Taking the Heat. Victoria Dahl

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СКАЧАТЬ from wry humor to serious concern. Was she only acting or did she really feel that deeply for these people? He couldn’t tell, but the whole room went quiet as she talked about betrayal and pain.

      “I can’t begin to guess at her reasons. I’m sure she tells herself she has them, but she is consciously hurting you. She’s trying to damage you on the deepest level. Now, people do that all the time. There are people online who spend every day swooping down on strangers just to hurt them and they find that entertaining. But this is your sister. You can’t just ignore that. You’re going to have to talk to her, because you’re both adults and part of being an adult is doing difficult things.

      “Tell her you need it to stop. And if you’re open to the answer, ask her why. Find out what’s really going on, because I guarantee that it has nothing to do with your body and what you do with it. It’s all about her. Maybe she’s having issues with your parents. Maybe they’re using your success to shame her. Or maybe she’s just depressed and angry and lashing out. Ask her why. And if you don’t like her answer, you have every right to cut her out of your life, but be honest with your family about why you’ve done it, or she will make you into the bad guy.”

      The applause was more subdued this time, but Veronica smiled. “Don’t worry. The next question is about boobs.”

      When she started giving advice about living with a small chest, Gabe felt less guilty about checking her breasts out. She gestured to them as she was talking, after all. People were laughing so hard it was difficult to hear everything she said about bra shopping and dress styles, but he had a perfect view of her breasts the whole time. The neckline of her dress swooped only low enough to hint at cleavage, but she made clear that she didn’t have much to show, anyway.

      “Personally, I wouldn’t bother much with water bras or miracle padding. What if you attract a guy who’s really, really into C-cups and then your magic show ends with whipping off your bra and making them disappear? You can yell out ‘Ta-da!’ but I promise you won’t get any applause.”

      Benton was laughing so hard that Gabe suspected it was a magic show the bartender had seen several times.

      Half an hour and four more questions later, the show was over. Once the room started to clear out a little, Gabe took the opportunity to grab a free space at the bar and order another beer.

      “We’re heading over to the saloon,” Benton said when Gabe returned to the table. “You coming?”

      “I just bought a beer.”

      “Finish it and come on.”

      “I’d better not. I’ve got work tomorrow, and my shift doesn’t start at 5:00 p.m., unlike yours.”

      “All right, man.” Benton slapped his shoulder. “See you this weekend.”

      Gabe relaxed into his chair. If Sunday turned out to be anything like today, he might die of happiness. It was all so...simple.

      But when he glanced up, it wasn’t simple anymore.

      Veronica stood in the opening of the back hall, leaning forward just slightly to look around the room. He realized then that she was part of the reason he’d decided to stay, even if he hadn’t admitted it. Shit.

      After a few seconds of peering toward the bar, she retreated and leaned against the wall, then closed her eyes and drained her drink.

      Gabe watched her, confused by yet another sudden personality shift. She clearly didn’t want to come out, which was odd considering she’d just spent so much time in front of these people.

      She pushed off the wall again and her gaze roamed the room. Her eyes skipped over him, then returned and widened. He smiled and gave her a wave. She waved back but didn’t move. Telling himself he was an idiot even as he did it, Gabe pointed at the empty chair next to him. She hadn’t been looking for him, and he shouldn’t want to spend time with her, anyway.

      But Veronica smiled and seemed to wilt a little, the stiffness going out of her shoulders, and he was glad he’d offered. Relief seemed to glow from her face as she stepped out of the hallway and made a beeline for him.

      “What are you doing here?” she asked as she set down her now-empty glass and took a seat.

      “Some friends wanted to see your show.”

      “But not you?” she asked.

      “Are you kidding? I’ve been following your live show since the beginning. You want another drink?”

      “Oh, God, yes. Please.”

      He started to raise a hand to catch the server’s eye, then realized the woman was already headed over with a drink. She winked at Veronica. “The manager says thanks for another great show. There’s more where this came from.”

      “Keep them coming!” Veronica cried. When she reached for the drink, Gabe noticed her hand was trembling again.

      “Do you get nervous?” he asked.

      Her big blue eyes peered at him from over the rim of the martini glass as she took a long drink. “Nervous?” she finally rasped when she came up for air. “More like fucking terrified.”

      “I’m surprised.” That might explain a lot of her odd behavior. “You seem totally confident up there.”

      “Seriously?”

      He nodded as she took another drink.

      “It’s all an act. I’m scared to death.” She took one more drink, then set the glass down. Her hand was still shaking.

      “Hey, it’s okay,” he said. “Anyone would be nervous talking to a roomful of strangers about cunnilingus.”

      She squeaked and covered her face with her hands. Her cheeks went red behind her fingers, but when her shoulders began to shake, he knew she was laughing.

      “Sorry,” he said. “It was kind of the elephant in the room. That and your small breasts.”

      “Oh, my God!” she shrieked, her head bowing with laughter.

      “Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”

      “Gabe!” she scolded, and he grinned at the way she made him feel as if he was getting away with something. He couldn’t deny that it was a turn-on having an excuse to talk to this girl he hardly knew about sex.

      He smiled at the top of her head until she finally peeked up, her eyes still crinkled with amusement.

      “Feel better?” he asked.

      She sat up straight and shook her head. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but yes, I actually feel better.”

      “Makes sense. Oral sex is a great icebreaker. But I don’t need to tell you that. You’ve probably given that advice a hundred times.”

      “You’re awful,” she said, still grinning.

      “I know. I’m sorry. But your hands were shaking.”

      “Oh.” Her smile faded. “I didn’t realize.”

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