My Gift To You Read online

  Gabe inwardly cursed his poor choice of words. This one was different than the usual women in his life, and therefore, he would have to be different. If he came on too strong, he would just see her back as she walked away.

  “Of course. I’m sorry.”

  She jutted her chin in a show of bravado that was betrayed by her tense body language. “Why am I here?”

  He frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “I didn’t recognize you before. I mean at Sam’s or at my place. But now I know you’re some hotshot businessman. I have no idea why you would want to bother with someone like me.”

  Her choice of words was incredibly revealing. Whatever had happened to this girl had impacted her life dramatically.

  “How did you figure out who I am?”

  She flashed a quick grin, but it disappeared before he could savor it. “I was going to cancel so I Googled you to try to find your address or phone number.”

  He tilted his head to the side as he considered her previous statement. “Why were you going to cancel?”

  She shrugged. “I changed my mind.”

  Gabe leaned back in his seat. “And yet here you are. Why?”

  “Because I couldn’t find a way to contact you.”

  “You could have told me no when I came to collect you.”

  She nodded. “But that would have been rude.”

  Gabe laughed. “So your English sensibilities mean you’d rather go to dinner than tell me that you’d changed your mind?”

  She glanced down at her fingers fiddling with the tablecloth. “I have a feeling that if I’d said I’d changed my mind, you wouldn’t have taken no for an answer.”

  A dart of surprise hit him in the chest. “I can accept a no when someone means it.”

  She fixed her gaze on him, her gorgeous blue eyes like a deep pool of water he could drown in. “Can you?”

  “Yes.” Silence stretched between them until Gabe sighed. “Okay, if you’d told me you’d changed your mind, I would have done my best to change it back.”

  Olivia laughed. “And we’re back to ‘why me’?’”

  Gabe rubbed the tips of his fingers over his mouth. “Tell me about yourself.”

  She shrugged. “There isn’t a lot to tell, to be honest.”

  “I’m sure that isn’t true at all. And in my experience, people who end a sentence with ‘to be honest,’ usually aren’t being honest.”

  She winced at his directness, and he kicked himself for his lack of tact.

  “That was unfair. Forgive me.”

  Olivia paused and looked at him, a small smile curving her lips upward. He would love to put his mouth on those lips, but it was unlikely he would get the chance if he didn’t filter his comments.

  “You don’t strike me as a man who makes many apologies. Was that painful?”

  Gabe chuckled. “Extremely. Okay, let’s start again. What are you doing in California?”

  She glanced down and began feeding her napkin through her fingers. “It’s as good a place as any.”

  “It’s a great place, but why did you choose it?”

  Her tongue swept over her lips, and his stomach clenched. “It’s peaceful here.”

  “Why are you looking for peace?”

  She stared at her hands. “I’m recovering.”

  “Recovering? Like from an illness?”

  She paused, her brows pinched together in a frown. “Not exactly. Something awful happened to me, and before you ask, I’m not getting into it with you, so don’t bother asking. I needed to get away from England, that’s all.

  Gabe gazed at her, saying nothing. Then he reached across the table and clasped her hand in his. He squeezed, and a thrill ran through him when she didn’t shake him off. “I’m sorry,” he said. “Of course I’m not going to ask you. It’s your business.”

  A wave of sadness crossed her face before she hid it behind her perfected mask. “Tell me about how you started your business.”

  Gabe picked up on her cue to move on. Here was a subject he could talk about for hours, and he got the distinct feeling that she preferred not to talk about herself. If he got the chance for a second, third, and fourth date, he would gradually work up to further probing, but for tonight, he’d let it lie.

  “I wasn’t very studious at school, but once I left and escaped the constraints of people who constantly told me what I could and couldn’t do, it gave me the freedom to take risks. I don’t come from a wealthy background—far from it—but I caught a lucky break when I saw an advertisement in a paper looking for entrepreneurs with ideas but no money. I went along to the job fair, and the rest, as they say, is history. That’s not to belittle how tough it’s been, but without that first opportunity, it would have been very difficult to get started.”

  “I guess everyone needs a helping hand.”

  Gabe nodded as Giovanni appeared with their food. He watched as Olivia picked up her fork, wrapped the fettuccini around it, and lifted it to her mouth. Her eyes fell closed, and she made an appreciative sound at the back of her throat as she chewed, a sound that made his eyes widen and his cock stiffen.

  As she opened her eyes, she caught him staring at her and frowned. “What?”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever, in thirty-five years on this earth, seen anyone look so damned sexy while eating pasta.”

  She took a sharp intake of breath then began to choke. Coughing and spluttering, she grabbed her napkin and put it over her mouth, desperately trying to catch her breath. Gabe got up from the table and struck her firmly on the back. As he swept her hair away from her face and held it in a makeshift ponytail, his gaze fell on a tattoo on the back of her neck. Five stars cascaded downward in an S shape, all in decreasing sizes.

  “Sorry,” she spluttered. “Pasta went down the wrong way.”

  “Better now?”

  She took a sip of water. “Yes, thank you.”

  Gabe retook his seat as Olivia began to eat once more. He looked directly at her. “You don’t seem like the type of girl to get tattoos. Is there a meaning behind it?”

  Her hand froze on the way to her mouth, and an expression of despair crossed her face. She dropped her fork, pushed back her chair, and with a muttered apology, ran for the door.

  Chapter Four

  Livvy flung open the door to the restaurant, her breathing labored. She hadn’t been prepared to answer questions about her tattoo. She should have brushed it off with a quip instead of freaking out, which would no doubt raise his curiosity, leading to more questions. She barely knew the guy, and after her performance tonight, she was unlikely to see him again.

  A jolt of disappointment surprised her. Despite her initial reservations, she’d enjoyed spending time with Gabe Mitchell. She hadn’t made any friends since arriving in California six months earlier, preferring to keep to herself, and apart from the odd chat with Sam on Tuesdays, she barely spoke to a soul. Gabe was good company, very easy to be around, and until he’d inadvertently stumbled upon a difficult subject, she’d felt at ease.

  Without a clue where she was, she decided to head for the highway in the hope of flagging down a cab.

  “Olivia, wait. Please?” Gabe shouted over the sounds of the passing traffic.

  Embarrassment swamped her. He’d think she was crazy, and right then, she concurred. With no intention of sticking around and facing his inevitable questions, Livvy upped her pace. She scanned the highway for any signs of a taxi, but there were none. Dammit, what did she do now? She set off walking down the sidewalk, but before she got very far, Gabe caught up to her.

  He put a hand on her shoulder. “Stop, please.”

  She drew to a halt but kept her eyes on the ground. “I’m sorry,” she muttered. “I need to go home.”

  He gently cupped her chin and lifted her head until she was forced to meet his gaze. “Then I’ll take you.”

  She shook her head. “I’ve put you out enough already. A cab is fine.” She glanced up and down the highway once
more.

  “A cab is not fine.” With his hand firmly on her elbow, he propelled her back towards the restaurant car lot. His touch made her shudder, and he must have felt the tremor running through her because he let her go.

  Exhausted and mortified at her not-so-minor freak out, Livvy got in the car.

  Gabe started the engine, paused, then turned to her. “Okay?”

  “Yes. I’m okay.”

  He hesitated, obviously wanting to say something but unsure of her reaction. She watched him as he wrestled with his thoughts, her breath in her throat at the thought of him pushing her for an answer she wasn’t ready to give. Not an honest one at least.

  “I shouldn’t have pried,” he finally said.

  “No, it’s my fault. You asked an innocent question, and I freaked out.” She couldn’t help a small smile from creeping across her lips. “You must think I’m a madwoman.”

  Gabe smiled back at her, and an uncomfortable feeling stirred in her chest at the way that smile made her feel. He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Compared to the circle I usually mix in, you’re the most normal woman I’ve spent time with in quite a while.”

  His easy manner made her shoulders relax, and the tension in her spine lessened. “I forget it’s there most of the time. I’m sorry. I wasn’t prepared to answer questions about it. My reasoning is rather personal, you see.”

  Gabe held his hands in the air in a pacifying manner. “Like I said, none of my business.” He reversed the car out of its parking spot and merged onto the busy highway.

  They traveled in complete silence, both deep in their own personal thoughts. As nice and friendly as Gabe seemed, Livvy was nowhere near ready to share her story with him. He was clearly concerned about her extreme reaction, but with any luck, he wouldn’t press her. She was tired, overwrought, and craving isolation.

  She risked a peek sideways. Gabe’s gaze was focused on the road ahead, although a nerve twitched in his right cheek, most likely from his firmly clenched jaw. Livvy faced forward once more. Silence as a companion was better than the alternative.

  About twenty minutes later, they pulled up outside her apartment building, and Gabe parked in the same space they’d left not two hours before.

  He killed the engine and turned to face her. “Home, safe and sound.”

  Livvy stared at her hands. “Thanks for tonight. I had a nice time.”

  Gabe sighed. “Did you?” She opened her mouth to answer, but before one word spilled, he continued. “Look, I don’t know what happened in your past, and I don’t want to know until you’re ready to tell me.” He chuckled. “Be honest, though. I bet you’ve had better nights.”

  She tried to force a smile as a heavy sadness settled in her chest. “And much worse ones,” she said, staring out of the window.

  He briefly touched her arm, withdrawing his hand the moment she faced him. “You intrigue me. I’d like to see you again. Do you think you can trust me enough to say yes?”

  Livvy paused. She was so lonely, and the chance to spend time with a good-looking guy who was also great company was one she found she couldn’t say no to, even if she was at the end of a long line of women. If anyone could resist the charms of a man like Gabe Mitchell, she could. After all, she had guilt, heartbreak, and sorrow as her protectors.

  “I’d like that.” Livvy reached for the door handle but then turned back in his direction. “Goodnight.”

  “’Night, Olivia. I’ll be in touch. Soon.”

  She nodded and stepped out of the car. As she headed towards the elevator, she risked a quick glance over her shoulder to see if he was watching her, but she was greeted with a view of car taillights as he drove away. She quelled an unreasonable stab of disappointment that he hadn’t stuck around to make sure she got safely inside, then she jogged upstairs.

  She made herself a hot drink and went to bed, but, desire to know more about Gabe kept her from falling asleep. She grabbed her laptop from the living room and snuggled back under the covers, resting the computer against her bent legs. The web page from earlier in the day was still open. Images of all those women—so many women—hit her. Each and every one had been fleeting alliances, except Tabitha Hale.

  She should leave it there and close the laptop. Don’t feed the desire to know the details. Yep, she should leave it alone. But she didn’t. Instead, she searched for information about Gabe and Tabitha.

  The woman was beautiful. Actually, that adjective didn’t do her justice. Stunningly perfect was a better description. She and Gabe had made such a striking couple, and they seemed happy in the pictures, always laughing, touching, and sharing secretive glances. What could possibly have happened to split up such an ideal pair? The Internet was full of speculation, although neither Gabe nor Tabitha had shared any details. A publicist had issued a banal statement from Tabitha’s point of view. “With love and respect, Gabe and I have decided to take a break from our relationship.” Absolutely nothing had been released from him, not even a confirmation of their split. And clearly that “break” had turned into something a lot more permanent.

  With a sigh, she closed the laptop. It was utterly pointless to compare herself to someone like Tabitha. Livvy couldn’t hope to compete with the beauty or confidence Tabitha projected. Still, her earlier unanswered question seemed even more poignant now. Why her? She was nothing like Tabitha or the multitude of women Gabe had been with since. What could she possibly offer a man like him other than a whole set of baggage he had absolutely no idea about?

  She scooched down under the covers and closed her eyes. As she drifted off, her cell dinged with an incoming text, dragging her away from much-needed sleep. She picked it up off the nightstand. It wasn’t a number she recognized. She swiped the screen.

  Olivia, thank you for this evening. I’m looking forward to next time.

  Gabe

  A lightness sped across her chest. He’d texted her. How did he even get my number? Stupid question. The man had found out her name and address in no time. Her cell phone number wouldn’t exactly be a challenge. She saved his number to her contacts list then penned a quick reply.

  Thanks for dinner. Oh, and my friends call me Livvy.

  Within seconds he replied.

  Good to know you consider me a friend, Livvy.

  A warm feeling started in her core and spread outward but was immediately followed by the clawing of remorse. Was she so shallow that the first beautiful face to pay her any attention had her grasping for it as if she were drowning? Gabe Mitchell had gotten under her skin, and she wanted him.

  Except he was the last thing she needed.

  Chapter Five

  Livvy woke the next morning to bright Californian sunshine streaming through the blinds. She groaned and turned over, glancing at the clock. Shit! Midday. She never slept so late. She must’ve been so exhausted from the previous day. Plus she’d probably needed the extra rest since she hadn’t been able to fall asleep.

  She grabbed a coffee and headed out onto the balcony. Thanks to Mark and the provisions he’d put in place to ensure she would be okay if anything happened to him, she could afford a decent place. She winced at the thought. The old saying was true: money did not buy joy. She’d happily live like a pauper if it meant that Mark and Daniel were still alive.

  She had no idea what she was going to do when her visa ran out in three months and she had to go back to cold, bleak England. She wouldn’t get an extension—she’d already been told as much by the consulate office—and because worrying wasn’t going to change the situation, she mostly ignored it.

  She switched on her cell and saw that she had three missed calls. Before she could check who they were from, Gabe texted her.

  I can’t get a hold of you. Do I have to come there?

  I’m worried.

  G

  Her skin tingled with delight. His intensity was overwhelming and absorbing in equal measure. She dialed his number, and within a few seconds, the ringtone sounded in her ear.
>
  He immediately answered. “Livvy, are you okay?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. I overslept is all.”

  “I was worried when you didn’t answer. I was about to get in the car and come over.”

  Overprotective much? And if that was the case, why was she grinning like an idiot?

  “There’s no need. In fact, I won’t be here. I’m heading to the gym.”

  “Oh, okay.” Was that disappointment she heard in his tone?

  “Why were you calling, anyway?” she asked.

  “Do you have any plans for Saturday?” His voice was soft and tender, and an involuntary shiver ran through her.

  “I don’t have any plans.”

  “Good. Now you do. I’ll pick you up at eight a.m. Don’t be late. Dress comfortably, no skirts or dresses.”

  Before she had the chance to respond or ask any further questions, he hung up on her.

  With a shrug, she finished getting ready for the gym. She’d worry about what he meant later.

  The next two days passed so slowly, and Livvy found herself wearing out the carpet, pacing up and down as she tried to figure out what Gabe had in store for her.

  Dress comfortably, no skirts or dresses.

  She ran through various activities in her head but couldn’t decide if any of them came close to what he had planned. She hoped he had something fun in mind. She tried to settle down with a book, but not even her favorite novel could distract her. She grabbed a juice from the fridge, wandered outside to the balcony, and flopped into one of the comfy chairs.

  Her thoughts turned to her regular Skype call with Ches. God, by the time Sunday came, she would have so much to tell her. She wondered what Ches would make of the couple of dates she’d had with Gabe? She hoped her best friend would be happy for her.

  As she got ready on Saturday morning, Livvy considered whether Gabe would bother turning up at all. On reflection, she doubted he would be a no-show—not because she thought she was an amazing catch and worth turning up for, but because Gabe struck her as the type of man who kept his word. If he said he would be somewhere, then he would.