My Gift To You

by Tracie Delaney

  “Liv.” His tone was calm, meant to soothe, but all it did was ratchet up Livvy’s anger.

  “This is your fault.” She pointed her finger at him. “If you hadn’t insisted I stay and eat something, I’d have been with her at the end. She died without me. Because of you!”

  Visitors and staff milling about the entrance looked over, a mixture of interest and embarrassment crossing their faces. When Livvy caught the eye of a particularly intrusive stare, she glared until the young man had the good grace to blush and turn away.

  She focused her anger back on Gabe. Deep down, she knew it had nothing to do with him and everything to do with rage at the unfairness of it all. But he was there—solid, dependable, composed—whereas she was fracturing inside.

  “Liv.” He reached for her again. “Use me, darlin’. I’m not going anywhere, so give me all you’ve got.”

  Livvy let out a wail of despair, and her hands curled into fists. She pounded them against his strong chest. For his part, Gabe simply held her as she took out her anger and hurt on him. When she was spent, she collapsed against him. As she cried, he stroked her hair and murmured soothing words in her ear.

  He eventually eased her back and dried her tears with his thumbs. Her eyes were stinging, and exhaustion washed over her. But as she looked at Gabe’s grave and sincere face, a wave of affection rushed through her. Lesser men wouldn’t have let her blame them for something they had absolutely no control over, let alone take the physical onslaught she’d given him. This one was special—a keeper.

  “What do you need, Livvy?” he asked. “Whatever it is, I’ll do it.”

  “You,” she said. “I only need you.”

  Gabe’s plane came in to land, and as it hit the ground, Livvy’s heart mirrored the resounding thud. Leaving John behind after Beth’s funeral had been terrible. Mark’s death had stripped him of so much, but without Beth, he seemed shrunken somehow, a shadow of the man he used to be. She’d begged him to come to California with her, but he’d steadfastly refused. She would have to make sure she headed home more often. At least he had Ches to keep an eye on him.

  As Livvy and Gabe descended the steps of the plane, the sky overhead was unusually dark and gloomy, reflecting her mood perfectly. How much more death would she and those she loved the most have to suffer? Yet another special person in her life was gone—one who could never be replaced.

  Gabe’s fingers reached for hers, and he squeezed them hard. Since Beth’s passing, every day had gone by in a devastating, painful blur, but the one constant had been this amazing man. He’d stood by her side the whole time, even though his business interests had demanded his attention back in LA. Her life had become a dichotomy of extremes—terrible, devastating sadness, and ecstatic, thrilling joy.

  “Don’t go back to your apartment,” Gabe said as they settled into the back of the waiting limousine.

  She twisted in her seat. “I don’t have any clean stuff.”

  His lips twitched, a much welcome moment of amusement. “I have this amazing invention in my house. It’s a machine that cleans clothes.”

  Livvy dug him in the ribs as a bright smile spread across her face. It felt good to laugh. Joy had been sadly lacking in recent days, and her mood instantly lifted.

  She gave him a stern look. “Very funny.”

  “So you’ll come back with me?”

  Too tired to put up much of a fight, she nodded. Gabe made a satisfied noise and slipped his arm around her shoulder. She leaned into him, taking the strength he was so willing to give.

  After the limo pulled up in front of Gabe’s house, he eased Livvy out of the car and led her inside.

  He wandered into the kitchen, with her trailing behind. “Hungry?”

  “A little.”

  “How about a snack? What would you like to eat?”

  She slid onto one of the stools at the breakfast bar and rested her chin on her hands. “You,” she said quietly.

  With his head in the fridge, Gabe froze before slowly turning around. In his hands were plates of meat and cheese. He put them on the counter before walking around to her side of the kitchen. He threaded his hands into her hair and kissed her, his mouth firm then demanding against hers.

  Livvy eased off the stool and pressed herself up against him. They’d waited long enough. Tonight, this man was hers. She wanted him, all of him. Waiting was no longer an option. Life was far too short. She’d already known that with the loss of her babies and Mark, but Beth’s passing had been a poignant reminder. No more procrastinating.

  Gabe’s tongue surged inside her mouth, taking, possessing, and owning. God, the man knew how to kiss a woman so that her toes curled and her spine tingled. His hands moved lower over her back as he circled his hips against her, pressing his erection against her in a way that had a moan easing from her throat.

  Livvy was so lost in Gabe’s expert touch that she failed to hear they had company until a broad Texan accent drawled, “Well, well, darlin’. When you decide to take your tongue out of that poor girl’s mouth, you can introduce us.”

  Livvy leaped away from Gabe, an undoubted look of horror on her face as she came face-to-face with a petite woman, who looked to be in her early sixties. She was no more than five feet tall, and her hair was styled in a bob, dark in color but streaked with caramel. She popped her hands on her hips and gazed at them with a perfectly arched eyebrow.

  Gabe, on the other hand, looked highly amused. His lips twitched as he reached for Livvy, pulling her to his side again. “Heard of knocking, Mother?”

  Mother? Oh shit!

  Livvy glanced up at him then back at the woman standing in front of her. Fortunately, his mother had an amused look that rivaled Gabe’s.

  “Good to see you too, darlin’. So…” Her gaze flitted between Gabe and Livvy then back again.

  “Mom, this is Livvy Hayes. Livvy, this is my mother, Heather Mitchell.”

  Heather stepped forward and held out her hand. The two women shook briefly.

  “Hi, Livvy. How lovely to meet you. My son is notoriously tight lipped when it comes to his private life, so I’m afraid it falls to you to fill in the gaps. Now come, sweat pea. Tell me everything.”

  She tucked Livvy’s hand into the crook of her arm, patted the back of it, and started to head out of the kitchen. “Darlin’,” she said with a casual glance over her shoulder. “Get me some tea, will you?” And without uttering another word, she walked into the hallway, towing Livvy along with her.

  Chapter Twelve

  Gabe repressed a groan as he found Livvy and his mother in the living room. The two women had their heads together, both chatting away as if they’d known each other for years rather than mere minutes.

  As she heard him enter, his mom glanced over her shoulder and held her hand out for her tea.

  “Over here, darlin’,” she said as he placed the cup in her outstretched hand.

  He set a coffee in front of Livvy and sat down to sip his own drink. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” he drawled at his mother.

  She tsked. “If I left it up to him”—she cocked her head in Gabe’s direction—“I’d be lucky if our paths crossed once a year.”

  Gabe refrained from rolling his eyes. “I have a business to run, Mother.”

  “I know you do, darlin’. But really, how much time does it take to pick up the phone once in a while and make sure your old ma is still breathing?”

  Livvy snickered. Gabe shot her a look that made her smile spread further instead of having the intended reaction.

  “Point taken,” he said begrudgingly.

  “And do tell,” she continued. “How long were you going to keep this gorgeous girl from me, huh?”

  “We just got back from England. Give me a break.”

  His mom looked at Livvy then back at Gabe. “Taking vacations together already?” She clapped her hands. “Oh, this is marvelous.”

  Gabe let out a frustrated sigh. Time to rein in his mother from getting ahea
d of herself and launching into wedding arrangements. “Actually, Livvy recently lost someone very important to her. We were over in England for the funeral.” Not exactly the full story, but he didn’t want to explain the details of the last few weeks.

  “Oh, no.” She picked up Livvy’s hand and rubbed it between both of hers. “I’m so sorry, sweat pea. How awful for you.”

  Livvy nodded. “It’s been a tough few weeks.” She looked over at Gabe, her face full of… appreciation? “But your son was wonderful throughout.”

  A thrill of excitement crossed his mother’s face, and this time, Gabe didn’t withhold a groan. “Stop, Mother.” He knew exactly where her thought process was heading. Livvy gave him a confused look, but he just shook his head.

  Heather clasped a hand to her chest. “Stop what?” She took a sip of her tea and gave him an innocent stare over the rim of her cup.

  “Livvy and I have only known each other a matter of weeks.” And haven’t even had sex yet. “Give us a break.”

  She tsked again and waved her hand in the air in the dismissive way she’d mastered over the years. “Time waits for no man.” She turned her attention back to Livvy. “It could be over in a flash for any of us.”

  Gabe couldn’t hold back a sharp inhale as Livvy paled. She scrambled to her feet, coffee spilling over the sides of her mug as she almost dropped it onto the coffee table. “Excuse me a moment,” Livvy mumbled as she darted from the room.

  Gabe gave his mother an exasperated look. “Terrific,” he said before clambering to his feet. He wasn’t sure whether Livvy had been thinking of Beth or Mark and her unborn child, but regardless, Heather’s comment was far from welcome.

  “I’m so sorry, darlin’,” she said, attempting to stop him as he started after Livvy. “I didn’t think.”

  “Don’t worry.” He put a hand out, stopping her in her tracks, and patted her shoulder. “Stay here. I’ll be back in a minute.”

  He found Livvy in the kitchen, and relief poured through him. She could be so skittish at times, especially where her grief was concerned. Gabe wasn’t yet sure how she would react in certain situations.

  “Mom feels terrible.” He held his arms out, his worry ebbing away when she folded herself inside them. “Her heart’s in the right place, though.”

  Her shoulders shook. At first he thought she was crying, but when she looked up at him, her eyes were sparkling with laughter. “It’s fine. She didn’t say anything wrong. It’s me. I’m too sensitive. I needed a moment to gather myself. Your mum is right—life is too short. I, more than most, understand that.”

  Her hands curved around his cheeks, and she urged him towards her. His stomach clenched as their lips met in an all-too-brief kiss.

  “I’m ready,” she said, making him frown until she finished her thought. “And this time, you’d better have condoms.”

  Heather stretched her arms overhead and yawned. “Well, darlin’, I guess I should be off.”

  “You can stay if you want,” Gabe said, although if she accepted his offer, he would disown her.

  With a twinkle in her eye, she shook her head. “You don’t want an old girl like me cramping your style.” She rose to her feet. “I’m meeting a friend for lunch, and I want to get some shopping done before then.”

  Livvy stood, and Heather gave her a warm hug. “I hope we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other, Livvy.”

  Gabe rolled his eyes and took her by the arm. “Give her a break, Mother.” He walked his mom to her car, readying himself for a grilling. He knew her too well.

  Precisely on cue, as he opened her door, she rested a hand on the roof of the car. “How long have you two been together?”

  “A few weeks. It’s early days.”

  Heather’s eyes bored into his. “She’s the special one, though, isn’t she?”

  Gabe blew a breath through his nose. His mother had always been able to read him. He nodded. “She’s had it tough, Mom, and yet she’s a survivor.” He looked down at the ground, trying to find a way to verbalize his inner feelings. He lifted his head. “From the first day I met her, I knew. Something about her calls to me. I can’t explain it. She reminds me of Sophia. Not in looks or personality, but in the way she copes with being dealt the shittiest hand. She refuses to let her demons drag her under.”

  His mother winced a little at the mention of his sister. She reached up and touched his cheek. “Livvy is your soul mate, darlin’.”

  Gabe chuckled. “You old romantic.”

  “Just like I was for your father, and he for me.”

  This time, it was Gabe’s turn to wince. “I know you miss him.”

  She nodded. “I do. So please, make every moment count.” She climbed into the car, closed the door, gave him a quick wave, and drove away.

  Gabe watched pensively as the car disappeared down the driveway, his mother’s comments spinning around his head. It was just like her to put into a couple of words feelings he’d been struggling to understand for weeks.

  With a soft smile, he went back in the house. Livvy was putting the coffee cups in the dishwasher. He slipped his arms around her and spun her around. His lips brushed hers in a featherlight kiss.

  “Are you sure?” he asked. “Really sure?”

  She nodded. “With everything that’s happened, it’s made me realize I need to take more risks and live life more fully than I have been doing. I’m sorry I’ve pushed you away all these weeks and given you so many mixed signals. I’m lucky you’ve stuck around. Lesser men would have gotten bored by now.”

  “You could never bore me.” He took her hand and led her upstairs. Once inside his bedroom, he wrapped his arms around her again. This time when he kissed her, he didn’t hold back.

  As her tongue tentatively reached out to meet his, Gabe groaned, desire rushing through him. Every touch, every sensation, every feeling with Livvy was heightened to an almost painful level. He broke away from her mouth and covered her face in kisses. As his lips met her neck, she threw back her head. The low, husky moan that escaped her throat made him want to record it so he could play it back on repeat.

  “Do that again.” She tilted her head to one side, giving him better access. “I love having my neck kissed.”

  Gabe smiled against her skin as he obliged her request. He kissed and sucked at the delicate skin, and the resultant noises Livvy emitted made his cock thicken and lengthen.

  Livvy’s hands feathered up and down his sides before she gripped the hem of his shirt and lifted it over his head. She tentatively reached out and touched him, her fingertips fluttering over his tanned, smooth chest before venturing farther south. She ran the tip of her nail inside the waistband of his jeans. His stomach clenched, making his abs ripple.

  She pressed the flat of her palm against the ridged muscles of his stomach. “I want to lick these.”

  “Darlin’, I ain’t gonna stop you.”

  Livvy smiled as she sank to her knees. Gabe threaded his fingers into her hair, as much to anchor him as to support her, while Livvy flicked her tongue over his abdominal muscles, paying attention to each and every one.

  “Jesus, you’re killing me,” Gabe gritted out. He released his hold on her head to unfasten his belt and tug his jeans down his legs. He kicked them to one side, and as he glanced down at Livvy, still on her knees, he had to refrain from yanking down his boxers and asking her to wrap her mouth around his dick. It would be a mistake. She was still too jumpy and nervous, and he was worried that he would scare her off if he pushed her too soon. Even though she’d been married for years, instinct told him that she didn’t have a lot of experience—maybe two or three lovers at most.

  He was about to help her to her feet, when her hands fisted the material of his boxers. In one swift movement, she pulled them down to his knees, wrapped her hand around the base of his cock, and took him into her mouth.

  “Holy fuck.”

  What the hell did he know? Either he’d been wrong, or she was acting on intuitio
n and hitting the mark.

  Gabe moved his hands back to her head as she took him deep into her mouth. But as his balls tightened, he eased back. He slipped his hands under her armpits and helped her to her feet.

  Her teeth grazed her bottom lip, and she gazed at him from under her lashes. “What did I do wrong?”

  Gabe’s eyes widened. “Not a goddamn thing, but I don’t want our first time to be like that. I want to be inside you.”

  “I want that too.” She shrugged out of her clothes and knitted their fingers together as she led him to the bed.

  “You’re so beautiful, Livvy,” Gabe murmured, his gaze raking her from head to foot as she stretched out in front of him.

  She beckoned him to her, and he went willingly. “Make me forget, Gabe,” she whispered in his ear as her fingers traced the outline of his face. “Make me forget everything except you and me and this moment.”

  Gabe covered her body with his, and their eager tongues tangled with each other. He slid his hands down the sides of her slender waist. The feel of her skin beneath his palms sent shivers up his arms and made his head spin.

  He trailed kisses down her neck, and Livvy arched her back, pushing her breasts against his chest as a soft moan tumbled from her lips. Gabe let out a low groan as he took her nipple between his lips and used the tip of his tongue to bring the peak to a hard point.

  “Don’t wait,” Livvy whispered as she tilted her pelvis. “Don’t make me wait any longer.”

  Gabe lifted his head and met her eager gaze. She nodded in encouragement as his eyes searched her face, looking for any signs that she had the slightest doubt. When he found none, he reached for a condom and tore the silver packet with his teeth. He leaned back on his heels and slid the condom down his shaft. Livvy reached out, curling her hands around his length as she eased him inside her warm, wet heat.

  Gabe clenched his jaw as his balls tightened once more. He rested his weight on his elbows and thrust his hips. As Livvy’s teeth grazed her lower lip and her eyes fixed on his, he almost came. To apply a level of control, he tore his gaze from hers and buried his head against her neck. He began to move faster as her body welcomed him every time he drove in hard. He nipped and sucked at the tender skin of Livvy’s neck, driving her as crazy as she was driving him.