Read Online Determined: To Love: (Part 2 of the Determined Trilogy) by Elizabeth Brown - Free Book Online

tucked casually into his pockets. He’d removed his contacts and exchanged them for his dark-framed glasses, which were always my preferred option. There was just something so captivating about a ridiculously handsome man in glasses. He stood there for a moment, staring at me, the edges of his mouth curled up.
    “Hey, I didn’t know you’d be home already,” I said, walking up to him and pecking him on the lips.
    He grabbed me by the small of my back, and pulled me in closer. “My meeting got moved.”
    I tried to push away, “Hey, I’m all sweaty from my run.”
    “I don’t care.” He caressed my jaw line.
    “I should take a shower.”
    “Why? I like you all flushed and hot.” He leaned into my neck and inhaled deeply. “And you smell so good.”
    What was I going to do with this man? I looked up at him, his dark eyes powering through the frames. “I love you.”
    “I love you too, baby.” He released his grip and slapped me on my ass. “Come on, let’s eat. I want to hear about your day.”
    Over a dinner of steak, salad, and an excellent pinot noir, I told David about the interesting customer I had had at the gallery that morning. By now, I had really started to jazz myself up about the opportunity.
    “So then, at the end of the day, I get an email from her. I don’t even know how she got my email address, but she asked me to come visit her house in Tiburon. Isn’t that a trip?” I said, watching David carefully for a reaction.
    He put his fork and knife down, and sat back in his chair, quietly eyeing me as he chewed. He didn’t say anything, so I continued.
    “So, I was thinking of heading up there tomorrow, since I have the day off. It would be a great opportunity to put something on my resume besides the gallery.” I looked down at my plate and played with my salad. I wasn’t sure how David would react to me skirting off to the house of someone he - and I—didn’t know. I paused a few beats and looked up at him.
    “And who is this woman?” he asked calmly. Too calmly.
    “Uh, Gina Moretti. She uh, just moved to the area.” I realized that I didn’t really know much about her, either. Other than that she was rich, lived in Tiburon, and had a friend who liked art.
    “What does she do?”
    “She,” I paused to cut a piece of steak with my fork, “I don’t know yet. I didn’t want to pry.” I was embarrassed. He was right. I didn’t know a thing about this woman. I felt stupid for even bringing it up. Just stick with being a gallery girl, Sam. That’s your place. I felt myself start to blush a deep crimson, and looked away, focusing on the floor next to the table. “I’m sure I’ll find that out tomorrow.”
    “Well,” David exhaled, “Make sure you take Elliot with you.” I looked up, and he had resumed eating, “And promise me you will be safe.”
    I beamed at him. “Tiburon is ridiculously safe. Don’t worry. But yes, I will take Elliot.”
    He reached out and caressed my hand, “You are very important to me, Samantha. More than anything.”
    Suddenly I remembered something. I jerked my hand out of his at the thought.
    “I almost forgot. It’s my dad’s birthday this Saturday. I thought we could go down to Saratoga and celebrate with them. What do you think?”
    David looked surprised but quickly recovered. He replaced his hand on mine.
    “Of course, Samantha, whatever you like. What should we get him as a gift?”
    I felt so lucky that David got along so well with my family. He’d spent quite a lot of time with them since we’d been together, and managed to charm them all.
    “Hmm. I don’t know. I need to think about that.” I took a sip of my water and gazed over at him. “I love you.”
    “I love you, too. Now finish your meal. You are going to need your energy for later.”

5
    I woke up late on Tuesday morning, taking advantage of my day off. I had emailed Gina back last night, and we’d made an appointment for a late lunch. David was gone, having