by Zoe York
What shocked her more than her immediate, visceral reaction to Gabe’s physique was that it paled in comparison to the emotional connection she felt with him. Again, she had that sense that she was watching him, getting a sense of his rhythm so she could slip right in and join him in that dance without missing a beat.
“You wanted a shower…?”
“Yeah…” she muttered, yanking her gaze away.
She ensconced herself in the steamy bathroom and stripped out of her clothes, dismayed by the way her body quivered. At least it wasn’t anger or disgust that had her trembling this time, though this reason might prove to be a bigger source of consternation. “I guess it doesn’t matter if there’s any hot water left.”
Chapter 8
“Gabriel Collins! It’s been too long since I’ve seen you in here.”
Gabe leaned in to give the hostess a quick peck on the cheek without letting go of Annie’s hand. “I’ve been busy. How’ve you been, Delia?”
“I’ve been good. Oh, my goodness! Who is this pretty lady and this adorable young man?” she cried, noticing his companions at last.
Jealousy flickered briefly in her eyes, but she was too good to let it stay long. Still, Gabe hoped Annemarie didn’t notice.
He stepped back to introduce them. “My date, Annemarie Garrett, and her son, Cody. Annie, Cody, this is Delia Tucci. Her family owns the Buffalo Bill Pizzeria.”
“Your date?” Delia asked. “Then I won’t keep you. We can catch up later.”
Smiling politely, he took up the rear as she led them to a booth in a quiet corner of the busy restaurant. She took their drink order and sauntered into the kitchen to fill it. There was a time when he would’ve watched that sassy backside all the way until it disappeared behind the swinging doors, but tonight, whatever interest she’d held for him was absent, and he had a feeling it was a permanent change. Across the table from him, Annemarie pored over the menu with her son even though they’d all decided on a pepperoni pizza on the drive in from Garrett Ranch.
Did she have any idea how beautiful she was to him? Doubtful. She had the kind of self-deprecating humility that would prevent her from seeing herself as anything more than average at best. But she was beautiful. It was her eyes. In a face that was more softly pretty than strikingly exquisite, they glittered like a clear summer sky and sucked him in, exuding an innocence that aroused a strong, primal need in him to protect her. How the hell could Tom have looked into those eyes and lied to her and used her like he had?
You have two seconds to leave before I slam this door in your face.
Too bad you never thought to say that before now.
The cocky gleam in the rancher’s eyes and the pale horror that splashed across Annie’s face in reaction made Gabe ill. What he’d caught of their exchange had relieved some of his concerns but added fuel to others. Annemarie wouldn’t ever again be deceived by Tom, and even if she harbored anything other than bitterness and anger for him—doubtful—she wouldn’t let it take root. No, the complication that worried him now was Tom’s desire to possess what he couldn’t have.
The whole story about “sparing” Jim to drive her cattle to auction was a ploy, and a thin one at that. Gabe guessed Tom had heard rumors—perhaps from his own wife—that someone else might be interested in one of his discarded playthings. So he’d come to investigate, and undoubtedly, he’d seen plenty to confirm those rumors. That had the potential to land Gabe in trouble. He wouldn’t tolerate Tom crossing the line from merely wanting what he couldn’t have to trying to claim her.
Delia returned with their beverages and took their order—a large pepperoni pizza, of course—then left them alone. Gabe had told Annemarie earlier that bad thoughts weren’t allowed tonight, and since ignoring his own edict would make him a hypocrite, he resolved to worry about Tom later and enjoy his date with Annemarie and Cody. He stood, holding out his hands to them, then led them into the game room. The pizzeria boasted skee-ball, air hockey, several arcade games, and a small, ten-horse carousel that had Cody bouncing in place in excitement. Gabe pulled a quarter out of his pocket and handed it to the attendant. Cody claimed a black horse with ornate blue, green, and silver adornments, and Gabe stood back with Annemarie to watch him ride the wooden steed around and around.
“So… Delia,” she said.
“What about her?”
“She’s gorgeous. And… friendly. Something happen between you two?”
Gabe shrugged. “We went on a couple dates a few years ago.”
“A few years ago? Was that before or after Leigh?”
“Right after. I wasn’t ready.”
“Ah. And nothing happened when you were?”
“Nope.”
“Why not?”
“I met you.”
Her eyes rounded when she caught his meaning. “Oh.”
He tugged her hand out of her pocket and with a deliberate unhurriedness, slid his fingers between hers and brought her knuckles to his lips. His favorite shy smile brightened her face, and the way she tilted her head up and leaned in to him invited him to take it a step further. God knew he wanted to take her up on that offer and kiss until they were both breathless, but he didn’t. He wanted to savor every touch, taste, and experience with her, and just as much, he refused to let the focus be the physical. He wanted much more than that.
“It’d be all right if you kiss me,” she murmured.
“I will, but not yet. I fully plan to be a proper gentleman and treat you like a lady.”
“You don’t need to do that, Gabe. I’m not some delicate, virginal flower.” She snorted. “Obviously. I have a child, for God’s sake.”
“I know I don’t need to, but I’m going to.”
“Why?” she asked. Her tone was dull, and the way she looked away said she wasn’t after an explanation but asking why bother.
“Because that’s who I want to be.” With his free hand, he tilted her face up to him again, skimming his thumb along her jaw. Unable to resist, he kissed the top of her head before folding her into his arms. A foot shorter and half his weight, she always felt small to him, but right now, there was a fragility about her, too. “But mostly because you deserve it.”
With a sigh, she rested her head against his chest and tucked her arms around his waist. “If you’re thinking you need to prove to me that you’re different than Tom, you don’t. You’re about as different from him as it’s possible to be… without trying.”
“Well, that’s a relief,” he joked. “It’s not going to change anything, though.”
“I’m not used to this, so please don’t be offended if I don’t know how to react.”
“All the more reason to bring back a little chivalry.” He trailed his fingers down her spine, and she shivered. “How’re your arm and shoulder?”
“Fine.”
“The kind of fine that means you’re not, like you used earlier, or are you actually fine?”
She laughed softly. “They don’t hurt much anymore. And I’m okay the other way, too, now.”
“Glad to hear it.”
The carousel slowed and stopped, and Cody bounded over, beaming and begging his mother and Gabe to teach him how to play skee-ball. Gabe was happy to indulge him and showed him how to hold the ball, draw his arm back, and release the ball at just the right time to send it rolling rather than bouncing up the ramp to the pockets. After a few practice runs with Gabe guiding Cody’s hand, he stepped back to let the boy have at it. On his first solo throw, he sunk the ball into the fifty-point pocket.
“That was a great shot, Cody!” Gabe cheered, grinning almost as broadly as the little boy.
Annemarie rested her hand on Gabe’s chest to get his attention and then whispered. “I need to use the restroom. Be right back.”
He caught her hand as she turned away and kissed her knuckles again, pleased when her entire face lit up with a delighted smile. Gabe hooked his thumbs in the pockets of his jeans and watched Cody play. For a five-year-ol
d, the kid had a sharp eye and a strong arm. He hit the forty and fifty pockets more often than not and once hit the one-hundred. When he did that, leapt into the air, pumping his fist and hooting with pride. Gabe laughed and held his hand out for a high-five. Cody slapped his hand hard enough to make it sting, and he made a show of shaking the pain off.
A few other kids milled around the arcade area, but Gabe paid them little attention. He glanced over his shoulder to check on their table to make sure Delia hadn’t brought out their pizza yet.
“Give it back, TJ!” Cody yelled.
He jerked his head back. An older boy with dark hair had joined Cody and held one of the skee balls high over the little boy’s head with a callous sneer Gabe had seen somewhere but couldn’t pinpoint. He was ten or eleven, maybe twelve—plenty old enough to know better than to taunt a kid half his age.
“Make me, slimeball.”
Gabe plucked the ball from the kid’s hand, and the boy whirled on him, full of bluster for about half a second before he realized it wasn’t another kid who’d snatched his stolen item. His eyes sprang wide as he craned his neck to look up at Gabe.
“Leave,” Gabe said. “Now.”
The kid affected a scowl, but the uncertainty in his eyes contradicted the bravado of it. “You can’t make me.”
Gabe leaned down until he was at eye-level with the kid. “You sure you want to test that theory?”
The kid backed up, his eyes round again. “You c-can’t. My dad’ll be pissed you talked to me like this, and you don’t want to mess with him. He’s—”
“First, watch your mouth. Second, I don’t give a donkey’s backside about who your father is. Don’t let me catch you harassing Cody again. Now, git!”
The boy curled his lip but stalked away toward the front of the restaurant. Gabe straightened and handed the ball back to Cody. “Here you go, squirt. Let’s see if you can hit that one-hundred pocket again.”
Cody stared at the ball but didn’t make a move to return to his game.
“All right. Who was that kid?”
“My brother,” he mumbled.
Brother? How could…? Tom’s son with his wife. Of course. “You mean your half-brother.”
He nodded.
“Why does that not surprise me?” Gabe muttered. “Just like his prick of a father.”
He squatted in front of the little boy, forcing Cody to look at him. Tears shimmered in the boy’s blue eyes and his lower lip wobbled, but beneath the pain of rejection, Gabe saw determination. He opened his arms, and Cody didn’t hesitate to throw himself into them. Gabe hugged him tightly, and within seconds, hot tears seeped through the thin material of his T-shirt.
“Don’t let him get to you,” he murmured.
“Why is he always so mean to me?”
“Because he’s a spoiled brat.”
“Mom says I’m spoiled. Does that mean I’m gonna be mean like TJ?”
“Absolutely not. You’re spoiled with love, and love makes people nice and kind.”
“Is that why you’re so nice? Because your family spoiled you with love like my mom spoils me with love?”
“You bet that’s why.”
Cody sighed raggedly and laid his head on Gabe’s shoulder. “Good, because I want to be like you. I don’t want to be like TJ.”
If there was a greater compliment in the world, Gabe couldn’t think of it. “I get the feeling you’re going to be better than all of us, squirt,” he whispered.
Sensing someone watching him, he glanced up. Annemarie stood a few feet away with her lips pressed between her teeth and something in her eyes he couldn’t name, but it hit him in the chest like the kick from a horse.
He opened his mouth to fill her in, but she held her hand up.
“I can guess what happened. I spotted Tom and Sandy in a booth near ours on my way back. What’d TJ say this time?”
“Not much. He took the ball from Cody, held it out of his reach… and then I put an end to that.”
“Thank you,” Annie murmured. “I saw Delia heading to our table with our pizza just a moment ago.”
Gabe tried to stand, but Cody wouldn’t let go, so he picked the boy up with a steadying arm hooked around his waist and carried him to their table. When they passed by Tom and Sandy’s table, TJ let out a crow of laughter.
“Wook it!” he piped. “Wittle baby Cody’s cwying. Cwy me a wiver, wittle baby.”
“Ignore him, Cody,” Gabe whispered and did the same himself.
“That’s not nice, TJ,” said the little girl just a couple years older than Cody—Tom and Sandy’s daughter, no doubt—sitting beside TJ. “Gramps’ll tan your backside when he hears you’re being mean to Cody again.”
Gabe’s lips twitched and he sat down at his and Annemarie’s table. So Mom and Dad were fine with their son’s behavior, but Grandpa Thomas wouldn’t be if he heard about it. More and more, Gabe liked Thomas Sr. Too bad his only son hadn’t followed his example.
Cody unpeeled his arms from Gabe’s neck and slouched in the booth next to him to wait for his mother to flop a slice of pizza on his plate. He glared over the two booths between their table and the Grants’ at his half-brother. Annemarie sat across from Gabe and her son with her back to her ex-lover and his family with a noticeable determination to ignore them. Gabe was inclined to do the same, but he kept an eye on Tom.
“This pizza is fantastic,” Annemarie purred. “No wonder this is your favorite restaurant. Why have I never been in here before?”
“Because eating out is a frivolous waste of money?” Gabe took a bite of his first slice. “It’s good, but not as good as yours.”
“You’re a liar, but thank you.”
“I’m not lying. I like yours better.” He leaned back with one arm propped casually on the back of the booth and did his best to ignore the Grants and enjoy his meal.
It wasn’t easy.
Numerous times, the rancher glanced their way with what Gabe could only describe as a covetous gleam in his eyes. His wife appeared to be oblivious to his distraction. Or maybe she noticed and didn’t know how else to deal with it other than to pretend it wasn’t happening. Either way, it was sad, and Gabe felt sorry for her. Maybe his previous conversation with her had left a foul taste in his mouth, but she was honoring her vows and standing by her husband even when he couldn’t be troubled to do the same, and Gabe admired the courage it took to stay when she had every right to leave.
After they finished their pizza, they ventured into the game room for a little while and let Cody ride the carousel again. Gabe was in no hurry to end their date, but the proximity of Tom and his wife and obnoxious son had soured the mood some. Before, he’d been distracted by shielding Cody from TJ’s taunts and then by observing Tom, but now that he wasn’t, it occurred to him that it was highly unlikely Tom choosing the same restaurant Gabe had was a coincidence.
Sandy strolled into the game room with TJ and her daughter—Andrea, he learned. After a brief glance at Gabe and Annemarie, the woman was careful not to look their way again. Gabe shook his head. Sad, he thought again. One life to live, and she’s squandering it with a man who doesn’t give a shit about disrespecting her every time he lets his dick do the thinking.
“It’s getting late,” he remarked to Annemarie as the carousel wound down. “Are you ready to call it a night?”
“No,” she sighed, “but we should. Cody has school tomorrow.”
She didn’t mention Tom, but he sensed that she was as ready to get away from the man as he was, so they wrangled an unhappy Cody and left the game room. Gabe headed to the register to pay while Annemarie checked their table to make sure they hadn’t left anything behind. Tom lounged at a table near the door, chatting with someone he knew and sipping a beer, but his eyes tracked between Gabe and Annemarie.
“How was everything?” Delia asked, drawing Gabe’s attention.
“Great, as always. Thanks, Delia.”
“Always a pleasure, Gabriel.”
She took his cash, made the change, and he told her to keep it. She wiggled her brows suggestively and leaned over the counter, giving him a full view of the ample breasts nearly spilling out of her low-cut top. Not so long ago, he would’ve considered taking her up on her offer. Now, it required no effort to keep his eyes on her face.
“I was hoping I’d finally get that third date you promised me,” she said quietly, “but it’s looking like I never will. It’s serious, huh?”
“It’s too early to know yet.”
His eyes sought Annemarie and took in every line of her body as she sat on the bench of their booth and reached under the table to retrieve the stuffed horse Cody had lost under it and forgotten in the excitement of the evening. Delia was curvier, sassier, and some might say more beautiful, but to Gabe, Annemarie was the more attractive of the two.
“Oh God, it’s definitely serious. If you’re looking at her like that this early in the relationship, you’re a goner.”
“Maybe it’s true. Everyone seems to think so.”
“Who’s ‘everyone’?”
“Her son’s grandfather, my entire family, and now you.”
“Hey, as long as she makes you happy, that’s what matters, right? But you’ll have to forgive me if I hate her.”
“Don’t hate her. She’s got enough to deal with.”
“Ugh,” Delia groaned, but it disintegrated into laughter. “Get out of my restaurant, you big ol’ sap.”
He chuckled and walked away. Moments later, his smile faded.
Tom sauntered by Annemarie on his way back to his table, and he leaned down to whisper something in her ear. She snapped upright and for a moment Gabe thought she might slap him. He lengthened his stride.
“If I needed to know what a real man is,” she bit out loud enough for the closest tables to hear, “believe me, Tom, you would be the last person I’d look at for an example. Let’s go, Cody.”