Yours for the Taking Read online

  Once she was covered, he offered her a hand. She realized she didn’t have to look quite so far up since he stood hunched over. She guessed jets weren’t built for tall guys. Ha, she finally found a perk to being short.

  Ben led her back to a little bedroom with a big bed. The walls were covered with ebony wood paneling and what might be a closet, not that she bothered opening the doors to check. She would have if Ben hadn’t sprawled out on the bed.

  “The bathroom is through there.” He pointed to a little door. Gina wasted no time ducking into the bathroom with the same wood paneling and even more mirrors than were in the bedroom, along with a turquoise marble sink, shower stall, and thankfully, a weird-shaped toilet. She had to hand it to Ben. The plane was gorgeous. If she didn’t hate flying, she could really get used to this. Heck, she’d live in the plane as long as it never left the ground. After she took care of business and washed her hands, she found a new package of toothbrushes, which she gladly took advantage of. There were soaps, lotions, and hair products. She put some product in her hair, mussing it up to get rid of the plane-seat head. She rubbed a squirt of really nice hand lotion in and wondered how she was going to get through the rest of the flight, not to mention the landing. First, she had to deal with Ben.

  When she returned to the bedroom, he was lying down watching a flat-screen TV built into the wall. Of course he had the remote in his hand. “Want to watch some TV?”

  “No, I want to yell at you for forcing me on this plane.”

  “I didn’t force you. I just got you drunk enough not to notice.”

  “Still, that wasn’t nice.”

  Ben sat up, tossed another pillow against the headboard, and, grabbing her waist, pulled her onto the bed, settling her next to him. “Maybe, but it was expedient.”

  Gina blew out a breath. “And that makes it okay? And don’t move me around like I’m your personal plaything.”

  “You don’t want to watch TV?”

  “The point is, I’m sitting here in boots and spurs on top of your bed.”

  Ben grinned. “Sounds kinky.”

  “No, I’m ruining this silk coverlet which looks as if it costs more than I make in a month.”

  “So, take your boots off if you’re worried about it. I’m kind of fond of them though.”

  Gina cast a sideways glance in his direction. She didn’t get him. He was a consummate flirt, and yet he was a self-professed homosexual. What he was doing wasting his time flirting with her was a mystery unless, of course, he was a switch-hitter. Gina tried to pry off her boots, which was difficult to do from a prone position since there were mirrors just about everywhere which would show off the fact that she was wearing very little under her skirt. If she scooted down the bed to sit on the edge, she’d surely snag the coverlet before she got there. Frustrated, she looked around and found Ben watching her.

  “You want a hand with those?”

  “Do I have a choice?” She turned toward him, trying to keep her legs together. He pulled her leg up and tugged on her boot. So much for modesty. “You could at least pretend you’re not looking up my skirt.”

  He got the first boot off which left her sprawled out on the bed, desperately holding on to the coverlet. “What would be the fun in that? Anyone ever tell you that you’re cute when you’re embarrassed?”

  Ben got the second boot off and threw it to the side.

  “I don’t get embarrassed.”

  “Really? Then that pink in your cheeks is due to what?”

  “It’s physics, plain and simple. You had my feet higher than my head.”

  “I think it’s because you’re wearing that cute little red thong. Your turquoise thong must be in the laundry. Not that I’m complaining. Red’s a good color for you. It’s the second time I’ve seen it today. Tell me, is there a little bow in the back?”

  Gina grabbed the remote and started channel surfing just to piss Ben off. “I’m not the bow type, so although I haven’t looked, I highly doubt it.”

  “We could check.”

  “Let’s not and say we did.” Gina quickly flipped through the channels trying to ignore Ben’s presence when what looked like a naked man caught her eye. She flipped back a few channels and her eyes just about bugged out of her head. “Your grandfather has porn on his plane?”

  Sure enough, there was a very naked man on the receiving end of oral sex.

  “It looks that way, doesn’t it?”

  Gina pressed the wrong button and the action moved in slow motion, damn. “Turn this thing off.” She threw the remote at Ben.

  “And here I thought you were just trying to get a better look. Porn in slo-mo, a novel idea.”

  Yeah, porn was about the last thing Gina wanted to watch. It was difficult enough being in bed with Ben when he was fully clothed. “I don’t need to watch two people having a lot more fun than I’ll be having in the next year.” She expected a smart-ass remark from Ben, but there was nothing but deafening silence, which was thankfully broken by a knock on the door.

  “What?” they asked in unison.

  “Supper is ready.” Joe’s big voice boomed through the door. “That is if you two can pull yourselves apart long enough to eat, though if you’re busy, it’ll keep.”

  Gina hit Ben’s shoulder. “Turn that damn thing off already. What if he comes in?”

  Ben pushed the off button. “He can’t. I locked the door.”

  “Why?”

  Ben shrugged. “Force of habit, and it doesn’t hurt for him to think we’re back here getting busy, now does it? That’s the reason he’s forcing this trip to Boise in the first place. He’s hoping for great-grandchildren. That’d be proof positive this marriage is on the up and up.”

  “We’ll be right out, Joe,” she yelled and then lowered her voice. “Kids are not part of the deal. I’ll never have children.” Gina practically jumped off the bed.

  Ben held up his hands. “Hey, I’m not looking to procreate. Gramps, on the other hand, would like to see me with a whole brood but he’s going to have to be happy with a marriage certificate.”

  Gina tucked in her T-shirt and straightened her skirt before looking for her boots.

  Ben rolled off the bed, careful to keep from hitting his head on the ceiling. “I am curious though. Why don’t you want kids of your own someday?”

  Gina pulled on her first boot. “I’m hardly the poster child for future mother-of-the-year. I wouldn’t want to screw anyone up the way my parents did me and Tina.”

  By the time she got the second boot, Ben was standing in front of the door staring at her with an expression she’d never seen before and would be happy never to see again. “What?”

  “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard come out of your mouth.” Ben grabbed her by the waist. “Any kid would be lucky to have you for a mom.”

  “And what makes you an expert?”

  “Nothing, but I know you. I know how you try to take care of your sister and brother-in-law. You’d never let a kid of yours want for anything, especially not love.”

  “What you don’t know about me could fill the Encyclopedia Britannica.”

  “I know what counts. I would never have married you if I didn’t think you weren’t an exceptional woman. I trust you and I don’t trust easily.”

  “Then you’re not as smart as you look. I know enough not to trust anyone and you shouldn’t either. Everyone has an agenda. And for your information, this so-called marriage is on paper only. It’s not real. You might think you know me, but you don’t. Now get out of my way.”

  Ben looked as if he wanted to say something else, but she pushed by him, fumbled with the lock, and got the hell out. She wished she could get off the plane but since they were probably five miles off the ground, that wouldn’t happen anytime soon.

  Chapter 7

  When Gina barreled out of the bedroom, all of Joe’s hopes that she and Ben had been back there making his first great-grandchild evaporated faster than piss on a roaring c
ampfire. Damn, and he had such high hopes. He hadn’t missed the look on Ben’s face when he’d tucked the blanket around his wife to cover what her skirt didn’t. It held a lot of lust mixed with true affection. Affection was one feeling Joe had never seen on his grandson’s face, except when the boy was with Katie or his cousins.

  The little filly paced the aisle as her food cooled on the table beside him. Ben sat across from him watching her. Joe took a bite of his steak and decided to up the ante. “You two have a fight back there? Ever hear the saying, ‘Make love not war’? It’s a hell of a lot more fun.”

  Ben shook his head. “Gramps, leave it alone.”

  “Aw hell, son. You two might as well have it out right here.” Ben didn’t look sold on the idea.

  Joe waited until Gina turned. “Come on, girl. Sit down and eat your food, and tell me what my boneheaded grandson did to piss you off.”

  Gina sat down and placed her napkin on her lap. “I’d rather not. There’s nothing to discuss. The subject is closed. Now tell me, Joe, what is Idaho like?”

  “Aw, hell, girl. I’m sure Ben’s told you all about it. I’d rather hear more about you and your family. Tell me about that sister of yours.”

  Gina smiled; the girl radiated pride. That was refreshing. “Tina’s great. She’s a hair stylist and she’s doing really well. She works in a trendy salon in SoHo. She’s even done a few movie and Broadway stars’ hair.” She took a sip of wine and continued. “Tina and Sam got married a year and a half ago and they’re saving to get their own place in the suburbs.”

  “And Sam’s a police officer?”

  Gina nodded, “A homicide detective. He’s a great guy. They’re really happy.”

  “I know the chief of police in Boise. I could give him a call and see about a transfer. Boise could use a few more good cops.”

  Gina stopped mid-bite. “Why would you do that?”

  “Because then you’d have your family close to you. Besides, he’d be safer working as a cop in Boise than in New York City. They could get a little spread close by.” When she didn’t say anything, he continued. “They have trendy salons in Boise too. We even have a few movie stars living there. It ain’t the backwoods, girl.”

  “I didn’t say it was. But, Joe, I’m not moving to Boise.”

  “The hell you’re not.”

  Gina pushed her plate away. “Look, old man, you might own my husband, but you don’t own me—”

  Ben set his beer down with a thunk. “No one owns me.” Ben’s voice got dangerously low.

  Joe took one look at his grandson and knew it was time for him to back off. Damn the girl, if she kept this up, they were going to have World War Three right here on this jet.

  She waved away his warning like she might swat a fly. “Whatever. The point is, our home is in Brooklyn and that’s about as far outside of Manhattan as I ever plan to live.”

  Ben wiped his mouth on his napkin and dropped it back in his lap. He’d never been pissed off, turned on, and impressed at the same time. He was getting used to being turned on whenever Gina was in the vicinity. He’d already accepted the fact that he’d be sporting a hard-on for the duration. He was pissed because he didn’t like the insinuation that he was nothing more than a pawn on his grandfather’s chessboard, but then part of him wondered about that too. He wasn’t for sale, but he would do just about anything to gain ownership of the ranch. He was impressed because Gina left his grandfather speechless—something Ben had never done in his life. He’d never seen anyone tell his grandfather where to stuff it like Gina just had. Probably because the man was a living legend and most people feared him—with good reason. Gramps wielded immense power. Ben didn’t know if Gina had done any research on Big Joe Walsh, but his gut told him it wouldn’t matter if she had. Gina would kowtow to no one, no matter how many billions they were worth.

  Gramps cut a piece of meat with more force than necessary and looked at Ben as if he expected Ben to set Gina straight. “Don’t look at me, Gramps. I’m fine with us living between Boise, the ranch, and Brooklyn. Gina has her work, her family, and she’s spent her whole life there.”

  “You’re her family now, boy, and that means her life is with you.”

  Gina laughed but there was no humor in it.

  Gramps raised an eyebrow. “You married my grandson, little lady. Your life is wherever your husband is, and his life is in Boise.”

  Gina shook her head. “He might visit Boise, but our home is in Brooklyn. You’ve seen it. Does it look temporary to you? Ben spends enough time in New York to suit us.”

  “How are you going to raise a family if you’re never in the same place for more than a weekend?”

  Ben cleared his throat and set his utensils down on his plate with a clink. “I told you Gina and I aren’t ready to start a family. If and when we are, we will decide where to live. It has nothing to do with you, and our marriage is not up for discussion.”

  Gina turned a full-wattage smile on Ben and took his breath away. If only he could keep her looking that satisfied… okay, maybe satisfied wasn’t the right word, especially since whenever Ben thought about satisfaction, his pants got way too tight. Happy or not, his wife was going to be the death of him. If she didn’t kill him, the look on his grandfather’s face warned that Gramps very well might. Still, it would be worth it to see that look of satisfaction on Gina’s face, preferably in bed.

  ***

  When the plane finally landed, Ben helped Gina down the stairs. He had poured more vodka into her so she wouldn’t notice the landing. Unfortunately when Gina got a little alcohol into her, she noticed way too much of everything else. Especially when she saw Trapper leaning against a car waiting for them.

  “Who is that? Ben, please tell me he’s not one of your boyfriends.”

  “That’s Trapper, my cousin.” Trapper leaned against his black Sequoia dressed as if he were on his way to Shorty’s—the cowboy bar—for ladies night. He had his black cowboy hat pulled down low, so his curly blond hair peeked out from beneath it. He wore tight Wranglers, a big belt buckle along with his black leather biker’s jacket, and boots. Gina was drooling. Ben told himself it was because she’d had too much vodka, but even he didn’t believe it.

  Trapper pushed his hat up and took a good long look at Gina. A crooked smile split his face when his eyes made contact with her shirt. Ben wasn’t sure if it was because of what was written on it, or what was beneath it. Shit.

  Ben pulled Gina closer to his side. “Gina, this is Trapper. Trapper, this is my wife, Gina.” A few weeks ago, Ben would have done just about anything to avoid saying those words aloud. Now, he’d like to have a damn nametag made for her that said, “Ben’s woman. Hands off.” He had half a mind to wipe that grin right off Trapper’s face with his fist. Ben wasn’t sure where that came from. He’d never been the possessive type, but then, he’d never been married to a minx before either.

  “Gina.” Trapper took her hand and pulled her into a hug. “Welcome to the family.”

  “Thanks. So are all the men around here as good-looking as you and Ben or are you two exceptional?”

  That damn grin was back on Trapper’s face. “I don’t know. You’ll have to ask my little sister, Karma, about that. I don’t check out men, but you’re a welcome sight. We don’t get many women as pretty as you around here. Those are great boots.”

  “You like them? Ben was teasing me about them.”

  Ben pulled her away from Trapper. “Only when I was trying to get them off you.”

  He shot Trapper a warning look that his cousin completely ignored. “Let me guess, you’re off to ladies night at Shorty’s.”

  “Yeah, Karma and the guys asked me to pick you and Gina up. Everyone wants to meet Gina.”

  Gina graced Ben with another one of those smiles and wrapped her arm around him. “That sounds great, doesn’t it?”

  No, what sounded great would be going home to bed, the same bed, not fighting off his cousins and every other man on the p
rowl at Shorty’s. “Yeah, just great.”

  Trapper grabbed the bags from the airport staff and stowed them in the trunk. “Joe can take your Land Rover home and I’ll drop you two off at the house later.”

  Gina accepted Trapper’s help stepping into the Sequoia before Ben had even thought of it. He cursed as he went around to the front and hopped in. Gina buckled herself into the middle seat and leaned forward. Trapper removed his hat and threw it in the back before getting behind the wheel.

  “So, Gina. How did you and my cousin meet?”

  “We met at Annabelle and Mike Flynn’s wedding. Annabelle, his partner, is my boss’ sister.”

  Trapper looked at her in the rearview mirror. “Which is why I never date women I meet at weddings—that’s dangerous territory.”

  “Oh, come on, a big guy like you afraid of weddings?” She squeezed his shoulder. “I’m surprised some smart woman hasn’t gotten to you yet.”

  Trapper laughed. “That’s why I never date smart women. When I meet a woman, I introduce myself as Fakie McNamerson. If they don’t blink an eye, I know she’s the girl for me—at least for the next seventy-two hours. I’ve realized it’s impossible to be nice any longer. After that, I turn into an asshole.”

  Ben laughed. “I’m surprised it takes that long.”

  Gina gave his arm a push and turned back to Trapper, which was really chapping Ben’s ass. “I guess there’s nothing wrong with playing the field. So are your brothers anything like you?”

  Trap shrugged. “They’re not judges, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  “You’re a judge?”

  “That’s what the nameplate on my office door says. They make me wear the black robe and everything. Every day I’m in court is like Halloween.”

  Gina giggled. Ben had never heard that sound come out of her mouth before. She didn’t seem the giggling type, but then she’d never flirted with him.