Gavin leans forward in his seat. “Just think of it this way . . . you get to spend a week with a chick for over half a million dollars.”
“My half a million dollars,” I say dryly.
“Was your half million,” Gavin corrects. “And you can keep it if you just do this one little thing.”
I stare at him long and hard. His words are tempting enough, but it suddenly dawns on me how invested he is in this.
“You set this whole thing up,” I accuse. “You knew I was the only single guy in our circle. You’ve been waiting all night to try to get me in this position.”
Gavin manages to look guilty but doesn’t say anything.
I begin to get up from my seat. “I’m done—”
Gavin reaches into his pocket and tosses a small photograph across the table. As soon as I lay eyes on it, my mouth goes dry. The young woman in the photo is drop-dead gorgeous, with beautiful golden brown hair, gorgeous green eyes that sparkles with mischievousness, and an impish smile to match.
“Yeah, so what? I was getting shit for cards and had to make a move. I didn’t expect to flop those sevens—that was a miracle. Anyway, it’s one week,” Gavin nearly purrs, watching my intense interest in the photo. “And you have your money.”
His words hardly register. I can’t seem to bring myself to take my gaze off the picture. The playfulness in her eyes seems to call to me.
When I finally look away from it, I have only one question on my mind.
“What did you say her name was?”
Chapter 3
Mindy
“You owe me,” Brianna says as she hangs a right turn. “Like . . . give me your firstborn owe me.”
I laugh. I can’t help it. We’re driving to her ranch, and it’s an amazing day. The sunroof is down on her convertible, and for the first time in months, I feel like I’m getting back to normal. With the wind rustling our hair, I feel like a woman in my mid-twenties who has a million options in life. Not an overworked coffee shop manager stuck in day-to-day drudgery.
I was a little surprised when Bri came by to pick me up, telling me we’re meeting the new mystery guy. It’s so not her style. She’s always been the conscientious one of us. And despite all my needling, Brianna’s been mum about how he looks. It’s intriguing.
“How on earth did you find someone so fast?” I ask as we leave town and head out toward the ranch. Honestly, I didn’t and still don’t expect much. After all, who the hell would be willing to do this? There’s likely not a man who could live up to all the hype that I’ve made “Harold” out to be.
“I didn’t,” Bri says with a twinkle in her eye. “Gavin did.”
I’m a little surprised. I mean, Gavin’s a friend and all, but damn, that’s the sort of stuff you don’t even expect from your sister. Actually, thinking of Roxy, she would hook me up with a guy . . . and I’d regret it.
As long as he can remember what I tell him, it’ll be fine, I try to tell myself.
“Do I even wanna know how Gavin got Mr. Mystery Man to agree?” I ask, slightly curious. I remind myself to never underestimate Gavin Adams.
Bri smiles. “I’m not even sure myself. All he said was the guy owed him a favor. I didn’t ask any questions.”
“What do you know about him?” I ask, unable to contain my curiosity.
“I really don’t know anything, Mindy. I’m as in the dark as you are. I jumped on it because, well, you got anyone else lined up?”
I stick my tongue out at her. “Bitch, you don’t even know if he’s hot?!” I can’t help myself. I feel like a little school girl and it’s so unlike me.
Brianna shakes her head. “I have no idea. But he made it seem like your problem was solved. Maybe it’s an old football buddy . . . you could be shacking up with a stud for a week.”
“Great, just what I need. A dumb jock who thinks he’s—sorry, I know Gavin’s not like that.”
Ugh. I feel like I’m going on a blind date and I’m getting all antsy. I hate this.
Brianna waves me off. “I trust Gavin to not do you wrong. Just relax. We’re almost there.”
I’m not so trusting. We’re always joking with each other, but I hold my tongue. I mean, I did have a role in hooking him and Brianna up. I hope he remembers that.
We get to the ranch, and when I step out of the car, Gavin greets us outside, a smile on his face. Bri scoops up Rafe from next to him, tickling him and making her son giggle while Gavin and I exchange hugs. “I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for me,” I tell him. “Miracle worker.”
Gavin shrugs, smiling a secret smile that tells me he’s got something up his non-existent sleeves. He’s at home, and he’s got no problem showing off the body that made him into a football star. If anything, he’s even more ripped, if possible. “It’s no big deal.”
“So how do you know him?” I say suspiciously, getting right to the point. “Bri’s keeping me in the dark.”
“We’re good friends.”
I gawk at Gavin, alarm bells going off. Friends, sure. But this . . . “Good friends? You just asked him to be some stranger’s fake fiancé and he said yes?”
Gavin smirks, that maddening twist of the lips that I know makes Bri both weak in the knees and ready to choke him. Right now, I’m ready to choke him. “We have an arrangement. That's all that really matters.”
I scowl. He’s really getting a kick out of this. “Well, where is he?”
Gavin steps to the side with a sweep of his arm, giving me a mocking half-bow. “He’s waiting for you in the living room.”
“Okay.” Suddenly, I’m nervous. I was anxious on the way over, but now I’m nervous, and that’s something I never feel. I mean, not about meeting guys. Guys have been easy to me ever since I realized that the combination of my smile and my boobs usually shorts out their big brains and turns on their little brains. Problem is, I always attract the wrong ones.
I start walking toward the front door and then stop, turning around when I don’t hear anyone else moving. Instead, I see them staring back at me, Gavin still with that cocky grin on his face.
“Well, you coming?” I ask, annoyed. I get it—Gavin’s pulling a bit of a joke, but this is taking it too far.
They both shake their heads. “I thought it best that you two meet and get to know each other,” Gavin says. “We’re gonna go for a walk.”
“What?” I ask, shocked. “Brianna Adams, you’re not gonna do this to me!”
Brianna shrugs, chuckling from something Gavin whispers in her ear before turning a saucy grin on me. “Mindy Isabella Price, don’t tell me you’re scared of meeting a man?”
I snap my lips shut. She has a point. I’m never scared of anything, especially not men. I stick my nose up in the air, turning on my heel with a harrumph.
“Fine. I don't need you. Bye, Felicia.”
Brianna laughs as I spin around and march down the hall. Despite my show of bravery, I can barely stop my heart from hammering away in my chest. By the time I reach the archway, I’m covered in a sheen of sweat. I pause at the doorway, gathering myself.
Get ahold of yourself, Mindy.
Taking a deep breath, I start to relax. I’m in control. I’ve got this.
I walk through the doorway into the living room. “Hello?”
My breath stills in my lungs and my heart stops as the man in one of the chairs sets down the book he’s been reading and looks up.
There, sitting in a leather club chair, is God. Well, he’s not God, but maybe the dark, sensual reflection of Him . . . maybe the Devil? His coal black hair is accented by rich brown eyes that gleam with intelligence and a dark dangerousness that both chills and thrills me at the same time. He’s wearing a white shirt with bulging biceps straining against the fabric, and I can see the swell of his chest muscles under his tanned skin through the deep V at his chest. I swear it looks like he’s got a grapefruit stuffed in his pants as he sits there, his legs slightly apart like he owns the place, an amused
smirk on his sensual lips.
Say something, you idiot!
I know I should speak, but it’s like a cat’s got my tongue. He’s put me in a trance and he hasn’t even said anything yet.
“Were you expecting someone else?” he asks with a slight chuckle, and I note the confidence in his eyes. The cocky curl of his lip. He thinks he’s all that and the bonus prize, doesn’t he?
I don’t fucking think so.
I stand up straight and walk over. His eyes follow me, and my skin pricks, my normal confidence evaporating as I get another look at him. Holy fuck, he’s hot. I sit down across from him, crossing my legs, showing him what I think is my best asset.
I gesture between us, trying to appear more confident than I feel. “I want to start by saying that I appreciate your doing this for me—”
“Gavin,” he says, interrupting me. His voice is deep, rich, and soothing. It reminds me of the taste of smooth, delicious white chocolate. “I’m doing it for Gavin.”
A flush comes over my cheeks. “Well then . . . doing it for Gavin,” I say, still a little tongue-tied. “Sorry, this is all catching me a little off balance. Uhm, what’s your name?”
The man chuckles, and his dark eyes gleam as he looks me over. “Oliver. And trust me, I was just as shocked when Gavin told me about it.”
I feel like squirming. He’s got me heating up, and all I know is his first name! “So, why are you doing this for Gavin?”
His eyes never leave my face as he replies, “I owe him.”
I want to ask him to elaborate, but I can tell in his posture that it’s something he doesn't want to talk about.
“Talkative, are we? Well, can you at least tell me something about yourself?” I ask. “Have you been married? Got any kids?”
He chuckles. “Never married, and last girlfriend was over a year ago.” He scratches his chin, and for some reason, it makes him even hotter that he’s not totally perfect. I can’t help it. I’m relieved he hasn’t been married. “I recently quit my job, actually,” he adds.
“Why?” I ask. Here it comes, the big let-down. He spends his days playing video games and wants to be a YouTube ‘star’.
He pauses for a moment, choosing his words carefully. “I had a disagreement with my boss and decided it was time to go on my own way. So I moved here. Mom has a bad leg and needed help around the house. I wanted to help her and maybe start up something here in town.”
I nod softly. Better than I hoped. “That’s admirable.”
“I hear you work up at that coffee shop in the Grand Waterway,” Oliver replies. “Enjoy it?”
I roll my eyes. “Most of the time. I’ve been hoping to open my own one day. There’s a ton that we have to do to fit with hotel policies that I don’t like. I’ve been saving and saving, and I mean, working with Gavin and Bri is great and all, but . . .”
“Running a business is harder than you think. If you think you work a lot now, wait until you have your own,” Oliver says.
I stop, surprised. “Yeah, but it will be mine so—”
“You’ll work harder?” he interrupts. “Yeah, at first you will, but then it’ll become the same old, same old and you’ll want to slop the work off on some other poor bastard.”
“That’s not my style,” I say.
He shrugs, uncaring. “That’s what they all say.”
“Well, they’re wrong,” I say more sharply than I intended, and I realize it. “Sorry. But I don’t shirk shit off onto my workers.”
Oliver waves it off. “Don’t be. At least you’re being real. I imagine you won’t be as soon as we see your family.”
His little jab stings. But I feel like I have to do this next bit. “My mother, she’s uh . . . she’s marrying someone who has money. She’s become a little snobby.”
Oliver groans, rubbing at his temples as he gives me raised eyebrows. “One of those?”
“Yeah. One of those.” I pause, digging in my purse to bring out a picture. “I brought a picture book with names attached. This might be a little easier if you can recognize a few of them.”
I toss it over to him, and he opens it and begins flipping through pages. “Aunt Rita,” he mutters.
“You’ll love her. She’s a firecracker with a sharp mouth.”
Oliver keeps going, pausing a few pages later. “Roxy? Cute name. She looks like you.”
“That’s my sister. She calls herself a younger, better version of me. But that’s a lie.” I swing my hair around, lifting my nose to the ceiling. “You can’t top perfection.”
He chuckles and flips through a few more pages then sets the book aside. “I can handle it. I’ll give it a look over later.”
“Also,” I say, digging in my purse and pulling out a piece of paper, “I’ve prepared a list of rules, some dos and don'ts. Just so we’re on the same page here.”
I feel stupid. When I made it this morning, I didn't know I’d be walking right into a man who’s literally sex on a stick, but he just flashes me a little grin. “Hit me.”
I try not to tremble as I recite them. “First, when we’re not in the presence of my family, you’re not allowed to touch me. And if there comes a time where we display affection for show, only I initiate it. Also, in front of my family, you’ll never lay a hand anywhere on my body that can be deemed inappropriate. Last, you’ll always be respectful and laugh at my jokes.”
My heart is pounding as I lower the paper. “I’ll give you a paper with more, but that’s all I could think of for now.”
He chuckles, amused. “That’s cute. But I’m going to let you know now, Princess, that I’ve never followed rules well.”
I grip my throat as anger flares up. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He smiles. “We’re supposed to be engaged, aren't we?”
“Yes, but—” I start, but Oliver cuts me off, his eyes quieting me in an instant.
“Okay then. Then let’s be real. If I want to kiss you in front of your family, I will. If I want to grab your ass to show them what’s mine, I will.” His eyes bore into me with an intensity that seems to say, and if I want to fuck you, I will. So get your pretty little head used to that idea, Princess.
Oh, my God. What have I gotten myself into?
“I’m willing to pull off this little act for Gavin,” he continues, “but I’m not going to act like some cuckold to make you look better.”
I draw myself up, ready to unleash fury on him. Let him know that he can go fuck himself and I’ll just fess up to my lie, but I’m interrupted by a sound in the doorway. It’s Brianna in the doorway with Gavin, Rafe balanced on her hip. “Everything going okay in here? Have you two decided where you’re staying on your honeymoon yet?”
Looking at the grinning Brianna and the adorable baby in her arm, I feel my defenses falling. Fessing up makes my stomach crawl, and I don’t have much choice now. I can't find someone else and he knows it.
But looking at the smirk on Oliver’s face, something tells me this might actually be fun.
“Yeah,” I finally say to Brianna. I turn my eyes back to Oliver, giving him a challenging grin of my own. “Hell, I might enjoy doing some ball busting over the next few days.”
Oliver gives me a smirk. One that says like hell, you will.
Chapter 4
Oliver
I trail my finger over the photograph of Mindy, sitting back in my office chair and shaking my head. I shouldn’t be doing this. I’ve got a lot to get done before I leave. Getting a company off the ground takes a lot of work, even with a large bank account. But instead of getting work done, I’m staring at this photo.
She’s so fucking beautiful. I thought I knew what to expect, but meeting her in person was intense. As soon as I laid eyes on her, any regrets went out the window. I played it cool, though, not letting her know the effect she had on me.
My fingers trace over the lips of her picture. I can’t wait to taste them. The way she tried to get all high and mighty with me makes me eager to
show her who’s the boss. If she thinks I’m about to follow all of her silly little rules, she’s got another thing coming. I’m gonna take what I want, and judging from the look she had in her eyes, she’s gonna love every minute of it.
My dick hardens in my pants and suddenly, I have to adjust my collar and loosen my tie. Fuck, I think to myself. I haven’t gotten this worked up in a long time. Get a hold of yourself, Oliver.
But the only thing I want to take hold of is her ass. Grip those bubbly, luscious cheeks in my hands and pull her in close, taking her body and ravaging it for everything that it's worth. My cock throbs harder in my pants, dying to be let out even if I am in my office. I hold in a groan. I refuse to let her have this power over me.
But no matter how hard I try, I can’t get her out of my head. Even worse, I’m actually looking forward to the trip. I need this. I’m gonna have her eating out of my hand in no time. Oh, the things I’m going to do to her. I bite my lower lip at the thought.
My cock throbs again, but I ignore it. I tuck the picture of Mindy underneath my briefcase and push the thoughts of her out of my mind.
I open my email on my laptop, trying to focus on the things I need to take care of. It's afternoon and I'm stuck in my office in the middle of town, trying to get my affairs in order before my trip. We’re leaving in two days, and whether I need it or not, part of me wonders if I’m walking into a fucking trap. Mindy’s mom must be a piece of work for her to have to lie.
There’s a knock on my door, pulling my attention away. Martha, my part-time secretary, sticks her head in. “Mr. Steele? Your ride is ready.”
“Thanks, Martha,” I say. “You sure you can hold down the fort?”
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