Marine's Mission - Rebecca Deel Page 0,55
locked on Owen. A strong emotion filled her eyes. Heat and something else. What was it?
Maria tugged Gigi toward the center of the store.
As Owen sipped his coffee, his phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen, scanned the message, and rolled his eyes at Elliot’s text.
Thought I’d have to throw a bucket of cold water on you two.
His brothers were comedians. Jealous?
Not a chance. Women are dangerous, bro.
He snorted, unsurprised by his brother’s surly attitude. Although Owen hated sharing that private moment with Gigi, the kiss had sent the appropriate message. Hopefully, the kidnappers would believe he was distracted.
Ten minutes later, Maria led Gigi from the dressing room. “Owen, what do you think?”
His breath froze in his lungs. Oh, man. He was in trouble. The emerald green dress Gigi wore fell in perfect lines over her body, skimming her calves. She looked like a runway model. “I’ll be eating dinner with the most beautiful woman in town tonight,” he said. “Gigi, you look gorgeous. I’ll have to warn off every man in Caputo’s.” Although his words were for Maria, he spoke the truth. Gigi was breathtaking. He glanced at boutique owner. “We’ll take that dress and everything else she wants.”
Gigi’s eyes widened. “Owen!”
“Let me, G.”
“It’s too much.”
“If you wanted the moon, I’d try to get it for you. I want to do this. I missed out on so much time with you when I was in the military. Let me do this.”
A tear streaked down her cheek, sending a bolt of alarm through him. “Gigi?” Owen was on his feet in an instant. He wrapped his arms around her. “Talk to me.”
She kissed him. “These are happy tears. Just ignore me.”
“That’s like asking me not to breathe.” He relaxed and dropped a light kiss on her mouth. “Do you have other clothes to try on?”
Gigi shook her head. “I tried them all, but this was my favorite.”
“If you like the others, we’ll buy those, too.”
“I’ll take everything to the register, Gigi,” Maria said. “We’ll ring up all your choices. Owen, this is the sweetest gesture I’ve ever witnessed. Gigi is a lucky woman.”
After Gigi changed clothes, the shop owner gathered the outfits and carried them to the register. “Now, which ones did you fall in love with, dear?” she asked Gigi.
Gigi turned to him. “Are you sure, Owen?”
He bent and whispered, “I can’t wait to see you in each one of these.”
Ten minutes later, they walked from the boutique with bags in hand. After helping Gigi into the passenger seat, Owen drove toward the B & B. “I think we made Maria’s day.”
“We made her week,” Gigi said. “She got the scoop on our relationship, and she made a tidy profit. Let me help pay for the clothes. The plan didn’t include the clothes.”
He smiled. “Your plan didn’t include them. Mine did.”
“Thank you, Owen. No more, though. I don’t want to drain your finances.”
“No promises.”
She sighed. “Stubborn, much, Mr. Montgomery?”
“No question, Ms. Warren.”
“You don’t have to sound so enthusiastic,” she muttered. “Just remember. Two can play at this game.”
Owen chuckled. “I hear you, G.”
“I didn’t see your brothers.”
“Elliot watched our backs.”
“Are you sure?”
“Oh, yeah. He made a snarky remark about throwing a bucket of cold water on us following our kiss outside the shop.”
“His time is coming. I can’t wait to poke the grouchy bear when he starts dating Blair.”
Owen glanced at her. “You’re sure he’ll go after her?”
“Sparks fly when they’re in the same room together. He watches her when he thinks no one notices. Elliot is interested in Blair even if he’s not ready to admit it yet.”
His lips curved. Gigi was observant. He wondered how long Elliot would take to figure out the truth for himself, and if Blair would be patient enough to wait for his brother to man up.
At the B & B, Owen carried Gigi’s bags into her apartment, then sent Caleb a text, asking his brother to bring Owen’s black slacks and jacket plus a shirt and his loafers. He and Gigi were making a statement tonight, and Owen didn’t want to wear cargo pants and a t-shirt, especially with her wearing that breathtaking emerald dress.
Two hours later, Owen escorted Gigi to the SUV, leaving Emma and David inside the B & B. As soon as the kidnappers took the flash drive, Owen and Jackson would drive to the private airstrip outside of Archer. David had called in a favor and received permission for the Fortress jet to land there, giving the Fortress