Chapter 6
SIX
JUSTIN
Once we get to the Elk Shack, I settle Gigi at a corner table and order us a couple of beers at the bar before I head into the men’s room.
Relieved that no one else is in here, I brace my hands on the sink and glare at my reflection. “Seriously, man. What the fuck are you doing?”
My reflection doesn’t respond. What can it say? We both know that Gigi is only here for the wedding, and I’m only with her for the weekend. None of this is supposed to be real. Well, nothing besides serving Brad a healthy dose of irritation. For the first time, Kendrick’s concern from yesterday seems less fussy and, well, valid.
“Do not”—I jab a finger at my reflection—“fall in love with her. You dumb fuck.”
I splash a little cold water on my face for good measure. It’s not nearly as effective as a cold shower, but I’ll do anything to cool my libido at this point.
With a deep breath and a parting nod at my reflection, I push through the bathroom door. Brad is leaning on the opposing wall, suspicion and irritation plainly written on his face.
“For fuck’s sake.” I shake my head at him. “Are you stalking us now?”
“Stalking is such a nasty word.” He tilts his head to the side. “I’m here for my bachelor party.”
“Well, good for you. If you don’t mind, I’ll just be getting back to my date.” I smirk and move past him.
He reaches out to grab my arm. “What’s really going on?”
“I just told you, I’m having a drink with my woman.”
His eye twitches. “You know what I mean. What’s going on with you and Gigi?”
“I think it’s pretty obvious. We’re in love.”
“Then how come I never heard about the two of you dating before?”
“Probably because neither of us is in the habit of trusting you with anything.”
Anger flashes in his eyes. “I’m not buying it. I don’t get what Gigi could see in you.”
“Maybe she knows a winner from a loser.” I shrug him loose and stride back out into the bar.
A worried-looking Gigi is waiting at the table, her hand white-knuckled around her pint. “Are you okay? I saw Brad and his band of douchebags arrive and he headed straight for you.”
“Band of douchebags.” I give a short laugh as I drop into the seat next to hers and raise my own glass. “That’s funny. You’re funny, Gigi. I wonder why no one ever told me that about you before.”
She eyes me cautiously. “Are you sure? Because maybe we shouldn’t push our luck and leave before?—”
“The way I see it, we’re two for two when it comes to handing Brad his ass.” I slide my free arm around her shoulders. “Why would we stop now, just because we’re ahead?”
“I suppose that is one way to put it.” She chews on her bottom lip as Brad and his buddies push together the two tables closest to us.
“Stop doing that.”
She releases her lip. “Stop doing what?”
“Biting on your lip.” I lean toward her. “That’s my job.”
“What—”
I cut off her question by pulling her close and crashing my lips against hers. Once again, despite the element of surprise, she responds immediately. Moaning into my mouth, she parts her lips at my urging, welcoming my tongue.
I growl in appreciation. This is just to piss off Brad.
I slide a hand down her waist to grip one of her thighs. This is just to ruin his night.
I pull her even closer until her full breasts are pressed against my chest. This is just?—
“Okay.” Brad crashes his hands down on the table. “That’s enough.”
With more than a little regret, I tear my lips from Gigi’s. We stare into each other's eyes, not bothering to spare a look his way.
“Did you want something?” I ask, icily. “We’re kind of in the middle of something.”
“This is a family place,” Brad says.
That finally gets our attention. I raise an eyebrow at him. “It’s after nine, and the kitchen is closed. I don’t think we have to worry about scarring any children.” I give him a sympathetic look. “Unless you’re not mature enough to witness a little PDA. Because if you are, we can go somewhere more private.”
Gigi smothers a laugh. I have another almost overwhelming urge to kiss her again. I move toward her and she leans to meet me halfway.
“I said that’s enough.” Brad smashes his hands on the table again. “Okay, Justin, do you really want to have a pissing contest right now?”
“I’d actually rather kiss my woman.”
“How about a game of air hockey?”
That piques my interest. “What do I win when I beat you?”
He scowls. “You can go back to”—he grits his teeth—“what you were doing with no complaint from me.”
I consider the terms for a second. “Okay. That seems fair to me.”
“Don’t you want to know what I win?”
“Not really. Because it’s not going to happen.”
His frown deepens.
Gigi gives me an appraising look. “You’re sounding pretty confident.”
“Of course.” I squeeze her closer. “I’ve got my good luck charm. I can’t lose.”
She rolls her eyes but leans into me. A soft grin plays on her lips. I take a deep breath, savoring the sweet smell of her shampoo, allowing it to wash through me. It’s getting way too easy, way too natural to be with her like this.
With a parting squeeze for Gigi, I follow Brad to the air hockey table in the back. He snaps his fingers, and for some reason, the people lined up to play next clear away.
“Wow, Brad.” I reach for my pusher. “I see you’re still trying to prove you’re some big shot with fear and intimidation.”
“I don’t have anything to prove.” He snorts. “I just know how to win.”
He takes a shot, and I block the puck before it slides into the goal. “Really? Because I was under the impression you pretty much sucked at winning and losing.”
I send the puck flying across the table, and he narrowly blocks my shot.
“It must be hard for Gigi.”
“Oh, don’t you worry,” I smirk. “I’m plenty hard for Gigi.”
He misses blocking my next goal. “It must be hard for Gigi to have downgraded her dating life so much.”
I miss his next shot. “Here I was under the impression she was getting a better man with me.”
“She deserves better.”
“Sure she does. Better than you.”
I hate to admit it, but we’re evenly matched. Before long, we’re tied. The tension is palpable as his buddies and a bunch of the bar’s regulars watch closely.
I set up to take my next shot. As I do, I catch Gigi’s eye. She blows me a kiss. I pucker my lips to accept it. I send the puck sailing across the table. Right past a distracted Brad’s pusher.
People groan and whoop around us, including Gigi, who jumps up and down before racing toward me. I can’t resist rubbing it in Brad’s furious face.
“What do you know? I’m clearly the better man on the ice.” I pull Gigi into a close hug. “And in her life.”
Brad looks genuinely stunned. Like he can’t believe this actually happened. A sudden idea pops into my head.
I lower my lips toward Gigi’s ears. “Want to really piss off your ex?”
She pulls back and nods. “Absolutely.”
“Good.” I wink at her. “Just go with it.”
“Go with?—”
Before she can finish, I drop to one knee in front of her and her jaw falls open.
“Gigi, love of my life,” I say loudly enough to cut through the chatter around us. “I’m a better man because of you. And these past few days together have really shown just how much better I am when you’re with me.”
I squeeze her hand. “Marry me?”