The Reluctant Heiress

“Garrett, it’s safe, and I’ll lock the door once I’m inside.” She turned to unlock the door and reached inside to switch off the alarm. When it became clear that he had no intention of leaving, she headed down the hall and said over her shoulder, “I’ll show you my office.”

She stepped into her office and he followed, taking in the beige room with bright splashes of color from her paintings. He studied the paintings for a moment, and then turned to her, making her pulse skip. “I expect people any minute now.”

“I’ll wait and be certain. Why don’t you give me the key and I’ll unlock the front and switch on lights.”

She handed him the key and he caught her wrist, drawing her to him. Her “no” died on her lips before she ever uttered a sound. His arm banded her waist and he looked down at her. “I didn’t sleep well and I suspect you didn’t either. This is what I’ve wanted since I woke up this morning.” His mouth covered hers, his lips warm and firm as he kissed her.

Her heart thudded while heat made the room a furnace. Wrapping her arm around his neck, she combed her fingers through his thick hair while their kiss turned to fire. Forgetting her surroundings, she held him tightly.

She never heard the car but Garrett raised his head and stepped away. “I hear one of your employees.”

Garrett’s erratic breathing matched hers. She felt disoriented, trying to ignore her desire and get her focus off Garrett and back to the real world.

He left to unlock the front for her just as she heard a car door slam. One of her male employees came in the back door, and Sophia introduced him to Garrett when he returned to the office.

“I’ll pick you up at home tonight. How’s six? Too early?” he asked.

“It’s fine,” she said, still slightly dazed, thinking six o’clock sounded eons away. “Thanks again for breakfast.” He gave her an incredible smile, said goodbye and closed the door behind him. Sophia felt like she was in a daze until her phone rang.

“You were out late last night,” Edgar said.

“Hello to you, too, Edgar,” she said, amused. “I can’t recall having a curfew. I don’t think this is what Mom had in mind when she asked you to look out for me.”

“I think it’s exactly what she had in mind. You didn’t answer the text I sent you this morning.”

“Sorry, Edgar. I went out for breakfast.”

“Uh-huh. With the Cantrell fellow?”

She laughed. “Yes, with the Cantrell fellow—Garrett, to be exact.”

“Oh, dear,” Edgar said, sighing audibly. “I suppose I will have to remember his name. So you’re seeing him again?”

“Correct. Am I going to have to check in, Mom 2?”

He chuckled. “No. I’ll keep tabs. Just answer your text messages.”

“Yes, Edgar.”

“Last night seemed a huge success.”

“I’ll hear shortly when everyone arrives at work.”

“I’m certain I’m right. Have lunch with me and we’ll celebrate your success.”

“Thanks. That’ll be nice.” She made arrangements with him and a minute later, her assistant appeared to show her the receipts from the gallery.

Last night had indeed been a success—in more ways than one.

Sophia pulled on a blue wool-and-crepe sweater with a deep V-neck, a straight, short skirt and matching pumps. She put her hair up in a French twist. She was nervous, anxious, excited.

Get a grip, she silently lectured herself.

It wasn’t easy. Garrett captivated her more than any other man she had known. He was exciting, handsome, interested in her life. If she let herself think of kissing him, she could get lost in memories of the previous night. But she didn’t want that to happen. She needed to stay in control.

When she was ready, she studied herself thoroughly to make certain she was at her best for the evening.

When she opened the door to face him, her heart raced, despite all her commands to the contrary. In a navy suit, he looked breathtakingly handsome and commanding. His smile warmed her as his gaze drifted slowly over her.

“You’re gorgeous,” he said in a husky voice that was like a caress. She smiled, glad for the effort she had taken to get ready. “You have a nice home,” he said.

“Sometime you’ll get a tour, but right now, we’re headed for your house.”

“I’ll hold you to that. Shall we go?”

Nodding, she closed the door behind her, hearing the lock click in place. Garrett took her arm to escort her to a waiting limo where the driver held the door while she climbed inside. She was surprised Garrett wasn’t driving. Did he always travel in limos? Was she seeing another facet of his life? Garrett sat facing her.

“How were the gallery showings?”

“Very good. I’m gratified. I’ll paint whether people buy my work or not, but when my paintings sell, I feel good about it. I keep the ones I don’t want to sell. Some are just for me and they’re not going to a gallery.” As she talked, she was intensely aware of Garrett’s smoky gaze on her. His fascinating gray eyes and knowledge of what his kisses could do kept her tingling with anticipation.

“If it suits you, we’ll go out to my house to hang the painting. When we’re through, we’ll have dinner.”

“Sounds like a great evening.”

In a short time they drove through an exclusive residential area with acres of tall pines and estates set back out of sight. Black wrought-iron gates swung open to allow them entrance.

She was curious about his home, interested in finding out more about him. When the trees cleared, she saw the sprawling, three-story stone mansion.

“Garrett, your home is beautiful.” A long narrow pool was centered in the formal gardens in the front yard. Various fountains held splashing water and sunlight spilled an orange glow over the house. Tall, symmetrical Italian pines stood at opposite ends of the wide porch that led to massive double doors.

The limo halted and the driver held the door as they exited. The door opened before they reached it and Garrett introduced her. “Sophia, meet Terrence, who is my right-hand man. He’s butler and house manager and keeps things running smoothly here. Terrence, this is Ms. Rivers.”

“Welcome, Ms. Rivers,” Terrence said, stepping back and holding the door wide.

Garrett took her arm as they entered.

“Somehow this surprises me. I imagined you in a different type of home,” she said, realizing Garrett had far more wealth than she had thought.

“Maybe I better not ask what kind.”

“Something less formal, maybe more Western. Although this mansion has enough rooms to have all types of decor.”

“I’ll show you my shop and then we’ll find the perfect spot for your painting.”

He led her down the wide, elegant hall with potted palms and oils in ornate frames hanging on the walls. They entered another wing of the mansion and finally turned into a large paneled room that smelled of sawdust. The terrazzo floor was rust-colored with dark brown stones. Beautiful pieces of furniture in various stages were scattered throughout the room. The framework for an ornate credenza stood on a worktable, above which tools hung. One wall held handcrafted cabinets containing more tools.

She walked around the room, inhaling the sawdust smell, taking in the furniture in progress, lumber, power saws, a stack of sawhorses. “This is what you love, isn’t it?”