Gabby Revealed (Finding Perfect) by Amy Gregory Read Free Book Online Page A

pre-arranged. With an estranged mother, his adult life was clean, compartmentalized, and revolved around his work. His love life consisted of a date here or there, but no deep relationships. Those would take him away from his passion—books.
    Making his way around her exposed brick walls, he took in the wood shelves, the spines of the books all neatly arranged and packed tightly. There were lots of pictures. Her life told without words, some in frames, some leaned against the books. But nowhere, on any one of the shelves did he find what he was looking for. He hadn’t meant to be nosy. But she wasn’t talking to him still, and Shane couldn’t help it. He wanted to see her work.
    He had a copy of each and every one of her books. Not in his office, but at his home. Gabby though, did not. Nowhere could he find a piece of her that he knew, the side of her he was so proud of.
    “Blow that out please.” He spun, starring at her. She pointed to the coffee table. “The candle, Shane. Can you blow it out so we can leave?”
    Her anger had dissipated. She was still on her side of the room, leaning against the counter, but her shoulders weren’t set in her stubborn Gabby James attitude, her voice wasn’t as strong as he was used to. She was on to him. As he was her.
    “Why?”
    “Why what?” She crossed her arms over her chest, but her jaw didn’t clench like before. Her blue eyes, as beautiful as they were, almost appeared sad.
    She knew his question , but was going to make him ask it. So he did. Shane had to know. “Where are your books?”
    “On the shelves ,” she smarted back. Rolling her eyes, she pushed off the counter and busied herself with the already packed dinner.
    “I don’t mean these”—he waved a dismissive hand around her home—“ I mean your books, Gabby. Your books, the ones you write. The ones I get published by the largest house in New York. The ones who’ve made you a household name. Where are your books?”
    “I knew what you meant , smartass.”
    “I know you did , darling.”
    “I’m not—”
    “Stop,” Shane interrupted her. She stalled in her mock packing and her chin dipped. “Gabby. Don’t fight me. I won’t let you hide from me.”
    “You don’t know me, Shane. You know jack shit about me. You don’t get to tell me what I can or can’t do. I don’t owe you any explanations. You just show up in my place, you don’t ask, you don’t warn—”
    Shane crossed the room in less than twenty paces. There was no premeditation, no plan, no thinking. He grabbed her upper arms, the sleeves of her T-shirt soft under his palms, her skin warm to his touch. Gabby’s eyes widened, her argument stilled as she blinked. Pulling her to him, he pressed his lips to hers.
    Gabby was stiff in his hold, but Shane was unrelenting. It was his lower half controlling him now, willing him to beg for more. “Gabby ,” he whispered against her lips right before the tip of his tongue swept lightly over her satin-soft lower lip. She surrendered to him, parting for him, and he took over. Pulling her thin body against his, his tongue memorized her mouth, afraid he may never get another chance. It was as if the last few years had built up, the wanting for a woman who wouldn’t have him took over. Shane poured every part of him into that kiss, running his hands over her, holding her close, afraid of the moment it ended.
    Reality hit him, as well has her open palms against his chest as she pushed off of him.
    “What in the hell was that?” she asked, wiping her forearm over her mouth.
    Shane wasn’t stupid . She was wide-eyed and panting. For a small piece of time, she’d been all-in with him. She’d kissed him back with as much passion as he tried to show her. She couldn’t deny it. And he wouldn’t let her.
    “Gabby, for years I’ve worked overtime at a job I love. And one day I got a file thrown on my desk with a manuscript. On top a bright yellow sticky note said “read-this.” I didn’t