Page 14 of Montana Born

Chapter Six

This could be it. The woman he’d been waiting for. Sully let out a breath and contemplated where to go from there.

Needing a plan, he decided to drive her home and kiss her soundly goodnight before escorting her to the door. He’d leave not allowing for the awkward pause of expecting to be invited in.

Before leaving he’d ask her out for a casual follow up date, perhaps a picnic. Hell, when was the last time he’d been on a picnic. Okay, so he’d never done that.

Something about the woman intrigued him to the point of wanting to try new things, have different experiences with her.

A buzzing got his attention and he realized that she’d left her cellphone on the table.

Sully didn’t mean to, but his eyes locked to the screen at seeing her partner’s name pop up. He leaned forward and the text message became clear.

“Nice to hear you’re not giving up on the land deal with Cole. Doing what you have to do to get the job done. Let me know...”

Sully’s blood ran cold. A lump lodged in his throat almost gagging him. The land deal was the only reason she’d accepted his invitation. Had he become so arrogant he’d read her signals all wrong? No wonder she kept steering the conversation to the property.

Before Elle had gone to the restroom, there was definitely a connection between them. Or so he’d thought.

Anger simmered to the point that when she returned he could not look her straight in the eye.

She didn’t look at the phone. Instead, she seemed nervous about having left it on the table and dropped it into her purse. “So tell me what do you like to do in your spare time?” Her genuine, warm smile almost made him falter. He wouldn’t be surprised to see her win an Oscar for the performance.

“I enjoy night activities.”

“Such as?” Her gaze didn’t lower from his.

It was time to find out how far she’d go for the land deal. Sully reached for her hand again, the softness of it made him wonder about the rest of her body.

This time he nibbled at her knuckles. “Come back to my place and find out. We can talk about my property between the sheets.”

For a second she didn’t respond. Her eyes slowly rounded and her mouth fell open.

Elle let out a soft breath and as if repelled, she snatched her hand away. When she bent to retrieve her purse Sully sat back.

Acting insulted had to be part of the act.

He wouldn’t go through with it, of course. Once she agreed to come with him, he’d call the deal off.

Producing her wallet, she pulled out five twenties and threw them on the table in front of him. “That should cover dinner.” Her voice was shaky and the gaze that met his was so full of pain, he could not respond. “Don’t contact me ever again.”

Elle stalked off while Sully could only watch as she weaved around tables, her head down.

Thankfully, there were taxis in front the restaurant. Elle rushed to one and got into the back seat shaking from head to toe. The few seconds it took to tell the cab driver her address seemed to stretch on forever. Finally they pulled away and she was able to relax back into the seat.

When tears threatened, Elle squeezed her eyes shut. How could she have allowed the thought he was not a playboy? The man expected her to repay dinner by sleeping with him. Pompous ass.

When she’d returned from the restroom, she’d noticed a change in his expression. It was as if she’d returned to a totally different man than when she’d gone. Had he actually thought she’d sleep with him to get a contract?

Of course he did. Even knowing full well he’d not change his mind.

The early butterflies in her stomach were replaced with vile and heaviness.

As soon as she arrived home, Elle rushed to the bathroom and threw up. What had been a delicious meal had turned into a revolting ball of grease in her stomach.

In the mirror, her reflection mocked. So different than when she’d gotten made up for an evening full of promise. Now her eyes were hollow, hurt radiating from them.

She moved back and studied her outfit. The dress was date conservative. Around her neck, two thin gold chains and simple hoops at her ears. Did she somehow give the vibe of being a woman who slept around?