Destiny Undone 4

by Heartley, Amanda

  I smiled. “Mom, do you even know what ‘the reefer’ looks like?”

  “No, but I bet she does. Oh, my God! Are you doing the reefer, too?”

  “Mom, no one is doing drugs. Sophie just had some kind of mental break. You know she hasn’t been that strong since her father passed a couple of years ago. I mean, I always knew she liked me but apparently she has some sort of obsession I never knew about. She thought we were dating and that Pepper was a publicity stunt. The whole thing was really ugly. Speaking of, I really need to go see Pepper and make things right.”

  I pulled my phone out of my pocket and saw the text from Pepper. I smiled, knowing things were going to be all right.

  “I have to go!” I told my parents.

  “Of course, son,” Dad said, wrapping an arm around my mom.

  “I’m finished here. I’ll call if we need anything else,” the detective announced, rising from his seat. “I can give you a ride back to Sea Lab, if you need one.”

  “That would help.” I followed him out and we went back to Sea Lab where my car was parked. I thanked him for his help and dialed Pepper’s number as soon as I was alone. She didn’t answer, so I dialed Mills’ number—still no answer. Worry started creeping in.

  I jumped in my car and spun out to go to the marina. If a cop had wanted to pull me over, he’d have to follow me to the marina because I was not stopping until I knew my girl was okay. Poor Mills was pregnant and sick. I slung around the big curve in the highway and kept going. I drove like a lunatic down the long slope that led to the harbor. I got out, barely putting my car in park and ran to the boat.

  “Pepper!” I yelled as I ran down the gangway. “Pepper!” By the time I got there, a blonde head was appearing at the top of the stairs that led to the cabin below. She smiled when she saw me and relief washed over me.

  “Why haven’t you been answering your phone?”

  “Oh, sorry. I turned it off. I didn’t think you were going to answer me and it was ringing off the hook since Mills’ little stunt.”

  I had no idea what she was talking about, but all I cared about was that both she and Mills were safe.

  “I didn’t want to answer any questions from magazines or photogs. I’m sorry. Why? What is it?”

  “Where is Mills?”

  “She’s downstairs eating and resting. Today wore her out.” She zeroed in on my face and looked concerned. “You look winded. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah. I am now.” I paused to finish catching my breath.

  “What’s going on, Gabe?” She touched my shoulder and I finally relaxed.

  “Sophie came to my house and threatened my mother. I was scared. I thought maybe she’d come after you, too. I’m glad I was wrong.”

  “Not since I bitch-slapped her in your office. I’m sorry about that, by the way. I had no right to act so stupid.”

  “It’s okay. As long as you’re okay.” I pulled her into my arms and breathed in the scent of her hair that was fluttering around her shoulders in the breeze.

  “Say you forgive me,” she mumbled against my chest.

  “I do forgive you. Now, let’s check on Mills. What did you mean when you said her little stunt? What happened?”

  “Oh, I’ll let her tell you that herself,” Pepper answered, rolling her eyes before leading me down to the cabin.

  “Really? I’m dying to know what’s happening.” I was almost afraid. These girls were known to raise a little hell, and if even Pepper thought Mills had gone too far this time, it was bound to be a doozy.

  Downstairs, it looked like an office had been set up on the small dining table. Two laptops and a tablet were all lit up and Mills was typing away in between taking bites of a salad she was working on.

  I gawked at the sight. “What are you up to, Mills?”

  “Oh, hey, Gabe. Did you two kiss and make up?” She smiled proudly as she munched a healthy salad.

  I nodded and Pepper smiled at me. Suddenly, I wished we were alone. I adored Mills, but right now, I needed Pepper all to myself.

  Mills continued. “Well, Evangeline thought she was going to steal all the headlines today with her lies about Pepper. I decided to make her suffer. I announced my pregnancy on social media about an hour ago and now nobody is talking about her at all. What good are the paparazzi if you can’t use them yourself every now and again? Fallon thinks it’s funny. I’m texting with him now.”

  Before I could say another word—not that I could think of anything—my phone started ringing again. It was Doug Anderson.

  “Hello, Mr. Anderson,” I answered. Pepper and Mills both snapped to attention at my greeting.

  “Hello, Gabriel. I’ve been trying to reach you all afternoon. I have another favor to ask of you,” he said.

  “I’m sorry, sir, there’s been a lot going on.”

  “Yeah. Here, too. Listen, it’s a madhouse here. I need you to take care of the girls till things can get contained over here. Can you do that?”

  “Of course.”

  “Remember, under no circumstances are they to come back to the house. And a hotel probably isn’t a good idea, either. Someone will sell them out and then the swarm will migrate.”

  “Yes, sir. Understood.” I hung up and looked from Pepper to Mills and back again. “That was your dad. You two are coming back to my house. He said the paps are even worse since Mills’ announcement. You can’t go back to the house.”

  “Oh, God,” Pepper groaned.

  “Do you have ice cream?” Mills smiled at me, sitting on her knees like a kid.

  “I have four or five flavors. I’m totally addicted to ice cream. But I don’t have any pickles,” I joked with her.

  “Ew, gross. What are you trying to do, make me sick?”

  “Come on, sicko. Let’s get you moved to a less wobbly location.” We cleaned up the kitchen while she packed up the electronics. I watched Pepper putting the glasses away. She stretched to reach the tall cabinet and I caught the twinkle of gold on her ankle. She’d found my present to her. I couldn’t help but smile.

  “Here, let me help you, dolphin girl. Love of my life.”

  “Am I?”

  “Are you a dolphin girl?”

  She smacked my arm playfully, “No, you know that’s not what I mean.”

  “Yes, you and only you are the love of my life.”

  “Gross! Yuck! You two are disgusting,” Mills complained, dragging her bag upstairs.

  Pepper called after her, “That would be much more convincing if I hadn’t seen you and Fallon sucking face earlier.”

  “Shut up!” she laughed. “I’m going to wait upstairs!”

  I pulled Pepper close. “I love you,” I whispered in her ear.

  “I love you more,” she whispered back.

  I wove a hand through her hair and tipped her head back to get the perfect angle as I leaned over to kiss her perfectly pink pout. She moaned as the kiss deepened and I knew she’d been waiting for that kiss just as much as I had. It seemed like it had been forever since I’d held her this way and I didn’t want to let her go. My tongue parted her lips and tangled with hers, loving the fresh taste of mint and strawberry as I explored her mouth. I skimmed her stomach with my fingertips, and she shuddered and pressed closer to me.

  The feeling of her breasts pressed against me got me rock hard. I rolled my hips against her so she could feel my excitement for her.

  “Gabe!” Pepper giggled but didn’t pull away. “My sister is upstairs.”

  “I know,” I groaned and kissed a hot trail down her neck. “I can’t help it, though. I need you. Now.”

  “Mmmm.” Pepper sighed. “Can we go to your place now? Mills will probably crash out early. Maybe we could sneak off to the lagoon again?”

  I gave her one more kiss and then released her. “Let’s get out of here!”

  She laughed again and helped finish packing up with record speed.

  Chapter Ten — Pepper

  It was late when we finally got
back to Gabe’s place and settled down for the night. I’d called my attorney and spent an hour talking to him about the things Evangeline was saying. Gabe had insisted on cooking for me while I took care of business, although, truthfully, all I wanted to do was drag him out to the lagoon for our promised night of passion under the stars.

  But, I knew I had to be patient. And Gabe was worth it.

  I watched him cooking and he threw me a wink. I was so lucky.

  After dinner, Mills crashed out in front of the TV. Some entertainment channel was talking about the “bombshell news” but then Mills’ name crawled across the screen. The ticker said, “Baby Heiress Is Having Baby.”

  She laughed at the whole thing but I still wasn’t sure she’d done the right thing. Something about it was nagging at me. Finally, I told her she needed to call it a night. I snatched the remote from her and turned off the TV, no longer able to listen to one more word about any of it. Mills didn’t argue and curled up in the big Panama-style bed in Gabe’s spare room.

  “I love you, Mills.”

  “I love you, too, Pep. I did good today, didn’t I? We really got her, didn’t we?”

  I paused. There was no point in dumping my anxiety on her, so I answered, “It’s all going to work out, I promise. Now get some rest. I’ve got get up in the morning and go to work.”

  “Work? You’re going back to Sea Lab?”

  “Of course. I’m not going to let Sophie or Evangeline stop me from my destiny. You need to stay here, though. Dad will flip if anything happens to you.”

  “I know. I need a day off anyways. Will you say goodbye to me before you leave, though?”

  “Of course, I will. Good night, sis.”

  I shut off Mills’ light and went down the hall to Gabe’s bedroom. I smiled as I looked around the room. It felt right being here with him. It felt like Gabe. The California King bed was made up with sleek, high thread-count sheets in a slate gray. I sat down on the edge and sank into the soft mattress.

  Gabe appeared from the en suite bath and smiled at me. “You still wanna go out to the lagoon?” He wiggled his eyebrow at me.

  “Mmm. I think I changed my mind.”

  He looked surprised, and slightly hurt. “Oh, okay.”

  I smiled up at him and pulled my shirt off, revealing my black lace bra. “I thought maybe a change of venue would be nice.”

  “Aha!” He pulled off his own shirt and my eyes grew wide at his muscled form as he stalked across the room like a big cat hunting prey.

  He reached me and I wrapped my legs around his hips. “I’m so happy I’m here with you.” He ran his finger over the delicate anklet.

  “Thank you,” I said, looking down at the sweet gift. “It’s beautiful.”

  Gabe brought his eyes back to mine. “You’re beautiful.”

  He was so sweet. I wasn’t used to guys being so genuine and kind. It was all just parts of Gabe that combined into the man I loved. I felt tears building in my eyes but I didn’t want to ruin the sexy mood.

  “Come here,” I said, tugging on his firm arms.

  He lowered his head and kissed my lips, sweetly at first, but then deepened the kiss and left me breathless within seconds. I let my hands wander down his smooth chest and abs, tracing the little v-lines at his hips. He groaned and I smiled against his lips. I loved getting him riled up. I grazed my fingertips against his firm cock but then pulled away.

  Gabe grabbed for my hand, trying to drag it back. “You’re killing me. You know that, right?”

  I laughed, looking up at his tortured expression as I continued to resist him. “I do. But that’s part of the fun, isn’t it?”

  “You think so? Well, turn about’s fair play.” With a quick move, he spun me around and pinned me to the bed on my stomach. Gabe kissed his way down my spine, sending shivers and tingles all through my body as his warm palms slid down my sides. He unhooked my bra and then spun me back around, letting the bra drop to the floor by my feet. He traced the outsides of my breasts, circled around my hard nipples, before sliding back to my bellybutton.

  “What do you say we lose these shorts?” he said, already unbuttoning the top.

  “That’s an excellent idea,” I purred.

  He lowered the shorts and ran his fingertips on the outside of my panties that were already soaked through. I shivered as he pressed the outside of my pussy lips.

  “I love your body, Pepper. You’re perfect.”

  “You’re not so bad yourself.” I laughed and ran my fingers up his smooth abs.

  He stopped talking and began kissing my breasts tenderly. He sucked a hard nipple into his mouth and I cried out at the sweet pleasure. “Gabe!”

  As he teased my breasts with his lips and tongue, his fingers found the edge of my soft panties and slid against my bare skin, slick with my wetness. I arched against him and leaned back on the bed as he quickly had me frenzied with desire, panting and clawing my way up his body.

  “Yes, Gabe! Yes! More!”

  He thrust his fingers deep inside me, tearing my panties. “Oh, shit! I’m sorry, Pepper.”

  “Don’t stop! Rip them off!”

  Gabe flashed a wicked grin and ripped away the thin fabric with one tear, leaving me completely naked before him. I was dripping wet and I pulled at Gabe’s hand, needing him back inside me.

  He thrust inside me again and found my most sensitive spot with ease, stroking softly until I was screaming out his name over and over as he brought me over the edge within seconds and I collapsed against him.

  It was my turn to take control. I shucked off his slacks and boxer briefs with one swift pull after loosening the buttons. Every inch of him was delectable. But, in particular, his long, firm cock that was hard as a rock. I wrapped my legs around him, my ass perched on the edge of the bed, and pulled his ass with my hands so he entered me in one thrust.

  He grunted as I stretched around him, and then he started pumping into me hard and fast. I moaned and panted with each thrust. He started to thicken inside me and I knew he was close. “I want to ride you, Gabe.”

  He smiled and quickly moved to lie on the bed so I could climb onto him. I rode his thick cock slowly at first, teasing him with small circles with my hips. “God, Pepper, you’re so hot.”

  I grabbed my breasts and teased my own nipples while he watched me. His eyes grew wide and I knew he was enjoying the show. I dropped one hand between my legs and slid my fingers against my clit.

  “Shit! Pepper!” Gabe groaned as he watched.

  I threw my head back, letting my hair tickle my back as I continued to ride Gabe’s throbbing cock.

  Gabe’s hands flew up to my breasts, taking over for me as I started to ride him harder and faster as I neared my second orgasm. I was just about to come when Gabe let out a yell and I felt him explode inside of me. My pussy clenched around him and it took me over the edge, too. We rode it out together until I was spent and collapsed down onto the bed beside him.

  Gabe immediately gathered me into his arms and pulled my ass against him. He kissed my shoulders and the back of my neck. “I love you, Pepper.”

  “I love you, too.”

  The next morning, my eyes fluttered open and I smiled as I realized how tightly Gabe was still clinging to me, even in his sleep. Eventually, he woke up and after we exchanged some good morning kisses, he went to the shower. I told him I’d join him in a minute and lingered on the bed for a while, thinking about what I was going to do with the day.

  I’d promised to help at the tank and I was going to keep my promise. However, I wanted to do one other thing. I was going to have it out with Evangeline—once and for all. She was going to know what I really thought of her. I was done tiptoeing and letting her run the narrative.

  I just knew I couldn’t tell Gabe. He’d try to talk me out of it but I had to do this for me—and for Mills—and for Dad. I wondered if he was still dating Charlotte. I rarely saw her or heard him talk about her anymore. I hoped Evangeline hadn’t done something
to break that relationship up. Another reason to hate her. I’d liked Charlotte. She was the nicest girlfriend that Dad had ever had.

  I turned my thoughts back to planning my confrontation. I knew she wouldn’t answer my calls, so I’d have to find her. Where would she even be? It wasn’t like she had a real job anymore. Other than being a vindictive old whore.

  Suddenly, it hit me—her yoga instructor lived on Destiny Beach. Mills had once told me she went there every morning for private yoga lessons to help her “find her center”—or was it chi?

  Whatever the hell it was, she’d be there. My plan quickly came together. I’d show up there and tell her how I felt. There wouldn’t be reporters or a bunch of other people lurking around. It would have to work.

  I got up and went to join Gabe in the shower. Sadly, by the time I arrived he was already getting out. “Leave me any hot water?”

  “Of course, beautiful. I’d love to stay, but I’m gonna go check on Mills. I heard her throwing up in the hall bathroom when I went to the kitchen to start the coffee. Anything we can do for her?”

  “Not really. About all I’ve been able to do is hold her hair back, but I’m sure she wouldn’t want you to do that for her.” I stepped into the shower but I left the door half open so we could talk as Gabe dried off and started getting dressed. “You headed right into the office?”

  “Yes, actually, I am. You want to ride with me. My mom will be here if Mills needs anything.”

  “I’m sure she’ll be fine here or Dad can come get her if things have settled down over at the house. I’ll take my own car because I have to make a pit stop. I want to stop by Jack Rogers this morning and get some new work clothes. You need anything?”

  “Just you! Don’t be long, though. I want the employees to see you are back at work and that everything is taken care of.”