Total pages in book: 166
Estimated words: 156145 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156145 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Except it wasn’t.
Lucy had asked him for a specific set of things, and sex had been an afterthought. Just because it wasn’t an afterthought for Gideon didn’t mean he could snap at her for keeping her head in the game. So he did his best to do the same.
“They’re all ambitious men who have reputations for being honest and are old enough that they’re likely thinking about settling down with one person. I’ve personally placed both Mark and Liam in jobs, so I did all the research and then some. They have solid histories. Neither has any record of being a cheater or abusive in any way. They’re good guys—as good as anyone is.” And he’d checked. Even with only twenty-four hours at his disposal, he’d done extensive research and even gone so far as to call a few of their exes, though Gideon wasn’t about to admit that to Lucy. None of the women had said anything to raise red flags.
She speared a green bean with her fork. “And Aaron?”
“He’s the best of the best. I actually tried to poach him for a client last year and he wouldn’t give me the time of day.” When she raised her eyebrows, he shifted, something like embarrassment sifting through him. “There’s more to it than that, of course. He’s got an excellent reputation, and Roman is actually friends with him.”
“Your pitch is overwhelming.” She laughed softly. “But then, this is what I asked for, isn’t it?”
He didn’t like seeing that look on her face, as if she was resigning herself to a life half lived. “Lucy, if you want to change directions on this thing, we can do that. Even if you go on dates with these guys, nothing is set in stone.”
“I know you mean well, but I would very much appreciate it if you’d stop trying to talk me out of this.”
He tried to rein in his temper, but he’d held himself too tightly under control the last two days. Too careful. It wasn’t Gideon’s natural default, and it had started to wear on him. He glared. “I’m not trying to talk you out of shit. I’m giving you options. You want this to have a chance in hell of working, you need to stop being so goddamn defensive. I’m helping you with this bat-shit-crazy plan, so I need you to throw me a bone once in a while.”
She set down her fork. “I think you should leave.”
Fuck. He started to apologize but stopped. Lucy might be fragile in some ways, but she wasn’t broken. He had to remember that and stop treating her with kid gloves. And yet letting her make what might be the biggest mistake of her life because he felt guilty over her last relationship was a shitty thing to do.
He wasn’t sure what his other options were, but he’d have to figure it out. Fast.
In the meantime he needed to get the hell out of there before he said something they’d both regret. Gideon stood and buttoned the last few buttons on his shirt. “I’ll email you the details tomorrow.”
“Okay.” She still wouldn’t look at him.
He hesitated, but there was nothing left to say. Sex had changed things. Having concrete proof of how deep the connection ran between them was enough to set him back on his heels. She felt it, too. There was no way she didn’t.
Now he just needed her to actually admit it.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“I’M SORRY—did you just say that you have a date?”
Lucy swirled her white wine, not looking at her little sister. “You don’t have to sound so shocked by it.” She hadn’t wanted to confess her plan, but it twisted her up inside not to be able to talk about it with at least one person. Gideon hardly counted, especially since his reactions were hardly consistent with what she’d expected—and her reactions weren’t cooperating, either.
“I am shocked. You’ve been all work, work, work. When did you have time to set up a date?” Becka leaned over and snagged a chip from the plate in the middle of the table. “That’s not a dig, by the way. That’s just facts. I’m on three freaking dating websites and I have trouble finding dates who aren’t candidates for ‘but he seemed so nice.’”
Lucy sighed. “They can’t all be serial killers, Becka.”
“It only takes one.” Becka frowned. “Besides, we aren’t talking about me. We’re talking about you.”
Now that push came to shove, she didn’t know where to start. Or if she even should confess any of it. In truth, if she hadn’t had these drinks set up with Becka already, she’d be at home, moping. It had been two days since she’d seen Gideon and, aside from a few emails confirming her first date, they hadn’t talked, either. She knew she’d been an ass, but it wasn’t like Gideon to avoid a conflict.