Gideon's Redemption by Maddie Taylor Page B

we’d have to wait.” He set her away and then adjusted himself. Shannon giggled as she watched him try to do it subtly, then grinned when he finally stuck his hand down his pants and did it right.
    “Quit teasing me, babe. I’m on a tight wire as it is. Keep it up and my control might just snap.” Clearing his throat, he stood, putting even more distance between them. “When will Eli be home from school?”
    Glancing at the clock which read 1:30 p.m., she said, “I only have about an hour until I meet his bus.”
    “Great, that gives us time to pack.”
    “Now?”
    “Of course, did you think I’d let you stay in this dump another night?”
    “It’s not that bad.”
    He shot her an incredulous look, a finely arched brow communicating his utter disbelief of her words.
    “Fine, it’s that bad. But it’s all I could afford, Gid.”
    Pulling her up off the couch, he was unable to resist touching her and wrapped her up in his arms once again. “I want you in my life, Shannon, and in my house and happily back in my bed. I promise you won’t ever be forced to ‘get by’ again. No more scrimping and cutting corners just to make ends meet. I want to take care of you and Eli, honey, in style.”
    She could feel his erection, full and hard, pressing against her lower belly. Her body responded with a shiver. She wanted him to take care of her too, but she didn’t mean financially at that moment. “Okay, you’ve convinced me. Let’s get packing.”
    With another quick press of his lips, she knew she’d made the right decision. She did love him, and she was tired of going it alone. Letting him have the reigns after a decade of doing it all by herself sounded heavenly.
    “That’s my girl.” With a final squeeze, he went out in the hall and came back with a huge suitcase and a smaller overnight bag.
    “You were pretty sure of yourself, weren’t you, Mr. McCord?”
    He had the decency to look a little uncomfortable over his high-handedness, but only for a second. Then he winked and gave her another devastatingly sexy smile. “No, but if I learned one thing in scouts as a boy, it was to always be prepared.”

Chapter Seven
     
     
    Gideon turned his Mercedes into his gated driveway, stopping to enter a code on the keypad before continuing up a long, shaded, winding drive. As they approached the house, Shannon’s jaw dropped. He glanced at her as the house came into view. He’d bought the 7,500 square foot Spanish style house with six bedrooms and eight baths about three years ago. At the height of the housing bubble, it was a steal. He didn’t need so much room, but the pool out back and the views of the Pacific were awesome. He had to go to the pier for beach access but he didn’t mind with it only a mile or so away.
    Reaching over, he closed her mouth with one long finger. “Breathe, baby.”
    “But Gideon, it’s a freakin’ mansion.” She whispered this softly, but her sentiment was echoed by Eli, who was bouncing up and down in the back seat.
    “Holy cow! You live in a mansion. Are you rich, Gideon?” Eli’s eyes were as big as saucers as he pressed his nose against the rear driver’s side window.
    “Eli! That’s not polite to ask.”
    “That’s okay, babe. I did very well with my band and solo career, Eli, but producing is where it’s at.”
    “You don’t plan to perform anymore? What about touring? Will we be all alone in this gigantic house while you’re gone?”
    “Easy, Shannon.” He reached for her hand and squeezed. Glancing into the rearview mirror, he saw that Eli also had a worried expression on his face. “I still write a little and perform locally with the band, but our touring days are over. I’m happy in my studio, producing and promoting new artists. I’ll let them go on a grueling 60-city European tour. It’s a rough life, being on the road, living out of a suitcase, screaming fans, security problems…”
    “Awesome! Sounds like fun to me.” Eli had resumed