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“Excellent. But nothing can be traced back to me, and this must be resolved before the twenty-fourth. That’s nonnegotiable.”
“I respect your concern for your wife’s safety. Consider it done.”
With another obstacle soon to be removed between him and Gia, Jason hung up, feeling pleased. Once Caleb Edgington completed this mission, hopefully she would realize that she didn’t have to take on the world herself, and that he took care of everything that belonged to him—especially her.
* * *
Mid-morning, they pulled up in front of one of the swanky, old-money malls of Dallas. She’d heard of this place, but it was easily thirty minutes from her part of town, and she’d never had the bank account to shop here.
Gia pursed her lips. She couldn’t blame Jason for bringing her to this mall when she hadn’t been specific about which one she wanted. His condo wasn’t far from here, and to a guy, one shopping center was probably as good as the next. Hopefully, at least one store would allow her to buy a present for her dad that didn’t cost her an arm and a leg. But when they breezed in from the parking lot and the first merchant on her right was Tiffany, Gia didn’t hold much hope.
And it reminded her of the little blue box Jason had put on the bed beside the ensemble—minus panties, of course—that he’d instructed her to wear. In every other way, the outfit was classy, well-made, and fit perfectly. She’d squealed over the raspberry-colored Kate Spade bag. Even the black Jimmy Choo kitten heels were surprisingly comfortable. Since the tags had still been on everything, she’d choked at the cost. Was Jason insane? Nine hundred dollars for a Roberto Cavalli skirt? She would never have even looked at something this pricy, much less bought it. But this was his show, so she’d worn everything he’d given her, hoping like hell she didn’t spill anything and stain the garments.
Jason escorted her inside, then stopped her with a subtle grasp in front of the legendary jeweler. “Where’s your ring, Gianna? I set it out for you to wear.”
Damn. She’d known he would ask. “In my purse. I don’t think wearing the ring is such a good idea.”
“Because you don’t think you’ll be Mrs. Denning much longer?”
Gia hesitated. Everything between them was up in the air. Until she figured out whether she could stay with a man who might never say he loved her, she had to play it safe. “Because at this point we’ve only agreed to spend a few more days together. I’d hate to lose it while we’re deciding about the future.”
He didn’t look happy with her answer. “Do you dislike it?”
It was far bigger than anything she’d ever imagined someone putting on her finger. She was almost afraid to find out how much he’d spent on it. Every minute she’d worn it last year, she’d checked to make sure the center stone hadn’t somehow popped out or that the ring hadn’t slipped off her finger.
“If you don’t like it, I’ll get you something else.” He looked toward Tiffany & Co.
“That’s not it. I just…” How did she put this into words? “The conversation we had this morning disturbed me. The point of marriage and family is love. Desire isn’t enough.”
“Do you really mean to give up on us because I won’t say three silly words? Other than that one conversation, we’re getting along perfectly. I’ve enjoyed this time with you more than I can express. Until this morning, I believed you felt the same. Am I wrong?”
Lying wouldn’t solve anything. “No.”
“Good. Having a realistic view of marriage in no way negates the fact that I care about you. You’re not just a trophy or a body to me. I believe we can have a good life together. I’ve got nothing against roses and champagne. I’m happy to buy you all the lace you want. I’m too direct to ever compare your eyes to stars or whatever romantic drivel people spout. Beyond that, no two people should have their world revolve entirely around the other.”
“None of that is love.” Was he really that clueless? Where did he get these notions? She had a suspicion… “You know, we never talked about your parents. Tell me about them.”
“Let me put your wedding ring on your finger and I will.” When she opened her mouth to object, he shushed her. “If you lose it, it’s insured. I’ll replace it. Any other objections?”
At the moment? “No.”
In truth, the ring was beautiful, but it was dangerous to entertain the fantasy they were a loving husband and wife out together for a relaxing afternoon before they returned home to cuddle on the couch to watch TV or make love.
“So what’s the problem? Do you want to avoid wearing my ring more than you want to hear about my parents?”
With his tight jaw and down-slashing brows, he turned away angrily. But when Gia curled a hand around his elbow and nudged him to face her, he looked more hurt than anything. Her resistance melted.
“I do want to hear.” Gia dug into her purse and laid the cheerful blue box in her palm.
Jason’s big fingers curled around hers, her ring sandwiched between them. When they touched, the electric contact gave her a jolt. He curled his other hand around her neck and cradled her head. God, she always got so lost in his eyes…
During their year apart, she’d often had dreams about him. No matter what happened during those episodes, when she woke, it was his eyes that haunted her. But she loved so much more about Jason.
His sophisticated precision and the relentless way he attacked life had always fascinated her, yes. He cut through the BS and simply said what others only dared to think. Once he’d zeroed in on her, he’d quickly snagged her attention and conquered her heart. Since then, he hadn’t let go. Gia thought she had, but now she wasn’t so sure.
“Baby…” he murmured as he bent to brush a kiss over her lips.
Gia closed her eyes, soaked Jason in, and opened to him. With something between a sigh and a groan, he took her mouth, plunging deep, his grip tightening on her. He took her breath as he stole her heart all over again.
