Gabe Walsh was the perfect reason to be selfish. He was also the perfect man to prove that she was still in control after the scandal. She wanted to be here. She wanted him. And she was going to have him.
“Damn right you do.”
He released her, easing her legs back to the floor, but only long enough to perform the quickest strip she’d ever seen. By the time he was completely bare and he’d procured protection from his wallet and covered himself, Chelsea’s body was aching in ways she’d never known. She continued to stare into his gray eyes as he rid her of the last pieces of lace. Then he was on her.
Once again, he lifted her and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He slid into her like they were made for each other. Chelsea tipped her head back against the glass as a groan escaped her.
“Look at me,” he murmured.
The fact they were doing this against the window had a shiver of excitement coursing through her. Still, she was thankful for the mirrored glass on the other side.
Chelsea locked her eyes on Gabe and smiled. “You’re bossy,” she panted.
He smacked her backside as he jerked his hips faster. “You wouldn’t have it any other way. You’re enjoying this just as much as I am.”
She was. Oh, mercy, she was. This experience with this man made her feel so much more in control of her body, of how a man looked at her. How did Gabe make her feel so treasured and so erotic at the same time? She didn’t know she would be this comfortable with intimacy so soon after the Maverick scandal, but Gabe made her feel alive and sexy.
When she opened her mouth to speak, he reached between them and touched her in just the right spot to have her eyes rolling back and a groan escaping her. Her entire body tightened as she clutched his shoulders and let him do whatever he wanted...because he clearly knew her body better than she did.
“Chels,” he strained to say as his own body trembled. His grip on her hips tightened.
She remained wrapped all around him, taking in every bit of his release. Feeling all of that taut skin beneath her hands, having such a powerful man at her mercy right now was absolutely incredible. Gabe Walsh was doing things to her mind and body that she wasn’t ready for, but she’d started this roller coaster and it was too late to jump off now.
He was perfect, and had come along at the perfect time—when she didn’t even realize she needed someone. But she did. She needed him to show her she was a passionate woman and not defined by those photos.
Their bodies ceased trembling, but she wasn’t ready to let go. Not quite yet.
“Stay here tonight,” he whispered in her ear.
The warm breath tickling her skin had her fisting her hands on his shoulders. There was nothing more she wanted than to stay and do this all over again, maybe in a bed this time, but she couldn’t let her post-coital feelings dominate her common sense. She still had questions and she still had concerns.
“You’re thinking too hard.” He turned from the window, still holding on to her, and headed toward the hallway leading deeper into the loft. “Apparently, I didn’t do my job if you’re still able to have coherent thoughts.”
“My thoughts are jumbled, if that counts.”
He tightened his hold on her and Chelsea had to suppress a moan of pleasure. Being skin-to-skin after sex was even more intimate than the act itself. This moment was... Chelsea suddenly realized she couldn’t do this. Not with a man she was still so unsure about.
Gabe turned into a bedroom—his bedroom. The dark navy and rich wood tones screamed masculine dominance. She’d just voluntarily come to the lion’s den.
“Gabe, I can’t—”
“You can.”
Her arms and legs were still draped around him. He held their bodies together so tight, she just knew when he let go she would feel cold, alone. But this was fun while it lasted, right? She hadn’t come here for a sleepover or to do anything other than what had just happened.
“No,” she told him, pressing against his shoulders. “I can’t.”
He studied her face for just a moment before easing her down to stand on her own. But he kept his hands on her hips.
“I don’t want a relationship, Gabe.”
“Is that right?” he asked, gliding his hands up the dip in her waist and back down.
The way he continued to stare at her made her feel foolish for making assumptions, but he had to see her side. “I came here for sex. That’s all. Staying overnight implies more.”
She’d wanted him, plain and simple. She’d also wanted this man to help her get over the feeling that she’d been tarnished somehow. The things he did to her, with her, had helped Chelsea realize she was still in control despite the scandal that followed her.
The corners of Gabe’s mouth twitched as he continued that maddening feathering of his fingertips over her heated skin. Her heartbeat had yet to slow down from the moment she’d walked through his door. She was seriously out of her element here and, judging from the relaxed manner of the frustrating man in front of her, he’d clearly been in this position of power before.
“So now what?” he asked. “You’re going to get dressed and leave?”
Honestly, she hadn’t thought all of this through. The man was wearing her down and she couldn’t even think straight.
“This isn’t something I do,” she admitted. “So, yeah. I guess I’ll, um, I should just get dressed and go.”
Gabe towered over her, leaning forward until she sank back onto the bed. His hands dipped into the mattress on either side of her hips as he came within a breath of her mouth.
“Don’t be ashamed that you’re here, that you took what you wanted.” His eyes seemed a darker gray now, desire filling them. “This doesn’t have to be awkward or complicated.”
“I’m not ashamed,” she stated, trying to seem strong and in control when her bare butt was on his duvet and he was a breath away from getting her flat on her back and having his way again. “I just don’t know what to do from here.”
That naughty grin kicked up a second before he nipped at her lips. “I’ll show you exactly what we’re going to do from here and then you can decide if you want to stay the night or leave.”
Chelsea wanted to protest, she really should stick to her guns, but the only thing she could think as Gabe’s weight settled over hers and she lay back was, Finally. They’d finally made it to the bed.
* * *
“Missed again, Walsh.”
Gabe muttered a curse. “I didn’t miss.”
“But you didn’t hit the bull’s-eye,” Shane countered. “What’s up, man?”
Playing darts and drinking a beer with his buddies at TCC usually calmed Gabe. Not today.
He headed back to the bar and grabbed his beer, taking a hearty swig. What the hell was wrong with him? He’d thought once he got Chelsea in his bed, he’d be over this need. If anything, though, he was achier than ever and, damn, if he wasn’t pissed about it.
“Nothing,” Gabe replied, setting his bottle back on the glossy bar top. “Getting ready for the big day? Did you get your vows all written?”
Shane’s smile widened, as it always did when his fiancée was mentioned. The two were so obviously in love and Gabe couldn’t be happier for them. After all Dusty had done to try to ruin Brandee, she deserved a happy ending.
Gabe just hated that there were so many amazing people, innocent people, who were still recovering from being the Maverick’s victim. Since discovering Dusty had been at the helm of the scandal that shook Royal, Gabe had personally reached out to each of the victims. Apologies were just words, but he hoped they understood his sincerity.
With the exception of Chelsea—and even she seemed to have come around to believe his innocence—nobody had blamed him or accused him of guilt by association. He’d been a victim, as well, considering th
e impact on his reputation and on the business that carried Dusty’s last name. But Gabe could take care of himself—he was taking care of himself. He’d been more concerned with making things right for the Maverick’s true victims.
The majority had moved on with their lives. And the strange thing was, for some of them, their experiences with Maverick had led to positive outcomes. They’d married, had children, settled deeper roots in Royal. Gabe was just thankful the repercussions Dusty’s dark, twisted games hadn’t been worse.
“My vows are done,” Shane replied, pulling Gabe’s attention back to the conversation. “Brandee is a little stressed.”
Shane sank onto a bar stool and ordered another bourbon. “I told her so long as the minister shows up, nothing else matters. That was the wrong thing to say.”
Gabe laughed as he leaned his elbow on the bar. “Chelsea and I have everything covered. You two just show up and worry about remembering those vows you’re preparing.”
Shane’s brows shot up. “How is Chelsea? Brandee said she wasn’t too talkative over the past couple days. Her texts are to the point and only about wedding details. Would you have any idea what’s up?”
“Not a clue.”
Shane took the tumbler from the bartender and swirled the amber liquid around. “You’re a terrible liar.”
“Actually, I’m an exceptional liar and my bank account proves it.”
Being in the security field occasionally had him going undercover in disguise. He was a remarkable actor, if he did say so himself. But there were just some aspects of his life he wasn’t ready to share and Chelsea was one of them.
Shane tipped back the bourbon and finished it in one long gulp before setting his glass down and motioning for another. “Fine. But you can’t lie to me, and I know something is up with the two of you. She’s beautiful and you’re, well, you. Might as well tell me what’s going on.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean? I’m me? Are you calling me a player?”
“Calm down. I just meant you two have been spending quite a bit of time together over the past several weeks.”
Before Gabe could defend himself, Daniel Hunt walked in the door. Seeing Chelsea’s brother, Gabe felt a momentary pang of guilt. But he shouldn’t feel bad about whom he wanted...and whom he’d had. Chelsea was a big girl and she had come to him—then left in the middle of the night.
He wasn’t sure if he was more upset about her silent departure or relieved that she’d held up their agreement to keep things simple. Although he had to admit, just to himself, he wished she’d stuck around because there was nothing he would’ve liked better than to roll over and feel her by his side in the morning.
Which was precisely why it was good she had left. A woman like Chelsea could make a man forget all about reality. Gabe was growing his business, doing damage control where needed, and the last thing he had time for was a relationship.
“Hey, man,” Shane called to Daniel. “Didn’t know you were in Royal.”
Daniel came up to the bar on the other side of Shane and nodded for the bartender. “Erin wanted to do some shopping for Christmas and insists on the local shops here rather than Seattle. She said she wants to stay through Christmas because she loves this small-town feel and wants to experience her first Christmas here. Plus, she didn’t want to miss the wedding or the annual candlelight and caroling ceremony on Christmas Eve.”
Gabe raked his thumb over the condensation on his glass of beer and wished he’d ordered something stronger and stayed home.
“How’s the wedding coming?” Daniel asked then leaned around to glance at Gabe. “You and my sister have everything covered? Knowing her, she’s taken control.”
An image of Chelsea straddling him last night when they’d finally made it to his bed flooded his mind. She’d taken control, all right, and he’d been more than okay with relinquishing the reins.
“It’s more like divide and conquer,” Gabe replied, refusing to say much more.
Shane threw him a glance, but Gabe merely picked up his beer and drained the glass. “I need to head out,” he said, pushing away from the bar.
“Stay,” Daniel said. “Next round is on me.”
Tempting as another drink was, he didn’t want to sit around with his best friend who knew too much and the overprotective brother of the woman he was sleeping with. He could think of a hundred other things that sounded more appealing.
“I still have some work to tend to this evening.” Not a total lie. He was always checking on his clients and staff. “And tomorrow is an early day for me.”
Actually he had nothing planned, but it sounded like a good excuse. Besides, there was always something to be done and he was always up early and hitting work hard.
“I wanted to ask you about the Maverick case.”
Gabe stilled. “Sheriff Battle said there are no new leads as to who helped Dusty. I’ve had my team working on this, as well. The security cameras outside the gym locker room had been tampered with.”
Daniel rubbed the back of his neck and shook his head. “This is absurd. I don’t know what I’ll do when I get hold of the person who made my sister’s life a living hell.”
Gabe was right there with him, but best not to say that or to express too much interest in Chelsea. Daniel was definitely the overprotective big brother. What Daniel didn’t know was that Gabe had also appointed himself to that role.
“I’ll be sure to keep you informed,” Gabe assured Daniel. “I’m hoping this is wrapped up soon and we can all move on for good.”
“I appreciate that, Walsh.”
Gabe tossed some bills onto the bar and grabbed his black hat off the stool. “Shane, I’ll talk to you later. Daniel, hope to see you at the bachelor/bachelorette party.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” he answered. “Oh, Gabe, if you see my sister soon, tell her to stop dodging my calls and texts. I have a feeling you’re with her more than anyone lately.”
Gabe didn’t miss the narrowed gaze or the knowing tone. He smiled and couldn’t resist replying, “I’ll tell her tonight.”
“I don’t need to tell you to be careful with my sister.”
Blowing out a sigh, Gabe tapped his hat against the side of his leg. “You don’t need to tell me. I’m well aware of how raw her emotions are right now, but you also need to understand she’s stronger than people give her credit for.”
Turning away, Gabe whistled and headed for the exit. As he plopped his hat on his head, he heard Shane say something to Daniel, but couldn’t quite make it out. Gabe didn’t care. He wasn’t trying to be purposefully rude, but he also wasn’t going to have anyone, especially Chelsea’s brother, try to wedge his way into whatever it was they had going on.
Daniel had every right to worry about Chelsea because of the photos and the scandal. But Gabe also wanted the man to be aware that Chelsea was a strong woman and getting stronger every day.
The chatter about the scandalous photos had died down. Now, the town had shifted its focus to the breaking news about Dusty and figuring out what had motivated him to lash out at so many.
The questions swirled around the small town and were discussed everywhere from beauty salons to bar stools. Nobody really knew why Dusty Walsh had opted to make such poor life choices that had affected so many. Perhaps he was upset because he hadn’t been admitted into the TCC, or maybe he was jealous of so many new members. Maybe he was just a bitter, terminally ill man who wanted others to be miserable, as well. Nobody truly knew what had motivated him to be so evil and conniving.
Even Gabe didn’t have a clue. But now that Dusty was gone, the healing had begun and the town of Royal was getting back to normal. There was no greater way to celebrate than with Shane and Brandee’s Christmas wedding.
Gabe headed toward his loft downtown, but before his turnoff, he deci
ded to take a slight detour. He had a message to deliver, after all.
Nine
Chelsea glanced over her spreadsheet again. Hope filled her as she realized that this spring her dream would become a reality. She’d wanted to do something to give back and help struggling teens for so long, but had never really known how or what to do.
Smiling, she closed out her computer program. She couldn’t wait to get her counseling center for teens suffering from depression and suicidal tendencies up and running. And once the idea started to become more of a reality, she’d discuss partnering with Brandee and her camp for teens. Between the two of them, they could really do some good for a whole new generation. Nobody should ever have to feel isolated or hopeless the way she’d felt.
Chelsea had known that crippling fear and loneliness all too well. She’d experienced it twice in her life. The first time, after her father passed, Chelsea had had Daniel. But a brother wasn’t the same as a father and he’d been dealing with his own grief.
She’d experienced it again just months ago when so many in this town had seen photos of her in various states of nakedness in the TCC locker room.
When the compromising photos emerged, she’d gotten angry. She’d felt like she’d been stranded on a deserted island, that no one understood her.
Then she’d realized that there were people out there who had been hurt like her and that’s when she’d circled back to the idea of giving back and helping others. So, in a warped sort of way, the Maverick scandal had helped her come to the conclusion that it was time to step forward and reach out to others.
Chelsea wanted to open a place that would help young people realize that they weren’t alone, that there was always hope. She’d already started vetting counselors and had just purchased an old office building outside of town. Soon she would start renovations and then the true work would begin. Souls and lives would be changed.
This was her baby, something she was keeping close to her chest until she was ready to reveal everything. She wanted all the plans in place before she made a big announcement. Besides, she hadn’t wanted to detract attention from the wedding of the year.
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