When Lightning Strikes (Whiskey Creek #1)(37)
Author: Brenda Novak

She had no idea what he was talking about. “Missed what?”

“You’re completely…innocent.”

Her mind scrambled to put his comment into some sort of context. “Because I don’t watch  p**n  or—”

“No.” He chuckled as if his meaning was obvious, but she couldn’t imagine what he was trying to convey. She’d never had anyone call her innocent. It wasn’t a word most people associated with a business professional, especially one over thirty.

“Then what?” she asked.

He shook his head. “You’re so tough and inflexible that—”

She held up a hand. “You’ve mentioned my lack of better qualities before.”

Ignoring the interruption, he moved closer to her. “That I keep expecting you to be jaded and self-serving. But you’re not. You’re not that person at all.”

Shifting in the giant but soft leather chair, she studied the polish on her nails to avoid looking up—but ended up looking at him anyway. “I’ll probably kick myself for asking, but…according to you, who am I?”

“Someone who’s honest, sincere and too tenderhearted for her own good.” He frowned as if these things were terrible, the latest blow in the long series of blows he’d recently been dealt. “As I said, innocent.”

“And you don’t like innocent any more than you like tough and inflexible, is that it?”

He did what he could to loosen his tie with one hand. “That’s where you’re wrong. I crave innocent. It’s so rare in my world that I’m immediately drawn to it. Which is why I think we might have an unexpected problem.”

“Admiring some of my positive traits is a problem?”

“It could be, for you. So I’ll add my voice to all the others who’ve tried to warn you away. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll walk out of here right now and petition for an annulment.”

He was serious. “I can see you’re feeling confident in our success. That’s encouraging.”

“I’m feeling guilty,” he clarified.

“For taking vows you don’t mean?”

“For knowing I’ll probably end up destroying your innocence.”

“And how do you think you’ll do that?”

“You haven’t been through what I’ve been through, haven’t lost the ability to fall in love.” He jerked his head toward the door. “So get out while you can. I’ll still be your client, do whatever you need to help get your business back on solid ground.”

And what would he do? Continue to battle his demons with alcohol? He’d certainly made a mess of his life. She wasn’t sure he deserved the second chance she’d constructed for him, but she wanted to see him take it.

“You’re reading too much into one kiss. It was nothing. I was embarrassed to have an audience, that’s why I reacted the way I did.”

He said nothing. But his skeptical expression goaded her on.

“Come on, you’re not that irresistible.” She merely had to remind herself of the dangers involved in falling for him and she’d be fine. It wasn’t as if she was going into this with her eyes closed. Even he’d been up front with her about his limitations.

His gaze lingered on her body. “I give it a week.”

“A week for what?”

“That’s how long I think you’ll last with your no-sex rule.”

The awareness that had slammed into her when she was in his arms returned with a vengeance. She wanted him and he knew it. She’d wanted him ever since she’d first seen him on the silver screen.

But most women did. She wasn’t stupid enough to act on it.

“Quit trying to scare me off. We’ve already come this far. We’re going to see it through.” She got to her feet. “I’m heading home to pack. I suggest you pack, too. We leave for Whiskey Creek in the morning.”

“You’re staying somewhere else tonight?”

“Yes.”

He laughed softly. “See?”

That proved nothing. “See what?”

“You felt it.”

“I felt nothing. I just have a lot to do,” she said, but she had to sleep sometime, and the fact that she’d decided to stay in her own bed said something, even to her.

He stiffened as she brushed past him but didn’t stop her. Neither did he try to talk her into coming back.

“We’ll be taking my Lexus to Whiskey Creek, so be ready when I come by in the morning,” she said, and left.

15

Simon’s introduction to Gail’s hometown started with a sign posted on the meandering highway they’d been traveling since leaving Interstate 5: Welcome to Whiskey Creek, the Heart of the Gold Country. They’d passed through other places, similar in size and architecture. Jackson and Sutter Creek also dated from the Gold Rush–era of the 1800s and looked it. But there was something different about Whiskey Creek. Subtle though it was, Simon noticed it right off. There was a definable unity here, a certain pride evident in the way the buildings were maintained and cared for that made him believe it should’ve been named Happy Valley.

“What do you think?” Gail adjusted her seat belt so she could turn toward him.

“It’s…interesting.” He’d insisted on driving, even though he wasn’t familiar with the route. He had to retain some semblance of control, and she hadn’t fought him on that. She seemed happy enough to play the role of navigator.

“You don’t like it?”

Resting his left hand over the steering wheel, he used his injured right to slide his sunglasses down and take a better look. “The surrounding countryside is gorgeous. I’ve just never lived in a small town. I’m not sure how I’ll adapt.”

She lowered the passenger window and stuck her head out as if she couldn’t wait to smell the air. “There’s nowhere like the foothills, especially in the fall.”

That she loved the area so much surprised him. Although they’d never really socialized when he was her client, they had spent significant time together. Other than an occasional mention of where she came from she’d never talked about Whiskey Creek. But then…she’d always been straight-up business. This was the first glimpse he’d had into her past. He’d never had any reason to take an interest before.

“Why’d you leave here?” he asked.