Laurel Heights: Return To You Part 8

But a set-up for what? To fail?

Failing meant he couldn't get out of his indenture to Parker Pictures.

Michael shook his head, looking at Romantic Notions's storefront down the block. That didn't ring true. Parker was after something else.

Time enough to figure that out later. Now he had to concentrate on the matter at hand-Olivia. He stuck his hands in his pocket, touched the locket, and headed to Romantic Notions.

He pushed open the door to Olivia's store and stepped in. He looked to the counter, expecting to see Olivia, but there was no sign of anyone.

The first time he came in, he'd been so focused on Olivia he hadn't given the surroundings a second glance. This time, he took his time to take in the ambiance and feel of her store.

A couple plush velvet chairs were separated by a coffee table laden with all sorts of magazines-fas.h.i.+on to automotive. Display racks and tables showcased all sorts of underwear, from the practical to the seductive in an array of color. The smell of some flower tickled his nose, but it was light, almost an afterthought.

Comfortable.

He'd bought his fair share of underwear for girlfriends in the past and he'd never felt at ease in a lingerie store. This was a store he could enjoy shopping at. He walked over to a display and picked up a bottle. "Chocolate Topping for Lovers," he read.

Was Olivia into this stuff? He pictured her, naked, her wild hair tangled, her eyes wicked with intent. She was crawling toward him, the jar of chocolate open. She stopped, kneeling between his legs, and dipped a finger into the jar. Slowly, never taking her eyes off his, she smeared the chocolate across his abdomen. Leaning down, she licked a path from his belly b.u.t.ton, all the way to- "What are you doing here?"

The arch question startled him out of his fantasy. Michael looked up to see Olivia emerge from a burgundy velvet curtain.

She wore a white T-s.h.i.+rt that was thin enough to see the outline of her nipples.

He'd fantasized about the wrong thing. He should have been imagining licking the chocolate off of her magnificent b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

"What are you doing here?" she asked again.

Dreaming about tonguing you 'til you scream. He cleared his throat. "I need to talk to you."

"We have nothing to talk about," she stated flatly. She walked onto the floor, her hands full of new merchandise.

"Need help?"

"What I need is for you to get out of my store." She dropped the underwear on a table, moved aside old merchandise, and arranged the new in its place.

The panties she arranged on the table caught his attention. He glanced at her belly. In high school, she'd worn plain white bikinis. What did she wear now?

He couldn't help himself. Like he was in a trance, he weaved through the store, not stopping until he was standing inches away from her. He reached around her, his arm brus.h.i.+ng hers.

She jumped. "What are you doing?"

Snaring a g-string from behind her, he dangled it from the tip of his index finger. "Do you wear stuff like this?"

She grabbed the sc.r.a.p of lace from him. "Don't touch my underwear."

His gaze dropped to her lips. An irrational need to see how badly he could smear her dark lipstick spurred him on. "You didn't used to mind."

"My standards were lower then."

"Ouch."

She placed her hand on his chest and moved him back. "Get out of my store, and stay out of my life."

"What makes you think I want back into your life?"

Her eyes narrowed, but the fury lighting them was impossible to miss. "Then you must be here to make a purchase. For a girlfriend? Unless you've taken up cross-dressing. In which case I have a lovely satin teddy that'd do wonders for your figure."

The fury in her eyes defeated him. Sticking his hands in his pockets, he said softly, "Olivia, I didn't come here to pick a fight with you. I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry. None of this was my idea. I'd change locations if I could."

"But you can't, because you're my father's lackey."

He didn't know what he wanted to do more-shake her or kiss her pouty lips. "Fact of the matter is I'm as p.i.s.sed as you are about this, babe. Do you really think I want to be around you any more than you want to be around me?"

He saw the barb strike and root deep, just as he intended. Surprisingly, instead of the satisfaction he expected to feel, he felt remorse.

"Point taken." The redness climbing up her cheeks belied her cool tone. "Don't let me keep you then."

Mesmerized by the sway of her a.s.s, Michael watched her disappear into the back.

"d.a.m.n." He raked his hair back. That didn't go how he envisioned it. But then, with Olivia, nothing ever seemed to go right.

Chapter Nine.

Ignoring the late morning bustle of the coffee shop, Parker studied the man in front of him. There wasn't anything he could find fault with.

He didn't like that.

Rick Clancy leaned back in his chair, sipped his coffee, and returned Parker's measured stare. "Why don't you tell me how I can help?"

"I have a matter that needs to be looked into. Discreetly."

Clancy nodded. "Discretion's part of the business."

"I have reason to believe company information is being leaked to the press. News and tabloids." Parker paused to take in Clancy's reaction. The man's expression didn't betray a single thought. "I'm sure you understand that in a business like mine, this can be disastrous. The gossip behind a film can drastically affect the outcome of its release."

"Understandable," Clancy agreed. "What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to investigate. The compensation will be more than adequate." He named a figure and was gratified when Clancy's face registered real surprise.

"I guess that's adequate," Clancy deadpanned.

"Will you take the case?"

Clancy studied him.

Parker calmly gazed back, drinking his coffee. He hadn't expected Clancy to be so restrained. Most people did anything for the right price, but he had a feeling money wasn't what motivated this man. He should have done his homework better, but he'd been thrown a curve ball and had needed to act quickly.

Finally, Clancy agreed. "I'll take it."

Parker didn't let his relief show. "Good. You can start immediately?"

"I think I can rearrange my caseload to accommodate you. Do you have a suspect?"

"Elaine Adams."

"And she is...?"

"My executive a.s.sistant." He felt an unaccustomed twinge of guilt. Elaine was nothing if not faithful. It felt like a betrayal to even pretend that she could be otherwise.

There was no reason for her to find out. He'd send Clancy on this fool's mission. Clancy would spin his wheels for a few weeks, guaranteeing he'd be too busy to see Olivia, and find nothing to support Parker's allegations.

And Elaine would remain ignorant of the inquest.

"What gives you reason to suspect Ms. Adams?" Clancy asked.

He would have expected anyone else to take notes. Clancy didn't, making him either very sharp or a fool. Parker doubted it was the latter. "I didn't until recently. Elaine was the only one, other than myself, who had access to the information."

"Why me?"

Parker didn't pretend to misunderstand. "I've heard you're the best."

"My reputation precedes me."

"There's also the consideration that we're going to be in the Bay Area for the next few weeks. Since you're local, I thought you'd be the best choice."

"So this has nothing to do with Olivia?"

Parker's cup paused for a moment on the way to his mouth. He didn't delude himself that Clancy missed the gaffe. "Why would this have anything to do with Olivia?"

Clancy shrugged. "I don't know, but I have a feeling it does."

"Has Olivia mentioned me?"

"No. I did a little homework after you called me. Olivia clams up anytime you're mentioned."

"This has nothing to do with Olivia," he lied. It had everything to do with Olivia. All of it was about Olivia.

He hadn't expected her to have a boyfriend when he set this plan in motion. It threw a serious wrench into the works. He had to make sure Clancy was out of the way so Olivia could reconcile with Michael.

His daughter was the only reason he could justify siccing Clancy on Elaine. He found it distasteful to even question her loyalty.

Although his a.s.sistant was hiding something from him.

He'd realized it when she came back from her errands clutching a Romantic Notions bag. She had a secret. He wasn't sure if he was more shocked that she kept a secret from him or that she'd bought something from Olivia's boutique.

Of course, Elaine wasn't ent.i.tled to confide in him, and she could buy anything she wanted. But, according to Mae, Olivia sold s.e.xy, high-end lingerie. Was that what Elaine wore underneath those staid suits?

He couldn't count the number of times over the past few days he'd wondered what was in that little bag. Every time Elaine walked into the room, he could hardly keep himself from staring at her body, looking for a clue, a hint at what was underneath.

It was insane. He couldn't believe he was mentally undressing her. She was his a.s.sistant, for Christ's sake.

Clancy downed the last of his coffee. "I'll get right on this. I expect you'll want periodic reports."

"Yes. Though I'd like to stress the need for confidentiality."

"Of course." Clancy unfolded his long legs, stood up, and held out his hand. "I'll be in touch, Mr. Parker."

"Thank you." Parker stood and shook Clancy's hand. The grip was confident and firm. d.a.m.n. He'd been prepared to dislike Clancy, but everything about the man made it impossible to feel anything other than admiration.

He watched Clancy return his mug to the bar and exchange a few words with the pretty blonde manning the register. Parker wondered what was said when she glanced over at him curiously. Clancy pecked her on the cheek and left.

Parker drank his coffee, waiting to feel satisfaction at a plan in motion. He only felt a vague sense of unease.

But Elaine wouldn't find out, and the end justified the means.

Chapter Ten.

"Gwen, I really think you should reconsider," Eve said, reclining on the couch and stretching her legs out in front of her.

Olivia grinned as she rearranged the pillows behind her on the floor. "What Eve means, Gwen, is that a tribute to the Grateful Dead isn't the direction you want to take your art."

Gwen frowned and rolled onto her side to face Olivia. "Are you sure? I think it'll sell really well."

"The tribal theme you did for your opening was spectacular. But I don't think tie-dye gourds are in the same niveau."

Gwen nodded slowly, absorbing the advice.

"Niveau?" asked Lainie with a puzzled frown.

"Level," Gwen absently explained.

Olivia c.o.c.ked a brow. She hadn't realized Gwen knew any French.