Free HowMuchYouWantToBet by Melissa Blue

eye, he could still see the diamond glinting in the artificial light. “No, I don’t.” The piercing was more telling than anything she might have said. “We have three minutes before landing. Let me give you the rundown.”
    She nodded, situating her shirt. “What hotel are we staying at?”
    “No hotel. My parents’ home. Now, don’t freak out. My parents are decent people and they will ensure we stay in different rooms.” He knew that wasn’t her cause of discomfort, but continued. “Business is always first. The meeting will be as soon as we get there, but then my mother will pull us into the dining room for dinner.”
    “What’s your mother like?”
    His smiled warmed. “Far from soft spoken, anything but staid, and she’s the reason why my father and I can be civil in a warm way.”
    She bit her lip. “Why don’t you and your father get along?”
    Gib took a deep breath. No woman he’d dated before had ever bothered to question him about his rocky relationship with his father. They’d wanted to know what trips he’d take them on, what size diamonds did he think they were worth, and how long before he’d drop them. Gib let the breath out slowly. He’d been waiting for Neil to ask for an explanation. He was relieved that she finally had. He and Neil weren’t dating, exactly, but it still mattered that she wanted to know.
    “It was a given that, after I got my MBA, I would stake my claim in the business, show more than a fleeting interest. As I’ve told you, I’ve done everything but that. In the past three years I’ve worked as a bartender, a chef again, and when my uncle Jeffery caught the flu pretty bad I handled his clients.”
    “What does he do?”
    “He’s a stockbroker.”
    Her eyes lit with amusement. “Let’s not forget your most recent position at The Linton Herald.”
    “Correct. Dad’s not too unhappy about all the money that didn’t necessarily go to waste. He is bothered by the education that grows dust by the year.”
    “Same thing as saying you wasted his money.”
    Neil frowned. She was displeased on his behalf, and the thought made him feel warm. As the plane bumped and jolted, Gib lifted the shade and looked out. “That was quick.”
    A minute later, the pilot informed them they could deplane. Gib grabbed both bags and didn’t continue the conversation. Neil’s discomfort was obvious as she settled into the limousine waiting for them.
    “I feel underdressed in this thing. Is this how you always travel?” Neil’s face was flushed, her wild black curls stubbornly fighting the hair band.
    Gib hesitated, then reached over and pulled out the band, meeting her gaze and challenging her to say something. She didn’t. “I only travel this way when I’m going home, but I have an idea. This way you won’t feel uncomfortable, and if things get ugly you won’t be there to witness it.” He pushed a button on the console between them.
    “Yes, sir?” The driver’s voice came from the speaker next to the sunroof.
    “Hey, James, how’s the wife?”
    “Expecting.”
    “Who’ll be the fifth member of the clan? I’m sure you already have a name picked out.” He smiled when Neil’s eyes widened. She held up five fingers in disbelief. He leaned forward to whisper in her ear and was pleased when he felt her shiver. “That’s not counting the two miscarriages she had in their first year of marriage.”
    “The name will be Jameson, and that’s for either sex,” the driver replied.
    “How long have they been married?” she whispered.
    Gib shrugged at her question. “And how long have you guys been married, again?”
    “Fifteen years this coming summer. Quit being rude and introduce me to your young lady. Mrs. Victoria is going to be ecstatic. This is the first woman you’ve brought home since the senior dance in—hmm, it’s been a few years, since then. My, Gib, you’re getting old.”
    “Thanks for the welcome home, and her name is Neil Sullivan. I need you