A Gentleman’s Offer by Dara Girard Read Free Book Online Page A

he’d sketched awhile, he tossed the pad aside and walked over to the enormous bay window in the living room and started to count the stars. He quickly grew bored and then tried counting the kitchen tiles, but sleep still remained elusive. He looked at the clock. It was three o’clock in the morning.
    In a few days he’d be meeting with Yvette at three. Three in the afternoon. The thought of her brought an unconscious smile to his face. Kim would have liked her. But the thought of Kim erased his smile. He hadn’t come to Detroit to think about her, his father or his life back East. He was here not to think. For once in his life he didn’t want to owe anyone anything, or be what someone needed him to be. And at last he was getting a chance to be ordinary, if only for four weeks.
    Nate welcomed the change. For an entire month his life would be his own. While Yvette took center stage, he could disappear in the background. Instinctively he knew Yvette would fill the role well. She had the face for it. And the legs. God, what a pair of legs…and that figure. Too bad he hadn’t met her a few years ago. They could have had fun. But he was a different man now. A man with secrets and a heartache that seemed to grow every day. But he was determined to still enjoy himself. He hoped Yvette liked wearing skirts. He would enjoy watching her in them. But he had decided early that it would definitely be a look—don’t touch—relationship. He had too much to deal with already and he didn’t want any messy entanglements. He’d had enough of those. But Yvette would be a nice diversion. A very nice diversion.
    Nate lay back on the couch, keeping all the lights on, hoping pleasant thoughts would erase unpleasant ones, but the moment he slipped back into sleep the nightmare returned.
     
    Yvette slept well that Friday night. It was the next day that proved to be a nightmare. It started with learning that James was allergic to her favorite perfume. He sneezed and sneezed until she was forced to bathe and remove the scent. Then, after going grocery shopping and doing some light housecleaning, she’d received a call from Arthur reminding her of their date. She’d forgotten and had to scramble out of her street clothes into something suitable.
    “You are going to behave yourself,” she told James. “If I come home and find one item damaged then you’re going straight to the shelter no matter what Greg says.”
    James only looked at her, wagging his tail.
    When the doorbell rang, Yvette pointed at him. “Be good.” She opened the door. Arthur stood smiling at her and handed her a bouquet.
    “You look great,” he said.
    When he stepped in, James growled. Arthur took a quick step back. “I didn’t know you had a dog.”
    “It’s temporary.”
    When Arthur made a move forward James’s growl grew louder.
    Yvette pointed at him. “Stop that.”
    “I’ll just wait out here,” Arthur said.
    “Okay.” Yvette put the bouquet in a vase then knelt in front of James. “I don’t know what’s wrong with you today, but I’ll be okay.” She stood and went to the door, but James raced in front of her and stood there.
    “Don’t try to make me feel guilty for leaving you.”
    He didn’t move.
    She bent down and patted him on the head. “I won’t be gone long. I promise. I may even bring you back something special. Now move.” She pointed to the couch. James stared at her, hung his head and then walked slowly over to the couch. She watched him, feeling guilty, and wondered if something could be wrong.
    Arthur knocked on the door. “Are you almost done?”
    “Yes, I’m coming.” She took one last look at James then left.
    The party was lively by the time they entered and there was a lot of ribbing as Arthur proudly showed off his date. After an hour of stares and being hit on by some of Arthur’s coworkers, including his married boss, Yvette disappeared into Arthur’s office for some peace. She turned on the lights and