Page 17 of Nothing to Win

“Only my father calls me Gianna,” she whispered, “and he only does it when he’s mad.Gia, only call me Gia.”

He nodded once and her hand slid away.Her pounding heart shook the walls.These men knew each other from the boardroom, from opposing each other, competing.

This was different.This was personal.

Spurn lingered before speaking.“Conway,” he said, his voice somehow deeper and more impatient.Transfixed, her pulse got louder.He was together, almost serene.This was just another inconvenient moment in his day.“Your daughter and I are consenting adults… There’s no need to discuss those details.”

“Details?”she mouthed.

Spurn didn’t respond.Did he even see her?

Her question was a stupid question anyway, because really, on the heels of “consenting adults” her father could only be asking about one thing: sex.

“After dinner,” Spurn said.“I do… That is not the case… As planned.”Spurn hung up the phone and gave it back.“Would you like dessert?”

That was it?

“Dessert?”Astounded, she put the phone away.“What did he say?”

“We’ll meet in the week,” he said.“I told him I would bring you home after dinner.”

Reading between the lines, her father more likely demanded Spurn bring her home that minute.Spurn wouldn’t capitulate to her father’s command.Doubtful he’d capitulate to anyone.Damn, was that her respect for him growing?

What would it be like to never have to apologize for just being yourself?

Inspiration fired her audacity.

“Irish coffee?”she asked before she could talk herself out of it.His surprise was so instant that he had no time to restrain his smile.“My mother says it’s not ladylike.”

“Irish coffee it is,” he said and summoned a server.

This was strange.She couldn’t figure him out.Business wasn’t her business.Other than animosity, she had no idea of the corporate relationship between Spurn Global and Sear Incorporated.

Her family’s opinions didn’t always gel with hers.Knowing that, she had to draw her own conclusions about Brogan Spurn.Why had she believed otherwise?Suspicion would stay high.She wasn’t dumb enough to believe he didn’t have motive for this farce.Many motives, maybe.Speculation wouldn’t get her anywhere.As long as she was in this relationship, she would live it one minute at a time.

SIX

THE LIMO RIDE back to the house was better than the one out.Might have something to do with the potency of the coffee.A new experience.One she enjoyed.Spurn offered her a second, but she didn’t feel like asking him to carry her home.Wouldn’t that be a picture for her father to enjoy?

Not very ladylike.

Seatbelts.Yeah, they were essential.Outside the restaurant, she wouldn’t go anywhere without—

Why was she laughing?The joke was… Was there a joke?Humor dwindled when the limo stopped.Home.Sobering.

Real life.

And the ultimate humiliation?Two security agents flanked the bottom of the stairs.A select over the top response from her father.Perfect.

At least he wasn’t—the front door opened and, to her horror, her father and brother came out.

“Oh my God,” she said.

Spurn unfastened the seatbelt she’d insisted he don when they left the restaurant.Oh, God, had she really…?Don’t do that.Don’t think of… anything.Replaying events only heightened her cringe.No more Irish coffee for her.Ever again.

“Wait here.”

“No!”she exclaimed, lunging over to grab Spurn’s hand before he could get out.