One White Lie: Barrington Billionaire's Series: Book One by Jeannette Winters Page A

weren’t for her birthday so it left only one thing: they were for something special. He use to bring her flowers but never bought roses; they symbolized of a lack of imagination.
    Rex? What kind of name was that? Lena never had been one to run around, so spending the weekend with the guy meant they must have known each other for some time. He was tempted to ask her more about him, but she was only going to give him what she wanted him to know. Brice didn’t have time to play games. However, Asher had just mentioned bringing on someone new as head of security. He had meant to give Bennett Stone a call himself regarding the status in Trundaie; he might as well add Rex to the list of things he wanted information on.
    “My project is complete. I have time this weekend if you want to spend it with me.” That was a total boldfaced lie. His formula was ready, but after the call from Asher, he had no idea what adjustments would need to be made. Asher had no concept that the formula needed adjustment based on temperature as well as altitude. If things weren’t going as planned for Trundaie, he was not as close as he thought he was.
    “Did you not hear me say I am seeing someone? Why would you ask me to spend a weekend with you when you know there is someone else?”
    Because I want you. “Were you seeing him last Friday when you came to my office?” He knew his words were far from kind. But she couldn’t tell him she loved this guy, Rex. Not after the way she touched him and gave herself to him that afternoon. No, that guy was nothing. If she thought otherwise, she was lying to herself, but then again he remembered she’d sounded sincere on the phone earlier.
    Lena stood up abruptly. “How dare you speak to me like that?”
    Brice looked at her and said, “Sit down.” He wasn’t about to apologize for what he said.
    Lena looked around the room then sat down.
    “Lena, I am not trying to interfere in whatever it is you have with this Rex. Do what you want. I don’t care. But you didn’t answer my question. Would you like to spend the weekend with me?”
    He knew she wanted to, but she couldn’t bring herself to agree to it. Was it embarrassment? They were adults who once were lovers. Why couldn’t they continue to enjoy some mutual satisfaction? God knows it’s good between us. And I can’t picture anyone making you feel as good as I can.
    She sat quietly for a moment. When she did answer, it wasn’t a rejection. “Brice. Things are so complicated. Spending time together is only going to make things even more so. You only want me now because I’m here; it’s easy for you. Once my assignment is through, and I’m gone, you will forget all about me again.” Her voice was soft, and he could hear pain as she spoke the next words. “I can’t go through that again, Brice. You might not remember how it ended the first time, but I’ll never forget. You hurt me like no one else had. I waited and hoped you would call, but you didn’t. You cut me out of your life. Don’t ask me to let you back in now, especially not as some sexual play toy for you to enjoy whenever you want.” She looked him in the eye. “Now if you will excuse me, as I mentioned, I have dinner plans and cannot keep him waiting.” Getting up, she said softly, “Let’s forget Friday ever happened. It was poor judgment on both our parts.”
    He didn’t try to stop her. She was right; he had been an asshole back then. It had not been a great time of his life, and he wasn’t proud of his past behavior. Brice had been so focused on his project that when his father gave him the ultimatum, he lost his mind and had cut everything and everyone who meant anything to him out of his life.
    It hadn’t been an easy choice, but at the time, it was all he had been able to do. If he had stayed with her at that time, she would have spent her nights and weekends alone, waiting for someone who wasn’t coming. He needed to focus all his energy to make B&H one of