Chapter Four
Gabby
I yawn. I stayed up watching a movie on television in the family room. The couch is comfortable, and once the walls are painted the warm cream, based on the samples already on the walls, combined with the wood trim, the room will have a homier feel.
I rise to my feet and walk into the kitchen where I pour a glass of water and finish the drink just as I hear the front door open and close again. My stomach flips at the sound.
Knowing Maddox is home, I can’t deny the anticipation that courses through my veins.
The week here has flown by. Staying at his house has worked out.
He accepts my presence and though he keeps his distance, I feel him watching me when he thinks I’m not looking.
I understand, because I’m always aware of him, sensing his presence before I know for sure that he’s nearby.
More than once, I caught his heavy-lidded gaze and hoped he was suffering with the same suppressed desire I am, knowing he was in his bedroom, a short walk across the house.
Eventually, I gave in. I slipped my fingers into my shorts and stroked my wet sex.
I pretended it was his fingers arousing me and sliding inside me.
That it was his tongue on my clit as I came.
And afterwards, as I caught my breath, my body pulsing but still somehow empty, I wondered if he was in his bedroom, masturbating while thinking of me.
“Gabby?”
His voice startles me despite hearing him come in. I place my glass in the sink before heading out of the kitchen and meeting up with him as he locks the front door.
“Hi,” I say.
He turns, his gaze darkening as he takes in my bedtime outfit, a camisole and matching shorts.
They’re my favorite pair, decorated with pastel-colored stars on a white background.
I thought I’d be in my room when he returned.
Hadn’t planned for him to see me in the barely-there pajama set, but I can’t deny I like knowing my skimpy outfit affects him.
“Hey,” he says in a gruff voice that causes goosebumps to pop out on my skin.
I clear my throat. “How was work?”
“Interesting. Had a customer asking Cal questions about you.”
My eyes open wide, and my heart begins racing. “Who?” I can’t imagine either of my parents showing up at The Back Door which leaves just one person, and the thought makes me nauseous.
“Preston Barrett, III. He came in making threats, posturing and claiming you were his girlfriend and then fiancée.” Maddox’s voice sounds low, pissed, and if I’m not mistaken, possessive.
“What did you do?” Worry tinges my voice, and my throat grows dry, making me wish for the water I left in the kitchen.
His expression softens as he meets my gaze. “I made sure he knew what would happen if he didn’t learn that no means no. I also reminded him you weren’t his girlfriend or his fiancée and he’d better leave you alone.”
“Thank you.” I breathe out the words, grateful for Maddox and his protection. “Does Preston know I’m staying here?”
He shakes his head. “But he knows you hang out at the bar.”
He hesitates, obviously wanting to say more but holding back, and I narrow my gaze. “What is it?” I ask.
He places one hand on my shoulder. “Apparently your friends were in the bar one night when you were there helping. They saw you and that’s how Preston knew where to come looking.”
I nod, and though I ought to feel betrayed, I never believed any of the girls in my social circles were my real friends. “Thanks for telling me, but I can’t say I’m surprised.”
He settles his free hand on my other shoulder, and I lean into his protective grasp. “You deserve better,” he says in a husky voice. “You should have people in your life you can trust.”
I swallow hard at the sincerity in his voice, pushing back the lump in my throat.
It isn’t often I let myself think about what I’m missing in my life.
It wouldn’t do me any good. My focus has always been on looking ahead and making sure I hold tight to whatever convictions I can.
Like standing firm against my parents’ desire for me to date and marry Preston.
“I have my grandmother. She knows where I am and she’d never say a word,” I murmur. “I have my sister. And now I have you.”
His eyes open wide, his surprise evident.
I understand. I’m not sure what possessed me to include him in my tiny circle, but my gut tells me it’s true.
He gave me a place to stay, allows me to help at the bar he manages, lets me paint in his house, and most importantly, he kept Preston away.
Not to mention, he threatened him on my behalf.
Yes, I can trust Maddox James.
I also want him. Want him to kiss me without reservation this time. Want to see his muscled, sexy body naked and aroused for me, and to feel his warmth on my skin.
I want him to take my virginity.
There is so much he can show me, teach me, and make me feel. Though I know, even if I convince Maddox to let himself go, this thing between us can only be temporary. He’s already listed his reasons he isn’t right for me.
Even if I know he’s wrong.
Despite the obstacles, I won’t be deterred. I meet his hooded gaze and see the desire in his eyes. He’s feeling the same need.
“Maddox? Are you going to push me away again?” I ask in a whisper.
A long moment passes, and I wait, anxious and nervous. I can’t handle another rejection, but I’ll never regret putting myself out there. I sense he’ll be worth it.
A low growl sounds from inside him, and he finally caves, lowering his head, his mouth inches from mine.
“I want you, Gabby.”
My heart explodes with happiness, and with the feeling of déjà vu inside me, I rise onto my toes and press my lips against his, sliding my tongue inside his mouth.
The hands on my shoulders moved to my hips and then he’s lifting me without breaking the kiss.
I wrap my legs around his waist, and somehow, he walks us through the house and toward his bedroom, stopping only to lay me down on the bed.
He leans over me and braces his arms on either side of my head. “And you’re right. You can trust me.”
I glance up at him and know I have to be honest. “Then you should know something before we go any further.”
He presses his lips to mine, ignoring my words for a long kiss, one that almost has me forgetting what I need to say.
“What is it?” he asks as he rises and lifts the hem of his shirt, pulling it over his head, revealing the gorgeous, tanned chest I’ve dreamed about touching.
I hope my next words don’t put an end to my daydreams.
“I’m a virgin.”
* * *
Maddox
Gabby’s words echo in my ears. “You’re…what?” I shake my head. “Never mind. Stupid question. I heard you.” I just can’t believe it. I noticed her innocence in some things, but don’t most women have sex in college?
“Surprise! I was waiting for the right man.” Her cheeks flush pink in embarrassment, and she rolls to her side in an attempt to scramble off the bed.
I stop her, flipping her onto her back again. “Hold up. You didn’t give me a chance to respond.”
“Maybe I don’t want to hear you tell me, you’re sorry but it’s too much responsibility.”
I blow out a rough breath. A smarter man would let her go.
A man who wasn’t feeling so protective of her would do the same.
But I can’t. Despite how fast it’s happened, she’s gotten under my skin.
If anyone is going to be her first, it will be me.
My age, experience, and our socio-economic differences be damned.
“You aren’t too much responsibility. You’re exactly the woman I want.”
She blinks, her pretty green eyes and her expression holding a mix of surprise and pleasure. “That’s quite a change from the man who said, this kiss was a mistake.”
“Because it wasn’t.” And I can’t contain my grin because the other thing I enjoy is her mix of sweetness and sass.
“Good to know—” she starts to say.
I cut her off with a kiss. I slide my tongue between her lips and position myself on top of her once more, taking my time to devour her and learn every sweet inch of her mouth.
With a moan, she slides her fingers through my hair and holds me in place, the kiss going on longer than I ever spent just making out.
And not just because I want to make tonight good for her, which I do, but this moment means something to me, too.
Taking my time, I move away from her mouth and press slow kisses down her neck, along her collarbone, her body trembling with desire.
“I didn’t know,” she murmurs, her fingers still threading through my hair.
“What?”
She kisses my jaw, and my cock grows harder. “That my body had so many erogenous zones.”
“It does. And I bet I can find more.” Sliding my hands up her sides, I caress her soft skin, then grab the hem of the flimsy camisole, lift it over her head, and toss the garment onto the floor.
I lean back and take in her body, the curves of her breasts fuller than I realized, her nipples a dusky pink and hard, just begging for me to suck.
That’s what I do. At the first lick, Gabby sighs, and when I pull one into my mouth, she moans, her entire body writhing beneath me.
With my other hand, I plump and caressed her other breast, rolling her nipple between my thumb and forefinger.
She arches her hips, and I know if I slip my hand beneath those loose shorts I’ll find she’s wet.
Ready for me? Not yet, and I want to make this as easy for her as possible.
I also need to find a way to keep myself under control because everything about her turns me on.
Reining myself in won’t be easy, but for her, I’ll do it.
* * *
Gabby
Maddox seems to know all the right spots to lick, suck, and yes, bite, I think, as my body hums in ways I never felt before. Did I make out with boys? Yes. And that’s what they were. Boys. Maddox is all man, and the attention he gives to my body proves he isn’t a selfish one, either.