The CEO's Surprise Family Read Online Free PDF Page A

waist drew her in front of Jethro. He followed the line of the fire truck with his finger. “The shadows disguise the layering and add depth and dimension.” He spoke right in her ear, his breath blowing over the sensitive skin. She shivered and fought the urge to lean back against him.
    â€œYes. I can see the shadows are key.”
    â€œEthan, there you are. And Jethro, you finally made it. Excellent.” A woman with pale skin, black sharp-edged hair and bright red lips swept up to them. She wore a black suit that flowed around a reed-thin body. Hooking her arms through each of the men’s, she led them away. “The press are here. Time to make nice.”
    Lexi followed as best she could considering the crowd quickly closed around her now she didn’t have the almighty Jethro Calder with her. When she got cut off, she decided to look around at more of the art. The woman obviously worked for the gallery and it sounded like Jethro would be busy for a few minutes, so he shouldn’t miss her.
    As she strolled around, she encountered several people she knew. The director of her last dance review at the Golden Link and his wife, a pit boss from Pinnacle and his partner, and a client of hers from Modern Goddess. She chatted briefly with each making sure to talk up the artist; she even influenced a sale with the director.
    She kept her eye on Jethro in case her duties were needed but the dark-haired woman, whom she’d learned was Lana, the gallery manager, guarded him like a lioness with her cub. No wannabes were getting through her.
    Ethan found Lexi by the buffet table.
    â€œHey, I’ve been racking up sales for you.”
    â€œI’m glad to hear it.” He grabbed one of the fancy bottles of water. “And I’m glad I caught you alone.”
    â€œAh-ah.” She shook her finger at him. “You promised Jethro no flirting.”
    â€œHe’s who I want to talk to you about. I want to thank him for his patronage by giving him one of the pictures. I thought you could help me choose one for him.”
    â€œOh, goodness. We really haven’t known each other that long.”
    â€œMaybe not, but you obviously have his number. And he likes you.”
    What an interesting comment. She wondered what made him think so. She laughed. “I think we both have you fooled.”
    â€œNo.” Ethan shook his head, his green gaze serious. “As a photographer and an artist, I’ve learned to read people. I’ll admit Jethro is tough to get a read on because he doesn’t show much emotion. Most people don’t even try unless they want something from him.”
    â€œThat’s just sad.” She dismissed a pang of guilt. He couldn’t miss what he didn’t know he had.
    â€œYes.” Ethan sipped the expensive water. “But it’s a persona he fosters. He doesn’t let people close.”
    â€œYou’re just proving my case.”
    â€œI’m proving my case. Because you see the man. You recognized his excitement for my work. You tease him.” He shook his head. “Seriously, I’ve never seen anyone talk to him the way you do. And he takes it. That’s how I know he likes you.”
    Okay, he’d made a couple of good points, but Lexi still wasn’t convinced. She’d love for Jethro to like her. It could only help her case, make him predisposed to help her. But the evidence seemed pretty flimsy to her.
    â€œThat and the way he looks at you. He hasn’t taken his eyes off you all night.”
    Of course the comment had her searching out Jethro, and sure enough he looked right at them even as he talked with an elderly Japanese couple. She waved and he cocked a dark brow.
    â€œThis should really be your choice.” She told Ethan.
    â€œI’d still like your help.” He insisted.
    â€œOkay, but I should get back to him soon.”
    â€œThis won’t take long,” he assured her. “And