Her Sweetest Fortune. Stella Bagwell

sporting an engagement ring, then her mother would see her butterfly daughter was perfectly capable of landing safely on her feet.

      Determined not to let anything spoil her evening ahead, Sophie dropped a kiss on her mother’s smooth cheek. “Don’t worry, Mother. I promise not to let Thom sweep me off my feet tonight.”

      But I’m sure as heck going to try to sweep him off his.

Chapter Three

      Several hours later, a bored Sophie stared at the theater screen while fighting back a yawn. She’d never been into action movies and this one, with its ridiculous, computerized explosions and car chases, was hardly enough to hold her attention.

      When Thom had asked her what movie she’d like to see tonight, Sophie had generously insisted he choose, with hopes he’d view her as easy to please. She’d hardly expected him to take her to see Road Devils: The Final Battle. So far there hadn’t been one meaningful exchange of dialogue. But that hadn’t seemed to bother Thom; he appeared to be enthralled with the story. For the past hour and a half, he’d rarely glanced in her direction.

      So much for taking pains with her hair and makeup, she thought wryly, as she sipped her diet soda and darted a glance over at Thom. At the moment, he was munching on butter-drenched popcorn, his gaze fixated on the gun battle on the screen. Even though he’d not been all that attentive, she had to admit he looked devilishly handsome tonight in close-fitting brown trousers and a black shirt. But was gazing at a good-looking face all she wanted?

      The question had barely had time to roll through her mind when suddenly, for no unexplainable reason, Mason popped into her thoughts. Would he have brought her to this sort of juvenile flick?

      Are you going crazy, Sophie? You’ve been bragging to everyone how you’re going to snag Thom. Now you’re finally out with him and you start thinking about Mason Montgomery! He’s just a friend at work. He’s not the man of your dreams!

      The scolding voice in her head was correct. This was hardly the time for her thoughts to be straying to Mason. Yet this was the second time in the past few hours that a vision of the other man had appeared to her.

      Earlier, when she and Thom had been sitting in a restaurant eating a simple meal of fish and French fries, a dish she’d learned was Thom’s favorite, the image of Mason cutting into a rare steak and sipping red wine had popped into her mind. It was ridiculous! She had no idea whether Mason liked to eat such a masculine meal. Besides, Thom was the he-man of the two. Wasn’t he?

      “Wow, that was a great ending, don’t you think?”

      Ending? Sophie glanced around to see the credits were rolling on the screen and people were already filing toward the exits.

      “Oh. Yes, for sure. It was very exciting,” she said, hoping he wouldn’t guess she’d mentally blanked out the last hour of the movie.

      He tossed his empty soda cup into the popcorn tub and dropped the whole thing to the floor for the janitors to clean up.

      “Ready?” he asked.

      She nodded, while telling herself his untidiness was hardly anything to be concerned about. He was probably very orderly at his own place. Besides, it wasn’t like she had to clean up after him.

      Are you even ready to see this guy’s apartment, Sophie? And what would you do if he tried to seduce you into his bed?

      Frowning at the silly questions that continued to pop into her head, she nodded at him and reached for her coat. After he’d helped her into the garment, the two of them left the theater. Once they were outside, Sophie dropped her soda cup into a nearby trashcan.

      As they walked across the parking lot to his car, Thom glanced at his watch. “It’s getting rather late. I think we should call it a night. We both have to be at work early in the morning.”

      So much for worrying about going to his apartment, she thought. He couldn’t even manage a stop off at a coffee house.

      Sophie tried not to show her disappointment. After all, this was their first date. Just one of many, she hoped. She shouldn’t be expecting him to behave as though he was reluctant to tear himself away from her company.

      “Fine. I can always use the extra time to shampoo my hair and shave my legs—again.”

      He tossed her a puzzled look. “What?”

      She chuckled and then realizing he was clueless, she shrugged. “Oh, nothing. Just a girl thing.”

      “You’re a good sport, Sophie. I like that about you.”

      At least there was something about her he liked, Sophie decided. Although she would’ve preferred to hear him say how competent she was at her job. The way that Mason had complimented her.

      Mason. Mason. Why did the man keep lurking at the edge of her mind?

      Thankfully, Thom put his arm around her waist and as they walked the remaining distance to the car, she was able to push the ridiculous question from her mind.

      When they reached the sleek, little sports car, he politely helped her into the bucket seat. No sensible economy car for this guy, Sophie decided. Apparently he wanted his mode of transportation to match his image. Cool and sexy.

      She’d been sitting only inches away from the man for the past few hours. By now she should be feeling the itch to get closer. Instead, she was wondering about the other women he’d dated. No doubt most of them had been eager to get their hands on him. Shouldn’t she be wanting to scoot closer and snuggle her cheek against his shoulder? Was she just not getting herself in the right frame of mind?

      Minutes later, Sophie was still mulling over the troublesome ideas when they approached the iron security gates connecting the high stone walls surrounding the Robinson Estate.

      After Sophie keyed in a code to allow them entry, Thom drove down a long drive lined with live oak trees. In the summer months, the multi-winged mansion was shaded by more live oaks, along with several massive pecan trees. Presently, winter had bared the branches of the pecan trees.

      Normally, when Sophie went on a date, she met the guy at a chosen spot downtown. It saved him the inconvenience of driving to the estate and dealing with security. It also took away the intimidation factor. A few of her past dates had taken one look at her home and never asked her out again. But Thom was far more self-assured than that and she’d wanted this whole evening to feel like a special beginning.

      After parking in the wide circular drive illuminated by solar footlights, Thom helped her from the car and walked her to the door. The arm at the back of her waist felt strong and sturdy, but she wasn’t getting any warm or cuddly vibes from the contact. Maybe that was because she was still a little miffed at being brought home early as though she had a curfew.

      “This is some serious digs, Sophie,” he said as he eyed the elaborate entrance to the only home she’d ever known. “Bet the inside is even fancier than the outside.”

      The subtle hint brought Sophie up short. Did he want her to invite him in for a drink—with her father?

      Hating herself for thinking such unseemly things about this man, she forced a smile on her face. “It’s nice and comfortable,” she said simply. “I’d invite you in, but like you said, it’s getting late and I wouldn’t want to disturb my parents. You understand, of course.”

      He smiled back and Sophie was relieved that he didn’t appear to be offended. This was Thom. Her Thom. She wanted things between them to start off well. Even so, she had no intentions of being a pushover.

      “Sure. Maybe next time,” he suggested.

      Tilting her head back, she studied his perfectly carved features. “Would you like there to be a next time?” she asked.

      He shrugged. “Why not? I’m willing if you are.”

      His response wasn’t