The Plan (Off-Limits Romance, #4)(65)

“Then it’s a good thing you sent those pies.” I wipe my eyes and nose, and then peer up at him.

“Victor’s mother made them.”

Hearing the word “mother” makes me flinch, and I can see the sorrow on Gabe’s face.

“It’s okay. I’m just…really sad still.”

“Fuck, Marley. Of course you fucking are.”

“It was unexpected, you know?” I say, wiping my eyes. “I mean, sort of.”

“I’m sorry about the pork chop.”

I laugh. “Oh, she didn’t care. I think we had take-out that night. That half-decent Italian place. Probably her last time eating food from there. Poor mama.”

“Mar, I’ve been a dick. In lots of ways.”

I don’t want to nod and kick Gabe when he’s already on his knees apologizing, so I let my gaze drift down his abs. I laugh, surprising myself with the sound. “Then maybe now it’s time to be a dick in the most important way.”

“Can we do that now? Like…now?” His eyes widen.

I laugh. “Of course.”

“Are you sure? It won’t…”

“It won’t do any of the weird things you’re thinking. I promise.”

Gabe hugs me again. I feel his lips rub over my hair as his hand traces along my spine. “You forgive me?”

“Maybe if you bring a few more pies.” I run my hand down his hip. “But something else could go a little ways toward winning me back, too.”

“Are you serious, Marley? You still—you’re not…done with this?” His voice is hoarse, which makes me love him.

“Hell no. Not yet, anyway. I want to see how this plays out, this crazy plan we have.”

He laughs. “I bet your friends think we’re both crazy.”

“I’m not sure if crazy is the word. If Kat wasn’t a fan of your books, I think there’s some chance you’d be down there in the cemetery.”

“Fuck.” He sighs. “I didn’t mean to fuck things up like that.”

“I know that now.”

Gabe digs for something in his pocket, pulling out his phone. “It’s almost Thanksgiving. You want to go away with me?”

My throat tightens as he holds his phone out, showing me… “Is that your plane?”

He smiles. “Would it help if it was?”

“Where can it fly?”

“Anywhere you want it to.”

“Really?” I laugh, giddy as a kid, and Gabe kisses my forehead. “Is it the plane or the pies? What’s got you grinning?”

“Can we bring a pie on the plane?”

He strokes my hip. “I know of one I’d like to taste…” And then his hand is slipping into my pants…behind my silky panties, and—“ahhh!”

I yelp because his finger on me is so intense, it’s almost electric.

“Oh, Gabe…” I grab onto him and notice his eyes are wide. His hand goes still on me. “No, it feels good. Like, extra good,” I pant.

“Come here…” He leads me to the bedroom, where he spreads me out, crawls between my legs, and peels my underwear off. “Jesus, Marley.” His eyes come to meet mine. “Are you positive?”

“That we can do this?” I laugh. “Yes. The whole way through. And at the end, sex can make the baby come.”

He laughs hoarsely. “Don’t tell me that.”

“Chicken?”

“Hell yeah.”

I reach for his pants. “I think I can do some things to ease your fears…”



*

Gabe





“So…what do you think?”

Marley and I are standing on the tarmac up in Auburn, which has the nearest airport, and she’s gaping at my jet.

“I can’t believe this thing is really yours.” She grins. “Does it have a name?”

I nod. “Marley’s Baby.”

Her eyes widen, then she punches my arm. “You liar.”

I shrug. “You don’t know my life.”

She giggles. “Yes I do.” I watch her gaze wander the length of the plane. “What kind is it?”

I shrug. “Just a jet.”

“It’s weird, because I don’t feel like you own a jet.”

I laugh. “How do you feel?”

“I don’t know.” She tilts her head. “You seem so normal.”

“Well, I’d say you’re clearly off-track there.” I smirk, and Marley snuggles up against me.

“What do you think?” I ask. “You want to go inside?”

She squeals. “Yes! I’m such a plebeian. You’re losing cool points right now with your crew for your girl’s lack of chill.” She nods at the pilot standing by the door. “I’ve never been on someone’s private jet before,” she whisper-hisses.

I take her hand. “Well, here’s your chance.”

My pilot, Boomer, treats her kindly, winking at me over her head, and the stewardess, a friendly older woman named Matilda, oohs and aahs over her, then asks, behind her back, “Is this your girlfriend?”