Page 263 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

He looked deep into her eyes as his voice went silky smooth. “Gracie, ever since our encounter at the inn, I’ve thought of little else.”

She gulped. “Really?”

The soft smile slipped easily over his beautiful face. “Really.” He put a hand over his heart. “Promise.”

“You’re toying with me—not taking me seriously.”

A peculiar light settled into his eyes. “On the contrary, I can’t think of anything else that I take more seriously.”

“Why?” She searched his face for sincerity.

He took her arm and steered her over to the side. “I’d rather not have this conversation in the middle of the room, with everyone gawking at us.”

Was everyone gawking? She hadn’t noticed. Sheldon’s presence had crowded out everything else. She glanced around and realized that every female in the room under seventy was mesmerized by Sheldon. Not that she could blame them. He was walking eye-candy in his gym shorts and sleeveless shirt that molded to his sculpted torso. His broad shoulders tapered down to a rock-hard abdomen, and his lean legs had just the right amount of muscle.

She realized that Sheldon was studying her with a quirky expression. Heat fanned her face, and she hoped he couldn’t read her thoughts. It was a good thing she was an angel, or else she might’ve died from embarrassment right then and there.

“The day we spent together was one of the best I’ve ever had. We have a connection. I know you felt it too.” His eyes zeroed in on hers, daring her to disagree.

“Well … yes …” She chewed on her lower lip. “But that’s because it’s what you do. You’re like this shiny flame that draws the moth in.” She snapped her fingers, eyes going hard. “And then obliterates it.”

“The shiny flame that only you can resist. Surely that must mean something.” Before she could answer, he continued. “Spend the day with me.” His eyes twinkled with limitless possibilities.

Oh how she wanted to. At this moment, she wanted to be with him more than she wanted air. She stopped. How much of what she felt for him was real and how much was owed to his abilities?

“I’m sorry, but I can’t. I have to look after Brooke.”

She wouldn’t leave Brooke in the lurch, like she’d done last time at the inn. Like it or not, Brooke was her assignment, and she needed to see it through. Alarm pulsed through her as she glanced toward the clock. Brooke would be arriving any minute now, and she didn’t want to risk being recognized. Gracie didn’t know how astute Brooke was, but if she recognized her from the inn, it would make things even more difficult. “I have to go.”

He caught hold of her arm. “One day is all I ask. If you’ll give me that then I’ll help you find someone for Brooke. Heck, I’ll even hand him to you on a silver platter.”

She wrinkled her nose. “You would do that?”

There wasn’t the slightest trace of guile in his clear blue eyes that were the color of the sky in June. “For you … yes.”

Uncertainty clouded over her as she considered his offer. It was certainly tempting, but she couldn’t shirk her responsibilities. She’d learned that the hard way the last time she threw caution to the wind and spent the day with him. On the other hand, it would be nice to have a man’s opinion about the type of guy that would be suitable for Brooke. If he could really find someone for Brooke, then it would be time well spent.

He put a hand over hers. “Please.”

The plaintive tone in his voice struck a chord deep within her. She might’ve given in had she not seen the familiar face, staring at her from across the room. It was the first hint of a dark cloud in an otherwise sunny sky. Humiliation burned through Gracie as she backed away from Sheldon. “I-I’m sorry,” she stammered, “I can’t.”

He glanced in the direction she was looking and glowered. “I see your guard dog has arrived.”

Gertrude looked sorely out of place in her pink, cat-eye glasses, gray dress suit and sensible shoes. She marched up to them, arms tightly folded across her chest. She gave Gracie a dour look before turning her attention to Sheldon. “I wondered when you would turn up.”

He flashed a disarming smile. “Hello, Gertrude. You’re looking quite dapper in your dress suit. The gray really sets off the silver in your hair.”

Her lips vanished into a thin line. “Your flattery is wasted on me.”

He cut his eyes at Gracie. “See, you’re not the only one who can resist my charm.” He ignored Gertrude and focused his full attention on Gracie. “Spend the day with me. One day, and then I’ll give you everything you want.”

Gertrude let out a loud harrumph as her face went as dark as her suit. At the same time, panic bolted through Gracie like a live wire touching water. She couldn’t believe Sheldon was acting so brazen in front of Gertrude. They were imposing mountains, looming over her. There was a pleading look on his face and a peeved look on Gertrude’s. Gracie felt like everything was hanging in the balance.

It only took her a second to make up her mind. “I’m sorry. I can’t.”

Gertrude eyed Sheldon like he was a loathsome bug that needed to be crushed. “You’re wasting your time here.”

Disappointment clouded his handsome features as he shot Gertrude a venomous look. “Your hold on her is stronger than I thought.”

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