The Heartbreaker Series: Books 1-3 (17 page)

Today, I’ve been buffed and bronzed. I even splurged and got a mani/pedi and my hair blown out. I time everything so that when I get back to Gabe’s house, I’ll have time to apply my makeup and get changed. My dress is a surprise for him and I made him promise that he’d be scarce when I get to his place.

I close myself in his bedroom and quickly apply my makeup. I give myself smoky eyes and dewy lips. I pull my dress out of the back of his closet, where I’d hidden it. It’s a baby blue mini dress with spaghetti straps and a plunging neckline. I have to use one of those bras that sticks to me with adhesive tape because I need some sort of support. I give the girls a little shake and they don’t move. I slide the dress on and smooth it in place. I throw on the matching silver gladiator heels that lace up my calves.

I spritz some perfume on and quickly throw my lipstick, mirror, money, and my driver’s license into my clutch. I take a deep breath and go find my man. I hear his voice coming from his office.

“I know, Mom. I can’t wait for you to come visit too. I’m sure Jasmine remembers you. Yes, I’m very happy.” He looks up and sees me standing in the doorway. He beckons me in and I step slowly into the room. His eyes drift up and down my body and he clears his throat. “Mom, I’ll call you tomorrow. I love you too.”

He hangs up and then stands from behind his desk. His suit is black and fitted. His shirt is black with red pin stripes. The man looks like sex on a stick, but dangerous. He stalks toward me and I unconsciously back up until I’m met with the wall.

He cages me in with one hand while the other slides up my side. “You look fucking gorgeous. You make me want to throw you over my shoulder and hide you away from any other man that may look at you with lust in their eyes. Tonight, when we get home, I’m going to fuck you so hard there will never be a question about who you belong to.” He kisses me behind my ear and then bites me gently. “Let’s go before I rip this dress off you.”

We get to the boutique a short while later and Gabe hands his keys to the valet. With a hand on the small of my back, he leads me inside. Music fills the air as we walk into the big open area with bodies everywhere. There are life-sized pictures of me and other models all over. The pictures are in black and white and only the color of the lingerie is visible.

Gabe squeezes my side as we walk past one of the pictures of me. I show him around and introduce him to Roger, who shot the photos. I also introduce him to Michelle and Erica, the two ladies who designed the lingerie. He charms everyone and is a big hit. Gabe even surprises me by sweeping me up into his arms and dancing me around the room.

He dips me at the end of the song and I can feel my face heat up when everyone starts clapping. He whisks me to the bar and grabs us both a glass of champagne. “Where did you learn to dance like that?” I take a sip of the bubbly drink in my hand.

“My mom. She said it would impress the ladies. Have I impressed you?” he asks before kissing my lips softly.

I nod my head. I push up on my tiptoes and kiss him. We keep it sweet and quick since this is technically a work function. I take a seat on the barstool and smile when he wraps his arm around my shoulders.

“Well, good. When my mom gets here Thursday, make sure you tell her that I impressed you with my sweet moves.” His mouth tips up in the corner.

“I can’t wait to see her. I’ll be sure to tell her you dazzled me with your moves.” Something occurs to me. “Is your mom bothered that we’re together? I’m a lot younger than you.”

“Babe, she’s happy because I’m happy. She thinks the world of you and has since Jill introduced you to her.”

We finish our drinks and say our goodbyes. As soon as we’re out the door, I take off my heels because they are killing my feet. I yelp as Gabe scoops me up in his arms. “My hero!” I bat my eyelashes at him and laugh.

“That’s me, a fucking hero.”

Chapter Seventeen

Jasmine

I stand next to Gabe, bouncing up and down on the balls of my feet as we anxiously await the arrival of Gabe’s and Jill’s mom, Gloria, and her husband, Rich. I’m so nervous, I feel like I’m going to throw up. This morning I was such a nervous wreck. I ran from room to room, making sure everything looked good. I know I was driving Gabe nuts when he threw me over his shoulder and proceeded to fuck me into oblivion.

Now we’re waiting by the baggage claim area. I feel Gabe’s hands settle on my shoulders. “Relax. Don’t be nervous. It’s going to be fine.”

Jill looks at me with a twinkle in her eye as she watches the two of us. Between the two of them, I shouldn’t be nervous, but I am. What if they don’t like me? Okay, well, Gloria likes me, but what if she thinks I don’t deserve her son? Maybe I don’t.

Ugh…I take a deep breath and try to slow my racing heart when Gloria and Rich come into view. Jill definitely looks like her mom. They’ve got the same light brown hair and green eyes. They’re both tall, but thin. Gloria is wearing her hair in a flattering pixie cut.

Rich is tall but heavyset. His gray hair is clipped short. His brown eyes sparkle when Jill rushes toward them. They both hug and kiss her, squeezing her tight. An ache builds in my chest as I watch the exchange. How I wish I had that—two parents to hold me like that, to show me love by simple gestures. I don’t know how he knows this is affecting me, but Gabe wraps his arms around me from behind and kisses me behind my ear.

“I’m sorry if this is making you sad, baby. I should’ve realized that it could upset you.”

“It’s seriously okay.” I turn in his arms and quickly kiss his lips.

We both turn to face them as the others make their way toward us. I let go of Gabe so he can hug his mom. She runs to her son and he wraps his arms around her, picking her up off of the ground. He sits her down and Gloria gingerly cups his face in her hands and then kisses his cheeks. I feel my heart swell in my chest as Gabe whispers, “I love you,” to his mom. He greets his stepdad with one of those half-hug, half back slaps. I can tell they truly care about each other.

“Hi, Jasmine.” I turn to his mom, who is smiling brightly at me. “It’s so good to see you again. You’re beautiful, as always.” She pulls me into a tight hug.

I hug her back. “Thank you, Mrs. Swanson.”

“None of that, honey. I’ve told you to call me Gloria. Come meet Jill’s dad. Rich, this is Jasmine, Jill’s best friend and Gabe’s girlfriend.”

“It’s nice meeting you, sir.”

“Oh, I like you, honey.” With a jovial laugh, he pulls me into him for a big bear hug.

“Dad, you’re going to hurt her,” I hear Jill say from somewhere behind me.

After the greetings, we grab their luggage and make our way to the parking lot. I sit in the back with Jill and her mom. Rich and Gabe both climb in up front. Conversation is light as we wait in the heavy traffic that’s exiting the airport.

When we reach Gabe’s house, we help get their luggage inside and they excuse themselves to go unpack and lie down for a quick nap before dinner. All of us, including Nico, are going out to dinner tonight. It should be interesting since Jill’s dad insisted that Nico be invited. Who knows how that’s going to go, so Jill tells us bye so she can run some errands and get ready for dinner.

I change into my bathing suit and make my way out to the pool. I’ve gotten a nice, natural tan since Gabe and I spend a lot of time out here when it’s hot out on the weekends. I walk around the pool, picking up stray pool noodles and blushing as I pick them up. It’s amazing what you can do in a pool propped up on pool noodles. With my arms full of noodles, I make my way around the pool to put them away when my foot gets tangled up in the hose. I shake it off before I can trip and fall.

I hear the sliding door open and close and see Gabe’s mom in her bathing suit stepping out onto the deck. She looks fantastic for someone who’s sixty years old. Her body is lean and trim. I can’t help but feel like a lard ass with her around.

“You couldn’t sleep?”

“I started to fall asleep but that husband of mine snores like a chainsaw, so I thought I’d come out here and hang out with you.” She leans in toward me. “I brought cocktails.” That’s when I notice the pitcher filled with a purplish liquid. There’s fruit floating at the top.

“Is that sangria?”

She wraps her arm around my shoulders and leads me to the lounge chair. In minutes, she returns with a glass for each of us.

“It’s very obvious that my son loves you very much. I used to worry that he was never going to get married.” She turns to look at me. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad there are no ‘mistakes’ under his belt in the marriage department. I could say that about my marriage to Gabe’s dad, but if I hadn’t married him, I wouldn’t have my boy.”

It warms my heart to hear her talk about her son like this, but it freaks me the hell out because I haven’t thought that far ahead. I wonder what he’s been telling his mom.

“It’s safe to say that I love your boy very much as well.” I take a big swig of my sangria and try to hide my blushing cheeks from her. I turn back to her. “Gabe is very intense.”

“Yes, he is. He gets that from his dad. He has been that way since he was a little boy. It got him in a lot of trouble. I was so hurt at first when he decided to live with his dad after we divorced, but Dan and I talked and I felt better about things. Dan is also the one who would send Gabriel back and forth from here to New York. Jill’s close to him and calls him Uncle Dan. He knew that Gabe hated being away from her and she was his shadow, so Dan paid for her to come out and visit too. Sorry, I’m babbling.” She giggles and then sucks back half of her drink.

I suck back the rest of mine and then I refill our glasses. Now that she’s shared so much, I almost feel like I should be sharing too. I open my mouth, but I’m saved by the sound of the sliding door opening. I look behind me and can’t help but let my eyes eat him up. His hair is pulled back in a ponytail. His chest is bare and he is wearing red swim trunks that sit low on his hips. My nipples get hard just looking at him.

I watch him kiss his mom’s check. He turns to me. “Mom, I’m stealing my girl for a minute.” Before I can react, he scoops me up in his arms and then we’re in the pool. We breach the top and I smack his shoulders.

“Ugh! I’m going to pay you back for that.” I shift in his arms and wrap my legs around his waist. His dick hardens against the bottom of my ass. I slide down a little, lightly grinding my pussy against him.

His lips go to my ear. First, he bites my earlobe. Then he says, “If you don’t stop, I’ll drag you right out of this pool, drag your ass upstairs, and make you scream. I don’t care who hears.”

I shove him. “Oh my God, did you really just say that? You’re so dirty.” I kiss him quickly and let go of him, letting my body slide down his.

“You’re a brat,” he tells me.

“I know,” I say flippantly as I swim to the stairs.

I feel his eyes on my ass as I get out of the pool, but I ignore it because his mom is several feet away from us. I walk to my chair, feeling awkward because I don’t know what she saw. When I look up, I see her chair is empty, though not for long because she steps out a few minutes later.

I lie back in the lounger and smile to myself when I hear Gabe sit down and start talking to his mom. It doesn’t take long before the heat, the sangria, and the pool makes my eyes feel heavy and I slip into unconsciousness.

I feel a tickle on my cheek and try to swat it away. I roll over, but the tickle comes back. I swat at it again, but then I hear his voice through the sleepy fog I’m in. “Come on, baby. Wake up.” I crack an eyelid open and find Gabe sitting next to me on the lounge chair.

“Sorry I fell asleep. Where’d your mom go? She must think I’m rude as hell.”

“Don’t worry about it, babe. You were only asleep for about ten minutes. Mom went inside to lie down before we go out to dinner.” He leans down and kisses my lips. “I want you now, in the shower.”

He kisses me behind my ear and goose bumps break out all over my skin. He stands up and reaches out to help me up. Then he lifts me up and I’m in his arms with my legs wrapped around his hips. For such a big man with a woman in his arms, he sure does move silently through the house.

I giggle against his neck as he kicks his door shut with his foot.

***

Gabe grabs my hand and we follow behind his parents and sister to our table at the steakhouse. Nico was a no-show. I know Gabe and Rich are both pissed off about it, but they haven’t said anything to Jill, for which I’m glad. She acts like it’s no big deal, but I can see she’s hurt. She is one of the strongest people I know, but this whole situation is causing her to break. I can see it in her eyes, I can hear it in her voice, but she is the one who has to decide enough is enough. No matter what, I’ll support her and love her like I always have and always will.

We get to our table and Gabe pulls my chair out for me and then does the same for Jill. I look around the restaurant and can’t believe I’ve never been here. Of course, St. Louis is large, so there are still lots of places I’ve never been. I glance across the table and see a family sitting in a booth. A boy no more than ten or eleven looks up and I swear it’s like looking at Jordan when he was younger. I smile at him and he returns it. Even in the dimly lit restaurant, I can see him blush.

“I think you have an admirer, although I can’t blame him. You’re absolutely stunning tonight,” Gabe whispers into my ear. A shiver travels up my spine and my face heats up. Our waitress grabs our attention and Rich orders the table a couple bottles of wine and appetizers.

Conversation flows as we drink the first bottle of wine. I had better watch it because I’m already feeling a little giddy. Rich and Gabe are hilarious together. I can certainly see the affection both men have for each other. Even Jill is laughing, and I swear I heard her snort at one point earlier.

Even when the appetizers arrived, conversation never ceased. I love watching Gabe, Jill, and their parents interact. It makes me sad because I never had that with my mom and dad, but it also makes me happy because I did have that with my grandparents and mom.

When my plate is set in front of me, my mouth immediately waters. We all dig into our food. The waiter refills all of our wine glasses, excluding Jill’s. I take a drink of the dark liquid, letting it slide down my throat. I’ve never been a big wine drinker, but this is delicious. I set it down and push it away from me because if I drink anymore, I’m going to be drunk. I take a sip of my water and then go back to my food.

Rich ignores our protests when the waiter offers us dessert. He orders a couple of different things so we can all share. I excuse myself so I can use the restroom. Gabe and Rich both stand and I tell Gabe I’ll be right back. Jill and Gloria are in the middle of a deep conversation so neither one of them joins me. I walk toward the back. I smile again at the boy sitting in the booth by us.

After I use the bathroom, I wash my hands and check myself in the mirror. I decided to wear a red shirt dress and my nude heels. I quickly powder my nose and put some ChapStick on. I make my way back to the table, but as I approach the booth with the little boy sitting in it, I notice a man staring at me. His face visibly pales and my steps falter. I watch him stand up and walk toward me.

He looks closely at me and whispers, “Jasmine?”

I freeze where I stand. How do I know this man? His eyes are so familiar. Only a foot in space separates us.

“Who are you?” I whisper. I feel Gabe come up behind me. The stranger’s eyes begin to look glassy and I feel like I’ve suddenly been kicked in the gut. “No.” My voice sounds rough and pained. The man swallows heavily and then looks behind me.

“Sweetheart,” he whispers hoarsely.

I don’t let him say anything more. “Y-You’re my d-dad,” I choke out. My heart is beating so fast, I’m afraid it’s going to explode.

I feel Gabe place his hands on my shoulders. His strength warms me. I open and close my mouth over and over, but nothing comes out. I look at the booth my dad climbed out of and at the boy I smiled at earlier. He looks confused as he watches us. The woman at the table looks like she’s about to cry. I pull away from Gabe and back away from them.

“I can’t d-d-do this now. You left us. You left and never came back.” He opens his mouth, but I hold up my hand. “I don’t want to hear it. I don’t care.”

I start walking away when I hear something that causes me to freeze.

“Gabe. I thought…I thought she wanted to see me. Jordan was open to talking.”

“I’ll talk to her, Mike.”

What. The. Fuck!

Gabe turns to me. “Baby, let me explain.”

My heart feels like it’s shattering in my chest. I can hear Jill yelling at Gabe for upsetting me and I take that as my cue to leave. I run through the restaurant and out into the parking lot. My phone starts ringing in my purse, but I ignore it. I see a coffee house down the street, so I run toward it. I’ll hide out inside while I wait for a cab to pick me up and take me home.