Heaven help me, I’d enjoyed him tonight. And that Bruno Mars song, my God, what woman wouldn’t melt after that? Not even the crap with Justin and his wife could stop the constant fluttering in my stomach. I could easily fall in love with him again, but what if my mother was right? What if Gabe dumped me like before? This time I had three kids and a possible job to consider.
This is a bad idea.
Gabe knocked and poked his head into the room. “Sorry about that. I had some business to handle.”
“Maybe we should call it a night. It’s been a long day.” I forced a smile.
“Not for nothing, Mags, but you’re giving me whiplash.” He stepped into the room, and my willpower short circuited—he’d lost his shirt somewhere between his room and mine. Years ago, he’d made my mouth water, but now… My God, he’d filled out. Six-pack didn’t quite describe the ripples of muscle down his abdomen. I could spend hours exploring the peaks and valleys. A dusting of dark hair started at his belly button and disappeared beneath his low-slung jeans.
“Sorry.” I wanted to keep my distance, but I couldn’t stop staring at his damned chest. “Stay. We can watch a movie.”
He plopped down beside me. “Uh huh. What’s on your mind?”
“I don’t know. I mean, maybe you staying here isn’t a good idea. It’s bringing up all sorts of things for me.”
“Come here.” He held his arm out.
As much as I wanted to curl up against him, I couldn’t will myself to move.
“Stop worrying so damned much. I don’t bite.”
I knew exactly how and where he liked to bite. “Easier said than done. I haven’t talked to you in years and ten minutes ago you had your tongue down my throat.”
“If memory serves, you started it.” He pulled me toward him and massaged my shoulders. “What do you want to talk about?”
I dropped my chin to my chest to give him better access to my pressure points. This is my chance. I have to take it. “I don’t know. Tell me about your new job. What exactly is the family business?”
His hands stilled as if he needed a minute to figure out how to answer. “My father’s company does acquisitions, mostly in the hospitality industry—bars, restaurants, hotels. We find properties in trouble or on the verge of bankruptcy. The owners are generally eager to sell. We buy them, fix them up, and turn them for a profit.” He nudged me. “Lay down.”
“What if they don’t want to sell?” I stretched out on my belly.
He shifted his weight as if reaching for something, then moved to straddle me.
A squishy sound told me he’d found my lotion.
Gabe slid his slick hands under my T-shirt and worked the knots in my lower back. “They always want to sell.”
“Sounds a little strong arm to me. Do you ever keep the properties?”
“Only in New Orleans. My father owns several boutique hotels. Leo and Enzo have restaurants, and I have the bar.”
I made a mental note to jot the information down. “What about your other brothers?”
“Before he died, Joe worked on acquisitions with my father. Marco is a corporate attorney for the business, and Dante is still in grad school.”
“Where does he go to college?” My body relaxed, but my brain kicked into high gear. I’d assumed the younger two Marchionni boys were business owners when I’d written the proposal for Marlena. I’d have to do some tweaking to make it work.
“LSU.” Gabe worked the long muscles on either side of my spine. “I’m buying my bar from my father. It’s almost paid off.” His voice deepened as if he were proud of himself.
The change of subject surprised me. I glanced over my shoulder. “Did he cut you a deal?”
“I’m paying fair market, but he holds the loan. Like the arrangement Joe had on this house. Pretty much everything goes through the folks, whether we want it to or not.” He pushed my shirt to my shoulders. “Take this off.”
Careful not to flash him my boobs or Pooh belly, I pulled the T-shirt over my head. “Why would you want to give that up to take your father’s job?”
“I don’t want to give it up, but how can I say no? His company is his life’s work. I can’t turn him down. It would have gone to Joe, now it falls to me.” He straddled my thighs.
Gabe had always had a competitive streak with his brothers, especially Joe. That, coupled with his constant need to please his parents, had caused most of the problems in our relationship.
NOLA Society readers would love a peek into his psyche, but I wouldn’t go there. No, I’d find a different angle for his article. “How sad.”
“It’s not sad—it’s life. You of all people should get that. You gave up your dreams to come here and raise the kids.”
I shook my head. “I always wanted to be an author. I haven’t given it up, but it’s taking longer to write the new novel than I’d hoped.”
“How about the mother part?”
“I never imagined it would happen like this, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
“Didn’t you want kids of your own?” He pressed his fingers into my neck in slow circles.
“I never thought much about it, but I’m okay with what I have. I mean, how many women can have three kids and no stretch marks?”
Gabe moved his hands back to my shoulders. “How do you know you won’t want more one day?”
“I guess I don’t.”
He leaned forward and whispered into my ear, “Relax.”
“I’m trying.” I laughed, but it would have been easier without his thighs on either side of me, not to mention his breath in my ear.
Gabe’s phone rang.
“Are you going to answer?”
“No.” His voice deepened.
I would never be a neat freak, but certain things bugged me. Cabinets left open, clothes hanging out of drawers, and unanswered calls.
Gabe fought a losing battle to work the tension from my muscles. “I know you’re writing the cultural reviews, but I didn’t know you were working on another novel. What’s it about?”
I sighed and tried to relax again. “The same as the last four. Female James Bond. International espionage. The publisher’s breathing down my neck, but it’s hard to find time to write. I don’t want to put Ryan in daycare and it’s hard to be creative with a preschooler running around. I’ll finish it soon.”
“Do you enjoy writing?”
The question took me off guard. “Fiction, yes. The freelance stuff, no, not really.”
“Still thinking about Justin?” His hands moved to my lower back.
“I wasn’t until you said his name.” I grinned against the mattress. “I feel like an ass. I mean we only went out a couple times, but we talked on the phone until late at night. I never suspected he was married.”
He made a sound behind me that made me want to turn around, but he rubbed a tender spot, and it felt too good to move.
“Were you falling for him?”
“I thought he was a nice guy. Older, steady…”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“I’ve only ever been in love with one person.”
Gabe’s hands stilled.
I’d said too much. Or maybe I hadn’t said enough. “Are you dating anyone?”
He sighed and got back to work. “I haven’t had time.”
I turned and gave him a yeah-right look.
“I’m serious.” He put his hand on my head and pushed me back down.
“What’s it been, a month?” I bit my lip to hold back laughter.
“Ten months give or take.”
Holy crap. I should have let the subject go, but I wanted answers now that I had him talking. “Did you love her? Ella’s mother?”
“We barely knew each other.” He pressed harder, as if taking out his frustration on my muscles.
I made a pained sound, and he eased the pressure.
“Sorry, bad subject.” Gabe moved off me and reached for my shirt.
I c
ouldn’t stand the lost look in his eyes or the fact that I’d put it there. I did my best to slip into my shirt without flashing him, but I must have given him a glimpse of side boob or something. The man stared at me as if I were the star of his fantasies.
My mom didn’t know shit. Not about Gabe. Fifteen extra pounds or not, he liked what he’d seen.
I tilted my head. “You okay over there?”
He licked his lips. “I’m rethinking the sweats.”
I winced before I could stop myself. “This is what I mean about bring up old feelings. Sometimes this feels like it used to, but sometimes it’s like we’re strangers. I don’t want to get hurt again.”
“I’m not Justin, and I’m not the same jerk from four years ago. I’m not going to hurt you…” He must have seen something in my expression because he sighed and glanced away. “Sleep beside me tonight.”
“Just sleep?”
He crossed his heart. “Like you said, it’s been a tough day. The kids aren’t here to catch us. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not be alone.”
Knowing better than to give in, I curled against him. It wouldn’t end well. We wouldn’t end well. But damn it, I wanted one night to believe we’d beat the odds.
15
Gabe
For the second Saturday in a row, I woke to a car door slamming and the dog going nuts in the living room. Cocoa ran from the window to the door, and back in a figure eight pattern that, along with her deep barks, set my teeth on edge.
Saturday. Shit. It’s little-girl-dance-recital day.
I extracted myself from Chloe and Ryan, who’d crawled into my bed during the night. A habit Maggie said I’d have to break sooner or later, but I didn’t have the heart to do it now. I got it. They missed their dad, and I missed my big brother.
The two weeks since Chantal had dropped Ella into my life had flown by. Maggie and I had established a comfortable routine. We pulled opposite shifts, which sucked, but it gave me an excuse to crawl into her bed when I came home. We’d talk about the kids, the bar, life in general until she fell back asleep. Then I’d return to my room alone—though I seldom woke that way.
Maggie worried about the kids finding us in bed together, but I was smart enough to know she had other reasons. Reasons like, the more we shared a bed, the more likely we’d have sex. I’d told her I’d wait, and I would, but my father’s ultimatum hung over my head—not to mention my balls had gone from sky blue to cobalt.
“Enough, Cocoa!” The damned dog made enough noise to wake the entire house. It had to be my mother coming early to check on Chloe. Who else would visit before eight on a Saturday morning?
Still in my pajama bottoms, I opened the door.
Nadine took me in from my bare feet to my unshaved face and bed rumpled hair. “Where’s Mary Margaret?”
“Maggie’s sleeping in. She was up late.” I took a step back and motioned for her to come in.
“Where are the children? Today’s Chloe’s recital. Shouldn’t they be up by now?” She nudged the dog out of her way, pulled her purse higher on her shoulder, and headed toward the hall.
I stepped into her path. “The recital’s not until ten-thirty. I’d rather you not wake Maggie. She doesn’t get a chance to sleep in often.”
“Who are you to tell me about my daughter?”
“Someone who cares a lot about her.” I folded my arms.
Nadine took another step forward, but I held my ground. We glared at each other until the doorbell rang. Again.
I grinned and went to the door. My grin didn’t last long.
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Gabriel. Is this how you open the door? Half-dressed?” My mother pushed into the house, looking over Mrs. Guthrie like last week’s leftovers. “Nadine. Nice to see you again.”
“Evelyn.” Nadine narrowed her eyes.
“Where’s Maggie? We’re supposed to go to breakfast before the recital.” My mother dropped her purse on the sofa.
“She’s sleeping. Ella kept us up most of the night.” Maggie’s going to flip. I gotta get them out of here.
“The poor dear. Did the pediatrician change her formula?”
“Yeah, she’s on soy now.”
She kissed my cheek—likely for Nadine’s benefit. “Where are my grandchildren?”
“Everyone’s still sleeping.” I ran my hand over the back of my neck. Nadine made me nuts, but Nadine and Evelyn together were more than anyone should have to endure. “Have a seat, I’ll start some coffee.”
Maggie staggered down the hallway in one of her oversized T-shirts and little else. She offered me a sleepy smile on her way to the coffee pot.
I nodded toward the living room, but she didn’t take the hint.
Nadine cleared her throat. Maggie turned her head and her face paled.
I leaned close and whispered, “Our mothers are here. We’re supposed to have breakfast before the recital.”
“Oh no, what time is it?” Maggie went from sleep-deprived zombie to alert and freaking out in no time flat.
“Eight fifteen.” Nadine said from the bar.
Maggie turned and looked between Nadine and Evelyn, and then shot me a dirty look. “I’ll get the kids up.”
What the hell did I do this time? I kept my eyes on the pot while the coffee brewed.
“Where are the kids?” Maggie called from upstairs.
“In my room.” I answered before I thought the better of it.
Nadine huffed. “Where did you sleep?”
Evelyn’s smile changed from forced to downright cheerful. While she wanted me to bring all of her grandchildren under her roof and for the Guthrie women to disappear, she wouldn’t pass up the chance to rub Nadine’s nose in mine and Maggie’s relationship. “With Maggie. Where else? They’re getting—”
“To know each other. We’re getting to know each other. And no. We aren’t sharing a bed.” I shot my mom a warning look. The last thing I needed was her blabbing about the engagement before I’d gotten around to talking to Maggie about it.
Nadine narrowed her eyes and glanced between us. “Don’t tell me you approve of this situation.”
Evelyn shrugged. “What’s to approve of? They’re adults. As long as they’re happy and the kids are taken care of, I think it’s wonderful.”
It’s too early for this. “Coffee?”
Either they hadn’t heard or they ignored me.
The mood in the house had gone from cold to downright hostile in a matter of moments. If something didn’t change, I’d be refereeing a senior citizen cage match. Thankfully, Zach shuffled into the kitchen, hugged each of his grandmothers, and wandered to the coffee pot.
“Good morning.” I grinned. With his rumpled hair and drowsy smile, he reminded me of my older brother.
“Is it?” Zach yawned and filled his mug.
Ryan emerged next, raring to go. “Grandmas!”
Nadine and my mother held their arms out to the boy, but he bypassed them and went straight to me.
“Hey, little man. Hungry?” I picked him up. It might have been wrong to use a small child as a human shield, but I’d take what I could get. I poured two cups of coffee and set one in front of each mother. “I should get Ella dressed.”
“You aren’t bringing a newborn to a dance recital, are you?” Nadine raised her chin and looked down her nose.
“Why shouldn’t he? Ella’s a good baby. Hardly makes a sound.” Evelyn turned and glared.
Nadine huffed. “It’s rude. People are there to watch their children dance, not to listen to a baby cry.”
God love her, my mother laughed and raised the tension in the room to DEFCON five. “I’ve been to enough of these things to know she won’t be the only crying baby in the building.”
“Oh, so she will be crying?” Nadine smirked. “My daughter has enough to deal with, getting Chloe ready. She doesn’t have time to take care of an infant.”
Evelyn pushed into the other woman’s personal space. “My son will take
care of his child.”
“Enough. Ladies.” I used the same tone as I had with the dog. “It’s too early in the morning for this. Why don’t you two go have breakfast? We’ll meet you at the auditorium.”
“I’m not leaving until I speak with my daughter.” Nadine put her hands on her hips.
“You’re right, Mrs. Guthrie. Maggie has enough to deal with this morning.” I set Ryan down and moved around the bar. One hand on each woman’s shoulder, I guided them to the living room. “You two need to go. Enjoy breakfast together. We’ll meet you there.”
“Of course.” Evelyn smiled and plucked her purse from the couch. “Put Ella in the adorable pink dress I bought her.”
“I will.” I kissed my mother’s cheek and opened the door.
Nadine’s frown deepened, but she left.
Even with the door closed, their voices carried inside the house.
Zach shook his head and took his coffee to his room. Meanwhile, Ryan crawled onto a bar stool and picked up Nadine’s abandoned mug.
“Oh no you don’t.” I took the cup from his hands. “How about some cereal?”
“Pancakes?” Ryan giggled.
“Cereal.” I pulled the box out of the pantry.
“Pancakes.” The boy folded his arms and gave me a look that promised a tantrum if I didn’t comply.
“Pancakes it is.” I added stop giving in to the three-year-old terrorist to my list of shit to do.
Fifteen minutes later, I set a plate of pancakes in front of Ryan.
“These are weird.” The kid eyed his breakfast. “Cereal, please.”
I closed my eyes and counted to ten. “You’re killing me, little dude.”
“Do I smell pancakes?” Zach came back out of his cave.
I took the plate from mini-Bin Laden and slid them to the teen.
Dragging her dance bag behind her, Chloe walked down the hall.
“Good morning, Princess. Want some pancakes?” One look at her and my smile faded. She looked like hell in a pink leotard and black tutu.
Before I could ask, Chloe grabbed her stomach and barfed on the carpet. The room erupted in movement. The boys groaned and abandoned their breakfasts. Ryan’s milk spilled during the melee. I knelt beside Chloe, and she showered my chest in vomit.
Absinthe Minded: A Mafia Romantic Comedy (Bourbon Street Bad Boys' Club Book 1) Page 9
