She met his gaze, and she knew the instant he realized what he’d said and the double meaning that could be applied to those words. “I don’t have a problem,” she said softly, and thrilled when his eyes darkened.
Tonight. Tonight she’d chuck her shell off again and knock on his door. If she could only have a few nights next to him, she’d pack in every second of pleasure she could.
Jackson came to his feet. The two men walked away, but not before Gabe cast one last look over his shoulder at her. Her stomach clenched. His eyes were definitely not twinkling anymore. Or if they were, it was a wholly different kind of twinkle. He swiveled his head to face forward, which was also okay, because she got to stare at that fine ass strutting its stuff.
“Hmm,” Maile said, breaking Eve’s contemplation of Gabe’s butt.
Eve jumped, having forgotten the other woman was still there. She flushed at getting caught mid-ogle. “What?”
“Nothing.” Maile carefully changed colors of yarn. “I saidhmm.”
“Nothing’s going on,” she said, and when the woman’s lips curved up, Eve kicked herself for making it clear something was indeed going on.
Damn it.
“Gabe’s a lovely boy,” Maile mused. “Very sweet, friendly. Always had a smile on his face when he was young. Rose above his beginnings.”
She tried to think of how anyone could call the huge, tattooed man sweet, but she knew it was the only thing you could call him. He was sweet. Principled. Generous. Ethical.
Some people might say the truth should come out, but she wasn’t one of those people. She respected the secrets people held. Sometimes secrets were necessary and healthier than the truth. Whether that was true for Gabe’s situation was something only he could determine.
She looked at the bag on the ground. “Do you want any more help winding yarn?”
“No, I’m fine, dear.”
Eve glanced at the shimmering lake. She hadn’t gotten to properly swim since she’d gotten here, and she suddenly, desperately craved sinking into water and letting exertion fatigue her muscles. “I was thinking of going to the lake for a little bit.”
“If anyone is looking for you, shall I send them your way?” Maile asked slyly.
She grew overheated at the thought of Gabe coming to find her. He had said he liked her swimsuit. And more importantly, she wanted him looking for her. “Yes, please.”
Chapter 20
Eve plopped down on her bed, wrapping her towel tighter around her. She’d opened her window a crack, and the laughter and conversation from downstairs trickled into her room. Everyone else was outside, enjoying dinner on the deck.
Gabe hadn’t come looking for her at the lake, but she hadn’t noticed him or Jackson at the big farmhouse-style table when she’d snuck in either, so she assumed the two of them had gotten caught up in their poker game.
She opened her messages and texted Madison. She’d been so wrapped up in all the new developments in her life, she hadn’t updated her roommate.Told my brother about my business.
She didn’t add anything about Gabe. It was too private and new. She needed time to process it.
Madison’s response came immediately.So proud of you.
Eve smiled and set the phone down. She was proud of herself too. Was it possible to feel like a different person in the space of a week?
She got to her feet as a knock came on the door. She cinched her towel tighter under her arms, frowning over the lurch in her heart.
It wasn’t Gabe. It wasn’t Gabe.She repeated the words to herself, echoing them with every step she took.
She was so certain it wouldn’t be Gabe she was genuinely startled to find him outside her door. “Oh.” She looked up at him, unable to think of anything else to say.
His gaze zipped over her. He’d showered at some point this afternoon, and changed into a pristine white T-shirt and jeans. His hair was pulled back and still wet, the red strands muted. “Maile said you came straight upstairs without eating. I brought you food.” He held out a plate, wrapped in foil.
She searched his face, but she was unable to determine if this was basic human decency, the kind of caretaking her brother might engage in, or something more. “Thank you.” She tightened the towel under her armpits and accepted the plate.
He didn’t let go, though. “Can I come in?”
“Yes.” The word maybe came out a little too fast, but she couldn’t help it. A flame lit inside her belly. Their single night together had only stoked her desire for him. She closed the door, locking it as an afterthought.
