“Let’s not talk business today,” Marina starts, but I interrupt her.

“I have been. I know you’re a busy man, but when you get a chance, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

“Call my office. We can set up a meeting,” he offers breezily.

“I’ve been trying to do that for months,” I tell him, needing him to know I’m not in the mood to play games.

Marina shoots me a horrified glare. “Gage,” she whispers, trying to shut me up.

“Don’t get mad at him. He’s right.” Scott’s smile is easy. Too easy. “I have avoided his calls. I believe he’s asking for something I’m not quite ready to give up yet.”

Marina’s mouth drops open. “How do you—”

“Just like you know,” Scott says, smiling at her. “Everyone knows. This town is big, but it has a small-town feel, just like the gossip. And when a stranger comes into town, eager to buy up all the prime real estate he can, he gives everyone something to talk about.”

I can’t tell if this guy is merely tolerating me or hates my guts or . . . doesn’t mind that I’m here and dating his daughter. His only child who I know he’s very protective of.

Can’t blame him though. I’m feeling rather protective of her too. Something we definitely have in common.

“Ah, is this your young man?” Maribella Knight breezes into the room, a slight smile curling her lips. This is who Marina gets her looks from. Maribella is a beautiful woman, her features so similar to her daughter’s, I pretty much know what Marina’s going to look like when she’s older.

“Yes. This is Gage.” Marina smiles nervously. Just like her relationship with her father is so strong, the one she shares with her mother is a bit more fragile. “Gage, this is my mom, Maribella.”

“Call me Mari.” She extends her hand toward me, her gaze not as warm as her voice.

I take her hand and give it a shake, notice how limp it is in my grip. “A pleasure,” I say truthfully.

“I’m sure.” The smile she offers me is brittle, and her gaze narrows the slightest bit.

Yeah. I don’t think Marina’s mother likes me very much at all.

Marina

I KNEW MY mother wouldn’t like very Gage much. I don’t think she’d like any man I brought home. She has these certain expectations I’m afraid no guy could ever meet.

So I pretended her cold disdain doesn’t bother me. Throughout the afternoon and into dinner, she acted disinterested in him. But he did seem to get along with Dad. Now that shocks me. I figured my father would hate him on sight, considering Gage wants nothing more than to buy as much property from him as possible.

They have things in common though. They’re both savvy businessmen. My father’s only downfall is that he owned too much, too fast. It’s been hard for him to recover from the economic crash.

And they both love cars. In fact, their conversation revolved mostly around cars from the time we arrived. Gage even took Dad outside to check out his Maserati, which was love at first sight. At first I thought it was cute. After a while, I got bored.

Last, I’m hoping that they both care about me. Well, I know my dad loves me because, hello, he’s my father. But Gage? He’s never said the words to me, not that I think he would. He’s never even admitted that he cares about me, but what can I expect? We haven’t been together that long.

But Mom said something to me years ago, and I’ve never forgotten her words.

Sometimes, when you know, you just know.

That’s how I feel about Gage. It scares the crap out of me and makes me want to punch him—because near violence is my usual mode of operation when it comes to Gage—but really, I’m excited. Nervous.

I’m falling in love.

Finally, I was able to drag him and my father apart, and we left long after dinner. Mom gave me a look that said she expected me to come right back. Dad told Gage to come by the office any time, or at the very least, call.

So strange. I thought my father would hate him. I thought I would hate Gage, but look at me. Maybe it’s not such a bad thing, letting the bakery go. Gage could buy the strip of buildings, and my family would be in a better financial position. I know that’s been my father’s goal for a while. Maybe I’m the selfish one, wanting to hold on to a business that’s nothing but a drain for my family.

“You’re awfully quiet.”

I glance up to find Gage flashing me a quick smile before he returns his attention to the road. It’s near ten o’clock and he has the windows cracked, letting in the cool fall air. The roads are virtually abandoned, the night sky is like dark velvet dotted with brightly twinkling stars shining from above, and I haven’t felt this content in a long time. If ever.

“I’m glad you and my father got along so well,” I say.

“Truthfully? I’m surprised,” he admits.

Laughing, I shake my head. “So am I. I thought he might hate you . . . or love you.”

“I know.” Gage chuckles. “He’s a good guy though. I like him.”

“So are you. A good guy,” I say softly, drinking Gage in, arousal heating my blood. It doesn’t take much for me to want him. And seeing him behind the wheel of one of his powerful cars always makes me want to jump his bones.

When it comes to Gage, I’m incredibly weak. But I don’t mind, because when I’m with him, I feel strong. Like I can do anything.

“Archer called yesterday.” He sends me a quick look. “He said the two of you met a few days ago.”

“We did.” I nod. “He wanted to hammer out the details.”

“That’s amazing. I’m happy for you. Why didn’t you tell me about it?” He sounds a little incredulous.

Leave it to Gage to get right to the point. Not that I can blame him. He deserves to know what’s going on. “I was afraid I’d jinx it.”

“Even to me?” He looks wounded. Silly man.

Leaning over the console, I press a kiss to his cheek, resting my hand on his muscular thigh so I can give it a squeeze. “Especially to you. You’ll pump me up and get me so excited, I’ll believe I can do no wrong. What if it didn’t work out?”

“I would never let it not work out.” His expression goes tight and his lips thin. “I’d kick Archer’s ass before that would happen.”

“That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you,” I say, laughing. “This is not about you kicking Archer’s ass. This is about Archer and me coming to a business decision. I can’t have you glowering in the background, out to tear anyone apart who dares defy me.”

“Why not? I can’t help it if I’m protective of you.”

He is so sweet I almost want to cry. Or do him. I’d prefer the latter.

“I love how protective you are of me,” I murmur, smoothing my hand up and down his thigh. God, I love his body. He’s so hard . . . everywhere. “I’ve never had someone defend me before.”

“Well, I’m all yours. Don’t forget it.” He flinches and yelps when I cup his burgeoning erection. “Damn it, Marina. I’m driving.”

“Yes, you are. And I’m touching you. Don’t mind me.” I undo the button fly on his jeans and slip my hand within, encountering warm, thin cotton stretched across his hard, thick cock. My panties dampen just touching him, and I release a shuddering breath.

“Don’t you dare do what I think you’re doing,” he admonishes but his voice is weak. He’s such a sucker for my touch.

Almost as much as I’m a sucker for his.

“I could give you a hand job while you drive.” I scooch closer to him, my mouth at his ear, and I curl my fingers around his length. “Or a blow job. Remember when I did that last week?”

That had been fun. He’d been driving this powerful car, looking so sexy and in command I hadn’t been able to resist. Next thing I knew, I was sprawled across the front seat of the Maserati with my head in his lap and his erection in my mouth. He’d had to pull over so I could finish him off without him wrecking.

Hot. He makes me so hot it’s ridiculous. I’m with him, and I feel like a giddy teenager just out for a good time. I think he feels the same way.