Broken (4 page)

Chapter 4

August, 2007

Ian grabbed a towel and Gabby picked up her bag. Ian did not let go of her hand as he walked them to his SUV in the driveway. There were too many people inside and it would be freezing with both of them so wet. He opened the door to his Toyota 4Runner for her. Gabby climbed into the hot gray leather seat, “Youch!” she shouted as her bare legs touched the scorching seat. She quickly put her towel under her and began to fidget with her bag while she waited for Ian to join her. The car was off and it was warm from the August heat, but it felt good. He climbed into the driver’s seat and she had thought they were going to talk, but he immediately leaned over and grabbed her face in both of his palms.

“Gabby, you are so beautiful,” he said. She felt her face blush and she closed her eyes and smiled. No one other than family had ever told her she was beautiful and even though it felt nice, it was hard for her to believe his words.

“I don’t want to talk. I want to kiss you again, would that be okay,” Ian asked softly. Gabby shyly smiled and nodded her head in affirmation. He slowly leaned in and as she closed her eyes again they were mouth on mouth. Their tongues danced and explored, gathering intensity and speed with each move. Ian threaded his fingers through her soaked hair and she let out a small moan. Gabby had never been kissed like this. She had never felt these feelings. She had also never kissed someone who wasn’t her boyfriend. She knew she was setting herself up to get hurt, but she couldn’t stop herself. She tried to rationalize her feelings thinking there was no doubt that after kissing like this, Ian would be her boyfriend when they were done. She felt euphoric at the thought of her dreams coming true.

She squeezed her eyes tighter and grabbed his messy wet hair in her hands and then Ian’s lips were gone from hers, softly trailing kisses on her jaw and then around to the side of her head. She could feel his smile as he nibbled her ear, and the feeling caused her to tremble beneath his touch. Her breathing was erratic and she was having a hard time sitting still. Ian started moving back to her jaw then to her mouth once more. She opened her eyes briefly and then kissed him with more passion than before.

The sensations that were going through her were all new, except the butterflies in her stomach, those weren’t new, she always had those in his presence. But, the feeling of warmth and throbbing was moving lower. She was slightly afraid of those feelings, but they felt so good. She yearned for him to touch her body, to touch her everywhere. Thoughts of stopping him briefly ran through her mind, but she quickly dismissed them. She secretly reassured herself that she wouldn’t let it go too far. After all she was a virgin and had every intention of saving herself for marriage. She had barely kissed a boy. She definitely wasn’t going to give everything up with the first guy who came along. Even if he had been the only guy she had ever really wanted.

The heat in the car had quickly changed her wetness from the pool to sweat, but she didn’t care. They were both panting and gasping for air from the heat. Ian’s mouth moved down this time, planting soft gentle wet kisses down her neck and onto the tops of her breasts peeking out of her hot pink polka-dot bikini top. Ian removed one hand from her hair and gently cupped her breast. His wet locks were tickling her chest sending even more sensations raging through her body. “Gabby,” he paused looking up at her to kiss her lips again and her eyes were wide with desire. He smirked and then began to trail kisses down past her breasts to her exposed navel. She threw her head back as her breath hitched. The sensations were almost too much for her to fathom. She felt something to which she was very unfamiliar. She felt like she would bust at any given point. As he went further down her tummy she found herself slowly spreading her legs to give him room and the urge to move her hips slowly took over.

Ian looked up and climbed onto her lap and began to kiss her mouth again, their tongues thrusting to the rhythm her hips had set for them. “Ian,” Gabby said unable to stop kissing him. “Uh-huh,” he replied continuing to kiss her. “Ian, we gotta stop,” Gabby sighed and stopped moving taking a deep breath. She pushed him away.

“I’m sorry, Gabby.” He moved and tried to gain his composure. She glanced over to him and suddenly with the heat from the car and their activities, she felt like she was going to suffocate. “Um, if I don’t get some air, I think I might pass out.” Gabby was embarrassed and lowered her head breaking their gaze and fidgeted with her fingernails. “Yeah, sure.” Ian put the spare key from the glove box into the ignition and rolled down the windows. He knew the air conditioning would be too cool.

Gabby blushed and her eyes were large, “So, I’ve kissed guys before, but I’ve never really done that before, certainly not with someone who wasn’t my boyfriend and certainly not in a car in the driveway of the Martins’ house,” she rambled never taking her eyes off her fidgeting fingers, she was so embarrassed now that it was all over.

Ian’s mouth dropped, so surprised that as beautiful as she was, she had never made out with a guy before. They hadn’t even done all that much. She was far more innocent that he had thought she was. He smiled at her knowing he had been a first of sorts for her. “Well, I hope that was fun, and um, memorable for you,” he smirked. “Um, yes. Most definitely.” She giggled.

“So, Ian, what does this mean for us? I mean, I am not the type of girl that just goes around and makes out with random soccer players at parties. Obviously, I’m not like
that
,” she trailed off looking down scared that he was going to reject her after all she had just shown and shared with him.

“Gabby, I didn’t mean to lead you on or for you to feel like I would think you were that kind of girl. I’m sorry. We should have probably talked, but I just. I don’t know. I just haven’t been able to control my feelings since I saw you walking out of the back door. I’m not gonna lie. I want more of that any way I can get it, Gabby. That was incredible. But, I want to get to know you. I was serious about being study buddies. I think we need to get to know each other better before we commit to anything serious. I don’t think I am ready for another girlfriend, either. Maybe we could get to know each other and go out some first, nothing serious. Would that be okay with you?” Ian put his hand on her chin and moved her face over and up so her eyes were looking at his. He softly kissed her forehead.

Her eyes lit up, and while there was a tinge of disappointment that she couldn’t call him her boyfriend, dating would certainly be a step in that direction and it was certainly more than a friend. She kept waiting for someone to wake her up, but this was no dream.

“Yes, Ian. That would make me very happy.” Her smile reached her eyes and he leaned over and kissed her lips one more time.

“Good, now that we got that out of our systems and cleared the, ahem, air, let’s get back inside. Hopefully no one has missed us.” Gabby giggled at that thought and realized during the time she had been with him she had not even thought about another soul, certainly not thought about being caught in the middle of making out with him. They jumped out of the car and he chased her back to the pool. She threw her towel and bag down as she ran and jumped back in the pool so he couldn’t toss her in again. She came up and she busted out laughing when she saw him do the same thing and their splashing fight they had interrupted with their first kiss started again. Lindsey jumped in and yelled suspiciously “Where have you two been?” Gabby blushed and she knew that Lindsey already knew the answer. John jumped in behind Lindsey and he tossed her to the deep end. The friends spent the rest of the afternoon in the pool chicken fighting and enjoying each other’s company into the night. For the first time since her mother had passed away, Gabby thought she might be the happiest girl in the world.

Chapter 5

June, 2010; The Present

Gabby was slightly inhibited by her wine and the ability to speak had left her when she saw Bradley Banks staring at her, as if amused. She felt everything inside of her burning and tingling. Her head felt like it was spinning, and she wasn’t sure if it was from him or from her wine. She gulped trying to wet her mouth. Then she threw her glass of wine back, only taking her eyes off him by closing them to try to regain her composure. She had hoped when she opened them he’d be gone, but he wasn’t. He was still standing there, and he let out a slight laugh and placed his finger over his lips trying to contain his laughter. Sam nudged her again. She was really enjoying seeing Gabby hot and bothered, having feelings again. She wanted Gabby to find a guy to treat her the way she deserved, but she knew she would never do that if she lived the rest of her life with these stone walls built up around her heart in an effort to be numb. Silently Sam cursed Ian for crushing her baby sister and causing Gabby to lose all hope. Sam nudged her forward. Gabby glared back at her and then looked back up at him.

The music changed to one of her favorite songs, “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri.
Crap
, she thought. This can’t be happening, this of all songs was her favorite song, and she had decided this would be a song she shared with someone special, if she ever found him, if he even existed. He motioned for her in a come-hither motion. His eyes never leaving hers, his smile was becoming more and more amused as he watched her reaction to him. Gabby looked around and pointed to herself and mouthed “
Me?
” He laughed and threw his head back and took a step closer holding his hand out to hers, “Yes, you Gabby. Come dance with me. I’ve been waiting to dance with you since I first laid eyes on you in the church.”

Sam’s elation was almost a scream as she pushed Gabby a little more into his arms and the electricity she had been feeling set in her stomach. It was so odd to her because as unnerved as she had been feeling, when she was in his arms she felt her body begin to relax for the first time since she had seen his face in the church. His arms were muscular and strong and he made her feel safe as her posture slightly slumped. Not knowing what else to say to him, she came up with the only thing she could think of, “I love Christina Perri,” she said shyly. “Do you now? So, Gabby, tell me why a beautiful girl like yourself is at my cousin’s wedding all alone?” Ah, Gabby realized now how he had known Cade. She wondered how neither she nor Sam had ever met him or even heard about him before.

Gabby smiled and looked playfully up into his eyes, “I’m not alone. I’m with my sister, Sam.” Gabby glanced in Sam’s direction still glaring at her. Sam rolled her eyes and laughed then turned to get another glass of wine.

Rolling his eyes and smirking, “Oh, I see. You’re going to play hard to get, huh. You know that’s not exactly what I
meant
.” He winked as he emphasized meant.

Oh he was smooth
, Gabby thought. Part of her wanted to bust out laughing and the other part of her wanted to run far away from him, he exuded trouble. He was going to be bad news and she had known from the moment he had touched her. Guys like him only hurt girls like her.

“If you
meant
, do I have a boyfriend, then the answer would be no,” Gabby smarted off to him. “Yes, that is precisely what I
meant
,” he grinned wider at the inappropriate thoughts that entered his mind with that admission. “What are you doing?” she asked him becoming angrier with him by the minute. He looked confused, “Dancing?”

“No, I mean what are you doing dancing with
me
? I mean, I saw you dancing with the model earlier. I saw the way you looked at her during the wedding, like you really love her. I mean, she’s gorgeous, why in the world would you be looking at anyone else when you have her? By the way, where did she go? I mean, do you what—have an open relationship to where you can just flirt and pick up girls right in front of her? Oh! I know your type. I bet she is completely oblivious to how you charm other girls as soon as she turns her back from you!” Her tone was quick as she vented all of her earlier frustrations with his flirtatious behavior in the presence of this other woman.

“So, I charm you?” He pulled her closer.

“Are you avoiding the question?” she hissed.

He couldn’t contain his laughter any longer. She was really getting angry with him. As he threw his head back laughing they both stopped dancing. She dropped her arms, pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. She turned on her heel to walk away.
No, she was not in the market for being made a fool of on the dance floor
. She didn’t know what he thought was so funny, but she would not be laughed at or embarrassed. As soon as she turned, he quit laughing and grabbed her elbow. “Wait, Gabby! Just wait. Let me explain,” he sounded exasperated. With his hands on his knees as he panted to catch his breath, Gabby turned and glared down at him with her arms crossed across her chest. He couldn’t help but smile again because she had just lifted her cleavage and she looked so sexy he wanted to grab her right then and there and throw her over his shoulder and take her somewhere more private. Angry Gabby was quite cute and he thought he might just have to try to make her angry more often. But, he could tell she was far too mad and wouldn’t find him taking her like that very amusing. Gabby sternly raised one eyebrow and began to turn again rolling her eyes when he finally was able to speak again.

“She’s not my girlfriend,” he panted returning to standing upright.

“Oh really,” turning back interested to hear what he would say next.

“No, geez. What’s your problem? I’m not here with anyone. Well I’m here with her the same way you’re here with Sam! She’s my sister for crying out loud. Her name is Carmen. I’ll introduce you if you’d like. You said she was gorgeous, don’t we look alike at all to you?” He was either a really good liar or he was now completely serious, and clearly he was not oblivious to his unbelievable good looks.
Great, add conceited to the growing list of attributes Bradley Banks possesses
, Gabby thought sarcastically to herself rolling her eyes and then realizing what he had just said.

Oh no, This couldn’t be
. She had entertained that idea, but the girl was beautiful. But, then again, he was beautiful and now that she stopped and let all the flashbacks enter her head as she took a cleansing breath and closed her eyes, she realized they did look alike. She shook her head as she opened her eyes and then busted out laughing and turned determined to walk away, to get far, far away from him.

“What the hell! Where are you going? Did you want her to be my girlfriend? What’s your problem? I thought you’d be happy she was my sister, not turn and run away again laughing. Just stop. Please. Please finish our dance.” Bradley wasn’t used to running after women, or begging for that matter. It was usually the opposite. But, then again, nothing about Gabriella Gerhart had been normal.

Gabby turned back around and looked at him and her look had changed. She looked broken and sad, “Bradley. Your name
is
Bradley, right,” she spoke coldly. He smiled down at her thankful she was finally talking to him, “Yes, that would be me.”

“I’m no good for you. Look at you. You’re gorgeous. You could have anyone here tonight. Go find someone else. Is that enough talking for you because I’d like a drink?” Gabby turned on her heel to walk away, again.

Part of her wanted to give in to her desires, this connection she felt with him, and run and wrap her arms around him, kissing him passionately as if her life depended on it. But, the other realistic part of her was glad she was walking away. His words echoed in her head
“Did you want her to be my girlfriend?”
Maybe deep down she had hoped Carmen was his girlfriend. As sick as the thought made her, at least then she would be safe from him hurting her. She wouldn’t ever know what it was like to be in his arms. She would have just taken his beautiful face home and had him in her dreams, where it was safe. She held her head up high and took a breath. She knew she was doing the right thing by walking away. She had more baggage than baggage claim at the airport and she didn’t need to feel these feelings. She was doing just fine the way she was. She had worked hard to build up walls from the emotional pain since Ian had shattered her and she needed to maintain control. She needed to make sure that she never hurt like
that
again.