“There she is.I wondered how long it would take your curiosity.”
She lost the ability to talk for a moment.“What are you doing?”
“I’m talking to my woman,” Gideon said.
Jessica almost snorted.“How did you get a phone to my room?”
“I had it delivered and wanted it where you would see it quickly.”
“Okay, now tell me why?Aren’t you on a date with my sister?”
A growl came through the phone, and instead of scaring her, it made her body crave his even more.
“I’m telling you right now, mate.If you ever say that kind of thing again, you’ll regret it.”
“Oh, really.”She smiled.If he thought he was frightening her, he was wrong.“And what’s with the mate thing?”
“I know it’s different, and you’ll understand in good time.But for now, just know you’re mine...”
“Whoa.I haven’t agreed to anything.”
“You’re really pushing it, mate.”
She almost rolled her eyes.“Listen, Gideon, I don’t know anything about you, and my sister is determined to have you.”
“No, she just wants me because I don’t want her, and she knows I’m attracted to you.”
Jessica guessed that, too.But it didn’t help the problems she’d have if she ignored her sister.She would never hear the end of it from her father.
“I know that, Gideon.I’m afraid to rock the boat.You have no idea how hard they can make my life.”She wanted to add that she hated it.
“Why are you living there then?”he asked.
That was a good question, and she’d asked herself that a lot.It’s not that she needed money.She had more than her father.She smiled.If he ever found out, he’d have a conniption fit.
“I guess it’s just easy.I’ve lived here my whole life, and I have my garden here.I guess it’s just easier staying than it is leaving.”
“You did the whole garden?”
“Yes,” she said.“It’s a passion of mine.”
“It’s beautiful.If you lived at my house, you’d have acres of land in the back for whatever you want.It’s very plain right now.Just pathways and bushes.”
She sputtered and then laughed.“We haven’t even been on a date, and you’re talking about me living there?”
“Yes.If I had my way, you’d be here now.”
A shiver raced down her spine at the deep timbre of his voice.“Give me time.”As much as she wanted the same thing, she needed to do it the smart way.It wouldn’t take much for her family to cut her out of their lives.Eventually, she wouldn’t give a damn, but not right then.
“I have to talk to you about something, but I want to do it in person,” Gideon said.“Where and when can we meet?”
She thought about it for a moment.“There’s a coffee shop on Timberlake Street.I can be there tomorrow at 10:00.Will that work for you?”
“I’ll see you then,” he said and hung up.
She got back to work but couldn’t concentrate because he was filling her head.She’d take one day at a time and see what happened.
