Page 100 of Back in Black

“An item?” Drew snatched up Gillian’s hand. “Yeah, we sure are.”

“Engaged?” Fran specified. “Are youthatserious?”

Gillian couldn’t breathe. This was not the turn she’d expected. “Don’t be—”

Drew squeezed her hand to silence her. “You want to go with us to pick out rings, Frannie?”

Fran put her hand to her chin as she pondered them both. “I see.”

Gillian jerked her hand free. How dare he play these types of games? This was not the time, and she was not the woman, for such foolishness.

Before she could say a single word, Drew pulled her up to her tiptoes and kissed her. Despite their mute audience, he was quite . . . thorough.

When he let her go, Gillian barely restrained the urge to smack him good. Instead, she straightened her dress with several hard yanks that left no doubt as to her mood.

Drew said, “You are so hot when you’re furious.”

Gillian opened her mouth to lambaste him.

Fran spoke before she could, saying to Loren, “Let’s talk a moment while these two . . . settle their disagreement.”

Brother and sister left the room. The second the door closed behind them, Gillian turned on Drew.

“Howdareyou treat me like that, especially in front of them?” Her whole body trembled with her outrage and humiliation. “I am not one of your starstruck bimbos who will tolerate your ridiculous antics. I am a professional businesswoman. I am a—”

“Lady, through and through,” Drew agreed. “A sexy lady.” He whistled low to emphasize that. “And so damn smart and cunning.”

“Cunning?” That sounded rather insulting.

Drew tapped his temple. “Damn right. You know just what to say and when to twist people around your little finger. I love it.”

Gillian couldn’t tell if he spoke with sincerity or sarcasm, and at the moment, she didn’t care. Only by extreme effort did she keep her voice moderate. “What you just did is reprehensible. I told you that if you didn’t behave, I’d walk away, do you remember that?”

He nodded, but said, “I love the way you pelted them with my good deeds. I’m sure you knew how I’d react to that, right? And granted, at first I was seeing three shades of red. But I think it struck the right blow, so I’m willing to let you slide on it.”

Though his repeated use of the L word threw her, she still wanted to make a point. “You have no reason to be so closemouthed about your generosity to others.”

“You have no reason to be closemouthed about our relationship.” He touched her cheek. “But I figure we all have our reasons, right?”

Disbelief flattened her. “So what you did—that waspayback?”

“Nope. I spoke the truth, and in case you didn’t notice, Frannie is all but salivating over the idea of me being a domesticated man. It gives her the out she needs to soften her stance against me, and it reassures her that someone is in control—namely you. And to her way of thinking, much better you than me, right?”

Good God, she couldn’t believe the way his analytical mind worked. “Let me make certain I understand you on this. You actuallywantthem to think that we’re engaged?”

He stepped closer, crowding her, dissolving her anger with the warmth of his intent. “I want them to understand that you, Gillian Noode, have considerable influence over me. It’s true, you know. I really do care what you think.”

Gillian put a hand to her forehead, trying to sort out things. “You’re insane, Drew.”

“Actually,” he whispered, sounding far too serious, “I’m—”

Fran and Loren stepped back into the room, interrupting whatever Drew might have said.

On edge, almost desperate to have him finish that thought, Gillian stared at him.

But Drew just winked.

Folding her hands together, Fran addressed Gillian. “I take it you have a game plan to highlight Drew’s . . . heretofore unknownfinerqualities?”

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