by Vivian Wood
“Oooh, I can look at the new purses in the Kate Spade store!” Harper says. “I say we do it.”
I give in. “All right. Maybe while we are shopping, you guys can help me decide what to do about Dr. Montgomery. I’m not going to just lie down and take what he’s dishing out to me.”
Cate slides Harper a look. “Okay… sure.”
“What?” I ask.
Harper raises her brows for a second then shakes her head. “Nothing. Go get your shoes and purse.”
Shooting them a look, I slide out of my seat and head back toward my bedroom.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Gabe
Malkia finds me polishing the chrome handrails on the High Hopes. She shades her eyes against the sun, looking up from the dock to where I stand on the deck of our yacht, scrubbing intently. She stares at me silently for about a minute before I can’t take it anymore.
“What?” I snap, looking at her.
Her lips curve upward into a smirk. “I am just wondering why you are here.”
Rolling my eyes, I scrub a spot on the handrail with a vicious kind of energy. “What do you mean? This is my job.”
She surveys me coolly. “No it is not. You are a captain, not a deckhand. You are just so tense that you are focusing on doing menial tasks rather than doing what you should be doing.”
I pause, shooting my sister a glare. “And what do you think I should be doing, Mal?”
“Where is Luna?” she asks. Folding her arms and cocking her hip, she stares me down.
I cringe at hearing Luna’s name. Throwing my scrub brush down with a disgusted sigh, I take my time to get to my feet. “I don’t know. Just like I don’t know where any of the rest of the crew is… except you, apparently.”
“Are we going to play pretend now?” She tilts her head. “Are we going to pretend that Luna is not your girlfriend?”
Putting my hands on my hips, I wrinkle my nose and look at across the marina. “I don’t know what you mean. She’s just an employee. Not even a current one either. I fired her.” I stretch. “Do you want to walk down to the Fiesta Cantina food cart? I’m hungry.”
Mal wrinkles her nose, looking off over the marina toward the open sea. “Yeah, I could eat. If you’re buying, that is.”
Jumping down off the yacht onto the dock, I chuckle. “Yeah. All right.”
We walk up the dock to the marina entrance. To the right are rows and rows of parked cars. To the left is the little space that’s cleared out for the food cart. Fiesta Cantina’s cart is a big red box and it has several faded red tables and matching chairs clustered around it.
We each order two tacos and a tamale, then take our glass Coke bottles and sit at one of the tables. Mal notices that our table is wobbly and tries to wiggle the table around, but eventually gives up.
I just watch her, sipping my Coke. She looks up at me, a careful expression on her face.
“You should be happy,” she says.
My expression darkens. “Is that right?”
She gives her head a tiny shake. “I meant… instead of moping around and scrubbing railings, you should be spending time with Luna.”
I press my lips into a thin line. “I told you. We had a falling out.”
Mal spreads her hands across the table, leaning closer to me. “Whatever you guys fought about, it cannot be that serious. You are both alive. You are both in good health. You are obviously into each other. Simply put, there is no good reason for you two to be apart.”
My lips tug down into a frown. “It’s more complicated than that.”
“Is it?” she fires back. “I do not think that it is, frankly.”
Eyeing Malkia, I try to decide what tack to take. The man brings out our food and a plastic squeeze bottle of their green hot sauce. After covering my food in the sauce, I point the bottle at Mal.
“Luna lied to me,” I say. “Since the day she walked on my yacht, she has lied. She didn’t tell me about essentially being extorted by Fletcher. She just kept it to herself and tried to figure it out on her own.” I hand the hot sauce to Mal. “You know that I can’t deal with that kind of deception. I won’t. Not after what I’ve been through.”
“You are being a big baby,” she says, accepting the hot sauce from me. “Just because Michelle made some deadly mistakes — and she really did — that does not mean that you can just hide in your shell like a shy turtle. No risk, no reward. No reward, no happily ever after.”
I’m about to take a bite of my taco, but Mal’s words stop me. I set the taco down and stare at her hard. “Funny, that’s what Luna said. You two been hanging out and talking?”
She rolls her eyes. “No. I have my own friends, thank you very much. Besides, what I said is just common sense. You cannot let the past dictate how happy your future will be. It is madness.”
My gaze tightens on her face. I take a bite of my taco, chewing and considering her words.
Do I miss Luna? Of course I fucking do. She’s all I’ve thought about and all I’ve dreamt about for a whole week straight. I’m going crazy without having her here by my side.
A silent sigh escapes me. “That doesn’t change the fact that she lied to me.”
Malkia glares at me, her mouth full of food. She chews and swallows, then takes me to task. “Gabriel, do you know how many things I have going on that I have not told you about? I can think of six things that I keep to myself just off the top of my head. Some of them are private. Some are things that I think you would get unnecessarily upset over. Some are just not related to you at all.”
I wrinkle my forehead. “So?”
“So everybody has their things that they do not want to talk about. Do not think that one day, you are going to fall into a relationship with a woman who is… what is the word? Without guile? That woman does not exist, Gabe.”
Rather than fire right back, I take a beat. I chew my food, staring at Mal.
Is she right? Are all women flawed in the same way? Am I crazy to give up the one woman that managed to capture my heart over a flaw that everyone has?
My heart beats a little bit faster at the very thought of forgiving Luna. Of taking her in my arms and pressing my lips to hers. Of being around her, smelling her hair, hearing her laugh.
My heart hurts at the way she deceived me… but maybe…
Maybe I should just look past it.
After all, it was just one tiny indiscretion…
Glancing up at Mal, my brow lowers. “How can I be sure that Luna won’t lie to me in the future?”
She considers my words for a long moment. “It is not possible to be certain. But if the potential reward outweighs the chance of being hurt…” She shrugs. “It would be worthwhile, would it not?”
I look off over the marina, absorbing that. I should do what makes me happy, even if it involves sacrificing my pride… shouldn’t I?
Malkia reaches across the table and smacks me hard on the arm. “Do not sit there with the stupid look on your face. Go to her right now.”
Sucking in a breath, I stand up. “Thanks, Mal.”
She flaps her hand at me, going back to eating. “You already owe me forever. Now go!”
Smiling at her, I head toward my car.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Luna
Consider him fired.
I grin down at my phone. For the first time since everything blew up a week ago, some news arrived that lifted my spirits. After threatening me, Fletcher Montgomery is going to lose his position at the University of Washington.
It required some advanced maneuvering on my part. All right, I called my father and told him my tale of woe, including a few tears.
Not two hours later, my father texts me the news.
Good. Thank you, Daddy, I text back.
I call Dr. Montgomery, my lips curling into a smile as the phone rings.
“Hello?” he answers.
“Dr. Montgomery! Luna here. I just wanted to call and wish you good luck.”
“Well… as you know, my parents have the kind of money that makes you and your parents look poor. So when my father expressed his displeasure to the Dean of Medicine…”
“Dean Winchester? He’s one of my father’s best friends!”
I shrug. “It hardly matters. Anyway, I was just going to wish you luck in your job search… and let you know that the Leone family has dealings with almost every major medical school in the United States. So… maybe try Europe? Well, not like anywhere in Europe. Our family is also close with British, Swiss, and French hospitals… so I’m thinking somewhere in eastern Europe, maybe?”
“This is ridiculous,” Dr. Montgomery mutters. “You are a stupid little bitch.”
I sigh. “I hope that the next resident advisor feels differently. But what do you care? You won’t have to deal with me ever again.”
He starts winding up for some angry words. “Let me just tell you something— “
“Bye, Fletcher. Have a nice life,” I say, disconnecting the call. Then I block his number, feeling satisfied.
Throwing my phone in my purse, I take the keys out of my ignition and get out of my car. Opening the back of my SUV, I purse my lips at the enormous pile of shopping bags in front of me. Okay, maybe I went a little crazy. Who can even blame me?
I thought I was going to die of loneliness only six hours ago. And despite my mood being temporarily boosted, I’m not at all sure that my feelings of acute isolation won’t return.
I cock my head, a sigh on my lips. Filling my arms with bags still only gets about half of them out of the car. When I turn to shoulder the door closed, I come face to face with the last person I expected.
It’s Gabe, looking tall and handsome as ever. He rubs his neck, his blue green eyes pinning me in place. “Hey.”
I just stare at him with wide, disbelieving eyes. I hug my shopping bags to my chest. My heart races out of control.
His lips pinch. “Can we talk for a second, Luna?”
I find my voice. “Yes. Just…” My gaze slides over to the still open car. “Give me a second.”
Stepping forward, I put all the bags back inside the car and close the trunk. Then I turn, blushing pink under Gabe’s raised eyebrow. “I can get that stuff later.”
I tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear. He’s silent, so I start heading toward my apartment’s front door.
“Come on,” I say, trying to act nonchalant. It’s hard though because inside I am screaming and jumping around.
What does he want? Why did he decide to come here?
The hundred steps or so to get into my apartment are pure torture. Not to mention that I realize my hands are shaking when I unlock the front door. I usher Gabe into the kitchen, clearing my throat.
“Why are you here?” I ask.
He winces at the tone of my words. Dropping his gaze, he folds his arms across his broad chest. “Well… I owe you an apology.”
My heart threatens to stop. I look at his face but I’m unable to read his expression.
“What for?” I ask softly.
Gabe looks up, his brow lowering. “I wasn’t fair to you. I judged you by a stick I made for my last relationship. I shouldn’t have jumped to such an extreme conclusion… and I definitely shouldn’t have told you that I couldn’t see you anymore.”
My heart seizes. My eyebrows fly up. I place a hand against my chest, over my heart.
I’m speechless.
“Will you forgive me, Luna?” he utters. “I know that I might be too late—“
I launch myself at him, flinging my arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. He smells so good; the feel of his arms surrounding me is enough to make my nonchalant facade crumble. Burying my face against his chest, I start crying immediately.
“Yes,” I manage to get out despite my tears. “Yes, Gabe. I thought— I thought I would never see you again!”
His arms come up to my back. He clutches me against him, nuzzling the top of my head with his nose.
“I’m sorry,” he says. “I’m so sorry, Luna.”
I lift my head, my mouth finding his like a compass finding its bearing. Hot and slick and salty-sweet, his mouth tastes like everything I’ve been missing for the past week.
I swear, my heart is hurting but at the same time I’m grinning and kissing him. After a minute, I pull back, looking at him carefully. His beautiful expressive face, his elegantly carved cheekbones, his otherworldly eyes.
“Are you sure?” I ask, sniffling. “Because if you let me, I promise I will love you until my dying breath. But if you’re not a hundred percent sure…”
He cups my cheek and presses the lightest of kisses against my lips. “I’m sure,” he rumbles. “I’ve never been more certain of anything in my whole entire life.”
I kiss him again, pouring absolutely everything I feel into the kiss, gripping his shirt in my fist. By the time he breaks off the kiss this time, we are both gasping for breath. I need him, need to feel his body pressed against mine, need to feel him stretching out every part of me, his huge size filling up every last inch of room inside me.
“I love you, Luna,” he swears to me. “I think I’ve loved you since I first laid eyes on you. I know I’m not nearly good enough— “
“Gabe— “
“No.” He shakes his head. “I won’t even pretend to understand your lifestyle. You are wealthy beyond my wildest imagination. I’m just a poor man who can’t even buy you a ring.”
I bite my lip. “That doesn’t matter. I have enough for both of us. Besides, even if I didn’t… I choose you. I love you. I want to be with you.”
He looks directly in my eyes. “I swear, I will never stop trying to be the man you deserve.”
My lips curl upward. “You already are, Gabe. You are more than I ever hoped for. More than I knew I needed.”
Gabe kisses me again, harder this time, more demanding than ever before. He scoops me up in his arms, carrying me back toward my bedroom as if I were weightless.
I lay my head on his chest for a second.
This is real.
He’s all mine.
We might have some struggles up ahead of us. But there will be no doubt that we love each other ever again.
That’s my version of a happily ever after.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Gabe
Six Months Later
When we finally get home from the engagement party, I’m worn out. Everyone and their sister was there in their Sunday best… and they all had to meet me. Luna looked like the princess I know she is, showing off her engagement ring.
A sparkling sapphire that has been in my family for almost a hundred years. Gifted to me by my own mother, who came to me to mend fences once she found out that I’m engaged.
I was glad to finally meet Luna’s parents and have them meet my family… okay, maybe glad is the wrong word for it. Luna was vaguely stressed out the entire time her parents were around, making catty remarks.
Luckily my whole family was there to support us. They are pretty fucking great and I am really grateful to have them… even my mom. Who loves and dotes on Luna, by the way.
But damn. My social battery is running on empty after all that.
That’s okay though… because I’m still full of nervous, jittery energy. And I know just where I’m going to put all that momentum.
Luna turns to me, looking ravishing in a floor length white gown. She cocks her brow.
“Did you have a nice time?”
Instead of answering, I tug at her hand, leading her into the bedroom we share. Turning her around and sweeping the hair off her neck, I place a single hot kiss on the skin I just bared.
She turns in my arms, her eyes dancing with merriment. “What?”
“Forget the party,” I whisper. “I think we should just elope. Then I could legally take you, here and now, as my wife.”
Luna giggles. “You know we can’
t elope. But we can pretend. Show me just what you mean, Mr. Byrne.”
Echoing her sentiment with an appetite all my own, I bend her backward, trailing kisses down her neck. I grab her by the waist and bring her down to the ground, spreading her thighs and bringing us together. My mouth descends upon hers, hungry and demanding.
She opens her mouth and her thighs for me, drawing me in without a second of hesitation. Her hands slip around my neck, fingernails lightly scoring the flesh of my shoulders. I palm one of her breasts, then pinch her nipple, drawing a cry from her lips.
I trail kisses down her jaw, skipping over her neck, and bend down to nuzzle the space between her breasts. I feel her legs wrap around me, her heels digging into the backs of my legs, pulling me as close as possible.
It takes some skill to unzip the dress and get her out of it, but I find her bare underneath. I groan as I rip off her dress, kissing her newly exposed breast. I know I’m not being delicate with her, but I’m too entranced to care.
She doesn’t seem to mind, her head thrown back. She’s making these little oh sounds that are killing me, every second I’m not inside her.
Fuck. I need to have her, right this second.
She kisses me, and I bite her lower lip. She grabs my head and bites me on the neck, which I swear makes my cock pulse.
“Talk dirty to me again,” she whispers. The feel of her whispered words against my suddenly sensitive ear is another turn on.
“Fuck!” I grit out. “You don’t know what you do to me, princess. You are such a bad, bad girl.”
I squeeze one of her breasts hard, and she gasps.
“Bad enough to get punished?” she whispers.
“Ohhh fuck,” I say, pushing her down against the ground. I look at her for a second, searching her face. “You don’t really want that.”
She struggles under me, trying to push me off. “Maybe I do.” She says it with a smile curling her lips. I lick the side of her face, just needing to touch her with my tongue.
