Games (Timeless Series) (20 page)

He leaned over her and set his drink next to hers. Then he pulled the book from her grasp, also placing it on the table
.

“Come here,” he whispered, gently tugging on her hand
and drawing her into his embrace.

Her head shook from side to side
. “Simon, I do not think this is such a good—”

Simon placed his finger on her mouth
, effectively stopping the words as well as the movement. “Shush,” he said, rubbing his finger lightly over her soft bottom lip. “This always works for me, too.”

A heartbeat later
his mouth replaced his finger. For long minutes all he did was kiss her, trying to heal her hurts. Why he sensed her hurt, he didn’t question. He only knew he wanted to help.

When he tasted her tears, he broke the kiss and whispered fervently, “Giselle, please tell me what’s wrong.”

His request only created more tears. Finally, in between sobs, she wailed, “I am so mean. I haven’t a heart either.”

Keeping his arms around her, Simon leaned back and looked at her, his brow furrowed
in complete confusion. “What are you talking about?”

“All those men who
have been at my feet, I have treated them so callously. Now I know how they feel,” she said, still sobbing.

“You’re not making any sense. Shush, don’t cry,” he said softly, wiping her tears with the pads of his fingers and kissing the sides of her face where they fell
. After her tears subsided somewhat, he added, “I’ve watched you with men and you don’t treat them callously. I’ve seen and heard you many times with them, and trust me when I say, they are fools for putting up with you.”

“What do you mean?”
She pulled away from him, her liquid gaze throwing daggers.

“You’re the consummate flirt, but a flirt nonetheless.” He chuckled
. “If those fellows get caught in your trap it’s of their own volition, or because of their own wishful thinking.” Her eyebrows drawn together in confusion caused his grin to broaden. He kissed the top of her head and squeezed her shoulder. “You never promise, merely imply. You’ve never lied to anyone or truly led them on, except with the promise of your smile.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. There is something about your smile that promises to yield everything a man wants. Of course, it’s really a challenge of sorts. One no man can resist, which is what leads men on.”

“What about you?
Has my smile led you on?”

The pouty look on her face had him sucking in his breath
. As she gazed at him through tear-filled eyes holding too much emotion, the desire to kiss those lips, to show her exactly how much she led him on, zinged through his body.

“What do you think?” he asked, tamping it down.
Now was not the time or place.

“I woul
d like to think I have led you somewhere.”

Another chuckle escaped
. “You have, Giselle. I wouldn’t be here now if that wasn’t the case.”

“But what about later?”

Simon sobered slightly and looked deeply into her eyes. The intensity he saw there shocked him into honesty, pushing away any remaining amusement.

He sat
up straighter and pulled his arm from around her to distance himself. He remained silent until he cleared his throat. “I’m not long-term,” he said solemnly. I like my life exactly as it is. I’ve never wanted marriage and a family. And if it’s something you’re expecting, you should know where I stand.”

“I know, Simon,” Giselle
said wistfully, patting his hand. “I understand your position. That is why I am sad.”

“Oh, Giselle
. I’m so sorry.” His next words, when he finally spoke, were just above a whisper. “Given the circumstances, I can’t ask you to make good on your bet any longer. It wouldn’t be right.”

“
Non
. You won the bet, which I foolishly wagered. I fully intend to honor my loss.” She smiled, her expression changing, turning more playful. With a little more of her old spunk, her chin went up as she challenged, “Besides, I think the bet was for the night, and the choice was mine as to whether or not we made love. Now that I know where I stand, you will never get further than kisses.”

Simon laugh
ed so hard, he was sure it could be heard out in the hall. “Oh, you think so? Care to place a wager?”

Giselle’s laughter wasn’t quite
so loud, but just as hearty. “
Non
, I have learned my lesson.”

Smiling, he leaned over her to pick up his drink
. He sighed and took a sip. “Let’s forget about the wager. I have no intention of deflowering you and then leaving. I don’t know what I was thinking to even suggest such a thing.”

“I have another way we can solve this
.” Her reply held such an air of confidence, which, along with her sly grin, caused the hairs on his neck to flutter, making him feel slightly on edge. He knew that grin.

“Since I
am not willing to be deflowered, as you so nicely put it, and you do not want to deflower me, I have a new wager.” She broke off and waited. When he didn’t say anything, just lifted his eyebrows, her smile brightened. “I want to honor my part of the bet. I owe you a night. I am willing to spend it with you and take the risk of being deflowered. But if that happens, you have to let me help you with your investigation.”

“I don’t follow you,” Simon said, sitting up straighter as a streak of uncertainty washed over him
.

“My new wager says you
will be unable keep your hands off me for the full night.”

His bark of laughter filled the air
. “You’re joking, right?” He rose from the sofa and went to the bar, pouring himself another drink. Then he walked over to stand above her.

“
Non,
I am serious.” Her increasing amusement as well as her confidence showed on her face as she watched him sit back down, placing more distance between them. “I owe you a night to be together. To ensure nothing happens between us, you need an incentive. Your incentive is to keep me out of your case. If you fail and we—you know—then my reward is to be involved with you on your case.”

“My God, where do you get your ideas?”
he said, once another round of laughter died.

“What?
You do not think you can do it?” she goaded.

“That’s not the point
. It’s a ludicrous idea.” He sat back and took a long drink, eyeing her the entire time.

“I think it
is a perfect idea.”

Suddenly he sobered
. “Now just a damn minute here,” he said, his voice deadly serious. “Nothing’s going to happen because all bets are off.”

Giselle crossed her arms.
“I am honoring my wager and that is that,” she said, jutting out her chin.

“Like hell you are
.”

“We
will see.”

The smile she offered was pure sugar, which
didn’t sit well. Neither did the confident gleam in her eyes. The woman would be the death of him.

“Giselle, I am not someone to toy with,” he warned.

“Tell me something I do not know.” Giselle rolled her eyes. “I have made up my mind and you cannot change it. I want my bet. As a gentleman, you need to let me honor my debt in my own way.”

“That doesn’t pertain to us and you know it,” he hissed, his irritation rising along with his voice.

“Maybe not. But answer me this. Earlier, when we came back from our ride, did you fully intend to have me pay my debt?”

“Yes, and you damn well know it
. What has that got to do with me canceling the bet now?”

“Why have you changed your mind?”
She flashed him a look that said she already knew the answer.

“You know damn well why
.” He couldn’t stop his mounting frustration from showing in his tone as he spoke.

“Because you were honest with me?”

“No, because I didn’t think you’d want more. Now that I do know, I’m not about to touch you only to disappoint you,” he replied candidly, trying to get her to see why the new bet was totally out of the question.

“Why is tonight any different
from last night?”

Seeking more patience, he rubbed his hands over his face and took another long drink
. “It was a game, Giselle, and you were playing last night. Tonight, the rules have changed. The stakes are too high.”

“Why?” Her gaze narrowed and she searched his face
. “It is still a game, Simon. I know the rules and I want to play.” She broke off, still probing his expression. Then, she smiled smugly. “What is the matter? Do you not think you can do it?”

He laughed, shaking his head
, and counted to ten. “I could have had you out in the pasture this afternoon. You have no idea how close it was. I held on by a thread. So in all honesty, no, I don’t think I can.”

“Then I wi
ll get to help you with your case,” she declared firmly as if her comment solved the problem, her grin spreading from ear to ear. “It seems we will both get something we want. Why is that so bad?”

H
e groaned and looked toward the heavens.
Why me, Lord?
How had he arrived in this position? He raked a hand through his hair and rubbed the back of his neck, hoping to ease the knot of tension tightening his spine. “You are not helping me with my case, either.”

“It
is your choice, Simon. If you want to admit defeat, then I will gladly take my prize.”

“There is no prize, Giselle,” he ground out
. “I’m not playing.” Holding on to his drink, he was off the sofa and exiting the room in the next instant.

Giselle sat back and watched him go
. With a knowing smile taking over her face, she picked up the drink he’d poured, took a big swallow, and whispered, “That is what you think.”

~~

After leaving Giselle in the library, Simon headed toward the bunkhouse looking for Jamison. Along the way, his thoughts were centered on Giselle and her most unusual proposal. Damn if she didn’t amuse him more than any woman he’d ever known, but she also annoyed him more than any woman he’d ever met.

He couldn’t believe she’d been so bold as to suggest helping him with his case
. She obviously thought it an entertaining game and had no clue as to the dangers involved. He wasn’t about to put her in harm’s way. Nor was he going to spend the night with her. As much as he wanted to, his sense of self-preservation told him it would be a big mistake to spend any more time in Giselle’s company. Why he was so foolish last night to even contemplate such a thing, God only knew. What he needed now was to put some distance between them, before he got sucked deeper into her trap.

Upon entering
the bunkhouse, he glanced around. When he saw the young hand he was looking for lying on one of the bunks, he sauntered over to him and sat down. He had plenty to keep him busy, so he’d just make himself scarce until this mystery was solved. Once that happened, he could get the hell away from Giselle and her promising smile.

“Mr. Harrington
.” Jamison nodded, then rose up with a wary expression on his face. “Something I can do for you?”

Simon
nodded. “I just had a quick question. I’m hoping you can answer it, or know someone who can.”

He shrugged
. “I can try, sir, but I don’t know much.”

“Have you heard of a hand by the name of Clint Mathers?”

Jamison thought for a moment. He shook his head. “No, sir. Can’t say as I have. Why?”

“He went missing from the
Edwards place right after one of their thoroughbreds had an accident. I wondered if you’d met him in town or anywhere else.”

“I’m kin
d of a loner and stay to myself.” Jamison shook his head again. “Don’t go into town much. Sorry I can’t be more help. You might try Hastings. He’s always riding into town and carousing.”

“Do you know where he might be right now?”

“He always works in the stables until late. He should be coming in soon.”

“Thanks, I’ll check there
.” Simon turned to go, but stopped short and asked, “Is Isaac Black around?”

“Yeah
, he’s around.” Jamison indicated with a thumb over his shoulder. “They’re all playing poker in the back room.”

Simon thanked him and headed
toward the other room. A group of men huddled around a large table, drinking and smoking, obviously in the middle of a hand when Simon walked in. He stood watching until one of the players won the hand and bent to scoop up his winnings. Then he said, “One of you guys named Black?”

The same unsavory character who’d won the hand looked over at him with
a hard expression. “Who wants to know?” His voice was gravelly and his attitude too smug.

“Obviously, I do. Are you Isaac Black?”

Simon glared at the man, holding his gaze until
the man squirmed a bit.