How to Trap a Tycoon, Elizabeth Bevarly [best smutty novels txt] 📗

"Look, Lindy," Adam said, sounding confused and unconvinced, "there's just no way you can be right about this thing. There's got to be some mistake. Mack can't possibly be Lauren Grable-Monroe."

Lindy turned her attention back to Adam. "Can't she? I have a private investigator who says otherwise."

"Oh, yeah?" he countered. "Well I just so happen to have had Lauren Grable-Monroe thoroughly investigated for a story I wanted to do in Man's Life. And my private investigator couldn't uncover the author's identity no matter how hard he tried. How did your guy find out all this stuff?"

"Did you hire a legitimate investigator?" Lindy asked him.

"Of course."

"That's your problem." She turned back to Dorsey. "Not only are you fired, but I'm planning to file every charge available against you. I am likewise suing you for every possible thing I might be able to sue you for. Get out. Now. And expect to hear from my attorneys immediately."

"I haven't committed any crimes, Lindy," Dorsey assured her, her confidence faltering. "And you can't sue me for anything."

In response, Lindy opened her desk drawer and pulled out a fat file folder. Then she opened it and withdrew its contents, fanning the pages out across her blotter. Dorsey's heart sank to the pit of her stomach when Adam stepped up to look at the information before she did, without hesitation and with much interest. She took a few steps forward then and gazed at the sheaves of paper and black-and-white photographs from behind him, around his shoulder.

Her heart plummeted further at what she saw. Lindy had a copy of her book contract, a copy of Lauren's scheduled appearances, even a copy of the payment agreement that stated Carlotta would be the recipient of any and all checks. There were photographs of Lauren entering doors and of Dorsey exiting those very same doors.

Worse than that, there were pictures of her and Adam together, holding hands as they walked down the street, their heads bent together in conversation over dinner, saying—and kissing—their good-byes at Dorsey's front door. She felt utterly and totally violated at seeing their intimacy assailed so ruthlessly. And she could only imagine that Adam felt exactly the same way. Probably worse, because he was an innocent bystander in all this. His privacy had been invaded simply because he had gotten involved with her.

"I have video that will substantiate the stills of Lauren Grable-Monroe and Dorsey," Lindy said when she noted where Adam's gaze was focused. "It was amazing how many times Dorsey emerged from the very rooms Lauren Grable-Monroe had just entered. And just what was she carrying in that backpack every time, hmm?"

"I can explain," Dorsey said halfheartedly.

"You don't need to," Lindy retorted. "You've been working here to collect information for your next book. Any idiot can deduce that. And what a way to follow up something like How to Trap a Tycoon. What's the title of the new one supposed to be, Dorsey? Something along the lines of Gloria Steinem's A Bunny's Tale? How about Cocktail? That's kind of catchy. A nice double entendre." Dorsey was about to open her mouth to defend herself again, but Lindy cut her off by addressing Adam first. "I certainly hope you haven't made her privy to anything you don't want a couple of million people to know about," she told him. "Then again, it might be kind of fun to read all the juicy, intimate details about one of America 's most visible bachelor millionaires. Speaking of cocktails, I hope your … technique … is as good as it's reputed to be. I'd hate to find out you're nothing special. To anyone other than Dorsey, I mean."

The barb hit home, exactly as Lindy had intended. Because Adam's head snapped up from the scattered documents and photos on Lindy's desk, and he spun quickly around to gaze at Dorsey. His expression was still unreadable, but there was something in his eyes that just about broke her heart. She could only guess what he was thinking, what he was feeling. Whatever it was, she figured it was probably pretty awful. Not as awful as what she was feeling at the moment, of course, but probably pretty close.

"Adam, Lindy's wrong," she said softly. "About everything." But she could tell just by looking at him that she'd already lost him. In spite of that, she continued, "I would never compromise what you and I have. I didn't get involved with you for the reasons Lindy thinks. And I didn't come to work here for the reasons she thinks, either. I never intended to write a book about Drake's, and I would never, ever do anything to hurt you."

He didn't react to her assurance in any way, only continued to gaze at her in maddeningly thoughtful silence.

"Adam, please," she murmured quietly. "Give me a chance to explain."

"I'm not sure I really need an explanation, Mack," he said, his voice as empty as his expression. "Lindy's guy seems to have done a pretty thorough job."

He might as well have slapped her, so severe was her response to his remark. Dorsey squeezed her eyes shut tight as an icy fist seized her heart and wrenched every last bit of life out of it. Every emotion she had experienced since entering Lindy's office fused into a cold, dark lump that wedged itself deep inside her, in a place that was darker and colder still.

She had lost him. Just like that. No matter what she said now, things would never be the same between them. Adam had drawn his own conclusions, had unequivocally decided that she'd betrayed him. Even if Dorsey somehow managed to explain her actions, he would never trust her again. And while she was trying to make amends, he might very well see fit to exact a little revenge. He was the kind of man who wouldn't take betrayal lightly. And even though Dorsey hadn't betrayed him, he was quick enough on the trigger to take a