Читать книгу The Rancher's Cinderella Bride - Sara Orwig - Страница 9
ОглавлениеMeg closed the door of her small house in Downly, and glanced around at familiar surroundings without seeing any of them. She threw her arms up and spun on her toes, joy and relief overwhelming her. Gabe would help her. He was going along with the pretend engagement and she couldn’t wait for their first date.
A date with Gabe. The thought stirred tingles of excitement that surprised her. She didn’t want to feel any attraction to him. He was a wild man with wild ways. He loved the ladies. And he was not her type. Whatever excitement she felt over being with him would vanish, she was sure.
She poured a glass of water and stepped onto her patio while she thought about Saturday night. Saturday was a big day in the landscape business, but she could get off early. She wasn’t going to say no to any date Gabe suggested as long as it was soon. She knew she should head to work now, but she wouldn’t be able to focus on anything except jubilation that Gabe would bail her out of her problem.
She remembered how she had tried to cheer him up and comfort him as a kid when his dad wouldn’t come home or ignored Gabe when he was home. Through the years, Gabe had repeatedly promised that he would help if she ever had any problems and he’d insisted she promise she would come to him with them. That was all childhood history, but he had come through on his long-ago promises to her today.
She went to the room she had turned into an office. Shelves lined the walls with books, pictures, trophies, awards and stacks of papers. She crossed the room to pick up a small picture and looked closely at it. It was a snapshot of her and Gabe in her backyard. He held her pigtail in front of his face like a mustache while he grinned at the camera. She smiled as she looked at it. “Thanks for being my friend always,” she said to his picture.
She was going out with him Saturday night—their first date. But one where she needn’t worry about what to wear. Gabe wouldn’t care. Going out with him would be like an evening with one of her brothers. The thought reminded her of Hank again. Hank and Gabe had been close friends, and they were a lot alike. Hank had taken risks like Gabe did and had loved life on the wild side—flying, competing in rodeos, taking out party girls and never getting serious. Gabe was slightly older and her family felt he had been a bad influence on Hank. In the early years when her dad had worked with Gabe’s dad in their own business, both families had been close and Hank thought Gabe was great. Later, her family was so bitter over the way Dirkson Callahan had cut her dad out of the business that they stopped speaking to any of the Callahans and didn’t want any of their children to speak to them, either. While the grandparents felt the same as her parents, the feud had never carried over to her generation, and as much as possible, her generation had stayed friends with one another.
Her family wasn’t going to want her to marry Gabe, and with a ring on her finger from him, she expected them to stop pushing her to marry.
She hugged the picture. “Thank you, thank you,” she whispered, remembering when he had hugged her today. His broad shoulders and strong arms were a physical reassurance that made her feel safe, as if her problems were solved. She looked more intently at the picture. When had that skinny kid grown into a tall, strong man whose hug could make her feel that she was safe and all would be right with her world? He had grown up to be a good-looking guy, which she had never thought about before in her life.
“You’re definitely my best friend,” she whispered to his picture.
Still smiling, she placed the picture back on the shelf and went to her desk to check emails on her laptop.
Like her brother Hank who had been in commercial real estate, Gabe had gone into business with his older brother Cade in commercial real estate with a large office building in Dallas. She knew through the years they had oil and gas investments and business ties with Gabe’s stepbrother, Blake, who was a hotel mogul. She didn’t know whether Gabe spent more time in Dallas now or more time on his ranch. He could afford to do whatever he wanted.
Briefly, she concentrated on her emails, answering quickly and then gathering things to take to Dallas to her office, which was almost a two-hour drive away, depending on traffic. Before she left the room she blew a kiss toward Gabe’s picture. “My handsome knight to my rescue,” she whispered.
Relieved, happier than she had been in a couple of months, Meg gathered her things and left for her office, able to concentrate fully on business and work that she had planned for the day.
* * *
Saturday came swiftly and at the end of the day, she rushed home to get ready to go out with Gabe. She showered and dressed, selecting clothes that might get her noticed—not by Gabe but by other diners. She chose a pair of her fancy skintight jeans, her best black boots and a bright red sleeveless vee-neck shirt, and a matching red headband.
Gabe suggested they go to the best barbecue place near Downly, where they could have ribs along with some boot-scootin’ fun. Because many people from Dallas were there on the weekend, word would spread back to Big D real easily. Not only would that put the kibosh on Justin’s proposal, but she would have fun with Gabe in the meantime.
Promptly at seven she heard a car door slam and seconds later her doorbell rang. She hurried to open the door to Gabe, who wore a black hat, black shirt, jeans and black boots. He had never looked as appealing as he did at that moment because he was going to deliver her from a worrisome dilemma.
“Are you ready for a new adventure?” he asked, grinning at her.
“You can’t imagine how ready, you handsome cowboy. I want you to sweep me off my feet.”
“That sounds like my kind of task,” he replied as his gaze swept over her from head to toe. He whistled. “Wow, you grew up in the most delightful way. You look pretty.”
“Thank you. I hope I’m pretty enough for people to post our picture on all sorts of social media.” She reached for her keys. “I’ll show you my house sometime, but right now, I can’t wait to get out there and let every Texan possible see us together.”
“Slow down, Meg,” he said, laughing. “I promise, you’ll be noticed.”
Grabbing her broad-brimmed black hat, she locked up and left, walking beside him toward his shiny black pickup. “You know, I never noticed what a good-looking guy you are.”
His smile widened. “You’ve gotten what you want, Meg, so you can cut the flattery. Or are you buttering me up for more? I’ll tell you now—I agreed to a pretend engagement but I draw the line at a pretend marriage. I’m not the marrying kind, real or even pretend.”
“I wouldn’t think of asking you to do one more thing,” she answered with exaggerated politeness.
“I seem to remember a few instances when you turned on the sweetness and charm with a definite goal in mind.”
“You exaggerate, but that’s okay. With time your memory has embellished circumstances. I can’t tell you how happy I’ve been the last couple of days, and how relieved. I feel as if I’ve escaped prison.”
“Yeah, I’ve had a few relationships that I ended and then felt the same way,” he said with a smile.
She wrinkled her nose at him and shook her head. “Well, this is a once-in-a-lifetime dilemma for me. I will never again get myself in this kind of situation with a guy.”
“Watch what you predict. Life has a way of sending us all kinds of surprises. Did you ever think we’d be going out on a date?”
Shaking her head, she laughed. “I’m sure on this one,” she said as he opened the pickup door and she slid into the seat to watch him circle the pickup. He was good-looking, something she hadn’t given much thought to in past years. A Dallas magazine had listed Gabe as one of the top twenty most eligible bachelors in the area. But Gabe’s looks and sex appeal wouldn’t interfere with her plans.
Tonight she just wanted to have fun, to celebrate her freedom that was coming, freedom to live her life her way without a constant war with her parents and grandparents.
Gabe drove to a log building with a long front porch. Rocking chairs and pots of blooming flowers created a relaxed, inviting ambience. Inside, lights were low, and ceiling fans turned slowly above dancers circling the floor as a fiddler and a drummer played. Gabe got a table at the edge of the dance floor where couples were already into a lively two-step.
“This is perfect. Everyone will see us at this table.”
“Unless someone is blind drunk, you’re probably right,” Gabe remarked drily. “Now order up. And relax, Meg. You’ll get what you want. You look ready to jump out of your skin.”
She laughed. “I’m so excited and happy. Let’s dance and then more people will see us.”
Laughing, he shook his head as he stood and took her hand. In seconds, he held her hands while she danced at his side in another fast two-step. He turned her around and when he caught her to stop her from turning again, he pulled her slightly closer. Flashing another smile, she looked up at him. “You adorable man. You’re the best friend possible,” she said, hoping she looked like a woman falling in love.
“Don’t overdo it,” he said, laughing at her.
“There’s no way to overdo what I feel, and since I want people to think I’m falling in love with you, I have to look as if I’m having the time of my life. Which I kind of am.”
“You’re shameless, Meg. I keep telling myself not to be flattered that you asked me to be your pretend fiancé, because any guy would have fit the bill. Except you knew that because of our friendship, I’d do this without any demands on you.”
“Not so. I wouldn’t trust any other guy. Besides, with another guy no one would believe me. But you fit all the qualifications. I’ve known you forever. You’re handsome, sexy, fun, popular, wealthy—”
“Stop with all the flattery. You’ve already got what you want. If I were all that you said, the ladies would be lined up at our table waiting to dance with me.”
“I’m surprised they aren’t, but they’re watching you, which means they’re watching us, which is good. Hey, you’re a good dancer, too.”
“Don’t sound so surprised. What do you think I’ve been doing on Saturday nights?”
“Well, you just seem so into planes, motorcycles and bull riding that I didn’t expect you to be so light on your feet.”
“Maybe you’re in for all kinds of surprises from me,” he said with an exaggerated leer that made her laugh.
“Bring ’em on, cowboy. I’m ready for some excitement in my life.”
“I told you before—and you know the old saying—watch what you wish for. That’s a challenge you just gave me, Meg,” he teased.
“I’m ready for you.” She twirled and came back beside him. “It’s fun to be with you again.” When he was about to protest, she said, “I mean it. You have to admit, it’s different from when we were little kids.”
“Is it ever, darlin’. And vastly better,” he said, his gaze drifting over her again, making her laugh and feel a surprising tingle.
The dance ended and he held her hand as they returned to their table. She stopped to say hello to some people on the way. As soon as they had ordered, she stood. “I’ll be back in a minute. I’m going to the ladies’ room.”
“Yeah, I know. You’re going so more people will see you.”
She smiled and left, knowing that Gabe would be good-natured about this fake engagement. Excitement bubbled in her and she wondered how much of it was knowing her problem would soon be a thing of the past—and how much was just pure excitement from being with Gabe.
When she returned to their table, they ordered and shortly had platters with piles of ribs covered in red barbecue sauce, a mound of curly fries and thick, buttered Texas toast. While they ate, she tried to catch up on his current life.
As they laughed over a recent incident, Gabe took a sip of his beer and when he set it down, he smiled. “You’re right—it’s good to be together again,” Gabe said.
“I’m surprised there’s no woman in your life right now, but I’m glad there’s not, otherwise you couldn’t have gone out with me. Why don’t you hold my hand,” she suggested. “That would look good.”
His grin widened. “This is the first time my date has told me how to come on to her.”
“Well, I just want you to look as if you’re falling in love and really want me. So far, with all the fun we’re having, we look just like what we are—two old buds out together.”
“Oh, darlin’,” he drawled. “I think I can get beyond just buddies without you having to coach me,” he said in a husky, breathy statement that was barely above a whisper. He stood, drawing her to her feet while he watched her intently. He slipped his arm around her waist, pulled her tightly against his side as they walked to the dance floor.
“Oh, my,” she said, gazing up at him. “That’s definitely on target.”
“Just wait, darlin’.” He leaned down to whisper into her ear, his warm breath stirring tingles that surprised her.
On the dance floor she turned to face him, winding her arms around his neck and gazing into his eyes as they moved in unison. Her satisfaction climbed over how well they fit together.
“Gabe, this is positively a dream come true,” she said, dancing closer so he could hear her over the music. “Tanya is here, Justin’s ex-girlfriend, and she’s seen me. She can’t stop glancing at me. When this dance ends, try to be near her and we’ll go talk to her. I’ll introduce you.”
“Dare I hope she’s the one in the skintight jeans and low-cut blue blouse that reveals a lot of her ink? No wonder his parents have focused on you. They’re not the type for tats and blouses with vee necklines to the waist. As adorable as you are, I’m surprised Justin gave in so easily.”
“I think I should feel insulted, but I don’t. Justin’s dad gave him incentives to give in. If he marries me, he gets a partnership in the firm after the first year of our marriage. If I’m pregnant, he gets an even bigger deal,” she said, shivering.
“No wonder you want out of that. Damn. My dad gets an F in fatherhood, but he hasn’t pulled anything like picking a wife for any of us.”
“Until this, my parents have been wonderful. So have my grandparents, and I love them all dearly.”
“We’ll head Tanya’s way. I won’t protest meeting her,” he said, dancing Meg her way.
The music stopped and she turned, smiling at Tanya and pulling lightly on Gabe’s hand. Tanya’s straight, waist-length blond hair fell loosely around her face. She wore a tight blue silk top with bling along the neckline that dipped in a deep vee, revealing half of a butterfly tattoo on the curve of her full breast. Curiosity filled her eyes as she watched Meg and Gabe approach. She glanced back and forth at each of them until Meg greeted her.
“Tanya, meet Gabe Callahan. Gabe, meet Tanya Waters.”
Smiling, Tanya touched the arm of the man beside her. “Hi. This is Bobby Jack Lawrence.”
As the men greeted each other, Gabe held Meg’s hand lightly. They talked a moment until the music commenced again and then Gabe pulled her to his side for a two-step.
“That was absolutely perfect,” Meg said. “I’m so glad we came here. I see Cassie Perkins from Justin’s office. I think she’s interested in Justin, so I’m sure she’ll get the word out around his office.”
Gabe looked down at her. “I didn’t know you could be so plotting and devious.”
“Only because I’m desperate,” Meg said. Then she became quiet, enjoying dancing with him and thinking the evening had been a huge success.
“How in the world did you get involved with Justin in the first place?”
“Friendship. The way I am with you. We go to the same places and see each other. We like the same things—symphony, opera, contemporary art. His folks were giving him a terrible time about seeing Tanya and we talked about that. I just didn’t realize what it would lead to and suddenly he was talking a marriage of convenience.”
“Lesson learned there, I suppose.”
“There’s no danger of our families trying to push you and me into a marriage of convenience. Actually, this ought to set family tongues wagging about us going out together and get Justin out of the conversation.”
“This fake engagement sure as hell isn’t going to endear me to any of your family.”
“I’m sorry about that, but they don’t like any Callahans anyway, so it isn’t like you’re losing their friendship.”
“Somehow, your logic doesn’t cheer me,” he said and she smiled.
It was after midnight when a number ended and Gabe spun her around, catching her and pulling her up against him. She looked up into his eyes and her laughter faded, her grin giving way to a sultry smile.
He gazed back and took her hand. “That look should convince the most doubting spectator. If I didn’t know better, I’d be on fire now,” he remarked.
“Well, I’m thankful you didn’t laugh because that definitely kills the effect.”
“What I felt wasn’t laughter,” he said. The smoldering look he gave her made her tingle, which surprised her. How shocking that she found him so appealing.
“I think we can leave now,” he said, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her close against his side.
She slipped her arm around his waist, looking up at him and smiling, as if they were about to go home and make love. She hoped that’s what others thought.
“That was fun, Gabe. You’re perfect for this. You would convince anybody that we’re a couple.”
“Anybody who doesn’t really know you,” he remarked drily. “Otherwise, I think there will be suspicion.”
“No, there won’t,” she assured him, supremely happy with the way the evening had gone and looking up at him as if she thought he was the most adorable man on earth. At the moment that wasn’t even pretend.
Gabe drove to her small home in Downly in an older part of town with tall shade trees. Her bright front light illuminated the porch, the surrounding flower beds, the steps, the walk and half of her front yard.
“That’s some porch light you have. Your house hasn’t been broken into, has it?”
“Heavens, no. I just like a light when I come home. It’s cheerful.”
He shook his head. “It’s like the one at the Hansons’ lumber yard at night. Well, I’d say tonight was a success.”
“Definitely. Next I think we should hit the country clubs in Downly and in Dallas. I’ll get dressed up so I look more like the ladies you normally take out.”
He laughed. “I don’t think old Justin stands a chance.” After parking his pickup, Gabe stepped out to open her door.
She waited, hoping someone she knew would drive by and see them. Getting out of the pickup, she looked around. “I don’t see anyone. My neighbors aren’t the curious type and no one’s ever on this street. Nonetheless, just in case someone is watching, I’ll hang on to you, and you can put your arm around me,” she said as he slipped his arm around her waist.
“This is a unique experience,” he said with laughter in his voice. “Even my first date didn’t tell me what to do and that was fifth grade.”
Meg shook his arm playfully. “I’m not telling you what to do—at least not the entire evening,” she added as they climbed the porch steps and turned to face each other. “Thank you, thank you. I am indebted to you and tonight was a roaring success,” she said, smiling up at him as his hands rested on her waist.
“Meg, this night is not over yet,” he drawled in a deep voice. He glanced around. “I feel like I’m onstage right now, under a spotlight.” He looked up at her porch light. “I take it Justin doesn’t mind the light.”
“There is absolutely no reason for him to. Besides, we haven’t gone out together in Downly.”
“Are you going to let me kiss you?” Gabe asked, his blue eyes twinkling. “I don’t think I’ve asked that question since my first date, either.”
Knowing he was enjoying himself by teasing her, she smiled. “Yes, I will, but I’m not going to bed with you.”
“Now you’ve flung another challenge at me that I’m going to have to deal with,” he said, flirting with her.
Still smiling at him, she shook her head. “That was no challenge. It’s an established, guaranteed fact.”
“Oh, Meg, sweetie,” he drawled, taking her hand and stroking it lightly while his eyes still sparkled, “you’ve done it now. I can’t wait for our next date. My reputation with the ladies may be on the line here.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. If you slept with me, no one would ever know it except the two of us. I know you don’t talk about your affairs of the heart,” she said, trying to keep from laughing and also aware that his light caresses were stirring surprising sizzles. How could Gabe cause any sizzles? He had always been like a brother. She gazed more intently at him, thinking that brother image was being melted away by every stroke on her hand.
“Now, how can you possibly know about my love life?” he asked.
“Word gets around about you.”
“Well, what do you know—you’ve been discussing me with others.”
“Don’t flatter yourself. I may not be the one bringing up your name, you know.”
He laughed. “I better back off right now. I know you well enough to know when my teasing is getting to you.”
“You don’t know zip about the grown-up me. We haven’t spent much time together since I was a teenager.”
He didn’t respond to that remark. Instead, he was focused on something else. “Let’s go back to my question.”
She knew the one he meant. Are you going to let me kiss you.
He tilted her chin up. “We’re in a spotlight. Just in case anyone observes, let’s make this look like the real thing.”
“No one in this neighborhood will observe us,” she said, amused, curious about kissing him.
Gabe slipped his arm around her waist. “You know, Meg, we’ve never kissed,” he said, looking into her eyes.
She gazed back into vivid blue eyes that seemed to turn her insides to jelly. Gabe really was a good-looking man. When his gaze shifted to her mouth, to her amazement flutters tickled her insides.
He leaned closer, slowly, and her heart beat faster. When his mouth brushed hers, heat engulfed her. She closed her eyes, winding her arm around his neck. His arms tightened around her, drawing her against his hard length as his mouth covered hers and his tongue stroked hers.
She felt in free fall, her insides clenching while her heart pounded. She forgot everything except his kiss, his arms holding her tightly and their bodies pressed together. Tingles raced through her and she moaned softly with pleasure, sinking into a kiss that set her ablaze. Sliding her hand across his shoulders, she trailed her fingers over his nape and into his thick hair.
She had no idea how long they kissed. She only knew she didn’t want to stop. When he finally raised his head, he gazed silently into her eyes and she felt as if she were seeing him for the first time in her life.
“Wow,” she whispered. “Now I know why the ladies like you,” she said, trying to keep the moment light though she was stunned how his kiss had ignited such desire in her. She stepped back and from the look of him, he was as surprised as she felt.
“Thank you, Gabe, for tonight,” she said, or hoped she said. Her thoughts were still on his kiss and she fought an urge to walk back into his arms and kiss him again. “I had a wonderful time and we were seen by so many people.” She felt as if she was babbling, but she couldn’t think straight. Gabe’s kiss had scrambled her thoughts and she was trying to return to the world as it had been before he held her tightly and kissed her.
“I think this fake engagement is going to be easier to do than I first thought it would,” he remarked drily, still looking intently at her. “You and I wasted our time playing with marbles.”
“Not really. Our friendship was important. Tonight was perfect and a million thank-yous for agreeing to the engagement.”
“I’m beginning to look forward to it. I’ll call you. I’ll try to plan something where you’ll be seen by another segment of people you might know.”
“That would be excellent. I’ll get a fancy dress for the occasion. I’ll even wear makeup.”
He grinned and touched the tip of her nose. “I like you the way you are. You know, now I’m glad you called me for help, and believe me, I’m willing to help you.”
“Thanks. Calm down a little, Gabe.”
“After our kiss? I don’t think so, darlin’. Want to try again and see if we get the same result?”
She leaned closer and squinted her eyes to look at him as she poked his chest with her forefinger. “We’re not going to fall in love.”
The twinkle was back in his blue eyes. “You don’t think?”
“I know. You can’t get serious and I definitely will not get serious with you.”
“That doesn’t mean we have to avoid kissing, does it?”
“I know you’re laughing at me again. No, it doesn’t mean we won’t kiss. Maybe all the ladies you kiss fall in love with you, but I won’t, so yes, we can kiss.”
“I’m so glad to get your permission,” he said, his voice filled with so much laughter she had to smile. “You’ve given me another challenge, Meg.”
“Oh, no. Once again, that’s a fact. I’m not going to fall in love with you and you won’t with me. We’re definite opposites. Good night, Gabe. Thank you, and it was fun.”
“Oh, darlin’, was it ever fun,” he said, suddenly sounding sincere.
She turned to unlock her door. “I don’t think I’ll invite you in tonight. We’ll save that for next time, when I’ll show you my house.”
“Sure, Meg. I’ll call you,” he repeated as he headed toward the steps.
As he drove away, she closed and locked the door and leaned against it, lost in memories of his kiss. How could his kiss have been so sexy? Her lips still tingled and she wished she could have gone on kissing him. Had she gotten herself into a predicament with this fake engagement?
It had never occurred to her she would have the slightest sexual response to Gabe. She had never even thought about kissing him. She had known him all her life without that happening and she hadn’t given it a thought.
Till now.
Tonight he had turned her world upside down. And she no longer saw him the way she had before. Would she ever in her life see him again without that hot, tingling response she felt?
Gabe would be aiming for seduction. As he said, he liked a challenge. He also liked the ladies and parties...and a daredevil lifestyle that took her breath away, because it was the same as her brother Hank’s lifestyle had been, and that wild living had gotten him killed.
Surely she wouldn’t succumb to Gabe; she wouldn’t go to bed with him. She had known him all her life and would never run the risk. One hot kiss wouldn’t make a difference.
Except his kiss was different from all other kisses she had ever experienced. Not that there had been lots of different guys, but she suspected if there had been, Gabe’s kiss still would have melted her. “Mercy me,” she groaned. The man was sinfully sexy, and she suspected she’d never view him the way she once had again.
What was she saying? She could not be attracted to Gabe. Absolutely not! Kisses were one thing. Falling into bed with him was another.
She moved through her house, switching off lights and going to her room. She just needed some sleep. But when she crawled into bed, sleep was the last thing on her mind. She lay there, gazing into the darkness, her lips still tingling and memories burning their way into her thoughts. She may not want to admit it, but she still wanted to kiss him again.
She sat up in bed. “I’m not going to fall into bed with you,” she whispered in the darkness. That wild, woman-chasing cowboy would be nothing but heartbreak. It was just one month. One month wasn’t a long time. Surely she could resist him for that long. It could be a lot of kisses though, because it wasn’t going to be just weekend dates. She planned to stay at his house with him. She’d simply have to guard her heart and keep kisses to a minimum.
Did she have the willpower for that? She suspected it was going to be difficult to resist him. He wouldn’t have trouble resisting her, so maybe there was nothing to worry about. She just had to take care, remember who he was and how he felt about a serious relationship, and that wild lifestyle he had. He raised rodeo bulls for a living—big, mean, thousand-pound animals. He liked to compete in bull riding. He flew his own plane. He had a motorcycle and a sports car. And he loved the ladies and parties. There wasn’t a serious bone in his body.
She had to make each date move things along to convince her family and Justin that she and Gabe were serious. The minute Justin was out of her life, she would thank Gabe and send the sexy hunk on his way.
When had Gabe changed to a “sexy hunk” from the friendly kid she grew up knowing? She hadn’t been around him in the past few years because they moved in different circles after school. She knew a lot of local ladies loved going out with him. She paid little attention when one of her friends talked about wanting to date him. Such conversations left her slightly amused at most. But his kiss wasn’t amusing. It was sexy enough to wrap around her heart and carry it away.
She punched her pillow behind her, feeling suddenly uncomfortable. “You may be my knight to the rescue, Gabe Callahan, but you’re going to be trouble,” she said in the dark, empty room. Moonlight spilled in the window. All she could see was Gabe’s blue eyes and his cocky smile. “About six feet, three inches of sexy male and you’ve already rocked my life. We’ll kiss, but I will not go to bed with you. I mean that,” she whispered, and sighed. She knew she’d better stick to that conviction if she wanted to get through this pretend engagement with her heart intact.
She sighed again, getting up and opening a bottom drawer to rummage through sweaters. She pulled out a raggedy brown bear and shook it. Gabe had given it to her on her ninth birthday. “Why didn’t he stay the way he was when he gave you to me?” she asked the bear. “A nice kid I had fun with instead of this sexy man who makes me want to keep kissing him all night.”
She hugged the bear that she had loved ever since receiving it, even taking it to college with her.
She went back to bed and sat cross-legged, putting the bear in front of her. “I will get through this engagement and Gabe and I will have fun like we always have. I will not go to bed with him and when the month is over—or hopefully, sooner—I will thank him, give him a big present and we’ll go our separate ways. I am not going to fall in love with him like one of his women he’s had an affair with.” She poked the brown bear with her finger. “I promise and you’re my witness.”
She’d bet anything that Gabe hadn’t even thought about their date or their kiss or anything else about her. He was probably wishing this month would zip on past. Either that or peacefully sleeping.
She’d asked him to take her somewhere fancy next time and told him she would look more like the women he usually dated. Right now, she was a million miles from that look, but wonders could be achieved with the right makeup, a new hairstyle and some knockout clothes.
She told herself that if she changed her look, more people would notice her, would see her with Gabe and believe their engagement.
Who was she kidding? She knew the real reason for wanting to change.
She was already annoyed with him for treating her as if she were a kid while she was having to fight an attraction to him. She’d make him see her as the grown woman she’d become.
After all, wouldn’t it serve him right if he had a little fight of his own to deal with?
