Chapter Nineteen

Sacha

Between lunch and shopping, the day had disappeared. I had just enough time to shower and get dressed before we had to leave. When I emerged from the bathroom in a robe, Gib was standing in my bedroom in nothing but his tighty-whities.

"My turn, now? I only need a quick rinse."

He demonstrated what he meant by running a hand down the length of his torso, causing heat to skitter up my spine. The flat, muscled expanse of his abdomen was dusted with fine golden hair. My fingers twitched, an involuntary response to the mental image I had of what I'd like to do to him-but I managed to stifle the urge.

"Sure, I'll get dressed while you're at it."

He stopped on his way to the bathroom to kiss me, his hand tilting my chin up. He followed that with a sultry look then a glance down at my robe. The collar had fallen open and one breast was partially exposed. I moved aside, closing the robe, but gave him a smile.

Maybe later…

He disappeared to take his shower, and I used his absence to regain my composure. Tonight was not about him or anyone else. It was about my career. If I had to move to Alabama, at least this was a chance to secure a better position for my child and myself.

Our child.

The time had come to tell Gib the truth. It wasn't fair to keep him in the dark about my plans, but I didn't want anything to disrupt my confidence level this evening. I would tell him after the party, once I'd assessed my new boss. Maybe I didn't even want to work for the man, and it would be a moot point.

Yep. Once I knew for sure, I'd tell Gib about my plan to leave the state.

By the time he emerged from the bathroom clad in only a towel, I had dressed, curled my hair, and put on makeup. He strutted across the room, the olive-green cloth slung low on his hips. As he bent to pick up his jeans from the floor, I cleared my throat, which had suddenly gone dry. Gib turned, his wet locks flinging droplets everywhere.

"You're dripping on my floor."

"Sorry."

He ran a hand through the tangle of blond, slicking it back behind his ears. He gave me a grin and went back to the bathroom to dress. It took a moment for the flush of desire to leave my cheeks, making me look presentable again. It took a bit longer for the image of us in the shower together to leave my imagination.

When we were finally ready to leave, I had to admit Gibson Colebank was one handsome man. His now-dried hair was tousled, giving him a beachy surfer-dude look. His beard was neatly trimmed and combed. The suit fit him well, and though the pieces were mismatched, they coordinated in a way that looked creative. His jeans fit well, were tight in all the right places.

Yes, this was more my style. He no longer resembled the rough-hewn mountain man I'd come to know but was now a cosmopolitan man of the city. Who knew he had a sophisticated side?

He seemed to be impressed with me, too, if the way his lusty blue gaze traveled over me was any indication. My navy pencil skirt seemed made to go with my new blouse, and the pumps I wore showed off my calves nicely. I wouldn't be able to wear high heels much longer, so I figured this was a good night to get some use from them.

"You look gorgeous. No one would guess you're…you know."

His cheeks turned pink as he stumbled over the right way to indicate my condition. I wasn't exactly trying to hide my pregnancy, but for tonight, there was no reason to flaunt it. I wanted to be judged on my ability to do the job and nothing else.

"Thank you. I know what you mean. And just for tonight, let's forget about everything else, okay?"

"Got it."

He held the front door open for me and walked me to my car. I had already explained the party was more of a work function, and I would be networking. Gib promised to be an unobtrusive escort, without me prompting him. Except for his joke about him being "arm candy," I was grateful for his support.

When we arrived at the Vertex Art Gallery, the place was already buzzing. My potential new boss, Colin Redfield, was speaking to the crowd, which was gathered in a circle at the back of the gallery. A young woman stood next to him.

"Since she was a child, Ella was extremely creative. She's dabbled in music and art throughout her life, and though I am most definitely biased"-he paused with a grin, prompting polite chuckles from the crowd-"she is quite talented. Her eye for detail in the photographs and watercolors you see here tonight will astound you. And she's only twenty-one."

Applause broke out, and the young woman nodded to the crowd. She seemed at once proud and embarrassed. Her father went on to announce she was soon to graduate from the Savannah College of Art, prompting another round of applause. Then he gestured to his daughter to speak.

"Please, everyone, enjoy yourselves. If you have any questions, please ask. It is my honor to be here, and I am so glad to share my work with you."

Though her words must have been rehearsed, she seemed sincere. Watching her proud papa, I decided he might be an approachable man after all.

I handed my club soda to Gib. "I need to go introduce myself. Would you wait here?"

"Yes, ma'am. Good luck."

He winked at me as I turned to make my way across the room. He had no idea that this introduction could mean I was moving farther away from him. The thought made my gut clench, and it wasn't just the guilt over keeping my plan a secret.

I was going to miss him.

~*~