Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 126589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Gideon laughed. “Trust me, I was tempted. But I didn’t want to embarrass my date.”
The tall woman’s dissecting gaze slid to Beth. There was no warmth or welcome there. Instead, she assessed Beth’s appearance with clinical precision.
It was uncomfortable to say the least. Beth wasn’t great with new people, but generally they were a little more approachable than this woman. And if this was the “good” one in the family, then she wasn’t sure she would be able to get a coherent word out all weekend.
Gideon’s solid arm slid around her shoulders reassuringly and he tugged her to his side.
“Kenny, this is Beth Finch. Beth, my sister—and the woman of the hour—McKenna.”
Beth wasn’t sure she could speak quite yet, and instead greeted the other woman with a remote nod.
Her response seemed to ignite a spark of interest in McKenna Hawthorne because her gaze immediately sharpened.
“How do you two know each other?” the woman asked, her eyes on Beth, making it clear the question was directed at her.
Beth inhaled deeply before forcing two succinct and flawless words out.
“We’re neighbors.” That was it. No elaboration. Not yet. Not until she felt a little less intimidated.
“How very cozy.”
“It’s certainly convenient,” Gideon said, giving Beth’s shoulders a comforting squeeze. “So, are they here yet?”
His sister’s lips thinned. “You’ll behave, right?”
“Are you sure Gideon’s the one you should be asking that question?”
The identical looks of shock Beth’s question received from the siblings was rivalled only by her own utter astonishment at the flawless verbalization of the unexpected question.
Where had that come from?
Gideon eyes brimmed with pride and something else as he stared down at her, while his sister’s eyes glinted with… well, that looked a little like admiration. But Beth couldn’t be sure because the taciturn woman immediately looked away and refocused on Gideon.
“In answer to your question, no, they’re arriving just before dinner. Smith has gone to meet his sister and her husband at the helipad. I am sure you and—Beth, was it?—will want to freshen up. Our hostess, Katie—” She nodded toward the smiling woman who was standing unobtrusively off to the side. “Will show you to your room. We’re all meeting for an informal getting-to-know-you dinner at seven. Please don’t be late.”
For the first time, she showed a semblance of affection for Gideon when she ruffled his hair and stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. “I’m glad you’re here, Gideon. I’ve missed you.”
Before he could respond, she floated off like a regal, statuesque iceberg.
Gideon’s eyes smiled down into Beth’s. “Thank you.”
“For?”
“Being here.”
Her insides turned into warm ooze, and she nodded.
“I don’t know how much good I’ll be to you, Gideon. I could barely form a sentence around your sister, and—according to you—she’s the nice one.”
“You spoke when you needed to and it was beautiful.”
“Well, don’t count on that happening again anytime soon. I’m so far out of my comfort zone here, I’m amazed I can speak at all.”
“You’re Elizabeth Finch, you’re a fucking warrior. You can do anything. You’re not going to let a bunch of rich wankers intimidate you, are you?”
“I just might,” she said in a tiny voice.
“You won’t,” he said confidently, dropping a kiss on her cheek. “You’re too much of a fighter.”
“Fuck. I’m sorry, Beth. I didn’t think to check. I should have. I’m a thoughtless prick.” It was Gideon’s fifth apology in as many minutes and he still couldn’t tell what Beth was thinking.
He didn’t know why the hell he’d assumed that Kenny would put them in separate rooms. He hadn’t requested it. It hadn’t even occurred to him to ask her to give Beth her own room. Now here they stood, in a gorgeous, elegant suite. One of the finest in the house if Katie was to be believed. A massive room with a gigantic bathroom, a lounge area, a desk, and precisely one bed.
It was king-sized, sure. But it was still just that one bed.
And Beth was staring at it with an absolutely expressionless face.
“I’ll sleep on the couch, of course,” he added in a last-ditch desperate attempt to convince her of his sincerity and her eyes finally lifted to his.
“You’re too tall for that couch,” she said, her voice as neutral as her expression. “Don’t be silly, Gideon. We’ll share the bed. It’s huge, you won’t even know I’m there.”
Of course he’d know she was there. He would always know she’s there.
“If you’re sure you won’t mind?”
Sharing a bed with her was going to be hell, but he’d make it work. He’d be on his best damned behavior if it killed him.
“We should get ready. Dinner’s in an hour and your sister sounded like she would send some henchman after us if we dared to be even a few minutes late.”
“Kenny’s all bark.”
“You made her sound like a puppy who never barks,” Beth accused him, her voice raised in annoyance, and he laughed.