by Leanne Banks
And after much convincing from her meddling, albeit well-meaning friends, she agreed to go on a date with Cassie’s pathologist on Friday night. She also made a commitment to walk Cassie’s dog, Mouse, since her friend was still feeling the effects of her appendectomy, and at nearly five months pregnant, wasn’t keen to be on the end of the leash of the huge Harlequin Great Dane. He was well mannered, though, and incredibly quiet and not unruly like Jed.
On Friday morning, she took him for a long walk, and was heading back along the pathway when she saw Megan jogging toward her. The teen’s long limbs stretched out, and her tiny sports shorts molded her toned thighs. Lauren felt about as sporty as an old shoe in her baggy cotton shorts and sensible racer-back T-shirt when the girl came up to her.
“Hey, there,” Megan said cheerfully. “Nice dog.”
“Thanks,” she said, and tried to be as equally cheerful.
“So,” the other girl said, jogging on the spot. “Are you the reason why Gabe’s in such a bad mood?”
Lauren’s skin prickled. “I don’t know what you mean.”
She shrugged. “It was just something my sister said. But she can be pretty catty when she wants to be. She had this idea that you and Gabe were together.”
“No, we’re not.”
Megan grinned. “Have you met his brother? He’s hot. But then, I’ve always had a thing for blonds. Anyhow, if you’re not the reason why he’s in a bad mood, someone is, ’cause he’s been unbearable all week.” Megan laughed shrilly. “Gotta run. See ya!”
She watched the other girl jog away, and then turned Mouse back onto the path. She was about twenty feet from passing alongside the surf club when she spotted Gabe’s brother outside the building, phone pressed to his ear. He was handsome, she thought, but not as classically good-looking as his younger brother. Lauren was hoping to pass by unnoticed, but he waved to her when he realized who she was.
Seconds later, he walked over. “Nice to see you again,” he said, and smiled. “Although I don’t think we were actually introduced. I’m Aaron. That’s some dog you have there.”
“He’s on loan from a friend. So are you enjoying Crystal Point?”
“I like the scenery,” he said, and grinned. “And nice weather. It’s a lot like California.”
She asked him about his twin sons, and was about to excuse herself when she saw Gabe standing on the second-story balcony, watching them. Or more to the point, glaring at them.
“Uh-oh,” Aaron said, and waved to his brother. “He doesn’t look happy. Can’t figure why. Can you?” he asked with a devilish grin.
Heat seeped up her neck, and Lauren shrugged. “No idea.”
“He can be a little uptight about some things.”
She’d never considered Gabe to be uptight. Bossy and hardheaded, perhaps. And stubborn. And handsome and sexy, and she’d always thought him to be rather charming and easygoing. Stupidly, she didn’t like that his brother was so openly criticizing him.
“I suppose we can all be like that,” she said quietly. “Under certain circumstances.”
He laughed loudly. “Ah, so you, too, huh?”
“Me, too, what?” she asked, puzzled.
He laughed again. “Nothing...just go easy on him, okay? He’s been through a lot. And I don’t think he quite knows what to do about you, Lauren.”
Reject me...that’s what.
She’d laid her heart on the line. She’d told him how she felt in the garden at Dunn Inn and he’d only turned around and walked away. No words. No comfort. No acknowledgment.
His silence had told her all she needed to know.
“Oh, I’m pretty sure he does. Nice talking with you. So long.”
She walked off and felt Gabe’s gaze follow her the entire way up the path until she disappeared from his view. He could stare all he wanted. She’d had nearly a week to pull herself together and had so far had done a good job. He was out of her thoughts.
Now all she had to do was get him out of her heart, as well.
* * *
Gabe missed Lauren like crazy. He missed talking to her. He missed how the scent of her perfume always seemed to linger on his clothes for ages after they’d spent time together. And he missed kissing her.
And he hated that he’d hurt her.
I would have rather have had five years, one year, one month with you...than a lifetime with someone else.
Her words haunted him. They were honest and heartfelt and much more than he was worthy of. And he’d been so tempted to take what she offered. More than tempted. He’d wanted it. Longed for it. Ached for it.
He’d wanted to wrap her in his arms and hold her there forever.
Except...he might not have forever to offer her. And she deserved that. She deserved more than an empty promise and his broken, defective body.
He headed back downstairs and started work. It was mind-numbing admin stuff, but at least it kept him busy. And gave him a chance to stop thinking about Lauren.
“That’s one seriously gorgeous woman.”
Gabe turned around. Aaron was hovering by the door. He knew his brother was talking about Lauren. “Aren’t you supposed to be packing for your flight tomorrow?”
“Change of plans,” he quipped. “Mom and I were just talking... We’re staying another week.”
Gabe groaned to himself. Another week? He wasn’t sure he’d cope with another week of his well-meaning mother and annoying older sibling. “Why? Don’t you have a life and two kids to get back to?”
Aaron smiled, walked into the office and plunked into a chair. “You know very well that my ex-wife has the boys, and my business partner is running things while I’m away. And anyway, I wouldn’t miss this chance to see you squirm for anything.”
Gabe called him an unflattering name and pretended to work.
“You didn’t answer my question,” Aaron said.
He stared at the paperwork on his desk. “It wasn’t a question,” he reminded his brother. “It was a statement. And I’m not squirming.”
Aaron laughed. “Oh, you sure as hell are. And I must say she’s very pretty and kind of wholesome looking...but sexy underneath that whole girl-next-door thing, if you know what I mean.”
Gabe knew exactly what he meant. He jerked his head up. “Haven’t you got somewhere else to be? Someone else to irritate?”
Aaron linked his hands behind his head and stretched. “Nope...just you.”
“I’m working.”
“You’re ignoring my question...got it bad, huh?”
Gabe scowled. “What I’ve got is work to do and no time to waste. I’ll see you tonight, around six.”
His family was staying at Dunn Inn for the duration of their trip, since Gabe had insisted his house wasn’t ready for guests, and the B and B was more comfortable. But he’d put off having them around all week until they’d invited themselves over for dinner that night.
His brother left shortly afterward, and Gabe spent the day moving from bad mood to foul mood and in no particular order. Not even the news that he’d been successful in his interview with the hospital had lightened his spirits. There were licenses and insurances to renew, but he’d been offered a job in the E.R. and would start the following month. It meant he had time to hand in his resignation and help find a replacement.
By the time he returned home, it was well after five. He took a quick shower, dressed in jeans and T-shirt and was just marinating the steaks when he heard Scott’s dual-cab truck pull up outside. He headed outside and walked down the steps. By the time he reached his brother and mother, another car had pulled up next door. He could see over the fence, and when he spotted Lauren walking down her driveway and then the male driver of the car get out, Gabe’s body stilled. They were saying hello. She was smiling. The man opened the passeng
er door and she got into the car.
Aaron was now out of the truck and was also watching. He clamped Gabe on the shoulder and chuckled. “Looks as though you’ve got yourself some competition.”
“Don’t be an ass,” Gabe said, and opened the door for their mother.
He greeted his mom and kept one eye on the car as it drove off down the cul-de-sac.
She’s on a date....
It shouldn’t have made him madder than hell. It shouldn’t have made him feel anything. He’d made the rules. She’d opened her heart, and he’d refused to take it. But a date?
He was burning inside just thinking about it.
Over dinner, he stayed silent and let his brother and mom talk. Tension pressed down on his shoulders, and he couldn’t quell the uneasy feeling in his gut. He’d told her to find someone else, and she’d done exactly as he’d suggested. It should have eased the guilt. But it didn’t. It only amplified the confusion and discontent rumbling through his system and settling directly in the region of his heart.
When Aaron took a phone call and wandered off to the living room for some privacy, his mother cornered Gabe by the kitchen counter.
“So now that you’ve had a few days to calm down, would you like to tell me about Lauren?”
He shook his head. “No.”
His mother sighed. “Do you know what I think? I think you’re very much in love with her, and it scares you like you’ve never been scared before.”
I’m not in love with her. I’m not in love with her. I’m not in love with her....
“Nonsense,” he said, and started stacking plates in the dishwasher.
“Are you worried she’ll leave like Mona did, should your health change?”
“Lauren is nothing like Mona,” he replied, and continued stacking. “Actually, I’m concerned she’ll do exactly the opposite.”
His mother shook her head. “Gabe, isn’t that her choice to make?”
“Not if I can help it.” He straightened and placed his hands on the counter. “Please stay out of it, Mom. That means no interfering, no meddling... Promise me you’ll just leave it alone.”
“I can’t do that,” she said, and smiled. “When one of my kids is in trouble, I’ll always interfere.”
“I’m not in trouble,” he insisted. “And I know what I’m doing. She’s grieved for one man already. I won’t be responsible for her having to do that over another.”
“Another man? Who?”
He briefly explained about Tim. “Now, can we drop it?”
His mother nodded. “Yes, of course.”
Gabe made coffee, and when Aaron returned, they sat around the table for a while, telling old tales about things they’d done as kids. Like the time Aaron got caught making out with the local minister’s daughter, or when geeky, sixteen-year-old Luca got suspended from math club because he’d followed Gabe and Aaron and gotten a tattoo on his arm. The stories made him laugh and put him in a marginally better mood. He waved them off at nine-thirty but was back on the porch fifteen minutes later when he spotted a car return next door.
She got out and walked up the driveway as the car pulled away. So her date didn’t see her to the door. Schmuck. Mounting dislike and rage festered in his gut for a few more minutes, and before he had a chance to stop himself, Gabe was striding around the fence, the hedge and then through the gate and up the steps.
He tapped on the door and waited. He heard her heels clicking on the timber floor, and when she pulled the door open, she looked genuinely surprised to see him.
“Oh...Gabe.”
He shifted on his feet. She was so beautiful. Her hair was down, framing her perfectly lovely face, highlighting the deep caramel eyes that haunted him. She wore a little black dress that flipped over her hips and made every ounce of desire and longing he possessed surge to the surface in a wave.
“Who the hell was that?” he demanded once she’d opened the security door.
She moved back a little. “You mean my date?”
“Yeah,” he shot back, so agitated he could barely get the word out. “Your date.”
She actually smiled. Like she thought him hilarious. Or the biggest fool of all time. Or both. “His name is Steve. Although I’m not quite sure how that’s any of your business.”
It wasn’t. She was on a date with someone named Steve. Steve who? He hated the name, anyhow. Forget about it...she can do whatever she likes. And with whomever she likes. But be damned if the very idea of that didn’t make every part of his flesh and bones ache.
“I was only...” He stopped, realizing nothing he could say would make him look like anything other than exactly what he was—a stupidly jealous idiot. It was a sobering realization. Had he ever been jealous before? Had he ever cared enough about anyone to garner such an emotional response?
No. Never.
I think you’re very much in love with her, and it scares you like you’ve never been scared before....
His mother’s words beat around in his head.
She made an impatient sound. “Goodbye, Gabe.”
He didn’t move. He stared at her. Long and deep. And the more he stared, the more he knew her impatience increased. And before he had a chance to question why, he reached out and pulled her close. She looked startled for a microsecond and then tilted her head and glared up at him. Body to body, breath to breath, Gabe experienced a connection with her that was so intense, so acute, it almost knocked him unconscious. Had her date kissed her? Had another man kissed those lips he’d somehow come to think of as his own? His arms tightened around her frame, drawing her against him so intimately, he could feel every lovely rise and curve.
She shook her head. “Don’t you so much as think about—”
He claimed her lips, driving his own to hers with blatant passion and little finesse. He found her tongue and toyed with it, drawing it into an erotic dance as old as time. It took her seconds to respond, and she kissed him back, winding her tongue around his, and the sensation pitched an arrow of intense pleasure from his mouth to his chest and stomach and then directly to his groin. He urged her hips closer and groaned. She felt so good, and he wanted her so much. He wanted to strip her naked and feel every luscious curve and dip of her body. He wanted to lose himself in her sweet loving and forget he couldn’t give her what she deserved.
Gabe was about to ease them both across the threshold when she suddenly wrenched free. She pulled away from him and stumbled back on unsteady feet, dragging in big gulps of air.
She pressed the back of her fingers against her mouth. “Don’t do that again.”
“Lauren, I—”
“Leave me alone, Gabe. Don’t kiss me. Don’t touch me. Don’t come over. Don’t call. Don’t so much as leave me a note in my letterbox. I’m done. You got that? Done.”
Then she closed the door in his face.
* * *
Lauren didn’t sleep that night. She tossed in her bed and stared at the ceiling. How dare Gabe turn up on her doorstep and demand to know who she’d been out with. How dare he act all jealous and wounded. And how dare he kiss her like that! It was a kiss that had possession stamped all over it. And he didn’t own her. Her broken heart had now turned into an angry one. He’d forfeited any rights she may have given him. She’d date whoever she wanted to. Even Steve, who had been the perfect gentleman over dinner and was polite and friendly and had done all the right things for a first date. And since he’d called her only ten minutes after dropping her off and asked if he could see her again, he was clearly emotionally available. Unlike Gabe, who obviously only wanted to kiss her and confuse her. So maybe Steve didn’t make her pulse race.... He might, over time.
She finally dropped off to sleep after two and woke up with a headache. Saturday morning was busy at the store. Lauren had a gown fitting around t
en and put on a smile when the exuberant client arrived with her wedding party. The dress was a beautiful concoction of ivory organza and lace, and it fitted the bride like a glove. By midday the last client had left, and Lauren closed the doors while her mother attended to the cashiering.
“Everything all right?”
Irene Jakowski was too smart to fool. Lauren had been on autopilot for most of the day, doing and saying the right thing, when inside she was confused and hurting and angry.
“Fine, Matka,” she said when her mother repeated her question.
Her mother nodded and touched her arm. “There’s someone special out there for you, I know it.”
Lauren sighed. “I think I’ve already had my someone special.”
“You mean Tim?” her mother asked. “Are you sure about that?”
She frowned just a little. “Of course. You know what he meant to me.”
“I know,” Irene said. “But you were young when you met, and teenage love can sometimes have you looking through rose-colored glasses.”
“Are you saying Tim might not have been as perfect as I imagine he was?”
Irene nodded. “He was a nice young man, and I know you were compatible in many ways. And you might have been happy together. But sometimes easy isn’t necessarily what will keep you happy. You married James on the rebound. All I’m saying is don’t settle simply because you think you have to. And not when something wonderful might be within your reach.”
She knew what her mother was suggesting. In her mother’s romantic eyes, Steve was settling, and Gabe was Mr. Wonderful. “It was one date, Matka,” she reminded her. “A nice date, but one date.”
“That’s how it starts.”
No, it had started with heated looks, an argument and an unexpected fall into a swimming pool. Now she had to get him out of her system, her head and her heart.
“I’m not going to settle, I promise you. I’ve had enough of thinking I want the middle road. I told myself I would be happy with that because I felt so guilty about marrying James. I mean, the way I did it, the way I had everything the same as when I’d planned to marry Tim, only the groom was different. That’s when I settled, when I married a man I didn’t love because I was so wrapped up in having a big wedding. And it didn’t make either of us happy. If my brief relationship with Gabe has shown me anything, it’s that I want to be in love. Truly, madly and deeply. Because I know what it feels like now, and anything less simply won’t be enough.”