by Hazel Gower
Gordon turned her and tilted her head up. “Yes. We are a couple. I want you to know that you are what I’ve been looking for. I’m sorry it took me so long to see, to take the chance. Dawn, I’m not going to lie. I was, am, worried that I’m too old for you. That our differences are too big. I mean, you have the worst taste in music and don’t get me star—”
Hitting his chest, she narrowed her gaze and gave a mock growl. “We can’t all have my great taste in music. And as for the age thing, haven’t you heard that age is only a number. And…” Grabbing his hands in hers, she placed them on her arse. “You’re only as old as the woman you feel. So, right now, you’re only twenty-two.” Getting up on tiptoes, she kissed him, lingering to whisper, “They say opposites attract. I like our differences. Think how board you’d be with someone who liked everything you did.”
Gordon rested his forehead against hers. “You amaze me sometimes.” His lips brushed hers. “You’re right.”
For the first time in days—no, months, she felt happiness consume her. Maybe this could work. She needed to listen to her own advice. Gordon wasn’t what she thought she wanted, but he is what she needed.
Chapter Four
The next couple of weeks flew by. Strangely enough, not much changed besides she now went out to dinner and the movies with Gordon, and he slept in her bed. They didn’t spend much time at his house, and Dawn was fine with that. Gordon’s house was sparse and bland.
Gordon wasn’t working. He’d told her he was getting everything in order for America. They were to leave in two days, and Dawn was both nervous and excited. She thought she had fallen for Gordon before, but the last few week’s making love and holding and cuddling each other, talking about children—he wanted at least two, she was happy with three or four, she wanted a big family—and talking about what her goals were for her business and the future, had her falling in love with him deeper. He encouraged her with everything she’d told him about wanting to be finically stable before having children and building her business enough that it would bring extra security.
Dawn loved her business, but she did enjoy working at the tattoo shop. She met many like-minded people, and she’d made great friends who were into the same things as she was. Razor Tattoo shop was where she’d met her best friend, Amber.
Today was Dawn’s last day before she went to America, and Amber cleaned her station and she helped. “You do realize you going to Vegas without me is just plain cruel. I thought we had it planned to go together.”
“Argh, not you, too? Destiny is sulking and playing the twin card, going on about how we’ve never been apart longer than a night or two without seeing each other. That what I get to do, she should get to do, too. I’m starting to feel guilty. Dilan doesn’t care as long as I bring him presents back.”
“Ooooh, I want presents, too.”
Rolling her eyes, she whipped over Amber’s chair. “I’ll get you something special. I’m only going for two weeks so I won’t be gone too long. I’d love to go longer, but it’s all I can afford.” Sighing, she glanced at Amber, who’d finished. “Gordon organized everything. I didn’t think I would get my passport in time. What I’m really surprised about is he stayed within budget.”
Amber bit her nails, and her eyes darted anywhere but her face. Dawn knew that look. It was the look that said Amber was dying to say something, but wasn’t sure if it would hurt her feeling or piss her off.
“Just say it.”
“I can’t believe I’m about to say this as it reminds me of what you would have said not long ago to me if I were you right now.” She dramatically flopped down in the chair. “Oh, no, you’ve turned me into the responsible one.”
“Ha, ha, very funny.” It was, too. Amber was a lot like her sister, and Dawn was forever being Destiny and Amber’s voice of reason. I would never admit it out loud, but I was enjoying being the reckless one for once. “Just spit it out.”
“Fine.” Amber crossed her arms over her chest. “What do you really know about Gordon?”
What did she know? Well, lots. Dawn knew he worked as a bartender. That he owned the duplex. He came from America. That he was a serial dater. He loved her cooking, was an amazing kisser. Great with her nephew and his parents were alive. Crap, now that she thought about it... that was about it. Gordon didn’t talk about his parents or his past. He’d given her snippets... his parents were alive, and they weren’t close, that he had friends in America. She remembered he once told her he was an only child and wished he’d had a brother or even a sister.
“Do you even know his last name?” Amber asked when she didn’t say anything.
That she did know, only because she’d been in his wallet, and then she’d seen it on bills. “Wilks. It’s Wilks.”
“So have you checked him out?
Yes, all the time. All she did was check him out. She constantly fought herself not to get lost in his deep blue eyes. Not to stare at his chest, his abs, follow his snail trail—
“Argh, not that kind. I’m talking about online. You know—the internet that you spend so much of your time on.”
She had to think. Surely, she’d looked Gordon up. She looked everyone up. Racking her brain, she thought back to when she found out his last name. “No.” Shit, what the hell was wrong with her? She was a webmaster.
“Let’s go and check Facebook.”
Would he be on Facebook? He barely used any technology. “Okay.”
She got up. “Come on. The guys can lock up. Let’s go back to my place, and we’ll look him up.” Dawn nodded, and she and Amber said bye to everyone in the shop and left.
The drive to Amber’s was short. She lived only a five-minute drive from the shop. Amber had walked to work, but they drove because Dawn had her car. Another five minutes, and they were in Amber’s apartment, and she was turning on her laptop. Amber typed in Gordon’s name to Facebook. A bunch of different people came up, but none she was sure was her Gordon. There was a personality, a… ha, ha. She grinned even thinking that it could be her Gordon. This one was a CEO of a big finance corporation, the son of a Dallas destiny family. The guy in the photo reeked of authority, money, power, control, and as a man with little time to spare. Dawn’s Gordon did look a lot like the man in the photo, but her Gordon was laid back and the total opposite of the man in the photo. Dawn shivered, she felt sorry for the Gordon Wilks in the photos she’d found. He looked uptight and boring.
“Dawn, I hate to be the voice of reason. You may have known Gordon for almost a year, but you don’t know him. What are you going to do? You can’t go with him. You barely know him.”
Sighing, she closed her eyes and leaned back on the sofa. “Looks like I’ll be spending tomorrow finding out everything I can about him before we leave.”
Amber hugged her. “Promise me you’ll call me when you arrive in Vegas, and at least message me every night to tell me you’re alive and haven’t been killed.”
“Ha, ha. He’s not a killer,” Dawn said and let out a loud sigh. “But I’ll message you.” Suddenly feeling tired, she got up. “I better go. I’ll skype you after Destiny when I arrive.”
Amber hugged her again. “Have fun.”
Dawn left Amber’s as her mind swirled with questions she knew she needed answers to before she could go with him.
****
He arrived home after having a busy day, making sure everything was ready for when they left. He’d been in the city picking up something special he’d ordered for Dawn. He’d found the perfect ring last week, and as soon as he saw it, he knew it was meant for Dawn.
Gordon fingered the box now in his pocket. He just had to find the right time to give it to her. Since quitting his job, he had time to relax before he went back to his real life. It was Dawn’s last afternoon at work before they left. He was nervous about her learning who he really was. Gordon had been debating for the last week when he should tell her the truth. He knew he couldn’t tell her before they left, or she wouldn’t go. He just
didn’t know if he should tell her on the plane where she couldn’t run from him but could take a flight straight home, or if he should wait to tell her when they arrived at the hotel. Maybe he should just let her learn at his party.
He sat watching TV waiting for Dawn. He didn’t spend any time in the last week at his own duplex. Dawn was his home, and where she was, he wanted to be. At the sound of the garage door opening, he stood and went to welcome her home.
Dawn opened the door and came out at the side of the kitchen. “Hey, sprite. How was work?”
She paused just over the threshold with a startled expression. Then her face went blank, and she blinked before she groaned, “I hate you, Amber.”
Raising his eyebrow, he waited for her to extend on what she’d said, and when she didn’t say anything, he sighed and went to her bringing her into his embrace. “What’s up? Isn’t Amber your friend?”
Dawn was stiff in his arms, and he walked them to the sofa and sat, sitting her on his lap. “She was, is. She just made me realize I know nothing about you, and I’m about to fly to the other side of the world with you.”
Fuck, he’d been avoiding this. He wanted her to know him before she knew the other details like who his family was, what he really did for work, and what he was worth. “You know me.” He hadn’t lied to Dawn. She did know him. She knew the man he was, the man people didn’t get to see, the man who got to relax, the man who got to fall in love. She knew the man who got to be himself—not the controlled, sophisticated, calculating, multi-billionaire, who was from a famous, influential Dallas wealthy dynasty family.
“No, I don’t.” She got off his lap and stood glaring down at him. He knew she was going for an angry ‘don’t mess with me and tell me what I want to know’ look, but right now, she looked so hot. Dawn’s hands were on her waist, her lips were thinned, her chest was heavy, and her eyes were full of fire.
His cock, already stiff from her sitting on him, jumped and twitched. All he wanted to do was yank her back and kiss her, but he knew she needed him to tell her at least something. Groaning, he scrubbed his hand over his face. “What do you want to know?”
“I remember you said your parents wanted to see you. So where do they live? Do you have contact with them? How long have you been in Australia? Have you always been a bartender? Do you plan to go back to America and live?” She fired one after another.
“America. Yes. A year. No. And…” He winked. The last one was tricky to answer. He hoped he could avoid it.
She growled, and it was the cutest sound. “Where in America do your parents live? Will we be seeing them when we’re over there?”
“Dallas, and yes, you’ll meet them.”
“Argh, you’re deliberately being vague.”
Yes, he was. But what could he tell her without giving away who he really was away? Wanting her in his arms, he pulled her to him and sat her, so she straddled his lap and tilted her head up. “I wasn’t always a bartender. I was part of the family business. I’m an only child. I’ve told you that before. I always wanted a brother or sister, but my mother isn’t what you would call maternal. I came to Australia for a new start. To meet new people.”
“Oh.” He sighed in relief when she relaxed. “Do you miss everyone back there?”
“Yes, that’s why I’m excited about us leaving. I can’t wait to show you where I grew up, what I do, and to meet my friends.” She deflated, and he hoped she was happy with what he’d given her, and she hadn’t caught his slip that he was stilling working. “You know me, Dawn. You are probably the only person who knows the real me.”
She sighed, and in a barely-there whisper, he strained to hear her mutter, “You’re going to break me.”
Gordon couldn’t help flinching at her statement. He hoped he hadn’t. He loved her and didn’t ever want to hurt her. He sent a prayer out that when she found out who he was, she wouldn’t be hurt. That she would hear him out and would understand. He wanted her to stay with him. To love him like he loved her.
****
Dawn hadn’t been so nervous in her life. She’d never been on a plane before. Her parents may have dragged her and Destiny around Australia, but it was all done in a car or van. Gordon had offered her the window seat, but she was too scared to gaze out. They sat in the premium economy section up in the front of the plane. They were the best seats in the section they were in.
The plane had been in the air for over two hours, and she still had twelve more hours. Every time the plane jerked, or there was a movement that didn’t feel right, she squeezed Gordon’s hand in a death grip. The first couple of times she did it, he chuckled, but now he didn’t seem so cheery.
A ping sounded, and the seatbelt sign flashed. “The captain has turned on the seatbelt sign. If you please stay in your seats while he guides us through a slight bit of turbulence.”
Oh, God. She was going to die in the hunk of metal and bolts. They were going to be hit by lighting, and they’d crash in a blaze to the ground. She felt her body tremble as scenario after scenario flashed before her.
“Sprite, it’s okay. It’s only a little turbulence. I need the circulation back in my fingers.”
Dawn snapped her gaze from the flashing seatbelt sign to Gordon. “No. I need to hold onto something.”
He pried her fingers one by one from his almost purple hand, lifted the armrest in the middle, and his arm came around her. Inching as close as the seatbelt would let her, Dawn snuggled against him burying her head against his chest. “Dawn, I promise it’s going to be okay. I used to fly at least once a month.” His voice was calm and quiet as he rubbed her back in a soothing motion.
It took a moment for what he’d just said to register. “You never did tell me what your job was before you met me.”
His touch calmed her and made her feel safe. “I did a bit of everything. It’s a family business. Marketing, sales, finances, you name it. I needed a break. I needed time to figure out what I wanted.” He squeezed her shoulder. “I’m only a couple of days away from turning forty, and I realized that I don’t have a wife, children, or anyone to share my life with.”
Dawn’s already pounding heart sped up as she processed what he had said. Sitting up, she eased out of his hold. “That’s what you want? Is that why you’re with me? Because you couldn’t find that in America?” She worried if he really wanted to be with her, or if she was just easy and he was running out of time.
Gordon’s grimace wasn’t any comfort. “I came to Australia for a fresh start. Yes, I came to meet someone.” He reached for her, but right now, she needed to think, and when he touched her, she couldn’t think straight. He sighed and studied her for a moment. “I know it took me months to see what was right in front of me. Our ages, our likes and dislikes, and just simple taste in clothes had me hesitant. Dawn, you are unlike any woman I have ever dated.” He reached up and stroked my cheek. “You’re easy.”
She raised her eyebrow and resisted whacking him. No woman wanted to hear she was easy.
“Argh, not like that. I mean being with you. I can sit with you happily and just watch a movie or at the table and tell you about my day. I’ve had many relationships, and none has ever been as easy and comfortable as I am with you. I know we don’t agree on everything.” He coughed, “Your music. And I’m sure we’ll fight, but I know we will talk and work it out.”
He was right, and she relaxed. This time, when he reached for her, she went to him and snuggled back against him. “Thanks for distracting me and telling me a bit more about you. I’ve never been in a relationship before. I watched my parents, sister, and friends, though. I know what I don’t want in a relationship. I’ve been scared. I didn’t want to end up like my sister, and I’ve seen the problems my friends have, so I’ve been hesitant to start a relationship. You snuck up on me though, and I’m happy.”
Gordon brought her hand up and kissed it. “I think that’s one of the reasons we work so well because we were friends before we started this.” He leane
d down and kissed her forehead. “Why don’t you lie across me and see if you can sleep. It might help your anxiety.”
Wiggling the seatbelt around, Dawn maneuvered into a somewhat comfortable position and closed her eyes as she breathed in his comforting scent. She loved this man, and the more time she spent with him, the harder she fell for him.
As she closed her eyes, she told herself that in Vegas, she would be adventurous and enjoy her time with the man she loved.
****
Begin in Vegas was amazing. Gordon booked them in her dream place of Caesars Palace. She gazed around their room. It was sparse with a bed, television, wardrobe, and bathroom, but they didn’t need much. Gordon sat the suitcases in the wardrobe, and as he came back to her, she pulled him to her and he came down on top of her. She smiled up at him and wrapped her arms around him, eager to thank him for everything he’d organized and done. “Thank you. This is unbelievable. I can’t believe I’m here to experience this with you.”
His forehead came to rest on hers. “I wouldn’t want to share this with anyone else.” Gordon brushed his lips over hers as he settled himself above her. He leaned to his right and let his left hand explore. His mouth claimed hers in a kiss that had her lifting up to rub against him. Her hands roamed his body untucking his shirt and coming around to undo his button. His hand captured hers and his mouth left lips. “Is this how you want to spend your first night in Vegas?” He winked.
Grinning, she eased her hands from his hold and pulled down her black tights and undies, and then kicked them off. “Aren’t we in the city of sin? Isn’t it what we’re supposed to do?”
His eyes lit up blazing with passion as he stared. His deep laugh had her shivering at the sexy edge to it. “Oh, Dawn, you are so perfect.”
Dawn giggled as he stood and yanked his clothes off as fast as he could. She lifted her shirt and undid her bra, letting them fall to the floor with Gordon’s clothes. Her gaze racked his body, as he stood before her naked for a moment staring down at her. She squealed when he grabbed her ankles and pulled her down to the end of the bed, kneeling and settling between her thighs.