***
Gage would have laughed at the flash of bewilderment in Shawna’s eyes if he hadn’t also seen her relief at his interruption. For most women, just the sight of him, hotel and casino owner and billionaire playboy would be enough to produce swoons, dilated pupils and offerings of wild kinky sex. When they found out he was also a former underwear model, they couldn’t get on their backs fast enough.
But seeing that heated look in Shawna’s eyes surprised him. About damn time. The woman was as stubborn as she was gorgeous, her pale skin dotted with freckles just begging to be touched and kissed, fiery auburn hair shot through with gold and big almond-shaped green eyes that brought out his protective instinct.
He’d been attracted to her at first glance, and then increasingly intrigued by her when she’d turned him down not just once but on multiple occasions. That never happened.
“What’s going on?” His gaze slid from her to the creep holding her too tight.
She yanked free of the asshole and sidled up close to Gage. “This is the ex I told you about the other night,” she said uncomfortably, drawing a smirk from him, “and he just wanted me to know that he could have me kicked out of my apartment and grad school unless I go back to his cheating ass.”
Gage’s brows rose angrily, and his chest puffed out as he held her tighter, standing protectively in front of her. “Is that so?” It wasn’t really a question, but a threat. “Sick of spending Daddy’s money, Pearce?”
He’d recognize Walter Worthington’s son anywhere. His business rival acted as though his worthless son was his pride and joy, but as far as Gage could tell, Pearce had been getting a degree for years.
Pearce gave a greasy smile and stood a little taller, which wasn’t noticeable next to Gage’s six-three frame. His nostrils flared, and he doubled down on the slimy smile, shaking his hair from his eyes and glancing at Shawna. Real men get haircuts, asshole.
“This is just a lover’s spat, Steele. Shawna’s just being unreasonable; you know how women are.”
She stepped in front of Gage to stare down her ex. “We are over, Pearce. I have no desire to suffer your company or risk STDs, and as you can see, I’ve moved on.”
One of her hands went to Gage’s chest as she reluctantly accepted the lifesaver he was offering. One hand stroked slowly up and down in a hypnotic motion that sent most of his blood rushing straight to his cock. He knew it wasn’t real, that it was all a put on to discourage Pearce, but his body didn’t give a damn.
Pearce snarled at her while also managing to shoot a wary gaze up at Gage. “This isn’t over, Shawna. When he’s done with you, I might be willing to take his sloppy seconds.”
Gage saw the way his gaze heated when his eyes landed on Shawna’s cleavage. The little twerp wanted her more now that she’d walked away from him. Typical spoiled rich prick, just like all the kids Gage had gone to school with. Thought their shit didn’t stink because Daddy was rich. He watched the scrawny bastard slink off to lick his wounds, but a little shit like that wouldn’t take this rejection lightly.
He glanced down at Shawna, who was now trying to extricate her sweet curves from his embrace. She glared up at him when his grip tightened. “You sure know how to pick ‘em, Red.”
“Thanks for your help, Gage, but I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
Her green eyes glittered angrily, but he didn’t miss the flare of desire. “Because you were doing such a good job of it just then?”
She growled low and turned on him. “I was trying to get rid of him and not cause a scene. Not all of us have buckets of money, Mr. Steele. Smacking a man with my tray isn’t the best way to keep good tips rolling in.”
He understood her point, but he would never tell her that. “So, you thought it was best to stand there and let him manhandle you? A bruise is already forming.”
She glanced at her arm, earlier bravado gone as all color drained from her face, which sent his anger boiling and close to spilling over. Was it too late to hunt Pearce down and manhandle him? “He held on so tight. I didn’t even think he had the strength to do that. I am so tired of this. He’s really starting to frighten me.” Her words were quiet and watery like she was trying to hold back tears, but he knew that couldn’t be true because the Shawna he knew was a shit kicker. She’d given him more grief than anyone over the years she’d worked for him and turned down his advances. Just as quickly as it appeared, the vulnerability was gone and balls of steel Shawna was back. “I need this job, so I was handling it the best way I could.”
Gage smiled at the defiant tilt of her head, that cute chin jutting out like she was a tough chick. He’d had tough chicks before and Shawna might be a little rough around the edges, but she was nowhere near tough. Damn, he wanted her bad and the fact that she wouldn’t agree to a date with him only made him want her more. “I think the words you’re looking for are thank you.”
Crossing her arms over the bustier that did lovely things for her already ample tits, she pasted on a smile that was more of a grimace. “Thank you.” Then something remarkable happened; her expression softened and she tried again. “Thanks for your help, Gage, even though I can take care of myself.”
He smiled. “You’re welcome. That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
She growled, turned on her stiletto ankle-booties that kept with the Revolutionary War theme, and stomped away, his laughter echoing behind her.
An idea came to life inside of him, and Gage smiled. He’d thought of a way he could help Shawna and help himself at the same time. And if things really came together, he might be able to help himself to Shawna as well.
He had a feeling things were about to get a whole lot more interesting around here.