Page 8 of Torn Between Two Brothers

She walked into her office, spun around to face him and countered, “If you knew I’d left my purse then why didn’t you just bring it?”

He drove his hands into his pockets and rocked back and forth like a naughty school boy caught in the act. “Then I’d have nothing to use to coerce you back with now, would I?”

She looked at him and his grin was so mischievous and so damn sexy, it was all she could do to stay focused. “Come on, Garret,” she said, feeling her resolve soften around the edges. “Did you really make me dinner?” Somewhere deep inside the idea of sharing a meal with him both thrilled her and warmed her. Unless she went out with Shi for drinks she didn’t normally have companionship through the week.

His voice dropped an octave and took on a sexy undertone when he said, “Yeah, I made your favorite.”

She planted her hand on her hip and realized that Garret seemed to know an awful lot about her. Had Adam been talking out of turn? “Okay, so tell me, how do you know what my favorite is?”

He grabbed her coat from the hook behind her door. “I’ll tell you that over dinner.”

“Garret…”

Dark eyes moved over her face and sent ripples down her spine. “Come on. It’s dinner. Nothing else. You need to eat, don’t you?”

“Well, yeah.”

“Then after dinner we’ll just hang out, watch TV or something. I’ll keep my hands to myself. I promise.”

She stared at him for a long moment, and didn’t know what to make of him.

“Please…” He grinned and added, “I’m not above begging.”

She blew a resigned breath and said, “You’re incorrigible.”

Apparently that was all the encouragement he needed. He grabbed her hand and gave a gentle tug. “Good. Then let’s go.”

As she walked through the hospital halls with him and took the elevator to the main lobby, she gave herself a moment to think things through and rationalize her actions. It was just dinner and nothing else. What could sharing a simple meal hurt?

Okay, so yes, Garret might look good enough to eat, but her thoughts weren’t going to go in that direction because she was a grown woman and she did have willpower. She could do this. She could hang out and have dinner with Garret. After all, if she wanted to remain in a relationship with Adam, she’d have to spend time with his brother sooner or later. They might as well try to get over the awkwardness of last night, sooner rather than later. Besides, he’d gone through so much trouble to prepare her favorite. Shrimp and scallop linguine wasn’t that easy of a meal to whip up. And really she had no reason to rush home. But once dinner was done she’d grab her purse and head for the train. Simple, really.

Thirty minutes later after enjoying a nice evening walk with Garret, she found herself sitting across from him, the lights in Adam’s condo low, the ambiance romantic.

Garret placed her food in front of her and her mouth watered as she looked at the plump shrimp and juicy scallops swimming in her favorite, creamy primavera sauce.

She adjusted her napkin and grabbed her fork. “This is really nice of you, Garret. And much better than the frozen dinner I was going to toss in the microwave.”

Taking a seat across from her, Garret laughed and she couldn’t help but think how enjoyable their walk was, how easy he was to be with, or how nice it was to share dinner with someone other than the channel six news broadcaster.

Over the course of the meal they talked, and she got to know Garret a little better. She learned that on weekends he was a world class race car driver who ran on excitement and adrenaline, and during the week he liked to take things slow, which accounted for the easy, gentle way he made love to her. His lovemaking might be wonderful and tender, but truthfully it was no less potent or fulfilling than Adam’s. They both brought different aspects to the table and somewhere in the back of her mind she couldn’t help but think, separate they were still both amazing men but a combination of the two made the perfect package.

Garret also told funny childhood stories about Adam and all the trouble that always seemed to find the Wilson boys during their teen years. He was charming and humorous and as she relaxed into conversation, sharing her own stories, the night seemed to get away from them both. So much for her plan to just eat and run.

After dinner they shared a glass of wine on the sofa, while a movie played on the television, and as exhaustion pulled at her, she stretched and glanced at the window. She cringed when she thought about the cold bleak walk to the train ahead of her.

“I should go.”

Adam took her wine and put it on the table. “It’s cold and the roads are slippery, Why don’t you just stay?”

“Adam…” she warned.

He lifted his hands up, palms out. “I told you I’d keep my hands to myself and I always keep my promises.”

She angled her head and eyed him suspiciously.

He laughed. “You can take the bed.” He patted the sofa. “And I’ll sleep here.”

He leaned toward her and for a moment she thought he was going to kiss her. She tensed in response. But instead of pressing his mouth to hers, he grabbed the pillow from the floor and fluffed it up before tossing in onto the sofa, proving her really was a gentleman at heart.

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