Chapter 19
GABE
It’s now February and it’s that time of year again when I move back to Blue Valley. Normally, I tell my kids goodbye and hit the road. It’s pretty straightforward. But this year, it’s not so easy. Not with Layla.
Layla: I have some bad news. I have to fly out tonight. For work.
Gabe: Damn.
Layla: I know. I feel terrible. But I can’t cancel this meeting. It’s a big one for us.
Gabe: Okay.
Layla: Are you mad?
Gabe: Not mad. Just a bit disappointed. That’s life, though. I really wanted to see my woman one last time. Feel her arms around me.
Layla: I wanted the same. Cora’s kid got sick and she can’t get a babysitter. And Chris is out of town.
Gabe: I understand.
Layla: You sure?
Gabe: 100%.
Layla: Okay. I love you.
Gabe: I love you, too.
Layla: Let me know when you get back to Blue Valley.
Gabe: I will. Stay safe.
Layla:
I planned to leave in the morning, spending one last night in Layla’s arms. But that’s not going to happen now.
I head to the gym to work off the disappointment.
I’ll live. It just makes my heart hurt a tad bit.
But we’ll see each other as soon as we can.
I just hope it doesn’t take months, as I have to head to Florida with the team in a couple of weeks for Spring Training.
The next day is uneventful. I drive back to Blue Valley and settle into my place there. It’s not as nice as my place in Chicago; it’s just a condo. A really nice condo, but still. It’s not a home; it’s more of a bachelor pad.
As soon as I pull into my designated parking stall, I shoot off a text to Layla.
Gabe: Made it back to Blue Valley
Layla:
Gabe:
Layla doesn’t reply again, so I’m going to assume she’s still busy with work. I’ll call her later, as I don’t have to be back in office until tomorrow. Meanwhile, I need to unload my car and unpack my stuff.
Later That Evening
Layla
I FaceTime Gabe.
“Hey, handsome. Miss me?” I murmur.
“Hey, beautiful. Always. How did your meeting go?” he asks.
“Really good, actually. It was with one of our backers. They’re all in on the new project.”
I can’t say much about it, as I’m not speaking in an area that has any privacy.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” I reply, blushing a tiny bit. Gabe’s praise, combined with his deep voice, gets me every time.
“Of course. My woman always knocks it out of the park.”
I laugh softly under my breath. Leave it to Gabe to use a baseball analogy. “I could say the same about you,” I tease. It’s the truth. Gabe knows how to satisfy a woman. And I’m the lucky recipient of his satisfaction.
His eyes darken and he shifts in his seat, a low growl escaping his chest. Good thing I’m using earbuds for this conversation, because Gabe loves when I tease him like this.
And evidently, two can play that game, because he starts unbuttoning his dress shirt, giving me a smoldering look as he does it.
Naturally, my eyes follow his hands as he releases each button, exposing more and more of his hard chest, covered in tattoos.
Damn, what I wouldn’t give to be with him right now.
“Gabe,” I breathe, getting turned on and unable to do a thing about it.
He lets out a low growl again and smirks at me, knowing full well what he just did. Gabe is the ultimate tease.
“Next time,” he says, his voice husky. “Love you,” he murmurs, ending his teasing.
Damn the man. I have to get on a plane and my panties are wet.