He proceeds to go around, kissing their cheeks one by one, but when he gets to Emma, he places his hand on her hip for a kissthat seems a little less friendly and more intimate. And for some unknown reason, my jaw clenches as I watch him.
Gabe comes in behind and pushes Noah out of the way. “Emma, I heard you’re back on the market,” he says with a wink as he wraps his arm around her waist with my daughter still on her hip. “You know, I always had a soft spot for you, but now? You’re bringing all my fantasies to life.” He looks down at Gracie. “Hey, princess. Quite the lucky girl, aren’t you?” he adds, booping her nose with his finger.
Both these men are extreme womanizers. The only difference between both is that Gabe is an open and direct flirt, while Noah is more discreet with his flirting tactics.
Emma laughs in his hold, throwing her head back like what he said is the funniest damn thing. Anger rises within me, and I’m filled with a need to rip him off her. I don’t understand this feeling. I’m not attracted to Emma at all. Yes, she’s a beautiful woman; any man with eyes would agree. But I’ve never once thought of her inappropriately.
Although I can’t help but think about our earlier encounter.
I saw her checking me out when I came down, felt her, and I didn’t mind it for a second. Something shifted in that moment, but I can’t seem to pinpoint what exactly.Actually, something started shifting when I saw those marks on her arms and was ready to commit murder.
When she was standing before me with her parted lips that always look like they’re painted dark pink when it’s their natural color, I couldn’t stop myself from staring at them. Wondering what those puffy pillows would feel like if I touched them.
What the hell is happening to me?
Her pupils dilated in that moment, clear arousal running through her. Her reaction was what made me snap out of whatever that was. And then when my fingers ran over hers, itwas like I’d put my finger in a power socket. An electrical shock spread up my arm and through my veins.
That’s never happened before.
I clear my throat and force the angry scowl to vacate my features. “Beer?” I nod toward the newcomers.
Gabe lets go of Emma,finally,and struts over to my coffee machine. “Nope, but coffee would be deeply appreciated. We had quite the night after the game. Didn’t we?” He looks back with a knowing smirk at Noah.
He chuckles and shakes his head, looking down at his feet. “That we did.”
Gabe goes to the cabinet that holds the cups and reaches for Emma’s favorite mug. “Not that one,” I say on instinct.
He frowns at me, then looks back at the mug. “Why?”
“Because I said not that one.”
He rolls his eyes but grabs two different mugs. “Whatever, man.”
I turn my gaze to Emma, who regards me fondly. She smiles and mouths, “thank you,” and I simply nod in response.
I don’t know what her deal with that ugly creation is, but she’s extremely protective of it. Just yesterday morning I went to set it in the dishwasher, and she nearly had a fit when she saw and threatened to castrate me if I ever did that again.Freaking crazy, that woman.
My door opens once more, and the main reason for this get-together walks in. My baby sister, Aubrey, followed by her new roommate and friend, Veronica. “Hi, guys. Sorry we’re late. I’m not used to driving a big truck like that.” Aubrey comes over and kisses my cheek, then wanders to my daughter.
“How’s my favorite niece?” She plants a kiss on the top of her head, then looks up at the woman holding her. “Hey, Em. I’m glad you’re back, we’ve missed you.” She side hugs her tenderly.
“It’s good to be back. I’ve missed you too, baby Brey,” Emma says with a slight tremble to her voice, the only real sign of emotions surfacing.
I don’t buy her‘I’m perfectly fine and over my relationship’bullshit. That first night when I came to her room, I saw the look in her eyes before she wiped it away. I saw the pain and vulnerability shining in them, the doubts and fears, and the insecurities. Emma can keep faking being happy with all our friends, but I know it’s just a mask, and I won’t let her pretend with me.
The girls smile at each other when a loud gasp is heard. “Well, hot damn!” We all turn to Gabe, who’s gaping at Veronica with a hand held over his heart like he might be having a stroke.
“Baby Ford, have you been hiding this beautiful vixen from me this whole time?” he says to my sister, then walks over to Veronica, taking her hand in his.
“Hey, I’m Gabriel. Famous goaltender for the New York Griffins.”
Oh God, please tell me that’s not seriously his pickup line?Silas, Clay, and I all groan simultaneously as he kisses her hand.
“How about you and I spend some alone time after we’re done here?” he continues just as a throat clears next to him. Noah. “Unless you don’t mind my friend here joining us,” he tells her with his signature grin that makes all the women he tries to conquer melt.
A giggle leaves Veronica’s lips while she closes her eyes and tilts her head down timidly. If I know anything about Ronnie, it’s that she’s far from timid.It’s all an act.Gabe’s smile widens. He clearly doesn’t hear the diabolical tone in her laugh.
She finally opens her eyes and looks up at him, fluttering her lashes seductively. She takes a step into him and rests her palms against his chest. “You know what I love?” she begins with a sultry voice. “A man who treats his woman with respect anddignity, who treats her like the queen she is. One who would do anything for her, who would give her anything her heart demands. A man who worships the ground she walks on, who attends to all her needs. All her deepest desires.”
