by Holly Jaymes
I stopped to glance at the swing and my heart stopped. Sitting in it, with one ankle crossed over his knee and his arms stretched out over the back seat like he didn’t have a care in the world, was Gabe. He smiled, but I noted the hint of worry in his eyes. As if he wasn’t sure how I’d respond to seeing him.
“Gabe.” I swallowed hard, and tears came to my eyes.
“Welcome home, Samantha.”
I wanted to run to him and nearly did, but we were being filmed. Maybe this wasn’t the right time.
He stood and walked to me. “You ready to see the house?”
I shook my head. I only wanted to see him. To tell him everything in my heart.
“No?” he quirked a brow and his smile faltered.
“Good criminy,” Megan said. “Look at the house, Sam.”
I felt a little dazed to finally be with Gabe. “I mean yes, I’d like to see the house.”
Gabe opened the door, pushing it in and then letting me take the lead in entering. The marble floors gleamed, the chandelier… Wait… That was new. I looked to the walls and noticed they were papered in the creamy lacy pattern I’d wanted, not the color I’d painted on during the last days I was working on the house.
I looked at Gabe but was unable to say anything I was so overwhelmed, and we were only in the foyer.
“How about we start in the living room?” he said.
“Okay.” I walked the several steps to the entry of the living room. The dark wood floors gleamed and the walls were a pretty robin blue with crisp white trim. The fireplace and mantel were clean, and a bin held wood for the winter just a few months away. All this I’d seen before. What was different was the furniture and décor.
“That looks similar to the couch in my book.” Had he seen the binder I’d put together of all the things I’d wanted to do to fix up my home?
“It is.”
My breath hitched as I realized what he’d done.
“How about we look upstairs?”
I nodded because I was in a bit of a stupor and couldn’t form words. We headed upstairs and waited for the camera crew to get oriented, then Gabe opened the first bedroom door.
“I figured this was a good guest room for when your parents or sister come to visit.”
I was confused because the budget only allowed for one bedroom, and I’d chosen the master. I looked inside the room where a queen-sized bed with a beautiful dark wood headboard painted with delicate flowers sat against the wall. A matching dresser and a secretary desk were also in the room. The entire room was accented in a light green, just like my book.
“I don’t know what to say.”
He smiled. “Do you like it?”
“I love it.”
He gently pressed his hand to my back. “Shall we move on?”
With a nod, I walked with Gabe to the next bedroom, also set up for guests and also similar to what I’d had in my book. The bathroom, with the large clawfoot tub, came next. It had a new black and white tile floor, and sink and lighting in the style of the period the home had been built in.
“The home had five bedrooms, but this one next to the master was pretty small, and of course, the master didn’t have a good closet or its own bath. So we turned the fifth room into a bathroom and extended the closet.”
“Just like my book.” I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
“You have good design instincts.” Gabe held the door open as I looked into my bedroom. The room was a light blue-gray with a sleigh bed and beautiful vanity and dresser. Attached to the room were my new walk-in closet and full bath.
“The floor is heated as are the towel racks. For when it’s cold out.”
I looked up at Gabe feeling such awe and gratitude. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get my mouth to work.
He smiled, and at least I could smile back.
“Kitchen?” He asked.
I nodded and we took the back stairs originally designed to be used by house staff. I gasped at the beauty of my new kitchen. It was the buttery yellow that Angela, Dean and I had painted it. The cabinets were a crisp white. But instead of the white tile backsplash that had been chosen to save money, there were glass tiles in clear, white and pale yellow.
Was I dreaming? God, I hoped not. “It’s so beautiful.”
Gabe stood behind me, leaning forward next to my ear he said, “For a beautiful woman.”
I turned my head, wanting to look into his handsome face. Wanting to see the man who’d do such a wonderful thing for me. How did I deserve this after how I’d treated him?
He smiled. “I saved the best for last. Should we look at the library?”
“I’m feeling a little overwhelmed.”
“In a good way, I hope.”
I nodded. Like before, I followed him with my brain in a fog to the foyer. The library doors were closed.
“Welcome to your new library.” Gabe opened the doors and motioned me in.
My breath caught. “My baroque wallpaper.” I scanned the room. My bookshelves were filled with books. The furniture in dark wood and rich vibrant fabrics brought me back to the early nineteenth century. The battered old chest I’d found one day with Diana was clean and opened to show several throw blankets inside.
It was exactly as I’d imagined it. Gabe had made my vision real.
“I did leave one couch.” Gabe nodded toward the sofa near the window. It wasn’t covered in a sheet anymore. The style and pattern didn’t quite fit the room, and yet it fit perfectly.
“It’s perfect.”
“Diana told me to get rid of it, but I couldn’t.”
I turned to him. I wasn’t sure how he felt about me, except the man who did this to my house had to feel something, right?
All my love and awe of him welled inside until I couldn’t hold it back. I threw my arms around him. “I love you, Gabe. Even without all this, I love you.”
His arms banded around me and his head nestled in the crook of my neck. “I love you too, baby.”
There were quiet awws and a single gag I suspected was from Megan. All I could focus on was this man. This kind, generous, sexy man who’d made my house a home.
I pulled back, looking into his eyes. “I think I might swoon.”
He grinned. “Can’t have that.” He scooped me up into his arms and carried me to the couch. As he sat, he turned to his crew. “Let’s take a break.”
“Ah come on, let us film the kissing and groping,” Megan said.
“No. Close the door on your way out.”
Book 1: Chapter 20 Gabe—The Couch Stays
Gabe
I had never been so nervous on a home renovation reveal in my life. It felt like my entire happiness hinged on the success of this reveal. It wasn’t that I didn’t think she’d like it. I did nearly everything in her book, and a few extras I felt would make her life in the home more comfortable, such as the heated floor tiles in her bathroom.
But I wasn’t sure how she felt about me. My impression during the tour was that she was overwhelmed by what I and my crew had done, but I was too afraid to read the starry, dazed look in her eyes as meaning she had feelings for me and forgave me. I’d been hard on her when I thought she was interested in Dean. There was a chance that I’d gone too far and she wouldn’t forgive me. I wanted the chance to do the things we should have done four years ago but didn’t do. We should have talked to and trusted each other. I needed to tell her all that was in my heart since coming back into her life. I hoped to hell she’d give me the chance.
And then she said she loved me, and the knot in my chest loosened. Once she was in my arms, I determined I couldn’t ever let her go. I sat on the couch with her on my lap.
“Gabe, I’m so sorry.” Her hands cupped my cheeks. “I was such a fool.”
Tears welled in her eyes, and I used my thumbs to wipe them. “I was too, baby.” Then, because I couldn’t wait a single moment longer to taste her, I kissed her. I knew we needed to talk, but first, I needed the contact. My lip
s slid across hers, happiness bursting in my brain to feel the softness and taste the sweetness of her lips.
She pulled back, apparently needing to talk more than kiss. Since we never had a problem with the physical aspects of our relationship, I gave in.
“I should have known you wouldn’t cheat. I should have trusted you, Gabe.” She was weeping now and it broke my heart.
“Hey.” I cradled her face in my hands. “I was wrong too. I want to do better, Sam. I want to tell you everything in my heart.”
She nodded. “Me too. I love you, Gabe. I don’t think I ever stopped.”
I smiled as her words filled my heart.
“We need to do better talking about what we’re feeling and thinking,” she said, echoing my thoughts.
I nodded in agreement.
“And trusting. I was never with Dean after high school. He’s only been a friend. He’s in love with Angela.”
“I know.”
She quirked a brow.
I gave her a lopsided grin. “I know that now. I was so angry and jealous to see you with him, Sam. I was in love with you, and to think you were back with him… Well, I went a little crazy. I’ll do better, I promise.”
“Me too. I let my jealousy and insecurity get the best of me four years ago. And I tried to use it as a barrier this time, but it didn’t work. I should have told you how I was feeling. I need to be braver in telling you how I feel.”
“How do you feel?”
She’d already said she loved me, but I had to hear it again. I didn’t think I’d ever get tired of hearing it.
“I feel love for you.” She shifted on my lap, no doubt also feeling the hard-on that had started growing the minute we sat down. “And I feel horny. This couch has to stay, even though it’s out of place.”
I barked out a laugh. “When the crew is gone, we’ll take full advantage of this couch.”
“I can’t believe you did all this in my house.” She tilted her head to the side. “There was no money in the budget.”
I sucked in a breath, hoping she wasn’t upset at my response. “I took care of it. You deserved to have the house you wanted and the house deserved to be restored to its former glory.”
“It’s so much Gabe. I don’t know how I’ll repay you.”
I waggled my brows. “I can think of some ways.”
She laughed and gave my head a shake. “I’m serious. It’s so much… Too much.”
“Sam, I have the money and I wanted to spend it on you. It’s my grand gesture to show you how much I love you and how much I want this to work between us.”
She hiccupped as tears streamed again. “I don’t have a grand gesture.”
“Do you love me?”
She nodded. “So much.”
“That’s all I need. And maybe a place to stay. My rental agreement is up in a few days.”
She grinned. “I have a few guest rooms.”
I ran my hand along her thigh. “I was thinking I could sleep on this couch.”
Laughing, she pulled my head to her, kissing me hard and taking my breath away. I wanted to get naked and finish the making-up part of this interlude, but there were people in the house and still more to discuss.
“Sam, there is something I need to talk to you about.”
“Oh?” She leaned back to look at me, her brows pulled together in concern.
“The network is sending me to L.A. to do an old Hollywood home makeover.”
She frowned. “I thought they said you could stay here.”
I felt a tinge of panic. Would my being away change her feelings about this reunion? Knowing I needed to suck it up and put it all on the line, I continued on.
“They did, but Cassandra Lassiter called to do her house and she wants me.”
“Of course, she does, but you’re mine.”
The knot that started to form in my chest loosened slightly. “I’m trying to work something out, but it’s possible there will be more than the one house out there.”
She bit her lip as she realized just how much I might be gone.
“I don’t want to go, Sam. Not this time. But I have a contract.”
“I know. When do you have to go?”
“I’ve got a little time. Like I said, I’m trying to work something out that won’t keep me away so much. I want you to come with me. I know you have your work, but maybe you could see the house and make another book like you did for this one. Diane says you have a great eye for design.”
“I’m not a designer. But if I can go, I’d like to. School starts in a few weeks though.”
I inhaled a deep breath to keep the fear and worry from making me do something wrong. “We’ll figure this out, Sam, right?”
She nodded. “Yes. I won’t lose you again, Gabe.”
I wrapped my arms around her and held her close, hoping that she was right. Our track record wasn’t great, but if we agreed to be honest and trusting, this could work. It had to work.
Before we could get to all that, I had to finish showing her house. Chances were the film crew would have to redo a few room reveals. Sam had looked in shock through most of it. That could be viewed as a bad thing if it looked like she was unhappy with the changes.
First, I led her to the back porch, which was cleaned up, repainted and had new furniture added.
“Maybe we could put the couch out here sometimes,” she whispered to me. I liked that idea. So did my dick.
I leaned to her and whispered, “Careful, remember, things always look bigger on TV.” I looked downward so she’d get my drift.
She bit her lower lip as she grinned.
“This is a family show, you two.” Megan shook her head in disgust.
Next, I showed Sam the yard, which was also cleaned up, but we added more plants and flowers, a patio for a grill and outdoor seating, and I hung a swing in the large oak tree.
“A swing.” Her face lit up in delight.
“A tree like that deserves a swing.” I kept to myself the thought that perhaps someday we might have a child or two or three who’d want to use it.
She turned her radiant smile to me. “What about a treehouse?”
I laughed. “I ran out of time.” I looked up and pointed. “One would go perfect right there.”
Despite the cameras, she threw her arms around me again. “I love all this Gabe. And I love you.”
With her in my arms, I didn’t care much about the cameras either. “I love you too, Sam. So damn much.”
Then, thinking what the hell, I kissed her.
There was another aww and gag from my peanut gallery, but who cared? I didn’t.
It was another few hours before I was finished working and could focus solely on Sam, and building something with her that would last. The fact that I’d be gone still hung like a lead weight around my neck. I had to trust that this time, we’d make it through the time apart.
When my crew was finally out the door, I took Sam’s hand and led her to the library.
“There’s something I didn’t show you.”
“Oh?” Her smile was knowing as I pulled her on the couch with me.
“Curtain, close.”
Her brow quirked up and then both eyes widened as the curtains automatically shut. “Is my house smart?”
“The curtains in this room are. So are the lights in all rooms. You have assistants set up in the kitchen and bedroom.”
She frowned. “Bedroom? Will it listen in when I’m ravishing your body?”
Once again, my dick went from semi-erect to full staff. “Not unless you ask it to.”
“What about here?” She straddled my thighs and ground her cleft over my dick. “Will it hear us in here?”
My hands slid under her blouse to feel her smooth skin. Emotion swept through me that I was allowed to touch her. I’d been so afraid that I wouldn’t have another chance to get it right with her.
“No. This room is sacred.” I pushed her blouse up and sucked on her nipple through the thi
n fabric of her bra. She quickly took off her blouse and bra and offered her beautiful tits to me.
I worshiped them with my mouth, lapping at the hard tips with my tongue and then sucking them.
“I need you, Gabe.” Her voice sounded desperate, as desperate as I felt to be inside her. There was a physical need, but it was more than that. It was like we wouldn’t be whole again until we were one.
As fast as my arms could move, I divested her of her clothes and me of mine.
“Now, baby, now,” I chanted as I pulled her over me.
She sank over me, taking me deep into her body, our moans from the contact filling the room.
“I love you, Gabe,” she whispered in my ear. “I love the way you feel inside me.”
“Take what you want from me, Sam. I’m all yours.” I kissed her, letting all my passion and love out in that kiss. Her body squeezed around mine, and in that moment, I didn’t think I’d ever been so connected or in love with her.
She moaned and rocked her body, sending sparks of pleasure firing through me. I wasn’t going to last long.
I tore my lips from hers and returned to sucking her tits, loving how her body squeezed my cock with each tug of her nipple. It was like the two were connected somehow.
“Yes, Gabe… More… More…” She started to ride my dick, making my need coil tighter and tighter.
“Jesus…I’m going to come…” I tugged on a nipple and used my thumb to rub her hard clit.
She cried out my name and it was like the sweetest music. Her body clamped around my dick, increasing the friction a million times. She slid down on me, ground against me and shot me to the heavens.
“Sam!” My entire body convulsed as my orgasm raced through me.
She continued to ride my dick, drawing out the pleasure until I nothing left. She collapsed on me, her head on my shoulder.
“I love this couch,” she murmured against my neck.
I laughed. “I do too, baby.”
Book 1: Chapter 21 Samantha—Life is Good
Samantha
Life was good! Nearly perfect. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned about Gabe going away. Not that I thought he’d cheat. Mostly I worried I’d get upset and somehow mess things up.
