Hey everyone here is my new story! Hope you enjoy it.

It will become apparent why later in the story, but for now, Troy is named Tom!

PLEASE REVIEW! :)

Chapter 1

"Montez Oil shares hits stratospheric levels!

Gabriella Montez, Daughter of Oil Tycoon Joseph Montez, is due to receive a large inheritance from father Joseph, due to his Oil company hitting trumps this week, earning him millions of dollars in the bank.

Unlike some well-known business moguls who have squandered their fortunes, Joseph is renowned for his shrewd business-sense and has kept his fortune well looked-after.

Increased security at the Montez Mansion would only suggest that Joseph has suffered threats on his or his family's lives once again.

Around the same time last year, his daughter Gabriella and wife, Sophie were allocated personal bodyguards as he hit the headlines- and top of the rich list in Forbes magazine.

Shareholders will be celebrating tonight at an invite-only boat party on the river, due to be a sumptuous affair.

Five news will be there to watch the rich and famous glide up the plank in their swankiest clothes before the boat begins its trip down the river to enjoy the spectacular views of the city.

Eligible Daughter Gabriella remains unattached, but we are betting she will be escorted tonight. If the rumours are anything to go by, Joseph is keen to see his only daughter married off to an equally wealthy businessman and we often see Gabriella out in town with a different man on her arm.

None seem to have left an impression so far, I wonder who'll grace her arm tonight? It must be hard being known as Gabriella's boyfriend…"

Gabi flicked off the TV and sighed. She was laid on her front, supported by her forearms, knowing she had to start getting ready in a few minutes and really not looking forward to the 'party of the year.'

She was quite happy to attend the party solo. She was making waves in her own right in the fashion world and she was known as a bit of a party girl, despite her love of soft, comfy clothes and hours lazing in bed. It wasn't like people expected her to be seen with a guy. She was single and she was enjoying it.

But her father would insist on setting her up on dates with various men he deemed 'suitable' for marriage and at her young age of 21, she really didn't want to think about marriage, let alone with someone who spent 12 hours a day slaving at work.

She had been out with a few of these guys and the same thing seemed to keep cropping up. They were either boring or totally business-minded, or already dating and looking for a mistress. Or worse, 'too busy working' to really make a go of things.

She could see why her father wanted her to have stability, it made sense. But for Gabi, it would take a lot more than being a millionaire at 21 to impress her.

There had been a guy once, he was an artist and she had met him when she attended a gallery opening, not realizing at first it was his work that she was viewing as she struck up a conversation. She had successfully dated him for three months without anyone knowing and then the spotlight had got brighter on her father, causing their fledging relationship to be brought into the open and Taylor hadn't wanted that so she'd had to say goodbye.

And now she could only dream of meeting someone who ignited that passion in her. Someone who woke at 3am to sketch her sleeping. Someone who made every nerve tingle with excitement.

She sighed as she rolled over; staring at the ceiling fan in the large, open room. The decoration was Spanish style, lots of wicker and flowers and bright red hues.

"I thought you'd be getting ready…" Sophie commented as she came through the house and Gabi turned her eyes to her mother, her lips twisting with her inner turmoil.

"Mom, do I have to be forced into having a date?" She asked again. "You know how much I hate it."

"I know, honey. But you know your father just wants you to be happy and settle with someone. And you might be surprised; you might actually like your date tonight." She lifted her brows.

"I don't want to like him. I want to pick my own date, or actually not take one at all." She sulked typically, her full lower lip poking out as her face screwed up in protest.

"Don't screw up your face, Gabriella. You're a beautiful girl, you don't want him to think you're miserable do you?" Her mom checked.

"I don't care what he thinks," she returned, her dark brows frowning further together as she got up from the sofa. "It's not my fault I got pushed into this, he can suffer as much as me…" She said vehemently, storming off to her room.

--

The silver sequined dress was beautiful and Gabi smiled at her reflection as she twirled; her tanned, toned legs shown off to the maximum in her high sandals. She had left her hair in loose curls around her shoulders, her make up smoky and accentuating her deep brown eyes and feline looks.

Grabbing her clutch, she took a deep breath and headed for the door, knowing her date was picking her up and feeling the sweat bead her upper lip at the awkwardness these blind dates caused her.

Last time she had stumbled as she had stepped out of the house. The time before that, accidentally smacked her date in the stomach when she had tried to put her jacket on and he had tried to help. Each time they seemed to be more and more self-absorbed if that were possible and each time she died a little inside at the thought of never actually meeting someone who could bring her alive.

The doorbell chimed melodiously throughout the house and she knew her parents had already left for the party as she strode across the floor, opening her door to find a tall, dark haired guy on the other side.

He was leaning on his arm against the door jamb and his blue eyes worked up from her feet to her breasts where his lips curled slowly and she felt entirely naked under his gaze, despite her covering dress.

"My face is here." She said pointedly and the handsome stranger flicked up his eyes to meet hers, the blueness of them startling her a little.

She frowned, his chiseled cheeks and jaw line drawing an instant attraction as she studied him.

His dark hair was swept back from his face, gelled smartly from his eyes and it showcased his beautifully arched brows which were raised now with her words.

His nose was cute and straight, his lashes curly and thick. And his lips…well she had to tilt her head to consider how she would describe them because their apparent softness beguiled her and their bowed shape made her want to kiss them at the very top where his lip met the crease below his nose.

"Hi, I'm Tom." He introduced himself, holding out his hand as he continued to slouch against her door.

He was certainly different from the others, this much she could tell from his relaxed demeanor. He also made a tuxedo look good but he looked kind of…awkward.

She smiled at this, feeling like there was hope for her yet.

"Hi, I'm Gabi." She returned, taking his proffered hand and feeling his warm fingers envelope hers briefly, his touch making her skin tingle as she connected with those bottomless eyes of his.

"So…What cardinal sin did you commit to be stuck with me for the night?" She wondered lightly, turning to pull her door up behind her and waiting for him to start down the path toward the limo he had waiting for them.

His brows shot up again. "None that I know of…" He answered carefully, tucking his hands into his pockets and sticking his elbow out for her to take.

She eyed him, then placed her fingers there, her curvy hips swaying from side to side as she walked and Tom couldn't stop his gaze wandering there, stunned by the beauty of Joseph's daughter.

Her exotic looks had stunned him enough but the curves she possessed just floored him. He didn't know where to place his eyes or his hands, taking in every little detail he could.

Her curly dark hair, her perfectly shaped brows, her tiny cute nose. He reminded himself to pay attention to what she was saying.

"Well you will feel like you're being punished after tonight, believe me" She promised.

"Why on earth would you say that?" He asked with a bemused smile, once again flicking his eyes up her amazingly womanly body.

"I'm undateable. It's a well known fact." She answered simply. "And believe me when I say, if I could have gotten out of this, I would have. I prefer to fly solo at these things." She added.

Tom held out his hand automatically as they reached the car, ready to help her in. He frowned at her words, now feeling her hostility from her tensed body and her carefully blanked face met his.

She scooted into the car; free of his help and he let out a whoosh of breath, climbing in after her.

The beautiful face that had greeted him at the door was carefully painted without emotion and from what he had heard of Gabi, he expected a passionate- if somewhat feisty- girl to greet him.

"Wow, I guess you've done this before?" He asked then gently, not sure what else to say to break the excruciating silence.

"Like you don't know." She rolled her eyes.

He laughed then, indignant. "I don't! I swear to god, I have no idea what you're talking about." He protested; his palms outstretched before him.

Gabi faced Tom, thinking she may have just given him a bit of a hard time seeing as he didn't even know her. She kind of felt bad as he tried to work her out, his face creasing in concentration.

"So what did my dad say to you, then?" She wondered more softly, her face becoming rounder as her frown relaxed.

"He told me his daughter needed a date for the boat party and would I like to escort you?" He repeated.

"And how do you know my dad?" She asked next, suspiciously he noted.

"I did some business with him recently," He supplied.

"Great." She pressed her lips together, dropping her gaze, seemingly discarding him already.

"Look, is there something I should know? Was I not meant to come tonight?" He checked worriedly, still frowning.

Gabi crossed her legs gently, affording Tom with a spectacular view of her shapely thighs and calves, making him swallow.

"It's nothing personal." She briefed quickly, looking out of the window to pass some time.

"Well, that sure makes me feel better." He quipped back sarcastically.

He brown eyes were tolerant.

"I have had more of these arranged dates than I can count on all of my extremities. Let's just say I'm not easily impressed by money and ego." She warned.

"You think I'm egotistical?" He asked, shocked. Of all the things people had said about him in his time, that wasn't one of them.

Just his astounded blue eyes alone convinced her he wasn't but now it was too late because she had accused him before knowing him.

"I say the wrong thing, all the time and …" She was cut off by a whirring noise.

The partition dropped an inch as the limo stopped. "We're here Ms. Montez, Mr. Bolton," the driver stated and Tom looked to Gabi one more time before he moved.

She licked her lips. "I told you tonight would be a nightmare and I am never wrong," she stated, dropping her eyes once more where he yearned to look into them and decipher her skeptism.

Tom was forced from the car, shielding Gabi as she exited in a lady like fashion, managing not to flash her underwear. She lifted her hand to brush her hair away from her face to see the pavement because all the camera flashes blinded her, even with Tom's bulky frame hiding her from the crowd of paparazzi.

"Ouch!" She tugged her hand down, realizing her ring was caught in her curls and she cursed herself for being so clumsy.

"You okay?" He checked as he waited for her to give the signal.

"It's stuck," she commented, rolling her hand away from her head, her hair going with it and she realised then that her clutch bag was also caught in the tangled mess.

She sighed frustratedly as she yanked, then winced as her eyes watered.

"Whoa, whoa, gently…" Tom reprimanded with a soft, husky voice as he dared to reach out and help. She cursed her tummy for flipping at the sound of his voice.

Her brown eyes smarted at him. "Can I try and help?" He checked into her childishly pouting face.

"I guess so…" She conceded.

"Okay just relax your arm…" He instructed, reaching round her fingers to unwrap the offending strand of hair from the mess, slowly releasing her purse and she quickly yanked her hand away, affording another painful tug.

"Ouch!" She cursed again.

"Wait, I've not got the ring out yet…" He teased and Gabi sighed, all the while aware of the flashes behind him, worrying how this would look to the media.

"Gabi is Tom your new boyfriend? How long will he last?" The paparazzi calls were slowly reaching her and sinking in.

Why did they make it sound like she used men like Kleenex? She kind of wished she did have a boyfriend and as Tom's gentle hands deftly worked to free her, she thought that maybe he might be a nice guy to fill that spot. But she couldn't believe that her dad had got it right. There had to be something about him that she just hadn't seen yet.

Her breath caught in her throat as his fingers brushed hers and started a swirling tingle down her body and she cast her eyes up to his, seeing his own blue pools darken a little as he stared back at her and brought her hand down from her head.

His smile was slow as he watched her face change from frustrated annoyance to utter surprise.

"Your hair's a little crazy, but you're free," he quipped.

Gabi felt their fingers brushing where he had placed her hand by her side and she quickly pulled her hand back, combing her fingers through the curls.

"Ok, let's just get on this damned boat." She begged and he smiled again, beaming as he looked back on her and once again offered his elbow.

She slid her hand higher up his arm, clutching his bicep as she faced the crowd of photographers with fear. Each time she came out, she could still imagine the threats her father received, the ultimate loss of privacy and inability to hide in front of these flashes of light.

Tom dipped his head to check on her, seeing her face was now plastered with a fake smile, one that made him ache deep inside but he turned back to the crowd, smiling and posing with the beautiful Montez girl on his arm.

"How do you feel being known as the next Montez man?" One photographer asked.

There was obviously something he was missing in the world of Gabi Montez. Something that caused the press to shout all kinds of rude questions and target her love-life for public domain. He didn't know much about her other than what Joseph had told him.

He cast a look at the girl he barely knew and took in her radiant beauty. Who couldn't live in her shadow when she shone so brightly?

He shrugged with an apparently easy grin, acutely aware of her small fingers wrapped around his muscled arm. He was nervous as heck being thrust into the spotlight like this, but he wasn't going to give anything away.

"Look at her, dude; she's the most beautiful girl I've seen. You can call me whatever you like, I'm honoured to be on her arm tonight." He answered smoothly.

"You're one in a long line!" The press man insisted. "Does that bother you?"

"Nope." He shook his head, moving on down the path toward the boat, where he could already see pretty lights were hung and hear soft music drifting up from the deck.

"You ok?" He checked with Gabi as she finished her own questioning from local news, turning her brown eyes to him, showing him her vulnerability.

She nodded, clutching his arm tightly and he smiled down into her face, shrugging his shoulders in to protect both of them from the media glare.

"Then let's go have some fun, Montez," he grinned with an arched brow, striding toward the boat and Gabi met his pace, taking his offered hand as he led her across the bridge and onto the boat.

"Gabriella!" Joseph's tell-tale voice boomed out and she smiled, rushing to her father to hug him and her mother, both looking glamorous in their own dressy outfits.

"Broadmore." Joseph greeted Tom and Tom shook his hand, and then moved to kiss Sophie on the cheek.

"So what do you think?" He asked Gabi of Tom and Gabi frowned.

"He's stood right there, dad." She pointed out.

"Okay, sorry," he chuckled and Sophie eyed her daughter worriedly.

"Are you okay honey, did the press give you trouble?" She wondered and Gabi curled her hand back round Tom's elbow instinctively, realizing what she was doing and thinking how he had become her shield and her support out there.

Normally her dates were so busy parading themselves and promoting their latest business venture, they didn't pay much attention to her. She wasn't used to someone just being there for her. And as much as she hated to admit it, she kind of liked it. She might have grown up in the spotlight to an increasing degree but it didn't get any easier to deal with.

"It's okay, mom," she smiled gently "It was just the normal stuff." She added, making her mother step forward to brace her face with her hands.

"John's here tonight." Sophie said of her bodyguard and Gabi nodded, knowing she craved a night away from having a strange old man following her every move. It didn't exactly help in the dating business when her beau's knew they would be watched all night. Making out became extremely difficult in public.

"Who's John?" Tom asked as they headed toward the bar for drinks, Gabi reaching the smooth surface with her fingers first and leaning across to see what they were serving.

"He's my body guard." She said flippantly and he saw a large man in a suit shadowing them.

Tom watched as the barman dipped his gaze to Gabi's chest, the same way he had when she had opened the door. The dress wasn't low cut, but her breasts were nicely outlined beneath the spangly material. He felt his tummy curl possessively as he hovered behind her, flicking his gaze down the back of her legs.

Gabi sensed Tom behind her and turned, flicking him a look to ask what he was doing.

"Hey, what are you having?" He asked to bypass his salacious look.

"Double vodka and coke," she beamed and he lifted his brows.

"Wow, starting gently?" He wondered.

"Mm-mm." She nodded ordering her drink, turning and asking him what he wanted before ordering that as well.

"So, tell me about these dates of yours, the ones you hate being set up on?" He enquired as they wandered from the bar and toward the railing around the boat. Gabi kept walking until it was quiet and dark, away from the noise of the party. She rested her forearms on the rail and leaned forward, looking into the dark waves below.

She could sense more than see John hovering a few feet away, but not watching them directly. She sighed a little into the night, wondering if it bothered Tom at all.

"Well, right about now, my allocated date of the night would be off dancing with the young, pretty things on the dance floor. And I would be standing here, enjoying the ocean, until my father calls my name and I have to return to the circus." She smiled wanly.

"Young pretty things?" Tom frowned, "Gabi, what do you think you are?" He wondered starkly.

She shrugged. "Joseph Montez' daughter." She labeled herself. "It's ironic really," she smiled to herself, lost in her thoughts. "The press label my boyfriend's Mr. Montez but what about me? I'm labeled all the same." She sighed.

Tom leaned forward too, matching her stance, turning his head to the side to consider her.

"I think it's obvious to anyone that you're your own person, Gabi." He offered.

"That just another way of saying fiery." She argued with an arched brow.

"So what? Fiery is good." He challenged.

"Maybe to you." She said, still entranced by the water beneath the boat.

"So will you dance with me then?" He asked. "Or do I have to go find some pretty young thing?" He lifted a brow as she turned to him.

"I think I can manage that." She smiled.

He smiled back, escorting her to the dance floor where he took her hand as he faced her and Gabi felt a warm ripple run through her body at the contact.

Flicking her eyes to his as he took into a loose embrace, she still couldn't make him out.

He began to move to the slow music, a smooth slow dance that she hadn't expected.

Tom looked down on her and willed his body calm as he considered how close they were now, how much closer he was to her tempting lips and dangerous curves.

"I don't know anything about you." Gabi hedged.

"Well, what's there to know? I'm a kid from Albuquerque who had the good fortune of falling in with the right crowd round these parts and now I own my own company and reap the benefits while doing what I really love," he smiled as he looked out onto the dance floor, acknowledging people dancing within other couples.

"What do you really love?" She asked and he dropped his eyes, Gabi noticing the flick and curl of his lashes as his little smile captivated her.

"Lots of things." He answered carefully. "But definitely not sitting in an office all day."

"Me either. I never sit still in my job." She mused, a real smile flitting across her face and again when she considered him.

"I heard what you said you know…" She tilted her face to see him better, their bodies barely touching but the light friction making her heart flutter as she looked into his eyes and up to his lovely hair.

"When?" He wondered with a confused look.

"To the press. About being honoured to be with me tonight." She explained.

He was surprised at her honesty as his eyes lingered over her face, wanting to lean forward and kiss her mouth that sat pouted for his.

"Did you hear the part where I called you beautiful?" He asked softly, his fingers curling around hers more tightly in his left hand and his right arm bringing her closer as he let his hand drop to her hip.

The result of his touch had her tingling across her body, her nipples hardening in response. She blushed and dropped her gaze to his chest.

"You look nice in a tux," she said to change the subject as she felt the whole of her insides sing with excitement at his words.

"That's nice. But you are beautiful, you know," he said again, not letting her shy from his compliment.

"A nice dress and some make up go a long way." She replied statically, becoming tense in his arms.

Tom took the hint and wondered how he could relax her again. He dipped her quickly, without warning, smiling into her shocked face as he brought her back toward him.

"What was that?" She asked confusedly.

"A dip." He said as he repeated the action, making her giggle.

"Stop!" she complained.

"Nope." He beamed and shook his head a little, doing it again, spinning them around the dance floor, casting other dancers away in his circles.

"I'm so sorry!" Gabi called to them ineffectively as she clung onto him for dear life, her head spinning a little.

"Well that was fun!" He teased with a warm voice as he swayed from side to side once more.

"Oh sure, let's skittle the dance floor more often." She arched a brow.

He chuckled deep in his chest and the vibration tickled against her nipples, already taut with awareness and now bringing a deep ache inside her.

Tom felt Gabi's breasts pressing into him as he drew her ever closer, wondering if it were possible to feel like this about someone he barely knew. His whole body felt like it was on fire with his sensitivity to her.

"Sure, why not?" He asked back, his amusement at going against etiquette clear on his face.

Gabi actually began to smile back, mischievously. She moved her hands from his body and raised them to his neck, effectively pressing herself into him as he automatically placed his large palms against the small of her back, his hands moulding to her curves and enjoying their shape.

"Are you a trouble maker?" She murmured into his ear, neither of them for the moment moving to the music.

He jerked his head back as he cradled her against his body, against his better judgement. "Hey! I could be a sophisticated guy for all you know," he challenged.

"Maybe I don't like sophisticated guys." She commented with a purse of her lips, meeting his gaze in her outrageous teasing of him.

He was sure that if she kept up this insane flirting, he would be kissing her before long. Still embraced in his arms, he angled his head before he spoke, subtly testing her reaction.

She unlinked her fingers from behind his neck and slowly took them down away from him, making him pensive at her action.

"Maybe I'm not a sophisticated guy." He returned as they stood motionless on the dance floor. Gabi looked at him and thought she saw something in his expressive eyes…was it regret? Wistfulness?

A sharp tinkling split the air, all faces turning toward Joseph who had a microphone and was standing up near the band on deck. The boat was chugging softly down the river and the air was becoming cool and moist.

Gabi rubbed her arms against the chill, waiting for her father to speak and not seeing Tom slip out of his jacket and place it around her small shoulders, startling her as she jumped in surprise.

"Oh, thank you," she smiled genuinely, touched by his gesture.

John hovered nearby and Gabi frowned, the tender moment between her and Tom ruined by the ever-ready presence of her security. She touched her fingers to his arm and he pocketed his hand, sensing her unspoken need as she wrapped her fingers around his bicep where he flexed his muscles to assure her he had the power in his body to protect her.

"Did you just showcase your muscles?" She asked knowingly, teasing him again.

He smiled at her, loving her shrewdness. "Maybe." He allowed, facing her father as he began speaking and Gabi had no choice but to follow his example, gently butting him with her hip as she stood next to him and grasped his arm for comfort.

Joseph gave a good speech. It was strong but short, thanked all the right people and had touches of humour. Gabi remembered him writing that speech back at the mansion and she felt that little tickle inside her again- the one that crept up on her when she felt like she didn't want to be drowned in a huge house with her parents watching her, the security staff watching her.

Her parents had bought a town house apartment back in the fall and she wondered now whether they would let her stay there. She felt like it was time for independence.

"I'm sorry about us being watched all night" she apologized as her father finished his speech and the applause died, the crowd dispersing back into their party rituals.

"Huh?" Tom frowned, looking down on his date. Her petiteness, even in heels, was quite striking.

"My guard." She said gently, throwing her eyes toward John.

"Oh…him. I hadn't even thought about it." Tom admitted.

"Oh, well, you're the first." She admitted.

"Hey, if there's any doubt that your life could be in danger, I'd rather have him tag along all night than have you hurt." He reasoned.

"That's very sweet, seeing as you hardly know me." She said pointedly.

"I'd say the same for anyone. I care about people." He shrugged.

"Then that's one work ethic that you share with my father, one that is rare in business." She noted.

"It is." He sighed. "But something I live by." He lifted his brows.

"That's good to hear…so what is it you do?" She wondered.

"You know what? Let's not talk about work tonight. Let's enjoy ourselves. What shall we do next, Miss Montez?"

"I'm starving," Gabi mumbled.

Tom laughed at her comment. "Then let's go find some food," he suggested, leaning back from her petite body, just the feel of her curves against him starting a wanting in the pit of his tummy.

Gabi led Tom from the dance floor, gently tugging him by the elbow as he sauntered behind her, smiling at the view he had of her backside, watching the firm roundness of her generous ass move with the shimmery material of her dress.

"Okay so let's play this little game I know, it's called favourites." Tom smiled as he loaded up a plate with buffet food and watched as Gabi did the same.

She was frowning as she planned where to add her next addition of tempting snacks, her small plate already filling up fast. He didn't know any other girl who worked in her vocation that would eat unashamedly.

She must have caught his look because she blushed and tensed as she gazed back at him.

"I'm hungry." She defended quickly, repeating her earlier phrase.

He shrugged innocently. "I wasn't going to say anything." He argued.

"You were staring." She sulked.

"I was…pleasantly surprised." He admitted.

"Okay so this game…" She changed the subject again and he didn't miss it but he let it go.

"We just ask each other what our favourite things are." He shrugged.

"Okay…" Her lips pressed in at the sides as she thought for a moment, popping a vol-u-vent into her mouth. "What's your favourite sports team?" She asked.

They took their plates and headed toward one of the tables where everyone else was eating. Finding a private corner, Gabi was keen to hide away and bask in Tom's company tonight. Her initial skeptism of him was wearing off and she planned to make the most of the fun-loving guy in front of her.

"Gotta be the Albuquerque Aces basketball team." He answered quickly. "Favourite place?" He returned.

Gabi lifted her eyes to meet his, their blue intensity drowning her. "The sofa. In my tracksuit bottoms and a cotton vest." She described precisely, smiling at the thought.

Tom laughed at her and she looked at him, mock insulted. "What's funny?" She demanded.

"Nothing! No, it's just that you work in the fashion world and you have access to the best parties and the coolest lifestyle, yet your favourite place is your sofa." He smiled softly, tilting his head, trying to peg her.

She shrugged shyly. "I guess I don't live up to expectations." She said quietly, revealing her true fear to Tom and regretting her words with a wince.

"Hey…" Tom frowned, reaching his hand across the table to brush her knuckles with his fingers. "I don't have any expectations. And even if I had, an answer like that could only exceed them." He smiled slowly as she guardedly met his eyes.

"Your favourite place?" She asked in return, considering his comment and testing his sincerity.

"Honestly?" He asked under his lashes, hiding his eyes a little.

"Well it's only fair since I bared my soul…" She pointed out.

"Okay, fine. In front of my flat screen TV, playing War Heroes on my Playstation." He answered with a grin that doubled her tummy over as he flashed his beautiful white teeth at her, his cheeks filling cutely and creating a boyish look to his face.

"Wow." She sat back, floored.

"What?" He asked, audaciously.

"No, nothing." She mused, pursing her lips, copying his own reaction. "I just figured an entrepreneur like you would be way too busy managing important business to find time to play games." She challenged.

"Well actually, I spend most of my working week meeting clients…" He answered easily.

"Really?" She frowned, taking a mouthful of quiche and chewing gently.

She saw her mother waving at her from behind Tom and rolled her eyes. "Oh god, mom alert." She sighed. "I'll be right back." She explained and Tom watched her go, John following her as she wove through the party goers, smiling and shaking hands with them with a big, beautiful smile each time someone recognized her.

He watched as her mom spoke to her in the crowded room and Gabi appeared to be frowning, her body tense and stiff again. He'd just managed to get her to relax, what had happened he wondered?

A few moments later she headed back over to him, standing before him with her hand on her hip awkwardly.

"Okay, so look, there's this guy who's really important to my dad's business and he comes to every one of these damn parties." She began, taking a sigh and closing her eyes as she pressed her lips together in annoyance.

"Okay…" He prompted.

"I wouldn't normally tell you this but I think I can vent to you without you thinking I'm a total moron…" She babbled.

Tom stood up, his brows gently pulling in at the middle where she fixed her gaze.

"You can tell me anything…" He assured, bracing her upper arms so gently with his long, dexterous fingers and brushing his thumbs in gentle soothing stokes against her arms, encased in his jacket that she still adopted.

"This guy…he always wants to dance with me…he's a total lech and it doesn't matter how many times I tell my parents this, I'm still expected to 'put on a happy face' to keep him sweet." She sighed again, her skin crawling at the mere thought of Gianni's hands being anywhere near her body.

Tom twisted his lips. "That's not fun." He offered gently.

"You know what, that's my life." She added, her anger barely hidden beneath her tight voice.

Tom nodded. "I'm sorry." He said, wishing more than anything that he could hug her into his body and relieve that look of pure dread on her face. He felt a fleeting anger toward her parents for making her go through this, just for the sake of their business. How dare they mortgage their daughter just to keep some pervert happy?

"I didn't want you to think I ditched you…" She attempted a cheeky smile.

He shrugged, his own smile creeping up on his face. "That's okay; I would have just danced with some random girl…" He hedged.

She looked back into his face, her heart pounding heavily with her nervousness as she reached her fidgeting hands up to place on his chest, palms down.

"Save a dance for me?" She asked.

Tom couldn't resist any longer, he just had to curl her small, dejected body into his arms. He didn't care that he didn't know her, he didn't care that her bodyguard was watching them sureptously from mere feet away. He didn't care if she pushed him away, even; he just had to hold her.

"Gabriella? Are you okay?" Sophie asked from behind them and Gabi started, breaking the barrier of his arms around her.

"Yes, mom, I'm fine." She replied tiredly, flicking Tom a look as she let her mother lead her away, her brown eyes thanking him silently at the same time they begged for help.

Gabi stiffened as she let Gianni take her into an embrace, dancing with him around the small floor, reminiscing at how different it had been dancing with Tom. She didn't realize that in such a few, short hours, he could have such an impact on her.

"I am dancing with the most beautiful woman in the room!" Gianni announced, his dark eyes shining as sweat beaded on his face.

Gabi gritted her teeth as she smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Crivelli." She forced out.

"You know my name, Bella, why, you make me feel like an old man when you call me Mr. Crivelli." He said as they danced and Gabi shuddered as his hand found her hip.

The contrast in the emotions it evoked to have him touch her compared to when Tom had touched her like that, was stark and clear.

She carefully adjusted his hand from slipping any lower on her backside, praying for the song to end. She closed her eyes momentarily, cringing inwardly at her duty to dance with this awful man.

"Excuse me, do you mind if I cut in?" A warm, honeyed voice asked. Gabi's eyes popped open to meet those of Tom, who had broken the momentum of their dance.

Gianni eyed him as Gabi smiled, completely touched at his rescue.

"Well, she is a beautiful lady, I don't suppose I can monopolise her all night…" Gianni allowed, reluctantly letting her go.

"I agree." Tom smiled wanly and Gabi bit back a giggle. "May I?" He asked her formally.

"You may." She smiled warmly, her face softening with affection.

"Ah, the most beautiful woman is now dancing with me." He smiled with satisfaction.

"There you go again." She rolled her eyes, their dancing so natural that the other couples on the dance floor were stopping to watch them. She hadn't noticed that he was leading her around the floor with fluency.

"What?" He asked, dipping her and drawing a smile from her mouth.

Almost as soon as he had taken her into this familiar embrace, her body had relaxed and pressed into his, easing his tight stomach that had been knotted with worry for her as she danced in the older man's arms.

But his groin was reacting in the opposite way, now tightening with desire, her soft curves so irresistible to him as he span her and turned her, enjoying her fluidity on the dance floor.

"You keep calling me beautiful." She said with an accusing squint.

"What's your favourite feature?" He asked, pursing his lips and that caught Gabi's attention as she was tempted to kiss them.

"Mmm…" She rubbed her lips together, thinking and Tom knew exactly what his favourite feature was at that moment. "Maybe my hair." She said finally.

"Know what my favourite is? Your…" He smiled with an unashamedly flirty smile. "Personality." He finished.

Gabi giggled at him, knowing he was lying, but enjoying his humour.

"Ok, well what about you? What's your favourite body part?" She asked innocently, returning his smile once more, both now oblivious to their audience as they continued to dance effortlessly.

"Ok, well I can't say the obvious…" He teased. "I guess I'll have to say my eyes. Because I get to see you with them." He added sweetly, making Gabi's toes curl as she stopped dancing and gave him an adoring look.

She leaned up the small distance between them and took her hand from his shoulder, tickling the hair that had sprung into a curl at his ear. She tilted her face, ready to kiss him, not knowing the crowd around them would burst into applause at that moment and she pulled back, startled.

Tom cupped Gabi's small waist in his hands as he subconsciously pursed his lips to receive her kiss and let out a deflated sigh as she pulled back, the crowd around them breaking their spell. He cursed the intrusion as he tried to cover his obvious attraction to the exotic beauty in his arms.

"Oh, thank you…" Gabriella blushed as she tried to hide her face in Tom's chest, only too aware of his physical reaction to their intimate moment, not sure if she should move or stay right where she was. The way he was cupping her backside told her she should remain where she was until he gave her a signal.

"Favourite thing about me?" He husked in her ear, his warm voice making her tingle all over.

She smiled up at him, knowingly and he met her probing gaze with no objection.

"Definitely your personality." She returned drily, making him chuckle as he slowly stepped back from her, unable to stop his fingers brushing a curl gently from her face.

---

"Gabi, honey, your father and I are taking a trip down town with some friends, are you okay to get a lift with Tom?" Sophie asked as she and Tom relaxed back at the bar.

Tom nodded as she checked his face. "Sure, mom." Gabi answered shyly.

"Okay, well have a nice evening, children. Play nice." Sophie joked as she walked away and Gabi could see the bay come into view, her eyes dropping sadly to her sandaled feet, her shoes hurting them a little.

"Hey, our night isn't over." Tom said knowingly, brushing her fingers with his as she played with them in her lap.

"Well it is. We danced, we ate, and we had fun. That's kind of what dates are." She joked.

"Ah that's it, she's dumping me already!" He joked back.

"You know…just for those few hours, even with him watching us," she jerked her head at John, "…for once I didn't feel like it mattered, that any of this mattered." She commented..

"It doesn't. At least, not to me." He assured her. "Favourite line from a movie?" He asked quickly.

She smiled in delight, flicking her deep brown eyes up as she thought for a moment.

"I would die for you- Robin Hood." She said.

"Wow that's way girlier than I expected of you!" He accused.

"Hey! I am a girl, remember?" She argued back hotly. "Besides, I was under pressure. My mind went blank…" She mumbled.

"I totally understand…" He nodded understandingly and she swiped at him.

"Ok what's your favourite food?" She asked bravely in return.

"Oh that's easy, anything from the grill." He answered assuredly. She nodded thoughtfully.

"There's a great place I go to, it's down town." She hinted.

Tom smiled at her, his keen eyes squinting keenly. "Are you asking me out?" He wondered.

Gabi blushed, meeting his eyes shyly. "I guess you could call it that." She allowed.

"Wow. And how does John feel about this?" He asked sagely and she melted into giggles, touching his chest from her seat next to him at the bar.

"He'd love you to join us." She answered with a straight face.

"Then I'm in. But you should know, John tipped the scale in your favour." He smiled a crinkle-eyed smile that made her wonder how one night could stir so many feelings within her.

The boat came to a slow stop at the jetty and Gabi held back, not wanting to disembark the vehicle and lose this moment of apparent magic.

Tom stood and held out his hand for her, forcing her eyes to his where he read her face so easily.

She placed her palm in his, trusting him as he led her from the boat toward the limousine waiting for them. She leaned into Tom, placing her head on his arm.

"No guard?" Tom checked as he opened the door for her.

"He doesn't come with me in the car." She answered. "I had to fight for that much freedom. But he will follow us." She sighed.

"I'd miss him if he didn't." He joked again and Gabi smiled tiredly, taking his offered hand to help her into the seat where he joined her.

Gabi laid her palm on his thigh, tipping her head into his shoulder as the car pulled away, the partition safely shut between them and the driver.

"Aw, hey, don't flag on me now." He teased warmly, shifting forward so he could gently circle her shoulders.

He tried to ignore the heat radiating from her palm straight into his groin in hot ripples. He shifted a little in his uncomfortable position, casting a look down to Gabi who was looking right back at him. He felt that tug in his tummy again as he flicked his gaze over her face, licking his lips nervously as he leaned toward her, angling his head to bring their faces closer.

He traced her delicate jaw line with his large fingers as her eyes met his and she tilted her face, giving him permission to make his intended move. He leaned down the last few inches between them, taking her lips in a gentle touch before instantly brushing them again, his whole body feeling the reaction as he twisted to get closer.

Taking her whole face in both of his hands, he dominated the kiss as he touched his tongue to her lower lip, begging for entry.

Gabi moaned into the kiss, her skin rolling a sparkling tingle across her body, tipping her head back submissively to accept and encourage the onslaught of Tom's mouth. She was letting him possess her, his body pressing into hers in the awkward embrace in the car, her hands moving to grasp his shoulders in her need to touch him.

She had never felt this irresistible need to touch anyone, this absolute desire that pounded through her veins.

And as she allowed herself the pleasure of winding her fingers into his soft, tempting hair, she had never heard such a desirable moan uttered as that of Tom's.

Dropping his hands from her face, he scooped them around her waist, folding her into his body, their chests colliding in the small space of the car.

Gabi let out a pained yelp, twisting her body so that she was kneeling on the car seat, her lips still attached to Tom's as she was now leaning down to meet him in their passionate kiss.

Completing her move, she crawled up to his thigh and let him help her straddle across his lap, breaking their kiss momentarily where they panted in oxygen needfully, eyeing each other with dark eyes.

Tom touched a finger to Gabi's swollen mouth, the sight of her lips ravaged by his and the feel of her in his lap sending him over the edge as his hard body pressed into hers.

He shifted in his seat, trying to restrain the pressure of his arousal jutting into her. Her bare thighs were revealed as her dress rode dangerously high from her position in his lap.

"I don't normally do this." She said quickly and closed her eyes against the pleasure that abounded her when his hands cupped her backside, dropping his gentle thumb from her lip to bring her into his aching groin.

Gabi arched instinctively against his hardness, taking his face in her hands as she re-applied her lips to his. She dipped her tongue into his mouth, continuing their hot and desperate joining, shuddering as his fingers worked up her ribs.

"I don't normally do this, either." Tom husked as Gabi ripped her mouth from his, her hands so far into his hair he had no idea what it must look like now.

"The car's stopped." She said suddenly, her senses heightened and her ears straining to listen.

"Traffic lights," Tom said quickly, brushing his hands down her sides, enjoying the curves he found there.

"No, the engine has been killed…" She said, panicking, barely making it from his lap before the passenger door was opened and a masked man pointed a gun at the pair of them.

"Don't move!" The man warned and Gabi felt her heart constrict with fear, cowering as the man reached into the car and grabbed her arm, pulling her from Tom's alp as she shrieked in fear, her bare feet hitting the concrete below her where she looked around wildly for a clue as to where they were. Her mouth was quickly covered with a hand as she screamed pointlessly into the dark night.

"Shut up or I'll kill you." A voice stated in her ear threateningly and she widened her eyes as the cold metal of a gun touched her temple. She didn't see where the second assailant had come from and it took her a moment to realize.

The voice was Tom's.