A Perfect Ten (Forbidden Men #5)(120)

Gam paused and turned back at me. He cocked his head to the side, obviously confused.

I lifted my hands, offended when he didn’t answer. “I don’t go out f*cking partying and drinking every other night, I don’t flirt with every piece of ass to cross my path, I don’t...f*ck! I haven’t has sex with anyone since...” I racked my brain, wondering who I’d last had before Caroline, when I remembered. “Midnight Visitor.”

But that name only made Gam snort and cross his arms over his chest. “Who you still send dirty text messages.”

I ground my teeth and started to answer, but he lifted his hand to stop me. “And don’t try to pull that abstinent bullshit on me. I’ve seen you stroll into work a lot lately, wearing your smug, just-had-sex grin. I know you’re still getting plenty of *.”

I blinked, stunned. “I don’t have a just-had-sex grin.”

When I glanced over to find Hart had stuck around to oversee my conversation with Gamble, he shrugged and sent me a sheepish nod. “Yeah, you kind of do.”

“Shit.” I ran my hand through my hair, feeling my handhold on the moment slip even further.

Gam lifted his brows as if he expected me to give up the fight.

A weary sigh claimed me. I glanced up at the rows of alcohol lining the wall, and then I focused on him again. “As your friend,” I said, “I’m giving you a heads-up. I’m going to date her.”

With that said, I turned away to leave, but my so-called best friend said, “If you even attempt to ask her out, I’m telling her everything.”

I snorted out a strange, confused laugh and swung back around. “I don’t know what the f*ck you’re talking about. Everything about what?”

“Everything about you. About every single woman you ever f*cked. Every woman you disrespected, mistreated and then pissed off.” His ice blue eyes were hard as he sent me an evil leer. “I mean, you did describe them all to me...in detail, didn’t you? I think I remember a decent amount of them. Starting with that pissed-off redhead who came up to the bar tonight and cussed you out.”

Panic swamped me. I wasn’t sure if I was going to upchuck or break down crying. But the thought of Caroline hearing about every sexual escapade I’d ever had sent me into a cold sweat. It would hurt her; it would really f*cking hurt her. I couldn’t handle her being hurt.

“You’re a f*cking *,” I growled.

Gamble spread his arms and gave a hard laugh. “Hey, you’re the one threatening to mess with my sister. You started this.”

I lifted my eyebrows. “Then I guess it’s on.” I turned away and strode for the exit.

“Hey,” he called after me, his voice hard. “Don’t take this as some kind of challenge. Caroline is not some prize to be won just to piss me off. You touch her, and I will execute you.”

I didn’t even entertain him with a response. I just kept storming for the door.

“Ten!” he roared. “Are you listening to me, you little f*cker? Don’t hurt my sister.”

I’d cut off my own balls before hurting his sister. But I didn’t bother to explain that to him.

I shoved my way out of the empty nightclub, pissed and scared, and just f*cking worried out of my mind. Not only had my plan failed epically to gently wade him into the idea of me and Caroline together, but now I’d alerted him to my interest. We wouldn’t be able to sneak around behind his back the same way anymore. He’d always be watching and probably turn into a suspicious jackass. A strain was going to grow between Caroline and me, and everything we’d worked these last few months to build together was about to be put through the ultimate test.

Wound tight, I climbed into my truck, drove home and let myself into my quiet, dark apartment. I waited until I was in my room with the door shut before I kicked my dresser drawers and fisted my hands.

“Motherf*cking piece of shit bastard *.”

“What’s wrong?”

I gasped and whirled around, not expecting someone to be in my bed. “Jesus Christ!” Pressing my hand to my heart, I gaped at Caroline as she sat up, the sheets sliding down to reveal she was wearing one of my T-shirts. “What the f*ck are you doing here?”

“I came over to see Zoey earlier, and just...forgot to go home.”

A blinding, uncontrollable love swamped me. Feeling as if the grains of my time with her were slipping away, I hurried to the bed, freshly awed by how beautiful she was to me, inside and out. “And how is Blondie doing?” I asked, crawling onto the mattress with her to lie on top of the covers next to her.

She shrugged and slipped my hair across my forehead with a gentle touch. “She’s scared. Both she and Quinn are freaked out. They’ve gone to three different doctors, and all of them have said she’ll probably be put to bed rest at some point in the pregnancy. They’re good for now, but I think it’s going to be a stressful nine months.”

I nodded as I kicked off my shoes. “Yeah. I can only imagine how much this is going to suck ass.”

When I arched my face in to kiss her cheek, Caroline pulled back as soon as my lips touched hers. Setting her hand on my jaw, she squinted at me thoughtfully, sympathy filling her gaze. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

Shaking my head, I gazed into her eyes, scared that soon I wouldn’t be able to look into them like this ever again. I’d never be able to stretch out on a bed with her, or pull her hair while I made her come.