“He did what?” With a look of shock on her face, Shana sat back on the couch in Fallon’s cottage the following evening. She’d arrived a half hour ago. After the pleasantries were over, Fallon had uncorked a vintage bottle of Merlot and gotten right down to the matter at hand.
“There’s nothing wrong with your hearing, Shana,” Fallon replied. “I was just as floored as you were.”
“When I mentioned Gage the other day, I was trying to get a rise out of you. I never dreamed he’d ever loan you the money let alone ask you to marry him. It’s crazy!”
Fallon nodded. “I thought the same thing.”
“Thought?” Shana peered at her strangely. “As in past tense?”
“Yes. But after considering it—and trust me, I couldn’t sleep a wink last night—it kind of came to me.”
Shana’s eyes grew wide. “What came to you?”
“It makes an odd sort of sense in a way,” Fallon responded. “Gage has always wanted to be part of the in crowd, but growing up on the estate, he was always thought of as the help. Marriage to me would be a way for him to even the scales.”
“And make you pay on your back.”
“Shana!”
“C’mon, doll.” Shana scooted closer to Fallon on the sofa. “Don’t tell me Gage didn’t make a play for you. You’re a grown woman now and a beautiful one, I might add. There’s no way he’s not trying to tap that.” She patted Fallon on the behind.
“My God, Shana. Have you no shame?”
“Do you? Because it sounds to me like you’re giving Gage’s offer some serious thought.”
“Wouldn’t you?” Fallon asked. “A sexy, gorgeous, rich man is offering to solve my financial problem and save my family. How can I let the company fail under my watch?”
“See?” Shana pointed her index finger at her. “That’s how he got you. He’s tapping into all your fears and insecurities. Let it fail, Fallon. You didn’t create this mess, your father did. You inherited it. And now you’re supposed to—what? Give up your chance of finding Mr. Right and settle for Mr. Payback? Because that’s exactly what this is. Mark my words. Gage wants revenge for how your family wronged him and he’s using all the weapons in his arsenal.”
“You make it sound like we’re at war.”
“You are. Think about all the anger, hurt and humiliation he must feel after you threw yourself at him and caused him and his mother to be kicked out on the street. The man must despise you, but clearly he wants you in equal measure. It’s all kinds of messed up.”
“You’re not helping me, Shana.”
“I have always been a straight shooter, Fallon,” Shana replied. “It’s what you love about me, so I’m telling you how I see it. I want you to consider what you could be getting yourself into before you make a life-altering decision.”
“Aha!” Fallon said. “You’ve given me an idea.”
“Oh, yeah? What’s that?”
“If I agree, I can stipulate the marriage is temporary. I think six months is enough time to get Stewart Technologies back on its feet with an influx of cash and cement Gage’s place in Austin society. What do you think?”
Shana shook her head. “I don’t know, Fallon. You’re playing with fire.”
“Without risk, there can’t be a great reward.” Fallon sure hoped she was right because she was banking her future and Stewart Technologies on making the right call.
* * *
Gage couldn’t wait forty-eight hours for Fallon to make a decision. He had to persuade her. All day in his home office he’d been thinking about her and he knew the only way to stop himself from going crazy was to see her again.
He picked up his cell phone and called her.
“Gage?” Fallon said. “Have you changed your mind? Did you come to the conclusion your arrangement was just as crazy as it sounds?”
“Quite the contrary. I wanted to see you.”
“You told me I had forty-eight hours.”
“And you do,” Gage replied smoothly. “I’m going to do everything in my power to convince you to say yes. Starting with a date tonight.”
“Tonight? I can’t. I have to work.”
“Excuses, excuses, Fallon. You’re afraid to be alone with me after what transpired between us last night.”
“That’s not true.” She paused for several beats. “I admit I find you attractive.”
“Face facts, Fallon, if we hadn’t been in public, the evening might have ended differently.”
“You’re very sure of yourself.”
“I know what I want.”
“And...oh, that’s right, you want me,” Fallon finished. “Well, I’m not that easy, Gage.”
“I didn’t think you were, but I admit I’d like to know more. Last night was the tip of the iceberg. Let me see you tonight.”
“I need time to think, Gage. I don’t appreciate the strong-arm tactics.”
“I would think if you’re going to agree to shackle yourself to me, you would want to get to know the man you’ll marry. Or would you rather walk into this as strangers?”
“You seem to think it’s a forgone conclusion I’ll say yes to your outrageous proposal.”
“I’m encouraged because you haven’t said no.”
“Fine. I’ll meet you. Where and when?”
Gage shook his head. Oh, no, he wasn’t falling into this trap again. He wanted a proper date. “I will pick you up at Stewart Manor. And, Fallon?”
“Yes?”
“Dress to impress. Because I’m taking you to the opera.”
Gage ended the call with a smile on his face. That hadn’t been as hard as he’d imagined. She was recalcitrant, but he’d convinced her it was in both their best interests to get to know one another. The problem was he didn’t have tickets, but he’d heard from Theo that Puccini’s La bohème was playing at Austin Opera and he knew anyone who was anyone would be there.
Austin society would see the former maid’s son out on the town with Fallon Stewart. It was brilliant. He would kill two birds with one stone. Cement his place in society and spend time with the woman who would be his wife. Now he had to convince Fallon there was no way she could walk away from him.
* * *
Dress to impress.
Fallon stood in front of her gilded pedestal mirror and glanced at the double-strapped, off-the-shoulder red gown with a deep side slit. The dress showed a generous amount of leg while the sweetheart neckline revealed a swell of cleavage.
She didn’t want to give Gage any ideas that the evening would end differently than it had last night with them each going home alone.
After applying some red lipstick and a touch of blush to her cheeks, she was ready for an evening at the opera. But was she really ready? The remainder of the afternoon after Gage’s call, she’d picked up the phone to cancel a half a dozen times. Yet she’d always stopped herself because maybe deep down she really did want to see him.
Fallon couldn’t understand the pull Gage had on her after all these years. He’d awakened something in her and she wasn’t sure how to get it back under control.
The doorbell rang and her stomach lurched. There was no turning back. Grabbing her matching red clutch purse and wrap, she made for the front door. When she swung it open, Gage stood there, resplendent in a black tuxedo with satin lapels. He was wearing a red tie that complemented her dress.
Fallon felt his eyes rake her up and down. It made her feel as if she was plugged into an electrical socket because currents were running through her veins. When she looked into those brooding brandy-colored eyes, her insides hummed.
“You look incredible!”
“Thank you,” Fallon said coolly and wrapped her shawl around her shoulders.
Gage took her arm and led her outside to the waiting limo. He helped her inside, picking up the hem of her dress as she slid in.
Once he was seated beside her and the chauffeur closed the door, he reached across the short distance to the ice bucket and pulled out a bottle of Dom Pérignon. He uncorked it easily and poured them a glass. He handed her one and dinged his flute against hers. “To an unforgettable evening.”
Fallon was sure it was going to be nothing but.
* * *
La bohème was everything. Gage had spared no expense. When they arrived, they were shown to box seats near the front of the opera house with a clear view of the stage. The singers were amazing and, by the end of the night, Fallon was on her feet along with the entire theater giving them a standing ovation.
“I didn’t realize you were such a fan,” Gage said from her side.
“I’ve come from time to time with my father,” Fallon replied. “Mama couldn’t be bothered. Said it was much too boring for her, but I loved it. Plus, it was something my father and I could do together.”
“Must be nice,” Gage said wistfully as he led her out of the theater and away from the throng.
“Did you know your father?” Fallon asked, turning to give him a sideward glance.
Gage’s glare told Fallon she’d made a misstep in asking something so personal. Wasn’t the point of tonight’s exercise for them to get to know each other?
Their limousine was waiting by the curb. Fallon was thankful they didn’t have to wait with the crowd lining the streets. Within minutes they were pulling away and Gage asked the chauffeur to raise the privacy screen.
“Where to next?” Fallon inquired. There had been an uncomfortable silence between them since she’d inquired about his father. It was clear Gage didn’t wish to speak of him.
“I didn’t know him,” Gage said finally.
Fallon didn’t need to ask what he meant.
“My mother never spoke of him. Only told me that he was an older gentleman who’d taken advantage of her youth and naïveté. Once she was pregnant, he turned his back on her and she never saw him again.”
“That’s why you pushed me away,” Fallon replied softly. “Because you didn’t want to be like him.”
When Gage turned to her, his eyes were cloudy. “Very insightful of you. But know this, Fallon. If you had been a few years older, I wouldn’t have turned you away.”
“You wouldn’t?”
“No. I would have taken what you offered.”
“Why?”
“Because I wanted you. I wanted you then and I want you now.”
His face was starkly beautiful in the dim light coming from the street and Fallon felt as if she were being hypnotized. Her hand went to her throat. Her mouth felt parched as if she’d walked hours in the desert with no water to hydrate her. She reached for the champagne bottle; a new one had miraculously appeared.
Gage grasped her arm and a tingling went straight to her core. “Does it scare you when I speak so openly?”
“You mean bluntly?”
“I was being honest. You should try it.”
Her eyes flashed with anger. “I have been honest. I’m here with you now, aren’t I? When every instinct I have tells me I should be running in the other direction, away from danger.”
“You think I’m dangerous?”
“Hell, yeah! But I can’t...”
“Can’t what?”
“Can’t seem to stop myself from wanting you, too. How’s that for honesty?”
“It’s great because I’ve been craving your sweet mouth all day,” he growled. Within seconds he’d slid her along the seat until she was sprawled across his lap. The air around them was heavy and thick with desire. When Gage trailed a finger down one of her cheeks, Fallon felt her pulse beat hectically at her throat. “I know you don’t want to want me, Fallon, but your body betrays you.” With one arm securely around her waist, the other hand was free to cup her jaw and, with a surprising gentleness, Gage angled his head and his mouth closed over hers in the most persuasive of kisses.
Tender yet insistent, his mouth claimed hers again and again and her lips clung to his, seeking closer contact. Fallon gave herself permission to enjoy the taste and lush depths of his mouth. Gage gathered her to him, his fingers at her jaw, holding her captive as he lazily explored her mouth. His tongue teased and stroked hers, causing heat to pool low in Fallon’s belly and spread like wildfire, incinerating everything in its path. Her breasts felt heavy and swollen. Gage sensed her ache and cupped the underside of one breast. His thumb grazed over the nub until it peaked and hardened.
Fallon moaned, loving the delicious yet tormenting strokes of his fingers. She wanted his mouth on her nipple, wanted him to feast on her. She became dimly aware of Gage pushing down the top of her dress and taking the rigid peak in his mouth. His mouth and tongue worked the nipple with licks, flicks, tugs and suction. The ache inside her intensified when Gage transferred his attention to her other nipple.
Hadn’t she known they might end up like this? This was no longer about a kiss. It was about need. And now that the desire had been unleashed, she didn’t know if it could be bottled up again.
* * *
Gage ran his hands down Fallon’s body. Touching her in ways he’d imagined for far too long. Of course, now that he had her exactly where he wanted her, his brain had short-circuited. He was hardening underneath her sweet little bottom, and he was completely useless. All he could think about was how he’d love nothing better than to wrap her legs around his hips and take her right there in the limousine.
And her breasts. God, they tasted heavenly. It made him want more. He moved upward so he could slant his mouth over hers again. He loved the hot slide of her tongue in and out of his mouth and the way her hands clutched his tuxedo jacket as if she was seeking something to hold on to. But there was nothing. Nothing but this white-hot arousal between them. His free hand went up and undid her hair, which fell to her shoulders. Gage slid his hands through the tendrils and cupped the back of her head so he could give her another mind-numbing kiss.
But a kiss wasn’t all he wanted. His hand moved lower until he came to the slit of her dress. He hiked it up to her waist and moved his hands up her bare legs. She trembled when Gage’s finger found her thong and pushed it aside so he could trace the most intimate part of her. She was so wet for him. Her body was betraying her, showing him physical evidence of her arousal. And when he began to circle the top of her clitoris with a feather-light touch, she gasped. When he slid one finger inside her, her body tightened around him.
Gage watched Fallon’s face as he worked her with his fingers. Slowly, deliberately, he brought her higher and higher. The sounds of pleasure she was making, and especially the way she writhed against his hand, turned him on. Her sexy bottom was brushing his erection and he was going mad. He added another finger and her eyes became hazy with passion.
“Come for me, Fallon,” he commanded. She closed her eyes and he sensed her resistance, but his hands were insistent. He could feel it when she orgasmed and clenched around his fingers. Satisfied, Gage claimed her mouth with his, whispering his approval as aftershocks shuddered through her entire body. He kissed her through them until she eventually quieted.
Fallon’s uninhibited response was more than Gage could ever imagine. Now he realized he needed her to say yes because they were far from over. In fact, they’d just begun.