Chapter 8
ELIJAH
“Good morning, love.”
Gabriel saunters into the kitchen, wearing a smile—and thankfully, clothes. His worn jeans and light sweatshirt are all too familiar, and as usual, he makes casual look sexy without even trying.
He greets me with a tender kiss on both cheeks, as he walks over to the cupboard and grabs another mug, placing it down beside mine.
His fingers run through his shoulder-length hair, wisping it away from his face, but those silky strands only manage to fall forward again as he takes a seat at the counter and waits contentedly as the coffee hisses and brews in the background.
I clear my raspy throat. “He’s here.”
“I know.”
“He doesn’t know about you yet,” I warn, handing over a mug of hot coffee, black—just how we like it.
He grips the mug and slots his fingers through mine, hot steam creeping up between us. Fitting, being that there’s never been any lack of steam where the two of us are concerned. A lazy smirk settles in the corner of his mouth.
“Did you sleep well, Elijah?” Those sexy gray eyes are flirty and fierce. It’s not lost on me that he completely ignored my warning.
Before I can answer, Alex rounds the corner, a bright smile stretched across his handsome face. His hair is slicked back, still damp from his shower. Navy lounge pants cling to his lean, toned body, and he’s so effortlessly sexy it should be illegal.
Those gorgeous hazel eyes are trained directly on me—or maybe it’s the cup of coffee that I’m holding out to him. But either way, he’s oblivious to Gabriel’s presence as he confidently strides over, bewitchingly shirtless, accepting his steamy mug of coffee, and placing a quick peck on my lips.
“Well, good morning.” Gabriel snickers boldly from his place at the kitchen island.
Alex’s mug stalls midway to his lips, and I have to bite back a laugh because I know exactly what Gabriel is doing. He’s totally fucking with him. And instead of stopping him, I let it play out, choosing to test his limits and enjoy the torment I know my husband is about to unleash.
Gabriel blows lightly on his coffee, then takes a sip, his eyes dancing with amusement. “You look… remarkably refreshed this morning.”
Alex’s eyes widen at Gabriel’s bright ones.
And that’s my cue.
I slide between them, severing their standoff before Alex has another meltdown. “Alex, this is Gabriel,” I say quickly, adding with pointed emphasis, “Ana’s dad.”
I shoot Gabriel a warning look, but he only grins wider, delighted by the chaos.
“I believe he’s blushing,” Gabriel teases, not missing a beat.
My glare does nothing to slow him down. He pats the stool next to him with exaggerated charm.
“Come. Sit next to me, Alex. I promise I won’t bite…
” His smile sharpens. “Unlike Elijah, who I assume is responsible for those very impressive hickeys on your neck.”
Okay, game over.
I shoot daggers at Gabriel, then turn back to Alex, whose mug is still frozen midair. Gently, I pry it from his stiff grip.
Finally—finally—Gabriel decides to play nice. He extends a hand, his expression slipping into something more sincere.
“It’s lovely to meet you, Alex. And I apologize for intruding on your morning. I just stopped by to see my daughter.”
His eyes flick to mine, then back to Alex, the smile on his face warm and disarming, and thankfully—effective. I watch the tension ease from Alex’s shoulders as he sets his mug down and reaches out to shake Gabriel’s hand.
“It’s quite alright,” Alex replies. “I actually feel like we’ve met before. I was just telling Elijah… you look familiar.”
Gabriel’s grin sharpens. “Ah, so you like the way I look, sí?”
I groan under my breath. “He didn’t say that, Gabriel,” I cut in, shooting him a warning before he veers down that road of lewd behavior again.
Alex chuckles, lifting his mug for a slow sip, clearly trying to appear unbothered by the playful lashing Gabriel just put him through. “Mmm, this is delicious, he says, lifting a brow. Is that nuts I taste?”
I hold up the orange-and-black bag of beans, hearing Gabriel spit out his coffee. “Café Bonito. Comes straight from the farms of Puerto Rico.”
“So, Alex,” he says, clearing his throat, and I immediately brace myself, grinding my teeth, already regretting not gagging him earlier. “It’s fitting that we finally meet. I’m taking my daughter to Spain for the summer, and she’s asked to bring Emilee along.”
He leans back leisurely, crossing his legs.
Alex stiffens just slightly, but he keeps his voice smooth. “Is that so?” He glances at me, then back at Gabriel. “Emilee’s always wanted to visit Spain. I was hoping to take her myself, one day.”
“Well, she’s more than welcome to come with us,” Gabriel says, ever the gracious charmer. “My parents live there as well, and I assure you the girls will be well cared for… isn’t that right, Elijah?”
I slip an arm around Alex’s waist and press a soft kiss to the dimple on his cheek. God help me, I want to lick it—but I think I’ll save that for later.
“Gabriel’s family is lovely,” I say sweetly. “And Ana would be thrilled to have Emilee join her for the summer.”
A faint blush rises on Alex’s cheeks as he turns back to Gabriel. “Well… okay. I’ll talk to her about it later today. And thank you for the invitation. That’s very kind of you.”
“My pleasure,” Gabriel says—with a wink, of course. This man is one wink away from wearing my latte.
He uncrosses his legs with all the smugness of a man who knows exactly what he’s doing and stands. “Emilee’s always been a joy to have around. And Ana’s spoken very highly of you, Alex. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other.”
Another wink. Another one.
Before I commit a minor felony with my coffee mug, he turns to me. “Elijah, I’ve got to run a quick errand, but tell Ana I’ll be back for her later this morning.”
I set my mug down next to Alex’s and exhale deeply, like someone who just survived an ambush.
“Will do, mi amor,” I reply, shooting him a tight smile that he pretends to miss.