Chapter Two #3
I narrow my gaze, waiting for another argument. When I don’t get one, I let out a relieved breath. “Good. Get ready. We’ll go to the bar and you can drive your car back here.”
She treats me to a salute.
Smart ass, I think, unable to hold back a grin.
She pauses by the table and begins to clean up her breakfast, putting the food back in the fridge, and washing her dish and coffee mug in the sink. I have no doubt she’s grown up with help, so this display impresses me. Felicia always left hers in the sink for me to clean.
Without a word, Gabby strides out of the kitchen, leaving me to watch her hips sway as she makes her exit and causing me to wonder how that ass would fit in my palms.
“Not happening,” I remind myself and storm out of the room, heading to my bedroom to change.
* * *
Gabby
We are so happening, I think. No matter what Maddox says. That kiss was the most incredible thing I ever felt. If he thinks his silly words will deter me, he doesn’t know me very well. Which he doesn’t. Something I hope to correct during my stay with him.
And though I might be a little innocent…
okay, very innocent, I know he was as into it as I was.
My panties are soaked, and I felt the hard ridge of his erection pulsing against my lower body, evidence of his desire.
I didn’t ask to stay because I’m fascinated by the sexy bartender, but I won’t lie and say it isn’t an added bonus to avoiding my family until I make some life decisions.
Once back in the bedroom, I put on my dress from last night, doing my best to smooth out the wrinkles and knowing I fail.
Looks like I’ll be experiencing the walk of shame without the benefit of any orgasms the night before.
Based on how my body responded to Maddox, I wonder how easily he could be persuaded to change his mind about us.
Not that I plan to give him my virginity, but there are other things we could do, and I’m pretty certain a man who looks like him is talented.
I want to be one of the recipients of what he can surely offer me.
His hard muscles tempt me, and I want to run my hands over his tanned skin and lick every available inch of his tattoo.
My phone rings, causing me to jump at the unexpected sound. I glance at the screen. I squeal, grateful for the distraction from thinking of Maddox naked and take the call. “Hi, P!”
“Hi, yourself,” my sister Penelope says. “Grandma tells me you had quite the night. Can I ask where you are?” The concern in her tone is obvious and I sigh.
“I think it’s better if I don’t tell you. Plausible deniability, you know?”
“Then tell me you’re safe.”
“Very,” I assure her. Penelope is the only other person who I know supports me. “I’m staying with a…friend.”
“You don’t have any real friends in the Hamptons, Gabby. Who are you with?”
I bite down on the inside of my cheek. “A good man. I swear. You need to trust me. I know what I’m doing. I refuse to marry or even date that asshole who won’t take no for an answer.”
“What?” my sister yells. “Did he—”
“No! I kneed him in the balls and left the house but nobody cares. Nobody but Grandma, anyway. It’s time I take a stand, P. I have goals and things I want out of life. Not only don’t our parents approve, they actively blackballed me.”
Penelope sighs. “I know, and I’m sorry. Their reach is far. But you have your painting, and you are so talented. Your canvases are natural and evoke so many emotions. Why not try to sell your work? I have everything you’ve done stored in the basement. Nobody can take that away from you.”
Closing my eyes, I agree. “Yeah.” I need to believe in myself to take that step.
“Five minutes, and I’m leaving,” Maddox calls out, his voice deep through my closed bedroom door.
“I have to go, but I’ll be in touch,” I tell my sister.
“Okay. I’m proud of you, holding out for true love and the life you want,” Penelope says, and in her words, I hear my older sister’s regrets for marrying a man our parents chose.
“I never had your passion or courage. I’m happy, I have my baby, and Stu is a good man.
The guy they chose for you isn’t. Stand firm, Gabby. Love you.”
I swallow over the lump in my throat. “Love you, too. Can I ask one favor?”
“Anything. You know that.”
“Call Grandma. Tell her you heard from me, and I’m safe, and I’ll get in touch when I’m ready. I’m sure Mom or Dad is monitoring her and her phone.”
Penelope sighs. “I will if you promise to keep in touch so I know you’re safe with your new friend.”
“Promise. Talk soon.” I disconnect the call. After gathering my purse and taking a quick look in the mirror, I walk out to meet Maddox.
I find him standing by the front door, jingling his keys in one hand.
“Ready!”
His gaze locks on mine, and he frowns as he takes in my outfit.
“Yes, I’m in yesterday’s clothes,” I say, reading his mind. “I can’t go out in your shirt, so I don’t have much of a choice. But once I stop at an ATM, I can fix that. I need to pull out some cash before my father either cuts me off or empties the account.”
Though I have a trust fund given to me by my grandparents, I can’t access the money until I turn thirty.
I can withdraw the interest that’s deposited, but I can’t access the account in the Hamptons.
My checking account was funded by my parents during college, and until I get a job, I’m stuck relying on them.
My grandmother would give me money, but I hate to ask, wanting to figure out a way to stand on my own two feet.
“If I remember correctly, there’s an ATM near the bar, right?” I ask.
“There is. Come on.” He opens the door and tips his head, indicating I should walk through.
Passing him, I inhale and am treated to his masculine scent, one I recognize as sandalwood.
A warm, exotic fragrance with hints of vanilla, it’s my favorite smell.
My interest in the arts and sciences are varied, and I’ve taken courses in fragrance making at the Fashion Institute of Technology, using trust fund money my parents can’t track.
No way do I want to hear them complain about wasting time and money.
I eventually settled into art history, but my memory of different scents remains clear.
And Maddox’s scent, especially when we’re enclosed in his Jeep, makes me want to crawl into his lap, bury my face in his neck and breathe him in for as long as he lets me.
He remains quiet on the trip into town, and I respect his obvious need for silence. I invaded his life enough already.
He parks behind the bar near my convertible, and we both get out of the Jeep. “I take it that’s yours?” He gestures to the BMW.
I nod. “But I’ll be in town for a while. I want to do some shopping after the bank.”
He works the house key off the holder and hands it to me. “There’s a hardware store on the corner of Main. Make yourself a copy and bring me the original when you’re through.”
Surprised, I curl my fingers around the key in his hand, sliding over the roughened calluses on his skin, so different from the smooth touch of the typical men in my life. Men who wouldn’t know a hammer from a wrench. I find a guy who works with his hands surprisingly sexy.
Especially this man. “Thank you,” I say, clasping his hand in mine. “I know I pushed you into letting me stay and I’m truly grateful.” Before I lose my nerve, I rise to my toes and press a lingering kiss to his cheek before spinning on my heels and walking away.