By Luck Page 5

  Morgan smiled at Gideon slightly, and shook Shannon’s hand. “It’s wonderful to meet you both. Looks like we’ll be neighbors for the day.”

  Shannon dropped Morgan’s, hand silently vowing to figure out a way to never wash it again. She nodded in agreement and muttered quietly. “Well, I’m a huge fan, and I was wondering if it would be possible to get an autograph before things get crazy?” She trailed off so much at the end that she could barely understand herself. She was mortified. Her face was hot, and she felt like she would pass out right at the woman’s feet.

  She felt Gideon come up behind her. He reached around Shannon, offering his hand to Morgan as he leaned Shannon’s back against his front. “You’ll have to excuse Ms. Potter. This is her first event, and I’m afraid she didn’t eat this morning because of her nerves.” They were both silent for a moment, and Shannon saw a huge grin cross Morgan’s face.

  “Understandable, Mr. Rees.”

  Shannon watched as Morgan’s eyes started to change. Their firm dark brown began to swirl and melt. Shannon almost laughed. Gideon could charm anyone into anything. It really was becoming quite impressive.

  “Ms. Dooley, I realize you’re busy setting up and all, but my assistant here is a huge fan. I’m wondering if you could sign a book for her before you’re overwhelmed?” The liquid in his voice coated every word.

  “Celia? Could you bring me two copies of The Manor and my pen please?” Morgan asked without taking her eyes off Gideon.

  Shannon watched as she took the books and the pen from her mousey assistant. The woman returned to hiding in the corner, unpacking boxes. Morgan signed one book and held it out toward Shannon. “Here you go.” As soon as Shannon took the copy and pulled it to her chest, Morgan went to the other book in her hand and scribbled in it before thrusting that one out toward Gideon. “It’s been great talking with you both. I hope we can chat some more later,” she told them, but her eyes stayed glued to Gid’s. She licked her lips slightly before turning away.

  Shannon couldn’t hold it in completely this time. She let a small “gah” escape as Morgan turned back to her table. Shannon straightened, pulling herself off Gideon’s chest. She quickly bit down on her lip.

  “You’re one of the strongest women I’ve ever met, and you just turned toJello in front of an author.” Gideon shook his head with a huge smile on his face.

  “She’s a really great author!” Shannon rushed past Gideon and snatched the book out of his hands. “Shall we compare notes?”

  Shannon went to the furthest end of their table and opened the book that Morgan had handed her while Gideon looked over her shoulder. She actually kind of loved that he was tall enough to see over her shoulder, even when she was in heels. There was a simple inscription on the title page:

  Shannon,

  Wonderful to meet you.

  Happy Reading.

  (Formatting a Heart here) M. Dooley

  She set the one book on the table and picked up the other. “That was really sweet of her. Your turn.”

  Shannon had thought she’d known what to expect but she’d been wrong. Gideon’s inscription was nothing like hers. His was mostly numbers: a page number, a room number, and a phone number … the last two of which she assumed belonged to Morgan herself. Shannon wasn’t sure if she should laugh. Morgan was an attractive woman, and if print pages were even remotely close to digital pages, she had a feeling she knew what was on the page Morgan had directed him to. It conjured an image—as it had so many times before—but this time Gideon’s face replaced that of Dooley’s lead male. Gideon would excel at that scene. Before she could stop herself, her body started to warm. Her face flushed and butterflies appeared in her stomach, making her ache between her thighs.

  “Can we finish setting up now?”

  Gideon’s words melted through Shannon, causing her to fall deeper into her little daydream, until he laid his hands on her arms. He squeezed lightly, enveloping all of her shoulders. His touch brought her back. She looked around, slightly confused, before turning her head back enough to catch Gideon’s eye. “You’re in for a treat when you use those numbers.”

  Gideon squeezed her shoulders a little tighter before sliding one hand discretely down her side where it came to rest on her ass while the other moved a finger slightly against her collar bone he whispered in her ear, “I’d rather you showed me.”

  Shannon gasped for air as his hands stirred up the butterflies in her belly, and the ache between her thighs became something closer to need. And then he was gone, leaving only the echo of his touch—and the ache—to remain. She closed her eyes to clear her head. Set the book on the table and went back to unpacking boxes.

  Five

  Shannon was having a great time. All the people were so friendly, and everyone was so happy. She couldn’t decide if they were just having a good time, or if they were having more sex than most and therefore spent their lives in a state of release, making them happier than the people she usually encountered.

  The Genesis Inc. table was popular in comparison to most. The Super Bullets were flying off the table, and Gideon had met a handful of new potential models. Overall, the day had been going really well. Shannon just couldn’t shake the feelings Gideon had stirred up earlier when they’d been setting up. She hadn’t come here for him. She’d come to learn, to get to know the business so that she could expand her reach within the company. She and Gideon had an agreement. They were what they were; or rather they’d been what they’d been. Now they were just CEO and corporate assistant. She was happy with it that way … which was why she didn’t understand the lasting affect Gideon’s touch was having on her.

  It was almost time to take a break to get something for them both to eat when two of the most gorgeous women she’d seen all day came up to their table carrying a box. Shannon had to control herself, and her jaw, when she realized who the women were.

  “Afternoon ladies. Can I offer you a Super Bullet?” Gideon laughed and made a show of directing their attention to the display of little superheroes.

  Both women smiled and set the box on the table. “Had to make sure you had your bases covered, huh Gideon? Weren’t sure you’d be able to fulfill whichever one of these lovely ladies you will manage to trick back to your room? Had to make sure that she could finish herself off?” Lily smiled as she leaned across the table, grabbing Gideon’s tie and pulling him close so she could kiss him on the cheek.

  “Funny, seeing as how you were such a satisfied customer.” He stepped back and winked at her partner before turning around. “Shannon, come meet Genesis’ nemeses.”

  Shannon had no idea what was happening. Here were the only two women in the world that she would assume Gideon wouldn’t want anything to do with, and he was joking with them both. It actually sounded like he’d slept with at least one of them. She stepped forward cautiously and extended a hand to Lily.

  “It’s wonderful to meet you.”

  Lily smiled warmly at her. “Likewise.” She nodded toward Gideon who had his arm wrapped protectively around Shannon’s waist. “Be sure you watch out for this one.”

  Shannon laughed but couldn’t help the squeak that seemed to escape as her mouth turned into an awkward smile. Lily stared at her before rounding on Gid. “Tell me you didn’t,” she said as she shook her head and turned back to Shannon before Gideon had had a chance to respond.

  “We’ve all been there. I suggest you ignore him. You’ll be better off for it.” She smiled hugely and pushed the box they’d brought toward the inside of the table. “Here, we brought you some gifts. Shannon, you should consider checking them out. Much safer than the alternative.” She said it plainly, and the two women walked away, leaving Shannon stunned and Gideon with a strange look on his face.

  It didn’t take long for Shannon to shake off the shock. “I can’t believe they came over here. The nerve. Lily and Oaks’ CEOs sauntering over here like they should and giving us what …” Shannon wasn’t sure what they’d broug
ht over. She stepped away from Gideon, moved the box from the front table to the one behind them and opened it.

  Shannon had to remind herself not to be surprised when she opened the box and it was full of adult toys, all Lily and Oak’s brand. She shuffled through some of it. “Gideon, this has three if not four full lines in it.”

  Gideon nodded. “I’m not surprised. Those two never do what you expect. For example, did you know that the two of them are actually a couple?”

  Shannon rolled her eyes. “Of course I did. I know everything about them that can be learned from the internet.” She put the box on the floor.

  “Why would you know all about them?”

  Shannon shook her head at him. “Gideon. They’re suing you. They’re suing your company. I have been researching them, their company, and basically every move they make or have made to see if I can find a hole.”

  “I see.”

  Shannon stepped closer to Gideon, so close that their bodies were almost touching. “You fucked them, didn’t you?”

  Shannon’s heart kicked up at Gideon’s sharp intake of breath. She liked that she was affecting him.

  “Just Lily.”

  Shannon had to try not to react physically. Her body betrayed her, and she tipped back as if the slap across her face that she’d imagined had been real. She knew who Gideon was; she knew what he did, and that he did it with a lot of people. But for some reason, seeing it this closely made her crazy. She had a sudden urge to find Lily, pull her hair and claw her eyes out … but she refused to let Gideon know that, so she just rolled her eyes. “Perfect.”

  Gideon could almost see the gears turning in Shannon’s brain. She wanted to know when. He didn’t want to tell her, and that thought gave him pause. Gideon had never hidden any part of himself from a woman before. He’d never gotten close enough to one to even have to. Shannon was throwing him off his game. “I didn’t know who she was, though apparently she couldn’t say the same thing.”

  Shannon had stepped away from him. The loss of her body so close to his made him feel cold.

  “This happened a long time ago, then.”

  Gideon stamped down the chagrin … or maybe it was embarrassment he was feeling. He couldn’t tell which; he wasn’t used to feeling either. He shook his head. “No.”

  “No?” Shannon raised her eyebrows and stared at him as she gathered her bag and slid it over her wrist. He watched as realization hit her. “You can’t be serious, Gideon.”

  He took a step toward her. She lifted her hand to stop him. She might as well have slapped him. “No. I can’t believe you. I’m going to get us some lunch. Try to keep your dick in your pants while I’m gone.”

  “Shannon …” He tried to turn on his puppy dog eyes for her, to beg her to stop and listen, to let him explain. She ignored all of it. He snapped in desperation. “We aren’t together. We have no commitment to each other. I can do whomever I want.”

  Shannon froze just as she was rounding the table to leave. His words had grabbed her. He’d known she’d been catching feelings for him, but he’d tried to leave her alone thinking that she’d eventually lose interest, or at the very least find someone else to transfer the feelings to. Gideon was good for that. He was the best wing man a guy could ask for. Most of the females he’d been with, especially in recent years, seemed to end up in long-term committed relationships shortly after he’d finished with them. Shannon would probably be the same. There was only one noticeable difference between the situation with Shannon and the rest of the women. Any time Gideon thought of her with someone else his gut swirled in a way that made him want to put his fist through a wall.

  Shannon rounded on Gideon with fire in her eyes. This time she’d gotten so close to him that her body was fully pressed against his. He could feel the pressure against his chest every time her chest rose with her breath. He could feel her warmth through his entire body. “Listen here, you selfish fuck. I do not care in the slightest who you are sticking your cock in, except for when it becomes a detriment to this company. I know you built it. I know that Aaron and Seth and you are the best of buddies, and I know you love this company almost as much as you love yourself. But there are other people that care about it too. I know I haven’t been around long, but I intend to be. I swear, if your dick or any other part of your anatomy fucks it up for me or anyone else, you will regret it. I will personally make sure of it.” As soon as she’d finished she closed him down with one straight red hot glare and turned and left, leaving him hotter than ever and panting after her.

  Gideon was in a daze. He couldn’t think through the rage that he saw in Shannon’s eyes. Rage that he’d caused by sleeping with another woman. He didn’t care what she’d said about her caring about the company. He knew she did, and he was sure she was a little pissed on behalf of that. But the rest? The rest of her anger came from a place that Gideon had yet to discover within himself. A place that females all too often thought they could ignore in order to be with someone like him, the place where all their caring resided. She cared about him, and now there was no way he could forget it.

  * * *

  Shannon returned with lunches, and Gideon choked down the salad she brought him without a word passing between them. There was so much he wanted to say, but every time he opened his mouth nothing came out. The battle raging within him was heating up. He wanted things to stay the same, but he also wanted to be able to say out loud the things he was thinking. He’d never had a problem speaking his mind in the past; there was just something about Shannon that tied him in knots.

  “It was an accident. All’s good I promise.”

  Shannon just glared at him.

  “I already talked to the guys. They know all about it, and by now I’m sure Amanda does too. We will handle whatever comes our way. It’s all going to be fine.”

  Shannon’s only response was to stab so hard at the lettuce in front of her that the prongs went flying off her plastic fork. Gideon couldn’t help but laugh as Shannon sat there, obviously furious but trying not to laugh at the fact that she now essentially had a dull spear with which she was supposed to eat her salad.

  “These salads are pathetic anyway. Why didn’t you get us burgers or something?”

  Shannon was busy clearing her lunch from the table and snapped the lid to the container of lettuce shut. “You always eat too much at lunch and then not enough at dinner, which helps to induce some of the drunken stints you end up on. I’d rather it not happen on my watch.”

  The same feelings flashed through Gideon once again. It was heat mixed with confusion, passion, and anger. He couldn’t place it. He didn’t have a name for it, but it was uncomfortable as hell … yet he didn’t want it to go away.

  Shannon tossed the container into the bag it came in, “If you knew anything at all, you’d know that everyone here is watching our every move, not just Lily and Oak.”

  Gideon smiled. “Is that so?” he asked as he got up from his chair, tossing his salad container into the bag with hers. “Well, let’s give them a show then,” he told her as he engulfed her in his arms and claimed her mouth, bending her slightly backward and picking her up off her feet, right there in front of everyone.

  Six

  Shannon became dizzy as all of Gideon overwhelmed her right there on the convention floor. People were staring. She could feel their eyes on her. On him. On them. Heat rose up her spine and crawled around her neck, restricting her breathing as need and anger coursed through her body. After what seemed like forever—but not long enough—Gideon tilted her back to her feet and released her mouth before allowing her to retreat from his arms. It took a minute for Shannon to come to her senses and take an extra step back.

  Need was quickly over-powered by rage and she lifted her arm, balled up her fist and punched Gideon in the shoulder as hard as she could. “Dick.”

  “Shit! Shannon, what the fuck?”

  Shannon seethed in the corner of their booth. She tried to sit, but bounced right out of
her chair and paced a small path back and forth with her arms wrapped around herself. Why did she have to feel so much? Why’d it have to be Gideon? Sure, he was gorgeous and successful … but he was also an ass. He was a womanizing degenerate that had slept with more women than she even wanted to attempt to count. He drank too much and gambled too much. Not to mention the fact that she didn’t do feelings. She’d always prided herself on her own resilience and her ability to keep her feelings locked tightly away from where sex took place. That was how it should have been still. She took care of herself. She didn’t need anyone for anything, least of all a man.

  And definitely not a man like Gideon.

  She sighed deeply. She was losing the battle. All she could imagine as she paced was Gideon with Lily. The gorgeous, smart, successful Lily. The Lily that owned her own company. The Lily that could model for Victoria’s Secret. Lily that had a female lover … and though for some that might mean that she was off limits, Shannon was sure it did nothing but intrigue Gideon. How could it not? It even intrigued her.

  After a long while of pacing and glaring, Shannon decided to just let it go. Gideon didn’t know of the internal battle she had going on. There was no way he could know what him touching her did to her. She had to cut the guy a little slack. He was acting the way he always did. She was the one that had changed. But she was done changing. It hurt too much. She needed to be straight with him, had to let him know that things couldn’t be the way they’d been. She couldn’t sleep with him anymore. They had to go back to being just friends … friends that didn’t have any extra benefits. The part she’d leave out was the part that mattered the most though. She’d have to leave out that all this had to stop because it hurt too much.