Hightower Affairs 2: Bedding the Secret Heiress by Emilie Rose Read Free Book Online

years of hard work. Loyalty to his friend wouldn’t allow it.
     
    Lauren shifted in the passenger seat of the rental car, glanced down at her HAMC uniform and then up at the restaurant looming out of the fog.
    Not again . Why did life keep throwing men who seemed determined to prove she couldn’t fit into their world at her? It was probably a good thing her last relationship hadn’t worked out. If she’d married Whit—not that he’d asked—she would have struggled against a lifetime of being a misfit. Ditto trying to fit into the Hightower clan.
    “Can we go somewhere less…?”
    Gage glanced her way as he pulled into the valet parking lane behind three other cars. “Less what?”
    “Highfalutin. I realize you’re accustomed to placeslike this, but I’m more interested in a filling meal than swanky presentation and having to worry about which fork to use.”
    No matter what her half brother ordered she should never have agreed to have dinner with Gage. But being grounded at a small rural airport by heavy fog had limited her options. Gage hadn’t requested in-flight meals, so there hadn’t been any food stashed on board, and the airport didn’t have a restaurant. She hadn’t wanted to waste money on a taxi.
    An elegantly clad couple exited the brass-and-glass etched doors and headed for the valet stand, confirming her opinion. “I’m not dressed for this.”
    Gage inched the car forward. “What makes you think this is my kind of place?”
    She flipped a wrist, indicating his tailored suit. He still looked as GQ fresh as he had when he’d met her at the terminal sixteen hours ago in the misty morning light. “You’re buddies with Trent, which means you were probably born in a suit and carrying a silver spoon. Correction. You probably had a nanny on standby to carry it for you from the moment you took your first breath.”
    Gage’s eyes crinkled with amusement. Lauren jerked back, her breath and heart hitching in tandem. Wow . The man was seriously gorgeous when he flashed those pearly whites.
    Too bad he was taboo.
    But even if he weren’t, her life was too complicated for a relationship right now. Besides, Gage had the money thing going, and, compliments of Whit, she’d sworn off rich guys forever. Their sense of entitlement and belief that less-fortunate people had been put on this planet for their use rubbed her the wrong way. Her new family only reinforced that point.
    Gage’s smile faded. “I wasn’t born to money, Lauren. I earned everything I have. But I appreciate a good meal and superior service.”
    She searched his face in the glow of the dashboard lights. Could he possibly be telling the truth? If not, he lied flawlessly. “Your parents weren’t loaded?”
    “No.”
    “How did you go to that expensive university with Trent?”
    The broad shoulder nearest her lifted. “Scholarships, financial aid and a job.”
    He pulled up to the valet station, put the car in Park, released his seat belt and reached for the door handle.
    Lauren grabbed his arm, her fingers curling around big, firm bicep. His body heat seeped through his clothing and warmed her palm. She let go and laid her hand in her lap. “Gage, I’d feel more comfortable elsewhere.”
    He scanned her. “You look fine. No one will turn you away.”
    Dread curdled in her stomach. She wrinkled her nose and nodded to the couple climbing from the car in front of them. “Do the words little black dress, heels and pearls mean anything to you?”
    He followed her gaze, refastened his safety belt and put the car in gear. “We’ll head toward the hotel and see if we can find a restaurant on the way.”
    “That would be great. Thanks.” After two hours of waiting to take off on the runway and being turned back when the airport ceased operation, they’d both been too hungry to check in to the hotel before dinner. Her instrument rating didn’t count for beans when the airport shut down before she could get the wheels up. Smaller