Gabe (Steele Brothers #6) (17 page)

“I want you too.” He bent to kiss my shoulder, sliding the thin black strap down my arm as his tongue forged a path that led him to the slope of my breasts.

Pulling his shirt from his black pants, my voice suddenly breathy, thanks to the descent of his mouth as he peeled my lace teddy off, I whispered, “I want everyone to know about us. I don’t want…” My breath hitched as he dropped to his knees, easing the lace down my thighs. “Any more secrets.”

His grin was naughty as his lips skimmed my stomach before inching my black panties over my hips and letting them fall to the floor, binding my ankles. “I think we can have a few secrets, just between us. For example, no needs to know how it feels when I do this to you…”

I gasped as his mouth zeroed in on my core. My hands circled his head, looking for something solid to keep me from freefalling. My mind shut down completely as he worked his magic, forcing me to focus solely on the incredible impact he had on my body. All the tension melted away. Fear dissipated. I was living in the moment, enjoying every second as I surrendered completely, giving myself to him.

My body coiled tight, shuddering with anticipation as I spread my legs as wide as my panties would allow. Closing my eyes, I focused on the sensations tearing through my body, fully experiencing the high without allowing my mind to wander to what tomorrow might bring. The only thing that mattered was happening here and now.

I finally cried out his name as he held me steady, kissing his way up my body. “You’re incredible,” he whispered, guiding us to the bed after helping me step out of my panties.

My laugh sounded broken and shaky as I tried to catch my breath. “I feel like I should be saying that to you.” I tried to keep my eyes open so I could watch him undress, but I felt so relaxed, so satiated, there was only one thing that could keep me awake now.

And he gave it to me, prompting my eyes to slip open with a smile teasing my lips as he entered me. “You make me happy.” It was intended to be a light statement, but I could tell by the way his eyes shifted from hungry to self-satisfied that it meant a lot to him.

“You make me happy too.”

I threaded my hands through his hair, kissing him slowly, thoroughly as he made love to me for what felt like the first time. Last time, there had been lingering uncertainty. This time it felt like we were finally in sync. Decision made. We were going back home as a couple, ready to tell the world that we were an important part of each other’s lives.

I had an inkling of doubt as I thought about my daughter, but Gabe kissed my neck, reminding me that he deserved my full attention now. Everything else would sort itself out in due time.

“I love you,” he whispered, pressing his lips to my ear.

I grinned from ear to ear before my mouth slipped into a circle when he thrust deeper, making me gasp. “I love you too. And this…” I said, gripping his shoulders as he plunged deeper and faster, taking me back to the brink. “God, I love this.”

I’d always loved sex and had been open to experimenting with my husband, but Gabe made me feel as though he had the power to introduce me to the kind of pleasure I hadn’t even known existed.

“Well, get used to it, ’cause I’m seeing a lot of
this
in your future.”

There would be logistics to consider with Char, but I knew we’d find time for moments like this. After tonight, it would be hard to imagine sleeping without Gabe.

My release prompted his and we laid in each other’s arms for the longest time while our heartbeats returned to normal, his lips brushing my hair, my cheek, my ear, as though he couldn’t get enough of me.

When he finally rolled over, he took me with him. “I’m sorry tonight didn’t go exactly as planned. I shouldn’t have left you alone—”

I pressed my fingertip over his lips. “It’s okay. It was good. It gave me time to think. That’s when I decided I didn’t want to give you reason to walk out on me like that again.”

“You didn’t give me reason tonight,” he argued, taking my hand in his, kissing my fingertips in descending order. “I was just being a dumbass.”

I laughed when he kissed my palm, his tongue darting out to tickle my wrist. “I have to figure out how to communicate with you better than I did with Jason.”

His body tensed and I could tell he didn’t appreciate being reminded of my soon-to-be ex-husband. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have—”

“No, it’s okay.” He rested my hand on his flat stomach. “He’s always going to be a part of your life. I know that. But I don’t ever want you to compare what you have with me to what you had with him. If we make mistakes, they’re going to be our own. Got it?”

“Got it.” I kissed him, wondering how I got so lucky to have moved in next door to him. After Jason I’d almost given up on men, but Gabe reminded me that good guys still existed and it was too soon to give up hope.

“I know you have a past,” he said, staring up at the ceiling as his hand ran up and down my arm. “I mean, we all do, right? But I’ve, uh, never been with a woman who’s been married before. You have a connection with Jason that you may never have with me.”

“And that bothers you.” It was obvious it did or he wouldn’t have brought it up, but he was clearly having a hard time putting his thoughts into words. If I knew him, it was because he was over-analyzing, trying to figure how not to offend me. “It’s okay. Just say whatever you’re thinking. Don’t ever feel you have to hold back with me.”

He laughed before sliding a seductive glance my way. “I feel like I’ve been holding back ever since I met you, so that might be a hard habit to break.”

“Meaning?”

“I’ve wanted you since you first moved in next door. I tried fighting it. I told myself it was wrong, that you were my friend’s wife, ex-wife, whatever. I also told myself that you and Jason could get back together. That you were a mom who needed to focus on raising your kid…” He sighed. “I tried everything to talk myself out of it, but nothing worked.”

“I’m glad.”

He smiled before kissing my forehead. “I’m glad too. But I’ve been so guarded with you.” When I frowned, he explained, “It’s not that you don’t know me. You do. Probably better than most people, but when it comes to you and me, what I’m thinking and feeling about us, I’ve gotten pretty good at keeping that to myself.”

“You’re not the only one,” I admitted, skimming his hard abs with my nails. “I knew how you felt about pursuing a married woman. So even though the attraction was mutual, I was afraid to come on too strong. I didn’t want to lose your respect or your friendship.”

“That’s another thing that’s new for me,” he said, appearing thoughtful. “Being friends with a woman first. I’ve never tried that before.”

“It could work to our advantage, don’t you think?” I asked, looking up at him. “You already know so many things about me.”

He chuckled, threading his hand through my hair. “Yeah, I know that you like sappy movies that make you cry. You love rum-raisin ice cream. You always manage to burn microwave popcorn. And you’d love to work in the maternity ward because there’s something about being around newborn babies that makes you feel more alive.”

Our eyes met as he made that last comment and I wondered if he was questioning whether we’d ever share the experience of looking into the eyes of a newborn baby, one we created together. “Speaking of that,” I said, tearing my eyes from his. “I was speaking to one of the seminar facilitators today and he said he’d heard about an opening in the mat ward at the hospital. I’m thinking I’ll apply when we get home. What do you think?”

“I’ve seen you with Nex and Jaci’s baby. You’re a natural.”

“Thanks.” There was something about caring for a newborn that made me want to be a mother all over again. “So, Brody’s next in line to be a daddy, huh?”

“Looks that way.” His hand stilled on my arm and his chest wasn’t rising and falling as it had been. It was like he was holding his breath, waiting to hear what I might say next.

“How do you feel about becoming an uncle again?”

“The truth? I’m a little envious.”

“Oh.”

My heart beat just a little faster as I read between the lines. So Gabe wanted his turn at bat? After watching him with my little girl for the past year and a half, I knew he’d be an amazing dad. He was kind and patient with her, but funny and silly too. The only part he didn’t have down yet was the discipline, but I knew that would come with time, when he understood his place in Char’s life.

His hand skimmed my stomach, his eyes zeroing in on mine. “You ever think about having my baby?”

The air left my lungs in a whoosh as I tried to mask it with a laugh. “Wow, you don’t mince words, do you?”

“Sorry.” He winced, pulling his hand away. “Too much, too soon, huh?”

“No.” I reached for his hand, bringing it back to where it had been. “Not at all. To answer your question, yeah, I have thought about it. When you were playing with Char.” I smiled. “I’d see you two rolling around on the grass with Poncho or you pushing her on the swing at the park and I’d think how amazing it would be if you were her dad.”

I felt almost guilty saying that, since I knew how much she loved Jason and he loved her. But I couldn’t help but feel my life would have been so much different if I’d married someone like Gabe instead of Jason. A man who understood the meaning of loyalty, family, and commitment.

“I know I’ll never be her dad,” he said, his voice raspy with emotion. “But if I ever get the chance to be her step-dad, I can promise you I’ll love her like she was my own. Hell, who am I kidding? I already love that little girl.”

A tear slipped down my cheek at his admission and he smiled as he wiped it away. “Thank you for saying that. I know she feels the same way about you.” Char wore her heart on her sleeve and when she adored someone, it was obvious.

“She may not feel that way after she finds out about us,” Gabe said, sounding uneasy. “I hate to think of her being mad at me. That would destroy me.”

“Honey, you’re going to have to get used to her being mad at you. I’m afraid it goes with the territory. She’s mad at me almost as much as she’s happy with me, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t love me.”

“Yeah, but it’s different with you. You’re her mom. She’s always going to love you. She doesn’t have to love, or even like me.”

“Are you worried that Jason will try to turn her against you?” I asked, propping my head in my hand so I could get a better look at his face.

“Don’t pretend it couldn’t happen,” he said, lacing his hand with mine. “We all know how vindictive Jason can be. When he realizes that I’m a part of your life and that I’m not going anywhere, there’s no telling what he might do.”

“I’m not worried. Are you?”

“Hell, no,” he said, pulling me in for a kiss. “I can handle Jason.”

***

The drive home was long, but when we finally pulled in to my parent’s driveway to pick Char up, I felt like I knew Gabe even better than I had before. The past few days with him had been amazing, exactly what we needed to solidify our new relationship. And now that we were finally getting ready to come clean with our friends and family, I knew it would be obvious to them how happy we were together.

“You don’t have to come in,” I said, resting my hand on his arm when he reached for his door handle. “This won’t take long.”

“No way am I sitting in the car while your parents question what the hell I’m doing with their daughter. We agreed it was time to fill everyone in, right?”

“Well yeah, but what about Char? We can’t tell my parents in front of her. We should talk to her alone. There’s no telling how she might react.” I was hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.

“Relax, I got this.”

I knew I didn’t have to worry. Gabe had an easy way with people; he was the kind of person others naturally gravitated to, and I knew he would never do anything to hurt my daughter. With that knowledge, I took his hand when he opened my car door, and didn’t let go as we let ourselves in to my parents’ house.

“Hello,” I called out, looking around for some sign of the three people I loved most. Except Gabe had somehow managed to join that elite group of people, I realized as I turned to smile at him, hoping to put him at ease.

But he didn’t look the least bit uncomfortable as he returned my smile with a wink as we heard the back door slam and my mother round the corner from the kitchen.

“Oh hi, honey.” She smiled at Gabe. “I thought I heard a car pull up. Your dad is in the shed with Char and I was working in the garden. How are you, Gabe?”

“I’m good, thanks. How are you?”

Her eyes flickered to our joined hands before she said, “I was just going to get us something cold to drink. Kendra, why don’t you head outside to see Char? I know she’s been missing you something fierce. Gabe, you wouldn’t mind helping me with drinks, would you?”

I knew that was my mother’s not-so-subtle way of asking for a little alone time with the new man in my life so she could no doubt drill him about his intentions.

“Of course, it would be my pleasure, Mrs.—”

“Ah-uh,” she said, wagging her finger at Gabe. “I told you the last time. It’s Sara, remember?”

“Right… Sara,” Gabe said, grinning at me when I released his hand.

“I hope Char didn’t give you a hard time,” I said, touching my mother’s arm as I passed her. We’d talked every day on the phone and my mother assured me I had nothing to worry about, but I also knew she wasn’t above saying whatever it took to put my mind at ease.

“She was a perfect angel,” my mother assured me, patting my hand with hers. “How was the seminar?”

“It was great.” I hadn’t told her on the phone that Gabe had surprised me. I thought some news was meant to be imparted in person. Especially when dealing with my traditional parents, who’d always preached about sex within a committed relationship.  “I learned a lot.” I glanced at Gabe over my shoulder. “And found time for a little fun too.”

He chuckled at that. “I should hope so.”

My mother raised an eyebrow, looking amused by our interaction. “Okay, you go give your baby girl a big hug and kiss while I have a word with your handsome young man.”