Free Loving Gigi by Ruth Cardello Page B

first time she’d met him, she’d thought he was arrogant and harsh. At her mother’s house, she’d dismissed him as an overconfident ass. She’d desperately wanted to get away from him.
    Now as the plane touched down, Gigi couldn’t deny how good she felt around Kane. Not just because she was attracted to him, but also because he made her laugh. Meeting her family for the first time wasn’t scary with him at her side. He made her feel safe . . . and confused as all hell.
    Every time he looked at her, her chest would tighten; her inner muscles would quiver. His voice was as sexy as the rest of him. His brief overview of East Coast weather patterns had her wet and ready for him as if he were whispering indecent proposals into her ear. She craved him in a way that defied logic.
    And he’s not even into me.
    Or is he?
    There were a few times during the flight she’d caught him watching her, and she let herself imagine it was lust she saw in his eyes. Her body would warm deliciously in response, and then he would say something completely impersonal, leaving her to wonder if he’d been looking at her or through her as he thought about something else.
    When they’d stood nose to nose in her mother’s parlor, Gigi could have sworn the air had sizzled with mutual sexual attraction, but there’d been no evidence of it since. He’d as much as told her he’d be happy with never seeing her again.
    Kane stood when the plane came to a halt and held out his hand to her. “Are you ready?”
    She placed her hand in his and joined him, savoring the desire that shot through her, since it might be the last time she felt it. “Not really, but it’s too late to turn back now.”
    He frowned as if conflicted about something, then took out a business card and held it out to her. “Take my card.”
    Gigi gasped in surprise. Did this mean what she thought it did? Was he saying he would leave it to her to make the first move? She accepted the card with a shaky hand. If she were smart she’d toss it out as she had the one she’d received from the creepy redhead when she was twenty-two. Some numbers were best not called.
    But, oh, Kane would be a mistake worth making.
    His next words were an embarrassing slap of reality. “It’s my pilot’s number. You’re not trapped here. I’m sure you won’t need the option, but if you do, the plane’s there for you.”
    Letting out a long, slow breath, Gigi hoped her face had not revealed any of the rollercoaster she’d just taken herself on. Her only saving grace was she tended not to share her thoughts aloud. She plastered a grateful smile on her face. “Thank you.”
    The pilot opened the jet door and lowered the stairs. Kane put out his hand and said, “After you.”
    Once clear of the jet door, Gigi saw Gio and Julia standing beside a black limo. Gio’s expression was hidden by sunglasses. Julia’s bright smile competed with the sunshine. Gigi hesitated, gripping the railing tightly with one hand. This is it. They’d either welcome her as she’d always dreamed they would, or reveal an alternate reason they wanted to meet her. Either way, no more hiding.
    From behind her, Kane said softly, “You’re stronger than you think, Gigi.”
    Gigi nodded. She put a brave smile on her face and slowly made her way toward her eldest brother.
    Julia rushed forward, smiling and crying at the same time. She threw her arms around Kane. “You did it. I knew you would.”
    Kane said something that Gigi missed as her attention swiveled to Gio. He was intimidatingly tall with stern features. Gigi had only two real memories of him, and they swirled through her: one from the day he threatened her mother and the other from his wedding. She held out her hand to shake his and raised her eyes to his. Please be the man I saw at your wedding.
    He took off his sunglasses and looked her over, leaving her standing there with her hand awkwardly held out to him. Gigi lowered it, confused, and took a step