On the Rocks (Last Call #1)(44)

Gabby is a f*cking vision, holding her bra up to cover herself in an uncharacteristic display of modesty, her golden skin complimenting the cream color of her lingerie. I want to tear them off her with my teeth.

But then I notice that her eyes are slightly red, and it’s at this moment that I realize she’s been crying.

Stepping inside her room, I shut the door and walk over to her dresser, pulling out a t-shirt, and laying it across one of my shoulders to free my hands. She watches me silently, still holding her hands over her breasts, the lace of her bra stuck in between.

Turning toward her, I cup her face with my hands and give her a tender kiss. Then I put my hands over hers and pull them away, the bra falling to the floor at our feet.

She stares at me with wide eyes, blinking slowly over my actions. Her head tilts to the side in curiosity, because I’ve never been able to keep my hands off her when she’s naked and it must be confusing to her that I am doing so at this moment.

I take the t-shirt and slip it over her head, and she automatically threads her arms through. When it’s settled over her, I reach to the back of her neck and pull her long hair out.

Taking her hand, I lead her to the bed, pulling her covers back.

“Get in,” I tell her.

She follows my orders blindly, crawling onto the sheets, and I pull the covers up over her. As I walk to the other side of the bed, she finally speaks. “What are you doing here?”

I kick off my flip-flops and take off my own t-shirt. “I wanted to come see you. Make sure you’re okay.”

Quickly shedding my shorts so I’m in nothing but my boxers, I crawl into bed beside her and turn on my side. She does the same, and we just stare at each other a moment.

“You didn’t need to come over, Hunter.”

“I know,” I tell her simply. “It was a matter of wanting to come over here.”

“But you have guests… John and Sasha are staying at your house, right?”

“Yup. But I doubt they’ll miss me tonight. I’m sure they’re just looking for a good night’s sleep after traveling all day.”

“I’m sure Sasha will miss you,” she says in a small voice.

Reaching my hand out, I stroke my fingers down her cheek and to her jaw. When I reach her chin, I pinch it firmly and say, “Hey… there’s nothing between Sasha and me.”

“But there was,” she points out.

“Yes, there was, but no more.”

“Tell me what happened.”

Sighing, I reach out to Gabby and pull her into my arms as I roll onto my back. I situate her so her head is on my chest and her body is pressed up against my side. She moves her leg over mine and drapes her arm over my stomach. The warmth and softness of her body immediately both soothes me and causes my blood to race. A contradiction… just like Gabby.

“We dated… pretty seriously, for a while. She was on the women’s pro tour and traveled with John and me to the competitions. She took a bad spill though and got injured… wasn’t able to compete anymore. Things sort of went south once she moved back home to California.”

“The long distance?”

“Yeah. She wanted me to retire, move to California, and marry her. I tried to go there to see her as much as possible while we worked on those issues, but we just drifted further and further apart. I broke things off with her a little over a year ago. It wasn’t pleasant.”

Gabby is quiet but her thumb is stroking over my ribs as she holds on to me, and I let myself get lulled by the sensation.

“Why did she kiss you?” Gabby’s voice floats over the quiet.

“I have no clue. Honestly… our last words were bitter, and I haven’t talked to her since. I figured she’d just as soon slap me as kiss me.”

“And Casey?”

Gabby’s words are hesitant and fearful all at once. I realize suddenly that she could give a rat’s ass about Sasha and our history. She was leading up to the information she really wanted… whether or not she had a best friend anymore.

“She’s angry we didn’t tell her, but she’ll get over it.”

“But… she didn’t seem to care for the fact I was with you. Said I had my claws in you.”

“She said that in anger—trust me,” I tell her, squeezing her waist where I’m holding on to her.

“But… she sounded so disgusted by it. I don’t think she thinks I should be with you. She didn’t seem too mad at you.”

“Gabs,” I murmur to her with patience. “I’m telling you… she’ll be fine. She’s probably over it already. You guys fight… it happens.”

She doesn’t say anything for a moment, but when she does, it tears my heart up. “I’m not good enough for you.”

I release my hold on her and roll over, pushing her on her back. Hovering over her, I ask, “What? Why would you think that?”

Gabby stares at me a moment, her eyes haunted with insecurity, and it makes me want to strip her naked, slide into her, and f*ck the doubt right out of her. But that’s not appropriate, nor does it address the issue.

“You are amazing and way too good for the likes of me,” I tell her sincerely. “Look what I did to you five years ago… and you gave me another chance.”