Irresistible Bachelors: Books 1-5 by Landish, Lauren (classic literature books .TXT) 📗

Mindy looks up and flashes me a smile, but my eyes are only looking for one thing.

I suck in a sharp breath when I see her. Seated at the end of the counter, she’s dressed casually like we agreed, only she’s wearing a sundress instead of jeans. But she could be wearing a potato sack and I’d still be smitten.

“Gavin.” Brianna greets me shyly. Her hair looks glossy and is curled at the ends, and she has a hint of light makeup on. Fuck, she’s so gorgeous. “It’s nice to see you.”

I flash her an easy smile. She looks so nervous sitting there, so vulnerable. “You look beautiful—” is all I get out before Mindy marches over and shoves a bag into my hands.

“You owe me twenty dollars,” she declares, placing her hands on her hips.

“What’s this?” I ask, reaching into my pocket and handing her a hundred by habit. I notice I don’t get change, the little wiseass.

Mindy nods at the bag, her eyes sparkling. “It’s cinnamon rolls, sandwiches, and a little blanket in the bottom. Oh, and don’t forget your lattes. I heard about your little thing.” She clamps a hand over her mouth. “Whoops? I meant to say I heard about your big thing.”

Brianna rolls her eyes and snaps, “Mindy!”

Mindy laughs, drawing a chuckle from me. “I just wanted to make sure the two of you were prepared.”

Brianna rises to her feet and comes around to my side. “Thank you.”

“Okay!” Mindy says abruptly, suddenly shoving me and Brianna out the front door. “Y’all have fun now, ya hear?”

I chuckle as I walk Brianna outside the hotel, my hand splayed across her lower back. “She really is a trip,” I remark, enjoying the feel of her soft body. It feels good to touch her, to pretend that she’s mine. “But I’m surprised you haven’t strangled her by now.”

“She’s my best friend. What am I supposed to do?” she asks.

I laugh. “With a friend like her? Not a damn thing.”

Brianna sucks in a sharp breath when we reach my ride waiting for us at valet parking. “Wow,” she breathes when she sees the red Lotus. It’s not what I’m used to. The British styling is a bit too small for my frame, but it’s the best that Miranda could get. “This yours?”

“Just for the week,” I admit, walking over to open the door for her. She hesitates for a moment, her soft lips parted in awe, before sitting down into the seat.

Grinning, I shut the door, go around to the driver’s side, and get behind the wheel. Gripping the smooth leather, I toss her a wink while she’s checking out the inside of the cabin.

“This is really nice,” she says softly. “I’ve never been inside something so sporty or . . . luxurious before.”

A part of me wants to promise her the world—luxury cars, expensive jewelry, and the best money can buy. She deserves it all. But when her eyes lock with mine, I’m nearly paralyzed by fear. Never have I been this out of control over my emotions. And it scares the shit out of me that I feel this way when I hardly know her.

Swallowing back a lump in my throat, I start the engine, not letting on to the inner turmoil roiling inside. “So where are we going?” I ask Brianna casually.

She looks at me like I’m crazy, and I grin.. “You said you were taking me to a park and you don’t know where we’re going?” she asks incredulously.

I shrug. “Nope. I just wanted to take you somewhere. You’re the one who’s lived here all your life. Tell me where we should go.” I grin and add, “Preferably, somewhere we’ll be alone.”

Brianna bites her lower lip, a light blush shading her cheeks. She’s probably thinking the same thing I am—secluded is private, and private means . . .

Finally, she looks at me through long eyelashes and smiles, snapping her fingers. “Oh, I know. Go to Bear Lake Park.”

“Okay, and where’s that?” I ask. I nod at the vehicle’s console. “This thing doesn’t have a GPS.”

Brianna laughs. “You mean to tell me that superstar Gavin Adams doesn’t know how to find his way around a little ol’ town like this?”

I snort. “I’m a football player, not a Rand McNally Atlas.” I chuckle. “I don’t even know my way out of a paper bag except at home. I spend most of my time being chauffeured around.”

Brianna chortles. “At least you’re honest.” She points off to the side. “But to answer your question, it’s on the other side of town. Turn left out of the lot, and I’ll get you there.”

I pull out of the parking lot, impressed by the smooth ride. At the first stop sign, I drop the top, letting the wind ruffle through our hair.

“After a long day, that feels great.” Brianna sighs with pleasure.

I grin at her. “I’m glad you like it.” I look around, noticing the shops outlined in the fading glow of the sun and the lack of traffic on the roads. “You know, this place isn’t too bad. It feels much less hectic here, unlike life in the city.”

“It definitely has appeal,” Brianna agrees softly, looking at me through lowered lashes.

“I never thought I’d say this,” I say as the light turns green and I continue up the street, “but I feel like I could learn to love a place like this.”

Brianna’s lips part in surprise, a wind gust flowing through the cabin and blowing her hair around her seat as she laughs. “I’m shocked to hear you say that.”

I shrug, turning left at a sign I see for Bear Lake Park. “Yeah, I didn’t care for it when I got here, but like you said. It’s got a certain charm.”

Brianna purses her lips for a moment before saying, “That’s good.”

“What is?” I ask curiously.

Brianna smiles. “That even someone like you can change your mind on a place like this.”

I go silent, lost in thought. Honestly, if someone would’ve told