Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 51427 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 257(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51427 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 257(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
At least, that was what I’d heard back home. Except the moms didn’t know this Gabe. They knew kind, helpful Gabe. They had no idea he’s got an intense, possessive side. A side that growls like he’d rip the head off anyone who looked at me the wrong way.
My pulse spikes at the thought, so I give my answer an addendum. “So I guess I’ll just surprise you too.”
He slides his arm around me and squeezes my waist. “Sweetheart, you are full of surprises,” he says.
His fingers are kindling. They stoke the flames inside me. My skin turns hot. I can’t believe I thought lawn games would be Gabe’s speed.
Maybe I’ll ask him after I finish this glass. We turn to small talk about my new home, and when I finish my wine, I excuse myself for the ladies’ room, heading down the dark corridor in the back to freshen up.
But after I wash my hands and leave the bathroom, the red-haired man is waiting for me in the dimly lit hall, right across from the ladies’ room.
My guard goes up.
“Aren’t you Ellie Snow?” he asks, stepping closer, his tone pushy.
Warning bells sound.
“Yes, I am,” I say, putting on a polite but distant smile as I quickly assess the fastest way to escape him.
But he stands between me and the exit. It’s a level three now. His eyes travel over my body in an unwelcome tour, and I cross my arms protectively.
“I had such a crush on you in Unfinished Business,” he says. “Never missed an episode. Any chance you’d want to go out with—”
“Not a chance in hell. She’s with me.”
Like a superhero appearing out of nowhere, Gabe’s laying down the law as he stalks down the corridor, prowling toward the man.
My heart beats in my throat. But whether it’s from the thought of what the guy might do or Gabe might do, I don’t even know.
The redhead holds up his hand. “Chill, man. I didn’t know you were with her.”
“The fuck you didn’t,” Gabe growls. “You saw her with me at the bar.”
“Dude. Back off,” the guy says defensively. “She smiled at me. I figured she wanted to meet me too.”
Seriously? “I was being polite,” I say, incredulous.
“She’s polite. You’re not.” Gabe gets up in the guy’s face now.
“You could let her make her own decisions,” the man says to Gabe.
Another growl. “It’s not an advanced concept, man. Just basic decency. Don’t hit on a woman in the dark back hallway of a bar, especially when she’s on a date with another man.” Then he turns to me, asking, “Or, gee, sweetheart. Am I wrong? Did you want his number?”
I shake my head, reining in a grin because he’s not joking. The grin is because he looks deadly serious about enforcing my decision, whatever it might be.
Gabe turns back to the man. “There. You heard it from her. Leave. And stay the fuck away from another man’s date. She is mine.”
I’m not grinning now. I’ve been heating up since he appeared in the corridor. The quickened heartbeat from earlier? Now I feel a rapid ache. And I am soaked.
The man deflates and mumbles, “Sorry,” to Gabe, who points to me.
“You were rude to her. Tell her you’re sorry.”
“Sorry,” the guy says to me, dipping his face.
“Thanks,” I say, then he rushes past Gabe with his tail between his legs.
Gabe watches till he’s gone then turns to me, jaw ticking, dark eyes flaring with heat and residual anger.
“You shouldn’t have to deal with that shit,” he says, his voice tight, “whether you’re with me or alone.”
I lick my lips. “But I’m with you tonight,” I whisper.
“Damn right you are,” he says.
My skin sizzles. My pulse surges. “So I’m yours?”
His eyes glimmer with desire. All his annoyance seems to have vanished. He closes the distance, grabs my wrists, then pins them behind my back. He presses his strong, big frame against mine, his hard-on grinding against my hip.
Dear god.
“Yes, you are,” he growls.
I wait for him to come for my lips.
But instead, he lays a hot, hungry kiss on the hollow of my throat.
I moan.
When he pulls back, he says, “Want to know why I looked you up?”
“I do,” I say, breathless.
“Because you’re finally old enough that I can ask the next question.”
I tug on his shirt, gripping the fabric in my fist. “What is it?”
His eyes roam up and down my face, my tits, my legs. I’m pretty sure he’s already undressed me mentally. Pretty sure, in his mind, his face is between my thighs right now.
He stares hotly at me, then asks, “Can I take you home and fuck you?”
So I was wrong. It’s not his face between my legs. And I’m more than okay with that.
I gasp out a throaty “yes.”
9
HANDY LESSONS
Gabe
I got carried away back at the bar. Came on too strong and demanded too much. Now I’m walking Ellie home, with her slowly riding her scooter beside me, and my brain’s taken over the thinking from my dick once more.