was Thanksgiving break my senior year of college. I was getting ready to retake the LSAT after my not-so-stellar performance the first time around.”
Christine inclined her head, surprised and charmed he’d remember the very first time they met. “You were studying in the conference room at the Fortunado Real Estate office. It was quiet because of the holiday.”
“And I was bitter because my buddies had flown to Aspen for the weekend.” He started undoing the buttons of his shirt, casually, as if it wasn’t a big deal for him to be undressing in front of her. Of course, he wore a white T-shirt under the formal shirt, so it wasn’t a true striptease.
Christine’s heart stammered just the same.
“You were the only one in the office,” he continued. “You kept bringing me coffee and takeout.”
She shrugged. “It was my first week working for your father and I wanted to be helpful in any way I could.”
“Do you remember what you told me after I’d complained to you for the millionth time about life being unfair?”
She shook her head. She hadn’t remembered speaking to him at all. She’d graduated college a semester early and had felt lucky to be hired by Kenneth right away. It had taken almost a year on the job before she believed her boss wouldn’t walk into the office and tell her he’d made a horrible mistake taking a chance on her. Having Gavin in the office during the quiet lull of the Thanksgiving holiday had made her so nervous. All she’d been able to do was refill his mug and send out for sandwiches.
“You told me to channel my inner Elle Woods.”
Christine gave a soft chuckle. “I loved Legally Blonde.”
“Clearly. You gushed about the movie. I didn’t know what you were talking about,” Gavin said with a grin. “I went back to my parents’ house and rented it.”
“You watched Legally Blonde?”
“Oh, yeah. I not only watched it, I was also inspired. I mean, if Elle Woods could get into law school, what excuse did I have?”
She snorted a laugh then pressed her hand to her mouth. “Tell me you didn’t use scented pink paper for your admissions application.”
“Not exactly.” Gavin draped the crisp white shirt over the back of the desk chair then held up his hands, palms out. “If you tell anyone I said I was inspired by that movie, I’ll deny it. But I might have Reese Witherspoon to thank for my law career.” His smile softened. “And you.”
Christine felt her mouth drop open. “I...had no idea.”
“It seemed like a stupid thing to admit at the time. But I’ve never forgotten. You helped me then, and now you’re saving my bacon once again. I owe you, Christine.”
“It’s not a big deal,” she said automatically. But it was. It was that time he’d spent in the office poring over law books that had given her an initial glimpse of who Gavin truly was on the inside. Through the years she’d remained convinced he was more than the rakish attorney who was always scaling mountains or hurling himself down ski slopes in his off time. Back then he’d been nervous, vulnerable, and she hadn’t been able to resist him. Just like she couldn’t now.
She lifted the paper and pen. “We should still go over some more details if we’re going to make this relationship believable.” Not that it would be difficult on her part. One look at her face and it would be clear to everyone that she was already half in love with Gavin.
“How about we watch a movie while we talk?” He winked. “Elle Woods for old times’ sake?”
“Sure,” she whispered.
He picked up his jacket then patted the bed. “Make yourself comfortable. I’m going to order something from late-night room service. Can I tempt you with a hamburger?”
Christine started to shake her head but her stomach rumbled. “No cheese and medium-well, please.”
He nodded. “Got it.”
She placed the paper and pen on the nightstand and climbed onto the bed, butterflies racing across her stomach. She was in Gavin’s bed. Or on it. Close enough.
He used the room’s landline to place the order then clicked the remote to turn on the TV, searching until he found Legally Blonde. “I haven’t watched this movie in years,” he told her.
“It holds up,” she said, choosing not to share that the movie was on her regular rotation of Saturday night rom-coms. It struck her that tonight was Saturday and here she sat watching a movie, as had become her weekly routine. Only tonight instead of curling up with her black lab, Diana, she was in one of the most beautiful hotels in Austin with Gavin.
She loved her dog, but this was way better.
Her nerves disappeared as soon as the movie started. She and Gavin talked and laughed, and then ate when the food arrived. He cleared the empty plates when the movie ended, placing the tray outside the hotel room door.
“I think you should stay a bit longer,” he said, checking his watch. “The reception isn’t scheduled to end until midnight, and knowing my family, they’ll be closing down the place.”
“I don’t want to keep you from going to sleep,” she said, stifling a yawn.
“Apparently, I’m not the one who’s tired.”
“It’s been a kind of crazy night for me,” she admitted.
“If you want to go I can—”
“We could watch another movie?” She smiled. “Something with lots of action to keep us awake.”
“Good idea.” He returned to the bed and flipped through channels until he found an old James Bond flick.
“Who’s your favorite Bond?” she asked.
“Sean Connery.” He moved to the center of the mattress. “In case you’re interested, I make a pretty good pillow.”
Her girl parts went wild. She scooted closer, and he lifted one arm, tucking her against his chest.
“I bet you’re a Daniel Craig fan,” he said, resting his chin on the top of her head.
“Every woman with a pulse is a fan of Daniel Craig.”
She felt his chuckle against her ear, and the rhythmic up and down of his chest. As bizarre as the night had been, it was the stuff of her fantasies to be cuddling with Gavin. If only the night never had to end.
Christine blinked awake, disoriented for a moment at the unfamiliar surroundings. The something—someone—moved next to her and the previous night came flooding back.
She turned to find Gavin asleep next to her, lying chest down with his hair rumpled and a shadow
