A Vow Of Seduction: Hot Night in the Hamptons / Seduced Before Sunrise

She sighed. “I think it’s fine. Willow is tricky, though. We’ll just have to keep from being too familiar.”

Never mind that instinctual need to reach out and brush his hair or straighten his tie. Which was ridiculous, because she didn’t know him like that. Let’s face it, you like touching him. Yeah, that was the problem. A week ago, she’d been caressing him all over. That won’t help you. Don’t think about that.

Gabe nodded. “Are you getting a cab or taking the subway?”

“Oh, don’t worry. I live about ten blocks that way, in the Village. I’ll be fine. It’s pretty safe.”

He frowned. “You realize you just used the word safe in reference to New York City?”

“Yes, because it is. I make this walk all the time. The trans-hookers three blocks over know me by name.”

He sputtered a laugh. “I’m not sure that’s a good thing.”

“Okay, maybe not, but it’s fine. You don’t have to walk me home or anything. You can check your chivalry card off for the night.”

“Well, it looks like my card will have to remain unchecked for a bit longer as I also live in the Village, on Tenth.”

Seriously? Of course he would live four blocks away from her. Though his place was no doubt more posh than hers. Her apartment was actually Willow’s old apartment. Thanks to the rent-control, she could actually afford it. “I guess you’re going my way, then.”

He chuckled. “Don’t look so happy about it.”

This was harder than she thought. “Look, it’s not that I’m unhappy, I just didn’t expect to see you again, so it’s been a long week. And having to pretend doesn’t make it any easier.”

“You think it’s easy for me to go along with this charade? When all I keep thinking about is how you taste?”

She stopped and glared at him. “You know you can’t say that to me right?”

“Yes, Elina, I know.” He rolled his eyes. They walked in silence for a block before he asked, “Can I ask you a question, though?”

“Why do I get the feeling I’m going to regret this question?”

“It’s a simple question.”

“Okay, shoot.”

“Why did you leave that morning?”

Of course he would ask her that. She chewed on her bottom lip as she figured out her answer. “The truth?” It was easier to talk to him when they were walking and she didn’t have to look directly into his hypnotic eyes.

“Always.”

“I really don’t do relationships, or messy situations. And I liked you. Probably more than I should have. But our best friends just got married. Sleeping with you was the messiest decision I’ve ever made. And I figured a clean break was ideal.”

Gabe turned to her and gave her his lopsided smile. Her heart flipped over. Stupid heart. “I scared the shit out of you?”

Despite herself, she laughed. “Yeah, something like that. We had fun. A lot of fun. It’s just way too complicated.” Elina licked her lips nervously, “So, since we’re being honest?”

Gabe rolled his eyes as he laughed. “Go on, ask me anything you want.”

“You mean besides where you learned that thing with your tongue?”

His bark of laughter bounced off of the buildings around them. “Yeah, you probably don’t want to know the answer to that!”

“No, probably not. But I do want to ask why you were so upset. I mean, now that I know who you are, it’s clear you have a certain reputation. And have access to plenty of women. So why were you so focused on me?” She braced herself for the truth. There was a part of her that wanted to be special, but the rational part of her wanted it to be about the game.

* * *

He considered his answer, and then he opted for the truth. It was easier that way. “At first, it was a little bit about the chase. I’m not used to being told no. But then, at the wedding, when you looked so sad, I just wanted to make you smile. I didn’t plan what happened. That’s not my MO or anything. Meet hot chick, take her down to the bedrooms in the yacht. I just thought we’d have fun. I felt connected to you. And then you were gone.”

She nodded. “Why didn’t you tell me it was your yacht?”

“Would you have lumped me in with the rest of Adam’s bratty, rich-kid friends?”

She scrunched her nose. “Maybe. But not once we started talking.”

“I guess you live and learn.” For the next several blocks they talked about work and where they went to school.

He asked her something else he’d been dying to know. “Okay, another question for you. Why are you so anti-anything? From the sounds of it you don’t even want a relationship, or to date.”

She adjusted her laptop bag on her shoulder, and he just reached over and took it from her. “If you knew my mother, you would understand.”

“Go on, tell me.”

Elina slid him a glance. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She shook her head. “My mother is warm and vivacious and fun. She’s also a total addict.”

Wow. Not what he’d been expecting. “I’m sorry, Elina, that must’ve been rough.”

She shook her head. “It’s not what you think. She’s addicted to love. She gets high off a new relationship. The dramatics of dating. And the dramatics of divorce. She’s been married seven times. Three of those to my father.”

Some of this he knew from Adam. But it was still unbelievable to hear. “Holy shit. Are you serious?”

“Yeah. I wish I was kidding. She has six ex-husbands.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah. So growing up, she would have a guy, then get bored, and instead of working it out, she would just divorce him.”