Two of a Kind (Fool's Gold #11)(53)

“You had a good time shopping,” he said.

“It’s fun. I hope Carter likes everything we got him.”

They’d stopped by a toy store where she’d chosen a rocket that was supposed to go several hundred feet in the sky, a couple of science kits, including one that promised a working solar panel, and a book called The Encyclopedia of Immaturity. Gideon’s picks had been more electronic in nature.

“You’re handling this well,” he told her.

“It’s easier for me. He’s not my child. You, on the other hand, just had this dropped in your lap.” She paused to enjoy her use of clichés. “It’s a lot.”

Gideon sipped his iced tea. “I’m fine.”

Exactly what Carter had said that morning. She wondered if either of them were telling the truth.

“He seems like a great kid. He’s smart and mature. He has a good sense of humor.”

Gideon smiled. “Which he got from his mother.”

“Was she funny?”

“She was nice. It was a long time ago.”

“Any regrets for what you missed?” Felicia asked.

“With Ellie or Carter?”

“Either. Both.”

“No regrets. I wasn’t cut out for what she wanted.”

“Which was?”

“Same as you.” His glanced at her. “She was all about getting married and having a family. I was still pretty young and looking to make my mark. A family was only going to slow me down.”

“Did you tell her that?”

“Yeah. More than once. I’m not sure she listened.”

“From what I’ve observed, many women don’t listen when men tell them the truth. They hear what they want to hear. It’s a failing I don’t understand.” She gave what she hoped was a genuine smile. “One of many. How did you meet Ellie?”

Gideon’s mouth twisted. “Some jerkwad hit a dog with his car and kept on driving. I stopped. I could tell the back leg was broken, maybe the hips, too. I picked him up and drove to the nearest vet’s office. Ellie was fresh out of vet school. Smart, pretty. I paid for the surgery, but couldn’t take the dog. She patched him up and found him a good home. Somewhere in there, I asked her out.”

Gideon would have tempted any young woman, Felicia thought. He was strong and handsome, but more than that, he was capable. Back then he would have been more open, would have cared more easily. She wondered if their sexual chemistry had been as powerful, but found she didn’t actually want to know the answer. If it was yes, she would be hurt. If it was no, she wouldn’t believe him. How irrational. If she accepted the yes as truth, why not the no?

“Why are you smiling?” he asked.

“I’m having a female moment,” she said happily. “My thoughts make no sense.”

“Why is that a good thing?”

“It’s progress. Before long I’ll be snapping at you for no reason.”

“Lucky me.” As he spoke, he reached his hand across the table and took hers. “Thank you. For all you’re doing.”

“You’re welcome. I like Carter. You don’t have to be afraid of him.”

He started to pull back, but she tightened her grip.

“It’s not him I’m afraid of,” he admitted.

She understood that. He would be afraid of himself. Of what he was capable of. Or not capable of.

“You need to try,” she told him.

This time he broke free and rested his hand on his lap. His face muscles tightened, and all emotion fled his eyes. She’d upset him, although being a man he would say that word wasn’t correct. A human male could be pissed or angry but never upset.

“You’re also avoiding me,” she said, deciding he was unlikely to drive off without her, and she might as well say it all while he was already irritated. “If you want me out of your bed, simply say so. I can sleep in the guest room.”

A muscle twitched in his jaw. “Stay in the damn bed. I’ll join you.”

She leaned toward him and lowered her voice. “If it makes you feel any better, I won’t make any advances. I don’t want you to be afraid of me sexually.”

She hoped the outrageous statement would get some kind of response from him.

Gideon stared at her for a second, then closed his eyes. “Kill me now,” he murmured.

She held in a smile. “I didn’t mean to intimidate you.”

“You don’t.”

“Then why aren’t you sleeping with me?”

He made a noise in his throat that sounded very much like a growl. “You want me there, I’ll be there.”

She did want him there. She wanted him naked and making love with her, but under the circumstances, that might be too much. At this point, she would take what he could offer and wait for the rest.

Their situation had shifted. They were no longer dating. She was fine with that, because what they were doing was even better. They were pretending to be a family.

* * *

“FELICIA SAID I should come downstairs and—” Carter came to a stop in the center of the media room.

Gideon glanced up in time to see the teen grin as he picked up the cardboard carton.

“Xbox? You got an Xbox?”