Hot Summer Nights by Lisa Marie Perry

Author:Lisa Marie Perry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-09-25T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Gabrielle made up her mind, staring down the suitcases next to her door. She would not be having sex. Eventually she might—she hoped, at least—but it wouldn’t happen while she was on a working weekend in Storey Springs, California. She couldn’t be more prepared to meet Geoffrey’s guests. Excitement mingled with nervousness, and the more she repeated in her head that this was strictly a business trip, the more she didn’t believe it.

The brand new undies she’d packed despite the celibacy vow she’d made to herself was proof.

Just as she impulsively grabbed one of her bags to take out the undies and leave them in the condo, the bell rang. A pair of panties in hand, she hurried to the door.

Stu came in, shrinking the place with his big lumberjack build. His hair was freshly highlighted and he appraised her critically through those classically Stu, thick fuchsia frames. “I’m about to start my shift at the restaurant and thought I’d say bon voyage first, Chef Royce.” He frowned at the underwear in her hand. “What are those?”

“Women’s undies.”

“Lord, I know what they are. I mean to say, what are you doing running around with them?”

“I’m changing my underwear. The underwear I packed for this trip. The luggage is full of sexy panties and stuff, and this trip isn’t about that.”

Stu rubbed his forehead. “Does it matter what kind of underwear you’re packing? Who’s going to see it?”

“That’s the problem.”

“How so? Oh, because you’re wanting the host with the most to see your vixen panties.”

Gabrielle nodded. “That’s kind of it exactly.”

“Put the underwear back in your suitcase and let’s go. Pretty soon you’re going to talk yourself out of the whole damn thing and I was planning to tear up the streets without you being all lonely and sad and sex-deprived and making me feel guilty about it.”

“You saying I drag you down, Chef Merritt?”

“I’m saying that for the past couple of weeks, I’ve been more concerned about finding you a man than finding myself one. No me gusto.”

As Gabrielle locked up behind her and walked with Stu to the parking garage, she said, “The trip was going to happen, despite the underwear drama. I’m just having trouble keeping things in check.”

“You’re so effing adorable like this, Gabby. You’re like the way you were when he first came into the kitchen at the Pearl and pissed you off. But now there’s more. You look gratified. Like you won the lottery jackpot or had great sex. Did you gamble?”

Getting involved with Geoffrey was a gamble with higher stakes than she could afford to risk. “No.”

Stu turned to her. “Chef Royce, did you have sex?”

“No. But we kissed.”

“You kissed? When and why am I just now hearing about it?”

“I don’t have time to get into the particulars, but it was good and unfortunately can’t happen again.”

“Why not? Isn’t he what you want? Besides the sexual pull, there’s something more to you and Geoffrey, isn’t there?” he asked gently. “How will I do my duty as a helpful friend if you won’t let me? Talk.

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