Текст книги "Easy Charm"

Автор книги: Kristen Proby

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He swallows hard, unable to continue. We’re both breathing hard, him naked, me half-dressed and enjoying the way he feels, sounds, smells.

God, I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of him.

Suddenly, he grits his teeth, panting, and utters, “Fuck,” as he comes into my hand. He closes his eyes and tips his forehead against my shoulder, his breath shuddering in and out.

Wow.

“Jesus, Gabrielle,” he whispers. “I’ve haven’t come in a woman’s hand since I was a teenager.” He plants wet, firm kisses on my shoulder, my neck. “What are you doing to me?”

I grin, very pleased with myself, thank you very much, and kiss his scruff-covered chin, then his lips. “Turning you on.”

“You’ve been doing that for almost two weeks, sweetheart.” He pushes me onto my back, covering me with his impressive body, and kisses me long and deep. One hand is braced above my head, and the other takes a journey down my torso, over my breasts, to my belly, and he starts to pull my tank up. And I freeze.

“I’m not sure you want to do that.”

He frowns down into my face. “I’m sure I do.”

I bite my lip. “Maybe we can just leave my shirt on.”

He frowns again, not in a mad way, but rather more confused, and then his face clears and he kisses me again. He braces himself on his elbows at either side of my head, his fingers plunge into my hair, and he rubs my scalp as he slowly, and thoroughly, kisses the ever-loving hell out of me.

“Gabby,” he whispers against my lips. “You’re beautiful.”

“I’ve had a baby.”

His green eyes don’t leave mine as he pulls one hand down my side to my belly and simply rests it there. I’m a petite woman. Most of my body is slender, but my belly is full of stretch marks and flab that will never go away, no matter what I do.

Unless I get a tummy-tuck. Which I’m not above, by the way.

“You’re a mom. You’re a real woman. Your body is perfect, just the way it is.”

I cringe.

“Stop it.” He kisses me again and pushes his hand under my shirt. “Jesus, Gabby, you couldn’t turn me on more than you do. I’d die.”

The sincerity is in his eyes. He’s not bullshitting me just so he can get in my pants. No one has ever looked at me the way he’s looking at me right now.

“Trust me?” His face is sober as he asks, and when I nod, that slow, crooked smile tickles his lips. “Good girl.”

I shiver.

“Are you cold?”

I shake my head no and he smiles wider.

“You just like it when I say good girl.”

I nod reluctantly and he kisses my lips, my chin, and down my torso, following the path his hand took moments ago, as he pulls my shirt up and over my head. He reaches behind me and deftly unhooks my bra with one hand, then flings it to the floor with my shirt and continues to plant his lips down to my belly.

He nuzzles me there, his hands on my sides, just above my pelvis. He’s spread my legs wide, and is on his belly between them, his chest pressed to my core as he kisses my belly. “So beautiful,” he says, then kisses even lower. He shimmies further down the bed, glances up at me with a mischievous grin, then plants that mouth right over my panties, against the spot that turns my world upside down.

Sweet baby Jesus.

“God, you’re wet,” he says. “Your panties are soaked clean through.”

His satisfied eyes find mine as he slips a finger in the elastic, pulls it aside, and returns his attention there, surging me up onto my elbows so I can watch. “Oh, my God.”

“Like this?” he asks, lapping at me. “You taste amazing.”

“Nobody’s ever… I haven’t…” I can’t finish as he simply tears the panties off me and tosses them over his shoulder, all humor suddenly gone from his face.

“Are you saying I’m the first to do this?”

I nod, eyes wide.

“Lay back, baby.”

“I wanna watch,” I reply softly, then bite my lip. He smirks and doesn’t argue as he lowers his lips to me, barely kissing me. His fingertips part my lips, then sink inside me.

Holy shit. I can’t catch my breath. I lay back because I don’t have the strength to stay on my elbows. All of my attention is centered on the bundle of nerves at my core, where Rhys is paying all of his attention.

And oh, my, is he good at paying attention.

His fingers sweep around and press against my inner walls and push up. He presses his tongue on my clit, and my legs begin to shake uncontrollably. My toes curl.

Even my hair follicles are standing on end.

“Rhys!”

“Mmm-hmmm,” he mutters, but doesn’t pull his mouth away. Everything seems to gather into a bright, tiny ball, and then that ball explodes, sending me into the most crazy orgasm I’ve ever had in my life.

I’m not even sure that you could call what I’ve had in the past an orgasm compared to this.

So this is what all the fuss is about!

Rhys kisses me some more, just on the outside of my very sensitive lips, my inner thighs, the crease where my thigh and center meet, then up my belly again.

And you know what? I don’t give even one fuck that he’s looking at my belly right now. Because clearly he doesn’t have any fucks to give about it either.

Suddenly, he pulls me up into a sitting position and kisses my lips. I can taste myself, and damn if that isn’t a turn-on in itself.

“Go have a shower, baby. Get ready for your day. I’m making breakfast.”

And before I can argue, he jumps up, gracing me with an incredible view of his tight ass and sculpted back. His backside is almost as impressive as his front side. He grabs his clothes and leaves my bedroom, and me, sitting in my big, warm bed with the most ridiculous smile on my face.

Damn, he could make a girl fall in love with him.

Chapter Six

~Rhys~

She’s gotten under my skin. That’s all there is to it.

I check the bacon and pull it out of the oven just before it burns. I hope Gabby likes it crispy.

Get your head in the game, O’Shaughnessy.

I’m scrambling eggs and dishing up fruit as Gabby walks into the kitchen, looking fresh from her shower.

And happy, with that knock-me-out smile on her face. Her eyes are bright and clear of any stress or worry.

I’m going to keep her this way.

“Hey,” she says. “It smells amazing in here.”

“I hope you like crispy bacon.”

She nods as she walks around the island, stands on her tip-toes¸ and tips her face up to kiss me. I still have to bend down to oblige. Without looking, I take the eggs off the burner and pull her in for a long, deep kiss. Her hands cling to my sides, and when I pull back, her cheeks are flushed.

Matching mine, I’m sure.

“Are you hungry?” I ask.

“Mmm,” she purrs and licks her bottom lip.

“For food, silly.” I kiss her nose and turn back to the task at hand, dishing up her plate, then mine.

“You made coffee.” She pours us each a cup and sits next to me at the island. “You’re a savior.”

“Coffee addict?”

“Absolutely.” She dives into her food, eating most of a slice of bacon, then holds the last bite up to my lips. “It’s delicious.”

I bite her fingertips on purpose, making her laugh. “Yes, it is.”

She simply raises a brow and sticks a strawberry in her mouth, then clears our empty plates, a new little wiggle in her hips as she walks.

I love the new-found confidence she’s discovered in the past twenty-four hours. I didn’t lie to her; she is perfect, just as she is, and seeing her believe it is just magnificent.

“Music!” Gabby tethers her phone to a Bluetooth speaker system and grins as a Beyonce song comes on. “I like to dance as I clean up when guests aren’t here.”

“I guess I’m not a guest anymore?”

Her jaw drops and she blinks rapidly. “I’m sorry. Of course you are.”

I catch her arm and pull her against me. “No, I’d say that crossing over into the intimate side of things means that I’m not a guest.”

“I can’t charge you for your room,” she says fiercely. “But when Sam comes home, you can’t sleep with me.”

“Gabby, I didn’t mean to start a panic attack.” I brush her hair over her shoulders and massage her neck. She’s biting that lower lip, worry creasing her brow. “I’ll pay for my room, and continue sleeping in it when Sam comes home. And in the mean time, we’ll take it one day at a time.”

She relaxes and nods, then smiles. “Okay.”

“Okay.” She steps closer to me, pushing her hands up my chest to my shoulders. “You’re muscular.”

“It’s part of the job.”

Her eyes are happy as she watches her hands take a tour of my arms, and my own hands don’t want to stay still. They fall down her slender back and around her sides, then back up again, and her eyes find mine.

I love the way her breathing changes when I touch her. The way her eyes glass over.

I reach down to her ass and lift her effortlessly, then set her on the island countertop so she’s eye-level with me and I can easily touch her everywhere.

My lips brush over hers lightly, and she fists her hands in my T-shirt at the shoulders, as though she’s holding on for dear life.

And I’ve barely touched her.

Jesus, I’ll never get tired of her.

“Why are your hands on my sister?”

Our faces jerk to the back door, where Beau has just walked in, and neither of us heard him.

“Or, more importantly,” he says with narrowed eyes, “why are your lips on my sister?”

“Beau, don’t be an ass.” Gabby rolls her eyes, looks up at me with an apologetic shrug, and jumps off the island. “It’s none of your business.”

“Bullshit.”

His eyes, so much like his sister’s, are pinned to mine, and he’s on high alert. He’s taller than me by maybe two inches, but I know that I match him in strength.

If my shoulder was at 100 percent.

Not that I’d ever fight Gabby’s brother, or anyone else for that matter.

“I’m not a child, and I don’t need you to defend my virtue, Beau.” Gabby squares off with her brother, who towers more than a foot above her, with her hands on her hips and fire shooting from her eyes.

Christ, she’s stunning.

“You’re not in the habit of fucking the guests, Gabby.”

I fist my hands and narrow my eyes. Maybe I’ll fight her brother anyway. “Don’t talk to her like that.”

“Beau!” She’s outraged and hurt. “What is wrong with you?”

“Tell me I’ve got it wrong. Because it sure didn’t look like it from here.”

“You’re a bully,” Gabby replies, her voice shaking. “And you’re a pain in my ass. You don’t get to come into my home, my business, and call me a whore.”

His face registers shock. “I didn’t—”

“I don’t want to hear it. I can’t do this with you right now.” She holds her hands up in surrender and flees the room. Not crying. Not in a dramatic huff.

She’s just simply done.

Good girl.

“So, are you in the habit of making Gabby feel like shit, or is this just a special occasion?”

Beau’s eyes narrow on me again. “You don’t know dick about my sister.”

“You’re wrong. I know plenty, and I’m learning more.”

“You’ve been here five minutes.”

“You’ve been here for twenty-seven years, and you just tore her heart out.” I lean my hips against the edge of the countertop and cross my arms over my chest. “And frankly, it pisses me off.”

Beau sighs and rubs his hand over his face. “You don’t know what we’ve been through with her. She’s the baby, and she’s been hurt as much as the rest of us.”

“She’s an adult, Beau. Hurt comes with the title.” But my stomach clenches at the thought of anyone ever hurting her. “She’s not a child.”

“No, she has a child.”

“I’ve met him,” I reply steadily. “He’s awesome.”

“And he’ll get attached to you. Have you thought of that? He already hero-worships you. So, you make them both fall for you, and then you leave?”

“Is this the what are your intentions with my daughter conversation?” I ask soberly, not moving. Beau is pacing the floor, agitation in every line of his body.

“I’m the closest thing she has to a father!”

“You’re her brother.” I shake my head. “And yes, you should protect her. But Jesus, man, you just spoke to her like she was sixteen. And you’re lucky I didn’t deck you for the ‘fucking the guest’ comment.”

He frowns and paces away, then back again. “If you want to play games, she’s not the one to play them with.”

“Who said anything about playing games? She’s amazing. And the fact that you’d think that a man would be with her simply because she’s hot is a shot against you, and no one else.” Now I am getting pissed.

“Are you saying you love her?”

I pause. “I’m learning her,” I begin thoughtfully. “She just…devastates me. I’m saying I am going to keep learning her, making her laugh, making her happy.”

“And Sam?”

“Sam’s part of the package, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I reply evenly. “I’m assuming you know where his sperm donor is?” I refuse to call the man his father.

“I do.” Beau’s eyes narrow again. “Why?”

“Because I’d like to beat the shit out of him.”

Beau grins now. “Eli and I did that a long time ago.”

“Good, but I’d like my own crack at him.” I shift my head from side to side. “Just for fun.”

“He’s far away, thank God.” Beau firms his lips and watches me for a long minute. “If you fuck with her, I’ll fuck with you, and it will hurt.”

“Back at you.”

Chapter Seven

~Gabby~

I would typically sit on the porch and enjoy being mad, but I’m so worked up, I need to walk. So I set off for the gardens, wandering through them. The flowers are full and heavy with bees flitting from bloom to bloom. Birds are singing in the trees above.

And I’m more pissed than I’ve been in a very, very long time.

“Gabby.”

I ignore my stupid, pig-headed brother and continue walking.

“Gabby, I’m sorry.”

“You should be!” I whirl on him and shove him in the chest, hard, but he doesn’t even flinch or move.

Damn huge brothers.

“I’m not a baby, Beau.”

“You’re the baby, Gabs.” He crosses his arms over his chest, looking all tall and steady.

“But I’m not a baby. I’m a grown woman, who runs a business and single parents her child. You don’t have to protect me from anything.”

He frowns and looks ready to argue. “Look, I’m sorry I made you mad—”

“You humiliated me,” I reply passionately. “You embarrassed me in front of a man that I happen to like. And do you have any idea how long it’s been since I liked anyone, Beau? Since Colby.”

“No way,” he replies with shock.

“Way. I’ve done nothing but what I’m supposed to. I am a damn good mom, and I’m damn good at running this inn, and damn it, if I want to kiss a man, I’ll damn well do it!” I’m pacing back and forth now, punctuating each damn with a finger in the air, pointed at my idiot brother.

“Okay.”

“I mean, it’s not like Rhys is a damn serial killer, for crying out loud! He’s practically Kate’s brother. He’s a good guy. And for some incredible reason, he likes me.”

“I know.”

“And I would never do anything to hurt Sam, so don’t stand there and look at me like I’m whoring around in front of my son.”

“I would never think that, and I’m sorry if I implied it.”

Finally, I come to a stop and stare at Beau. “You’re agreeing with me.”

“I am.” He nods and offers me that smile that makes it so I can’t be mad at him for long.

“Why?”

He shrugs and pulls me into a hug. “I don’t like making you mad, or upsetting you. I never could stand to see you off-kilter, even as a baby.”

“I’m not a damn baby.” My voice is calmer now, resigned. “Why are you agreeing with me?”

“Rhys put me in my place.” He chuckles and backs away from me. “I think he might be good for you.”

“Meaning?”

“Just that.” He tugs on a strand of my hair, and I realize that he’s not in work attire.

“Why are you home? It’s Monday.”

“I took a personal day.”

I blink and frown. “I’m not sure I understand.”

“A personal day, Gabby. As in, a day off that isn’t a weekend.”

More blinking and frowning. “I don’t even know who you are right now.”

“I’m your idiot brother who should have turned around and backed away when he found some guy sucking my sister’s face into his mouth.” He shudders dramatically, making me laugh.

“Oh, I know you, then.” I hug him to me once more. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Feed me?”

“Dude, you missed that train. But I’m sure I can find you some scraps. Rhys will be around.”

“I’ll be nice.”

“Yeah, and alligators might fly out of my ass.”

“Ouch.”

***

I think I’m going to die from sexual frustration. I wonder if anyone has actually died from being too horny? I should Google it.

I smirk and pull a sheet of fresh cookies out of the oven.

It’s been two days since Rhys gave me the best orgasm of my life.

Like, of my freaking life.

And I figured for sure that he’d be in my bed Monday night to seal the deal.

And he was in my bed. But all he did was hold me all night. Oh, there was kissing and heavy petting, and it was very, very nice to be held and shown affection.

But there was no sex.

And then yesterday went to hell in a handbasket.

If it could go wrong, it did. The newly repaired dishwasher leaked water all over my kitchen. Two sets of guests showed up on the same day, but one of them was supposed to come on Tuesday of next week. They messed up the dates, but that meant that I had to call around and find them a bed for the night because I’m booked solid.

Because I’m stubborn and refuse to put anyone in Rhys’s room.

And lost business for next week.

Then, at the evening wine time, a guest ate a cookie that had coconut in it and had a violent allergic reaction, needing a call to 911, and a trip to the hospital because he forgot to bring his EpiPen with him, not to mention he forgot to inform me of any special dietary needs.

So by the time I fell into bed with Rhys last night, I was so exhausted that I was asleep before my head hit the pillow, and had to get up before him this morning.

“I’m never getting laid again,” I grumble to myself and push a fresh pan of cookies into the oven.

“We’re here to make sure that isn’t true.”

I whirl to find Van, Charly and Kate grinning from ear to ear, standing just inside my kitchen.

“How long have you been there?”

“Long enough to hear you bitch about coconut and not getting laid.”

I nod. “That about covers it.”

“Well,” Charly says with a smile and lifts a bag from her shop. “We are here to make sure that sad travesty doesn’t happen.”

“What do you mean?”

“Rhys called me, and he wanted to surprise you,” Kate says and claps her hands.

“So we are going to help you get ready, and then the three of us are going to man the fort for the next twenty-four hours.” Savannah pulls the cookies out of the oven, turns it off, and takes my hand to lead me upstairs.

“But I have to work.”

“We’re working for you,” Charly says.

“But you guys have to work.”

“Jesus, is she slow?” Kate shakes her head. “We took the rest of today and tomorrow off so you can too, and so you can go have fun.”

“Fun.” I follow my sisters into my bedroom, sit on the bed where directed, and frown at the three women. “I don’t have time for fun.”

“Yes, you do.” Savannah takes the bag from Charly and pulls the contents out. “Now, Charly brought you some gorgeous new wedges. I’m totally jealous over these shoes.”

“You’re welcome,” Charly adds as she emerges from my closet with my smallest suitcase and about seven outfits draped over her arm.

The shoes are seriously pretty; black patent-leather with a peep-toe.

It’s too bad I haven’t had time to paint my toenails.

“So, we’re not allowed to tell you where you’re going,” Kate begins as she and Charly sort through my tops. “But we can say that you’re going out for dinner tonight, so you should wear something flirty and pretty.”

I’m getting better at flirty.

“And tomorrow is more casual.” Van grins as she finds some black lacy underwear in my drawer. With the tags still on them. “Who are you saving these for?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. They probably don’t even fit anymore.”

“Yes they do,” Charly says and passes them to me. “Go put them on while we pick out your outfit.”

“You guys got really bossy.” I march into the bathroom, leave the door open, and strip down to try the underwear on.

“Come on, let us have fun.” Van calls from the other room “We never got to help you get ready for special dates before.”

“You were at college, or married and off having lives of your own,” I call out calmly as I shimmy into the pretty underwear, then smile when it fits perfectly.

“Oh, those are divine,” Kate says with a sigh as I walk out of the bathroom. “I have a weakness for pretty underwear.”

“Rhys will love it,” Charly agrees with a nod. “But I think the wedges are better suited for tomorrow. For tonight, you need fuck-me heels.”

“Do I own fuck-me heels?”

Charly looks stricken as she dives back in my closet, then reemerges a few moments later with a sexy pair of black heels that I forgot I even owned.

“These are awesome,” Charly says with a satisfied grin. “And perfect for tonight. And I might borrow them later this week.”

“Your feet are bigger than mine,” I remind her.

“Have I taught you nothing?” Charly asks with her hands on her hips. “Beauty is pain, Gabby.”

“So, why do you think you’re never getting laid again?” Van asks as she approves a black dress that hits me mid-thigh, with white chevron stripes. “Rhys obviously likes you.”

“Because I don’t think he wants it.” I wrinkle my nose and all three girls stop what they’re doing to stare at me.

“Do we have to have the talk?” Van asks, then turns to Charly. “I told you we should have given her the talk.”

“Well, she got pregnant and had a baby, and I just assumed she already knew the basics.” Charly shakes her head in disbelief. “Of course he wants it, sweetie. He’s a man.”

“Well, we’ve kissed, and touched, and…”

“Has he buried his face downtown?” Charly asks with raised brows.

“Uh, yeah.”

“He wants it,” she replies. “Guys don’t go downtown for nothing, trust me.”

“Well, with Sam gone, he’s been sleeping in here with me,” I begin, then bump Kate’s fist when she offers it. “And I just figured we’d have actually had sex by now, but yesterday was a cluster and I was so exhausted last night, I was practically already asleep by the time I crawled in bed.”

“Well, you won’t have that issue tonight,” Kate says with an encouraging smile. “Nothing at all to worry about. We have this covered, and you can just take the night off and have a good time.”

“And by have a good time, she means get laid,” Van says helpfully. “You know, in case you didn’t know.”

“Thanks,” I reply as I pull the dress over my head and step into my shoes. Charly zips me up from behind.

“Oh, this looks fantastic!” she says with a happy smile. “Now, your hair and makeup.”

“It’s just dinner. It’s not the prom or anything.” But I turn a circle, pleased with my reflection. How long has it been since I wore anything other than jeans or shorts? I don’t even remember.

“Oh, here, put this in your purse.” Charly hands me a silver packet.

“Just one?” Van asks with a frown, and I let the whole string of condoms fall in a long line, dangling from my fingers. “Oh, good.”

“Well, whether he wants to do it or not,” I say with a giggle, “we’ll be safe.”

“He wants it,” Charly says with confidence and kisses my cheek. “Have fun. Be safe.”

“And please, get laid,” Van adds.

***

Dinner was amazing, at my favorite restaurant in the Quarter, Café Amalie. Kate must have told Rhys to take me there.

The food was delicious, Joe the waiter was kind and flirty, and my date was attentive, sexy and funny.

I’ve come to learn that effort is attractive. Rhys is here with me because he wants to be, and he put a lot of effort into getting me here.

Totally sexy.

And if that wasn’t enough, he took me to the club that my brother, Declan, is playing in tonight. We have front row seats, so Rhys must have given Declan the heads up that we were coming.

I don’t remember the last time I got to watch Dec perform. It’s been years. And there is nothing in the world like watching my handsome brother croon, sing, play the instruments like he was born to it, and flirt with the audience.

He’s always reminded me of Harry Connick Jr., another New Orleans native musician. Like Harry, Declan is funny, and so damn talented.

He’s singing a bluesy number I don’t know, his long fingers dancing over the keys of the piano, and he glances over at me and winks.

I’m swaying in my seat, holding Rhys’s hand in my lap, soaking in the music and the strong, captivating man sitting next to me.

Rhys leans over and kisses the crown of my head, then murmurs, “Are you having fun?”

“So much fun,” I reply immediately. “I don’t remember the last time I heard Dec play.”

“He’s good,” Rhys says, his eyes on Declan.

“He’s the best.” I nudge Rhys with my shoulder playfully. “And I didn’t get even a drop of the musical talent that Dec has.”

“You have other talents,” he replies softly, his green eyes suddenly hot.

“Like you’d know,” I mutter low, but suddenly Rhys’s arm is wrapped around my shoulders and his lips are against my ear.

“Trust me, baby, I want you, and I’ll have you. But I’m enjoying this easy evening out with you.”

I smile up at him as Declan finishes the song. He stands from the piano and sits on a stool with his guitar. “Ladies and gentlemen, I have a special guest here tonight.”

He smiles down at me and I pray with all my might that he doesn’t pull me up on stage. I’m terrified of people.

But he just gives me a tiny shake of the head and keeps talking.

Because he knows.

“My baby sister, Gabby, hasn’t heard me perform in about three years, and I’m pleased that she’s here tonight, with a special friend.”

I raise a brow, but he keeps talking.

“Gabby is one of the most special people in my life, friends.” His eyes soften on me. “She’s the best. And this is a song that our father sang to her, and that she now sings to her little one. I’d like to sing it for her tonight.”

I hold my breath, and reach out for Rhys’s hand as Declan begins to sing the Johnny Cash version of You Are My Sunshine, and just like that, tears fill my eyes as I watch my big brother sing the song that’s more familiar to me than just about anything else.

The guitar sounds…well, stringy is the only way I can describe it because I don’t play the instrument myself. It’s a slow, gritty version of the song, and I love every note.

When he’s done, he comes off the stage to me, hugs me close, and whispers in my ear, “Love you, sunshine.”

“Love you.” He returns to the stage, and I glance up at Rhys. “Thank you.”

***

This evening has been nothing short of a fantasy. After the show, Rhys walked me back down Royal Street to a bed and breakfast and led me up the stairs, where our luggage was already waiting in our room.

The room is beautifully decorated with antique furniture, lovely, bold colored linens and a huge bathroom is attached.

“This is charming,” I murmur and turn to see Rhys’s eyes on me.

“I watch you move and I can’t think straight,” he says as he slowly walks toward me. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are in this dress and heels?”

“Charly says they’re fuck-me heels.” I swallow and watch his lips as they tip up in that half-smile that always does me in.

“She’s right,” he says on a sigh. “I think we’ll leave them on for a few minutes.”

“Okay. She also gave me condoms.” Jesus, shut up, Gabby!

“Well, she’s a planner. We’re going to take this dress off.”

I swallow again. “Okay.”

He slowly turns me away from him and pushes my hair over my shoulder, out of his way, and then lowers the zipper of my dress and pushes it down my arms, and lets it simply fall in a heap around my feet.

“Holy fuck,” he hisses between his teeth. His fingertips trace the straps of my bra, then the elastic of my panties around my waist and my whole body is on fire. Just the lightest touch sends goose bumps all over me.

His lips graze my shoulder, then up my neck to my ear. “You take my breath away, Gabrielle.”

I turn to face him and slide my palms up his torso, on either side of the buttons of his black button-down. When I reach the top, I unbutton the shirt, then push it down his arms and off, admiring the smooth, tanned skin that covers his muscled body. His abs are ridiculous. It should be illegal to look like this in slacks. I stick my fingertip in the waist of his pants, right over the zipper, and can feel the tip of his already-hard cock.

“Gabby—”

“You make me crazy too,” I whisper and lean in to kiss his chest, right over his heart. “You’ve kept me crazy for days.”

“You were so tired last night, baby.”

“I know.” I smile softly and look up into his deep green eyes. “But I’m not so tired now.”

He cocks a brow before lifting me into his arms and laying me back on the bed that’s already been turned down.

Hmm…maybe I should offer turn-down service at the inn. I bet guests would appreciate it, for moments like this.

“No thinking about work.”

I glance up in surprise. “How did you know?”

“You get a crease between your eyebrows.” He rubs the spot with the pad of his thumb, then gently brushes it down the bridge of my nose and settles beside me.

“When did you take your pants off?” I glance around. “And grab condoms?”

“While you were daydreaming about work.” He smirks and kisses my shoulder again, then drags the tip of his tongue up my neck and turns my face to meet his. “If, at any time, you need or want me to stop, all you have to do is say so.”

I nod, fully trusting him.

“How long has it been?”

He wants to talk about this now?

He simply raises a brow when I hesitate.

“Since I got pregnant,” I whisper. His eyes widen, and then narrow with pure male possessiveness. “How long has it been for you?”

And then he frowns.

“Hey, I get to know too.”

“More than a year. Maybe close to two.”

“Right.” I roll my eyes, but he pins me beneath him, my hands in his, pressed to the bed above my head, and he kisses me deeply, until I am gasping for breath, then pulls back.

“I don’t lie, Gabby. No one has interested me in a very long time. And I no longer waste my time with anything that doesn’t interest me.”

I bite my lip and nod. “Okay.”

“And I’m not going to take this fast.” He plants those full lips at the side of my mouth and nibbles, then drags his nose down my jaw to my ear. “I’m going to take my time. Your body will burn.”

He tugs on my earlobe with his teeth.

“You’ll be drenched.”

“I already am,” I reply and wiggle under him, earning a deep chuckle.

“You will beg for me.”

“I don’t beg for anything.” But my voice doesn’t sound as sure as I’d like it to.

“Oh, baby,” he whispers as he releases one of my hands and pulls his fingertips down my arm to my breast, still covered in the sexy underwear the girls talked me into. “Challenge accepted.”