On the Rocks (Last Call #1)(8)

But then we went back to our feuding state, and now I’m getting ready to see her and hopefully have a calm sort of interaction.

As if on cue, the front door to the bar opens and I see the silhouette of Gabby framed by the noon sun behind her. Even her outline looks stunning and, as she steps into the gloom of the bar, I can see her features a little more clearly without the sun distorting her image.

She still wears her chocolate-brown hair long, cut in loose layers that frame her face. It’s her face that makes Gabby… well, Gabby. She has some Cherokee somewhere deep in her line, at least that’s what her mom says, but it must be true. Her cheekbones sit high on her heart-shaped face, and her hazel eyes are exotically slanted. Her skin is golden with light freckles across the bridge of her nose. She has the most amazing lips… full, generous, and as I remember, so very soft. Even now… dressed in a plain white t-shirt, boy-cut Levis, and a pair of worn work boots, she’s without a doubt the sexiest woman I’ve ever known.

And probably ever will know.

She’s starred in many fantasies I’ve had while in my shower jacking off, and just the thought of that causes a stirring down in my pants.

Mentally shaking my head to get my thoughts out of the gutter, I stand from the bar stool and make my way over to her. But before she acknowledges me, she glances over and sees Brody behind the bar. She doesn’t even spare me a glance but turns his way, walking right up to him.

“Hey Brody,” she says in that soft, southern voice, giving him a huge hug.

I see him jerk with surprise over the contact, his body stiff for just a few seconds. Then he remembers that this is Gabby… like a little sister to him as well, and he returns her hug for a brief moment.

I hear her softly say, “I missed you,” and I watch as his arms tighten around her just a bit, while he stares at me with an impassive look over her shoulder.

My heart hurts so badly as I see the way he struggles with personal contact and kindness. My heart also expands at the same moment when I see how softly caring Gabby is to my brother. I’ve seen plenty of people over the last week turn their nose up at Brody, completely bent on considering him a murderer and nothing more. I’ll be forever grateful to Gabs for making him remember that he’s her friend and always will be.

Turning to me, Gabby gives me a polite smile. “Hunter… good to see you.”

I raise my eyebrows, amused by her show of aloof professionalism. There’s certainly no warm hug for me… no words of how much she missed me.

But then again, I didn’t expect any, and it sticks in my craw for a delusional moment that she can be warm and caring toward my felon of a brother, but have a cool politeness for the guy that kissed her senseless.

No, that won’t do at all.

I step up to her and grab her in a hug, trying hard not to laugh when she yelps in surprise. “Hey, Gabs. I’m sure you got a hug in there for Brody’s brother, right?”

I feel her body stiffen against mine and her hands come up to rest on my biceps, not to return the hug but to push me away. I let her struggle futilely for a moment, and then I release her from my hold. Sneaking a glance at Brody, I see that he’s watching us with the briefest hint of interest before he returns to stocking the bar.

“Well, let’s go back to my office, and you can show me your bid.”

I turn around, but not before I relish the confused look on Gabby’s face. There… that will teach her to show indifference to me.

Opening the door to my office, I motion her in before me and follow behind. She stops halfway into the room, and I can’t help myself from walking up right behind her and stopping just inches from her body.

She’s not immune to my nearness, because even I can feel the heat that swirls between us. Her spine stiffens a little, and I watch with amusement as she pushes her shoulders back so her head lifts tall and proud.

I literally can’t help myself when I bend forward just a bit and softly say, “You look beautiful. But then again… you always did.”

I’m even more amused when she takes a quick step forward to get away from me, and I almost want to laugh out loud when I hear the way her breath comes out all shaky. Keeping a neutral look on my face, I walk past her and sit behind my desk, motioning for her to take a seat. She does so, sitting on the edge of the chair, completely ill at ease in my presence.

While it strokes my ego to know that I still have an effect on her, I don’t want this to be unpleasant, because I know how important this is for her. So I give her a reassuring smile and say, “I’m excited to see your bid. Casey made sure to text me this morning to tell me how impressed she was with it.”

Far from putting Gabby at ease, her face turns slightly red and she snaps, “I don’t want you giving me this job just because Casey is my best friend. You need to leave that out of this.”

I’m surprised by the vehemence in her voice, and I hold my hand up. “Easy now. I was just pointing out that Casey is proud of you. But don’t worry… I make my own decisions, and I’ll be choosing the best bid for the job. Our personal connection won’t have a damn thing to do with it.”

I make sure I put a world of innuendo in the word “personal,” and it has the intended effect. Gabby’s face goes even redder, and she swallows hard. I know her mind immediately went back five years to that kiss, and yeah… I’m thinking about it now as I stare at those lips, which were like heaven against mine.