If she thought Daniel had been protective growing up, that was nothing compared to Gabe right now. How would Gabe react if he knew her past? Would he look at her differently? Would he see her as weak?
It didn’t matter, though. Their time was drawing to a close and no matter how much her heart kept trying to get involved, Chelsea had to hold back at least some part of herself. If she gave him everything...well, she’d suffer even more heartache in the end.
Gabe ushered her into his penthouse loft apartment. She’d briefly been there before and hadn’t paid much attention, but now that she was back, she could easily see this was his domain. The industrial yet country vibe surrounded her. The exposed brick walls were masculine, the chrome finishes and high-tech electronics taking up one entire end of the loft screamed money and power. There were closed-circuit TVs showing the outside of the apartment building, the parking garage beneath, the street in both directions.
Being so paranoid must be an occupational hazard for a former FBI agent turned security analyst.
“You sure do have quite a bit of surveillance,” she casually commented.
“I own the building.”
Chelsea didn’t even bother hiding her surprise. “Seriously? How did I not know that?”
Gabe gave a shrug. “It’s not something I talk about. I actually own several properties in Royal, but most are held under my company names.”
Yet again, the man of mystery had more up his sleeve. He tended to keep her guessing on who the real Gabriel Walsh was. Just when she thought she’d uncovered the final layer, he revealed another.
Chelsea continued to peruse the open living area. There was a black metal outline of the state of Texas hanging on the wall at the other end of the room. The simple wall art was tasteful yet very Gabe. There was a pair of old cowboy boots over in the corner and several hats that hung on pegs near the front door. While the loft was neat and tidy, Gabe’s presence was everywhere.
The gleaming kitchen with a long, concrete island lined by eight bar stools just begged for a party. But she didn’t think Gabe was too much of a partier, let alone a host. Still, she saw herself getting steaks ready, him serving up sides and handing out bourbon.
Wait, no. This wasn’t some fantasy that would come to life. He’d brought her here for sex. Isn’t that what they’d discussed in the office back at the club? But then he’d gone and gotten angry and now she wasn’t so sure why she was there because there was still fury pouring from him.
This final week was going to be full of Gabe and the wedding. Gabe in private was going to be vastly different than Gabe as a cohost of the nuptials and a best man. The idea of walking down the aisle with him on her arm gave her heart a little extra beat. She absolutely couldn’t get caught up in that image or that fantasy.
Gabe stalked to the living area and stared out the floor-to-ceiling windows. With jerky movements, he unbuttoned the cuffs on his sleeves and rolled them up his forearms. He’d hung his black hat by the others near the door and hadn’t spoken a word.
“If you’re just going to be angry, I’m not sure why I’m here.”
She remained near the entryway, crossing her arms over her chest and waiting for him to respond. But he kept looking out onto the city, his hands shoved into the pockets of his perfectly fitted jeans.
“I’ll just call someone to pick me up.”
“Stay.”
That one word settled between them and Chelsea softened just a bit. What the hell was he so angry about? It wasn’t like this was his life that kept getting thrown back in his face. She had a feeling there would be jerks for some time to come who were all too eager to bring up those nude photos, thinking she was easy and willing to give them a private showing. It was humiliating, but right now all she could do was keep her head high and move on.
“You didn’t see your face,” Gabe said, still keeping his back to her. “When you dropped those glasses and I turned to see what happened... Chels, your face was pure terror. You’d gone white and I saw that guy’s hand on you and I wanted to kill him right there.”
The hurt in his tone had her moving toward him. She’d been so worried about what type of scene she’d caused and if she’d ruined the party to even think about how all of that had affected Gabe. Obviously he’d been angry with the guy. Someone like Gabe, so powerful and prominent, would see it as a setback, an embarrassment. They were just a fling, anyway, so why should he have to put up with her scandal?
“I completely understand if you want to call this quits between us.” She stood only a few feet away now. Even though she wanted to reach out and touch him, she clasped her hands in front of her dress. “I know the scandal surrounding me is embarrassing. I wouldn’t want someone else to have to bear the burden of the crass jokes or the mocking.”
Gabe whirled around. “You think I’m trying to tell you...what? That I’m leaving you alone to deal with this mess? That I don’t want to be associated with you because of it? Do you honestly think I’m that big of a jerk?”
Chelsea swallowed the burn in her throat. Why did love have to be complicated?
Wait. Love?
Well now was not the time for her to realize she’d completely fallen head-over-boots with this man. Not only was she completely unsure about where he stood, she knew he didn’t do relationships. Fantastic. There was nothing like this feeling of despair when she was already battered and bruised.
“I don’t think you’re a jerk,” she whispered, ignoring the extra thump of her heart. “I just wouldn’t blame you for wanting to bring this to an end now instead of after the wedding.”
She wouldn’t blame him; she would be devastated. But the end was inevitable. Next week or now, did it really matter? Both ways she’d be alone, which she was used to. But being with Gabe had changed her into someone who didn’t want to be alone, not when she knew how amazing he could be.
Damn it. When had she fallen in love? Somewhere between not trusting him and seeing him come to her defense tonight. She’d known for a few days that she was sinking deeper into territory she knew nothing about. She’d fought every step, but she couldn’t lie to herself anymore.
Gabe reached out and hooked an arm around her waist. “I’m not ending a day sooner than we planned,” he growled. “I’m angry you had to deal with that guy. I’m angry because you should never be afraid of what my family did and there’s not a damn thing I can do to go back and change what happened to you.”
Wait. Gabe was blaming himself for Dusty’s actions?
Chelsea reached up, smoothing his unruly blond hair back from his forehead. Framing his face, she leaned in and briefly touched his lips.
“You aren’t to blame,” she assured him. “And you can’t control what others say.”
“Maybe not, but I can try to shield you from the hurt.”
Her heart tumbled in her chest, but she knew he didn’t want any part of her heart or her love. Which was such a shame, because she would give them both so freely to her knight in shining armor.
“I’ve never been so angry in my life,” he murmured. “When my partner was killed, I was hurt and broken, yes. Angry? Yes. But I was able to stop the killer and bring him to justice. But all of this? I have no idea how to stop it completely and it rips me apart.”
Chelsea eased back from his arms. “Well, for now I know something you can control. I believe you said something about wanting to see what I have on beneath my dress.”
The darkness in his eyes mixed with arousal. Chelsea reached for the hem and eased it up and over her head. She tossed the dress onto the back of the sofa only a few feet away. When she turned her focus back to Gabe, the arousal in his eyes had turned to hunger and she knew she’d made the right decision in terms of lingerie tonight.
The white, lacy, strapless bustier and matching thong indeed had Gabe speechless. Most women tr
ying to seduce a man would pair the outfit with heels, but she was all about her cowgirl boots.
“You bought this for me?” he asked, slowly making his way toward her.
“You know I did.”
Because there was no one else.
Gabe muttered a curse beneath his breath. “I’ve never wanted someone more than you right now. You’re breathtaking and sexy and...damn, Chels. You’re killing me.”
She couldn’t help but smile because she’d finally managed to make him a stuttering mess. Feeling a tad saucy, she propped her hands on her hips and tipped her head.
“Maybe if you’re good, I’ll show you some other items I purchased.”
His eyes snapped to hers. “You bought others?”
“Something in green to match my eyes and then there was this racy black number that I simply couldn’t pass up.”
With a growl, Gabe was on her. His arms circled her waist, his mouth crashed down onto hers, and he backed her against the window. The cool glass did nothing to calm the heat racing through her.
Gabe nipped at her lips before roaming over her jaw, down her neck, to the swell of her breasts. Her entire body felt as if she was lit up from within. As his hands seemed to touch her everywhere, his mouth was doing wonders driving her mad.
“I want you in my bed,” he murmured against her skin. “I’ve envisioned you there all spread out, reaching for me.”
The image in her mind had her arching against him. She’d take him anywhere he wanted.
“But the bed is too far away,” he stated. “And my need for you is too great.”
She thrust her fingers through his hair and held him as he yanked the top of her bustier down and covered her flesh with his mouth. She cried out, but then he started ridding her of the rest of her clothes and Chelsea could only hang on.
Once she was bare—except for her boots—Gabe took a half step back and raked his heavy-lidded gaze over her.
“Take off your clothes,” she demanded.
His grin kicked up, wrinkling the corners of his eyes and making him seem all the more menacing. “You take them off.”
In her next breath, she was making frantic work of his buttons and when she was down to the last two, she just jerked the shirt open. Gabe’s laugh had his abs clenching, as if he was showing off just how spectacular his build truly was.
Chelsea’s hands shook as she removed his pants. He toed off his boots and finally stood before her wearing nothing but desire.
He reached into his pants’ pocket, pulled out protection and slipped it on. Chelsea’s blood pumped faster, her nerves dancing with anticipation, and when he finally turned those gray eyes back to her, she didn’t hesitate to reach for him.
Gabe lifted her off the floor. She toed off her boots and let them clunk to the floor before locking her ankles behind his back.
Gabe closed his mouth over hers at the same time he plunged into her. Then he stood still, right there in the middle of the room. Their bodies were joined, but he didn’t move, and the erotic sensation was driving her absolutely out of her mind.
“I have no control with you,” he murmured against the side of her neck. “I need you, Chels.”
He spun around, sending them tumbling to the sofa. He cradled her face as his weight settled her deeper against the cushions.
Chelsea opened to him as he covered her mouth with his. He trailed one of his hands down her side and held tight to her hip, his fingertips gripping her skin.
This wasn’t enough. She wanted more, needed more. Beyond the sex—though it was the best she’d ever had—she needed Gabe for everything.
He muttered something in her ear she didn’t understand at the same time he tipped his hips just right to send her over the edge. She tightened around him, arched her back and dug her heels into his backside.
When Gabe’s body shuddered against hers, he whispered something else, something she still didn’t quite catch. She clung to him, though, taking his release as hers ebbed. He held his weight just off her, but she wanted all of him.
Chelsea circled his shoulders with her arms and pulled him closer as his body ceased trembling. His head rested in the crook of her neck. Darkness had fallen across the apartment. Only the glow of a small desk lamp across the room gave any light. She wanted this moment to carry on; she didn’t want words or movement to break the spell of their time together.
Closing her eyes, Chelsea willed time to stop. If she held on tighter maybe he’d stay.
Fortunately, though, she wasn’t a clinging woman. She’d never begged for a man and she wasn’t going to start now. If there was ever a time or a man, though, Gabe was definitely worthy of her begging.
When he started to move, she trailed her fingertips up through his hair.
“What did you whisper in my ear earlier?”
Gabe froze, cringed actually. “I don’t recall.”
He was lying. It had been mere moments ago and he’d said it twice.
“Don’t move,” she murmured. “Let’s just lie like this for another minute.”
His hand softened on her hip as his hips shifted. “If I stay here too long, I’m going to want you again and the rest of my protection is in the bedroom.”
Chelsea smiled up at him. “Then maybe we should make our way there.”
Thirteen
The wedding was only four days away now. Chelsea couldn’t believe the time had almost come for her best friend to say “I do.” She’d be lying if she didn’t admit, just to herself, that she was jealous. Chelsea hadn’t thought she wanted romance and forever, but getting swept away in this real-life, fairy-tale ending had her wishes shifting.
Suddenly Hunt & Co. wasn’t her only focus. If Gabe knew how much real estate he took up in her mind, her heart, he’d likely run fast and far. She had to keep this to herself. She knew deep in her soul that there was no future for them, not together, anyway. He’d made it abundantly clear from the start that he couldn’t trust his heart that way again.
Trust. Hadn’t that been the entire theme of their relationship? No matter if they were enemies, then friends, then lovers, everything surrounding them always circled back to trust.
He’d pursued her and she’d backed away, but now that she was fully on board, he was backing away. The dance they continued to perform was confusing, frustrating, and she wished like hell they were doing the same steps.
Chelsea pulled up her spreadsheet and attempted to get the new system up and running for the accounting department. That was her goal today, not to focus on the fact she’d enjoyed two days at Gabe’s loft. The weekend had flown by in a blur of sex and time spent doing nothing but enjoying each other.
Monday was even harsher to handle after such an amazing few days with the man she loved.
She seriously needed to stop using that word. Love wasn’t a good idea. Admitting her feelings this close to the end game...damn it. None of this was a game. Every single moment she’d spent with him had been real, had been amazing, and something she wanted forever.
A gentle tap on her door had Chelsea glancing across her office. Before she could mutter a reply, the door eased open and Daniel stepped in. She figured he’d be making his presence known. She’d known he was spending the holidays in Royal as opposed to Dallas, especially with the wedding coming up. Erin wanted to be at Crescent Moon, the Hunt family ranch, for Christmas. Chelsea made a mental note to swing by to see her soon-to-be sister-in-law and take her Christmas present. Well, she’d take the present just as soon as it was delivered, because she’d purchased nearly everything online.
Chelsea offered her brother a smile. Surprisingly he hadn’t contacted her since she and Gabe had left the party abruptly the other night. Well, he’d texted her, but she’d been preoccupied.
“Your assistant said you don’t hav
e a meeting for another hour.” Daniel closed the distance between them and took a seat opposite her desk. He crossed one ankle over his knee and settled in. “Hope this isn’t a bad time.”
“You wouldn’t care if it was,” she replied, turning her chair to fully face him. “You’re here to question me about Gabe, so let’s have it.”
Daniel blew out a breath as he removed his cowboy hat and placed it over the arm of the chair. “What are you thinking, Chels? The guy is a loner and you’re going to get your heart broken.”
She’d expected nothing less from her big brother. “Did you rehearse that or just decide to wing it?”
“I’m winging it, so have pity on me when I’m trying to play the concerned older brother.”
“You’re not playing anything. You are the concerned older brother.” Chelsea offered him a smile as she folded her arms across her desktop and carefully thought of what to say next. “Listen, I know you care about me and I get that you don’t want me hurt. I’m not a fan of heartache myself, but Gabe and I know what we’re doing. We have no preconceived notion that this is long-term.”
No notions, but wishes...definitely.
“That’s not like you.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “And you know about my sex life? Is that really where you want to go?”
Daniel cringed. “Definitely not, but you’re going to get hurt.”
Most likely, but she couldn’t live her life worrying about the future. If things were going to end with Gabe—no, when they ended—she at least wanted to enjoy the here and now. And she’d enjoyed the hell out of their weekend together.
“Daniel, I realize over this past year Royal has been overrun with happily-ever-afters and you and Erin want everyone to be as blissful as you guys, but right now I’m not looking for love.”
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