Free Gemini by Rachel Billings Page B

another Outback. He held her gaze steadily while he opened the door and waited for her to get in.
    She’d first assumed that he wanted to talk with her more about Bryce. She realized he’d led her to think that. But it didn’t feel like that to Gemini now. It felt more like it had to do with the previous conversation they’d had. The one about how they’d decided to deal with their shared “interest” in her.
    Watching her, he seemed to read her skepticism. And he didn’t have a lot of sympathy. His sharp blue eyes flared. “Chicken?”
    She damn well should be. He wasn’t being the least bit subtle about what he meant to happen.
    Gemini put a hand on the car to steady herself. It was warm from the summer sun and felt soothing to her. It wasn’t easy to think of what these three handsome, compelling men had decided about her. However she felt about it, whatever she was going to decide about it would be tested this afternoon.
    There was another source of heat when Gemini looked up to Clay. His gaze had trailed down her body and came back up slowly. It was as heavy as a touch, hot as a stroke, and set her breath on edge.
    What was she to think of this? They were all so very attractive, so appealing. They were strong, masculine men who made no bones about their testosterone-driven natures. They would bring to bear all of their substantial resources to have from her what they wanted. But they’d never hurt her. Never lift a hand to her. Never use unfair means to get what they wanted.
    She could say no to them, and they’d accept it. She could say no right now and walk back into Quinn’s apartment. Looking up over her shoulder at his front windows, she thought she should do it.
    Quinn was perhaps the gentlest of them, the kindest. She was living with him, for all intents and purposes.
    And he’d promised her patience. As much as she needed.
    Unlike this one who stood watching her.
    He’d seen the direction of her gaze, followed the train of her thoughts.
    “Did he stop you from leaving? Did he ask you to stay?”
    No . He wouldn’t. Because he’d offered her that patience. Because he’d leave it to her to choose.
    But would she choose Clay? He was the fiercest of them, the most formidable. She played with fire, even considering it.
    Yet it was a very seductive fire. His desire for her was blatant, compelling.
    He was very tempting.
    And very impatient.
    “You don’t have to decide everything right now. It’s not like I’m asking you to marry me. Just my place, my bed, right now. That’s all you have to decide.”
    Gemini looked at him for one more minute. It was a thing that called to her, she couldn’t deny that. And she had been denying herself those things—what she wanted—for too long now.
    She got into the car. After her shower, she’d changed into a sleeveless cotton top and a short skirt. She’d settled herself and fastened her belt before Clay removed his gaze from her thighs, stepped back, and closed the door for her.
    He sat behind the wheel, his broad shoulder nearly touching hers. He pulled out into the street and took the conversation in a different direction than she expected.
    “Imagine what it will be like when Bryce comes for you. Give me a scenario.”
    Gemini thought about it. “I’m in the bar, working. It will be late because he won’t want to lose a day’s work. He’ll get through his day, have his power dinner and drinks or attend whatever important function, and then he’ll use a private jet to come here.”
    “Yeah. So, you’re behind the bar.”
    She considered. “He’ll stay in the car—a rented limo. He’ll send his personal assistant in.”
    “Ron Perdue.”
    She looked at him. “Yes.”
    “He’s not a personal assistant, darlin’. He’s an enforcer.”
    “What does that mean?”
    “It means he does whatever’s necessary for Bryce to get what he wants.”
    Memories of Bryce and Ron tumbled in her mind, until they fell into a pattern that fit Clay’s