Chapter Fifteen
The next morning was almost afternoon by the time Gabe woke. The bright sun shone through the curtains, a stark contrast to the last few days of gloom and storms. He stretched his body and his muscles protested the movement, but he persisted, his body more relaxed after.
He reached out to where Devlin should be sleeping and touched only an empty space. He sat up in bed as he heard running water in the bathroom. Throwing on a pair of boxers, he made his way to the bathroom door and when he gave a light knock, a muffled “come in” sounded from inside.
He opened the door and was pleased to find Devlin at the sink wrapped in a towel that reached the top of her thighs. She was brushing her teeth and stopped at the sight of him, finished, then flashed him a smile.
“Well good morning,” she said as he came up to her, kissing her.
“Did you know it’s almost afternoon?” Gabe asked as he started his own routine, not surprised in the least at how comfortable he was with Devlin’s presence. In one short day he could already picture himself waking up with her on a much more permanent basis.
“I’m glad. After yesterday you needed your rest.”
He grabbed a bottle of shaving cream and started lathering it on his face. “You did put me through a lot, both afternoon and last night.”
Devlin punched his bare shoulder. “You know what I mean—all the time you spent outside removing the snow.”
He grinned. “I only want to remember the glorious removal of other things.”
She cocked her head as she looked him over, then picked up the razor off the counter. “May I?” she asked. “I’ve never shaved anyone before, and I’ve always wanted to try it.”
Surprise washed over Gabe. “I’ve never been shaved, but if you want to, go ahead.”
He put his hands on Devlin’s waist and helped her to sit on the large counter, parting her knees so he could get close enough to her. He swallowed hard, arousal shooting through him at their intimate position. He stood statue still while she ran the razor over his face. He needed to move, though, needed to be connected with her body, so he braced his hands on her bare thighs, this touch apparently causing her only momentary lapse of concentration. She made adorable little huffs of breath as she focused, running the blade under a stream of water before continuing after each stroke. Occasionally her tongue would dart out to wet her lips and he stared, mesmerized by that little action.
With each stroke he became harder, as if the blade running over his face was her hands running over his cock. By the time she was wiping a cool washcloth over his face, he was readier than he’d been the last few days. He couldn’t explain why this simple act was such a turn on and his mind drifted back to the thought he’d had earlier about how comfortable he was with her, that this small act of domesticity was changing him in a way he felt he was ready for, putting him on the path he needed to be on. As this realization hit him she finished and looked into his eyes with a satisfied smile.
“All done.”
He cradled her face and led her mouth to his, hoping his kiss would convey everything he couldn’t say right now. As she reached her arms around him, her towel loosened and fell off, baring her to him.
He broke off the kiss and took in the vision of her, running his hands over her breasts and tweaking her nipples. She hissed and opened her legs wider, pushing his boxers down and trying to guide him into her. He almost exploded from the contact, but he wanted something else from her this time.
“Do you remember— Fuck, was it only two days ago, that I heard you masturbating in your room?”
Her flush rose from her chest to her cheeks, and he was pleased that he could get this reaction out of her even after everything they’d done.
One of her hands drifted toward her center as she replied, “I can’t forget that.”
“Will you do it for me now?”
A sharp intake of breath was her only reply. He watched as she lifted one foot to the counter then touched herself.
“This is one of the hottest things I’ve seen,” he stated.
After a few moments, she reached out and took him with her other hand, up and down. “Oh fuck, I take it back. This is way hotter,” he stuttered out. He thrust his cock into her hand. “Do it like you did that morning,” he commanded. She released him and he couldn’t help himself, taking hold of his cock and stroking as he watched her.
Her tentative smile grew more confident as she watched his own ministrations, sliding a finger into her vagina then running it through her slit. He growled, low in his throat as she repeated the motion with two fingers, this time taking her time at her clit, her two fingers caressing around and over until she was rocking her hips.
He watched the display in front of him, entranced by the singular focus she was now paying to her clit. He stroked himself hard, his eyes meeting hers before looking back down to her actions. His cock must have known when she was getting close to orgasm and he slowed, wanting to enjoy the look of pleasure on her face when she made herself come. She apparently did not like this slowing, as she hooked her legs around his waist in a tight grip.
“Come, now,” she demanded, and his movements became jerky and erratic as he let his orgasm build until he came on her. She dragged her finger through his cum and used it to swirl around her clit, her head knocking against the mirror as she pulsated with her own release.
Her legs went slack around his waist, dangling over the side of the counter. He braced his hands on either side of her and kissed her on the lips, smiling at the almost chaste contact after their mutual masturbation.
“I haven’t showered yet,” he joked.
Her eyes lit as she gestured to his ejaculate on her abdomen. “As it happens, I could use another shower. Lead the way.”
They lay in bed post shower, naked and nestled together under the covers, and Gabe reflected on earlier, when he realized he had started down the path he needed to be on and that path included Devlin. Now, despite any of her earlier protestations, he needed to convince her that whatever happened with the proposal they could deal with but, damn, she was caressing him and making it very hard to concentrate on what he wanted to say to her.
“Hey, Dev.” He took her hand in his, and shifted so he could see her face.
“Mhmmm?” came the unintelligible and sleepy reply.
“Can we talk?”
At these words, Devlin was awake and aware. “I shouldn’t have done that in the shower without asking, but I guessed you’d like it.”
Gabe laughed at this. “No, not that, you can do that whenever you want.” He moved again, sitting up this time, and he felt exposed both emotionally and physically. “I’ve been thinking about where this is going—where this came from.”
Devlin sat, pulling the sheet up to cover her body in the process. She looked so lovely that his concentration faltered for a moment.
“You see, I had this thought earlier, about how much I liked being with you, and that I don’t want this to end after we leave here.”
“Gabe—” Devlin started, but he had to keep going.
“I think we should still see each other when we get back to Amber Falls.”
He could see the wheels turning in her head, going over what they’d already talked about, how they were supposed to have a one-night thing, but the storm had turned it into multiple blissful days. He wasn’t sure what he’d do if she didn’t want the same thing he did, if what they’d had these last few days had been enough for her and she would be content with going back to a lonely existence. When she nodded, he almost wept with relief.
“I’m not ready for this to end yet,” she agreed, “but we have to be honest with ourselves that it will end at some point, and we can’t deny the reason why.”
This time he nodded, despite the little voice screaming in his mind that he would give up everything just to make her happy. She didn’t need that from him. She didn’t want that from him, and he had to respect that. Right now, he needed to be content with the concession she gave him.
His stomach chose this moment to give a loud rumble, reminding them both they hadn’t eaten since the evening before.
“That’s one way to break the tension.” Devlin swung her legs off the bed and started to get dressed. “I don’t think we have a prayer of hiding this from the group anymore, not after holing up in here all morning.”
“I hate to break it to you, but I think everyone already knew.”
Gabe made quick work of his clothes and followed Devlin downstairs where the others were setting up a game of Monopoly on the kitchen table.
“About damn time,” Annabelle stated.
“Hey, guys.” Gabe ignored her. “So, we have something to tell you.”
“Don’t bother, bro. You’ve been very obvious,” Greyson pointed out.
“Congrats,” Prudence added.
Gabe looked at the group, waiting for Sebastian to say something as well. When he stayed silent he couldn’t help but ask, “What, you don’t have anything to say?”
Sebastian shrugged. “Nope. I was clueless.” He shot a look at Annabelle. “I guess I’m clueless about a lot of things.”
“What does this mean about the proposals and the art gallery?” Prudence asked.
Gabe didn’t want to say the wrong thing here, so he waited for Devlin to answer.
“I think we’ll worry about that when the time comes. For now, we’re just going to be casual.”
They sat silent at this, and it stretched until it verged on becoming uncomfortable when Sebastian chimed in. “We’re just setting up Monopoly, do you guys want to play?”
Gabe sighed at the reprieve. There would be more questions later and he hoped they’d come when he didn’t have an empty stomach. “Sure, we’ll play. I’m going to grab something to eat first.”
“We found enough food for sandwiches and there’s a bag of chips on the counter.” Annabelle gestured. “Fix yourself something and come on. I’ve got all your souls to crush.”
A few hours later, the game was down to three players—Annabelle, Devlin and Gabe. True to her word, Annabelle had crushed the other players with her skill. Greyson and Prudence were out of the game early, but Gabe was sure they’d folded on purpose so they could go to their bedroom. Sebastian was harder to defeat, his Monopoly prowess being on par with Annabelle’s. She’d finally bested him with a whoop, and he’d retired to the living room with a tumbler of scotch and a newspaper he’d found.
Gabe and Devlin had been staying under the radar as Annabelle had focused all her attention on beating Sebastian, and once he was out she went in for the kill. She’d made the critical error, however, of trading Boardwalk and was getting destroyed by rent on that hotel.
“You never trade Boardwalk or Park Place,” Sebastian commented from the living room after Annabelle had landed on that monopoly and had to mortgage almost all her properties.
“Oh, be quiet,” Annabelle called out to him, then muttered, “I never trade Boardwalk. What was I thinking?”
One turn and one unfortunate roll of the dice later, Annabelle was out. She stood and held out her hand, shaking both Devlin’s and Gabe’s. “Well done, you two. I haven’t lost this game since the late nineties. Well done.”
“That long?” Devlin asked.
“No one has wanted to play with me since then. But still, my streak is over. I must be tired.” She yawned. “I think I’ll go nap before dinner.”
She walked past Sebastian on her way to the room. “Good game. I’m sorry I called you a pillock. It was all in good fun, sir .”
Sebastian stood and followed Annabelle out of the room. “Apology accepted. I think I’ll lay down, too. Yesterday did me in.”
The sound of their voices drifted down the hall and Gabe and Devlin were alone once again.
“Did you want to keep playing?” Gabe asked.
“Of course. I may not have anything to prove like Annabelle, but I still think I can win this game.” She picked up the dice and rolled, landing right on Free Parking.
“You’re cheating, I know it! Are these weighted dice?”
“We’re not playing craps in Vegas. I’ll have you know that I’ve never cheated at anything in my life.”
“Seriously?”
“Nope, I’m honest to a fault.”
“Honest you say, like when you lived in Amber Falls for over a year and never let anyone know that we’d…met before?” Gabe was joking, but the words held a question of truth in them.
Devlin looked chagrined. “We haven’t talked about this yet, have we.”
“That wasn’t my intention.” He rolled the dice as he spoke and moved his piece. “But no, we never have.”
Play continued for a while until Devlin spoke again. “Amber Falls was—” She paused as if searching for words. “Unexpected. I’d already decided to leave Boston before we met that night. I scoured the classifieds for months for the perfect place to open my shop, not planning to go much farther away than a suburb, but I wasn’t finding anything in my price range in a location I knew would work. I kept searching farther and farther out until I found my shop.”
“Life can play out in the most fascinating way,” Gabe mused. “When I woke that next morning and you weren’t there, I thought that for the rest of my life you’d be a vague memory that popped into my mind from time to time, the woman I’d always wonder about.”
“You were the same for me. Imagine how I felt when I saw you months after I moved to town. Seeing you was such a shock, I could’ve convinced myself that I conjured you up.”
Gabe gave a rueful laugh. “I was sure you were haunting me.”
“What?”
“That day you stood outside Finnegan’s window—you were ethereal to me—through the etched glass you were like a watercolor painting. I remember I was serving a customer when I saw you, but by the time I got to the door you weren’t on the street. I figured the only way you could’ve gotten away so fast was if you just disappeared. Then months later, on New Year’s Eve, I saw you through your shop window, but I didn’t know the shop was yours then. The only rational explanation in my mind was that you were haunting me.”
“I thought something cosmic was having fun at my expense. Of all the places I ended up, I was not only in the same town as you and the same block as you, but two doors away. From you.”
“What I don’t get is why you didn’t just tell me or talk to me.”
“Other than the major stalker vibes that would’ve given off?”
“You know what I mean.”
“I’m not sure I do. Gabe, we had a one-night stand. It wouldn’t have been odd to you that I showed up in your hometown half a year later? Like I said, stalker vibes.”
He held her gaze, not wanting her to shy away from this conversation. “I felt a real connection to you that night.”
Understanding appeared to dawn on her face. “You’re hurt,” she stated, reaching over and taking his hand. “You think I didn’t feel the same.”
“All indications point to the contrary.”
“I had to leave that night.” She squeezed his hand hard. “I’d just broken up with my boyfriend a few days before. He wasn’t nice to me. I knew—even with the short amount of time we spent together—I could sense the goodness in you. It felt too much like whiplash from what I’d come from, and I wasn’t ready for those feelings so I left. When I saw you again, all those intense emotions came rushing back and I was overwhelmed. Then I felt foolish that you didn’t recognize me, and it made everything easier to pretend we didn’t know each other. Until Grey came home and made a mess of all of this.”
Gabe wiped a solitary tear that had fallen from her eye. “Did he hurt you?”
At this question, tears started streaming down Devlin’s face and a protectiveness coursed through Gabe, ready to battle anyone who had wronged her. “No, God no. At least physically he never hurt me. All his behaviors were emotional abuse, classic narcissism, and I stayed with him for far too long. My parents were very much the same, and I jumped from one toxic relationship to another, never thinking or knowing that I deserved more. Then I met you and I got a glimpse of what a real man should be like, and it scared me. You’re so different from what I was used to my whole life, and I got spooked and ran.” She grabbed a napkin from a holder at the center of the table and dried her face. “Here I am, pouring my pathetic life story out over a game of Monopoly.”
“Your life experience isn’t pathetic, Devlin. It’s yours and we’re all shaped by ours, good or bad.”
“Is it wrong to wish that mine was shaped by a trust fund, or winning the lottery?”
“No, that just makes you human.” And I love you all the more for showing me your human side . That popped in and out of Gabe’s head before he could grab a hold of it and analyze what it meant.
They played in silence for a few more rounds, exchanging rents and jabs until Gabe’s pile of cash dwindled to a few dollars.
“I still don’t know why Annabelle traded me Boardwalk for St. James Place,” Devlin wondered as Gabe rolled an unlucky number and landed on the said property. “That property has knocked out everyone.”
Gabe turned up his palms in defeat, handing over the last of his few dollars and mortgaged properties. “Let’s make it official. You have won what I’m dubbing The Great Blizzard Snowed In at the Cabin Monopoly Game.”
“That’s catchy. You think it’ll look good on a resume?”
“Monopoly master is the only thing you should need on a resume, in my opinion. It says everything one needs to know. You can manage money, you make wise real estate decisions, you’re cutthroat in business and you’re lucky at rolling dice.”
“Lucky dice rolling is now a sought-after skill in the workplace?”
“I’m surprised more employers don’t ask about it.”
Devlin laughed and handed him the board. “Loser has to pack it all up.” A yawn split her face and her jaw made a popping sound. “Oh, man, I’m beat. I don’t think we’ve gotten a lot of sleep these last few days. I think Annabelle and Sebastian have it right—how does a nap sound? I think I could sleep until the morning.”
Gabe was surprised to find that he was tired as well. The physicality of their lovemaking combined with the emotional conversation had worn him out.
“Then nap we shall.” He stood and held out his hand, ignoring the mess of the game, a shiver of happiness rolling through him when she took it.
He was pleased to discover that he would be content to just hold her while she slept. If he couldn’t slay her demons for her, he would settle for holding them at bay.