“Maybe I should help you write the review if that’s your way of paying a compliment,” he teased.
Brooke laughed. “You’re right. I have no idea what it is about you that makes me keep putting my foot in my mouth. My mother would freak out if she heard me.”
“Please don’t tell me I make you nervous,” he begged.
She shook her head. “I’m not afraid of you. Not in the way you might think.”
“Do tell. This conversation has piqued my curiosity.”
Brooke huffed. “Why do I get the feeling I walked right into that one?” He grinned, playing innocent. “Okay, I’ll play. You make me feel . . . uneasy when you look at me.” Gareth cocked a brow and looked deep into her beautiful brown eyes. “See. Like that. It’s like you’re looking into my soul. It . . . it—”
“Scares you?” he asked, not looking away.
“No. Makes me feel . . . vulnerable. I don’t normally feel that way.”
It wasn’t the warm fuzzy feeling he was hoping she’d have, but it meant he stirred something in her that other men hadn’t. She was doing the same to him. It’d been a long time since he’d met someone he couldn’t stop thinking about. There were a few problems with that. One, he wasn’t looking for anything serious. Two, the timing sucked. All she could do right now was fuck with his head so he’d slip up and blow it with Alex.
Like not meeting with Alex when he just asked me.
Hopefully he’d iron that out with Alex later. There was no doubt in his mind that Dena would’ve reported the reason behind Gareth’s delay. Was Alex going to be understanding or an ass? Gareth had no idea. A part of him didn’t give a shit. But Alex seemed to be willing to talk, and that was something Brice hadn’t been willing to do. Gareth needed to move while the opportunity was still there.
Gareth couldn’t end his lunch with Brooke on that note. He wanted her to know she wasn’t the only one feeling that way. Yet he couldn’t make any promises. Not even that he’d have time to see her tomorrow.
“I find myself wanting to spend more time with you. Maybe more time than I have. I wish things were different, but that’s the facts. I’m here on business and . . . I find myself not wanting to leave for my meeting.”
That said more than he wanted, but her eyes softened when he said it, so she got his point.
“Well, Mr. Henderson wouldn’t be too happy with me either if you decide to cancel all together. Although I have a strange feeling we’re going to be seeing each other again very soon.”
“Do you know something I don’t?” he asked.
Those beautiful lips of hers curled as she said, “Yes. I’m on the schedule tomorrow for room service, and if I’m right, you’ll be ordering your usual. Two eggs, two bacon strips, two sausage links, and extra coffee.”
He laughed. “That’s not fair.”
“What isn’t?”
“You know more about me than I do about you. I guess we’re going to have to do dinner tomorrow night to rectify that.”
Brooke rolled her eyes. “Please no more dinner invites. They don’t seem to work for us.”
He leaned over and said softly, “Trust me, Brooke. I won’t ever stand you up again. And if something delays me, I’ll let you know personally.”
She swallowed hard and replied, “Don’t make promises, Gareth. Neither of us is in the position to keep them.”
“Sweet Brooke, there are many things I can control, and where I am and who I spend time with is one of them. I promise, I’ll be in the lobby tomorrow at six waiting for you.” He kissed her lightly before she could argue. “But right now, I’m going to heed your advice and go meet with Alex.”
He could tell she was flustered by his brief kiss, but she didn’t say a word about it. “Good luck,” she said as he stood up.
“Are you staying here on the beach?” he asked.
Brooke nodded. “Actually I’m going to give this book another try. Who knows, maybe it’ll grow on me.”
Like you have grown on me.
“If you can’t sleep, you know what room I’m in.” He gave her playful wink before turning to head back to the hotel. He knew damn well she wouldn’t show up, but he wouldn’t turn her away if she did. Distraction or not, he wanted her.
This trip is full of surprises. Wish they were all as sweet as Brooke.