Wilde Thing. Jannine Gallant

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СКАЧАТЬ never mind.”

      “You’re disgusting.”

      He let out a sigh. “Despite what you may believe, I’ve grown up since then.”

      “That’s not what I’ve heard. Anyway, you left Hannah high and dry and dateless that night. Not to mention you really hurt her feelings.”

      Guilt niggled as he buttoned his shirt. “I didn’t know. She never said anything about it to me at the time.”

      “Of course she didn’t. We both agreed you were a huge jerk and she should get over you. Except I’m not sure she did. Not that summer, anyway. Hannah always kept her emotions all bottled up behind a cheerful smile, so it was hard to tell sometimes.”

      The guilt dug a little deeper. “I really have to go, Eden. Hannah isn’t the quiet little mouse I remember from way back then. Now, she speaks her mind and isn’t shy about putting me in my place. Anyway, it’s just one dinner.”

      “Fine. Sorry I yelled at you. Have a happy birthday.”

      “I will. See you, Eden.” He pushed the disconnect button and scooped up the phone then grabbed his keys and wallet off the dresser. Shoving everything in his pockets, he headed toward the back door, pausing only to pull a leather jacket off the coat rack before he entered the garage. By rote, he started the engine, raised the double door and backed out onto the street. His mind was fully occupied with his sister’s surprising revelation.

      Not the fact that he’d been a huge asshole. That wasn’t exactly a newsflash.

      He never would have guessed Hannah had the hots for him all those years ago. She sure hadn’t acted like she was interested. Not in the way good old Wendy had made her feelings abundantly clear. Maybe that was the reason Hannah seemed so determined to keep him at arm’s length now. He’d blown it with her the first time, though he hadn’t been aware of it, and he knew her well enough to figure she wasn’t big on second chances.

      Maybe I should apologize. He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. Or not. It wasn’t hard to imagine how awkward that conversation would be. Best to pretend the heart-to-heart with his sister had never happened. Bottom line, he’d keep things low-key with Hannah. For now. Problem was every time he saw her, he couldn’t help wanting more than a friendship. Good thing she was a whole lot smarter than he was and had made it clear romance was out of the question.

      By the time he had that settled in his mind, he was parked in her driveway and halfway up the snow-packed path to her door. When she opened it at his knock, his jaw sagged…and every good intention he’d struggled with disappeared on the stiff breeze.

      Her wide smile shook him, but not as much as the figure-hugging royal blue dress that displayed mile-long legs and enough cleavage to make him want to see a whole lot more. Her hair was pulled up into some kind of knot with a few strands escaping to caress her soft neck. At least her skin looked as delicate to the touch as the cream-colored roses in his mother’s garden back home. Tripp’s fingers twitched, just itching to find out. He stuffed them in his pockets.

      “Right on time. Let me get my coat.”

      He bent to pet Winnie when the dog sat at his feet and gave him a demanding look that even a moron couldn’t misinterpret. When Hannah returned with a short, black jacket, he took it from her and held it as she slid bare arms through the sleeves.

      “You look beautiful.”

      “Thank you. No, you aren’t coming with us.” She pushed the dog back inside with the toe of her knee-high boot then shut and locked the door.

      “Careful. It’s slippery.” Taking her arm, he held tight all the way down the ice-slicked path, even though she was probably perfectly capable of walking on her own. When they reached his truck, he opened her door, shut it after she was seated, then ran around to the driver’s side.

      Hannah glanced over as he fastened his seatbelt before putting the pickup in reverse. “You’re quite the gentleman this evening.”

      “Overkill?”

      Her smile was just visible in the gleam of the porch light. “No, but not your usual style.”

      “In other words, I’m generally a complete boor.”

      She pressed a hand to her lips, but a soft laugh escaped. “You treat me like I’m a capable adult. Nothing wrong with that. Still, it’s nice to feel like a lady once in a while.”

      “You’re always a lady. The more time I spend with you, the more amazed I am some guy hasn’t already scooped you up.”

      “Probably because I’m too big.”

      He gave her a sharp glance. “Damn it, Hannah, don’t put yourself down. You’re gorgeous, and I don’t understand why you don’t know that.”

      “I was being literal.” Her quiet voice took on an edge. “I’m five-foot-ten. In heels, I tower over most of the men I’ve dated. Yes, you’re what, four inches taller than me? Still, I doubt you could carry me very far.”

      He snorted. “Wanna bet?”

      She flashed another smile. “What are we, twelve?”

      “Maybe.” He grinned back. “I told Eden earlier that you keep me on my toes.”

      “Did she call to wish you a happy birthday?”

      “Among other things. I don’t want to discuss my sister tonight. I want to get to know you better in a non-therapy setting.” He slowed then turned into the parking lot of the Moonlight Inn. “But that can wait until we get inside.”

      After he handed over the keys to the parking valet, they headed into the restaurant.

      “This place is pretty fancy.” Hannah spoke softly as they followed the hostess down the shallow steps to a table for two with an incredible view of Lake Tahoe. “Not to mention huge. There seem to be a lot of empty tables.”

      “It’s definitely high-end.” Tripp took the menu from the hostess, smiled his thanks and waited until the woman left to continue. “I wonder if they’ll be able to stay in business if the conference center deal falls through. I heard there’s some trouble with the financing for the hotel complex they planned to build on the adjacent property.”

      Hannah leaned back in her chair and opened the menu on the ivory tablecloth. “Interesting.”

      “A bunch of people, from the owners to the marketing team to the construction company they already hired, are going to lose a huge chunk of change if the deal collapses at this stage. At least that’s what I heard when I was standing in line at the grocery store. You’ve got to love small-town gossip.”

      “Sounds like my stepfather will take it in the shorts if that happens.”

      He stared at her over the delicate blue taper, flickering on the table between them. “Your stepfather?”

      She nodded. “He’s half-owner of this place.”

      “Which husband was he?”

      “Number two. My mother married him when СКАЧАТЬ