Chapter 40 #2
It felt good to be in something other than denim for a change.
I rarely got fixed up, but this was a special occasion, and I wanted to look my best. I couldn’t wait for Gabe to see me, even though he wouldn’t be able to do anything about it.
It would drive him wild, not being able to touch me.
All that pent-up frustration would make our next encounter that much more explosive.
“Wow,” Rory gasped when I walked into the kitchen.
She was helping my mom put the finishing touches on the cake.
It wasn’t your typical, basic pineapple upside down cake.
It had three layers with a generous spread of whipped cream between them and dollops placed along the top.
“You look so pretty,” she gushed, handing Mom the piping bag.
“Thank you,” I said.
“She’s right. You look beautiful, sweetheart,” Mom said with a soft, wistful smile gracing her lips.
“Thanks, Mama. Where’s Gigi?” I asked. Mom wiped her hands on the front of her apron before untying it and setting it aside.
“She went to change into her outfit for the party, which is what I need to do before everyone gets here. You two make sure the boys don’t get into the cake,” she instructed, giving me a knowing look.
“You got it,” I assured her before she slipped away.
A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door.
“Be right back. You’re in charge of keeping the cake safe from my stinky brothers,” I said, my nose wrinkled in distaste.
She saluted me and puffed out her chest. Chuckling, I went to the door and pulled it open.
My knees went weak at the sight of Gabe standing on the other side in a nice pair of dark wash jeans that looked like they’d been perfectly tailored to fit him and a light blue short-sleeve henley.
The top two buttons were undone, revealing a light smattering of dark hair.
The pale hue seemed to make his sapphire eyes glow brighter.
He had that close cropped beard that always scraped the insides of my thighs in just the right way and his hair was styled; no cowboy hat in sight.
He held a bouquet of purple, yellow, and white flowers.
It was an explosion of spring blooms. I spotted tulips, my grandmother’s favorite, and wondered if it was coincidence or if somehow he knew.
We stared at each other across the divide, each of us drinking the other in. His throat bobbed with a heavy swallow, and my cheeks warmed at the unbridled lust in his eyes.
“Hey,” I greeted breathlessly.
“Jasmine,” he replied, his voice deep and gravelly. It reminded me of the way he said my name when he was inside me. I pressed my thighs together and gripped the door to keep from launching myself at him and wrapping my legs around his waist.
Something over my shoulder caught his eye, and his face paled. “Nash,” he said with a nod, and I froze. After the conversation we had earlier, the last thing I wanted was for him to witness that tension-fueled exchange.
“Gabe.” Nash’s greeting was a dark rumble of thunder, his presence a storm cloud hovering overhead.
I forced a smile and injected as much brightness into my tone as I could muster.
“Did you get those for Gigi? She’ll love them,” I said, opening the door wider and stepping inside to let him enter.
“Rory’s in the kitchen,” I offered, turning to lead him that way while studiously avoiding Nash’s gaze.
He brushed past us out the door, and I prayed he wasn’t leaving.
It would break Gigi’s heart if he wasn’t here for dinner.
Rory was standing guard, arms crossed over her chest, staring at the cake when we entered the kitchen. She clearly took her duties seriously.
“Hey, pumpkin.” All was forgotten at the sound of her father’s voice.
“Dad! You’re back,” she announced excitedly. He produced a second, smaller bouquet that he’d concealed behind the larger one. “For me?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with delight.
“For you,” he confirmed, smiling affectionately at her as she took the flowers from him and held them under her nose. With a flourish, she breathed in their scent and released a dramatic sigh. Gabe watched her with a contented smile, his happiness fueled by hers.
Warmth suffused me as I witnessed their bond grow stronger right before my eyes.
The small gesture would make her feel loved and cherished.
I knew this because my father had done the same thing for me.
He’d always made me feel special and adored.
Gabe was doing all he could to make sure Rory felt the same, despite the limited time they had together.
It was one of the things I loved most about him.
“How the hell am I supposed to make it through dinner with you in that dress without embarrassing myself?” Gabe’s gruff voice raked over my skin, sending shivers down my spine.
“You mean this old thing?” I asked coyly, plucking at the hem and swishing it back and forth.
“You get great joy out of tormenting me, don’t you?” he asked.
I nodded, sinking my teeth into my lower lip. “Mmm-hmm.”
“Keep in mind, turnabout is fair play, and I have plenty of methods of keeping you…” he paused, his heated gazed flicking down my body, “on edge.” He grinned wickedly, his eyes flaring with heat.
“Gabe, those are gorgeous. Rose is going to love them,” my mother crooned from the doorway. Both our heads snapped in her direction.
Gabe cleared his throat. “I hope so. Woody said Tulips are her favorite.”
“He’s right,” came my grandmother’s voice from behind me. “They are the embodiment of spring which is my favorite season.”
Gabe presented her with the flowers and bent down to kiss her cheek. “Happy birthday, Rose.”
She thanked him and patted his cheek. Just then, my great aunts arrived carrying covered dishes. A flurry of activity erupted around us, and chattering voices filled the space.
Dad came through the side door and motioned to Gabe. “I got the grill fired up. Want to help me with the steaks?”
“Sure,” he replied, eyeing the group of women crowding around the kitchen island.
Someone had already uncorked a bottle of wine, and glasses were being passed around.
Gigi filled one with grape juice and handed it to Rory so she wouldn’t feel left out.
“Don’t let them give her the real thing,” he said, leaning down to talk out the side of his mouth.
He eyed my grandmother suspiciously like she was just waiting for his back to be turned so she could slip her the good stuff.
I snorted a laugh and waved him off. He wove through the bustling female bodies to reach my dad. Dad threw an arm over his shoulder and led him outside. Before he disappeared through the door, he threw one last longing glance my way.
And I knew nothing would keep him from getting me alone tonight.