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“I’m responding to your comments,” she answered, somewhat primly. “It’s great to see you, too. I’m well. Thanks for the compliment. Yes, I’d like to dance.”
“Ah.” He felt one side of his mouth curve. This time the smile was natural. Why did it feel so unfamiliar? “You’re precise.”
She frowned. “Oh, you weren’t looking for a response? The questions were rhetorical.” Color flooded her cheeks and it fascinated him to watch the freckles that dotted her skin almost disappear against the blush. “I should have figured.”
“No... I...” He shook his head. “I’m a little bit off my game tonight.”
“Your game,” she murmured.
“Not that this is a game,” he amended quickly. “It’s a wedding.”
“Your sister’s wedding,” Christine agreed, sounding amused.
“The Fortunados are dropping like flies,” he said, glancing around for Schuyler, whom he thankfully didn’t see in the vicinity. “Schuyler seems to think I’m next. Can you keep a secret?”
Christine nodded solemnly.
“I told her I have a girlfriend.”
“But you don’t?”
“No, and that’s how I like it.” He pulled her closer to avoid a couple trying some sort of complicated spin and tried not to notice the feel of her soft curves pressing against the front of his tux. This dance was about avoiding Schuyler. Nothing more. “For some reason, my sister can’t seem to accept that. It was easier to lie, although I’m not sure she believed me.”
“I’m sure you could find a girlfriend if you wanted one.”
He grimaced. “But I don’t want one. Not even a little bit.”
“Oh.”
He had the strange sensation that he’d disappointed her and didn’t like the feeling.
“How’s Denver?” Christine asked quietly after a moment of awkward silence between them.
“Good,” he answered and struggled to come up with something better to say. Something interesting. Charming. Gavin was well-known for his charm. He had an easy way with women that made him popular, even with his ex-girlfriends. Where was that legendary charm now?
He couldn’t figure out what the hell was wrong with him. Had he allowed Schuyler to rattle him that much? Hell, he came from a family of six kids. Good-natured teasing was nothing new.
“Did you cut your ski trip short to come to the wedding?”
He blinked. “I did, actually. How did you know?”
“Your sisters talk about you a lot,” she said. She stiffened in his arms, making him regret questioning her. He liked dancing with Christine. She was just the right height and her body fit against his perfectly. She smelled clean and fresh, like strawberries or springtime or sunshine. Okay, that was stupid. Sunshine didn’t have a scent.
He needed to get a hold of himself, but all he could manage was hoping she’d relax into him again. The song ended and another ballad began. Gavin would have to tip the bandleader later for his sense of timing.
“Do you ski?” he asked, tightening his hold on her ever so slightly, splaying his hand across her lower back.
She laughed, low and husky, and his stomach flipped wildly. He hadn’t expected that kind of laugh from straitlaced Christine Briscoe. “No skiing for me. I’ve never even been to Colorado.”
“You’ll have to visit,” he told her. The way her eyes widened in shock was like he’d invited her to have wild monkey sex on the hood of his car. The image did crazy things to his breathing, and he pushed it out of his mind.
“Th-things are b-busy,” she stammered, “at the office right now.”
“That’s right. You moved to Austin to manage the new branch. My dad mentioned that.”
“I’m originally from Austin, and it was a great opportunity,” she confirmed. “Of course, I loved working for your dad in Houston, too.”
“Of course.” He felt the sensation of someone staring at him and glanced toward the bar. The man Christine had been standing next to was still there, shooting daggers in Gavin’s direction.
“Did I steal you from your boyfriend?” Even though it was no business of his, he didn’t like the idea of this woman belonging to another man.
She shook her head, her full mouth pursing into a thin line. “Maddie and Zach invited everyone from the Austin office to the wedding. Bobby and I work together, but that’s all, despite his best efforts. He’s a good real estate agent but can’t seem to understand that I’m not interested in dating him. In fact, you kind of rescued me.”
“So then I’m your hero?”
Christine blushed again, and Gavin couldn’t help but wonder what it would take to make her whole body flush that lovely shade of pink.
“I don’t know about that,” she murmured, her gaze focused on the knot of his bow tie.
He forced a chuckle, ignoring the pang of disappointment that lanced his chest at her words. What was going on with him tonight? He didn’t want or need to be anyone’s hero. “Already you know me too well,” he said as the song ended.
Her eyes darted to his like she’d been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. “I should get back to...um...the bar.” She squeezed shut her eyes then opened them again and offered him a lopsided smile. The first strains of a popular country line dance song started. “I’m not much for this kind of dancing.”
“We have that in common,” he told her then led her through the crowd. “Thanks for helping me out,” he said as they stopped at the end of the bar. At least the guy from earlier was nowhere to be seen. He waited for her to say something, oddly reluctant to have this strange interlude come to an end.
She crossed her arms over her chest and nodded, barely making eye contact. “Enjoy the rest of your night.”
“You, too,” he said and took a step away, to be almost immediately stopped by an old family friend.
He glanced over his shoulder to see that Christine had already turned toward the bar. She was well and truly done with him.
Gavin didn’t have much experience with being blown off by a woman, but he recognized the signs just the same. Christine Briscoe obviously wasn’t having the same reaction to him as he was to her. He was more disappointed than he would have imagined.
Chapter Two (#u1e7bb055-e440-53b1-babf-2b6c42211a0f)
Christine picked up the glass of wine the bartender placed in front of her and drained half of it in one long gulp.
She’d just had her heart’s desire handed to her on a silver platter and she’d made a mess of the whole thing. Gavin Fortunado might not be a hero, but he’d been her secret crush since the moment she’d set eyes on him almost ten years ago.
For ten years she’d harbored fantasies about her boss’s adventurous, drop-dead-gorgeous youngest son. Then tonight, out of nowhere, he’d taken her into his arms, like a scene from every Hallmark movie she’d ever watched. And she loved a good romance.
Unfortunately, Christine hadn’t even been able to put together a decent sentence. He’d actually flirted with her. Of course, Gavin flirted with everyone. Not that she knew him well, other than adoring him from afar, but he’d come into the Fortunado Real Estate Agency office in Houston often enough over the years.
She’d watched his easy banter with his sisters as well as the women who worked in the office. He was always charming but respectful and had a knack for remembering names and details. Half the women she knew in Houston had a crush on him, and she imagined it was much the same in Denver.
At first, when his gaze had met hers as he strode toward the bar, she’d thought he might call her out for staring. She’d been trying to ignore Bobby, who seemed to think he was God’s gift to women. He was harmless but annoying, and Christine wasn’t sure why he wouldn’t give up on her. Maybe because she had very little social life to speak of so he assumed she should be grateful for his attention.
Irritated was more like it.
He’d been blathering on about some property he couldn’t close, and Christine had been watching Gavin talk to Schuyler. Or rather argue. She was used to seeing Gavin smiling and jovial and hadn’t understood the tension that made his broad shoulders appear stiff. Unlike her own, the Fortunado family was tight-knit so it bothered her to see the brother and sister at odds.
She’d been shocked when Gavin had approached the bar and taken her hand. It might have been a simple dance to him. For Christine, having Gavin pull her close, her body pressed against his, was the culmination of all her secret desires come to life. Of all the single women at the reception, he’d picked her. Did that mean something?
Probably not, but a girl could dream. Sadly, all she’d be left with was her dreams since she’d been so discombobulated that she hadn’t been able to truly enjoy the moment. Or relax. Or hold up her end of the conversation.
What was the point, anyway? Gavin lived life in the fast lane. She could barely get out of first gear. Normally, her boring routine didn’t bother her. She was good at her job, had a cute apartment and a sweet rescue dog that adored her. She owned her own car and one designer purse she’d splurged on last year. The barista at her neighborhood coffee shop sometimes remembered her order, which never failed to make her feel special. She had a good life.
Only occasionally did she think about what it would be like to have more. To be fun and sporty like her sister, Aimee, or confident in the way of the Fortunado sisters. To be the kind of woman who could attract a man like Gavin.
She took another drink of wine and turned back toward the reception. The dance floor was filled with wedding guests, all of them laughing and swaying whether they had rhythm or not. Christine should join the crowd. Despite her two left feet, she loved to dance. But the thought of drawing attention to herself made her cheeks flame. Drat her pale Irish complexion. She had no ability to hide her feelings when her blush gave them away every time.
She had a travel-size powder compact in her purse. Maybe a little freshening of her makeup would help her feel more confident. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Bobby heading in her direction. She grabbed the glass of wine and slipped into the hallway, turning the corner toward the bathroom, only to find her way blocked by Gavin and Schuyler. Immediately, she slipped behind a potted palm, curiosity about the Fortunados getting the best of her despite the fact that it was wrong to eavesdrop.
“Come on,” Schuyler urged. “At least tell me her name. A name and then I’ll leave you alone.”
“You don’t fool me for a second,” Gavin said, amusement and irritation warring in his tone. “I’m not telling you anything.”
Schuyler threw up her hands. “Because this mystery woman doesn’t exist. Admit it, you aren’t dating anyone.”
Gavin opened his mouth, but Schuyler held up a finger. “At least not anyone serious.”
“Oh, it’s serious. It’s also none of your business.”
“Tell me something about her. One thing, Gavin.”
“She has blue eyes,” he answered without hesitation then added, “And fiery red hair.”
“A ginger.” Schuyler rubbed her hands together. “I need more details.”
Gavin shook his head. “You said one thing. I gave you two.”
“Where did you meet? Why didn’t you bring her? How long have you been dating?”
“Schuyler, stop.”
“I can’t,” she admitted with a laugh. “I need a new project now that Maddie’s wedding is over. You’re it.”
“I’m not,” Gavin insisted, running a hand through his thick hair.
He looked so uncomfortable and unaccustomedly vulnerable that Christine’s heart stuttered. Tonight was the first time she’d seen this side of Gavin. He seemed almost human...not so picture-perfect, and it made her like him all the more. Which was dangerous, because she already liked him way more than was wise.
Without thinking, she took a step forward, away from her spot behind the fake plant. Gavin glanced up for one instant, and he looked so darn happy to see her. She wanted that look in his eyes to last. So instead of retreating, as her brain instructed, she moved toward them.
Schuyler glanced over her shoulder. “Hey, Christine. Are you having fun?”
Christine swallowed against the ball of nerves stuck in her throat. “It was a beautiful wedding, and Maddie and Zach look really happy. You did an amazing job with the planning.”
“Thanks.” Schuyler’s smile was so genuine, Christine almost let the conversation end there. She was an honest person who valued her job and the relationships she’d forged with each of the Fortunados. But dancing with Gavin had been like eating a bite of cake after dieting for years. One taste wasn’t nearly enough. She wanted the whole piece. “Please don’t be upset with Gavin,” she said, working hard to ensure her voice didn’t waver.
Schuyler frowned. “Do you mean our argument out here?” She laughed softly. “Don’t worry. It’s a friendly brother and sister thing. I have to convince him to give up the name of the woman—”
“I asked him not to say anything.” Christine wrapped an arm around Gavin’s waist and leaned in close. “I wasn’t sure if your dad would approve of us.” She glanced up at Gavin and smiled. He was staring at her like she’d just sprouted a second head. Not exactly catching on to her plan, which made sense because she didn’t actually have one.
“Wait.” Schuyler gasped, her gaze ricocheting between the two of them. “What?”
Christine looked at Schuyler once more. “I hope you can understand...we wanted to keep things private. It was never my intention to deceive you, but—”
“Are you saying that you’re Gavin’s ghost girlfriend?”
“I know it probably comes as a surprise.”
“Understatement of the century,” Schuyler muttered. “You can’t expect me to believe—”
“It doesn’t matter what you believe.” Gavin looped an arm around Christine, dropping a kiss on the top of her head that she felt all the way to her toes. “Christine isn’t a ghost, but think about how you were giving me the third degree. I didn’t want her to have to deal with that, not when I wasn’t here to protect her.”
Christine resisted the urge to whimper. Maybe it was the wine, but the thought of Gavin protecting her made funny things happen to her insides.
Schuyler’s mouth dropped open. She stared at them for several long seconds. Christine tried to act normal and not like she might spontaneously combust at any moment. She rested her head against Gavin’s chest, and as great as dancing with him had been, this took things to a new level. Without having to concentrate on the steps, she could enjoy his warmth and the feel of his rock-solid muscle. Not to mention the way he smelled, a mix of expensive cologne and soap. Would it be weird if she reached up on tiptoe, buried her face against his neck and just sniffed? Yeah, definitely weird.
She waited for Schuyler to call them out on the lie. No way would anyone, let alone Gavin’s perceptive sister, believe that they were a couple.
“Well...okay, then,” Schuyler said slowly. “I’ll admit I’m at a loss for words.”
“Thank heavens for small favors,” Gavin muttered.
“I still can’t believe... I mean how long have you two been an item?”
“A while,” Gavin said before Christine could answer. A good thing, too, because the reality of what she’d done was suddenly crashing over her.
“Don’t tell your dad,” she blurted, earning a frown from Schuyler and a gentle squeeze from Gavin.
“He loves you like you’re part of the family,” Schuyler told her. “You know that.”
“He loves me working for the family,” Christine clarified. “This is different.”
“Gavin, tell her she has nothing to worry about from Dad or Mom.”
“I have already, but you still need to honor Christine’s feelings.” He lifted a hand to Christine’s chin, tipping it up until she was forced to meet his green eyes. This close she could see the gold flecks around the edges. She half expected to see anger or frustration for what she’d done, but he looked totally relaxed.
That made one of them.
“Christine makes the rules,” he murmured and before she could react to that novel concept, he brushed his lips over hers.
The kiss started innocently enough. She had the mental wherewithal to register that his mouth was both soft and firm. He tasted of mint gum and whiskey, a combination that had her senses reeling.
She felt him begin to pull away and some small, brave, underused part of her rebelled at the thought. She wound her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss, sensation skittering down her spine when their tongues mingled. A low moan erupted from her...or did the sound come from Gavin? The sound jolted her out of her lust-filled stupor and she jerked back. She’d had a couple glasses of wine, but not enough to excuse her basically mauling this man in front of his sister.
“I guess you guys are the real thing,” Schuyler said with a laugh. “No one can fake that kind of chemistry.”
