Still Mr. And Mrs.

by Patricia Olney

  “Reb,” Gabe said softly. “I can’t begin to tell you how bad I feel about what happened.”

  She leaned closer to him. “It’s in the past where it belongs.”

  He touched her cheek, stroking upward to cup her face. Then, through a hazy veil of passion, he instantly wrapped her in his arms.

  Slowly, he lowered his head to kiss her.

  Their lips brushed, touched, and tasted.

  Then the fire started.

  SEVEN

  Rebecca gasped at the feel of Gabe’s chest as he lowered her to the blanket. His kisses intensified and grew harder and more demanding. His mouth devoured hers, leaving her burning with unchecked desire.

  Like a sculptor, his hands found the exposed skin of her back where her top had inched upward. His fingers molded her skin, then stroked her with a featherlike touch, sending a blazing streak of heat up and down her spine. His grip tightened.

  He muttered something against her lips, and she opened her mouth for him, allowing his tongue to probe and twist with hers.

  He tasted wonderfully sweet, the nectar of the rosé still lingering on his tongue.

  He rubbed his hand along the slim curve of her hip, pulling her closer to him. She nestled her thigh between his legs, drawing a deep moan from him.

  Pressed together, she couldn’t help but notice the state of his arousal, his desire for her. Her hand traveled down to the metal buttons of his jeans. Cupping him lightly at first, she began to massage him through the rough fabric.

  He groaned low in his throat, the sound luring her closer.

  She slipped one button on his jeans free. Then the next. And the next.

  She wanted to touch him, to feel the smooth hardness of him. She slid her hand under the stiff material of his jeans until her fingers grasped and held him gently.

  He mumbled her name against her ear, his lips burning a sizzling path down her neck.

  It was as if they’d never been apart. Their passion for each other was urgent and wild, out of control.

  Then something made him stop and pull away.

  “What …?” she breathed in shock at the sudden void. “What’s the matter?”

  The wall was up again. He’d lost the control he treasured so much. She saw it in his eyes.

  “I’m sorry.” His smoky voice was a mix of excitement and strain. He leaned back, quickly buttoning his jeans.

  She felt something tighten inside of her. “So am I.”

  Rebecca shot straight up in bed, her hand at her throat. She was sure she heard something.

  Despite the breeze from the ceiling fan, a bead of perspiration inched down her spine. Through the partially parted shutters, she could see it was still dark. She checked the clock on the nightstand.

  It was almost three in the morning.

  She crawled out of bed, slipping on the cool satin robe that Gabe had bought her. She walked toward the door, a stream of moonlight guiding her way. She peeked around the corner expecting to see Gabe in the living room in his usual spot.

  To her surprise the small couch was empty. The blankets were crumpled in a heap in one corner of the sofa, and the once fluffy pillow was now squashed and lying limp on the floor.

  The French door creaked open with a yawn.

  She whirled around, realizing the door hadn’t been closed all the way. She walked to the door intent on shutting it but then she stopped.

  The moon, now full and hanging high in the night sky, beamed a full light across the lawn and the pool.

  There, silhouetted in the shadows, stood Gabe.

  He was bare-chested, wearing only a pair of shorts, his hands shoved in the pockets. He stood motionless, staring into the water as though he was hypnotized.

  Her throat tightened. Hot tears filled her eyes. She furiously wiped them away with a swipe of her hand.

  Slowly, she turned, latching the door shut behind her.

  Damn him, she swore.

  She knew he was fighting. Fighting her, himself and their unbearable need to be near each other.

  She walked back into her bedroom and slipped into bed, pulling the sheet up to her chin. They both had lost so much already. She wasn’t willing to lose anymore. Was she strong enough to fight for them both?

  The next evening, Rebecca and Jonathan were in the kitchen making a colossal sundae—and a big mess.

  “Here are some cherries, Jonathan.” Rebecca shut the refrigerator door.

  “Excellent, my dear, excellent.”

  She opened the jar and plopped a couple of red cherries on top of the chocolate-covered ice cream already decorated with whipped cream and chopped nuts.

  Rebecca climbed on top of a bar stool and picked up her spoon.

  “This is very good.” Jonathan glanced up at her. “I like your style, Rebecca.”

  She smiled. “Thank you.”

  “Your husband, he is more …”

  “Conservative?” Rebecca finished for him.

  Jonathan scooped a large bite into his mouth and nodded. “He worries too much.”

  “I know.”

  “I see a lot of myself in Gabe. Like him, I was intent on being the best, and working hard.

  “I didn’t realize how unbalanced my life was until my wife made me choose.” He rested the bowl on his lap. “Arlene finally told me it was her and our children or the business.”

  “What happened?”

  “My priorities changed. It was either that or my home address, according to Arlene.”

  Rebecca laughed. “You tell wonderful stories, Jonathan.”

  “I hope to make a point here. I was stubborn. Just like your husband. But Arlene was more so and let me know it.”

  “Reb?” Gabe said from the doorway. “Oh, I didn’t know you had company.” He walked in, looking at the mess spread across the kitchen.

  Jonathan stood and put his half-eaten ice cream on the counter. “This was delicious. But I must watch my weight. Thank you, Rebecca.” He gave her hand a slight squeeze. “Until tomorrow night. I’m looking forward to your party.”

  Rebecca sighed as she watched Jonathan leave.

  “What was that all about?” Gabe asked.

  “Actually, we were talking about you.” She took a bite of ice cream, slowly licking the spoon.

  “What did he tell you?” His pupils dilated, turning his eyes an even darker shade of brown.

  “That you work too hard. Just like he did until his wife told him enough was enough.” She ladled another spoonful of whipped foam and strawberry ice cream. “Want some?”

  When he shook his head, she took a bite. He looked so handsome, it made her chest hurt. She popped a cherry into her mouth and chewed, knowing that somehow, somewhere she’d lost her will to resist him. And she didn’t know what to do.

  Forcing her heart and mind away from him, she went to the kitchen sink intent on cleaning up the mess scattered across the counter.

  “Here,” he said, his voice low as he took in a shaky breath. “Let me help.”

  She turned abruptly and ran directly into him. Gabe stumbled backward against the butcher-block island, knocking over two bar stools. He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her hard against his hips. Rebecca let out a gasp as a third chair toppled over with a bang.

  “That’s not necessary,” she said softly, her gaze taking in the open V of his cream-colored shirt, the warmth of his eyes. “We made the mess. I can clean it up real fast.”

  He made no effort to hide his obvious hunger for her, and in that instant, she knew Gabe was changing, softening.

  Glancing down, she noticed a button of his shirt was caught in her cotton sweater. She grabbed at the front of her sweater to stop him. “Don’t move, you’ll tear your—”

  The sharp sound of ripping material filled the air.

  She glanced down at his torn shirt. “Looks like we’ve had a little accident.”

  “Nothing is little where you’re concerned.”

  Unable to help herself, she ran her p
alms over the smooth, hard curves of his muscled chest to where the button of his shirt was connected with her sweater. “Now hold still.” She pulled the button free. “I want to untangle us.”

  “I don’t.” His voice was rough and deep.

  Placing his large hands on her face, he tipped her chin up and kissed her. He eased his tongue into her mouth, causing her to draw in a ragged breath. He captured her tongue with his lips, sucking gently.

  She moaned as he devoured her, suddenly so aroused, he could have taken her right then.

  But would he? Would he let down his guard and make love to her?

  Would she let him?

  Before she could even form an answer, Gabe stiffened.

  “Oh, no, Gabe,” Rebecca whispered. “What’s wrong?”

  To her dismay, she saw Hines standing in the doorway.

  A trace of a smile showed around Hines’s mouth. “Er, um, excuse me, Miss Rebecca. I’m sorry to disturb you. But Miss Evelyn needs to see you right now. She’s waiting in her bedroom suite.”

  “Tell Evelyn I’ll be right there.”

  Hines nodded and walked out of the room.

  Rebecca looked over at Gabe who was picking up the tipped over bar stools.

  She pushed back her hair. “Evelyn’s waiting,” Rebecca said hesitantly as she walked toward the door.

  She saw a spark of some indefinable emotion in his eyes, a smoldering fire. She couldn’t be sure exactly what it was.

  She just wondered if she’d ever get the chance to find out.

  “Your dress for the party arrived from Frenchy’s,” Evelyn told Rebecca. “Just a short while ago.”

  “You peeked?” Rebecca inspected the beaded dress that hung on its hanger near the closet door.

  “Of course. I couldn’t help myself. I wanted to be sure you were on the right path to seduction. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Seduction?” Rebecca pulled the plastic cover back over the dress.

  “Yes, seduction. And I’m pleased to say that you have chosen wisely.”

  “Thank you.”

  Evelyn sat curled up on an overstuffed chair, her reading glasses perched low on her nose. “You’re welcome. At least you have good taste.”

  “Evelyn, what are you up to?”

  “Why do you think I suggested you go to Frenchy’s in the first place?” She tossed the book she’d been reading to the floor. “That sinfully delightful bathing suit worked. Didn’t it?”

  “Evelyn, have you been spying?”

  “I’m old, but I still have my ways.” A small smile lifted the corners of her mouth and then it disappeared.

  “You know after you moved back to Phoenix he closed the big house you two lived in and moved into the Cypress Street condo,” Evelyn said.

  “You must be glad he’s close by,” Rebecca commented.

  “Yes,” Evelyn said. “Gabe has always taken care of me ever since Max, my last husband, died so many years ago. But lately he’s starting to bother me. He’s such a mother hen.”

  Rebecca could only smile at the thought.

  Evelyn sighed. “He closed that house because of the bad memories, you know.”

  “No, I didn’t know.”

  “He didn’t say much about it, but I could tell. He’s not as clever at hiding his emotions as he thinks he is. But he’s been like that ever since he was a young boy. Very serious. But my son was too. Charles, Gabriel’s father, was all work, no play. He taught Gabriel a strong code of ethics, but without much affection. I think it pushed Gabe too far. And then there were those boarding schools.”

  “What schools?” Rebecca felt her heart sink.

  Evelyn blinked and then looked at Rebecca as though seeing her for the first time. “That’s where I went wrong. I should have stepped in and told Charles that with a sensitive little boy like Gabriel, being away from home all the time would be too much. But I was too soft on Charles as well.”

  “When did Gabe go to boarding school? And where was his mother?”

  “Oh, she was long gone the minute the divorce was final. Said she wasn’t cut out to be a wife or a mother. Gabriel went to boarding school soon after. He was very young at the time. Ten, I think. Charles was never very demonstrative, and the divorce … well, I shouldn’t have to tell you that it wasn’t good. Especially to that young boy. He was devastated by it all.”

  “Poor Gabe.” Rebecca had never known any of this. Maybe she and Gabe weren’t that different after all.

  Evelyn wiped her steel-gray eyes with a tissue. “Poor Gabe, hell,” she said, her voice rising. “He survived. We all do. And so we’ll just have to change him. That’s all.”

  “Oh, Evelyn.” Rebecca laughed. “You are terrible, you know that?”

  “I saw the two of you out there cozying up by the pool. That was a good start. Then nothing. What is the matter with you two anyway?”

  “Ask your grandson.” Rebecca picked up her dress.

  “I intend to.”

  Rebecca walked toward the door.

  “Who knows, Evelyn,” Rebecca said, “maybe a plan of seduction is the way to go. And perhaps this dress is the right start.”

  “Damn,” Gabe whispered as his gaze swept the silvery vision of his wife standing in the doorway of the banquet hall at the Indian Springs Country Club.

  “What’s that, Gabriel, dear?” Evelyn asked.

  “Nothing.” He signaled a waiter carrying a tray of drinks. He grabbed a glass of white wine as Rebecca walked straight toward him.

  The silver-sequined dress she wore sculpted her body perfectly. It came to her midthigh, giving a provocative view of her long, curvy legs. The tantalizing neckline, with its spaghetti straps, pulled tightly across her full breasts.

  Her high-heeled silver sandals made her seem taller, and when she turned to accept a glass of wine, Gabe noticed the dress dipped low in the back to her waist.

  He swore to himself.

  She was the one woman who had captured him and stolen his heart and soul. He’d never wanted her more.

  She stopped in front of him and looked at him over the rim of her glass as she took a sip of her wine.

  He took her free hand in his. “You’re late.”

  She pursed her lips. “I know. I had trouble getting into my dress.”

  Slowly, he let his gaze drop down the length of her. “It was worth the wait.”

  He pulled her a little closer, wrapping his arm around her bare shoulders. Her skin was as smooth as satin and warm to his touch. The soft floral scent of her drifted over him, causing his heart to accelerate.

  He guided her toward their waiting guests.

  “You look stunning, Reb,” he whispered in her ear, feeling her shiver against his lips.

  She smiled up at him. “Only for you, darling.”

  “There you are,” Evelyn called.

  In the next instant Rebecca was surrounded by numerous guests, leaving Gabe on the outside of the quickly formed circle.

  Jonathan appeared at his side. “She’s lovely.”

  Gabe gave his wineglass to a waiter as the music in the background picked up into a sultry love song. He shoved his hands into his pants’ pockets. “I agree.”

  “You are a foolish man if you let her go,” he said, never looking in Gabe’s direction.

  “I agree,” Gabe repeated.

  Jonathan smiled at him. “Then perhaps you wouldn’t mind if I danced with her.”

  “Not at all. But not until I do.” Gabe walked toward his wife.

  It would only take a kiss, a whisper.

  Just one night. That’s all he wanted.

  Then he could walk away, couldn’t he?

  EIGHT

  A couple hours later, while the party was still in full swing, Rebecca and Gabe snuck away, returning to Evelyn’s estate alone.

  They silently strolled down the walkway toward the dark, quiet guest house. Reb had hoped they’d come back early, but now she felt as if her heart would burst, it was pounding so f
ast.

  Gabe had his suit jacket slung over one shoulder, and his tie was loose at his neck, the top button of his tailored shirt undone.

  “Say, what’s this?” Gabe asked, stopping by the pool.

  Rebecca drifted past him, dropping her beaded purse onto a chaise lounge. She pulled a chilled bottle of champagne out of the crystal wine cooler.

  She skillfully popped the cork and poured the liquid into a glass.

  “This is for you.” She took a step closer until they were a breath apart.

  Gabe traced a finger along her jawline to her lips.

  He dropped his jacket over the back of the chair, then took the glass from her, allowing their fingers to touch.

  “You captured every man’s heart tonight.”

  She smiled. She’d been teasing and flirting with him, throwing her own emotions into a haywire mess the entire evening, hoping he’d notice.

  “I only want yours.” She dipped her finger into the chilled champagne and swirled it in a gentle circle.

  “You’ve always had mine,” he murmured. “That’s never changed.”

  Raising her champagne-tipped finger to his lips, she ran her finger back and forth before slipping it into his mouth.

  He closed his lips around her finger and twirled his tongue in a soft motion.

  She couldn’t stop the tiny gasp that escaped, as spirals of delight shot up and down her. She dipped her finger in the drink again and placed her fingertip into his waiting mouth.

  “Are you teasing me?” He brushed a loose curl off her cheek with his knuckle.

  She shivered. “Ah, no.”

  He lowered his head and touched his lips to the curve of her neck. “Are you sure?”

  His warm breath fanned the soft skin under her ear.

  She nodded. “Positive.”

  Gabe motioned to his side. “I’m not going to ask how all this got here, but what shall we do with the assortment of fruit?”

  “Let’s make it up as we go.”

  He smiled at her. “You’re the adventurous one. Any suggestions?”

  “I know a good way to start.” She reached around and unzipped her dress, the sound of the zipper’s metal teeth parting ringing softly in her ears.