Awe-Struck, Book 2 (9 page)

Their bodies’ slick with sweat from exertion, they fell back, Gabe on top of Sunny, still slowly pumping into her until his seed was finally spent. They trembled from the overwhelming release.

Gabe braced himself on his forearms and gently brushed Sunny’s hair out of her face. His thumbs caressed her cheeks as he gazed lovingly into her eyes. In that moment he suddenly felt so overawed that this extraordinary woman was his, had found him, that he felt tears at the back of his eyes.

His throat worked hard as he tried to hold back the moisture. He had always been a tough guy. He hadn’t shed so much as even one tear since he was seven when he had realized his mother would never come for him. So the fact that this little spitfire of a woman had him tearing up on more than one occasion stunned him.

He hadn’t cared about much in his life, except for his career. Women were interchangeable and no one girl held his attention for longer than a night or two. He was a loner and felt that he would be for the rest of his life. But the moment she had walked onto that patio two months ago, she had instantly become the center of his everything. He wanted to protect her, provide for her, even the decisions he made about his career were influenced by what she would think or how it would affect her.
She’s my family now.

“I love you so much Gabriel.” Sunny said in a wobbly voice filled with emotion.

Her sincerely spoken words broke the dam and the tears that he had so forcefully held back spilled from his eyes to drop lightly against her face. Sunny reached up to lightly brush them away.

“Babe, what’s wrong?” Sunny exclaimed with alarm.

“I’m just so happy that I have a family now, a family in you. I never thought I’d have that.” Gabe struggled to keep it together.

“Aw sweetie, of course you’d have a family. You have too much love to give, not to.” Sunny said, wrapping her arms around him tightly.

Gabe laid his head on her chest, and she stroked her fingers through his hair till they both fell asleep, their dinner celebration forgotten.

Chapter 7

Sunny woke up unable to breath. For a split second she thought that maybe she was having a panic attack from the impending show they were scheduled to be on in a few hours. But then she quickly realized it was because of the two-hundred and forty pound man that was cocooned around her.

Realizing that it was just Gabe’s massive muscular body suffocating her, she relaxed and started to breathe at an even pace to keep from waking him up a little longer, and to try to get in more oxygen.

As she laid there in the few moments she had before they had to get up and start getting ready, she recalled the events of the previous evening. She couldn’t believe that he had setup that whole elaborate proposal. Holding up her hand she gazed lovingly at the beautiful ring that he had designed specifically for her. It was stunning and just right. She was sure he could’ve and probably would’ve preferred to get her something bigger, but even the two-carat yellow diamond was almost a little too big. She would cherish it anyway.
AAAAHHHH! I’m engaged!

She also thought back to how emotional he got after they had made love. He was such a big strong man that didn’t seem used to crying. But the fact that he was willing to show that side of himself, to show such emotion, touched her. He basically let her know in that moment that all he had ever wanted was a family to love and
to be loved by, which only strengthened her resolve in bringing him and his mother back together.

It also made her realize that she wanted to give him a family of his own as well. She had never really thought much of having kids. She was fast approaching thirty-five and had figured that she would never have any. After last night, she knew that having his babies would be the right thing for him, for them. He had all this love stored up inside of him, that he was never able to show anyone until now. He had so much to go around, that babies were the next logical step in order to bring it out of him.
Beautiful curly haired babies, hopefully with crystal blue eyes.

Smiling happily, Sunny started to softly stroke Gabe’s hair to gently wake him up. The tender movements only made him squeeze her tighter to him, truly cutting off her air supply.

“Uh, baby…I can’t breathe.” Sunny choked out.

Gabe abruptly let her go, sitting up quickly with bloodshot eyes. “What time is it? Are we late?” Gabe said somewhat frantic.

“No, we have plenty of time. We don’t have to be at the studio for hair and makeup for another hour and a half.” Sunny said, rubbing his bare arm soothingly.

“Oh thank God.” Gabe exhaled, plopping back on the pillows. “Good morning, Sweet Girl.” Gabe reached over and pulled Sunny close to him, snuggling her into his side.

“We’ll see if it’s a good morning
after
the show is over and I haven’t completely embarrassed you or myself.” Sunny said with trepidation.

“You’ll do fine. Just be yourself and everyone will love you. And if not, who the fuck cares, cause I’ll still love you. And that’s all that matters, right?” Gabe grinned down at her.

“Right.” She smiled back.

“Alright then, up you get.” Gabe said, pulling Sunny from the warm cozy bed.

“But I don’t wanna go to school!” Sunny mock whined like a kid on the first day of school.

Gabe just chuckled, and then smacked her on the butt to get her moving.

~~~

Backstage of the television studio was organized chaos, and Sunny’s stomach was in knots. After a quick lovemaking session in the shower at the hotel, Sunny and Gabe had only partially gotten ready because they were told that they would get hair, makeup and wardrobe done at the studio. So they had left in jeans, t-shirts, wet hair and freshly scrubbed faces.

Now as Sunny looked at herself in the mirror, the transformation was remarkable. Her hair was flat-ironed straight, and then manipulated into giant curling beachy waves with a large barreled curling iron. The alluring waves hung down to the middle of her back and framed her face perfectly. Her makeup was flawless; a daytime smoky eye and a slightly pinkish tinted lip-gloss.

Having told them her size and measurements over the phone earlier in the week, the dress they had chosen for her was phenomenal. It was a strapless 50’s style Betsy Johnson creation; white with a black pattern on it, which on closer inspection were tiny hand-stitched faces of Marilyn Monroe. They paired it with a wide bright yellow belt and strangely enough yellow suede wedge heels; almost an exact replica of her and Gabe’s favorite hot pink wedges, only real suede
and with a peep toe. She knew Gabe would die when he saw them. As a finishing touch they added giant yellow hoop earrings. She thought it was funny that the color they chose for her to wear, matched her new engagement ring to perfection. Or maybe it wasn’t a coincidence at all.
Nah…they couldn’t have known.
    

The producer of the show ran into her dressing room again, to make sure she was almost ready. Since she was done, he seemed to relax a bit, only to fly off into a tizzy for some other unknown reason. After he bustled back through the doorway where he had come, Gabe came strolling in as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

Sunny nearly drooled over the sight he made. He wore dark-washed demin jeans that hugged his tight ass and his customary white
Nikes
, a white button down collared shirt with a lightweight tight fitting white button up sweater that contoured to every bit of muscle and sinew on his upper body. The sweater had several black accents; the buttons, cuffs, zippered breast pocket and collar that had a cocky pop to it. And the last piece was a thin yellow tie to match her yellow accessories.

His man scruff was trimmed and his jet black waves had a light amount of product in it and were finger-combed to sexy perfection. His sexiness knew no bounds. Everything she’d ever seen him in was enough to drop panties in his wake, but this was downright sinful.

“Gabe…you look…sinful.” Sunny said breathlessly, giving voice to her thoughts.

“I’ve got absolutely nothing on you. Dear God Sunny, you look decadent. This dress…your hair…and fuck my life those shoes! Please tell me we get to keep those, because they may be my new favorites?!” Gabe said in awe as he came to stand in front of her.

He helped her out of her seat and raised her arms out at her sides, and then spun her around to get the full effect, the dress flaring out as she turned.

“‘
We
get to keep them’? It’s
me
who has to wear them.” Sunny laughed at him as he tried to get closer to her, giving no mind to the people in the room.

“But it’s
me
that gets to enjoy them wrapped around my neck.” Gabe stage whispered in her ear, making the stylists giggle.

“Gabriel Wolf! We are not alone! I can’t take you anywhere.” Sunny said shaking her head at his antics.

Just then the frazzled producer burst into the dressing room. “Alright guys we’re going to have a quick powwow to go over today’s show. Follow me to the green room.” He hurried back out of the room, expecting to be followed.

Gabe took Sunny’s hand and led her down the hallway. The stylist ran after them, giving Sunny a short black crocheted-back sweater shrug that covered her “Hello Bettys”. Then she ran off to the dressing room, while they continued to the green room.

Sunny’s pulse pounded as they entered into the green room where the other ladies of The Chat were waiting. Sunny had watched the show throughout the years, and it was super exciting to finally meet the ladies.

“Hi Sunny, it’s so nice to finally meet you.” Winnie walked over to shake her hand, and realizing that her right hand was still in a cast and switched to her left.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Winnie. I’ve been a fan for years!” Sunny smiled brightly.

“Thank you.” Winnie replied.

“So you’re the girl that finally snagged the tenacious Gabriel Wolf? Lucky bitch.” Hope said in her usual sarcastic bitchy New Yorker accent, coming up to shake Sunny’s good hand.

Already knowing Hope’s comedic personality from watching the show Sunny didn’t take offense.

“Yep. That’s me.” Sunny said, and then leaned in to loudly whisper. “And to tell you the truth, I still have no idea how I did it. Beats the hell outta me!”

The ladies laughed, and Sunny relaxed a little.

“Gurrrl, whatever you did, keep doing it, cause that boy is hooked! We’ve been watching the whole drama on you two play out for weeks. And we ain’t ever seen him act like that about a woman. This boy loves you so much; he’d eat your dirty drawers!” Kerry exclaimed in her ‘beauty salon’ type gossipy way.

“Leave her alone, ladies.” Gabe said playfully, smiling with pride. “You’re like a pack of wild hyenas.” Gabe hugged a greeting to each of the women.

Satisfied that the introductions were finished, the producer rushed over wrangling everyone in to discuss the show. He sped through everything so quickly that it made Sunny’s head spin and she still wasn’t sure what was going on. But whether she understood or not, it was time to go out to the studio audience.

Her whole body started to tremor and her palms flooded with sweat. Gabe stopped to face her and took her face in his hands. “Sunny, calm down. Everything is going to be fine. I’ll be right there with you the whole time. You look beautiful and everyone is going to love you. Just take a deep breath.” Gabe looked at her, holding eye contact and breathed in slowly.

Sunny followed his lead, and her nerves calmed down a bit. Then the high strung producer came up and started pushing them towards the entrance of the studio, fraying Sunny’s nerves once again. But it was too late to even contemplate her nerves, because they were walking out towards the big table placed directly in front of the studio audience, cameras and bright lights.

She had Gabe’s hand in a death grip, so when all the ladies of the show and Gabe started waving at the audience as they walked to their chairs; Sunny raised her casted arm and awkwardly wiggled her fingers in an imitation of a wave. She plastered a huge smile on her face, clenching her chattering teeth together.

After they took their seats, Sunny directly in the center with Gabe next to her, Winnie started the introduction.

“Good morning, everyone and welcome to The Chat. Today on the show we have special guests and co-hosts the handsome a
nd talented Gabriel Wolf and the beautiful leading lady in his life, Sunny Stone.” The studio audience started applauding enthusiastically. “She’s more than just your girlfriend, right Gabe? You guys have a little surprise for everyone don’t you?”

Sunny smiled bashfully as
she wondered how they already knew. Gabe took her left hand and raised it up for everyone to see.

“Yes, last night this gorgeous amazing woman said yes to becoming my bride.” Gabe said his chest puffed out with pride.

The audience oohed and aahed at the ring while the cameras zoomed in on it. And it sparkled prettily under the studio lights. Sunny decided to defend Gabe before anyone could say anything later in the tabloids, because she knew they would since it wasn’t the typical engagement ring most celebs get.

“And for those wondering, Gabe isn’t cheap for not getting me some extravagant 20-carat diamond. He asked my mother for her advice on rings, and she told him that I didn’
t want anything over two carats, which she was right. Though he did design it himself.” Sunny smiled up at him sweetly. And they gazed at each other for a moment.

“Hey, you two…focus!” Hope shouted, snapping her fingers in front of their faces.

“Sorry.” The both said in unison, giving sheepish looks.

“Wow! You two are already saying the same things
in unison and making the same facial expressions.” Winnie said in surprise and they both just chuckled.

“So you guys have been no strangers to the media circus that is the paparazzi and tabloids. I mean, Sunny you’re still in a cast from that scary accident a month ago. How are you feeling?” Kerry said with concern, bringing the conversation back around to the ‘Trending Topics’ portion of the show.

“Oh, I’m a lot better now. It was rough at first.” Sunny said reassuringly.

“How extensive were your injuries?” Winnie asked.

“A concussion and busted scalp, broken forearm and the worst was a ruptured stomach.” Sunny cringed as she listed off her injuries and Gabe gripped her hand tightly.

“Honey, you should’ve kic
ked those jack-offs in the ‘happys’ and then went on your way.” Hope said indignantly, making the producer wince at her language as he stood off to the side.

“I definitely have considered that. If I could do it all over again, there would be several sterile men walking around talking with high-pitched voices.” Sunny said meaning every word.

“Good for you honey.” Hope responded back, high-fiving Sunny.

“Gabe, looking at the pictures and videos of that day, you looked pretty torn up about it. What was that day like for you?” Winnie asked as the screen behind them showed pictures and video of the accident, which Sunny refused to look at.