Gabriel lets those words sink in before he walks around to the left side where I’m not bandaged up. Rolling his IV close he climbs in the bed with me and pulls the blanket over us. “Someday I want you to tell me what happened. Right now I just want to be with you.”
“I want that, too.” We adjust our bruised bodies to be able to snuggle. He kisses my forehead and we close our eyes.
Voices pass by in the hall. Nurses come check on us. But we don’t move. Nothing matters now that we have each other again.
GABRIEL
One Month Later
After rinsing minty toothpaste out of my mouth in Carrie’s bathroom, I ask, “You know what I’ve never done?”
Paige appears in the doorway, fastening her pink bra without effort. “Thought before you spoke? Said please?”
“Hardie har har,” I dryly mutter as I flip her around and give her sweet ass a spank. “I’ve never had sex at one of our Family BBQs.”
She rolls her eyes and walks away from me. “You’ve never brought a girl to one before, so how could you have?”
“I’m just saying! We could bang out two firsts today. If you’ll excuse the awesome pun.”
“The terrible pun.”
“Awesome.”
“Terrible.”
Sliding up to her I smile down into her beautiful eyes. “Why do I let you give me so much shit all the time?”
She rises on her tiptoes and murmurs against my lips. “If you ever solve that mystery tell me so I can come up with a new one.”
Grinning I unsnap her bra. “Oh no, look what happened.”
“Gabriel,” she laughs, grabbing the straps and wriggling away from my grasp. “We have to leave now. You need to put on some clothes because that is way too tempting.” She points to my boxer briefs and the growing tent.
“We have to leave in five to…thirty minutes,” I smirk, getting harder by the second.
She insists with firm head shaking, “Thirty?! No way!”
Sliding out of this confining cotton I lean against the wall and palm my cock as she walks to the closet to change her mind about the dress she wants to wear…for the fifth time.
Glancing over she sees what I’m doing and her eyelashes drop a little with lust. “Stop that.”
But my hand keeps slowly stroking my length as I start to throb. Closing my eyes a second I rasp, “I’m thinking of how wet you’re getting.”
Paige holds a dress up to her body, but her hungry eyes keep dropping down to watch. “What do you think of this one?”
“Too business like,” I moan, bending my knees to squat here.
Her eyebrows go up. “That’s an interesting position.”
Thrusting my hips out a little, my profile is to her as I hold my cock on my open hand. “You sure you don’t want to climb on?”
Her lips part as she stares at me. I can practically taste how turned on she is, and I’m getting off on knowing that. I start to grind my hips as I masturbate for our pleasure, putting on a real show. She swallows and drops the dress on the floor, walking to me and unsnapping her bra.
“Uh uh,” I moan. “You have to touch yourself for me.”
With shock her eyes widen slightly. “I’ve never done that in front of anyone!”
“Get on the bed.”
Her mouth clamps shut at my tone. She climbs on the bed on all fours in just her pink panties, flipping her hair back to look at me over her shoulder.
I groan staring at her ass and the little bit of mound I can see of her pussy. “Nice try tempting me. Take off your panties.”
She demurs, “Gabriel, I’m embarrassed.”
“Take them off nice and slow.”
Her eyelids get heavy and she kneels to slide her panties down her thighs, sitting down to wiggle out of them and set them on the bed.
“Spread your legs.”
She swallows, nervous and excited as her knees separate. I groan as I gaze upon her pussy, getting off on the fact that I’m the only man who gets to see it.
“Show me how you like to pleasure yourself.”
She whispers, “I’m scared,” but her fingers are traveling over her onto the soft, dewy hair she let grow out for me. They slip beneath the cleft and tentatively start to play. Her breath hitches as I watch, stroking my cock in time with how she’s touching herself. She bites her lip as she watches my fingers, then drops a quick gaze to her own. I rise up to stand over her and we lock eyes. I am dying with lust at the look I see in hers.
She’s pulsing.
My cock is aching to fuck.
“I love you,” I moan.
She whispers, glancing down, “I love you, too.”
“Oh shit, that’s it. I have to have you. You just said that to my cock.” I dig my fingers into her hips and pull her ass to the edge of the bed. But she doesn’t stop playing with herself. “Fuck yes,” I moan as I position my tip against her. “You’re dripping.”
On a breathy moan she confesses, “Everything is throbbing!”
Pressing my erection into her inch by inch I groan at the sensation of her fingers tickling me while she keeps up the good work. Our mouths reach for each other and lock, tongues touching as I dive in and start pounding her. She moans in my mouth. I don’t think I’ve ever been this hard in my life. Her free hand slams onto my back, fingernails digging in as she tears herself from my kiss and looks down to see everything we’re doing.
“Oh, it’s so hot,” she gasp. “Harder! I’m going to cum. Fuck me harder. Harder!”
I do as she says and after eleven hard pumps her legs start shaking, pussy trembling before it slams against me with a steady heartbeat that rips my own orgasm, too. We crash together in a hot kiss as our bodies release the tension in hot spasms.
As the beat starts to slow down I gasp for air, blinking heavily. “You wreck me.”
She smiles and traces my cheek with a touch so soft I close my eyes and lean into it, wishing for the first time in my life that I didn’t have to go to the BBQ. I could just stay right here forever.
PAIGE
Gabriel’s new, black, electric Ferrari is as quiet as a feather floating across the ground as we glide up to his grandparent’s home in Buckhead. He parks and strolls around to help me out. I’m sitting here dutifully waiting while I stare at the green expanse of lawn that leads to their beautiful and enormous house. Taking his hand I stand, but can’t take my eyes off their front door. It’s open and people are walking inside, a few waving to him and calling out, “Hey Gabriel!”
“That’s my Grandpa’s sister, Marie. She’s married to him, Don, who used to own the construction company…You know what. Fuck it.” He takes my hand and leads me to the driveway so we don’t walk on this bright green, expertly trimmed grass. “Don’t even try to memorize their names today. Too fucking many. Just smile and nod.”
Laughing under my breath from nerves and a strong desire to run, I tell him, “I’m glad you suggested the long summer dress. If I’d worn the knee-length one I’d feel more…exposed. Especially after what we just did.”
He kisses my fingers. “You look beautiful.”
“You’re not going to punch Ben, are you?”
Gabriel’s eyes flicker. “I said I wouldn’t.”
“But why won’t you promise?”
“Because I don’t want to break it.”
Tugging on his fingers I try to impress upon him that I really need this to go smoothly, but he ignores my signal and goes to hug his sister. She smiles at me and comes in for a hug. “I was just holding Kaya and I told my husband I can’t wait anymore. I need one!”
Smiling I agree, “Kaya’s so cute, Hannah. I don’t blame you.”
Gabriel’s still got the edge in his voice as he asks, “Ben here?”
She answers no, without noticing the tension. Her mind is still full of rattles and strollers. “We’ve been trying but it just hasn’t happened yet.”
Gabriel’s intense grip is stopping the blood in my fingers. Smiling wit
h a hint of pain I say, “It’ll happen for you guys. Don’t worry, Hannah. Maybe the worrying is stopping the flow of energy.” I glance to my boyfriend who doesn’t get the message.
“Ben’s not here yet?” he asks again.
Hannah frowns, “No, if you want to see him so badly why don’t you call and ask where he is.”
“Because he doesn’t return fucking phone calls!” Gabriel barks, tugging me inside.
Hannah calls after us, “What the hell was that?”
“He’s hungry,” I tell her over my shoulder. “Just have to get him some of that amazing chili he keeps telling me about.”
But he’s not looking for food. What he’s really doing is searching the house just in case she was wrong. But as I’m introduced to cousins, aunts and uncles, Gabriel’s hand relaxes and his smile comes easily again.
Here he isn’t the celebrity he is with the general public. His family treats him like the boy they grew up with, and I can’t get enough of his laugh as they give him a hard time. He volleys back their joking insults, but with his aunts he shows nothing but respect.
They’re such a great family, so filled with humor, that my nerves disappear and I’m laughing more often than not, completely forgetting that I’m new here. They open their arms to me in a way that’s kind of amazing.
As Max, Caden and Gabriel are huddled together talking about who knows what, Mrs. Cocker brings me a glass that looks like a smokier lemonade, a knowing smile on her strikingly beautiful face. “You have to try this. It’s legendary.”
Taking a sip I react, “Mmmm! Oh my God, what is it?”
“Nancy’s fresh ginger-ale. There are stories that Jason used to drink it all before anyone could have some. He would hide the pitcher!”
“Sounds like Gabriel. He steals food from my plate all the time!”
With her usual poise she covers a mother’s curiosity. “So how are things going with you two?”
“He’s wonderful, Mrs. Cocker.”
“Are you thinking of moving in together soon?”
“Um…I just found another job and I want to wait a little while so we don’t rush.”
I can tell this impresses her. “Hmm,” she smiles and pauses as she hears her husband calling her name. “Near the base of the porch, Justin!”
He strolls down the three steps, eyeing his son and nephews as he walks to join us. “Paige, what do you think of the house I grew up in?”
“It’s beautiful. I love that it’s not a museum.”
He cocks his head. “How’s that?”
Self-conscious, I slowly explain, “Um…from the outside it looks very intimidating, but inside it’s cozy and homey. Like you and your brothers didn’t have to worry about breaking something and getting in trouble. There was room for you to be boys.”
Huffing through his nose he glances to his wife. “Insightful, this one.”
Mrs. Cocker nods and mutters from behind her glass, “Thank God Gabriel didn’t bring home a trashy groupie.”
Justin laughs and shows us that amazing smile again, the one I glimpsed in the hospital room. I think because it’s so rare it has an even greater impact. But then he locks eyes with me and asks, “How’s your brother?”
My heart quickens as I glance down for a second. “He went to a couple meetings, but he’s out again.”
Mr. Cocker nods, lips tightening in thought as he glances to his family. “Well, that’s improvement. Let’s just pray that he finds his way back in the rooms soon.” He locks eyes with me and I give him a grateful smile before he walks away to yell at his brother, “Jason, what the fuck are you doing with all that corn bread?”
“Language!” comes a shockingly loud yet genteel southern drawl.
Gabriel hurries over. “Oh shit, I forgot to introduce you to Grams.” He takes his mother’s glass from her hands and downs it, handing it back to her. “Thanks, Mom.”
She and I exchange a shocked look. “Gabriel! The whole thing! I thought you’d just take a sip!”
He gives her a lopsided smile. “When have I ever had just a sip?” Taking my hand he guides me away but not before I hand my glass to her and she gives me the empty one. “Hey!” he cries out.
“I’ve got your back, Mrs. Cocker!”
“Thank you, Paige,” she laughs.
Gabriel grumbles, “Gonna have to come up with some new tactics,” as he guides me to a sweet old lady sitting atop two cushions along the long bench. “Grams, this is my future wife, Paige Miller.”
“Oh my Gosh,” I mumble, embarrassed at his bold announcement. He does these things just to watch me squirm. “Hi, Mrs. Cocker. We’re not officially engaged.”
“Call me Grams. Everybody does.” She shakes my hand with fragile fingers, a sharp gleam in her eyes. “Paige, do you know what you’re getting into with this one?”
“Yes. Unfortunately.”
The inspection she’s giving me melts into a warm smile. “Oh good, she’s witty. She can stay.”
Gabriel laughs with me, but his is louder and very proud. I didn’t know it until now, but his heart needed her to say that. “Grams is the reason we’re all here. She and my great grandpa Jerald fell in love during World War II.”
“Wow,” I breathe, eyes wide. “Are you a vampire? Your skin is amazing!”
Her cheeks flush light pink and she touches her chest. “Well, aren’t you sweet.” To Gabriel she smiles, “I think she meant that!”
“She did.” He winks and squeezes my hand. “Paige is a little too honest.”
“Well then I will take that compliment home with me! Oh look, Ben is here! And he brought a date, too! What a lucky day we’re having.”
Gabriel and I turn our heads.
Ben is strolling out to join everyone in the backyard. His hand is clasped with Shelby’s.
GABRIEL
Ben spots me and stiffens, but he’s overrun with people greeting him. Of course everyone is surprised as fuck to see him with a date for the first time. Nobody comes to a Cocker BBQ unless they’re family, in-laws, or they’re going to marry one of us. It’s an unspoken thing evolved over the years because of a lot of reasons.
So why the fuck is he here with Shelby?
Paige is more shocked than I am. “What happened to Carter?” she asks, as we watch them make the rounds. “She was living with her boyfriend!”
“Guess Carter is in the dust somewhere. You still haven’t talked to her, right?”
Stunned she says, “No, when I quit Jordanna’s studio she was cold to me. I told her to call when she was ready to be my friend again. She never did.”
“Guess she was busy,” I say through gritted teeth, eyeing my tall cousin as he dwarfs the others.
He can’t hide and he’s not trying to.
His green eyes keep locking with mine.
He knows a storm is coming.
Elijah appears in the doorway. For the casual occasion he’s ditched the suit for some grey slacks and a white button-up. He’s got his hands in his pockets, classic Cocker cover for unease. He scans the yard, seeing Ben first and by the look in his eyes that’s why Elijah came outside. He must have heard the commotion from Grandpa’s office where he was working until the absolute last minute.
But now work has to be put on hold.
Searching for me he gives me an almost imperceptible nod.
Ethan stands up, handing his baby to his CEO wife, Charlie, with a tense smile for her that disappears as he looks at me.
So Ben told him about us.
Just like I thought, talking behind my back.
I’m going to fucking kill him.
“Gabriel,” Paige desperately says as I head in their direction. There are at least thirty people scattered throughout the backyard and kitchen. Some by the long food table, some down by the old dolphin fountain that no longer works. Some laughing as they carry out pitchers and dishes.
Grandpa Michael is greeting Shelby with a warm smile as Grandma Nance is chatting her up.
&nb
sp; So I wait. Ethan waits. Elijah strolls down the stairs.
As soon as our grandparents step away from Ben he sees me, and Shelby’s nervous smile disappears. I jerk my head to the side of the porch where we can talk. He nods.
My fingers let go of Paige. “Wait here.”
“No!” She grabs on and tightens her hold. “Don’t do anything!”
With my jaw twitching I lead her over. Ethan’s face is cool and collected trying to broadcast to the rest of the family that nothing is happening.
Elijah isn’t even trying to mask it.
He’s as grim as I am.
Shelby is staring at Paige, and her back is extra straight. My girl is about to ask what’s going on but I cut her off, voice low. “You can’t return a fuckin’ phone call?”
He’s just as quiet, but not nearly as angry. Calm motherfucker that he is. “After you ditched me at Rays?”
Elijah is on my left, Paige on my right. I let go of her hand and growl at Ben, “You tried to steal my date! You showed up at the fuckin’ restaurant thinking you could take her!”
Glaring at me he growls back, “You hadn’t even met her yet. How was I supposed to know that the one time you’d actually commit to something it’d be now!?”
My fist flies out.
I punch him so hard he reels back.
Shelby yells, “Ben!”
Paige cries, “No!”
And that’s it.
The BBQ goes dead silent.
Ethan gets in between us but Elijah grabs him so I can do what I’ve gotta do. Ben comes at me and we start brawling. Fists landing where they have to. Family shouting at the top of their lungs for us to stop. My Dad and Uncle Jason work to get me off of Ben.
Ben’s dad, Uncle Jaxson growls, “Enough!” and pushes his son back twice as he tries to come at me for more.
Uncle Jake and Uncle Jeremy get in the middle.
My dad and his twin have my arms and are ordering me to stand down.
Grandpa Michael tears Elijah’s hands off Ethan’s T-shirt and rips it. “What is the matter with all of you?” he bellows to the four of us, his patriarchal presence taking up the whole yard just like that. “Will someone tell me what is going on?”
Cocky Rockstar: Gabriel Cocker (Cocker Brothers of Atlanta Book 10) Page 17
