Read Online Sweet Escapes: Romance Story Boxed Set by Leighann Dobbs - Free Book Online
Authors: Leighann Dobbs
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Adult, Short Stories, divorce, Anthologies, Novellas, Single Women, Marriage, Daughter, boxed set, passion, undercover, second chance, bargain, Forbidden, Relationship, collection, Single Parent, Bachelors, Hometown, thief, Forever Love, vengeance, old flame, summer camp, Nine Year-Old, Five Years, receptionist, Sweet Escapes, Controlled, Physical Trainer, Local Gym, Archaeology Professor, Nile River, Heart Claim
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well give them someone else to talk about. Take a load off, Mr. Waycross."
"Take it all off? My, my, you move fast, Ms. Stretton," he teased.
She laughed. "You're bad, you know that?"
Inclining his head toward the group of ladies across the lounge, he sat, and then shook his head in disagreement. "Not what they say. To hear them talk, I'm very, very good."
Olivia wasn't used to being the object of a man's attention. Not since her ex-husband had become an 'ex'. She felt a bit threatened by his teasing. "Are you bragging?"
He sipped at his drink, and then leaned back. "Not at all. Just letting you know I'm aware of what's being said about me behind my back. Or at my side."
He leaned forward, a bit more in her space than she could handle at the moment. Olivia realized he was flirting with her. The urge to shrink back pulled at her. She ignored it, but a sudden attack of nerves made her smile tremulous. "I need to know this why ?"
"So you'll believe me when I say you'll have to find out the truth for yourself. Contrary to whispers, Olivia, I've never been with either of those ladies outside the gym."
For some reason, his quiet revelation made her relax. "Which means I'll never know, will I? I've never seen you outside the gym either."
"Ah, but that is about to change as soon as you say yes when I ask you to have dinner with me tomorrow night."
His smile was engaging. A short, unexpected laugh burst from her lips. "Are you serious?"
"Absolutely."
"Oh, I might as well," she teased. "Rumor around the gym says I'm the only woman left on your training roster you haven't dated."
His low chuckle sent a frisson of warmth tripping through her.
"Hardly. But you have accepted. Not letting you go back on your word now," he warned, wagging a finger at her. "I'll pick you up at seven?"
"No, actually. I'd rather meet you someplace. Here?" She didn't think she was ready to have a guy over to her house for any reason just yet.
"Here is fine." Picking up his now empty glass, he stood, a grin on his lips and laughter in his gaze. "See you tomorrow night. And Olivia?"
"Yes?"
"I like that pink tank top you're wearing. Goes perfect with your tan."
He winked and walked away, leaving her feeling a giddy, warm sense of anticipation she hadn't felt in years.
* * *
Everything had happened too fast.
Three times Olivia had almost changed her mind and stood Jordan up anyway. She wasn't sure going out with her personal trainer was such a smart idea. Especially for Danielle.
When her ex had left, Dani had been crushed. Felt it was her fault. Bringing another man into their lives might not be the best thing for her and Danielle right now, even if it had been five years .
It shouldn't matter that Jordan was the first man in five years to make her smile, to make her feel good about herself again. She had to consider Dani.
Granted, she would love to listen to the little voice in her head that told her she was worthy of consideration as well, but she was a grown woman, able to bear or at least deal with the slings and arrows of life. Dani was just a child.
With twenty minutes left to shower and change, Olivia made up her mind. It was just one date, right? One date, and if it went badly, Dani would never have to know, after all she was away at camp for the week and would be none the wiser when she got back.
Her suddenly racing pulse said her body was pleased with her decision, but her urge to be extra careful with her makeup and clothes would have to wait.
She'd left the decision so late, she barely had time to do more than swipe on a quick brush of mascara and dab a bit of lip gloss across her lips before it was time to go.
Chapter Two
The restaurant he had chosen obviously surprised her. Rather than some high-end, reservations only dining room with slow music and low lights, he'd brought her to Porters more of a family-type eatery than one meant to prime nervous divorcees for seduction.
One twelve-ounce steak and a pasta
"Take it all off? My, my, you move fast, Ms. Stretton," he teased.
She laughed. "You're bad, you know that?"
Inclining his head toward the group of ladies across the lounge, he sat, and then shook his head in disagreement. "Not what they say. To hear them talk, I'm very, very good."
Olivia wasn't used to being the object of a man's attention. Not since her ex-husband had become an 'ex'. She felt a bit threatened by his teasing. "Are you bragging?"
He sipped at his drink, and then leaned back. "Not at all. Just letting you know I'm aware of what's being said about me behind my back. Or at my side."
He leaned forward, a bit more in her space than she could handle at the moment. Olivia realized he was flirting with her. The urge to shrink back pulled at her. She ignored it, but a sudden attack of nerves made her smile tremulous. "I need to know this why ?"
"So you'll believe me when I say you'll have to find out the truth for yourself. Contrary to whispers, Olivia, I've never been with either of those ladies outside the gym."
For some reason, his quiet revelation made her relax. "Which means I'll never know, will I? I've never seen you outside the gym either."
"Ah, but that is about to change as soon as you say yes when I ask you to have dinner with me tomorrow night."
His smile was engaging. A short, unexpected laugh burst from her lips. "Are you serious?"
"Absolutely."
"Oh, I might as well," she teased. "Rumor around the gym says I'm the only woman left on your training roster you haven't dated."
His low chuckle sent a frisson of warmth tripping through her.
"Hardly. But you have accepted. Not letting you go back on your word now," he warned, wagging a finger at her. "I'll pick you up at seven?"
"No, actually. I'd rather meet you someplace. Here?" She didn't think she was ready to have a guy over to her house for any reason just yet.
"Here is fine." Picking up his now empty glass, he stood, a grin on his lips and laughter in his gaze. "See you tomorrow night. And Olivia?"
"Yes?"
"I like that pink tank top you're wearing. Goes perfect with your tan."
He winked and walked away, leaving her feeling a giddy, warm sense of anticipation she hadn't felt in years.
* * *
Everything had happened too fast.
Three times Olivia had almost changed her mind and stood Jordan up anyway. She wasn't sure going out with her personal trainer was such a smart idea. Especially for Danielle.
When her ex had left, Dani had been crushed. Felt it was her fault. Bringing another man into their lives might not be the best thing for her and Danielle right now, even if it had been five years .
It shouldn't matter that Jordan was the first man in five years to make her smile, to make her feel good about herself again. She had to consider Dani.
Granted, she would love to listen to the little voice in her head that told her she was worthy of consideration as well, but she was a grown woman, able to bear or at least deal with the slings and arrows of life. Dani was just a child.
With twenty minutes left to shower and change, Olivia made up her mind. It was just one date, right? One date, and if it went badly, Dani would never have to know, after all she was away at camp for the week and would be none the wiser when she got back.
Her suddenly racing pulse said her body was pleased with her decision, but her urge to be extra careful with her makeup and clothes would have to wait.
She'd left the decision so late, she barely had time to do more than swipe on a quick brush of mascara and dab a bit of lip gloss across her lips before it was time to go.
Chapter Two
The restaurant he had chosen obviously surprised her. Rather than some high-end, reservations only dining room with slow music and low lights, he'd brought her to Porters more of a family-type eatery than one meant to prime nervous divorcees for seduction.
One twelve-ounce steak and a pasta
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