Say Yes & The Cinderella Solution

by Lori Foster

  Breathless, she whispered, “Are we going to do a lot of…this, when you move in?”

  His brain shut down for a single heartbeat. “Aw, hell.” Reminded of his plan, he shoved himself away from her, jamming both hands into his hair. Immense frustration rode him, along with total disgust. He’d never get her to marry him if he was so easy. How did that saying go? Something about not buying the cow if the milk was free? Not that he liked comparing himself to a cow. A bull, maybe, but still…

  He forced himself to take several deep breaths and face her. She looked aroused. Her lips were a little puffy, her shirt half untucked, her cheeks flushed.

  But it was her eyes that grabbed and held his attention. They were bright and clear and filled with hot anticipation.

  “Don’t do that.” His tone was cautious, and he backed up a step. Sara slowly followed. Her gaze remained glued to his, and as he watched, wary, she licked her lips. He felt like a meal set before a starving person.

  It wasn’t an altogether unpleasant feeling. “Sara…” he warned.

  “I wasn’t complaining, Gavin, when I asked if—”

  “I know.” He held up a hand to ward her off, both physically and verbally. If she said much more, if she touched him again, if she licked her lips just one more time, he was a goner. Thankfully she stopped. He wondered how to begin, what exactly to say. He needed her to know how much he wanted her. That was an important fact she had to understand with unwavering certainty. But he also had to make her understand he wouldn’t allow her to toy with his affections. There would be no simple fling. If she wanted the beef, she had to buy the bull. Period.

  “What is it, Gavin?”

  Trying to look stern, he folded his arms behind his back and paced. “You’re just coming out of a bad relationship, Sara. People tend to react on the rebound whenever they’ve been hurt, and—”

  “How do you know?” Then her eyes narrowed. “You’re talking about your breakup with Karen, aren’t you? You said she had stopped being important to you long ago.”

  Her tone was accusing, and he flinched at his poor choice of wording. “True. Karen didn’t mean that much to me. But it was another example of a failed relationship, and I’m getting too old to keep involving myself in dead-end situations. Do you understand?”

  She nodded, the movement slow and thoughtful. “But I didn’t think you were looking for involvement anyway. And I’ve already learned all I need to know about these things. If you’re afraid I’ll get clingy, I promise I won’t. I’m not looking for happily ever after. Not anymore.”

  So. That hadn’t just been the drink talking. Having her reiterate her intentions so plainly pricked his temper. He didn’t like the idea that she planned to use him for mere sex. For mere, mind-blowing, torrid, delicious sex. God, he was an idiot. A determined idiot.

  Glaring, he said, “That’s just it. We’re both looking for different things now. And that means we should move slowly.”

  Her gaze skittered away, and she nodded. “I see.”

  Exasperated, he said, “No, you don’t. I want you, Sara. A lot. That much should be plain.”

  Lifting her shoulders in a shrug, she said, “I suppose.”

  “Dammit! You’re deliberately provoking me. No, don’t try to look innocent.” He saw her lips quirk in a small smile, then she frowned again. “Sara.” He said her name as a chastisement. “We’ll have to get together on this if it’s going to work. Do you at least agree to that much?”

  “If what will work?”

  “Me staying here. We’ll need some rules.”

  “Such as?”

  “Such as…” He gestured with his hands, indicating the two of them. “We’ll have to work on maintaining some decorum.”

  “You don’t want to kiss me anymore?”

  “Oh, yeah,” he drawled, letting his gaze linger on her mouth. “I want to kiss you. But it’ll have to stop there. We need time to get used to each other. Time to form some sort of understanding, without the past getting in the way.”

  She raised one brow, waiting for him to elaborate.

  “You’re going to have to stop making it so easy on me.”

  “Me? What about you? You’re the one who started the kissing.”

  He smiled to himself, preparing his trap. Give and take, that’s what was needed. “Yeah. But you didn’t have to go all soft and hungry on me.”

  “Hungry! I wasn’t…”

  “Yes, you were. And you made those sexy little sounds.” He stepped closer again, one finger touching her warm cheek. “I’ve kissed other women and not lost my head like that. So it must be you.” He had to bite his lip to keep from laughing, she’d gone so rigid, her frown so fierce.

  “I’m not going to let you blame me for this, Gavin! Why, you’re the one who climbed into bed with me when I was drunk!”

  “But I’m not the one who tried to crawl on top of you in the middle of the night.”

  She sucked in so much air, she choked. “I would never…!”

  Nodding, he said, “Yes, you would. You did.” Then he added in a low voice before she could get too worked up, “But I didn’t mind. Not at all.”

  “Gavin…”

  “Are you going to help me move a few of my things here today?” He threw that in just to change the subject before she could get angry enough to toss him out on his ear. Not that he’d let her toss him out, but accomplishing his goals would be easier if she didn’t want to wring his neck.

  After blinking several times, she glanced at the clock, then accepted the new topic with a vague show of relief. “I suppose I could help a little. But I have to go to the shelter this afternoon. I’m sorry, but they’re counting on me. If I’d known everything that would happen, maybe…”

  “No, that’s okay. I can manage on my own.” And without her help, there was no way he could haul his mattress and box springs down the street. Leaving the sleeping arrangements as they were suited him just fine, at least for the time being.

  “If you’re sure?”

  It was obvious to Gavin she wanted some time alone, time to sort through all he’d thrown at her over the past twelve hours. “Positive.” Then he nudged her plate at her to get her to finish eating. “It seems to me you’re a damn picky eater. That won’t do. I like to cook and I’ll expect you to be properly appreciative of my efforts.”

  Sara lifted her chin. “I think that’s one rule I won’t have a problem abiding by.”

  “Good.” He waited until she finished eating, then went to the side of her chair. Time for the next step. He could hardly wait for her reaction. Damn, but he was a genius.

  She glanced up at him, her expression alert.

  He tried to look serious. “Now, I was thinking, Sara. Maybe you ought to pick out that pet you want today. I know it’s kind of soon, but since we’ll both be living here, it shouldn’t be a big problem or an expense to keep up with one cute little animal. I’ll be glad to help out some, to look after it when you’re not around, to take it for walks every now and then. What do you think?”

  Her eyes widened, and the look of naked excitement that came over her features was worth any amount of nuisance. Gavin didn’t look forward to a puppy’s accidents, or the chore of housebreaking, but he had thought it an excellent way to start stepping in the right direction. Once she saw how supportive he could be of her pet, she’d realize he wasn’t the least bit similar to Ted. And he’d been right.

  She leaped from her seat, wrapped her arms around him and gave him a strangling hug. She talked non-stop about whether or not she wanted a large or small pet, male or female. Gavin silently congratulated himself when she rushed out the door, anxious to reach the shelter.

  He rubbed his hands together. Things were moving along just as he planned. And as Sara had once told him, he was a master planner.

  5

  SARA GLANCED AT THE HOUSE, but saw no sign of Gavin. She didn’t want him to witness her approach. Stealth wasn’t her forte, but she felt certain if sh
e could only initiate the idea of this particular animal slowly, everything would go better. No way would she give up her pet now that she had chosen. It had loved her on sight, and the feeling had been mutual. This animal was now hers. But that didn’t mean she wanted to fight about it, either.

  Her mind whirled with everything the day had brought her way. Throughout her stint at the shelter, her feet had barely touched the ground. She was truly happy. More than that, she was excited. First Gavin, and now her very own pet. And not just any old pet, she thought with satisfaction.

  Lugging the heavy box from the back seat, Sara murmured soft soothing phrases to the animal within. Jess and Lou, the couple who owned the shelter, were thrilled when she made her choice. They were also endlessly amused.

  That was nothing new, because Jess and his wife had a bizarre sense of humor, a humor that often escaped Sara. But in this instance she hadn’t been nearly as obtuse as they’d assumed. And she hadn’t minded their good-natured teasing, either, not when they’d supplied all the shots and a thorough checkup on the newly arrived animal for free.

  It had been imperative that she take the pet, because if she hadn’t, it was a certainty no one else would have.

  She’d barely gotten through her front door, huffing with the effort to carry the large box and the weight within, when she heard Gavin approaching. The second she saw his face, she set the box on the floor and stepped in front of it, plastering a bright smile on her lips. “I’m back.”

  Gavin looked her over from head to toe as if he’d missed the sight of her. “So I see.”

  His voice was soft, and Sara only blinked when he leaned close and gave her a sweet, welcoming kiss. As he started to pull away, she tilted into him and the kiss intensified.

  He seemed determined to keep her at a physical distance.

  She was determined to make him relent.

  He was in her house. He was available. She figured the least she should do, as an enterprising, healthy woman, was take advantage of the opportunity presented to her.

  It was amazing the effect he had on her, she thought, deliberately wrapping herself closer. She hadn’t known feelings like these existed until Gavin decided to move in. And since, she’d suffered constant frustration. If he didn’t give in soon, she’d go crazy from unrequited lust. Damn his ridiculous ethics.

  His hand had just started down her back, encouraged no doubt by her soft moan, when a loud, rumbling growl erupted from the cardboard box.

  Gavin froze, his mouth still touching hers, but his eyes wide-open. “What the hell was that?”

  Uh-oh. Teatime. She winced just a bit, then whispered, “My pet?”

  His eyes flared even more and he took her shoulders, moving her aside and staring down at the box. “What did you get? A mountain lion?”

  “Well, actually…” That was as far as Sara got before the box seemed to explode and a massive streak of mangy yellow fur shot out, like a marmalade cannon blast. The huge alley cat surveyed its surroundings in a single derisive glance, swishing its badly bent tail then giving a vicious shake of its monstrous, square head. A small, lopsided pink bow hung precariously over a damaged ear, an ear that was only half there.

  Gavin’s mouth hung open. “My God.”

  The cat gave him a look filled with disdain, then strutted past, sniffing the carpet and, for the most part, ignoring the humans.

  “What the hell is that?”

  Sara forced a cheerful expression, hoping to brazen it out, but her words were too quick and nervous to hide her concern. “My pet, of course. Isn’t she beautiful? The man who dropped her off today said she was expecting.”

  “Expecting…what?”

  “Kittens!” Sara glanced at the cat, who stared back without a single blink of its large pea-green eyes. Perhaps if Gavin believed the ruse, he’d be more inclined to accept the shabby monster. Surely no compassionate person could turn away an expectant mother. “Her name is Satin.”

  Gavin sent her a skeptical, slightly horrified look, and Sara rushed on. “She’s had a few…mishaps, and being as old as she is, the shelter didn’t really hold any great hope of finding her a home. I couldn’t leave her there indefinitely, without hope, without prospects. I just couldn’t.”

  The cat chose that moment to give them both its back, walking away with a hunter’s stride and sticking its bent tail high into the air. Again, Gavin’s mouth fell open, then quickly tightened in chagrin. “Ah, Sara? That cat’s about as pregnant as I am.”

  She already knew that, but she wasn’t ready for Gavin to realize it. It was her best excuse for bringing the beast home.

  She swiveled her gaze back to him, her brows lowered in stern regard. “If you’ve gotten yourself into trouble, Gavin, don’t look at me. You said our night together was innocent enough.”

  His smirk proved he wasn’t fooled, or diverted. Walking to the cat, he said, “Come here, fella. Let’s get that hideous bow off your head.”

  To Sara’s amazement, the aloof cat halted his exit and waited in regal patience while Gavin knelt down and worked the bow free. He ignored Sara as he spoke with the cat. “Satin, is it? More like Satan, I’d say, given the looks of you. You’ve raised some hell in your days, haven’t you, boy?”

  The cat’s purr was more of a scratchy growl, and the first Sara had heard. It was clear to her the animal hadn’t led a pampered life. She’d taken one look at the poor creature and every nurturing instinct she owned had kicked in. The farmer who’d brought the cat in had hoped to escape the shelter’s costs by claiming it to be a future mother. He’d dropped off the box and left again all within a matter of moments. But the second the cat had been cautiously lifted free of the cardboard confines, it was obvious he was a tom.

  That hadn’t deterred Sara. And while she’d pretended to believe the farmer’s story, she had put up with her friends’ amusement. What the heck? It had gotten the cat some pretty special treatment, and the truth was, she was almost embarrassed to admit she wanted the cat simply because he was alone and unwanted, a feeling she understood all too well.

  She felt a strong affinity to a rather homely, bedraggled animal. And that wasn’t something she wanted to explain, even to her friends.

  Gavin stood again and faced her. “Have you had this animal checked? He looks like he could be carrying any number of diseases.”

  The cat rolled on the carpet, stretching and luxuriating in his freedom from the bow. Everywhere his big body touched, a patch of dull yellow cat hair remained. He desperately needed a good brushing.

  “Jess is a vet, and he checked her…ah him, over. Other than a few scrapes—”

  “And missing body parts.”

  Sara nodded. “Yes. Other than the missing ear, he’s healthy. His tail is bent for good and his voice box is damaged, I’m afraid. There’s nothing we can do about that. But I have vitamins for him, and a good cat food that should put some shine back in his fur and—”

  Sara was cut off as the cat decided he wanted more of Gavin’s attention and made a sudden, smooth lunge into his arms. Gavin had no choice but to catch the weight, which was considerable, Sara knew. He staggered, cursed, then reluctantly held the beast. There was a look of distaste on Gavin’s face, but still, he scratched the cat’s head with his free hand.

  Amazed at the cat’s show of affection, Sara laughed. “Oh, Gavin, isn’t that sweet? He likes you.”

  “Yeah. Sweet.” Gavin grimaced as the cat began to purr again, all but drowning out any attempt at normal conversation.

  Satisfaction filled her, and Sara nodded in approval of Gavin’s attempt to treat the animal with kindness. “I think he feels indebted because you knew he was a male.”

  “Uh-huh. Right.”

  “Don’t look at me like I’m screwy. It was obvious he didn’t like that pink bow.”

  “We men feel strongly about that sort of thing.”

  “Wearing bows?”

  “No. Having our masculinity questioned.”

  “Ah.�
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  “Sara? Did you really believe this beast to be a…”

  Before he could finish his question, she had the front door open and headed out. “I have a lot of stuff in the car yet. A litter box, a bed, the food. Will you keep an eye on Satin while I bring everything in?”

  “Satin, hell. At least forget that name, will you?”

  Chancing a glance at his face, Sara saw Gavin was resigned. She sighed in relief. “What should we call him?”

  Looking at the cat as he considered her question, Gavin finally said, “With that vicious purr, Satan suits him well enough.”

  “He does look like the very devil.”

  To Sara’s surprise, Gavin became defensive of the cat. “Just because he’s not some prissy feline shouldn’t matter. He’s a good mouser, I bet.” Then he added, “I had a cat like him when I was a kid. He’d go out every so often and either come home the strutting victor of a romantic rendezvous, or a bedraggled soldier from battle. Either way, there was always a female involved somehow.” The cat rubbed his large head against Gavin’s chest in agreement, leaving a blotch of fur behind.

  “Well,” Sara said on her way to the car, “his nights on the town will soon be curtailed. I’m going to have him neutered.”

  The cat gave a loud hiss and Sara looked back to see him racing down the hall. Gavin scowled at her, then went after the cat, calling in soft sympathy, “Here, kitty, kitty, kitty…”

  Everything was working out, Sara thought. Only two days ago, she was alone, without a single soul who cared. Now she had Gavin—no matter how temporary that arrangement might be—and she had a wonderful new pet. Not only that, the two males had bonded already.

  Now, she thought, feeling lighthearted and happy and half-silly, the only thing missing in her life was lawn furniture, and it no longer seemed so important.

  GAVIN LOOKED DOWN at the cat twined around his bare ankles. “At least you enjoyed my dinner.” He knew today had to make an impact; it was the first day of their “relationship.” So he’d made, in his humble opinion, a stupendous dinner, topped by a killer dessert. Sara had eaten a fair portion, had even complimented him on his efforts, but other than that, her attention wasn’t where he wanted it to be—on him.