How could she flaunt sex and sophistication at the same time?
“Would you like a glass of wine? Scotch?” he asked, stalking into the living room and toward the bar.
“Do we have time for that? If you don’thurry and dress, we’re going to be late,” she reminded him, following him, but halting on the top of the steps that led into the living room.
He removed the top of a crystal decanter and poured himself a finger of bourbon. Only after he’d downed a sip did he turn and face her. Staring at her golden skin and the inner curves of her breasts, he took another. He needed the fortification.
“We’re not going to the ballet,” he informed her.
She frowned. “What? Why not?” She stepped down into the room. “And why didn’t you tell me you changed your mind at Bridgette’s house?”
“Why?” he repeated, lifting the tumbler to his lips and staring at her over the rim as he sipped. “Because even though you won’t admit it, you’re hurting. Something more than a ‘disagreement’ had to haveoccurred to make you leave the only family you have left, as well as the only home you’ve known. I’m a self-confessed asshole, Shay, but even I wouldn’t make you attend a social event and fake a happiness you’re far from feeling. Especially when your brother might be in attendance.” He swirled the amber liquor in his glass and arched an eyebrow. “And as for why I didn’t tell you when I picked youup, that’s simple. You wouldn’t have come with me if I had. The last thing you need right now is to be alone. And since I know your friend supplements her food truck income with a part-time job, you would’ve been very much alone tonight. So that leaves me.”
Her frown deepened. “It’s a little creepy how you know so much about me and everyone I’m close to.”
He shrugged, taking another tasteof the bourbon. “Before going into battle, it’s wise to be prepared and know everything you can about your enemy.”
“Enemy,” she breathed, then scoffed. “You just proved my point. We’re not friends—far from it. So why do you care how I spend my night? I’m not your responsibility,” she said softly.
“No,” he agreed just as softly. “We’re not friends. But can we call a truce and resume hostilitiestomorrow?” He risked drawing nearer to her. “You’re right, you’re not my responsibility. But I am responsible. The argument was about me, wasn’t it?” When she didn’t reply, he gently pressed, “Shay?”
“Yes,” she reluctantly admitted.
“Let me guess,” he said, his anger rekindling. “Trevor wanted you to break it off with me and you refused.”
“Correct again.” She notched her chin up ata defiant angle, but he caught the slight tremble of her bottom lip. “But if I’d given in to his demand, then it would’ve meant destroying everything he cares about, destroying him. Still, it’s not like I could share that with him. Instead, he threatened to dismantle my company, starting with ruining all the businesses I’ve invested in. Oh, and he fired me—or placed me on a temporary leave of absence.So those are my choices. End our relationship and destroy everything my brother loves. Or continue upholding our bargain and lose the company I love.”
Fury blasted through him, and for a moment a red haze dropped over his vision. Trevor had threatened his own sister? Gideon grasped the tumbler so tightly the beveled edges dug into his flesh. He pictured that thick, brown file in his officesafe, and had no regrets about his intentions to expose Trevor. A man like him deserved the hell Gideon planned to rain down on him.
“I won’t let him do that,” Gideon promised. Soon enough her brother would be too busy trying to pick up the flaming pieces of his life to worry about harming her company.
“It’s not your concern.” She waved a hand, dismissing his vow and the topic. “And youmentioned a truce? I accept.” Moving forward, she extended her arm. “Should we shake on it?”
Gideon glanced down at her open palm before lifting his gaze to meet her eyes. Though his mind ordered him not to touch her, he wrapped his hand around hers. For several long moments, they stared at each other. An electric shock ran through him at lightning speed and jolted his body to attention. Itwould be an impossibility to be skin-to-skin with her and not respond. But he didn’t pull her closer, didn’t try to seduce with his words.
Space and sanctuary, that’s what he’d promised her.
“Are you hungry?” he asked, lowering his arm to his side. “I can order in anything you’d like.”
“I...” She hesitated, shrugged a shoulder and started again. “I can cook if you have something inthe kitchen.”
Since meeting Shay, he’d been surprised so many times, he should really stop being taken aback by her. But once more, she’d done the unexpected.
“You can cook?” Dubious, he scanned her beautiful hair, gown and shoes. “In that?”
She snorted. “You’re not starting off this truce thing well. And yes, I can cook.” If he hadn’t been watching her so closely, he might’ve missedthe flash of insecurity that was there and gone in an instant. “Show me to the kitchen? That is, if you don’t mind me...?”
“No, this I have to see for myself,” he assured her, and strode past her toward the room he rarely used. His housekeeper often prepared dinners for him that she left warming in the stove. So the pantry and refrigerator should both be stocked. “I’ll even supply you withclothes so you don’t get anything on your dress. See how accommodating I am?”
“Until tomorrow,” she added from behind him.
“Until tomorrow,” he agreed.
* * *
“I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t tasted it for myself,” Gideon exclaimed with wonder, staring down at his empty plate.
Shay shook her head, smothering a smile, although her cheeks hurt with the effort. Forkingthe last of the chicken carbonara to her mouth, she tried not to blush under his admiring scrutiny. She was twenty-five and an heiress—needless to say, she was used to compliments. But coming from this man... She returned her gaze to her plate, not wanting to analyze why it was different.
