Convincing Lina: A Bachelor of Shell Cove Novel (The Bachelors of Shell Cove Romance Book 2) by Siera London Page B

him?  
    “In my neck of the woods, we have a saying. One man’s fling is another man’s future.” Challenge issued. Would she take the bait?
    “Oh…that’s good, Gideon. The problem is every man I encounter tells me, I’m his future. The onus is on me to realize when I’ve been downgraded from future to fling.” She stepped out of his embrace. The night seemed cool without her warmth. Words like humble beginnings had been used to describe his childhood. A camouflage for being poor and unwanted. To have humble beginnings attached to your family name was a politically correct phrase for abject poverty. It made social and economic inequality more palatable to the societal elite. In his hometown of Waverly Falls, his birth name was synonymous with worthless. That was the reason he’d taken his adoptive family’s last name-Rice.  
    “Everything about you is pure platinum.” He didn’t think it was possible, but she backed up against the door creating what felt like a canyon sized space between them. He didn’t like it.  
    “You are like a brainiac, eye candy, and a hallmark card all rolled into one. The ladies need a stealth detector around you,” she said.
    “I’m only interested in one lady.”  
    She gave him an “is that so” look.  
    “How interested?”  
    “Is there anyway you’ve changed your mind about me coming inside?” She raised her eyebrows, eyes stretched wide.  
    Raising both his hands, palms facing her. “I just want us to talk.” She sighed as if coming to a decision.  
    He pressed his luck, hoping favor rested on him tonight. “Invite me in.” He sent up a silent plea to fate.  
    “You have about as much chance of getting inside, as me frying my brain cells with a curling iron. I’m well acquainted with that type of interest. You coming inside is a bad idea.” He released a sigh.
    “What’s stopping you?” A crease formed between her brows. She took a deep breath, then slowly released it as if reinforcing her force field. There was one more step before she would be on the other side of a closed door. He played his hand.  
    “You’ve spent the last four and a half hours in my company. You are safe with me and you know where I work. Let me, come in.” She laughed at his last comment.
    “Why do I get the sense we are talking about more than you entering my house?”
    “I am, but, we both know nothing will happen if there’s only one interested party. So, are you interested in getting to know me?” She narrowed her eyes with suspicion before taking a step back. That first kiss must have scrambled his brain. He was sending the wrong signal.  
    “Why did you ask me out tonight?” The wide stance, and arms crossed over her chest said she was ready for battle. It was a mistake to hint at more tonight.  
    “We have a connection. I enjoy talking with you. You’re no longer entangled with what’s his name.”
    “Gideon we work together.” He could see where this train was leading.  
      “And technically, you are assigned to my clinic. I’m not your boss.” She placed both hands on her generous hips. He grinned at her. He would not make it easy for her to get rid of him.  
    “I never knew you were such a smooth talker. Seriously, we’ve seen each other every day for practically nine months and you’ve never shown any interest in me until today. And before you mention the kiss, that doesn’t count because it was for charity.”
    “Wrong on both counts. You have never noticed my attentions until today and any kiss between us counts.” She was looking at him with a curious expression, then she frowned.
    “You know that Jace will keep trying to get me transferred at best, fired at worse.” Something akin to pain crossed her face, then it vanished.  
    “I overheard something about that. I know things went wrong between the two of you. I did what I could to help you.” Her back went ramrod straight, then she took another step away from him. He didn’t