CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
DREW
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I’m fucking sweating when I step out of the elevator and see Gemma and Zoe standing a few feet away. They’re both dressed casually but look like two angels, staring at me in question.
My eyes lock with Gemma's, and I can’t get a read on her. Her message was vague, inviting me over.
I canceled everything and am here fifteen minutes later.
“That was fast.”
“I know what my priorities are,” I say, not looking away.
“We have a ROBOT!” Zoe jumps up and down.
I don’t think I’ve ever grinned so big in my life. Lexi, Riley, and Emily thought it was a dumb idea. They kept insisting Gemma would like more diamonds. I don’t think she cared about any of them.
I know this woman.
I think I might have figured out a little bit more about women and what’s important as I lay awake every night wondering if she liked today’s gift. If she would ever let me back in.
I’m here.
Standing in her penthouse.
“Yeah?” I say, taking Zoe’s hand as she guides me into the home and points to the silver robot standing in the living room.
“Look. Its name is Robot.”
“We haven’t decided,” Gemma says, chewing her lips.
“Did it speak to you yet?”
“It said my name!” Zoe jumps up and down.
“I can’t keep her still.” Gemma crosses her arms, but not defensively, more nervous.
“Is it too much?”
“Yeah, a little. It's kind of terrifying.” She lets out a little laugh.
Zoe starts dancing and talking to the robot, showing it toys. I walk over to Gemma.
“Sorry. I should have asked you. It’s not really a toy.”
“Scared the fluff out of me when it said hello.” Gemma uncrosses her arms and places a hand on my chest.
I want to cover it, tell her to stay there for the rest of her life.
“Gem.”
“Drew, not yet.” She nods at Zoe. “Stay for dinner. Then we can talk.”
I let out a breath I was holding and cup her face.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Then I lean in, because, fuck me, this might be the last chance, and I kiss her cheek.
Her hand covers it as she blushes.
“Okay, let’s get this robot working.” I wink at Gemma and rip off my tie, shoes, and jacket, then get down on the ground with Zoe.
A few hours later, Zoe hugs me goodnight, and my nerves return.
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GEMMA WALKS BACK into the living room and drops down on the sofa beside me.
“Feels like I had ten birthdays and Christmases all at once.” She shoots me a shy look.
“I got your attention. It worked.”
“It got you invited to dinner. That’s all,” Gemma says.
Right.
She wants to know about Anthony. Well, if I’m going to be rejected and have my heart ripped out of my chest, I guess Gemma is worthy.
“You want to know about your husband.” My voice is flat.
Gemma studies me, then shakes her head. “No. Yes. In time.”
Jesus, my heart rate is dangerously high.
“What do you want, Drew? From me. With us?”
I turn, lay my arm along the sofa and tear off all my protective layers. I know this is my one and only chance.
I take bigger risks than most people in business, so if I can’t find my balls now to keep this woman, I am not worthy of her.
“I want you. I want you so fucking much, and I don’t just mean sex. That too, just in case we are keeping score, but everything else.”
“I have a daughter.”
“Yes, you do.”
“She needs stability. Not a man coming and going.”
“Then move in with me. Fuck, I’ll move in here. I am not kidding around here.”
Gemma’s mouth is hanging open.
“I would give you anything you wanted. Do anything for you and Zoe. I’m new at all of this, I don’t have the fancy words. I had to recruit the girls to put this plan in place.” I shake my head. “Pretty sure they just downloaded their Christmas wish list and told me to buy you those things.”
Gemma silently chuckles.
“Did you know?”
“I knew there had to be some female input.” She smiles.
“Gonna kill them,” I mutter. “The robot was my idea.”
“You don’t say.”
“You are very calm.” I frown. “I thought you were mad at me.”
Gemma shrugs. “I am mad at Anthony. So mad. I’m mad at myself and you a little. But I was mad because I thought you didn’t respect me.”
“I fucking love you.” I slide my fingers around the back of her neck.
“I know. You just needed time to work that out and show me.” Gemma’s cheeks blush, her eyes dilate.
What?
“Well, I have.” I tighten my grip on her neck as my nostrils flare. “And. Gemma. Am I alone?”
Fuck, I’m dying here.
“No, Drew. You aren’t alone. Despite all my efforts, you have made me fall desperately in love with you.”
“Thank fuck!” I slam my mouth down on hers, relishing how she tastes as her mouth opens and lets me right in.
Heart pounding, cock thickening, I pull her onto my lap.
“Take me to bed,” Gemma groans.
I don’t need to be asked twice.