Transformed Into The Frenchman’s Mistress

Six

Charlotte changed out of her dress and took a long, hot shower. Afterward, she was still too keyed up to sleep. It was past midnight, but people were still working in the yard. Equipment roared to life, and a few firefighters stood by the smoking rubble with shovels and a hose.

She slipped into a pair of jeans and a short T-shirt, stuffing her feet into a pair of low sandals and pulling her damp hair into a simple ponytail.

Maybe she could find some brandy in the kitchen. A strong drink might help her sleep.

She padded down two flights of stairs, past the film sets in the entryway and the great room, along the hall toward the back of the house. She heard voices through the open door of a library.

Alec, Kiefer, Jack, Lars and three other crew members sat around a large table.

“David will be here in the morning to do an assessment,” said Jack, slipping his cell phone into his pocket.

“We’ll lose two shooting days at least,” said Lars with a scowl. “Somebody’s ass is on the-”

“I can pull a construction crew off the project in Toulouse,” Kiefer said to Alec.

Charlotte cringed. Alec had been clear that none of his employees were to be impacted.

“I don’t think it’s necessary to fire anyone,” said Alec, staring directly at Lars. “Seems to me you’re going to need all the skilled labor you can find.”

The three crew members stilled, and Lars’s mouth worked as his face went ruddy. “How is it any of your-”

“It’s my yard that was burned to a crisp,” said Alec. “And I don’t intend it to become a permanent movie set.”

“We move on,” said Jack, nodding in Alec’s direction, clearly overruling Lars. “Accidents happen.”

It was the first time Charlotte had seen her brother pull rank. Maybe it was because she didn’t particularly like Lars. Or maybe it was because he was backing Alec. But she was proud of Jack.

Alec caught sight of her. He gave her a little smile and motioned her in, indicating an empty chair next to him.

“The construction crew?” Kiefer asked Alec.

“If we can spare them,” said Alec, letting his thigh come to rest against Charlotte’s as she sat down. He had also changed, into a pair of black slacks and a royal-blue, pin-striped dress shirt. He hadn’t bothered with a tie, and she discovered she liked the casual look on him.

“Send me the bill,” Jack told Kiefer.

Kiefer gave him a nod.

Lars was silent and sullen, his jaw clenched where he’d pulled back from the table.

One of the other crew members flipped through a clipboard. “If we switch scenes thirty-five and sixteen, and move up the party sequence, we can make up some time,” he said.

“Can you get the extras in tomorrow?” asked Jack.

“On it,” said the man, making a notation.

“The story editor isn’t finished with thirty-five,” said Lars.

“He has eight hours to get finished,” said Jack.

“Unacceptable,” Lars retorted.

“You want to duke it out with David tomorrow?” asked Jack, a tightness around his mouth. “Because I’m not about to tell a man coming off a string of low-budget independents that our story editor is a prima donna.”

Alec leaned over to Charlotte and whispered, “I think Jack has this well in hand.”

She tried not to smile. She’d always assumed Jack’s laid-back persona meant he wasn’t as strong as some of those around him. He might disguise it, but her brother seemed to have a backbone of steel.

“Charlotte?” came Raine’s voice from the doorway.

Charlotte guiltily snapped her leg away from Alec’s and pushed back her chair.

“I was looking for you,” she said to Raine, coming to her feet. She crossed the room without looking back. “I was hoping to find some brandy,” she told Raine in an undertone.

“Right this way,” said Raine, pointing to the kitchen. She was still wearing the kicky little black skirt with a fitted, purple tank top. Charlotte couldn’t help wondering what Raine had been doing for the past hour.

She settled into a breakfast nook, while Raine rattled through a cabinet.

The bay window faced east, so the destruction of the front yard was out of sight. The moon was full, the stars in multiple layers. Pot lights outlined a few of the garden pathways, and the pool was just visible down the slope, beyond an oleander hedge.

“I know I won’t sleep, either,” said Raine, curling onto the semicircular bench seat across from Charlotte. She set down a bottle of cognac and two thin crystal snifters.

“I’m so glad nobody was seriously hurt,” said Charlotte.

“Now that out there,” said Raine, pouring the amber liquid into the glasses, “that was more like the real Alec.”

“He took it very well,” Charlotte agreed. Though she supposed two hours of vigorous sex might have mellowed him out a little. “What were you doing with Kiefer?”

“We’re renovating the head office in Toulouse. The architect wanted to change the configuration of my offices.”

“Problem?”

Raine grinned. “Not really. But don’t tell Kiefer.”

“You’re making him sweat?”

Raine nodded.

“Just recreationally?” Charlotte took a sip of the cognac, letting the warm liquid ease down her throat.

“You bet,” said Raine with a toss of her bobbed hair. “Life’s too easy for Kiefer.”

“And it’s not for you?”

Raine frowned. “It’s not the same thing. I don’t have every woman in France laying out the red carpet for me.”

“You’re his boss.”

“Ha! I’d love to hear you say that when Kiefer’s in the room.”

“Say what when Kiefer’s in the room?” Kiefer appeared from the hallway.

Charlotte glanced to Raine, unsure of what to say.

“Go ahead.” Raine laughed. “Tell him.”

Charlotte cleared her throat, trying to guess what kind of a hornet’s nest she was walking into. “That she’s your boss.”

Kiefer scoffed out a strangled laugh. “Not until she can read a balance sheet, write a contract or take me in a fistfight.”

“I own fifty percent of Montcalm Corporation.”

“We both know that’s an honorary thing.” His gaze zeroed in on the bottle, and he helped himself to a snifter from a glassed-in cupboard.

“See what I have to put up with?” Raine asked Charlotte.

“Do you have signing authority?” asked Charlotte, taking Raine’s side. She liked Kiefer, but she assumed he could take care of himself.

“I have plenty of signing authority.” Raine nodded briskly.

“Alec is the CEO,” Kiefer pointed out. “And I have absolutely no problem reporting to him.”

“I don’t know, Kiefer,” Charlotte teased. “If she can sign your paycheck, I think you work for her.”

Kiefer poured himself a measure of cognac. “When she has the power to fire me, I’ll get worried.”

“You’re fired,” said Raine.

Kiefer just chuckled, holding up his brandy in a toast. “You just keep publishing the pretty little puff pictures, sweetheart. Let me worry about the serious stuff.”

Raine’s jade eyes flared, and she jumped to her feet. “I can’t get any respect. I swear, I am getting an MBA.”

But Charlotte’s attention stayed on Kiefer, watching his expression, catching that unguarded second when his gaze dipped to Raine’s clingy, low-cut top and his nostrils flared.

Charlotte sat back. Interesting. The crackling energy between them was a lot more than just antagonism.

“Good luck with that,” Kiefer drawled.

“If only to shove it in your face.”

“Your degree is in what?” he asked mildly. “Fashion? Fine art?”

“That’s why I’m a magazine publisher.”

He swirled the cognac in his wide palm, pretending to study it. “By the way-” he looked up “-circulation was down last quarter.”

“You’re an ass.”

“Hey-” he feigned innocence “-don’t shoot the messenger.”

“Don’t ask me to do this, Alec.” On the balcony of Alec’s office, Kiefer gazed down at the construction crew swarming over last night’s fire rubble.

“It’s a couple of days,” said Alec from the open doorway, struggling to understand why Kiefer would refuse. “Take her to the distribution offices. Meet with the executives.”

“Raine doesn’t need me there.”

“I want you to get a feel for the magazine business. You said yourself distribution was down.”

“Marginally.”

Alec stepped out onto the balcony, moving next to Kiefer at the rail.

“You need me here,” said Kiefer.

“No, we don’t.”

“Or in Toulouse.”

“What good are you in Toulouse? The office is a mess, and the construction crew is working here.”

“Tokyo, then. Send me to Kana Hanako.”

“I want you to help Raine.” Truth was, Alec wanted Kiefer to make sure Raine stayed away from the château for a couple of days. It was the only way he was going to get any time alone with Charlotte.

Underhanded, maybe. But he had used Kiefer for less noble purposes in the past.

Kiefer’s jaw set in a line, and his hands smacked down hard on the rail. “Well, you might as well fire me, then.” He turned to stalk back into the office.

What?

Alec gave his head a shake.

“What?” He shifted to stare at Kiefer.

Kiefer rounded, his hands on his hips. “Go ahead. Fire me for refusing an order.”

“I’m not-” Alec stepped inside. “Listen, I know you’re not wild about Raine.”

Kiefer started to laugh.

“What’s funny?”

“I’m not wild about Raine?”

Okay, so Raine made Kiefer nuts. They’d always sparked off each other, dragged one another down into the most petty of arguments. But they’d worked together for years. Alec assumed the relationship was at least tolerable.

Kiefer took a step forward, shaking his head in amazement. “You think I’m refusing an order because I don’t like Raine?”

“Why else?” It was not as if traveling to Paris, London and Rome was some kind of hardship. Particularly if they took the corporate jet.

Kiefer stared hard at Alec, a debate obviously going on inside his head.

“Kiefer?” Alec prompted.

“I am wild about Raine.”

Alec didn’t understand.

Kiefer gave another cold laugh. His fists clenched by his sides. “I’d rather you fired me for refusing an order than fire me for sleeping with your sister.”

“Huh?” Alec was honestly speechless.

“Your sister’s hot, Alec. She gorgeous. She’s sexy-”

“But you two fight all the time.”

“That’s because if we stop fighting-” Kiefer clamped his jaw.

Alec struggled to reframe his thoughts. Kiefer and Raine? Raine and Kiefer? “You’ve known her for years. Surely you can keep your hands off her for a few more days.”

“We’ve never traveled alone together.”

“That’s just crazy,” said Alec, refusing to believe Kiefer would completely disregard his professional ethics.

“She’s had a crush on me since she was eighteen,” said Kiefer. “I’m not stupid. She hides it, because she hates herself for it-”

“Then she’ll say no,” Alec pointed out. “And I know you’ll respect that. If you make a move, Raine will simply turn you down.”

“Don’t count on her saying no.”

Alec struggled with a sudden burst of temper. His vice president was actually standing there telling him he planned to seduce his sister?

“Just fire me now,” said Kiefer, throwing up his hands in disgust.

“Nobody’s getting fired.”

“Then forget about the trip.”

“I can’t forget about the trip.”

“Why the hell not? Circulation took a minuscule dip. If you insist, we’ll follow it up. But we can call the offices. It’s not even worth the jet fuel-” Kiefer stopped. His chin suddenly dipped to his chest. He stared at Alec out of the tops of his eyes. Then he shook his head in disgust. “You need Raine out of the house.”

Alec couldn’t lie, so he stayed silent.

“It’s Charlotte, isn’t it? You want me to babysit Raine so that you can seduce Charlotte.” Kiefer rapped his knuckles on the desktop. “Charlotte has a brother, too, you know.”

“Jack has nothing to do with this. Charlotte’s a grown woman.”

“Yeah,” said Kiefer. “So is Raine.”

Alec was forced to agree. And that was a sobering thought for both men. It meant Raine’s love life was none of his business. It meant Kiefer had held back all these years for no reason. It meant if Kiefer took Raine off in the jet, whatever happened between them was entirely their business.

“Yes,” Alec finally answered. “She is.”

The two men stared at each other in silence.

“And you still want me to take her around Europe?”

“If what you say is true, it’s about time you two settled it one way or the other.”

Kiefer gave a nod.

“I can count on your ethics?” Alec confirmed.

“Everything will be her call.”

“Something to give me confidence,” said Charlotte, staring into the depths of Raine’s massive clothes closet.

“How about a jacket?” asked Raine, reaching for a couple of hangers. “Cropped? Classic?” She held up two.

“You have anything in white?” asked Charlotte. “I think white makes a statement.”

“I’m not afraid of getting dirty? Even in the aftermath of a fire?”

“Exactly.” Charlotte moved to get a better view of the skirts hanging in Raine’s closet. The two women were close enough to the same size that she could borrow clothes. “I’d like to look crisp and professional.”

Raine lowered her voice. “Are you nervous?”

Charlotte shrugged. “Isabella and Ridley are due on set today. David will show up, for sure-”

“Your father, David?”

“Right. My father, David. And Devlin and Max-two cousins-won’t be far behind.”

Raine turned and cocked her head. “You know, Charlotte, you are an incredibly successful, intelligent, beautiful woman.”

“Thank you.”

“I mean it. You’ve got nothing to prove. You shouldn’t let them do this to you.”

Charlotte turned her attention to a white, pleated skirt, trying to formulate her thoughts.

“They should be worried about impressing you,” said Raine with staunch loyalty.

Charlotte laughed. “They’re the Hudsons of Hollywood. They impress people simply by breathing.”

There was a knock on the bedroom door.

“Come in,” Raine called.

The door opened and Charlotte saw Kiefer. “You decent in there?” he called to Raine in the depth of the closet, studiously focusing on a bay window.

“No. I’m naked,” stated Raine. “That’s why I called you in.” She brushed past Charlotte, her demeanor instantly prickly.

Charlotte hid a smile at Raine’s habit of going overboard to hide her attraction to Kiefer.

Kiefer frowned at her sarcasm. “I was merely trying to be a gentleman.”

“Why start now?” Raine responded tartly.

Charlotte made her way out of the closet.

“Your brother wants us to go to Rome.”

Raine’s brows went up. “Us?”

“You and me. And to Paris and London. He’s worried about the circulation numbers.”

“Tell him I’ll get more data. Charlotte’s here. I’m not going to Rome.”

“He insists,” said Kiefer. “Believe me when I tell you, I’m less thrilled than you.”

“I doubt that,” said Raine.

“He wants us to talk to the Intérêt distributors and come up with a game plan.”

“Why now?”

“Because now is when the numbers are slipping.”

Raine heaved a sigh.

“Buck up,” said Kiefer, glancing at the three jackets draped over Raine’s arm. “Maybe you can fit in a little clothes shopping.”

Raine suddenly smiled. “What a great idea.” She turned to Charlotte. “You can come with us to Rome. Via Condotti, Via Frattina. We’ll have a blast.”

“I don’t-” Kiefer began. But Raine held up a hand to forestall him.

“It’s decided,” she pronounced. “If you’re going to drag me to Rome, Charlotte and I will make a shopping trip of it.”

Charlotte had to admit, the idea had merit. While she could borrow Raine’s clothes, they wore different shoe sizes. When she packed for this trip, she’d expected to be staying two or three days. She definitely needed to upgrade her wardrobe.

Besides, getting out of Provence for a few days would mean she could put off meeting up with the Hudson clan. Although she told herself she could handle it, her stomach had been churning all morning. A few new outfits from Italy couldn’t hurt her confidence.

Alec appeared in the doorway, his gaze darting from Raine to Kiefer, then settling on Charlotte. His expression stayed neutral, but gold flecks flared in his brown eyes, sending a shiver of remembrance zipping along her spine.

“Great news,” said Raine, and Alec’s expression turned puzzled.

“Charlotte’s coming on the trip with us. We’re going shopping.”

Alec’s horrified gaze shot to Kiefer.

“Raine’s idea,” said Kiefer defensively.

“Charlotte can’t go with you,” Alec quickly put in. “She has to stay with the film.”

Raine waved a dismissive hand. “She’s not in jail. Besides, what’s left to blow up?”

“I really wish you hadn’t said that,” Kiefer deadpanned.

“I need Charlotte here,” Alec insisted, and it instantly dawned on Charlotte that Alec was staying here.

Another look passed between Alec and Kiefer, and Charlotte realized it was a setup. Kiefer had been assigned to get Raine out of the way, so Alec could spend time with her.

Charlotte wouldn’t lie to herself, she was keen to spend time with Alec, too. But talk about an over-the-top move by a self-indulgent man-sending his own sister on a wild-goose chase.

“I’d really rather go to Rome,” she put in, giving Alec a defiant stare.

“See?” Raine jumped in. “The poor woman needs a wardrobe.”

“Yeah,” Charlotte agreed, “this poor woman needs a wardrobe.”

Alec glared at her, clearly trying to transmit a message. She understood just fine. She simply wasn’t going to be a party to his machinations.

“Fine,” Alec ground out. “I’ll come, too.”

That surprised Charlotte. And judging by their expressions, it surprised Raine and Kiefer, as well.

“That’s ridicu-” Something in Alec’s eyes stopped Kiefer cold. “Great idea,” Kiefer said instead. “The four of us, shopping together in Rome. What could be more fun?”

Charlotte wasn’t sure about fun. But it was definitely going to be interesting.

Charlotte showed Alec no mercy. While Raine and Kiefer visited the magazine distributor in Rome, she dragged him to the shopping district. They visited Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Ferragamo and Biagiotti, along with a dozen other shops and boutiques on the famous Italian streets.

Enjoying herself, she found beachwear, jeans, a couple of funky little jackets, three great party dresses and a formal gown for an upcoming event with her grandfather. She also picked out a new purse and a few pieces of jewelry. She’d fought Alec for the right to pay at every store. He was quick on the credit card draw, but she managed to either outsmart or outmaneuver him every time.

“Intimate apparel?” he asked, glancing skeptically at the discreet sign above the glass door on the stone face of the building.

He’d been patient so far, but she considered this the ultimate test. “A girl does need underwear.”

“You think this is funny?”

In fact, she did. “You intimidated?”

“By women’s underwear? Bring it on.” He pulled open the door and stood back to let her enter.

Alec found a seat in a small lounge area and picked up a magazine. A sales associate quickly appeared and offered him coffee, which he accepted, hoisting the cup in a toast to Charlotte.

She held an elegant, full-length, white satin gown up against her body.

He frowned and shook his head.

She pointed to a frivolous pink bra and panties, decorated with white fur.

He rolled his eyes.

Scanning the small racks in front of her, she chose a short nightgown of subtly patterned purple silk, with a lace-inset front and spaghetti straps.

Alec gave her a thumbs-up. Then he waggled his eyebrows and pointed to a low-cut, lacy black camisole with a matching thong. It was obviously his turn to try to embarrass her.

She sauntered defiantly over and whisked the hanger from the rack.

He laughed silently and looked down at his magazine.

Charlotte moved farther back in the small store, selecting some more practical, though equally beautiful lingerie for everyday wear, then headed for a fitting room.

When she brought her selections to the saleswoman, Alec was there with his credit card.

“Not a chance,” she muttered to him.

“My turn,” he insisted.

“You’re not buying my clothes,” she told him, as the clerk glanced from one credit card to the next.

“I’m going to enjoy them every bit as much as you.”

“Not if you keep this up,” said Charlotte, and the clerk was forced to fight a grin.

Alec hesitated, and Charlotte moved quickly, pressing her credit card into the clerk’s palm.

“I win,” she sang.

He gazed down at the black camisole and thong on the counter. “Not necessarily.”

As they had with her other purchases, they arranged to have them delivered to the hotel.

“Are we done?” asked Alec on the way out the door.

Charlotte pretended to consider. “That should keep me for a few days,” she allowed.

“We still have London and Paris,” he reminded her.

“Then I’m done for now,” she said decisively.

“Thank goodness.” He gently steered her south on the busy street.

“If you don’t like shopping, why did you come?”

“Because you…” He smacked her smartly on the bottom.

“Hey!”

Two passing Italian men whistled their appreciation.

“…wouldn’t stay home with me,” Alec finished.

She blinked innocently up at him. “I was supposed to stay home?”

“Do you have any idea how much trouble it was to get Kiefer to take Raine out of our hair?”

“I can’t believe it was hard at all. He’s got the hots for her.”

“You knew that?”

Charlotte scoffed out a laugh. “It’s pretty obvious. Well, to everybody but Raine. She likes him, too, you know.”

“So I hear.”

“You playing matchmaker?” she asked.

“I wanted to see you alone. Those two can take care of themselves.”

“And, here we are,” noted Charlotte.

“You made me work hard enough.”

“Serves you right. Pimping out your sister like that.”

“Clearly, I’m shameless when it comes to you.”

“Let’s hope I’m worth it.”

His voice lowered to an intimate tone. “Oh, I already know you’re worth it.”

While Charlotte told herself not to read too much into his words, they walked in silence along the narrow, cobblestone street amongst other couples and families out enjoying the sunshine and shopping. They came around a corner to the Tiber River.

Alec pointed to a marina of large, expensive-looking yachts. “We should rent a boat.”

“You’re joking.” Talk about an extravagance.

“You have to see the river, particularly at sunset. The bridges, the statues. St. Peter’s Basilica and the Castillo de San Angelo are absolutely magnificent.”

“Look.” It was her turn to point. “There’s a patio café. We can see the river for the price of a cup of coffee.”

Alec turned to stare at her in confusion. “You don’t want to cruise?”

“I don’t want to rent a yacht!”

“It’s only money.”

She took his hand. “Let’s get a cup of coffee, then we’ll walk a ways.”

“Coffee?” he confirmed with obvious disappointment.

She nodded and pointed them toward the little café.

They found mesh, metal seats and a little metal table by the rail. The breeze was cool off the water, and a barge floated by, while compact cars made their way over an ancient stone bridge.

Before sitting down, Alec removed his jacket, putting it around Charlotte’s shoulders. She smiled her thanks.

While he spoke to the waiter in Italian, Alec pulled out his own seat.

He sat down, his gaze soft on her face as he seemed to consider her. “You’re different,” he finally told her.

“Different from what?” The coat was still warm from his body heat, and it felt comforting around her body.

“From other women.”

She toyed with the silverware on the table. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

He sat back in his chair. “Ever since they estimated my net worth in Forbes, it’s as if I have a bull’s-eye painted in the middle of my back. A great big target for every woman who thinks her life would be improved by money.”

“Were they right?”

His forehead creased. “The women?”

A tourist barge sounded its horn, and a group of partyers waved and shouted.

Charlotte waved in return. “Forbes.”

“Why? Did you read it?”

“No. But your château and your jet plane have me convinced you’re a pretty good catch.”

He shook his head. “Do you have any idea how long it’s been since I’ve had a date pay for her own clothes?”

Charlotte couldn’t help but smirk. “You buy your dates clothes?”

“I buy my dates many things.”

“You ever stop to think you’re bringing this on yourself?”

“You ever stop to think most women in the world are mercenary?”

Charlotte wasn’t sure how to answer that. He was probably right. At least, he was probably right about the women he’d been hanging out with most of his life.

“Not all women are interested in your money.”

The waiter stopped at their table, placing clear mugs of espresso on little blue saucers. He added a tray of sugared and chocolate-drizzled pastries in the center of the table.

The aromas hit Charlotte, reminding her that she was hungry. She pushed her arms into the sleeves of Alec’s jacket and reached for a tiny cream-filled, cherry-topped morsel.

“These,” she told him, “you can buy me any old time.”

“That’s the secret?” He chose a sugared croissant.

She nodded enthusiastically. “Pander to my sweet tooth, and I’m yours for life.”

Something flickered in the depths of his brown eyes, and she instantly regretted her choice of words. They might have moved past one-night stand, but they hadn’t gone anywhere beyond a fling. She was fine with that, and she didn’t want Alec to worry that she had any other expectations.

She wondered if she should explain. Or would protesting just make things worse?

He considered her for a second longer. “Good to know,” he said simply.

“Of course,” she put into the silence, waving her pastry, “the downside is, I won’t fit into the clothes for much longer.”

He smiled. “I’m not worried. Your derriere’s a little on the skinny side, anyway.”

“Are you serious?” She twisted to look at her backside. She exercised quite extensively to keep her derriere fitting into designer clothes.

Alec laughed. “There’s nothing wrong with a curve or two.”

“Don’t let Lesley Manichatio hear you say that.”

“I already told her.”

“Right.”

He shrugged.

“You actually know Lesley Manichatio?”

“We carry her brands at Esmee ETA.”

“Wait a minute.” Charlotte set her pastry on the edge of her plate, wiping her hands on a paper napkin. “You own Esmee ETA?”

“Yes.”

“The stores? The chain?”

“Uh-huh.” He nodded.

“Alec?”

“Yes?”

“You really are a catch.”

“You want to rethink the river cruise?”

“Not on your life.”

He grinned. “At least eat your pastry.”

She picked it up again.

No wonder the man was paranoid. How would he ever know if a woman fell in love with him or his money? He could write a prenup, sure. But he’d still never know. A woman could fake love for a very long time if Alec was paying the bills.