“Yes,” I breathe.
He lifts me effortlessly and sits me against the windowsill. It’s the first time I feel just how strong he is. Our wet clothes cling to our bodies and the humid air hangs around us like a fog. Gabe pushes my legs apart and finds the space between them as he leans against me. A small gasp of surrender escapes my lips as I feel his weight against me.
This is so hot.
Even though I admittedly tend to be attracted to the bad boys, they’ve never been bad in the way I wanted them to be. They’ve never been ‘secret sexy makeout session in the parlor’ bad.
Slipping my hands onto the collar of his shirt, I pull him closer. Without missing a beat, his lips meet mine, kissing me ferociously. We connect desperately, hungrily. His hands travel down my body as his lips find my ear.
“You’re so hot.” His hot breath bathes my neck.
Something squeezes inside me. Licking the spot on his neck where his pulse is throbbing, I taste the saltiness of his skin.
“Touch me,” he whispers.
Placing my hand on his chest, I move down his shirt until I reach the hard bulge in his jeans. My touch causes a deep moan to escape his throat.
“Amber…”
He touches me with tender aggression as if he can’t wait any longer. Kissing me again, he intensifies the pressure of his bulge against my hand. I can feel everything. As I move my hand, he closes his eyes and exhales with pleasure before looking down at the wet shirt clinging to my chest.
“Too many clothes,” he says.
Pawing at my shirt, he pulls it down over my shoulders, exposing a lacy pink bra and glistening cleavage. He looks into my eyes and I nod gently. Peeling the pink fabric down, his fingers brush softly against my hardened nipples as he exposes me to the air. I shudder with pleasure under his touch. Dropping his head, Gabe releases a deep, animal-like groan as he seals his mouth over my nipple. As his mouth explores my breasts, his hands move over my thighs.
“Oh my… Gabe… That feels so—” I drop my head back and press it against the window, feeling as if I’m going to come before either of us even take off our pants.
Gabe grabs my shorts and pulls them further and further down until he pulls them off completely. His hand presses against my panties, warming me instantly. A thrill moves up through my body as I arch into his touch.
“Does that feel good?” His lips find my ear.
I moan in response.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” He smirks. “I’m going to take my time if that’s alright.”
Biting my lip, I nod.
Sitting back against the window, I relax as his lips travel down my neck and over my breasts. Peeling my panties off, he exposes me to the humid air. Pushing my legs further apart, he disappears between my legs. I feel him breathe hot against me as his tongue licks delicate circles over heated flesh. I stiffen under him but he tightens his grip, holding my legs in place to prevent me from squirming. His tongue does magical things to me until I’m biting my lip and curling my toes. I start humming quietly under my breath.
“Are you okay?” He lifts his head to look at me.
“So good.”
He stares at me for a moment.
“What?” I ask.
“You were singing.”
I swallow. “I know. It’s the only way I can distract myself from… you know…”
In the darkness I see him smirking. That smug face of his—he’s going to bring this up again, I just know it. God, I wish I could keep my damn mouth shut.
He smirks as his eyes study mine. “You just can’t help yourself, can you?”
“Will you get back down there already?”
He smiles again before lowering his head and sealing his mouth over me, making me squirm once again. Closing my eyes, I lean my head back against the window, enjoying what his tongue and calloused fingers can do. His tongue draws circles around me until I’m biting back a moan. My wet feet slip against the floorboards as I instinctively grip the windowsill. I give an involuntary groan which makes him tighten his grip and move faster and with more purpose. I angle my hips, giving him better access. He goes deeper, faster.
Yes. Yes.
“Gabe—wait… wait.” Resting my hands on his smooth, muscular shoulders, I pull him up.
“Done already?” He asks, examining my expression. “I was just getting started.”
“I need you,” I whisper breathlessly. I’m drunk on euphoria.
His lips curl into a devilish smirk. “I didn’t think I could get you to beg.”
“Oh, shush.” I’m already unbuttoning his jeans.
“Okay boss.”
Pulling back, he grabs the back of his shirt and pulls it off over his head. In the dim light, I admire his defined abs, the low-hanging jeans, and the silhouette of excitement waiting underneath. Throwing the shirt aside, he looks at me. His unbridled masculinity is impossible not to admire. Those muscular arms, that strong chest… every part of him is just begging to be touched. As I lift my hand, I see the scars on his chest. Placing my fingers on them, he stops me.
I look into his dark eyes. “It’s okay.”
He hesitates before releasing my hand. Leaning in, I gently kiss the raised skin on his scars. He lets out a soft noise. Looking up, I make eye contact with him. Keeping my gaze on him, I slowly push his jeans and boxers off. As I pull back, I catch a glimpse of his naked body in the dim light. Sucking on my lip, I look back up at him. He grabs my hand, interlacing our fingers once again as he presses me back against the window, pinning me with his hips. Leaning in, he kisses my neck. With my free hand, I reach down and take him in my hands. He drops his head against me as I attempt to give him a portion of the magical feeling that he gave me.
“Fuccck,” he moans, his words dipped in desire.
“That feel good?”
He pushes harder into my hand. “I can’t wait anymore.”
Pulling my hand away, he grabs my thighs and pushes me against the window. He presses his body against mine. His velvety skin is pressing hard against my belly. His lips are on mine again. He tastes sweet, warm, perfect. My body is throbbing, singing, aching for him.
His fingers move up my inner thighs. “Are you ready for me?”
“Yes,” I whisper. “I want you inside me.”
Several different emotions flicker across his face. Desire. Lust. Need. Love? The way he’s looking at me right now is more than I can stand.
His eyes lock with mine. “Are you sure about this?”
I pull him closer. “Please don’t make me beg again.”
A devilish look flashes in his eyes and he smirks. “I think you just did.”
“Shh.”
Smiling, he lifts me slightly, positioning me to accommodate him. Pushing slowly, he slips against the area between my legs… but not inside, not yet. He moves gently, teasing me.
“Gabe.” I curl my toes.
Reaching for my chin, he angles me so that I’m looking into his eyes. Meanwhile, he continues teasing me, moving slowly… so slowly I can’t stand it.
He breathes hot against my ear. “Does that feel good, Phoenix?”
“Inside,” I moan. “Please.”
With a slow push, he slides all the way inside, giving me a sense of fullness, a sense of relief. His lips are inches from mine as he watches the expression on my face as I feel him for the first time. Rain pounds against the window as I let out a slow moan of pleasure. Pushing the hair out of my eyes, he stays inside me, allowing me to adjust to his size. Lightning flashes outside, allowing me to see the desire in his eyes as he stares at me. His dark eyes, his full lips… all I want to do is kiss him. Leaning forward, my lips connect with his and I finally move my hips, giving him permission to start building a rhythm. We move slow and hot until the beads of rain on our bodies are replaced with beads of sweat. We connect in a way that I never thought possible. Wrapping my legs around him, I pull him in deeper, pressing my body against his. He moves with such vigor that I
moan until my voice is indistinguishable from the storm outside.
“Amber,” he breathes into my ear.
I unravel at the sound of my name on his tongue. My fingers dig into his back as I lose myself. My body squeezes around him and he stiffens before releasing. We ride the wave together. When it finally crashes, he leans his forehead against mine. Trembling, my boneless body melts against him. He holds me in his arms as we lean against the window in exhaustion. Our heavy breathing competes in a chaotic rhythm with the rain pounding against the windows outside.
“That was… that was crazy,” I say when I finally catch my breath. Endorphins are still pumping through my body. “That felt like…”
I stop myself.
He catches my gaze. “Like what?”
I swallow. “That felt like more than sex.”
He looks at me with a lusty stare.
“Yeah,” he says finally. “Way more.”
The look in his eyes is so deep that I’m afraid I might fall in. I bite my lip and look away.
“What is it?” He lifts my chin so that I’m looking at him again.
“I hope this doesn’t change anything between us.”
“Oh, Phoenix.” He laughs. There’s a devilish twinkle in his eye as he pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. “This is going to change everything between us.”
18
A NEW LIFE
Gabriel
When the early morning sun shines into my room, I wake up and look at Amber who is sleeping in my arms. She fits perfectly against my body. Smiling to myself, I hold her tighter against me. Her bare skin feels good against mine.
“Mmm,” she moans and smiles even though her eyes are still closed. She presses into me as I kiss her cheek.
“Gabe?”
“Hmm?”
“I’m gonna play at the festival.” She looks up at me. “Whether I get on that list or not.”
I prop myself up so that I can see her easier. “Yeah?”
“I mean, I already have one song. I just need two more. All I need after that is a way to get to New York City, and a way to somehow get on stage. I’ve got four weeks to figure out how to do all that.” She sighs as she presses her palms against her eyes and buries her face against my shoulder. “This sucks because I already did all those things… Chuck did nothing… And now I have to do it all again.”
Anger swells inside me at the thought of her shitty band and the way those guys treated her. The thought of anyone treating her so disrespectfully drives me crazy.
“It’s okay.” I hold her tighter and kiss her forehead. “Things will work out. We’ll make sure of it.”
“How?”
“You can write two more songs in your sleep, I know you can. Besides, you’ve already been working on stuff. Don’t think I’m not listening to you when you’re strumming away in the parlor.”
She smiles. “That’s true. But what about the Rock Heart Festival? I still have to find a way to get them to listen to my new stuff. And even if I’m on the list, seventy people have to drop out. Ugh.”
“We’ll figure it out.” I sweep the hair out of her face. “I’ll help make sure you play at that festival, even if you’re playing outside the gates.”
What am I saying? I can’t leave this place. I’d be recognized the second I set foot in public. The public, the media, and my father would descend on me like hawks. I’d lose all my privacy again, and right now everything is so nice, so peaceful. If I had it my way, I’d stay here forever—with Amber. But I know she’s not going to stay here. Not for long, anyway.
Amber pulls back and looks at me. A myriad of different emotions I can’t quite pinpoint flash over her face.
“You really want to help me?” She asks. “I mean, I know this is my mess. I don’t mind having to figure it out for myself. But if you want to come with me, I won’t say no…”
“I want to,” I say, speaking against my better judgment.
“You’d leave this place for me?”
Nodding, I kiss her again. “I’d follow you anywhere, Phoenix.”
I play it cool even though my head is swimming. The world thinks I’m engaged to Sophie Dawson. Amber is probably the only person on this Earth who doesn’t know that. A cold feeling drips down into my stomach. I’m going to have to tell her the truth sooner or later.
“Why are you helping me with this?” She asks.
Why am I helping her with this?
“Because I care about you, Phoenix,” I say. “If you care about the festival, then so do I.”
The words tumble out of me. I’m not thinking but I don’t care. All I want is to help her, to make her happy. Her big dreamy eyes look up at me and I finally see hope.
“We’re gonna do this,” I say. “I’m in this with you now. I’ll help you get to that festival”
Slowly, she smiles and nods. Lifting her head off the pillow, she presses her lips aganist mine.
19
SWEET MUSIC
Amber
Breakfast is served early that morning. Gabe and I exchange secret glances over blueberry jam toast while Marigold talks about last night’s storm. Meanwhile, Rita is trying to eat and read at the same time. Gabe and I play footsies under the table, stopping whenever Rita looks up from her book and casts a suspicious glance in our direction.
“What are you smiling about?” Rita watches us like a hawk.
I straighten my posture. “Nothing. I’m just thinking about a new song I want to write.”
“Oh, wonderful!” Marigold says. “What is it about?”
“It’s about… finding someone special.”
“That sounds lovely.” Marigold looks at Gabe. “And what will you be working on today now that you’re done the cabinets?”
“Oh, I think I have a new project in mind.”
“Care to share what it is?”
He shakes his head. “It’s a surprise.”
“I love surprises!” Rita says.
Gabe keeps his dangerous gaze on me. I smile as I look away.
“There it is again!” Rita says. “You guys keep smiling.”
Gabe turns to her. “There’s nothing wrong with smiling.”
“That’s right.” Marigold butters her toast. “Smiling is a silent way to say hello.”
Gabe looks at me at again.
Well, hello.
“Thirsty?” He raises a jug of lemonade.
I suppress a laugh as I put my glass out. “Always.”
He fills it to the top and I take a long, slow refreshing sip.
“The humidity from all these storms has allowed my roses and perennials to flourish,” Marigold says. “You should all take a look while they’re at their peak.”
“Been there, done that,” Rita says, accomplishing the impressive feat of reading, eating breakfast, and throwing snark at Marigold all at the same time.
I watch Gabe as he sips his glass. His dark eyes are on me just as they usually are. I’m trying not to be too obvious but, with him, it’s hard not to be flirty. The smirk on those lips… I know exactly what he’s thinking about.
Sipping my juice, I feel the citrus and sweetness dance across my tongue. I eat quickly in the hopes that I can finish my daily chores and work on my new song. The quicker I work on new material, the quicker we can figure out a plan to get out of here. After all, the festival is only four short weeks away. I have a lot of work to do, and it’ll be extra difficult focusing when Gabe’s piercing eyes are promising an encore of last night’s performance.
Throughout the day, I catch glimpses of Gabe out in the backyard. Just seeing him causes butterflies to dance in my belly.
“What are you looking at?” Rita asks.
“Nothing.” I pull away, embarrassed by my lack of self control. Ever since we had sex, we’ve been finding moments to have lots of secret meetings throughout the day. Additionally, there are lots of late nights spent sneaking in and out of his room.
I can’t deny the chemistry between
us. All I can think about is the life that waits for us back in the real world. I just can’t wait to write and record more music, to find my voice again. And I can’t wait to start creating a life with Gabe. It feels silly thinking about those things, especially since I swore off relationships completely after the whole Chuck fiasco. But Gabe is uncharted waters. Deep, mysterious uncharted waters… and I want to jump in.
Over the next week, I manage to balance doing chores, recording music, and meeting up for trysts with Gabe. We manage to thwart Rita’s spying eyes by meeting up throughout the day in the basement cellar, the attic, and even the shed outside. I never realized how hot just making out could be, but Gabe manages to make a lot of things hotter than I expect them to be.
When I’m not with him, I find myself smiling and floating around the house. Music is coming easily to me and I’m putting together all sorts of fun sounds. I’m playing beats on my laptop, layering them, looping them, breaking them down, and building them back up. Playing the song over and over again, I make sure it sounds exactly how I want it to sound. Listening to the beat on my headphones while I do my chores, I sing different melodies out loud, testing them and seeing if they taste good in my mouth. Every so often I’ll have a moment of genius and I’ll run to my laptop and record it right away, adding it to the mix. It only takes a few days to have a full song written and recorded. And it’s good. So good that I decide to record a video for it. That way, the Rock Heart Festival people will remember me when they hear the new song.
My new song.
That feels good to say. I don’t have a guaranteed spot at the festival but I have an awesome new song, and I can’t help but feel proud of myself. It’s my music, my way. No more compromising.
Putting on my cute black daisy dress, I twist my hair into two braids. I sit outside on the stone bench near the rose bushes. The sun is shining bright and the birds are chirping. Distant cicadas buzz a high pitch that grow louder with each rising degree. Tall trees sway with the breeze. The muted velvet red rose bushes are beautiful and flourishing. Everything feels perfect.
“What are you doing out here looking so cute?” A voice asks.
Smirking to myself, I turn around and look at Gabe. He’s smiling, showing off his dimples. I can tell he was working because his white shirt has sawdust on it and his unruly dark hair is matted to his damp forehead. He uses the back of his hand to push it out of his face.
Chase: A Secret Millionaire Romance Novel Page 14
