The Gideon Affair Page 16

  “I won’t sleep with you,” she blurted clumsily before thinking it through. Damn. Really? She sounded like an outraged nun.

  “S’cool with me.”

  He. Was. Laughing.

  At her.

  “Babe. Relax. If all this was about was getting laid, you’d be butt-fucking naked, on your back, with those damn sexy legs wrapped around my neck.”

  Heat shot into her neck and onto her face at his evocative words. As far as descriptions went, that was a good one. When she finally found the nerve to look him in the eye, he was openly smirking. “The part where I’d be hammer-fucking you into next month was implied, right?”

  Instinct. That was what it was. Reflex. Her hand shot out, closed fisted, and walloped him on the bicep. Hard.

  “Fuck you, Shaw.”

  She bit her lip to stop from smiling, but the effort was useless. His booming laughter was infectious. Good time for a pivot.

  “Don’t you have a beard contract or something like that for me, ‘cause there’s only so much of this nonsense I’m gonna put up with.”

  Hot fucking damn but she was good. He suddenly understood why she was so effective in a negotiation. The lightning bolt admission of her feelings was a smart play. He respected that Paige wasn’t going to let this turn into a game and good for her. Showed him she was the woman he’d always assumed her to be.

  But that admission also put him in the position of having to re-evaluate how this evening was going to go. They were in this for real. Sure, putting on a show for the media was business. But pinching her nipples and giving her a throat exam with his tongue … well, that had been personal.

  Because timing was everything, Edward started to rethink what he was doing. His hand slipped into his pocket as he rose to stand before her. The soft, velvet pouch was easy to find with his fingers. Feeling the little square, he located the impression that the ring inside left.

  His gran’s ring. Marsh and he had several pieces of her jewelry, but Edward ended up with the unique 1920’s Art Deco style diamond ring. It was distinctive and beautiful, just like Paige. But now wasn’t the time.

  The military had taught him many things including how to think on his feet when conditions changed and plans were shot to hell. The gods must have been paying attention because with a flash of rock-solid certainty, he knew what to say next … something guaranteed to bring a smile to her face.

  Putting a little bit of distance between them, he went to stand by the arched door. Standing at her knees had been too much for him. Looking down and seeing her at eye level with his crotch was a no. This seemed much safer.

  “There’ll be no contracts between us, babe,” he snickered with a mocking roll of his eyes. “But I do have a surprise,” he teased. “One I hope you like.”

  Her head snapped up, and he chuckled when he saw the interest twinkling in her eyes. A surprise? Paige was a sucker for surprises.

  “Oh god, what surprise?” She shot to her feet. “I’m kind of on max overload from this Chinese water torture surprise-a-thon.”

  He snorted. “Good one.” Shrugging off the comment, he drawled, “This is a Banning surprise. Gideon has nothing to do with it.”

  Her arms crossed as one foot snuck behind the other and started to wag. He was on thin ice.

  “We’ve got a nice long break coming up before heading to Montana. Didn’t you say Caro was going on a cruise during her downtime?”

  She nodded. “Booze cruise with a bunch of her pals. Long, lazy Mexican Riviera package with every imaginable extra. That girl’s the queen of upgrades.”

  “So, with her off the leash and everything here in limbo …” Having to clear his throat reminded Edward that he wasn’t acting and had no idea where this scene was going. “Anyway, I thought it would be fun to take a road trip. You and me.”

  She was looking at him as if he’d grown a second head. “What kind of road trip? Jack Kerouac? Clark Griswold? Dorothy and Toto?”

  “Nah,” he quipped with a sly wink. “We’re writing our own story.” He enjoyed watching her process what he was saying. “And I have something epic in mind.”

  “I’m listening.”

  Thank god for geography class, he thought as a map of the States appeared in his mind. “Well, I thought we’d fly into Denver. I remember you talking about that new hotel … the one with all the art, right?” He had her now. Page’s eyes were dancing with delight. Bet she thought he didn’t pay attention when she was rambling.

  “We could take a couple of touristy scenic excursions. Colorado River rafting sounds like fun. Whatever you want.”

  “Fun,” she murmured, the skepticism obvious in her voice.

  “Yeah. And then we’ll rent a small RV and take off from there. Colorado to Wyoming before ending in Montana.”

  “What?” She came at him so fast that he didn’t remember seeing her move. “Did you say Wyoming?” When she grabbed his forearms and dug in, he knew she was on board. Bingo. Bull’s-eye. Touchdown. Score.

  “That I did. Think how awesome it’d be to pull up to the cabin, hang with the ‘rents. Soak up the ambiance.”

  “Oh, my god. Stephen and Miriam? For real?” She dashed to her bag and fished out her Breathsavers. Paige was on a roll; he recognized the signs.

  Popping a mint into her mouth, she flew around the room as if he’d lit a firecracker at her feet. “Fantastic! Oooh, I have to get your mom some of that yarn she wanted. And Stephen needs another of those Snoopy coffee mugs we found down on the boulevard. I better make a list …”

  Edward watched, bemused, as she went into practical Paige mode. Suddenly, there were lists to make and things to do. All from an off-the-cuff suggestion. There was a masterful high-five dance of success playing in his mind.

  Now for the reality check. She’d had her throw down, and now it was his turn. “So can I assume you’re on board with this?” His tone stopped her dead.

  “Ooookay, what’s the catch, Banning?”

  “We go as a couple.”

  “But your parents,” she stuttered.

  “Deserve the truth,” he finished. “They’re gonna see the social media stuff. Your parents, too. I want to be honest with our families. Yes, people will go apeshit that Gideon Shaw is settling down, but there’s to be none of that in our real lives.”

  She was gearing up for a response when he cut her off. “No, babe. Nuh-uh.” He shook his head. “No bullshit. You’re kind of in love with me, and I’m more than kind of in love with you.”

  Her mouth made a sound when it snapped shut. Maybe he shouldn’t have pressed his advantage, but he did. It was the shoes. Definitely the shoes. They were making him nucking futz.

  Pulling her close, he claimed her mouth and went deep without any buildup. His hands roamed as he mapped her back and waist through the slinky fabric of the dress and then used both hands to grasp her bottom and lift her into the perfect position. Swirling tongues created a rhythm that he mirrored in the touch of his hands, massaging and squeezing.

  Unf. The desire was near to overwhelming. When he couldn’t take anymore and stay standing, he gentled the kiss until their mouths reluctantly separated. Putting his lips close to her ear, he husked, "I’ll take care of you, Paige. That’s a promise. You can trust me to put what’s best for you first.”

  In a voice he’d never heard before, she murmured, “If I end up regretting this, Edward … it’ll kill me.”

  For some reason, that was just what he’d wanted to hear.

  Getting from WeHo to Malibu took a dog’s age in the never-ending traffic. Paige was surprised when Edward said they were going to Nobu and not any of the conspicuous see-and-be-seen eateries in town, which would have been easier to get to.

  She was flabbergasted because the guy hated sushi. HATED. Surf and Turf, yeah. Steamer pot on the beach? He’d be all in. But sushi? That was a big fat NO.

  They chatted about nothing on the drive. She pulled out her mental soapbox and went off on a political rant. He b
itched about some sports scandal, and they debated a thousand ways to magically make the traffic better.

  Creeping along Pacific Coast Highway, he put the blinker on right before the driveway to the restaurant and turned to her. “You ready?”

  They’d been out to dinner together countless times but never like this. Paige knew how these situations worked. Someone, who she suspected was Carolyn, would tip off the celebrity paparazzi that Gideon Shaw and a lady friend would be at Nobu. A spotter was keeping an eye on the comings and goings at the well-known waterfront restaurant in downtown Malibu.

  The first sighting when they arrived would set up what came after. By the time they had exited the place, a dozen photogs would be hovering and it’d be showtime. Within hours, pictures of the two of them would appear on social media sites.

  Well, crap on a stale cracker. Edward was right. She’d have to call home and give her family the heads-up before they saw anything. Her mom loved attention, but she would so not enjoy being blindsided and made an ignorant fool.

  “Ready as I’ll ever be,” she muttered tersely. Unsteady fingers checked out her hair and fiddled with an earring. Taking a deep, slow breath, she willed the square dancers in her belly to settle the hell down.

  Before the car had completely stopped, the valet was running to the driver’s side door while his counterpart stepped up to Paige’s door. Her whole world was going to change the minute she got out of the car.

  “Paige.” She looked at Edward and found him frowning at her. Could he read her thoughts? “It’s just you and me, okay?”

  “I know.” She shrugged. With a self-conscious smile, she told him, “Just keep reminding me, and I’ll be fine.”

  She was relieved when his dour frown turned cheeky. “To borrow on a Mom-ism,” he drawled with a dramatic clearing of his throat, “thread the needle, don’t jam it in your finger.”

  Her door was opening, and so was his, ending the amusing moment. Feeling the need to rub his nose in their situation, she mockingly chirped, “Come on, Mr. Sexiest Man, get a move on. I have a date with some seaweed.”

  Still smiling when her feet hit the pavement, Paige pulled it together at the side of the valet stand, trying not to smirk openly as she watched the ballet of groveling going on about the man and his car.

  Do not sigh. Do not roll your eyes. Do not, I repeat, Do NOT lead with a snarky comment. A bullet list of How-to-Behave-in-Public was all she could recite to herself. Good grief, this celebrity thing was going to be hard.

  “Oh gurl, you’re working those shoes. Ankle straps and an L-B-D. Nicely done.”

  She turned at the comment and found the valet beaming at her with approval.

  Looking down at the shoes, she twisted one foot this way and that, flashing the uniformed attendant a cheeky grin.

  “They really do insist on themselves, don’t they?”

  They laughed together before the guy murmured approvingly, “Honey, you’re gonna do just fine.”

  Next thing she knew, Edward was right on top of them, and his expression was not friendly. Arrogantly moving between Paige and the restaurant staff, he put an arm around her waist and all but crushed her to his side.

  Dammit. What the hell was wrong with him? Biting back a frustrated groan was like torture. Plus, she couldn’t even pry his damn fingers off because it was all she could do to keep the fucking bag on her arm from dragging on the ground.

  “Let’s get you inside before …” He didn’t finish, which left her to fill in the blank with wildly differing possibilities.

  Let’s get you inside before …

  The zombies attacked.

  It started to rain.

  I punched this guy out.

  I tongue fucked you … oh, shit. No, no, no, no, no. Delete, delete, delete.

  “Edwa … I mean, Gideon. Slow down, for heaven’s sake.”

  He stopped on a dime before reaching the entrance. “What?” There was confused and then there was befuddled. The man was completely befuddled. “Oh. Sorry, babe,” he muttered. The once-over he gave her was all sorts of cute. "It’s just…” He shrugged. “I don’t know.” She watched as he looked back at the valet stand with a dark, troubled frown on his face.

  Ohhhhh. Now she got it, and it took an entire bottom lip chomp to stop from laughing her ass off. Was he … what? Jealous? Possessive? Out of his ever-loving mind for thinking a twenty-something twig in sneakers and khaki shorts was even in the running? Oh, lord. Epic.

  “Mr. Shaw,” she gurgled with barely suppressed laughter. “Your gaydar sucks.”

  “My what?”

  Paige leaned in close so no one else could hear. “Sweetie, he’s gay, so stop scowling at him before he thinks you want some hot, angry butt time.”

  Edward’s eyes darted to the valet stand. “How can he be gay? He was all over you like a rash.”

  She laughed and tugged on his tie. “Oh, my god! Really? The guy was gushing over my shoes. Get it?” she joked. “My shoes.”

  Next, his eyes went to her feet with an expression on his face that cracked her up. Men were so thick at times.

  “You, on the other hand,” she drawled, “have barely noticed this command performance get-up Shirls and Moira forced on me.”

  He reacted to the mild censure with a mocking sneer. “Instant rewind to being under me on the sofa. Babe, for real. This dress and those bang-me-standing-up shoes almost shot our dinner date in the damn foot.”

  Well, he certainly had a way with words.

  “All right, Shaw. Feed me immediately if you want that standing up fornication jibe to pass without comment.”

  Stepping through the door of the fantastic restaurant, Paige immediately drank in the ambiance, noticing every detail with a keen eye that saw past the surface.

  After a bit of fawning that got her jaw grinding, they made their way through the crowd and were seated on the edge of the patio with nothing between them and the ocean but air and sand. She was mildly surprised when her date sat next to her on the cushioned loveseat instead of across the table. It was going to take her a little bit to adjust to the change in their relationship. Edward was making it abundantly clear that, in his mind at least, they were a couple.

  Edward let Gideon off the leash for the sake of what they were doing but didn’t allow the atmosphere to drift into the business side of things. If she hadn’t understood before that this was an honest-to-god date, she did now.

  Everything about their meal was top notch and fantastic. Knowing her companion hated sushi wasn’t uncomfortable at all. In fact, she used his kvetching to her advantage, making a huge deal out of every bite and nibble just to drive him nuts. It was fun as shit too, watching him pick apart a baby artichoke salad after nearly throwing up at the mere mention of squid pasta.

  When his bloody rib eye steak arrived, she eyed him with mocking disdain and shook her head. “Only you would order steak, and a bloody one at that, in seafood heaven.”

  His arched eyebrow made the waiter laugh when he replied, “The steak is on the menu, my dear, for all the poor guys who have to sit through this fishy bullshit because of a woman.”

  “Oh, my god, and then she took an entire tray of steaming hot biscuits that were as light and fluffy as bricks and flung it across the room. One of ‘em flew off the baking sheet and hit the celebrity chef in the middle of his forehead. I haven’t looked at biscuits the same way ever since.”

  How was it possible that he was having the best time he’d ever had on a date—while in a restaurant he loathed and out where everyone could watch? And with a woman who gave zero fucks about his celebrity status and happily dominated the conversation?

  This must be what contentment feels like.

  Relaxing against the low back of the sea-weathered rattan, his body angled in her direction, Edward listened to Paige prattle on. They already had a close relationship, which was what made this date a singular event. There was no first-date awkwardness. He wasn’t sizing her up for dessert … well,
okay maybe he was. But not in a wham-bam way.

  With all that weirdness out of the picture, he was free to enjoy the sound of her voice and get lost in sharing her un-self-conscious exuberance. His Paige was one of a kind. He was a lucky bastard.

  She’d been going on for the last ten minutes, regaling him with humorous tales of her college exploits, when he’d paused to consider all she’d shared. Since their business association had always been about his career, Paige’s aspirations had taken a backseat. Had he benefitted from her impressive talents and wide range of skills? Hell, yeah. A sobering thought. Had she given up on her dreams to help him reach his? The notion did not sit well with him. Not one damn bit.

  “What’s your professional take on this place?” His question came out of left field, but he was genuinely interested in her opinion.

  Resting an arm on the sofa back, she fiddled with an earring, crossed her legs, and casually glanced around. It was no hardship to wait while she made her assessment because, from his vantage point, a stunning summer sunset and the blue Pacific framed her beautifully.

  What would she look like at his beach house … wearing nothing but something decadent from Victoria’s Secret and standing in front of the wide windows on just such a gorgeous night?

  “You’re more beautiful than the ocean at sunset.”

  Her eyes shot to his.

  Oh, shit … so he had said that out loud. He shrugged. No use pretending that wasn’t exactly how he felt.

  The brief flash of a smile tugged at her mouth.

  “So, my professional take on this place up till now is neutral.”

  Edward relaxed, relieved she was going to let his blurted comment slide. This out-in-public thing was hard on both of them. Being on middle ground, where his alter ego was the main player, was probably not the time to express his desires.

  “First, it was obvious you aren’t a regular here by the behavior of the parking attendant and front end staff. Having Gideon Shaw in their midst was unexpected.”

  Hmph. She was good. “How could you tell?”