Gone Country (Rough Riders #14)(50)

Afterward, being naked, tangled up with her, hearts pounding and flesh damp, he realized he didn’t want to hide this affection he felt for her. He didn’t want to hide anything from her.


Gavin kissed the small of her back. “I could stay here all damn day, but I’ve gotta go.”


She rolled over to face him, still modest enough that she’d pulled the sheets up to cover her breasts. “I saw your suitcases in the entryway before you carted me off to bed, tycoon.”


“I wanted to give you a proper good morning and goodbye.”


“Mmm. I did come two times so you got me coming and going.”


He grinned. “Love that dirty mouth. I have to go to Arizona for business for a few days.”


“What’s going on?”


“Possible land deal sale. Possible huge land deal sale.”


Rielle cocked her head. “How huge? I’m not asking for a spreadsheet, but I hear you wheeling and dealing on the phone, so I’m interested how this came to pass.” She poked him in the chest. “You always ask me for explicit details about my businesses. So I want you to know I’m interested in your professional life as well.”


“Really?”


“Yep. Your real estate tycoon-y side formed you as a man. And since I like your man form…I want to know more.”


He kissed her forehead. “Basically, I’ve been holding on to a chunk of land that’s worth a lot of money. There’s some confusion in my office as to why the potential client couldn’t get in touch with me. So I need to straighten out office snafus and hopefully cash a really big check.”


“Better than six bucks apiece for plums?”


“Let’s just say this land deal could be worth…five point eight million six dollar plums.”


Her eyes rounded. “Wow. That’s a plum sweet deal.”


He groaned at her pun. “Anyway, I can’t take Sierra.”


“No problem. You go make your bajillion dollars and I’ll crack the whip on your daughter. Not that she needs it.”


“You sure?”


“Positive. Just bring me back a suitcase full of—”


“Money?” he supplied.


Rielle elbowed him in the gut as she rolled out of bed. “I’m not interested in your money, Gavin Daniels. Bring me back a suitcase full of grapefruit and oranges. They want like four bucks a pound at the grocery store and I’m too cheap to pay it.”



He laughed.


Fifteen minutes later he stood next to his car, saying goodbye to Rielle. “Are you sure you’ll be okay staying with Sierra?”


“If you’re okay with me letting her throw a Halloween party and providing an open bar and condoms for her friends, then we’re good.”


Gavin tapped Rielle on the butt. “Not funny.”


“Relax. Vi and Charlie are getting her to and from school. She’s self-sufficient for breakfast and I cook myself supper so it’s no biggie to make extra. You’ll be gone what? Four days? She’ll be fine.”


“I’m not asking about her. I’m asking about you.” He caressed the side of her face. “Sierra can be a pain.”


“Are you trying to get me to change my mind?” Rielle said lightly. “Because I can.”


“No. I feel I’m taking advantage of you, especially after you gave me the whole, just because we’re sleeping together doesn’t mean I’m helping you parent your daughter speech.”


“I volunteered, which is different than you assuming I’ll deal with childcare in your absence.” Rielle stood on tiptoe and pecked his lips. “Go. Don’t worry.”


Gavin kissed her longer. Hotter. Then sweeter. “For the thousandth time, thank you.”


“For the thousandth time, you’re welcome. Now go, before you miss your flight.”


“I’ll see you Friday.” After Gavin climbed in his car and buckled up, Rielle tapped on the window.


“Yes?”


“Don’t get sunburned.”


Chapter Eighteen


November…


The first three days with Sierra were almost too easy. She came home from school and retreated to her room until supper. She wasn’t surly, just preoccupied with a school project.


So after Charlie dropped Sierra off Thursday, Rielle was surprised when she hung around the kitchen. In Rielle’s experience with teens, that meant Sierra had something on her mind.


No reason you can’t listen.


Sierra rested her chin on her hand. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but it’s cool that you know how to do so many things most people don’t.”


“How could I take that the wrong way?” Rielle asked, stirring the bundle of raw wool soaking in beet juice.


“Because my mom was almost…proud of being helpless. She couldn’t cook, she couldn’t sew, she couldn’t garden. She hired this Mexican woman and paid her cash to clean her house and wash her clothes.”