mentioned Gage the other day, I was trying to get a rise out of you. I never dreamed he’d ever loan you the money let alone ask you to marry him. It’s crazy!”
Fallon nodded. “I thought the same thing.”
“Thought?” Shana peered at her strangely. “As in past tense?”
“Yes. But after considering it—and trust me, I couldn’t sleep a wink last night—it kind of came to me.”
Shana’s eyes grew wide. “What came to you?”
“It makes an odd sort of sense in a way,” Fallon responded. “Gage has always wanted to be part of the in crowd, but growing up on the estate, he was always thought of as the help. Marriage to me would be a way for him to even the scales.”
“And make you pay on your back.”
“Shana!”
“C’mon, doll.” Shana scooted closer to Fallon on the sofa. “Don’t tell me Gage didn’t make a play for you. You’re a grown woman now and a beautiful one, I might add. There’s no way he’s not trying to tap that.” She patted Fallon on the behind.
“My God, Shana. Have you no shame?”
“Do you? Because it sounds to me like you’re giving Gage’s offer some serious thought.”
“Wouldn’t you?” Fallon asked. “A sexy, gorgeous, rich man is offering to solve my financial problem and save my family. How can I let the company fail under my watch?”
“See?” Shana pointed her index finger at her. “That’s how he got you. He’s tapping into all your fears and insecurities. Let it fail, Fallon. You didn’t create this mess, your father did. You inherited it. And now you’re supposed to—what? Give up your chance of finding Mr. Right and settle for Mr. Payback? Because that’s exactly what this is. Mark my words. Gage wants revenge for how your family wronged him and he’s using all the weapons in his arsenal.”
“You make it sound like we’re at war.”
“You are. Think about all the anger, hurt and humiliation he must feel after you threw yourself at him and caused him and his mother to be kicked out on the street. The man must despise you, but clearly he wants you in equal measure. It’s all kinds of messed up.”
“You’re not helping me, Shana.”
“I have always been a straight shooter, Fallon,” Shana replied. “It’s what you love about me, so I’m telling you how I see it. I want you to consider what you could be getting yourself into before you make a life-altering decision.”
“Aha!” Fallon said. “You’ve given me an idea.”
“Oh, yeah? What’s that?”
“If I agree, I can stipulate the marriage is temporary. I think six months is enough time to get Stewart Technologies back on its feet with an influx of cash and cement Gage’s place in Austin society. What do you think?”
Shana shook her head. “I don’t know, Fallon. You’re playing with fire.”
“Without risk, there can’t be a great reward.” Fallon sure hoped she was right because she was banking her future and Stewart Technologies on making the right call.
* * *
Gage couldn’t wait forty-eight hours for Fallon to make a decision. He had to persuade her. All day in his home office he’d been thinking about her and he knew the only way to stop himself from going crazy was to see her again.
He picked up his cell phone and called her.
“Gage?” Fallon said. “Have you changed your mind? Did you come to the conclusion your arrangement was just as crazy as it sounds?”
“Quite the contrary. I wanted to see you.”
“You told me I had forty-eight hours.”
“And you do,” Gage replied smoothly. “I’m going to do everything in my power to convince you to say yes. Starting with a date tonight.”
“Tonight? I can’t. I have to work.”
“Excuses, excuses, Fallon. You’re afraid to be alone with me after what transpired between us last night.”
“That’s not true.” She paused for several beats. “I admit I find you attractive.”
“Face facts, Fallon, if we hadn’t been in public, the evening might have ended differently.”
“You’re very sure of yourself.”
“I know what I want.”
“And...oh, that’s right, you want me,” Fallon finished. “Well, I’m not that easy, Gage.”
“I didn’t think you were, but I admit I’d like to know more. Last night was the tip of the iceberg. Let me see you tonight.”
“I need time to think, Gage. I don’t appreciate the strong-arm tactics.”
“I would think if you’re going to agree to shackle yourself to me, you would want to get to know the man you’ll marry. Or would you rather walk into this as strangers?”
“You seem to think it’s a forgone conclusion I’ll say yes to your outrageous proposal.”
“I’m encouraged because you haven’t said no.”
“Fine. I’ll meet you. Where and when?”
Gage shook his head. Oh, no, he wasn’t falling into this trap again. He wanted a proper date. “I will pick you up at Stewart Manor. And, Fallon?”
“Yes?”
“Dress to impress. Because I’m taking you to the opera.”
Gage ended the call with a smile on his face. That hadn’t been as hard as he’d imagined. She was recalcitrant, but he’d convinced her it was in both their best interests to get to know one another. The problem was he didn’t have tickets, but he’d heard from Theo that Puccini’s La bohème was playing at Austin Opera and he knew anyone who was anyone would be there.
Austin society would see the former maid’s son out on the town with Fallon Stewart. It was brilliant. He would kill two birds with one stone. Cement his place in society and spend time with the woman who would be his wife. Now he had to convince Fallon there was no way she could walk away from him.
* * *
Dress to impress.
Fallon stood in front of her gilded pedestal mirror and glanced at the double-strapped, off-the-shoulder red gown with a deep side slit. The dress showed a generous amount of leg while the sweetheart neckline revealed a swell of cleavage.
She didn’t want to give Gage any ideas that the evening would end differently than it had last night with them each going home alone.
