“Shit. Okay. Okay. Let me return his clothes and get a bite to eat, then I’ll run home and pack a bag for the night because it sounds like we’ll be staying here again. I need to check in with Trevor and make sure he doesn’t need any help, and then I’ll come right back here to do all the things,” I concede.
Andi tilts her head, spearing me with that look. The one that says she knows what I’m up to. “You don’t think you’re actually going to get out of here without running into the sexy, growly, bearded bastard, do you?” My jaw drops open at her description of Gabe, but she’s quick to throw out, “Hey, those were your words last night. I’m just repeating what you said. You were a mixture of pissed the hell off and take-me-Daddy, I’m-yours.” She places her hand on her chest and bats her eyelashes. “Personally, I think you should’ve let him bend you over the bed and rail you into the next week, but I’ve never been good at giving sound advice when drinking, so maybe your way was the right one. I don’t think so though, judging by all the tension in your shoulders. I bet he could’ve loosened that all up for you.” She gestures with a wave of her hand to my entire body. I flip her off, knowing it’s the only right response and the one she won’t be offended by because it’s how we say,I love you.
“I’m not trying to leave undetected. But I don’t want to have a long conversation either. As you’ve pointed out, we have a busy day and a lot to get done in a short amount of time.”
Lies.
Not wanting to argue against the fact that my best friend is right, I grab a quick shower and wrap a towel around myself. When I come back into the room, Andi hops up from the bed, passing me on her way to the bathroom. I grab my dress off the chair and make quick work of getting myself dressed. This is not the outfit I would’ve chosen for today, with the low-cut neckline and mid-thigh split. But it will have to do until I can get home and change into something more comfortable.
And warmer.
Looking out the window, I see that it looks cold and cloudy. The men outside are moving their bikes into one of the barns to protect them in case it rains, I’m sure. The two younger guys, prospects like Trevor, have bundled themselves up in thick winter coats.
“Shit,” I grumble. “Oh, well. At least my car has heat.”
I don’t wait for Andi to let her know I’m going to find Gabe. She knows my plans, and I just need to get this over with as quickly as possible. I head down the hall, past the main room where some of the guys have gathered and are eating breakfast. Avery looks like she’s hungover this morning. Sadie, however, isstill wearing the same shit-eating grin as last night, while Hawk looks like the pouty man-child awaiting his punishment. Declan is talking to Mack while Violet looks pale as a ghost. She’s got her hand up just under her nose, and I’m willing to bet the smell of her food is turning her stomach. The poor girl. I don’t know how Declan hasn’t caught on yet. If he had been paying close attention last night, he would’ve caught on to the fact that she was the only sober one at the party. She was drinking mocktails all night and never slurred a single word. I can’t say the same for the rest of us.
Even Everly had a few drinks, which I was glad to see. She never lets herself have any fun. She’s always so serious. I remember those days. Being young and a mother wasn’t easy. Although it’s slightly different with Kaylie being her little sister, the responsibility is still the same. Everly is still her guardian, the one in charge of her care, all while trying to run her own business and find her own way. So yeah, I was happy to see her having a little fun.
I’m almost to Gabe’s room when I see one of the club girls coming out of what I know is his door, smiling and holding a pair of his jeans and his bedsheets. I pass by her and fling his door open, surprised to find him dripping wet wearing nothing but a towel around his waist, scrubbing the water from his hair with another. I’m momentarily stunned by the ripped muscles of his upper body contracting with every single movement. A show of hard work and dedication to his physique. My mouth waters at the sight.
Gabe catches me staring and smiles. “Like what you see, Vixen?”
“Stop calling me that.” It comes out more of a whisper than the harsh retort I had planned. Gabe’s smile widens. His hand resting on the knot at the side of his towel. He tosses the othertowel into his hamper. His stance is relaxed, but I see the predator in him staring back at me.
Don’t give in, Linzie.
I clear my throat in an attempt to clear my head. “I came to bring this back.” His shirt hangs in my hand outstretched between us.
“You should keep it. I have plenty. Besides,” He steps forward, and I instinctively step back, shaking my head. “It looks better draped over you anyway.”
My hand shoots up between us, halting his steps. “I don’t want it. I came to return it, and then I’m going to go. I have a busy day ahead, and I need to get out of here.”
“Out of here?” he asks, puzzled. His arms cross his chest again, and the exasperated look he gets returns. “Out of the clubhouse? Or out of here, as in my room?”
“Here. Both. I just—I need to go. I can’t do this.” I drop the shirt and start for the door, only to have his hand grip my elbow and spin me back to face him. Gabe’s nostrils flare, and his eyes roam my body from head to toe.
“What are you running from, Linzie?”
“I’m not running. I don’t want this. Us. You.”
“I never took you for a liar.” That has my hackles raised.
I don’t deny the lie. It wouldn’t change anything at this moment anyway. “I never took you for a man who fucks club whores. At least that’s what you led me to believe, but I guess we’re both delusional in our beliefs.”
Gabe’s head snaps back. I lose the touch of his hand on my elbow as he takes a step back to glare at me. “What the hell are you talking about? Idon’tscrew around with club girls. I’m too old for that shit. And I haven’t fucked anyone since the last time I fuckedyou. So, tell me again, what are you running from?”
The towel at his waist starts to slip, and I catch the movement out of the corner of my eye. Gabe must notice, because he grips itwith his hand. His brows are raised, expecting an answer I can’t give him, because I don’t know.
“I need to go.” I move toward the door again. Gabe moves faster, reaching the door before me and slamming his hand against it above my head, startling me.
“What you need to do is turn around and talk to me.” His voice is deep, rich, full of need.
Deciding I need to shut this down. I saw the woman leaving his room and how happy she was in her barely-there clothing. Doesn’t she know it’swinter,for Christ’s sake? No one dresses in skimpy clothes when you can see your breath in a puff of air before your face.
I ignore the fact that my current state of dress would suggest my own idiocy about the cold, but I’m not talking about me.
I spin around to face Gabe and tell him one last time that I’m done here, but the moment my face is in front of his, Gabe’s fingers wrap around the back of my neck, gripping me hard. It’s a possessive move, and I can’t find it in me to fight it. His chest pressing into mine. His hips hold me in place, while his lips descend on mine in a searing kiss.
