Gabriel settles into the seat across from me. “It belongs to Elijah and me, yes.”
Yeah. Should have seen that coming.
“He hasthreeof these in Spain, Dad!” Emilee chimes in from the front of the car.
Gabriel chuckles, taking a long pull from the bottleneck. “Actually, we only have one. The other two are Rolls-Royce cars.”
“They’re super cool, Dad. Maybe the next time we go to Spain, you can come with us.”
I cringe, watching Gabriel’s mouth stretch into a warm smile, like he’s truly not bothered by her impromptu invite, even though I most definitely am.
“Ana, love, would you mind sliding the divider up? I need to speak privately with Alex.”
“Sure, Papi.”
A thick tinted-glass partition soundlessly glides up, and now we’re alone.
Wonderful.
I run my fingers nervously through my hair and then send them skating across my bouncing thighs.
I must look a mess.
“Nah, I think you look sexy as fuck,” Gabriel gushes, and my cheeks flush in embarrassment by my obvious failure at keeping my thoughts to myself, yet again. I shift in my seat and take a heavy swallow of beer, attempting to look relaxed, but I’m anything but.
“So, Elijah sent you to save us?”
“I wouldn’t go that far.” He grabs two more beers, pops the tops, and holds one out. I drain the last of mine, reach for the second, and catch another smile spreading across his ridiculously handsome face as he sinks back into his seat.
“Is something funny?” That’s a loaded question, especially with him, but I’ve never been so irritated by a smile in my life.
“Do you not like my smile?”
“I like your smile just fine, Gabriel. I just don’t appreciate it when it’s aimed at me.” I scowl, setting the bottle down on my bouncing leg.
His smile widens. “Well, that’s a damn shame. So, tell me then, what exactly would you like me to aim at you?”
Ugh, this fucking guy.
I hold my beer out to the side as we take a sharp corner—thank fuckthis ride is over. I set the bottle down and shift sideways just as the car takes another turn into the underground garage.
“Ana, sweetheart,” Gabriel lowers the partition just an inch. “Tell your father that Alex and I will be up shortly. We’re just finishing our conversation.”
“Okay, Papi,” she singsongs.
I scoot forward. “Emilee, wait right there.” I reach for the door, jaw tight with irritation, then pause, turning back to meet Gabriel’s gaze head-on. “This conversation is over.” I glare at him,reallyglare, hoping my eyes might burn a hole right through his smug face. Apparently, they do, just not in the way I intended.
His tongue sweeps slowly across his curvy lips as I yank the handle. I’ve had enough.
“Close the door, Alex.”
“Gabriel…”
“Please. Would youpleaseclose the door?”
He runs his hand through his hair, and for a moment, something in his eyes shifts. Not that they were hard before, but…
Against my better judgment, I lean forward and shut the door.
