Read Online A Gentleman’s Offer by Dara Girard - Free Book Online Page B

reconsideration.”
    He leaned forward and gave her his full attention. “You don’t want to move forward with the plan?”
    She tried to move her leg away, but somehow it only brought them closer. “I don’t think this is going to work.” She clumsily adjusted her knife and fork.
    “Why not?”
    She squirmed in her seat. “I thought you said you don’t like to party.”
    “I don’t.” His shoe touched her ankle. She set down her utensils. “Stop that!”
    “Stop what?”
    “What you’re doing under the table.”
    Nate feigned innocence. “I’m not doing anything.”
    “Then keep still!”
    He rested his chin in his hands and watched her, amused. “Okay. What were you saying?”
    “We were talking about your partying.”
    “I don’t party.”
    “Then why were you up late last night?”
    He froze. “What are you talking about?”
    “Your eyes are red and you’re not completely shaven.”
    Nate sat up and rubbed his chin. “Sorry about that. I’ll take better care next time.”
    “It’s almost four o’clock. I can’t have a valet who drinks!”
    He lowered his gaze, pulled his leg back and returned to his meal. “I never drink to excess.”
    “Only sometimes?” she challenged. Her father had been in denial, too.
    “I never drink to excess,” he repeated softly.
    “Then why—”
    He spoke softly, slowly. “As I said, it won’t happen again and you can take me at my word.” Before she could reply he said, “Now let’s get to business.”
    “Is it allergies?”
    “No. Now I think—”
    “A cold?”
    “No, now, Yvette—”
    “It’s not only your eyes. Your skin is pale as though you’ve stayed indoors for days. I didn’t notice that before. I hope you don’t do drugs.”
    “No,” he said through clenched teeth. “I don’t do drugs.”
    “Then why—”
    “Yvette,” Nate said with growing impatience. “I said let’s get down to business.”
    “This is business! If we’re going to work together I need to know all your vices.”
    “I don’t have any vices. I don’t drink. I don’t party late. I don’t do drugs and I don’t have allergies.”
    “Then why are your eyes red?”
    “Because I couldn’t sleep last night,” he snapped.
    Yvette lowered her voice. “You suffer from insomnia?”
    He returned to his lunch.
    Yvette stared at him in disbelief. “Nate, I asked you a question. Didn’t you hear me?”
    “Yes, I did.”
    “And you’re not going to respond?”
    “No.”
    “That’s very rude.”
    “Yes. I can be very rude and stubborn and come up with stupid ideas. This being one of them.” He set his fork down and looked at her. “You’re right. This won’t work. We’re completely incompatible. So enjoy your lunch and this will be the end of it.” He lifted his fork again and resumed eating his meal.
    “Fine.” But it wasn’t fine. She didn’t care that she’d changed her mind, but it felt different that he had. It wasn’t a stupid idea. Now that he’d taken away a dream opportunity from her she wanted it even more. This was her chance to be rich. She didn’t care if he drank, as long as it was in private. He was upset, but she was even more upset. He may be used to shutting people out, but he wouldn’t shut her out. “Nate, it’s not as though I’m trying to delve deep into your personal life. I bet you don’t even do anything for fun except find unsuspecting strangers and build their hopes up before snatching it away from them. Does that make you happy?” She paused. “Aren’t you going to say anything?”
    “I don’t interrupt monologues.” He sent her a sly glance. “Plus I’m not easily provoked.”
    Yvette took a deep breath, resisting the urge to smash her plate over his head, but she doubted that would ruffle his eerie self-control. She counted to three. Breathe. She would have to learn to deal with him. She’d dealt with finicky dogs, fearful dogs and spoiled dogs. She could handle any man. Threats wouldn’t work,