Read Yours for the Taking for Free Online

shrugged. “No problem. I’ll help you move.”
    Gina didn’t giggle like most women he knew; she guffawed. “You in your $2,000 suit. I don’t think so. Besides, I’m fine on my own.”
    All Ben could picture was her in that do-me dress, with those sexy-as-hell heels making her legs look longer than any short woman’s legs should, dealing with big sweaty movers. “We can stop by my place on the way and I’ll change. It’s not a big deal. I’m sure you could use the help. Moving is awful.”
    “Not for me it’s not.”
    Ben’s mind was made up. “I insist.”
    Gina’s eyes went wide and she licked her lips. Ben had a feeling she didn’t mean for that to look like a come-on, but it did.
    “Look, cowboy, just because you’re used to ordering people around doesn’t mean—”
    Rosalie tugged on Gina’s arm and pulled her aside. “No fighting on your wedding day. That’s bad luck.” She whispered, “Gina, you married him, you could be a little nicer. I know this is more of a business deal than a real marriage, but it would be easier all around if you could bend a little. Like it or not, you’re still legally his wife and the man wants to help. Would you just say thank you and let him?”
    Gina skewered Rosalie with a look. “I don’t need help.”
    “Of course you do. Everyone needs help when they move. You remember my move to Nick’s. It took all of us days.”
    “Yeah, but I don’t collect stuff like you do. I can move everything I own in one cab ride.”
    Gina looked over at Ben and Rich, Ben was tossing his keys in the air, catching them again. Gina pasted a smile on her face and shrugged. “Fine. I’ll be nice. Are you happy now?”
    Rosalie nodded. “Are you?”
    Ignoring the question, Gina said good-bye to Rich, and made her way back to Ben. She told herself that Rosalie had a point; the man was paying her a fortune to be his wife. It wouldn’t kill her to watch what she said.
    He turned toward her and smiled. “I have a car waiting. Come on, let me help. I want to, really.”
    “Fine, if I do, will you promise to leave me alone?” Gina let him hold her coat because she was trying to be nice. She even bit her tongue while he led her to the waiting car. Ben nodded to the driver as he opened the door for them. “Take us back to my place and then we’re going to Gina’s.”
    Gina followed Ben into his loft above the gallery. It was still immaculate. She’d never seen a man’s apartment so clean and tidy. She attributed it to the fact that except for the few times she’d stopped by her soon-to-be upstairs neighbors, Henry and Wayne, she hadn’t made a habit of hanging out with gay men. She took off her coat, laid it on the white couch, and sat while Ben tossed his keys on the table.
    “If you want to grab something to drink, there’s plenty in the kitchen.” He pointed to the swinging door. “Help yourself. I’ll just be a minute.”
    Gina picked up a Gourmet magazine from the top of a pile on the chrome and glass coffee table. “I’m fine. Go ahead and change. The sooner you do, the sooner I can move my things to Rosalie’s.” She checked her watch, hoping she could get everything out before her sister Tina came home. She’d leave a note saying she’d moved out. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t mentioned she was planning to, although she’d never given them a firm date. She’d also avoid telling Tina and Sam she ran off and got married. It was much better to ask for forgiveness than permission, not that she needed either.
    Ben disappeared down the hall. She blew her hair out of her eyes and found herself listening to him padding around. Within a few minutes, Gina bored of the magazine. Wine and gourmet food were not on her list of interests. Though the pictures were really pretty, they made her hungry and just reminded her of the difference between her and her new… well, whatever Ben was.
    She tossed the magazine back on the pile when a big hand reached down and put it