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)
It had offered her a glimpse of the charmer everyone else knew. And that had probably been yet another reason she’d appreciated his companionship so much and had fallen into bed with him so easily.
Gideon wanted to know what the hell was up with Lizzy. He kept taking surreptitious glances in her direction. She and Lucy were involved in an intent discussion and Lizzy looked sad. He didn’t like it. She’d looked much the same last night. And the nights before that—the nights he shouldn’t know about.
Then earlier, in the kitchen, when he’d been such a fucking tosser about the potato salad, he’d been dismayed to see none of that usual pugnacious defiance in her eyes. Instead, those lovely eyes had sparkled with moisture and had shuttered before she had fled to the patio. She’d retreated last night as well, instead of standing her ground and giving as good as she got. Gideon had felt like a tool then as well.
He was trying very hard not to notice how cute she looked this evening. That sweet polka dot halter neck dress suited her. With a low-cut back that showed off an expanse of tanned, silky skin and a sweetheart neckline that lovingly embraced her perky, braless tits. The skirt was short and flirty, showcasing her shapely legs to just above the knee. It was longer than the dress she’d worn last night, but still—annoyingly—sent his blood pressure into orbit. He’d hoped last night had been a one-off thing but that was starting to look like wishful thinking.
Lucy was leaning forward now, still speaking earnestly. Lizzy’s head was bent, her shiny fall of hair had slid forward to hide her profile from him and Gideon disliked not being able to see her face, or gauge her reaction. She was nodding, and with one final squeeze of her hand, Lucy released her. Lizzy sat for a moment, visibly shaking…Jesus, was she crying again?
He was staring now, his focus on the two women, oblivious to the conversation around him.
Lizzy got up and, face still averted, left the patio. She passed Cat—who’d just stepped out onto the patio with a laden tray of hors d’oeuvres—and waved off the woman’s concerned question with some bright platitude. The slight frown that had marred Cat’s face at her abrupt departure smoothed, as whatever Lizzy had said seemed to reassure her. But Gideon wasn’t fooled. She wasn’t okay.
And he didn’t like that she wasn’t okay.
He pushed to his feet and cast a quick glance around the patio. All eyes were on Kylie’s new boyfriend who was grandstanding on the small diving board, promising tucks and twists and God knows what else.
Gideon seized the moment of distraction to steal away. He nonchalantly strolled to the patio door and slipped inside, and immediately headed upstairs. Beth wouldn’t use the guest powder room tucked away beneath the stairs if she wanted more privacy, she would retreat to the larger main bathroom.
The door was closed when he got there and he knuckle rapped the wood politely.
“Someone’s in here,” her muffled voice called out.
“Lizzy? Are you okay?”
Silence…and then a soft little sob.
“Li—Beth—open up.”
“What do you want, Gideon?”
“You’re crying,” he stated matter-of-factly, as if that were answer enough. Even though he knew it wouldn’t be for her, for him, it was. Beth was crying and Gideon wanted her to stop.
“I’m fine. I have allergies.”
“I’m sorry I was such a dick about the potato salad.” God, he sounded like an idiot. He wasn’t sure why he was here. This wasn’t his business. But he couldn’t stand the thought of her—of anyone really—distraught and crying.
Another long pause before she replied with a baffled, “What?”
“I’m sorry I was such—” he started to repeat, before the door jerked open and he found himself staring into her red-rimmed eyes sans glasses. The lack of glasses made her appear even more vulnerable.
“Look, I don’t know what your deal is, but I’d appreciate it if you left me alone, Gideon.” Her tone brooked no argument.
He frowned and shifted his weight from foot to foot before nodding. “Yeah. Okay. I—uh—sure.”
He turned to leave, but her urgent voice stopped him in his tracks. “Wait!”
He turned so quickly; he nearly lost his balance. Her hand reached out and fisted the fabric of his shirt above his heart before she yanked him into the bathroom with her.
He stumbled, wincing at the painful pull on his chest hair. She slammed and locked the door once he was closeted away with her.
Then she stood, hand still painfully gripping his shirt and hair, staring up at him with big, pleading eyes. Her breath came in gasps, as if she’d just run a mile.
“Uhm…” He lowered his hand over her fist and gently attempted to pry her fingers open. “You have some of my chest hair caught in your hand.”