Going Down Easy (Boys of the Big Easy #1)(46)

Addison had been just about to ring the doorbell to Caroline’s house when the door had swung open and Gabe’s mother had greeted Addison and Stella with a huge warm smile and a finger over her lips, indicating they should be quiet.

Apparently, Gabe was upstairs getting dressed, and Caroline wanted to greet Addison and Stella without him present. And she wanted to see Gabe’s reaction when he saw Addison.

Which was sweet. But Addison touched her hair, suddenly self-conscious and realizing that this evening was a bigger deal than Gabe and her just going to some party.

She’d known that. On some level. And she’d ignored it. Because she really wanted to go. Not just for the plantation house and mint juleps.

But now she was in the living room where Gabe had grown up, with his mother beaming—beaming—at her. Stella had picked up on the excitement and was shifting from foot to foot and trying to muffle her giggles.

Addison grinned at her daughter. “Mrs. Trahan, this is Stella. Stella, this is Gabe’s mom and Cooper’s grandma, Mrs. Trahan.”

“Oh my goodness,” Caroline said with a laugh. “You can’t call me Mrs. Trahan,” she told Stella. “That’s way too hard. You can call me Caro.”

“Okay,” Stella told her with a wide smile.

“And I hope you like grilled cheese and carrot sticks,” Caroline said.

“I do,” Stella said enthusiastically.

Addison and Caroline had talked on the phone earlier in the week to go over some of Stella’s preferences and routines, which Addison appreciated greatly. The other woman was warm and sweet and so genuine in wanting to make Stella’s evening with her successful.

“And I was wondering if you would help me with something,” Caroline said to Stella.

“Okay.”

Addison felt pride warm her heart, as her daughter readily agreed to help Caroline without even knowing what she needed and with the realization that Stella trusted Caroline.

“Well, I have some old coffee cans that I want to turn into containers that I can grow flowers in for my friends. And I need some help painting and decorating them.”

Stella’s mouth fell open at the idea of doing a craft project. “I’m a really good artist,” she said solemnly. “I can do a good job on that.”

Caroline smiled widely. “Oh, that’s wonderful news. I can’t wait to get started.”

“Holy shit, Addison.”

They all swung to face Gabe as he stepped into the room. He was staring at Addison as he came forward, as if he didn’t even see anyone else. And she knew the feeling. Holy shit was right. He was in a tux. And, evidently, that was all it took to make her nipples perk up and everything to go hot and wet.

“Language, Gabe.” This came from Logan, who had just come into the room with Cooper. He bit into the apple he held as he looked over at Addison, froze, checked her out from head to toe, and then said, “But yeah, holy shit, Addison.”

She was very pleased with the off-the-shoulder, floor-length dress. The fitted bodice was a rich ocean blue, with the color slowly fading to a pale-blue at the hem. There were silvery threads throughout the bodice that sparkled in the light when she moved. She had her hair up in a twist and had gone a little dramatic with her makeup, especially around her eyes.

She opened her mouth, but she couldn’t even spare Logan a reply because suddenly Gabe was nearly on top of her.

“I need to talk to you in the kitchen,” he said.

Addison felt her eyes widen. “Um, okay.” She glanced at Caroline.

Caroline and Logan were both watching Gabe with a combination of surprise and amusement.

“Stella, I’m going to go talk to Gabe for a minute, okay?”

“Sure, Mommy,” Stella told her. She made a beeline for Cooper. “Show me your room.”

“Okay.” Cooper turned and led the way out of the room.

Gabe grabbed Addison’s hand and started in the opposite direction.

“Hey, Gabe?” Caroline called.

“Yeah?” he asked, not stopping but giving his mom a quick glance.

“Don’t mess up her hair. It looks perfect.”

Gabe didn’t reply, and Addison tripped along after him on her three-inch heels, holding up the skirt of her gown. “Gabe, what’s going on?”

“Just a second,” he said. He pulled her into the kitchen and around the edge of the countertop, fridge, and another countertop before he turned her, backed her into a corner, cupped her face in his hands, and kissed her.

Addison gripped his biceps, loving that the heels boosted her closer to his height. She opened her mouth, and he immediately stroked his tongue in along hers, making sparks of pleasure and desire explode in her core.

It was several long moments before he lifted his head. When he did, he said, “Okay, new rule. You need to text me photos before we go out from now on.”

Addison couldn’t help but love the “from now on,” as if this was something that was going to keep happening for a very long time. “Why is that?”

“So I can be prepared. The sudden rerouting of blood from my brain could be dangerous.”

She laughed, feeling light and happy and optimistic. “Well, I don’t want anything to happen to you. I’ll wear sweatpants from now on.”

He ran his hands down to her butt. “I love you in sweatpants. But damn, girl, this dress . . .”