Best Man Under The Mistletoe. Jules Bennett

invitations. You really should update your wedding magazine subscriptions if you’re ever going to do this yourself.”

      “If I ever lose my mind and marry, I’ll let my bride handle everything.” He raked a hand over his stubbled jaw. “Food and alcohol are easy. Especially since we’re having the party at the TCC. What else do you want me to do that doesn’t involve something frilly or flowery?”

      “Someone is grouchy,” she muttered. “Is it because I threw the screwdriver at your head or because I’m not throwing myself at you after the kiss?”

      Gabe shoved his hands in his pockets and tipped his head sideways to look her in the eyes. “Are we going to be able to get along to get through this together?”

      Chelsea shrugged. “Depends. You keep your hands and lips to yourself and we might just. And just so you know, I tend to believe you when you say you didn’t know what your uncle was up to. Shane and Brandee wouldn’t put their trust in you if you were involved. But you better hope like hell there isn’t a connection, because if I find out there is, I won’t miss the next time I throw a screwdriver at your head.”

       Two

      “This doesn’t look right. Is it leaning a little?”

      Gabe stood back and stared at the arch he and Chelsea had been grunting over for the better part of the day. They’d gotten along surprisingly well, as long as they’d kept the topic of conversation on the wedding...or when they weren’t talking at all.

      When the silence stretched between them, though, his mind started conjuring up all sorts of naughty thoughts and each one starred the woman at his side. The way she wore her holey jeans low on her hips and that fitted tank, she didn’t look like an expert hacker and CTO of the most prestigious chain of steakhouses in the South.

      She could drive any man out of his mind, even if she was spitting in his face and smarting off with that sweet mouth. It was one of the many reasons he couldn’t help but admire her. She didn’t take crap from anyone and was her own hero, saving herself from the evils in her own world. Damn if that wasn’t sexy as hell.

      It didn’t go unnoticed how she’d kept glancing his way. The attraction simmering just below that steel barrier she kept around her was going to explode...and he damn well would be the man to experience her passion. He’d had just enough of a taste to crave more, and she could deny all she wanted with her words, her body told a whole different story.

      He gave the arch a slight push. “Did that help?”

      Chelsea stepped back, angling her head. “That did it.”

      Gabe’s cell vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out and glanced at the text from one of his assistants. After a quick response, he slid the phone back in.

      “Late for a lunch date with your girlfriend?” Chelsea asked as she gathered the tools and put them off to the side.

      “If you want to know if I’m seeing anyone, just ask.”

      She tucked her shoulder-length, honey-blond hair behind one ear and quirked a brow. “I didn’t ask.”

      “I’m not seeing anyone,” he informed her, taking long strides to close the distance between them. “A fact you should know before you kiss me again.”

      Chelsea crossed her arms beneath her chest and it was all he could do to keep his eyes on hers. “You’re arrogant enough to think that’s going to happen?”

      “Arrogant? Perhaps, though I’m positive it’s only a matter of time.” Whistling, he turned to head from the barn out to his car. Any second he expected a tool to hit the back of his head or go whirling by his ear. But nothing happened. He was proud she showed such restraint. Obviously he was growing on her.

      But he’d be lying if he claimed he wasn’t irritated by the fact she thought he had something to do with those leaked pictures. What on earth would his motive be? There was no reason for him to go around with his uncle terrorizing the people of this town. Gabe actually liked those who had been affected by his uncle’s activities and would never want to see any of them harmed. Shane and Brandee had even been targeted, for pity’s sake. Dusty’s antics were absolutely inconceivable.

      As Gabe slid behind the wheel and started the engine, Chelsea came strutting out of the barn straight toward him. He rolled his window down.

      “I knew you’d chase after me.”

      Rolling her eyes, she propped her hands on her hips. “Brandee just texted me and asked if we’d run to Natalie Valentine’s bridal shop so I can get my last fitting.”

      “As much as I’d love to help you with a fitting, I’m afraid I have work to do. My uncle, as you know, is ruining my name even in his death and I have too many clients to coddle during this sensitive time. Besides, how could you ever bring yourself to trust me at a fitting?”

      Chelsea’s lips thinned and she gritted her teeth before saying, “Brandee wants us to stop at Priceless to pick up her wedding present to Shane. She bought a table and chairs for their dining room, says it’s just like the one his grandmother used to have, and she wants to surprise him. The dress fitting just makes sense because we’ll already be there.”

      Gabe dropped his head back against the headrest and groaned. “You know, I do have a company to run.”

      “Yes, and here I am with nothing to do. Or maybe you’ve forgotten I have a demanding position, as well.”

      “That’s not what I meant,” he argued. Blowing out a sigh, he glanced back up at her. “Get in. We’ll swing by my place and pick up my truck so we can go get this furniture.”

      “I’ll drive myself.”

      “There’s no reason we can’t ride together. I have to take the truck anyway to pick up the table. Unless you’re afraid to be alone with me.”

      Chelsea narrowed her eyes. “I hate your inflated ego.”

      “Duly noted. Now, get in.”

      He couldn’t help but smile as she rounded the hood of his car. He didn’t know why he wanted to provoke her, but he couldn’t help himself. In actuality, he wanted to spend more time with her. Seducing her was something he wanted to pursue, sure, but more importantly he wanted her to know that he would never, ever, treat a woman the way she’d been treated by his uncle. Above all else, he needed her to know that. And she wouldn’t just take his word for it. She needed to see that he wasn’t some jerk that got off on blackmailing people and ruining reputations.

      As soon as she got into the car, he put it in gear and set off toward his downtown loft.

      He kept his truck in the second bay of his garage, for which he paid a hefty monthly fee to have parking beneath his downtown loft apartment. But a man couldn’t live in Texas and not own a truck. It was practically against the law.

      “You know—” he began once they’d switched to the truck and were back on the road.

      “We don’t need to talk.”

      Well, apparently this was going to be more difficult than he’d thought. Gabe tightened his grip on the wheel.

      “Yes, we do,” he countered. “As I was saying, you know there are many people in this town who know me and know I would never side with my uncle. I wouldn’t have covered up such maliciousness.”

      “I know you were cleared of any wrongdoing. The sheriff told me he’s positive you had nothing to do with the scandal. But at the same time, he was your only family member. How did you not know what he was up to? He was old and feeble. Someone had to know something about what he was doing.”

      There was bite to her voice, but beneath that gruff exterior there was pain. Gabe hated what she’d gone through, the humiliation and embarrassment. The fact that so many had suffered