Temptation on Ocean Drive - Jennifer Probst Page 0,10
insides. Something gleamed within the dark depths, challenging her to look further. “I’m not perfect, Bella. There are things I don’t have. Things I want so badly I can taste them.”
Confusion swamped her, along with a sudden pulsing heat between her legs. She clenched her thighs to get rid of the sensation and reminded herself this was his MO with every woman. Somehow, all his words morphed into seduction. She was positive he didn’t mean it specifically for her. Gabe just seemed to ooze sensuality naturally.
The question hovered on her lips, then fell out. “Why don’t you go after them?”
“Because it can destroy what I do have, and I’m not brave enough yet.”
She ached to ask more questions and analyze his words, but her instinct screamed danger, so she cleared her throat and refocused the conversation on safer, professional subjects. “Well, Eloise was quite pleased and said her cousin has been looking for a planner and is going to contact us. The Santa debacle ended up working out fine.”
Frustration carved out the lines of his face, as if he wasn’t ready to go back to talking about work. He took another swig of beer, and thankfully, followed her lead. “I’m sorry if I let you down. You warned me about Paul, and I thought I had it covered.”
She sighed. “Giving Paul a body search to look for hidden alcohol isn’t in the job description. I heard he was going through a rough time with his wife leaving him, so he probably succumbed to the postholiday blues.” She shrugged. “Plus, I get these weird feelings when something bad is going to happen at a wedding. I should have realized ignoring it is never a good idea.”
“You seem to have an instinct for this job. A sixth sense. Did you always want to work in the family business?”
Her mind flashed over the past. All the dreams she’d had for a future that was never meant to exist. “No. I was only focused on being a wife and mother. It wasn’t until later that I realized how lucky I was to have a place to step into. This job may not have been my original calling, but I’ve made it mine. Does that make sense?”
He smiled. “Yeah, it does. It’s one of your many talents.” When she frowned, he continued, “I noticed a long time ago that you don’t wait for opportunities or answers—you make them. Or find them. Maybe it’s part of being a single mom, because you have to rely on yourself all the time to give your daughter what’s needed.”
The words shocked her, but even more so was the pride gleaming in his eyes while he gazed at her. Where had that come from?
A sense of shame washed over her. He was wrong. She’d always been reactive in her life—not proactive. It was just the image she presented, the surface of what she hid from the world. How badly she’d craved to have Avery’s leadership skills, or Taylor’s creative talent. Instead of a badass, she was the weak one. The one who needed protecting and being taken care of because she was always worried she’d never be enough for Zoe. It was as if when Matt died, he’d taken all her confidence and the core of who she was with him.
God, how she hated it. But she didn’t know how to change, or where to start.
Suddenly, he frowned. “What’s the matter?”
He was more in tune with her than she imagined, as if he sensed every flicker of her mood before she did. She forced a smile, refusing to let him in any further. “Nothing. I appreciate the compliment, though.” She glanced at her watch. “It’s late. Probably time to call it a night.”
His gaze narrowed and he crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Back to being polite coworkers, huh? Did I hit a nerve with that comment?”
She refused to get flustered. “No, I’m just tired.”
“What are you so afraid of, Bella? That if you opened up a little, you may actually realize I can be your friend?”
“We’re friends,” she said stiffly. “For goodness’ sake, you’re part of the team. You come over for dinner. You’re close to my daughter. What else do you want?”
His jaw clenched. His hair was slightly mussed. He’d loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top button of his dress shirt, giving her a hint of dark chest hair. He was like a classic Pierce Brosnan James Bond—all sleek and sexy. Why was he being