by Cindy Kirk
Gabi shot him a look telling him she knew full well that was a gross exaggeration. She’d been around him enough to see that while he liked desserts, he didn’t overindulge.
“I read somewhere once that you get one hundred percent satisfaction from the first bite of something.” Gabi kept her tone casual, hoping she didn’t sound as though she was preaching. “When I’m tempted to eat too much I tell myself one bite is all I need. A bonus is fewer calories and minimal artery-clogging fat.”
His gaze slid sideways. “You certainly don’t have to worry about extra weight.”
“Best to be proactive.” Then, realizing how prim that sounded, she flashed a smile. “I bet you’re sorry now that you didn’t bring me candy. I’d have one bite and the rest would have been yours.”
Jude snapped his fingers, shook his head. “Blew that one.”
They exchanged a smile. Time seemed to stretch and extend. He took her hand. It was as if they were two young lovers out for an evening stroll without a care in the world.
“That wasn’t even two blocks.” A hint of regret filled her voice when the elaborate hand-painted sign came into view.
The Garden sat smack in the middle of a block of cute little shops. Couples dressed for a special evening lingered on the outside sidewalk. Gabi wondered if they’d have to wait, but when Jude gave the hostess his name, they were immediately escorted to a table.
“The power of a reservation,” Jude quipped as he pulled out her chair with a flourish. The small zebrawood table by the window was adorned with a bud vase holding a deep red rose and sprigs of baby’s breath.
“This is very nice.” Gabi let her eyes linger on the interior of the trendy bistro. She admired the stained glass windows, the copper ceiling tiles and vintage Art Nouveau French crystal chandelier in the entryway.
She pulled her gaze from the cut-glass crystals. “I’m surprised you were able to get a reservation here on such short notice.”
“Actually I called several weeks ago, not long after we first met.” He took a seat opposite her. “I figured if you didn’t want to come here, I’d cancel.”
She picked up the menu. “Or ask someone else.”
“Why would I do that? The only woman I want to spend time with is you.” He appeared genuinely perplexed.
She started to chuckle, then realized he was serious. The knowledge alternately pleased and terrified her.
“Well, I appreciate the invitation.” She politely took the wine list the waiter handed her, though she had no intention of drinking. “Especially since I discovered green Jell-O was on the rehab center menu tonight, not red.”
“Yes, but they are showing Live Free or Die Hard.”
“Sacrifices had to be made.” Gabi tried to stay serious but ended up making a face, drawing a laugh from him.
Jude reached over and took her hand. “Seriously, thank you for spending the evening with me.”
She lost herself in his clear blue eyes. Finally, reluctantly, she slipped her hand from his and focused on the menu. “What’s good here?”
“From what I’ve heard—” Jude opened his menu “—you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.”
After some serious flip-flopping—because everything sounded enticing—Jude ordered a steak and Gabi selected the teriyaki salmon.
The waiter took their menus then discreetly returned several minutes later with their drinks. As Gabi smiled at the server, her gaze was drawn to a young couple at a nearby table.
“Look to your right,” she said in a tone barely above a whisper. “Five bucks says it’s their first date.”
Jude leaned back in his chair and casually cast a sideways glance. A slow smile spread over his lips at the sight of the early-twenty-something young man sitting rigidly straight, Adam’s apple bobbing, while the woman across from him with the too-bright eyes laughed nervously.
“Ah.” Jude’s eyes held sympathy. “The getting acquainted phase. Glad we’re past that point.”
“I disagree.” Gabi lifted her glass of club soda. “There’s still so much about each other we don’t know.”
“Well, I’m an open book.” Jude grinned. “So, Miss Mysterious, tell me something I don’t know about you.”
I’ve had a heart transplant.
For a moment Gabi feared she’d spoken aloud. But when Jude reached across the table and took her hand, smiling encouragingly, she released her breath.
“C’mon, Gabi,” he prompted. “One little-known fact.”
She opened her mouth, fully prepared to tell him she only liked books with happy endings.
“I’m strong,” she said instead. “I have this inner strength. I firmly believe I have it in me to handle whatever life throws my way.”
“Confidence is such an appealing character trait.” Jude caressed her palm with his thumb. “And so incredibly sexy.”
Gabi’s heart thumped. “You think everything is sexy.”
His gaze caught hers and held. “Everything that concerns you, anyway.”
Though she changed the subject and kept it light until their meals arrived, the air between them sizzled. Gabi’s gaze kept returning to Jude. Each time their eyes met, the temperature in the room jumped thirty degrees. She was in the midst of one of those spikes of heat when the jarring sound of a tinny calypso beat broke the spell.
“Sorry.” Gabi huffed out a breath. “Incoming text.”
She reached into her purse, pulled out her phone and quickly read the message.
“Is everything okay?” Concern filled Jude’s eyes.
“I told my father you were taking me out for dinner, so I’m surprised he—” Gabi paused. “On second thought, I’m not surprised. He knew very well he’d be interrupting—”
She handed the phone to Jude. “With a totally unimportant update.”
Jude scanned the text, handed back the phone, smiled. “Sounds as if he’s having a good evening. It was nice of Sawyer and Laurel to stop by to see him.”
Gabi savored a bite of asparagus seasoned with basil and rosemary and tamped down her irritation. She would not let her father’s meddling affect the evening. “I don’t know if you realize it but the Mendozas and the Red Rock Fortunes have been close for generations.”
“Really?”
Gabi continued to nibble on the asparagus. Nodded. “There have been three marriages between the families.”
An amused smile hovered on the edges of Jude’s lips. “Sounds like someone has done her research.”
“Actually, my father was in an extremely talkative mood one morning—” Gabi stopped, realizing she’d once again brought her father into the conversation. Pretty soon, Jude would be suggesting they drive to Lubbock and visit him.
“Your dad always seems to have something to say.”
Gabi grinned good-naturedly. “Here’s what I know.” She lifted a hand and raised one finger. “Roberto Mendoza is married to Frannie Fortune.”
Jude’s fork stopped just short of his mouth. He thought for a moment then nodded. “Okay.”
Another finger popped up. “Roberto’s cousin Isabel is married to J. R. Fortune.”
Jude took a bite of baked potato, chewed, swallowed.
“Hmm” was all he said.
“Lastly.” Gabi raised a third finger. “Wendy Fortune is married to Marcos Mendoza. This adds up to three marriages between the two families.”
“Well done.” Jude lifted his glass of wine in a type of salute. “I believe you know more about the Fortune family than I do.”
Something in his tone caught her interest. While he appeared to get on well with his cousin Sawyer, Jude rarely spoke of his connection with the Fortunes of Red Rock. In fact, she realized he rarely mentioned that branch of his family at all.
This was one area
where Jude wasn’t an open book. “I’ve never asked how you feel about being a Fortune.”
Jude placed his wineglass on the table and shrugged. “It’s simply a name. But family means a lot to my mom. That’s why I went along with her request to take the Fortune name. Carrying it doesn’t change a thing. I’m the same person I’ve always been—Deke Jones’s son.”
“Your father is a great guy.” Gabi toyed with her fork. “It takes a special man to agree to let his children bear the Fortune name.”
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, my dad would do anything for my mom.” Jude’s tone was matter-of-fact.
Gabi thought of her own parents. “My father was equally devoted to my mother.”
Dear God, had she really brought up her father again?
“Was it hard for Orlando to leave Miami?”
“In some ways this was like coming home for him. Remember, he lived in Texas until he was ten. My brothers and I were sad to see him move, but we believed the change of pace and the chance to be more involved with flying would be good for him.” Gabi’s fingers tightened around her fork. “None of us could have predicted his move would result in a near-death experience.”
She blinked away sudden tears.
Jude said nothing, only reached over and gave her hand a squeeze.
“The accident only reinforced that life is precious,” she murmured, almost to herself. “We need to savor every moment.”
That’s what she’d do tonight, Gabi promised herself. She’d enjoy every second of the time she had left with Jude.
Music smooth as warm cream filled the air. Couples rose and headed to a dance floor where cascades of shiny red foil hearts hung from the ceiling.
Jude pushed back his chair and held out his hand. “May I have this dance?”
“Since you ask so politely...” Gabi rose. When they reached the shiny wooden dance floor, Jude took her into his arms in a natural, experienced movement.
She fit perfectly against him and discovered there was something incredibly romantic about being dressed up with a real band playing in the background and shiny red hearts hanging overhead.
By the time the set ended and they returned to the table, the dishes had been cleared and the waiter appeared for their dessert order.
Gabi politely declined dessert and the waiter’s offer of a postdinner coffee. Jude ordered both.
Once they were alone again, she turned to Jude. “Did I mention I spoke with Steve earlier today?”
Jude’s blue eyes cooled. “I don’t believe you did.”
Gabi took a sip of water. “He called when I was getting ready for tonight. He said The Garden was an excellent choice for dinner.”
“Glad to have his approval.” Jude gave a sardonic smile. “What did he want?”
“Apparently there’s a big animal extravaganza at the Civic Center in Lubbock on Sunday. He asked if I’d be interested in manning the shelter’s booth in the afternoon. There will be several adoptable dogs in the booth with me.”
Jude toyed with the stem of his wineglass. “What did you tell him?”
“I said yes, we’d be interested.” She offered Jude a slow smile. “Not inviting you was, I’m sure, a simple oversight on his part. After all, we are going steady....”
The lines between Jude’s brows that had appeared at the mention of Steve’s name eased. He grinned.
Before Jude could say anything, the waiter returned to set up a mini dessert station tableside. Gabi watched him expertly combine then cook brown sugar, cinnamon, butter and banana liqueur in a small pan over a medium flame. Bananas were added and once the waiter appeared satisfied they were properly tender, dark rum was added to the pan and ignited. The mixture was served over a scoop of ice cream.
“It looks delicious.” Gabi smiled at the waiter when he placed the dessert in front of Jude.
Though she’d insisted she didn’t want any dessert, Jude dipped a second spoon into the dish and handed it to her. “The first bite is yours.”
Gabi didn’t argue. She shut her eyes and let herself savor the perfect blending of flavors. When she opened her eyes, she found Jude staring.
She licked the last traces of sugar off her lips with the tip of her tongue. “It’s superb. You’re going to love it.”
With his eyes firmly fixed on her, Jude took a bite. “It is good.”
He dipped his spoon into the dish then held it out to her.
She stared longingly but shook her head.
“You’re right. This isn’t what I’m hungry for, either.” He lowered the spoon, stared into her eyes. “I want to make love with you, Gabi.”
Her heart began to pound as the desire for him that she’d kept under tight control rose inside her like a tidal wave. Gabi held out a hand and let him draw her to her feet.
For tonight, he would be hers.
Chapter Twelve
The short drive to Horseback Hollow seemed to take an eternity. In the truck, Gabi sizzled with pent-up need and intense desire for the man beside her.
To distract herself, she attempted to make conversation, asking about the lights twinkling in the distance.
“There’s a lot of building going on around Vicker’s Corners,” Jude explained. “New condominiums and luxury homes, designed to lure those who want country quiet but also to be near their jobs in Lubbock.”
While he spoke, he took her hand, caressing the palm with his thumb. When silence fell again and the simmering heat in the truck reached low boil, he brought her fingers to his lips and kissed her knuckles. The warm, moist touch of his mouth against her skin had sensation licking up her arm, down her breasts and on down to pool between her thighs.
“I wish we were there now.” Gabi squirmed in her seat as her blood beat a primal rhythm.
He slanted a sideways glance. “Things might progress more quickly once we get to the ranch, if we do some preplanning.”
The tone of his voice implied what he had in mind was something she might really like.
Gabi didn’t need to feign interest. “What did you have in mind?”
“For starters, shedding some clothes.” The boyish smile he shot her held a roguish edge. “I’d gladly participate but I have to drive.”
He wore her favorite cologne and, in the close confines of the truck cab, she could smell something else; soap and that indefinable warm male scent that made her want to throw herself at him and agree to anything he asked. “What are you suggesting I take off?”
“Your dress. Or a piece of underwear,” he said with an innocent expression. “Completely up to you.”
“I prefer not to get arrested for indecent exposure,” she said in a haughty tone that somehow managed to sound provocative.
“Appears the choice is clear.”
Gabi liked teasing with him about such things, liked the shivering, sliding feeling that ran down her spine. She liked the way her blood hummed at the mere thought of removing her panties while he sat behind the wheel less than two feet from her. Of course she wasn’t going to take off her underwear. Though the thought was intriguing....
“I had a friend during my freshman year in college who used to leave off her underwear when going on a date. She said it made her feel sexy.” Gabi gave a throaty laugh. “I thought she was crazy.”
“Did you try it?”
“I never did.” That had been shortly before she’d caught the virus. Her boyfriend had vanished, and it had been a long time before Gabi thought of anything other than doctor visits and antirejection regimens.
“Perhaps it’s time to be adventurous and give it a try.” His eyes looked as dark as hers in the dim light, his words practically daring her to step off the safe shores of what she’d always known into a place where she could be over her head in seconds.
Gabi’s heart stuttered. She liked to think of herself as the adventurous sort. Besides, if she did as he suggested, it wasn’t as if he—or anyone else—could see there wasn’t anything beneath her dress but bare skin.
Telling herself not to overthink, Gabi turned in her seat and wiggled out of the silky panties, giving Jude a flash of her upper thigh.
She dangled the black satin-and-lace thong between two fingers, waving them the way a bullfighter might toss a cape. “Voilà.”
In an instant, Jude had snagged the tiny scrap of fabric from her hand, rolled down the window and her pretty underwear disappeared into the night.
“Hey.” Her voice took on a clip of annoyance. “I liked those.”
His smile was smug and unrepentant. “I’ll buy you more.”
The thought of Jude Fortune Jones walking into Victoria’s Secret in cowboy boots and hat to buy lingerie had her irritation melting away. She chuckled. “I’m going to hold you to that promise.”
“Darlin’,” he said in a sexy drawl that wrapped itself around her spine and caused an inward shudder. “I wouldn’t expect less.”
For a moment they sat silently. Gabi made a great show of straightening her dress. She smiled at Jude. “I don’t feel any different going commando.”
The use of the phrase seemed to make him smile. He lifted a brow and shot her a look that clearly questioned her veracity.
Well, perhaps she did feel a teeny-weeny bit wicked. And, when he looked at her with that heat in his eyes, the knowledge that she was naked beneath the dress did cause some different and interesting sensations to course through her body. “Okay, a little different.”
His smile widened.
By the time they reached his ranch, Gabi understood her college friend a whole lot better.
Of course Jude had only continued to fan the flames smoldering inside her. Every topic they discussed could have or did have something to do with sex.
