To Catch a Thief - By Sherryl Woods Page 0,76
found her dressed in some sort of velvety robe that covered her from her shoulders to her feet. Oddly enough, it was the sexiest thing he’d ever seen her wear.
Despite the chaos in the apartment, she had a fire blazing on the gas logs. The lights were turned down low, and she’d opened a bottle of extremely expensive wine.
“Interesting,” he said as he looked around. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were out to seduce me.” A smile came and went. “Again.”
“What if I am?”
“I’d have to ask why.”
“Because I want you to know exactly what I’m feeling, exactly what I want,” she said at once.
“Sex?”
She grinned. “That, too.”
“What else?”
“You,” she said evenly. “I want you to come back to Wyoming with me. I know it’s a lot to ask, that your law practice is here, but you were happy there, once you got used to it, anyway, and I think you love me and—”
“Yes,” he said, interrupting her.
Her eyes widened. “What?”
He grinned. “If that was a proposal, the answer is yes.”
“That easy?”
“You wanted me to be difficult?”
“Well, I did have all these very persuasive arguments I was hoping to use,” she said, moving into his arms.
He lowered his head to capture her mouth. Only after she had been thoroughly kissed, did he take a step back. “By all means,” he teased, “persuade me, but I’ve got to tell you, I’m an easy mark where you’re concerned. I have been since the beginning.”
“Not since the beginning,” she argued.
“Definitely the beginning,” he insisted. “In fact, I’ve been considering a partnership of sorts with you for some time now.”
“My experience with partnerships hasn’t been all that great,” she reminded him. “I told Tony I’d come back and work with him. I’ve known him my whole life. He would never betray me.”
“Maybe not, but this thing with you and me would be a very personal partnership,” Rafe pointed out. “No comparison.”
“Can I trust you not to run out on me?”
“Absolutely.”
“What are the terms? I want to know exactly what I’m getting into.”
“Love, honor and cherish. Now and forever. The usual.”
It sounded like a pretty decent deal. “Just one more thing. I intend to work for Tony. Eventually I’ll take over. If the place is swamped, are you going to help cook?”
“Only if the chef rewards me later.”
Gina held out her hand. “It’s a deal.”
But—typical lawyer—Rafe wasn’t satisfied until they’d sealed it with a lot more than a handshake.
Epilogue
There had never been a doubt in the world about where their wedding reception was going to be held. Tony and Francesca started planning it the day Gina and Rafe shared the news that they were getting married. Now that the day had arrived, however, Tony had barred Gina from the kitchen.
“I will do this, cara mia. You are not to worry.”
“But I could help,” Gina protested uselessly. “Besides, I’m the bride. Shouldn’t I have some say over what the cake looks like, at least?”
Tony regarded her with exaggerated indignation. “Do you not think that my Francesca knows what will please you?”
“Of course, but—”
“Go,” Tony ordered. “The wedding is in an hour. You must be beautiful.”
“Okay, okay,” she said, though she didn’t think an hour was going to make much difference. The summer heat had already frizzed her hair, and it would melt her makeup the moment it was applied.
The instant she stepped outside the restaurant, she was surrounded by the Calamity Janes. “Francesca called you, didn’t she?”
“She did,” Emma said. “She said you were getting in her way.”
“I wasn’t in her way. Tony wouldn’t even let me near the kitchen.”
“This is one meal you are not going to cook yourself,” Karen insisted. “Besides, as bridesmaids it is our duty to make sure you’re dressed and at the church on time. You don’t want to make us look bad, do you?”
Cassie was amazingly quiet as she studied Gina. “Prewedding jitters?” she asked eventually.
Gina gulped and nodded. “How did you know?”
Cassie and Karen exchanged knowing looks. “Been there, done that,” they said in unison.
“Trust us, though, you are going to be deliriously happy. Rafe will see to it.”
Gina smiled at last. “He already has.”
“Well then,” Emma said briskly. “There’s nothing to worry about, is there? Let’s get this show on the road. I have my list right here. If we follow it, we’ll stay right on schedule.”
Gina chuckled. “Wait till it’s your turn,” she warned Emma. “We are going to show you no mercy.”
“I predict this fall,” Lauren said.
“Definitely before Christmas,” Karen said.
“Oh—” Emma began.
“Go