Free Betrayed by Love by Marilyn Lee Page B

disappointment I felt at the thought of not seeing him for several hours instead of fifteen minutes or so, was my first inkling of just how big an impression he’d made on me.
    “Ah…sure. We can do dinner or we can cancel if—”
    “No. I’ll wrap this up and make dinner. I’ll call you soon.”
    “Okay.”
    An hour and a half later the phone rang again. Jen and I were lying out by the pool after eating a light lunch. Jen glanced at the caller I.D., grinned, and passed the phone to me.
    It was clearly Grant. Hopefully he wasn’t calling to cancel our date. “Hello?”
    “Hi, Linea. It’s Grant. The meeting has finally concluded. “
    I suppressed a sigh of relief. “Successfully?”
    “Yes.”
    “Congrats.”
    “Thanks. I feel like I earned it and now deserve a reward.”
    “How are you going to do that?”
    “See you. How else?”
    I felt this incredibly wide smile spreading across my face. “If nothing else, you’re clearly a man with exquisite taste.”
    He laughed. “I’d like to pick you up at six o’clock tonight.”
    “How shall I dress?”
      “Nothing too fancy. “
    “Casual?”
    “Yes, but not sweat suit casual, Linea.”
    Damn I liked the way he said my name. “Okay.”
    “I’ll see you then.”
    “Okay.”
    “Until six.”
    “Until then.” I ended the call and handed Jen the phone.
    To my surprise, she didn’t ask any questions. We talked about everything for the next hour and a half but my upcoming date with Grant.
    At four o’clock, I returned to the guest bedroom and spent half an hour soaking in my favorite bath salts. As I did, I made an effort to keep my thoughts off Grant and the coming night.
    I spent another half hour trying to decide if I still wanted to wear the outfit Jen and I had finally agreed on earlier. I settled on a two–piece peach silk dress with a scoop–neck bodice that clung to, but completely concealed my breasts. The dress had short sleeves and a swirling skirt that ended just below my calves. I slipped on a pair of two–inch dark mauve sandals, sprayed myself with my favorite scent, and picked up the matching clutch.
    Satisfied with my appearance, I left the guestroom twenty minutes before Grant was due to arrive. I came to an abrupt halt in the doorway of the living room. There was no sign of either Jen or Jarrod, but Grant stood looking out onto the patio.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Six
     
    He must have seen my reflection in the patio doors because he immediately turned. Damn he looked handsome in a dark suit and open–neck white shirt.
    Smiling, he quickly crossed the room to stand just inches from me.
    “You’re early,” I blurted out.
    “I was eager to see you.” He reached down to brush the back of his hand against mine.
    A jolt of electricity danced down my spine. I flashed him a quick smile and glanced around the room. “Where are Jen and Jarrod?”
    “They’re in the kitchen checking on dinner.”
    “Both of them?”
    He nodded, a smile curving his lips. “As subtle as ever, huh?”
    I laughed. “Super subtle.”
    “Would you like a drink?”
    Alcohol would only lower my inhibitions and I wasn’t sure I wanted that. “No. Thanks.”
    He extended his arm. “Then let’s get the evening started.”
    I slipped my arm through his. “Okay. Let’s.”
    As we left the living room, Jen emerged from the kitchen and quickly walked down the hall. “What a handsome pair you two make.” She smiled at Grant. “Doesn’t Lin look great?”
    “Jen!” I shot her a cold look, which she ignored.
    Grant nodded. “Yes, she does.” He turned to look at me. “Yes, you do.”
    The look in his eyes left no doubt of his sincerity.
    Needless to say, I decided things could only get better after that. When Jen would have rattled on and on, Jarrod joined us in the foyer, cupped a palm under her elbow, and practically dragged her away and into the living room.
    Grant grinned at me. “Alone at