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He shot her a scowl as she raised her glass of red wine for a sip and smiled at him over the rim. She was as elegantly dressed as the rest of the crowd, her blond hair swept up into a sophisticated twist. She looked so much younger than her fifty-one years, and the glint of amusement in her brown eyes told him she was enjoying herself immensely at his expense.
So much for familial support.
Gina watched his mother with open curiosity. She tucked the pad under one elbow and extended her free hand. “Gina Allen.”
“I know. Serena pointed you out just as Dean arrived.” The two shook hands as his mother offered her name. “Vanessa Baxter.”
Kissable lips curved into a genuine smile. “You set up the appointment this morning.”
“I did. But it sounds like my son screwed things up despite my recommendations.”
Gina opened her mouth, but Dean lifted his palm to halt the exchange as he faced his mother. “Mom, I’d really appreciate a moment to speak to Ms. Allen alone.” His tone was respectfully polite, but he was pretty sure she understood the warning in his eyes when hers narrowed.
“I’m sure you would.” She gave him a stern look. “Be nice.”
Gina’s laugh had the heat climbing his neck again. His mother then offered her a warm, downright welcoming smile that set off his internal warning system. That grin had baby names for her grandchildren written all over it.
“It was a pleasure to meet you,” she said to the younger woman. “I sincerely hope it’s not the last time.”
“Thank you. It was nice to meet you as well.”
As his mother moved away, Gina’s gaze met his for a brief moment, then she turned toward the painting on the wall. Dean studied her profile, his gaze skimming the elegant arch of her eyebrow, the thick sweep of her lashes, and her pert nose. For the first time, he noticed freckles sprinkled across her cheek. The shine from the bright gallery lights on her glossed lips tempted him to steal another kiss, and he wondered if she’d surrender with that throaty little moan like each time before.
Mike’s frown flashed in his mind.
He shifted his attention past her stubborn chin and noted she held her glass close to her chest once more. Only this time there was no sexy through-the-lashes glance for him, and definitely no hair twirl.
“Either say what you came to say or leave me alone,” she stated.
Realizing he wanted both the glance and the twirl sent his pulse tripping along at breakneck speed. He slipped his hands in his pockets and faced the art she focused on with such intensity. He took in the breathtaking mountain landscape full of majesty and color. The others on either side were equally stunning.
Thanks to the distraction, his heart rate settled down enough for him to say, “I came to offer you the job.”
He couldn’t really afford it, but Mike assured him he’d figure out a way to make it work. Not only was it worth it to him for the potential information source, he told Dean it wasn’t a bad idea to keep up appearances.
She angled slightly to study his profile. “You don’t even know how much I charge.”
He rocked back on one heel, keeping her visible in the corner of his eye without having to actually look at her. “Something tells me you’ll be fair.”
“I would’ve been.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Past tense?”
She lifted her chin and managed to look down her nose at him. “The thought of working for you holds absolutely no appeal.”
“But you will.”
“Oh, really?” She smiled as if his arrogant assurance amused her. “And what makes you so sure?”
“You forget…” He turned his head to meet her gaze. “I know how much you need the money.”
Color infused her cheeks, and the embarrassment that flashed in her eyes made him feel bad for attacking her dignity. Damn it all, he was no good at this, and if he stayed much longer, he would probably only make things worse.
“Listen, take the job or don’t, I don’t really care. If you want to show up for work in the morning, you know where I live.” He hooked a thumb toward the painting they’d taken turns staring at. “And I like that, so you might as well bring it with you while you’re at it.”
Chapter 7
Gina watched the infuriating man stalk from the gallery without once looking back or even taking the time to say goodbye to his sweet mother.
