Текст книги "Mine"

Автор книги: Dimon HelenKay

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Текущая страница: 18 (всего у книги 18 страниц)

“Like?”

“Jail, drug rehab or fatherhood.” The trifecta of terrifying for parents.

“That’s quite a list.”

“But if one of those would have happened, I wouldn’t have given up on him. I don’t hit. I don’t cut and run. I don’t give up on people I care about.” He willed her to understand, to see how big of a promise he was making to her. “Not when I fall as hard as I did with you.”

“Fall?” Her shoulders relaxed then and her body eased against his.

He didn’t require even a second to think this part through. His need for her never strayed far from his mind. “Hard and fast. Even back at the very beginning when you pushed me away and called me names.”

She hesitated for a second as she gnawed on her bottom lip. Finally she said the words. “A defense mechanism.”

The last of the tension spiraling inside him vanished. “Not a very successful one since it just made me want you more.”

“That’s kind of sad.”

“I’m not denying that either.”

“I know the right answer is that I should have stayed out of your private life and let you figure it all out in your own time. But, honestly, that’s not my personality.” She skimmed her hands up and down his forearms. “Not that it excuses me sneaking around your house, picking up DNA.”

The words still filled him with a twinge of frustration, but he needed her to know nothing about their relationship—and that’s what it was—would be once and done. Some issues would take time and nurturing. Sometimes she’d need to be patient and let him come around. “Making a go of us means talking stuff through.”

“I tried.”

“We should probably give each other more than one shot before we throw up our hands and give up.”

She placed two fingers against his lips and rested her forehead against his. “You’re right.”

“Then don’t leave me.” The harsh whisper tore out of him.

She lifted her head and her gaze traveled over his face. “Gabe.”

“Any chance you’re falling for me, too?” He had to know hope at least lingered there. He didn’t need much to keep the spark going, but he could not do this alone.

Her hands traveled the whole way up to his shoulders. “Yes.”

He didn’t dare jump in. Not when he could have heard her wrong or might have misunderstood. “Say it.”

“I am falling for you.” Her fingers played at the base of his neck. Slipped into his hair. “Already have.”

Every word freed him. They washed over him like a cleansing shower, drowning out the doubts and pain. But he sensed she held something back. “And?”

“It scares the crap out of me.”

He didn’t fight off the lightness flowing through him now, because that made two of them. “Trust comes hard to both of us, but I do trust you.”

She winced. “Even after the DNA test.”

This time Gabe didn’t hesitate. He understood why she did it, that she was the type of person who would do it because she solved problems. Over time the shock of all of it would fade. “Even after that.”

“I never meant to hurt you.” She caressed his cheek.

He caught her hand and placed a soothing kiss in the center of her palm. “I know.”

“And I didn’t want to leave.”

He knew admitting that meant a lot coming from her. She wouldn’t throw the words around. Neither would he. “Then come back to me.”

She shook her head as a smile broke over her mouth. “Yes.”

“Yes?” She held her tight against him, not wanting one inch of air to separate their bodies. “No more running.”

She practically jumped into his arms. “You’re stuck with me.”

“Most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.” Andy shook his head. “Now get back in Gabe’s car before I shoot you both.”

“Your brother is a killjoy,” she said between kisses.

“Don’t worry. I’m not inviting him back to the house with us.”

TWENTY-NINE

Natalie couldn’t keep her body still for one more second. She lifted up and then sank back down on the impressive length of his cock. Her legs shook on the mattress on either side of his thighs from the force of holding back her orgasm. Her fingernails dug into his shoulders as her body rocked back and forth.

She wanted to milk every ounce of feeling and stretch out the last few minutes. After a week of rolling around in the sheets, exploring every acre of his property and every inch of his house, so few secrets remained between them. Neither held back any information about how they liked to be touched and what they liked during lovemaking. He knew this was her favorite position and rolled over so she could be on top pretty often.

His mouth continued its gentle assault on her breasts. He licked and caressed. The joint pressure from him being inside her and around her, touching and tasting her, sent the last of her control crashing. She couldn’t wait another second. She came with her head tilted back and her hair slipping over her shoulders.

His body shook under hers and she squeezed those tiny internal muscles together one more time. His groan broke through the sensual haze winding around her. She tried to say something but gave into the exhaustion pulling at her muscles after the shaking stopped. Her shoulders fell forward, and he caught her against his chest.

Her body pulsed in the aftermath as his orgasm overtook him. His hands shook and his breath rushed out of him. When the vibrations finally stopped, he settled back into the stack of pillows behind him and took her with him.

In the darkness of the cool room, she took stock. Every minute of the last few days had buzzed along with her love for him getting bigger and brighter. They’d talked with Brandon and she’d checked in with Bast and Eli. It looked as if the bulk of the danger had passed, but Gabe still watched over her as if she were a precious commodity someone might try to steal.

He made her feel powerful and beautiful even as he protected and nagged and otherwise acted like the Gabe she’d known from the beginning. The usual pangs of worry no longer assailed her. She didn’t spend every day panicked about her job because she knew that would all somehow work out. She didn’t have to beat back the urge to run or be alone. He let her be who she was and never punished her for it, and she thrived.

Her hand snaked up his body to wrap around his neck. She couldn’t find the strength or will to sit up, so she settled against his shoulder and let her mouth linger over his throat.

“I love you.” The words eased out of her as if they’d been sitting on her tongue just waiting to tumble out.

Her eyes popped open and she felt her spine go stiff. Maybe he’d fallen asleep or not heard or . . .

“That’s a big word,” he said in a rich, deep voice.

The words vibrated through her because he spoke right by her ear. She thought about hiding in the crook of his neck but decided there was no reason. She could say it, take the risk. If he wasn’t ready, she would wait. For the first time in her life, she’d step out on the emotional limb and hope he’d eventually join her.

“Hey.” He put a finger under her chin and lifted her head. “Any chance you’d be willing to say that again. I’m thinking a lot louder and while I’m looking at you.”

The courage turned out to be inside her all along. She didn’t need to dig to find it. Of course the big smile on his face and in his voice didn’t hurt.

“I love you.” This time she said it in a full voice, dipping down to her soul and letting the words ring out.

He closed his eyes. “Oh, thank God,” he said in a whisper.

She slid a hand over the back of his head and leaned in to kiss his forehead. “I never expected it, certainly didn’t plan on it, but you crashed into my life and turned it upside down.”

He winked at her. “In a good way.”

“In the very best way.”

“That’s good since I am so stupid in love with you I can barely see straight.” His fingertips danced over her cheek then down to her lips. “I didn’t even know love could be like this, so overwhelming and bright and healing.”

Every word touched her. He wasn’t the type to break out in poetry or make big grand gestures, but he’d proven from the start that he would make concessions for her. He’d bend the rules and change his life around.

His love humbled her. She didn’t know what she’d done to deserve it but she refused to push it away. “Gabe.”

“I don’t care how many days have passed or how much more we need to discover about each other. That future together, the one we hinted at and almost blew, I want it.” He repeated the words he said to her every night. “Stay with me.”

This time instead of saying she would, she went with the answer that played over and over in her head. “Always.”

He kissed her then. Not one of those sweet ones and not one that spiked her temperature. This one rumbled in the middle and held a promise. One she could feel and taste. This man had staying power. He would not break her. Would not walk away.

She lifted her head and stared at him. Even a few days ago she wouldn’t have broached this subject. She would have enjoyed what they had and not rocked their calm world. But she felt empowered. “We need to talk about something.”

His smile fell. “Uh-oh.”

“Rick.”

During a recent visit, Andy told her the divide between the brothers stretched even wider now. Rick didn’t call or contact any of them. Brandon, who didn’t know what had happened behind the scenes, didn’t understand the complete communication blackout. Andy was starting to worry. It was time for Gabe to step up and be the head of the family. Be the loyal, decent man she loved so much.

Gabe groaned as his head fell back into the pillows.

She kissed his chin. “It’s time.”

He opened one eye and peeked up at her. “Can’t we hide here and have more sex?”

She knew then he wouldn’t disappoint her. He’d step up this time like he did every other. He’d grumble and try to negotiate. She’d grumble back, though a part of her really loved that playful side of him.

She trailed a finger down his chest, down between their bodies. “I’ll make a deal with you.”

He nearly jackknifed into a sitting position. His head whipped up that fast. “I’m listening.”

“If you’re a very good boy and reach out to Rick . . .” She drew the comment out and could feel the excitement rise inside him while he waited.

“Yes?”

“I will be a very bad girl for you.” Right as she got the words out the room spun around. When it came into focus again she lay on her back with two hundred pounds of bearded hot male leaning over her. “That was subtle.”

“There is nothing subtle about my love for you.”

Her insides turned all soft and gooey when he talked like that. The sensation was new to her and she loved it almost as much as she loved him. “Something else we have in common.”

“And, Nat?”

“Yes, baby.” She used the endearment and said it in that smoky tone because she knew it drove him wild.

He lowered his head and whispered the word against her lips. “You have a deal.”

•   •   •

Gabe sat in the conference room at Tosh two days later and decided he would do just about anything for Natalie. The fact that she sat next to him, looking all cool and professional in a slim-fitting black pantsuit. So proper, except that she flashed him a peek of the lacy pink bra under her shirt as they got out of the car. The one that barely covered her nipples. Then there was the admission that she “forgot” to put on panties.

The woman was going to be the death of him and he could not wait to see what she planned next. But he had to survive the next few minutes first.

Gabe stared across the table at Rick. He’d been in the chair for all of three seconds and was already moving around. Gone was his characteristic smoothness, that outside veneer of control. From the slight beard and the ruffled hair Gabe wondered how long it had been since his brother showered.

Rather than draw out the moment, Gabe went right to the point. “Come to the house this weekend for dinner.”

Rick’s head shot up. “What?”

“Brandon is coming home for a visit. Some sort of break. Who knows. The point is he misses you.” Gabe promised Natalie he wouldn’t hold back anything and the warmth of her palm against his thigh reminded him of that fact. “Hell, Rick. I miss you. The old you. The one before our worlds collapsed.”

“Before I ruined everything, you mean.”

“I didn’t say that.” Over the last few days Gabe had tried to imagine being in Rick’s shoes and couldn’t. His older brother had made so many mistakes and tried to hold on to the wrong things, but he loved Brandon and Gabe couldn’t fault him for that.

Rick glanced over at Natalie. “Is this coming from you?”

“Gabe misses you. I don’t really know you. Not the Rick who Andy and Gabe talk about. Not the uncle Brandon describes as the best fisherman in the family.”

Rick visibly swallowed. “My life has been a shitshow lately.”

Mostly of his own making, but Gabe didn’t point that out. Might have, but Natalie squeezed his thigh and he guessed she was making a point and not a pass with Rick sitting right there. “Let’s find a way through it. Get back on track.”

“You forgive me?”

Gabe hesitated because there was still a part of him that couldn’t believe his own brother betrayed him in such a painful way. But years had passed since the cheating and they had to move on from the rest of it. “Give me a chance to, okay? Earn it.”

Rick nodded.

He would never be the one to issue a big apology. That’s who Rick was, and as Gabe sat there, with a son in college and a woman by his side who satisfied his head, heart and body, he could afford to feel some sympathy for Rick. He had nothing to fall back on but his work.

Maybe the DNA test had been his way of gaining a foothold in the outside world or dealing with his injuries. Gabe didn’t know what went on in Rick’s head but he knew he wanted to get Natalie home and thank her for this moment. She pushed him to be the better man. She opened this door. Whether Rick walked through or not was up to him, but Gabe wouldn’t walk away from his brother.

“So, six?”

“Sure.” Rick wiped a hand over his growing beard and glanced at Natalie again. “You’re sticking around?”

“I’m living with your brother,” she said in a firm voice, as if daring Rick to say something about that.

“Always said Gabe was the smartest one of all of us.”

With that, Gabe relaxed. Sat back in his chair. “I have my moments.”

Rick eyed Natalie once more. “Any chance you’re looking for a job?”

She snorted. “We would kill each other.”

“I could use your skills.”

“No.” Gabe didn’t mean to shout the denial, but when they both stared at him, he guessed he did. “She’s taking some time off.”

Rick shrugged. “I’m talking about later.”

“She has to think about my offer first.” When she looked at him, Gabe figured he might as well make the offer now. “I want you to throw in here with me. Help me run operations from here.”

“When were you going to ask me?”

“Soon.” One night in bed when she was all soft and a bit more open.

She exhaled and nodded. “Good.”

A new rush of relief hit Gabe. “Good?”

“I plan on working my way into every part of your life.” Her hand moved a little higher.

“I support that plan.”

“On that note, I think I’ll go.” Rick stood up. “But I am happy for both of you.”

Gabe stood and reached his arm across the table. A handshake might be a shaky start, but at least it was one. “And we’ll see you on Saturday.”

Rick took the outstretched hand then nodded to Natalie. “Right.”

Gabe watched the door shut after Rick left. It seemed like he walked a bit taller going out than he did going in. Gabe hoped that was true.

“See, that wasn’t so bad.” Natalie snaked her arm through his.

“Don’t think I won’t be collecting my reward tonight.” He really wanted to start right now but there were rules in the office. And he regretted writing every single one of them right now.

He leaned back against the conference room table, and she slid into the space between his outstretched legs. “I bet I’m naked during this reward.”

Gabe thought his heart might have stopped. When her fingers trailed down his chest to land on the top of his pants, he was pretty sure his lungs cut out. “We can’t have sex in here.”

“Absolutely not.” She reached for his belt. “That would be naughty.”

He loved this side of her, so in touch with who she was and what she wanted. “But I do like you naughty.”

“It’s all so confusing.” A jingling sound filled the room as she opened his buckle.

“Maybe I should explain. You know, step by step.” His hand slipped inside her jacket and he wanted more.

“Any chance there’s a lock on that door?”

When she leaned in and pressed her lips against the side of his throat, his common sense blinked out. “I sure as hell hope so.”

Before he could get up or drop his pants or do one of the hundred things she tempted him to do, she brushed a hand over his jaw. “We are perfect for each other.”

“From the start.” And only grew from there.

She smiled at him. “I love you.”

Hearing that made all the stresses of the world disappear. “I love you, too.”

She kissed him, slow and oh-so-sexy. Her mouth still touched his when she started speaking. “So, when I work here do I get to boss you around?”

His body hummed with his need for her. “For you? Anything.”

“Then lock the door.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bestselling and award-winning author HelenKay Dimon spent twelve years in the most unromantic career ever—divorce lawyer. After dedicating all that time and effort to helping people terminate relationships, she is thrilled to write romance novels full time. Her books have been featured at E! Online and in the Chicago Tribune, and she has had two of her books named “Red-Hot Reads” in Cosmopolitan magazine. When not writing, she teaches fiction and romance writing at MiraCosta College and UCSD and generally wastes a lot of time watching bad Syfy channel movies.

HelenKay loves to talk with her readers and can be reached through her website, helenkaydimon.com, or her Facebook page, facebook.com/HelenKayDimon.

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