sitting room, breakfast nook, and four bedrooms. ‘Take your pick,’ he said. ‘It’s all guest accommodation.’

      He led her downstairs next, to the pool area and gym, tennis court, boat shed, boat ramp, and dock.

      ‘Yours?’ she said, glancing towards the yacht moored at the end of the dock, and Lex nodded.

      ‘Sienna meet Mercy Jane. There’s also a speedboat called Angelina in the boat shed for getting places in a hurry,’ he told her. ‘Rudy maintains both boats and, when I say maintain, I mean he’s fanatical about their function and their finish.’

      ‘So…no getting to know the girls,’ she said.

      ‘Wrong. Befriend the girls by all means. Just cut your nails, take all your jewellery off first and don’t lead them astray. Should you want to go somewhere and should Rudy decide that you’re suitably attired, he’ll have the speedboat in the water before you can say wouldn’t it be easier to take the Porsche.’

      ‘How protective is Rudy of the Porsche?’

      ‘You СКАЧАТЬ