Convincing Lina: A Bachelor of Shell Cove Novel (The Bachelors of Shell Cove Romance Book 2) by Siera London Page A
Authors: Siera London
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she misjudged him? Guardian angel of curvy women please don’t let him be a Jace Harper disciple.
“I have to follow you around to make sure no other man snatches you away.”
The tension slowly left her shoulders.
“I’m a big girl, Gideon.” She gestured her hands up and down her body. “This is not a snatch and grab sized package.”
“I’m a big man and I like handling a package just your size.” She blushed. Thank goodness he couldn’t see it with her darker complexion. She admitted to herself that she did like Gideon. More importantly, she accepted that she couldn’t act on that attraction. Focus on protecting yourself. Boundary management would be her last course for the evening.
Chapter 6
He didn’t know what he did or said, but their connection from early in the evening was officially gone from high-speed to dial-up. Gideon could feel the distance between them, tangible as the shirt covering his back. It was a quarter past ten when they arrived at her condominium. Even the night creatures kept a low profile in the humidity. He was thankful Lina hadn’t balked about him not wearing a tie. She hadn’t recoiled in horror when he slipped up, responding to her question with yeah instead of yes . Gideon could be himself with Lina. He freed his second button as he rounded the car. She wasn’t running to her door. That was a good sign. Opening the passenger door he extended his hand palm up for her. It warmed his insides that an independent woman, such as Lina, could defer to a man the courtesy of allowing him to get her door. She hesitated a moment before placing her much smaller hand in his. He maintained his grasp on her hand as they walked to the stairway. He shouldn’t ask, but he didn’t want the night to end.
The scent of flowers assailed him when they reached the landing to Lina’s place. He looked down to find they both were stepping on crushed, white rose petals.
“What’s with the flower covered walkway?” Lina pushed out a breath, shaking her head.
“Jace must’ve stopped by while we were at dinner. The roses started after our break-up. I told him to knock it off.” Gideon regarded her with skepticism. She shrugged her shoulders in bewilderment. “I guess crushing them was his way of retaliating after my confrontation.”
“He seems determined.” Jace’s actions were disturbing. Lina didn’t appear to be concerned about her safety, but he was. “Is there a chance he believes the two of you could reconcile?” He searched her face. Women could hide their emotions in plain sight. He knew that from experience.
“Not humanly possible.” She formed a large cross with her forearms. Then added head nods in the negative. “He’s been a brat since he dumped me.” Gideon’s mouth slackened. His thoughts scrambled. What man in his right mind would ever leave Lina behind?
“Jace Harper ended your relationship?” Disbelief clouded his better judgment and reached for her. Closing his hands around her bare upper arms.
“You doubt me after one night?” He liked her joking with him.
“I never doubt a lady, but it’s about the stupidest decision I’ve heard of a grown man making in recent years.”
“Keep up the flattery. It’ll get you nowhere, but it’s nice to hear.”
“I’m serious.” He looked down at her. Taking in her firm upper lip and the stubborn chin, it was clear she didn’t believe him. “One man’s rhinestone is another man’s diamond.”
She laughed, but it didn’t reach her eyes. The reminder of being discarded was far from amusing. It reminded him of his own humble beginnings.
“You are good for a woman’s ego.” He caressed her shoulders, but the playful Lina was gone. Before he thought better of it, he pulled her into a warm embrace.
“You are worth more than diamonds, rubies, and pearls.” The words whispered at her ear had no effect. What words could he say to draw her out of her head and back to
“I have to follow you around to make sure no other man snatches you away.”
The tension slowly left her shoulders.
“I’m a big girl, Gideon.” She gestured her hands up and down her body. “This is not a snatch and grab sized package.”
“I’m a big man and I like handling a package just your size.” She blushed. Thank goodness he couldn’t see it with her darker complexion. She admitted to herself that she did like Gideon. More importantly, she accepted that she couldn’t act on that attraction. Focus on protecting yourself. Boundary management would be her last course for the evening.
Chapter 6
He didn’t know what he did or said, but their connection from early in the evening was officially gone from high-speed to dial-up. Gideon could feel the distance between them, tangible as the shirt covering his back. It was a quarter past ten when they arrived at her condominium. Even the night creatures kept a low profile in the humidity. He was thankful Lina hadn’t balked about him not wearing a tie. She hadn’t recoiled in horror when he slipped up, responding to her question with yeah instead of yes . Gideon could be himself with Lina. He freed his second button as he rounded the car. She wasn’t running to her door. That was a good sign. Opening the passenger door he extended his hand palm up for her. It warmed his insides that an independent woman, such as Lina, could defer to a man the courtesy of allowing him to get her door. She hesitated a moment before placing her much smaller hand in his. He maintained his grasp on her hand as they walked to the stairway. He shouldn’t ask, but he didn’t want the night to end.
The scent of flowers assailed him when they reached the landing to Lina’s place. He looked down to find they both were stepping on crushed, white rose petals.
“What’s with the flower covered walkway?” Lina pushed out a breath, shaking her head.
“Jace must’ve stopped by while we were at dinner. The roses started after our break-up. I told him to knock it off.” Gideon regarded her with skepticism. She shrugged her shoulders in bewilderment. “I guess crushing them was his way of retaliating after my confrontation.”
“He seems determined.” Jace’s actions were disturbing. Lina didn’t appear to be concerned about her safety, but he was. “Is there a chance he believes the two of you could reconcile?” He searched her face. Women could hide their emotions in plain sight. He knew that from experience.
“Not humanly possible.” She formed a large cross with her forearms. Then added head nods in the negative. “He’s been a brat since he dumped me.” Gideon’s mouth slackened. His thoughts scrambled. What man in his right mind would ever leave Lina behind?
“Jace Harper ended your relationship?” Disbelief clouded his better judgment and reached for her. Closing his hands around her bare upper arms.
“You doubt me after one night?” He liked her joking with him.
“I never doubt a lady, but it’s about the stupidest decision I’ve heard of a grown man making in recent years.”
“Keep up the flattery. It’ll get you nowhere, but it’s nice to hear.”
“I’m serious.” He looked down at her. Taking in her firm upper lip and the stubborn chin, it was clear she didn’t believe him. “One man’s rhinestone is another man’s diamond.”
She laughed, but it didn’t reach her eyes. The reminder of being discarded was far from amusing. It reminded him of his own humble beginnings.
“You are good for a woman’s ego.” He caressed her shoulders, but the playful Lina was gone. Before he thought better of it, he pulled her into a warm embrace.
“You are worth more than diamonds, rubies, and pearls.” The words whispered at her ear had no effect. What words could he say to draw her out of her head and back to
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