Still Mr. And Mrs. (7 page)

Evelyn raised her brows. “I suppose I did. But that usually happens when people are caught doing something they probably shouldn’t.” She smiled and patted Rebecca’s hand.

“Things aren’t going too well, are they?”

Evelyn shrugged. “All this nasty business stuff.”

“Anything I can do to help?”

“Putting an end to this divorce would be a start. Although a real kick in Gabe’s pants would do the job much better.”

“Oh, Evelyn.” Rebecca laughed. “I meant with the negotiations. What’s the problem?”

Evelyn waved her hand in the air. “The recent drop in sales are making the talks more difficult. It bores the heck out of me. That’s why Gabriel is in there instead of me. I’m getting too old for all of that.”

“You’ll never be too old, Evelyn. Why don’t you go for a swim with me. I bought myself a suit.” She indicated the bag from Frenchy’s.

Evelyn turned Rebecca away from the library, looping their arms together.

“That sounds wonderful. Then perhaps you and I could talk about what we can do with this stubborn grandson of mine.”

“I couldn’t agree with you more,” Rebecca said and followed Evelyn up the stairs.

After being sequestered in the library for most of the afternoon, Gabe felt drained and tired.

Fox was driving a hard bargain, one that The Toy Factory needed to accept even though the board couldn’t see it yet. Their discussions—arguments, really—would continue during dinner at the Indian Springs Country Club.

Minutes after everyone left for a tennis match at the club, Gabe headed straight for the bar. He spied Evelyn making her way up the stairs, noting that she’d been outside swimming.

He pulled out two soft drinks, and walked outside to the pool.

He stood for a moment, taking a huge swallow of his drink, not surprised to find Rebecca lounging on her back on a bright yellow float, like a satisfied, pampered cat.

In fact, he’d hoped she’d be there.

“The water looks good,” he said, thinking how beautiful she was.

Rebecca smiled and stretched. She slid off the raft and glided through the shimmering water to where he stood near the edge.

“Why don’t you join me?”

“Why don’t you join me for a drink, instead?” He showed her the cold can.

Her brows lifted above her dark sunglasses. “That’s the nicest offer I’ve had all day.”

She stepped out of the pool to stand inches from him, and for the first time Gabe noticed her new bathing suit.

He took in a sharp breath of air.

The one-piece suit was emerald green and hugged every curve of her body. The back dipped low and was cut high on the hips.

Gabe took a swallow of his drink, trying to push the memories of her naked body in his arms out of his mind.

“I’d like something cold to drink. Thanks.” She took the can from him, and their fingers brushed for a second.

She walked toward a chair, giving him a closer look at how perfectly she filled the bathing suit. The sweep of her tanned back, the gentle sway of her trim hips sent a surge of arousal through him.

He walked toward her, and she turned swiftly around. The sun’s rays flashed against the fiery-red of her hair. The curls, now unbound from
her French braid, fell across her shoulders in soft waves. She removed her sunglasses and placed them on the table.

The emotion he saw in those green depths moved him. For a split second he wanted to touch her, run his hands down the curve of her spine, feel the smoothness of her skin. He wanted to grab her to him and kiss her until she was dizzy. Until she begged him to stop.

“Hard day at the office?” She raised the can to her lips and took a drink.

He took her hand in his. “Couldn’t be worse,” he whispered, more intrigued at the soft feel of her skin against his.

“Remember how I would massage your neck and shoulders when you had a tough day?”

He nodded, remembering how the touch of her skilled fingers along his tense shoulder muscles would put him in another dimension.

“It’s amazing how you always seemed to know when I needed that little extra attention to make my day easier. It’s as though you possessed some sixth sense.”

“It comes when you truly care for someone, Gabe.”

“I suppose I should have told you this when
we were married,” he said, “but I really appreciated all that you did for me. Always putting my needs before your own. Maybe it would’ve helped us if I’d acknowledged that then.”

“I could do it now for you if you want,” she offered in a soft voice.

Without waiting for his reply, she put her can of soda down and then his. She nudged him onto a lawn chair and stood behind him, gently rubbing and kneading his shoulder muscles.

“Just relax for a few minutes.” She ran her fingertips underneath the cotton of his shirt. “Forget all about those awful merger talks.”

“Why are you so good to me?” he nearly groaned as her hands manipulated his tender flesh.

Despite the heat, he shivered.

Without thinking, he grasped one of her hands.

He turned his head and their gazes locked.

She raised his hand to her lips and kissed him ever so slightly. “That’s why,” she murmured, rubbing his knuckles across her lips.

Everything around him seemed to disappear. Except her.

“Does that help?” She closed her eyes.

“Tremendously,” he replied, taking in the sweet scent of her. “It always did.”

God, how he wanted her.

He stood and pulled her to him, feeling and remembering how perfectly she fit inside the junction of his hips. He dropped his hands to her waist, squeezing softly. Then his hands roamed over her back, exploring gently, but filled with promise as a fire started to rage inside him.

A sharp emotion went through him of just how foolish he was. He knew he shouldn’t be doing this. He, who focused so much on what was right and tried to honor his obligations above all else, was taking a very destructive path. This would just lead to more heartache for both of them.

But the truth was, she had too much power over him.

Her hands went to the open collar of his shirt, her fingers touching the hair at the base of his neck.

A shot rippled up his back.

She arched her neck, and he ached to touch his lips to her skin, ached to feel everything about her.

He groaned involuntarily.

“Wasn’t there something about starting a fire?” she murmured.

“More like a raging inferno,” he whispered, knowing he should be pulling away.

“Well, set me on fire, Gabe.”

Rebecca felt as if she were falling into a bottomless pit.

Gabe’s strong hands circling her waist, caressing her back were even better than she’d remembered.

A sigh escaped her lips.

He grasped her arms in his hands and brought them close to his chest, wrapping her in his warmth.

Then he briefly touched her lips with his.

She struggled to take in a deep breath, bringing into her senses everything that was him. The soft touch of his mouth, the sweet taste of his tongue, the smell of him, clean and masculine.

She hoped the moment would continue forever.

“I dreamed about you last night,” he whispered.

She opened her eyes and focused on him, his chiseled features, his soft mouth, his dark eyes.

“I’m surprised it wasn’t a nightmare.”

He gave a deep, throaty laugh. “In fact, it’s becoming nearly impossible to stop thinking about you.”

She touched her bottom lip with the tip of her tongue, aware that his gaze followed her movements.

“What do you say we order pizza for just the two of us tonight? We can share a quiet evening, you and me. Alone.”

Without any warning at all, his demeanor changed. He squeezed her hands as he tensed.

“As tempting as that sounds, I can’t.”

Much too quickly, she felt her smile dim, and her hopes sink.

“I have a dinner meeting at the country club.”

“Tell them you’re busy,” she said matter-of-factly.

“Ah, Reb.” His voice took on that cool tone she hated. “I can’t.”

The emotion and love she’d seen in his eyes moments before were suddenly gone, replaced by
the serious look she’d seen far too many times. It was as though they’d pushed each other too far, and Gabe was the first one backing off.

Running away was more like it.

She stiffened more with hurt than anger. “Sounds like you won’t.”

He brought her hand up to his mouth. “Dammit,” he swore, pressing his lips to her open palm. “Please be reasonable.”

“I’m trying. Really I am.”

“I want this merger to go through more than you can imagine.”

“Why?”

“Because the company is slipping.”

She took in a steady breath, amazed that he actually admitted something was wrong. He’d never opened up to her about anything when they were together.

“Jonathan has made an offer that the board thinks is too low,” he continued. “This is my family’s company we’re talking about. I don’t like being forced into a corner.”

She’d learned that lesson the hard way. She’d forced him into a corner once before and now they were headed for a divorce.

“What about our agreement? The baby? We need some time to discuss it.”

“I can’t deal with this right now.” He sounded impatient. “Make an appointment with my secretary the first Monday after this whole mess is over. I promise we can discuss all the tiny details.”

“Fine, I’ll get in touch with your secretary.” She slipped her feet into her sandals and wrapped her towel around her waist.

“I’m sorry.” He grabbed her hand. “I don’t mean to act as though I don’t care about what you want. You’ve been more than generous with your time and everything else. You don’t know how much I appreciate it. But this merger has to be my first priority. You understand?”

“Maybe if you’d spent even half as much effort fighting for our marriage as you are fighting for your company, we wouldn’t be in this situation.”

She headed toward the guest house, knowing he was watching every step. She looked over her shoulder, having at least a little satisfaction in seeing that she was right. He looked about as bad as she felt.

“I hope you get what you want, Gabe,” she said, and walked into the house.

Gabe saw Reb the instant he walked into the garden room the next morning. She was sitting with Evelyn and Jonathan sharing a breakfast of eggs Benedict and fresh squeezed orange juice.

After their encounter by the pool, Reb had tried to stay out of his way, avoiding his looks and even his attempts at small talk every time they saw each other.

After morning greetings were exchanged, Gabe sat down, his gaze focused on Reb. He poured himself a cup of coffee, and waved aside the plate of eggs Hines brought him.

Every single nerve was on an all-stage alert where Reb was concerned. Every emotion that surfaced, he tried to smother. Every urge, right or wrong, he forced back down until he thought he would go crazy with it all.

He knew she was right. He had let work interfere with their relationship, but running his family’s company was what his whole life had been about. He’d worked too hard not to give it his all. Unfortunately, he hadn’t had enough left over to give their relationship the time and attention it needed. And ultimately their irresistible attraction for each other hadn’t been enough. They needed so much more to base a lifetime on.

Especially with two people as different as they were.

Gabe took a swallow of his coffee, noticing he’d let the drink go cold on him. Shoving the cup aside, he glanced across the table.

Jonathan was deep in conversation with Reb. She glanced at Gabe and then quickly back to Jonathan when he said something that made her laugh.

Gabe felt his insides contort with jealousy. Why now, of all times, just a week before their divorce would be final, would he be feeling the pangs of loss?

Jonathan turned to him. “Gabe, Rebecca’s just been telling me about the day care center she plans on opening.”

Gabe smiled in acknowledgment and tried to put on a good front.

“I’m impressed with some of the wonderful ideas she has,” Jonathan continued. “Fund-raisers, special activities for handicapped youngsters involving the community and business people. It’s a wonderful advertisement for the company. You can count on me to donate whatever sum is needed to help this worthy cause get off the ground.”

“Thank you, Jonathan,” Gabe said.

Evelyn patted Gabe’s shoulder. “I’m so happy everything is working out so well. Don’t you think?”

Gabe grunted.

Rebecca smiled brightly at Jonathan, avoiding Gabe’s eyes. “So what are the plans for today? If you’d like to sight-see, Jonathan, there are Jeep tours, or the aerial tram.”

“Sounds interesting.”

“There’s also parachute jumping,” Rebecca continued. “Now that’s a lot of fun.”

“Rebecca, dear,” Evelyn interrupted. “Let’s keep Jonathan on the ground where we need him.”

Once Hines removed the plates from the table, Evelyn leaned toward Gabe. “You should take the afternoon off, dear. You look a little tired. Are you getting enough sleep?”

“Enough to get by,” Gabe murmured before looking over at Reb. Their gazes locked and held for what seemed like an eternity.