Texas Pride. Gerry Bartlett

sighed. “He won’t do this any other way. We have a history. Bad breakups in the past. You’d think he would give up, but he just keeps trying.”

      “I’ve seen his picture. You could do much worse.” Caroline glanced down the room. “My phone is ringing. Would you believe I don’t even have an assistant now? Just you. And I expect you to get busy on those calls this afternoon. Spin it like we’re collaborating with Pagan. Full partners. The charities don’t have to know we’re not kicking in a dime.”

      “Oh, that’s what I planned.” Shannon sat and kicked off her shoes. “I’ll get right on it.”

      “He must really, really want you, Shannon.” Caroline frowned when her phone rang again. “Rich and handsome. I’d give the man a shot.” She hurried down the hall.

      Give him a shot? Sure. If she didn’t mind letting him order her around like one of his clients. Don’t do this. Don’t drink that. You’ve had enough, Shannon. She’d be damned if she’d let him boss her around, even if he was paying for the privilege. That would be like… No, she wasn’t even going to think it. Her phone rang and she stared at it. Who had this number? But maybe it was public relations business.

      “Public relations, Shannon Calhoun speaking.”

      “Don’t you sound professional. Very impressive.”

      “I am very impressive. What do you want, Billy?”

      “I think we need to finish going over our calendars. I want to get together tonight.”

      Shannon thought about it. Did she want to see him again? “We could straighten out our calendars over the phone. Or with an email. Let me give you my address.”

      “That’s so impersonal. There are things we need to discuss. Dress codes, stuff like that. I wouldn’t want to embarrass you, Shannon, by wearing the wrong thing to an event.”

      “Seriously, Billy? You’ve been going to social gatherings for years now. And embarrassing me didn’t used to worry you.” She remembered being hauled out of a party when he’d decided she’d had too much to drink. Billy had a caveman mentality. She needed to remember that. Of course, when they’d got back to his place… No, some things were best left in the past.

      “I’m trying to change. I could use your help.” He actually sounded sincere. Of course, she knew he could turn that sincerity on and off, like he did in front of a jury.

      “I’m really tired, Billy. It would have to be casual.”

      “Exactly what I had in mind. I’ll pick you up at seven. We’ll catch dinner and coordinate our plans. Is that okay?”

      The very fact that he’d tacked on a question was progress. “Since you asked instead of told, yeah.”

      “Perfect. I’ll see you at your house. Casual. Wear jeans. I have a surprise for you.” Then he hung up.

      Shannon frowned at the phone. Didn’t he remember that she hated surprises? He loved them, of course. It was just one thing they didn’t have in common. Wear jeans. That could mean any number of things, none of them good as far as she was concerned. But jeans meant boots or maybe even, bless them, tennis shoes. She glanced down at the torture shoes under her desk and decided Billy would be surprised at just how casual she could be. She was smiling as she picked up her list and began to dial. She didn’t like anyone to surprise her, but surprising him would be something to look forward to all afternoon.

      Jeans with strategically placed tears really shouldn’t cost more than those without a single hole in them, but the designer label had made this skintight and faded pair ridiculously expensive. It seemed a shame to pair them with the leather running shoes but her feet thanked her for the choice. No way was she dragging out another pair of stilettos. Shannon picked up the phone in her bedroom when it beeped.

      “Your date is here, honey.” Their housekeeper, Janie Schaumberg, had answered the door.

      “Thanks, Janie. I’ll be right down.”

      “Brace yourself. Mr. Pagan has a surprise for you.” Janie chuckled.

      “What is it? Maybe I should back out.” Shannon walked over to the window overlooking the front of the house. She couldn’t tell what he’d arrived in though because he’d obviously parked under the portico. “Janie?”

      “Come on down, honey. I think you’re in for a fun night.” She hung up.

      Shannon grabbed the cross-body bag where she’d stuffed her driver’s license, cell, and lipstick then gave her hair a final pat. She’d decided to just pull it back and tie it with a scarf that coordinated with her bright blue top and matching jacket. No, she wasn’t trying to please Billy, though she did know blue was his favorite color. It was also a color that brought out her eyes.

      A woman should always look her best, no matter who she was going out with. You never knew who else you’d run into. That was why she fussed with her earrings, changing them at the last minute from studs to silver dangles. Oh, this was ridiculous. She had no reason to be so worked up about a casual dinner with Billy Pagan. But a surprise? Her stomach knotted as she finally threw open her bedroom door and headed down the stairs.

      He stood at the bottom, a helmet in his hand. What the hell?

      “Billy, that looks like a motorcycle helmet.” Shannon frowned as she reached the last step, staying there before joining him in the entry.

      “It is. I picked up one with a shield. Wouldn’t want you to be bothered by the wind or, God forbid, insects.” He grinned. “Try it on for size.”

      “Since when do you ride a motorcycle?” She ignored his outstretched hand. They were eye-to-eye as long as she stayed on this step. Otherwise he’d be taller, above her, making her look up and feel small and feminine to his big and masculine. She didn’t hate that feeling, but it wasn’t something she liked about herself, that tendency to let him overpower her with his strength.

      “I borrowed it for our date. I thought it would be fun for a change. What do you think?” He grinned. “Come on, Shan, let’s do something a little wild. A little adventurous. Are you up for it?” He settled the helmet gently on her head and fastened the strap under her chin. His smile shined in his eyes too, as if his enjoyment of life, of being with her, was going to make for a great evening if she would just loosen up and go along.

      “Billy…”

      “Of course if you’re afraid to get on the back of a motorcycle, I can call a cab.” He was daring her to be Shannon the wet blanket, throwing cold water on his plans. Well, maybe she’d surprise him for a change.

      “Afraid? Not on your life.” She grabbed his hand. “Let’s go!”

      He took her elbow and showed her to the door, throwing it open so she could see the enormous Harley parked at the bottom of the front steps.

      She pushed past him. “I haven’t been on the back of a motorcycle in years. Tell me you’re a good driver.” She glanced back at him. He was grinning. Of course. He’d manipulated her. Damn it. Well, so what? She was going with it. It was a beautiful night and this looked like fun. She needed to cut loose. Her life had been nothing but dreary disappointments lately.

      “I took a few practice runs on my way over here. It’s a powerful machine. I admit it took me a few minutes to get the feel of it. It had been a while for me.”

      “Who does it belong to?” She ran down the steps and touched the shiny chrome. “It’s beautiful.”

      “A client who also works as my investigator. It’s his baby. So you’d better believe I’ll drive carefully.” Billy showed her where to sit behind the driver’s seat. “Watch for the tailpipe. I’m glad you have on jeans but those holes may give you trouble.”

      “They’re not anywhere the pipe will touch me.” Shannon grinned, liking the way the bike felt between her legs. “Didn’t you notice?