Her So-Called Fiancé. Abby Gaines

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ You still haven’t said why you want to be governor.” Jake had always thought bigger than Georgia; he’d had his heart set on national politics, starting with Congress, back when he and Sabrina were dating.

      The bribe scandal had ended that ambition. Jake had quit politics to work with Max at Warrington Construction.

      “My father cheated this state, and I want to put that right,” he said. “I want to move on. I’m sick of being ‘crooked Ted Warrington’s son.’”

      Sabrina swallowed and ducked her head. The poll data caught her eye. “This isn’t all bad news. People think you’re intelligent, likable and—and you have a nice smile.” According to the demographics data at the bottom of the page, seventy percent of the respondents were women. Sabrina knew they meant his smile—the one that adorned campaign posters around town, the one she never saw—was sexy. “Maybe Susan’s original numbers were right, and people will look past what your dad did.”

      “They won’t,” he said flatly.

      “My support would be more of a handicap than a help,” she assured him. “You saw those photographers at the airport. I’m a bad joke.”

      He barked a laugh. “I guess you haven’t seen the local papers. The media might be poking fun at you, but there’s been a swell of public sympathy like you wouldn’t believe. The newspapers are full of letters saying what a wonderful Miss Georgia you are. And you’re Saint Sabrina of Talkback Radio.” The sweep of his hand encompassed the Georgia airwaves.

      “You’re exaggerating,” she said, a part of her hoping he wasn’t. That the entire state didn’t hold her in contempt.

      “Sabrina.” Jake gripped the edge of the island. “Would you trust me as governor?”

      She would never trust him with her heart again, and would recommend no other woman should, either, but she did trust him as a politician. Unlike his father’s, Jake’s integrity was unshakable.

      “Yes,” she said.

      “Then we don’t have a problem.” His fingers relaxed. “Do we?”

      She almost agreed. Then she realized what Jake was doing. In short order, he’d had her feeling grateful for his intervention at the airport, sorry for him over his poll results, guilty about the role she’d played in his family’s breakup…He was manipulating her emotions, just as he had five years ago. Back then, he’d left her shattered. Thankfully, he’d been too mad to see how he’d hurt her.

      “Your getting involved in the governor race will take everyone’s minds off your legs,” he coaxed, as if offering her an irresistible enticement.

      “Politics being even weightier?” she said sharply.

      He grinned, almost amicably, and she guessed he thought her agreement was in the bag.

      “I need you to tell the world you have complete trust in me,” he said. “And to attend some of my campaign events between now and the primary vote in June. We could start Monday—I’m opening an art exhibition at Wellesley High School. Your dad will probably be there, his firm is one of the sponsors. You could come along. What do you say?”

      Sabrina studied her fingernails to avoid the compelling pressure of his gaze. “I say no.”

      Chapter Two

      JAKE SHOVED HIMSELF off his stool and took a couple of paces away from the island. “No to the high school art show?”

      “No to all of it,” Sabrina said. No, I’m not dumb enough to get sucked into helping a guy who knows exactly how to reel me in. She cringed at the thought of how he’d led her to this moment today. Sabrina Merritt is a beautiful person, inside and out. Jake knew her looks were the source of her confidence, and he’d pandered to that. It felt just like the old days, when he’d played on her vulnerability to dissuade her from reporting his father the moment she’d learned of the bribe. What next? Would he try to use the attraction that still shimmered in the air between them, the heat that rose above their enmity?

      “Dammit, Sabrina,” he said. “I’m not letting you out of here until you agree to help.”

      She pressed her right hand palm down onto the island, slid it toward him. “Is this where you chop off my fingers for the ransom note?”

      His gaze dropped to her manicured, Crushed Raspberry nails. “Just tell me why,” he said tightly.

      “I have plans for my future, and they don’t involve revisiting the past.”

      For long seconds he processed that. “When you say plans, do you mean like your plan to climb Everest?”

      That stung. “When I said that, I was back on my feet for the first time after the accident.” She hated thinking about the car crash that had killed her mom and left Sabrina, then still a teenager, unable to walk for eighteen months. She glared at Jake. “Cut me some slack, will you?”

      “Like you cut my father some slack?” he retorted.

      The animosity between them was a tangible beast, provoked in an instant, snuffling at territory they hadn’t explored in years. Sabrina found herself shaking. Jake touched her hand and said, “Sorry, I shouldn’t have mentioned the Everest thing.”

      It was safest to assume his remorse was prompted by concern for his campaign. She pulled her hand back, rubbing the spot he’d left tingling. “You always were a know-it-all jerk,” she grumbled.

      His shoulders eased. “You always were a spoiled brat,” he returned. He sat back down on his stool. “What’s your plan, Sabrina?”

      “I don’t have to tell you. I haven’t even told Dad yet.”

      “So it’s something he won’t like,” he speculated. He knew how close she was to her father. “Does it involve liposuction?”

      “Of course not.” Her hands went involuntarily to her thighs. “There’s nothing wrong with my legs.”

      “A point I made on your behalf today,” he reminded her.

      She knew he was manipulating her again, but it wouldn’t hurt to tell him. “I’ve lined up a job with the Injured Kids Education Trust.”

      He drained his cup. “Never heard of it.”

      “The trust aims to establish a dedicated school for kids who’ve suffered serious injuries. It’ll combine physical rehabilitation with a regular high school education in a social environment. I met one of the directors through Tyler—the foundation funds their operating costs.” Tyler was the president of the charitable Warrington Foundation.

      “I approached the trust a couple of months ago to ask if I could get involved. They want me to be their front person, to promote the need for the school and help lobby for funding. I had to get the Miss U.S.A. Pageant out of the way,” she said, “but the trust plans to announce my appointment this week.”

      “Why haven’t you told your dad?” Jake cleared their cups away.

      “Dad still wants me to work at Merritt, Merritt & Finch with him. Every time I suggest another СКАЧАТЬ