“Language DJ. And I think your mama would be happy to know you're on board with it.”
“I didn't really have a choice, did I?”
“Devin John!” Bella admonishes, elbowing him in the side.
“I'm kiddin’,” he says sheepishly.
“How do you know she ain't gonna be coming into town?” Bella asks, nervously.
“I brought her lunch, she doesn't have a reason to.”
“That all you gave her?” Devin says, sarcasm dripping from his lips.
“What are you talkin’ about?” I ask, confused.
He motions to the side of my neck and I swear as a 36-year-old man, it is the first time I actually blush. Do men even blush?
“Gross Daddy. Y'all aren't teenagers. Don't you know the rule? No hickies that are visible,” Bella says.
I look over at her in shock.
“That the rule, huh? How about no hickies…ever. How about we change that to, no contact with the opposite sex for another 20 years?”
My dad response is kicking in and I need to calm down. Every book I've read on being a dad to teenagers, says to pick your battles. Trust them. Be on their side. Take a deep breath, Gabriel. I look up at Bella. Her mouth is hung open and her arms are crossed over her chest.
“Forget the last five minutes. I don't want to fight, it's a happy day. Let's go.”
I open the door and follow the twins inside.
“Hello sir, can I help you?” says the skinny young man, behind the counter.
He is dressed in a tight, navy blue suit that looks like he outgrew it about five years ago.
“Uh...engagement rings?”
“Certainly. Right this way,” he says, guiding us towards the back of the store.
He motions his hands at a display and immediately, my eyes lock on one.
“Oh my God, look at that one!” Bella exclaims.
“Can we see that one?” I say, motioning to the one Bella seemed fond of.
It's the same one that caught my eye and that can't just be a coincidence. The man nods and takes the ring out of the display, handing it over for us to inspect.
Bella brings her hand up to cover her mouth and her breath hitches. I smile at her and look over to Devin. He has a small smile and he rolls his eyes.
“This is the one, right?” I ask, looking to Bella.
She nods her head quickly and jumps to hug me.
“She's gonna love it,” she whispers.
I nod and tell the young man that we need it in a size 7. If I didn't think fate was on my side already, when the jeweler says the display ring in my hand was in fact a 7, I was convinced.
Chapter 18
Charlotte
I look around the living room and smile. My mama and Mrs. Gavinwood sit on the couch, sipping their wine, giggling at an inside joke, as if they’re teenagers again.
My father, Devin and Gabriel's dad are yelling at the TV because apparently ‘New Orleans defense sucks ass’. My mother chastises them and then goes back to her conversation with Francine.
I walk into the kitchen and see Savannah and Bella, huddled in front of the stove.
“How's it comin’ along?” I ask.
They both jump and turn to me, wide eyed.
“What are y'all up to?” I ask suspiciously.
“Nothin’,” Bella says quickly.
“We’re good to go,” Savannah finishes.
She hands me two dishes to put on the dining room table and I eye her, eyebrows furrowed.
“I'm watchin’ you,” I say.
My mother and Francine come to help us bring all the food to the kitchen table and we all sit down. I notice Gabriel missing and wonder where the hell he escaped to. Come to think of it, as soon as we finished breakfast this morning, he disappeared. I was so busy cooking, I didn't even notice.
“Where's Gabriel?” I ask out loud.
“Sorry,” he says, running into the room.
He kisses my forehead and sits down next to me, eying the table.
“I'll say Grace,” he says, putting his hands out in front of him.
What is going on with everyone today? I grab his hand and Savannah takes my other hand from the other side of me.
“Blessed father, thank you for this food and family. We are thankful for the love this family shares and are forever grateful you brought us all together again. Amen.”
I look over to Gabriel as he passes around the various dishes we have set out.
“Are you okay?” I whisper.
“Fine,” he says, not looking over to me, “Why?”
“You're shakin’ and sweatin’. Is it too hot in here? I can lower the heat.”
“I'm fine Charlotte, just eat. I have a gift for you, so eat up.”
I nod, still unconvinced. The conversation around the dinner table is easy and the smiles that are on everyone's faces, warms my heart. This was what a family dinner was supposed to be like.
After everyone has stuffed their faces to the brim, we clear the table and bring out dessert.
“Charlotte…” Francine says, stopping me in the kitchen.
“Yes?”
“I uh...I know I apologized already, but I want you to know how grateful I am for you.”
“Oh, well, thank you. The kids really are great, they practically raised themselves. I was just a bystander,” I laugh.
“Well yes, them too, but I meant with Gabriel. I can see how happy you make him, and I feel like I have that young boy back. You're good for him, Charlotte.”
She stuns me. I nod, mouth open as she moves to pull me into a hug. I wrap my arms around her tight and she squeezes me.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
She breaks the hug, smiling at me and we walk back into the dining room to enjoy dessert with the family.
A couple of hours later, as the last guest leaves, I know something is amiss. Devin has been talking to Gabriel way more than usual and he didn't make one sarcastic comment all night. Bella always seems to be whispering something to Savannah and I felt on the outs all night.
“Okay, what is goin’ on with y'all? I know somethin’ is up,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest.
Devin and Bella both look at Gabriel and he lets out a breath.
“Charlotte Daniels…” he says, walking towards me.
He drops to one knee on the floor by my feet.
Oh. My. God.
“You have always made me the happiest boy on the planet. From bein’ my first kiss to my first...well everything...” he trails off smirking.
“Okay, we’re just gonna go in our room. I'm not too sure I can unhear certain parts of this speech,” Devin says, holding up his hands.
“For the record though, we both approve,” Bella squeals.
I look up in question and Devin nods, smiling.
“Yeah, we do,” he says.
They both walk down the hall and the door closes. I look back down to Gabriel.
“So…” he says laughing. “To our first time back in high school, fumblin’ our way through our lust to now, knowin’ exactly how to navigate those waters. I made a mistake when we were kids Charlotte, a mistake I'll live with for the rest of my life. I won't make that mistake this time. You are mine, those kids are mine and we're a family. I promise you that I will love you as hard and as deep as you deserve.”
I slap him on his shoulder. “Behave.”
“What? I'm givin’ a heartfelt speech over here, you're the one with the one-track-mind,” he says smugly.
I roll my eyes and kneel down on the floor in front of him.
“Yes,” I whisper, cupping his cheek.
“I didn't even ask ya nothin’ yet.”
I kiss him hard, hard enough to knock us both on the floor and we laugh. He moves around on top of me and my back hits the cold floor and I jump.
“Charlotte Daniels, be my wife. It's not a question.”
He reaches with one hand behind him and fishes in his pocket, taking out a little bla
ck box.
“So demandin’,” I say sexily, trailing a finger down his neck, to the collar of his shirt.
“Damn right, I am,” he says roughly.
He takes the ring out of the box and I gasp as he slips it on my finger. It's a classic solitaire diamond and my eyes start to water. He cages me in underneath him, as he presses his soft lips to mine.
“Now can I say yes?” I ask, breaking the kiss.
“Even if you said no, that ring ain't goin’ anywhere, and neither am I.”
I nod and cup his cheek, failing to hold back my tears. I lift my face up and kiss him again as we hear throats clear in the hallway.
“Are we celebratin’ this as a family or should DJ and I stay at grandma and grandpa's for like...the week?” Bella asks, feigning disgust.
Gabriel and I both laugh, and he helps me to my feet and we turn to the kids.
“Family,” we say at the same time.
We all walk into the kitchen and sit down as we open up the rest of the Christmas presents and Gabriel hands me a glass of champagne. He pokes his head towards the twins and I nod.
“To bein’ a family,” Gabriel says, handing the twins each a glass.
Devin raises an eyebrow at the glass.
“It's a special occasion,” I say. “One glass ain't gonna hurt anyone. And don't act like y'all dont drink like fish when you're not in the house,” I say, with my hand on my hip.
Devin and Bella try to hide their smirks and we all clink glasses.
“To bein’ a family,” Devin repeats.
An hour later, Gabriel and I are walking down the hall to the bedroom and he pulls on my hand. He shuts the door quick, locking the door and pushing me gently against it.
“You made me the happiest man alive tonight,” he says kissing from the base of my neck up to my ear.
“Wait I can't...how are we gonna do this Gabriel? I can't not see you every day. Houston is far.”
“I'm leavin’. Savannah already offered me a job. I'll be internin’ until I can finish my degree,” he says, still kissing up my neck. “Double Play was actually our plan when we were younger, if baseball didn't work out for me.”
“Yeah, she told me that. Wait, who are you internin’ with?” I ask breathlessly.
“Don't be jealous, but she's so fuckin’ sexy,” he says with a smirk.
“You're not!” I say, pushing him away so that I can see his face.
“I am. You may be my boss at Double Play, but don't you ever forget I'm the boss in here,” he says in a low and rough tone.
He rips up my shirt and squeezes my breast through the thin material of my bra. I moan at the contact but quickly clamp my mouth shut.
“I...the walls are thin, Gabriel,” I manage to rasp out.
“I can help with that,” he says saucily.
He backs away from me and moves to his backpack against the wall. He takes out a navy blue tie with yellow stripes and walks back over to me. I eye him with confusion.
“This will help with the noise or if you can keep that pretty little mouth shut on your own, I can tie you up with it instead?”
I nod and put my wrists out in front of me. He smiles and slowly folds one side of the tie over the other, wrapping my wrists and pulling both ends through the middle. He walks me backwards against the door and pulls my hands high above my head. He fastens the tie on the door rack that's meant for my coats, but considering Louisiana is not normally very cold, I only have one hanging on the side.
He pulls on the tie and so do I. I feel my body burn in anticipation. I'm completely at his mercy and it thrills me. My body is on pins and needles as his fingers trail up the side of my ribs to the underside of my breast. I gasp at the soft touch and I feel a small puddle forming in my panties. He reaches around me to unclip my bra and he pulls it up above my eyes, tying it behind my head and my vision goes dark.
“Just feel,” he says against my ear.
His unexpected breath makes me jump and he laughs.
“You're marryin’ me Charlotte, ya gotta trust me.”
He kisses down my neck, across my collar bone to the other side. His lips trail softly down to my breast and when his mouth closes over my nipple, I moan.
“Thin walls,” he says biting my nipple.
“Shit,” I say breathlessly.
I feel him pull my jeans and thong down and I step out of them. His fingers trace my clit and I jump, squealing.
“You're freezin’,” I whisper.
“Warm me up.”
He plunges a finger deep inside me and my head drops in front of me. My forehead collides with his rock hard chest and I rest it there. I'm too weak with desire to even hold it upright. He slips another finger inside of me as he traces my clit with his thumb. I bite my lip to contain my bliss, but it's impossible.
A quiet moan escapes past my teeth and he covers my moan with his mouth. His tongue plunges inside my mouth, dancing with my own for control.
I break our kiss and suck his bottom lip in my own. I bite hard and he slaps my ass then grabs it. He pulls me closer, pushing his thumb harder into my clit with the other hand.
“Don't forget who has who tied up,” he growls.
“Finish Gabriel. Please let me finish,” I whine.
I'm teetering on the brink of my orgasm and I just need one small push. He smiles against my neck as he pushes a third finger inside, stretching me further. When his mouth covers my nipple, I lose all control, biting the base of his neck to contain my moan threatening to escape.
My body rocks with ecstasy against his fingers and I feel him untie my hands from above my head. My arms drop on his shoulders and he unties my bra from around my eyes. My body is jello as he carries me to the bed.
He lays me on my back and I glance up at him as he pulls his shirt off his upper body and I'm instantly ready for him again. At thirty-six years old, this man has worshipped his body. Now it's my turn to worship it.
He pulls his jeans and boxers quick down and crawls up the bed in between my legs. He kisses up one leg then the other, quickly licking up my folds.
“I'm addicted to your taste,” he says, as his tongue enthralls me.
I grab the back of his head and pull him up to me, kissing my juices off his lips. My hand goes in between us and I guide him into me, groaning as he fills me, inch by inch.
“I love you,” I say, looking into his eyes, holding his face in my hands.
“I love you, too,” he says with a smile.
He kisses me and then pulls back as he studies my face.
He pushes inside me, slow and seductively. His sexy grin mesmerizing me.
“Let's have a baby,” he whispers.
I nod and grab his ass as I wrap my legs tighter around him but then pause when his words register.
“What?” I say, a little too loudly.
“You don't want another one?”
“I...I'll be thirty-seven soon Gabriel, it's harder as you get older, I...I don't know. I mean we haven't exactly been careful, and it hasn't happened,” I say, not realizing that I sound disappointed.
Do I want to have another baby?
“We can do treatments? I have money Charlotte.”
“We’re already candidates for twins, treatments make it even more likely.”
“You have me this time, and the kids are old enough to help us from time to time.”
“They have their own stuff to worry about and I don't know if I can do the whole baby thing again Gabriel, it's hard.”
He pushes into me, smirking.
“It is…”
This conversation derailed me so much I forgot he was even inside me. My body clenches around him and it begs to shut us up and finish what we started.
“I...can we have this conversation later?” I ask, my voice dripping with desperation.
He pushes into me and again and nods. His hands go underneath me, grabbing an ass cheek in each hand. He pulls my body to him, as he drops his forehead to my shoulder, drivi
ng into me relentlessly.
Curveball: A Second Chance Romance (Double Play Series Book 1) Page 18
