by Hazel Gower
Shit, Gordon had known it was a risk, but it had still been worth it. Dawn was a one of a kind. He didn’t doubt he could win the clients back, but it would take time, money, and a lot of enticing.
David’s gaze darted to the hall and back to him. “Do you regret it? She’s different. Nothing at all like what I expected. Gordon, when you told me about her, you never said she was young enough to be your daughter. She is the total opposite of anything I could have imagined.”
“The first answer is easy. No, I don’t regret it. Dawn is amazing. I can sit and talk to her for hours. Do you know most nights I just sat on the sofa and chatted about work and then we’d watch TV? She’d snuggle up and fall asleep on me. Do you know how many women I’ve done that with?” He stared at David, and he just shrugged. “A big fat zero. Do you know I watched her play soccer with her nephew, play at the park and build Legos with him? Not only did she bake cookies, cakes, and homemade meals for her nephew, but she did it for me, too. She looked after her nephew to help out her sister and didn’t expect anything back from her. Dawn did it because she loves her sister and nephew. Dawn will be a wonderful mother I have no doubt. I’m happy I’ve found someone who I can talk to and just sit and to relax with. I’ve learned that is important. If you can’t sit together on a sofa for a couple of hours doing basically nothing, how are you going to survive marriage? I could find a woman who I have everything in common with, but if I can’t spend a quiet evening in just relaxing with her, then how will a relationship work out?”
David nodded. “I’m beginning to understand. Does all that work with how she dresses and her looks? I mean, Gordon, you went from models to not just the opposite, but a girl.”
What the hell. Narrowing his gaze on David, he wondered what was going on with him. Gordon had never heard him be such a dick. “What do you mean by that?”
“Don’t play dumb, Gordon. Not only is she a girl.” He pointed toward their rooms. “She’s a baby. She has tattoos, is into that whole black theme, and to top it off, is short and well-rounded everywhere.” He tsked. “She’s fat. That isn’t what you need for a wif—”
Gordon didn’t let him finish. He’d never been so angry. David was supposed to be his best friend. He should be supporting him, not criticizing who he’d chosen. He punched David right in the face shutting him up. “Get out.”
“Gordon, what the hell?” David shouted as he clutched his face, his lips cut and bleeding.
“Get out now, David, or so help me God, if you don’t, I will hit you again.” David stumbled back and stared at him as if he’d grown another head.
“Gordon, you’re overreacting, I—”
“Out,” he yelled. “I expected better from you.” He advanced on David angry that his supposed best friend was reacting so badly. David clutched his nose with one hand and held up the other to ward him off.
Dawn ran in. She paused between them, her gaze going back and forth for a moment before she rushed behind the bar, got ice and a cloth before coming around to David holding the ice pack to his swelling face. “What happened?” she asked.
There was no way he was going to repeat what David said. Gordon glared at what he thought was his friend. After a while, David sighed and then winced as the breath puffed out hitting his cut lip. “I may have been an ass.”
“What. You? No. Never.” The sarcasm was thick in Dawn’s voice as she raised her eyebrow at David.
Dawn let go of the ice pack as she placed David’s hand up to hold it. Then she came over to Gordon and grabbed his aching hand, brought it up and kissed each knuckle before dragging him behind the bar. She got another cloth and ice to place an ice pack over his hand.
“I thought you two were friends.” She turned accusing eyes on both of them. “This isn’t something I expected to see from two grown men who are supposed to be friends.” She turned the full force of her brown eyes on him. “I’m disappointed in you. Since meeting David, he’s been nothing but an arsehole, so I expected something stupid from him, but you?” She shook her head and turned to David giving him a disappointed look.
“Damn, Gordon, you were right. I don’t even think any of my nannies made me feel this ashamed. She’ll be an awesome mother. I’m sorry I was a jackass.”
The look that passed over Dawn’s face had Gordon doubling over with laughter. He didn’t want to admit to David being right about anything, but what he said about how Dawn just acted was true. He’d never been scolded or felt so guilty in his life.
“Argh, you two deserve each other.” Dawn pushed against him and stormed out of the room. This only made him laugh harder.
“I’ll admit when she’s angry she’s cute,” David muttered, and then he let out a long-suffering groan. “I’m sorry. I was out of line.” He closed his eyes. “I’m jealous,” he whispered. “I’ve seen the way you look at her. I’ve seen the way she gazes at you. I only needed to see you two together to know how much you mean to each other. In the last couple of days, I’ve never seen you smile so much. You spent the entire burlesque show just watching Dawn, smiling and grinning like a loon. I wonder if she knows how much she touches you. She seemed to do it without thought, but you’re the same. I’ve never seen anyone in our circle act like that.”
“David, let me get one thing straight. I love that woman. I love her hair, lips, style, height, body, and everything about her. To me, she is the most beautiful woman ever. I was worried about how she would be treated because she’s not stick thin, from money, or had the best education money could buy. I never thought you would be the one who would judge her. Her shapely body is damn sexy, and I’ve never been happier.”
“I really am sorry, Gordon.”
Running his fingers through his hair, Gordon studied his friend. He looked like he meant it with his shoulders hunched and his eyes cast down. “I forgive you, but it’s not me you need to grovel to, it’s Dawn. She’s different, David, and I love that about her. She didn’t marry me for my money or the stance I can give her. She didn’t even marry me because of who I am and what I can do for her family. She married me for just plain old Gordon. The guy she thought worked as a bartender, the guy who ate all her food, and who she couldn’t get rid of.” Smiling at David, he walked to the exit. “You can have what I have to—you just need to be willing.” Leaving the room, Gordon yelled, “You can let yourself out. I’m going to go soothe my wife’s feelings.”
Gordon went straight to their master bedroom. Dawn sat on the bed, her laptop open, and she was talking with someone. As soon as she saw him, her gaze narrowed on him, and she muttered, “I’ll call tomorrow. The idiot just came in.” She shut her laptop and placed it on the bedside drawers.
He knew he shouldn’t chuckle, especially when she was calling him an idiot, but she looked so cute. Her hair was in a messy bun, all her make-up was off, and she wore a black tank top with matching short shorts. Her toenails and fingers matched her shirt and shorts.
Stripping to boxers, he climbed on the bed. “I’m sorry for being an idiot, sprite.”
She rolled her eyes but opened her arms, and he fell into them, settling his body on her side and bringing her so she lay on top of him. “Did you and David kiss and make up?”
He kissed her head and squeezed her tight. “Yeah, David and I made up. But the only kissing happening will be you and me. I love you, Dawn. I had a great day with you.”
“I love you, too. I had an awesome day. I’m looking forward to tomorrow and the Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio and my dinner and Tournament of Kings at the Excalibur.”
“Me, too. Me, too.” And he was. Anything he did with Dawn he enjoyed. Easing into bed, he hugged her tight and closed his eyes content.
****
Vegas had been amazing, and Dawn couldn’t wait to go back. The next time, she hoped she could take her sister or Amber.
Gordon had surprised her this morning when, instead of going to a commercial airport, they went to a private airfield where they got on a luxury jet. The priv
ate plane was a hell of a lot different from the commercial one she’d been on before. The seats were big and comfortable leather, and there had been a bloody bed, too. Flying in luxury was a lot more relaxing than flying commercial, and Dawn had no idea how Gordon had gone from flying in luxury to how he flew to America with her.
The plane landed fifteen minutes ago in Dallas, and they were now getting off.
Dawn went to grab her small hand luggage and bag. “Don’t. Leave it. The staff will get that and bring it down. It will all be put into the waiting car.” Gordon linked her arm through his and walked to the exit. He then held the stair rail with the other hand, and together, they came down the stairs and onto the tarmac.
A limo sat on the tarmac, and they walked toward it. When they were only a couple of steps away, the door was opened by a man in a suit and a gorgeous rail thin tall bleach blonde woman got out.
Gordon groaned. “I’m so sorry.” He squeezed her hand and then gazed at the woman. “Mother, I wasn’t expecting you.”
Now that they were closer, Dawn could see the woman was older. Her face didn’t seem to move when she stared at her son. Everything was pulled tight, and there was barely a wrinkle. Her eyes were blue like her son, but that was the only feature they seemed to share.
“You should have. I haven’t seen you in a year. Do you know what they’ve been saying at the country club? Regina has had her head held way too high for my liking and strutting her son around.” Gordon’s mother gave an elegant shake of her head. “I have had to double my charity donation, so they don’t think we are in trouble.” She sniffed with a snobby air and got back in the limo. “Oh, do hurry, Gordon. I have already booked a dinner I must tell you about.”
Wow. Dawn could only stare at the woman, who not once had come over to hug her son or tell him she missed him. She hadn’t even asked how he was or given a simple greeting, let alone acknowledged her. Gordon sighed and held her hand tight as Dawn followed behind him as he got into the limo. His mother didn’t stop talking the whole time about what she had done and what she wanted of Gordon. The limo moved, and ten minutes later, Gordon’s mother was still talking.
“You will be going on a date with Lesley’s daughter. The snooty witch thinks you’re not good enough now…”
Oh, no way. Dawn had kept quiet and heard enough. “No. My husband will not be going on any dates with anyone but me. Now, I don’t know if it’s done different here in America, but how about we start again with a greeting to your son of ‘hi, how are you?’ Or even ‘I missed you and I’m happy you’re home.’ You haven’t stopped talking since meeting him at the airport, and I know Gordon is being polite and not interrupting but, damn.” Dawn turned to Gordon. “You couldn’t have butt in when she started with dates with other women?”
The dick laughed and pulled her to him for a kiss. “I like the jealous side.”
“I wasn’t jealous, just, uh, well, your mother was rude.” Dawn felt the heat rise in her cheeks at the blatant lie—she was so jealous. She didn’t want Gordon near any snotty nose society woman. She’d seen enough of those bitches at his party.
Gordon laughed harder, and she glowered at him. “Sprite, I just ignored her,” he whispered close to her ear. “My mother wouldn’t listen anyway. I’ve told her a million times before not to set me up on a date.” He eased away and said louder, “Mother never listens.”
The woman in question sputtered, and Dawn ignored her and narrowed her gaze on Gordon. “You didn’t even tell her who I am and what I am to you. Maybe if she fuckin’ knew she would have stopped.” Dawn was pissed that his parents didn’t know about her. Why hadn’t he told his parents about her? Was he embarrassed by her or did he choose her because he ran out of time. Gordon seemed to like keeping things from people. Doubt swamped her, and Dawn hated how she started to feel.
Gordon cupped her face stroking her cheek, and she fought herself not to melt into his touch. He leaned in, and his lips brushed hers, and when she didn’t react, her worry at why he hadn’t told anyone about her keeping her frozen still, he rested his forehead on hers. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I should have told her.” He leaned back and looked at his mother whose gaze was now locked on Dawn’s left hand that was clenched on Dawn’s lap. “Mother, I’d like you to meet my wife, Dawn. Dawn Wilks. Dawn, my mother, Catherine Louise Wilks.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Dawn tried not to spit her words out, but she was angry with Gordon. Dawn held her hand out, and his mother’s gaze narrowed, and a cruel twist of the first facial expression came across her Botox face.
“What? You got married and didn’t tell me?” Something flashed in her eyes, and for the first time, Dawn saw emotion, pain, and hurt.
“Yes. I met Dawn while I was away in Australia.” Gordon held his hand up. “And before you start, she had no idea who I was. She’s been angry with me for keeping it from her. I had married her before she found out who I am and what I’m worth. Come to think of it... she still doesn’t know what I’m worth unless she looked it up. Dawn thought I was a bartender.”
Damn. She still hadn’t done a thorough search on Gordon. Gordon has turned her into an idiot. She should have investigated him as soon as he told her who he really was. That was something she intended to rectify as soon as she could.
His mother laughed. “Oh, Gordon, you went back to that. Why ever for? Your father and I weren’t around to disappoint or anger.”
Dawn darted her gaze between the two. What was his mother talking about? Was Gordon keeping more secrets from her?
“Mother, I wanted to know she wanted me for me and not my money. I wanted someone who didn’t want our static in society. Becoming a bartender again helped me find what I wanted. I know Dawn doesn’t want me for my money. She’s with me for me—and not what I can give her. I love her, Mother. If you can’t accept that and her than I, we don’t need you in our life.”
“Son, have you thought of what everyone will say? What they will think?”
“I don’t care what anyone else thinks.”
“Gordon, she’s a nobody. She has—”
“I know, and I told you I don’t care. Dawn is what I want.”
Dawn seethed. Gordon spoke like she wasn’t sitting right next to him. She didn’t bloody well care about his money. She wouldn’t have cared even if he told her when they were in Australia. Sure, she properly wouldn’t have started this with him, but she still deserved to know. They kept talking about her like she wasn’t sitting there, and the more they spoke, the greater her anger rose. Clenching her fists, she closed her eyes and imagined hitting something a lot to calm her raging anger, but the more she listened, the higher her anger rose. Dawn wished she was home in Australia. She was never a violent person until she met Gordon. He seemed to bring out anger issues she didn’t know she had.
Catherine laughed, and it seemed so out of place. Her demeanor seemed to change with that laugh, too. “Oh, son, that explains her face now. I think you’re in trouble.” The woman, who she thought not long ago expressionless and cold, did what Dawn would call a smile if she weren’t full of Botox. “Dawn, I am sorry. You must excuse me as I haven’t seen my son in over a year, and I would never go to the cesspool that is Vegas. The phone calls I received were always when he had no time to talk. I knew he had this silly idea of finding a woman in Australia. I really didn’t think he’d do it. I must say though, you are quite pretty. You have lovely porcelain skin and the rest…” Catherine’s gaze roamed over her, and Dawn saw the calculating appraisal. “I’m sure we can work on.” She gave a fake chuckle, and Dawn’s anger diminished to be replaced by unease. “I’ll organize a time tomorrow to take you shopping to get the right clothes and accessories. I’ll talk with my trainer, and we can get you on a great routine and help lose some of that baby fat.” Catherine reached across and patted her on the knee, and Dawn stared down at the perfectly manicured hand draped in expensive jewelry and felt panic join the uneasy feeling. What the hell had just happened? Gor
don’s mother Catherine had changed her tune in an instant and was now talking a mile a minute about organizing things Dawn wanted nothing to do with. Dawn felt like she’d just landed in the twilight zone.
“We’ll have dinner tonight, and I’ll see your dining skills and what needs work. I’ll have you ready for soc—”
Hell, no, Dawn had heard enough. She gazed at Gordon to find him staring at her with a confused expression. Fuck it, if this was what he wanted, a woman like how his mother was describing, he could go shove it. “No. I’m sorry, Catherine, I won’t be dining with you.” Turning to Gordon, Dawn gave him her best glare. “If this is what you want in a woman, you’ve married the wrong one. I am not, nor will I ever be, like your mother. I like my style, I am happy with my weight, and I don’t need lessons on dining skills or any such shit.” Anger consumed her. How dare he just sit there while his mother organized her life and what Catherine wanted Dawn to do and to be? “If this is what you want, then you can have it, just not with me. When we arrive at our destination, I’ll be booking a flight home.” There, she’d said it. She was done.
Gordon scrubbed his face and rubbed his forehead. Then he got off the seat and went to the front where he pressed a button, and the divider came down. “Henry, change of plans.” Dawn felt her heart sink, and tears threaten to leak out at Gordon’s words. Even though she was angry and upset with how his mother was treating her, she still loved him. She may have just said she wanted to go home, but she would rather stay with Gordon. She knew he would break her heart. “The Southlake estate is close. Take my wife and me there, and you may then drop my mother wherever she wants to go.”
“Yes, sir. We are less than ten minutes from Southlake.”
Gordon didn’t reply but moved back and sat next to her again. Dawn relaxed slightly when he grabbed her hand and held it in his own. “Mother, listen, and listen well because I will not repeat myself. Dawn is not yours to instruct and manipulate. She is my wife. One of the reasons I chose her is because she is and never will be anything like you or the socialites with whom you associate. I love Dawn just the way she is, and if you can’t deal with that, then we don’t need you in our lives.” Gordon squeezed her hand, and the more he spoke, the more her anger deflated. “But if you’re willing to not interfere and try to bend things the way you want them, then you’re welcome to be a part of our lives and the lives of any children we have in the future.”