Maddox. There was no excuse for what happened to his parents or if he was part of something years ago, no redemption might be found because he was lost even longer than she imagined. She rested her hand on his knee. "You think he betrayed you?"
He pressed his hands to his nose like he was in prayer. "He stole my USB, but I think it was coordinated with help. I was so focused on healing that I put everything out of my mind."
True, but he was in jail now and nothing was left. They were safe and it was time they moved on. Gabe seemed locked in a prison of his past. She had to choose her words carefully. She kept her voice low. "Glad you fixed everything. The man who joined the Marines and the man who came out were two different people. In your case I would say your character grew. For my brother, something snapped in him and he's not well."
He turned and she saw a storm of emotions flash in his blue eyes. Then he reached out and kissed her forehead. "I don't want to talk about him anymore with you."
Agreed. The topic was heavy and her lips craved his kiss. She adjusted her shirt. "Fair enough."
Without another word, he reached forward and claimed her mouth. She melted like butter left out in the humidity.
All she could do because thinking wasn't an option was curl into him and deepen their kiss.
However she wasn't a teenager and she wanted more. Her fingers curled under his shirt to touch him, but he reached out and stopped her. They both sat as he explained, "The scars on my body remind me every time I'm home alone that I'm not the same person and I've thought for years that I was ruined."
Ruined? Gabe? The thought was hysterical; he was perfect. She kept her hand near his body while he held her. "Are you joking? You're my hero and you are perfect."
"I'm not a hero." He shook his head, but slowly he relaxed his hold on her. "I am more at ease with you."
Denials never meant anything. He was her hero. She moved her hand and touched his stomach and changed course to rub his side with the scar. "Good because you asked me to be your girlfriend and I..."
He interrupted. "I asked you that because I was shy about saying I love you."
Seriously? Without a thought she said, "I love you too."
"Really?" His eyes widened, but his hands curled around her thighs.
Too much talking. She could smell home and wanted to be fully with him. "Kiss me, Gabe, and make me forget the rest of the world."
"Done." He said and kissed her again.
This time they needed no more words. His kiss set off a heat storm. All she wanted was him. To give him access to do whatever he wanted, she simply laid on the couch.
He brushed her hair out of the way while he continued to kiss her. Then he went lower and kissed her neck. Her shirt felt awkward and tight and in the way.
With a shift, she reached down to lift her shirt.
He moved his weight, but the moment she freed her belly, he planted kisses there.
The ache inside her understood that joining with him was all the medicine she needed.
Needy and wanting were never part of her normal. Now she was Gabe's and this had to last forever. Love won.
Chapter 12
The next morning, she woke in his bed, curled into him. Last night had been taxing but delicious. Her body still had muscle memories of how good she felt and pleasure still raced throughout her body. She turned and gazed out the window. The blue ocean swelled with waves and her heart grew in rhythm.
Gabe shifted in the bed beside her. She flipped and stared at his Roman like nose and whispered, "Good morning."
"Morning." He reached out and tugged her closer.
Without a word, she snuggled into his chest. She licked her lips as she tasted him there. "So how do we begin a simple day together?"
His eyes widened. "I don't know about simple, but I was hoping you'd move in here, permanently."
"That fast?" Her pulse began to race though she knew she was safe.
"I want to ask you to marry me, but that might be too fast, so I was thinking of a way to slow down but still keep you close."
Marry? To stay with Gabe forever gave her a place where she belonged. Her eyelashes fluttered but she pulled away. "That's sweet, but I think..."
"Yeah?" He leaned forward and his head joined her pillow.
She opened her eyes and sat. "Fiancée is a nicer word than roommate."
He pushed up and sat next to her but a smile slowly appeared on his face. "It is. If I bought a ring, would you say yes?"
Everything was perfect in the sunlight. She turned toward him. "Why don't you try and ask without it? Don't be shy."
"I'm not shy and you're right." He then took her hands in his.
This was it. Her heart raced. "I am?"
"Will you marry me?" The words came out of his lips.
"Yes." An explosion of the same word reverberated through her. She was his. Forever. With Gabe, she had a home and a happily-ever-after.
<<<<>>>>
Also by Victoria Pinder
Returning for Valentine’s (FREE if you go to my website)
The House of Morgan
Secret Crush
Secret Baby
Secret Bet
Secret Wish
Secret Dad
A Frosted Game of Hearts
Winter Peril
Stormy Peril
The Collins Brothers
Chaperoning Paris
Borrowing the Doctor
Electing Love
Keeping the Spy
Keeping the Captain
The Marshall Family Saga
Favorite Coffee, Favorite Crush
Favorite Coffee, Favorite Mistake
Favorite Coffee, Favorite Sin
Favorite Coffee, Favorite Scandal (Coming soon)
The Hawke Fortune
Tempting Gabe
Tempting James (In Tropical Trysts Boxed Set)
Tempting Conner (In Hunks to the Rescue Boxed Set)
Tempting Harry (in Billionaire Ever After Boxed Set)
Tempting Navid (Coming soon)
Then if you also like Science Fiction/Fantasy Romance
Hidden Dragon Series
Call of the Dragon (included in Dark Fates Collection)
Dance of the Dragon (Coming Soon)
The Queen Gene
Whispers of a Throne
Storm of the Throne (coming soon)
Earthseekers Mission
Makeup May Change Your Life
The Zoastra Affair
Ancient Greek Heroes
Mything You
Mything the Throne
About the Author
USA Today Bestselling Author, Victoria Pinder grew up in Irish Catholic Boston then moved to Miami. Eventually, found that writing is her passion. She always wrote stories to entertain herself. Her parents are practical minded people demanding a job, but when she sat down to see what she enjoyed doing, writing became obvious.
Visit my website and download a free novel
@VictoriaPinder
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www.victoriapinder.com
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Tempting Gabe (The Hawke Fortune) Page 7