Warmth filled her at the notion that Remy was going out of his way to do things to please her. His romantic nature was evident in everything he did, whether it was painting a masterpiece or showering her with roses. He had a special talent for making her feel as if she was the most precious woman on the face of the Earth.
“Of course I do. Who wouldn't love it? Thank you for planning something so special. You're spoiling me.”
“You deserve to be spoiled, Gabrielle. I know things might not have been easy for you the last few years. I like to see you smile.”
She plucked at a piece of grass. “No, things haven't been easy, but ever since I came to Breeze Point things have really started to look up. I have your parents to thank for that. And Vince. And you, Remy.” This was the closest she'd come to telling him he was very special to her. It wasn't her way to lay her feelings on the line or to be mushy. There was too much fear inside her of rejection. She hoped Remy knew what she was trying to convey without her hitting him over the head with it.
She was falling for him. In a big way. And although the very thought of falling in love with Remy Donahue was terrifying, it also made her feel over the moon with happiness. A few weeks ago the notion of love hadn't even been on her radar. And now, out of the blue, this relationship with Remy had blossomed into something precious and life affirming. The way he made her feel—if she could capture those feelings in a bottle and sell them, she'd be a millionaire many times over.
“That makes me happy,” he said, his pleasure evident by the wide grin on his face. As Soul Patrol took the stage a hum of excitement pulsed in the air. Gabrielle found herself clapping and getting up to dance next to Remy and having one of the best nights of her life.
As the concert ended Remy asked her if she wanted to take a drive around town due to the early hour and the balmy weather. The idea of spending more time in Remy's company was an appealing one. As it was, she felt as if she was constantly counting down the minutes until they were together. At times it scared her a little, this growing dependence on Remy. She'd learned over the years to only rely on herself.
“How about I show you my favorite place in Breeze Point? It's not far from here,” she suggested. She wouldn't mind if this night went on forever.
“Absolutely. Tell me where to go.”
“Breezy Point Beach.”
He looked over at her. “It's one of my favorite places also.” They reached the beach in minutes. Remy parked under a street light next to the trail leading to the beach.
“We might need a little flashlight since it's dark,” she suggested. The last thing she wanted was for either one of them to tumble over the hill onto the beach. After a few seconds of rummaging through his glove compartment, Remy found a flashlight. As they got out of the car he handed it to her, allowing her to lead the way. The ocean roared in the distance like a ferocious lion while the wind whipped through the sweater Remy had insisted she bring along this evening.
Using the flashlight, she led him close to the overlook where one could perch on the cliff and look down at the beach and the water. It was a serene little spot, surrounded by sand and sea grass and rocks. They both stood a few feet back from the edge, knowing it might be dangerous to press their luck at night, even though there was a fence separating the grassy area from the cliff's edge.
“When I first came to town I used to come here with a little bagged lunch and just sit here and look out over the water. Sometimes I would watch some of the families having an outing or little kids swimming in the water. Somehow I felt like I was part of things even though I was just an observer.” She ducked her head down, a sheepish expression etched on her face. “Silly, huh?”
“There's not a single thing about you that's silly, Gabrielle.” His voice was low and intense. It gave off an intimate vibe.
“You can call me Gabi if you want. I notice you always call me Gabrielle.”
“Before, I was jealous of the people calling you Gabi. But now, I want to be the only one calling you Gabrielle.” He reached out and smoothed her hair back away from her face. “The name almost does you justice. Unique. Beautiful. Exotic.” The compliment washed over her like a cooling rain after a heatwave. It felt so nice to be validated by someone she cared for and respected. It felt wonderful to be touched by Remy.
She couldn't stop herself from grinning. “No one has ever said those things to me, not since I was a little girl and my family used to compliment me.”
“The men in your life must have been blind,” he scoffed.
“I usually meet men who think a corny pick up line will turn my head.” She shook her head in derision.
“Tell me one of the lines you get thrown at you. My brothers and I always have a contest about the corniest pick up lines of all time. I need some new material to share with them.”
“Okay. Here goes. Worst of all time. Did it hurt when you fell from Heaven?”
Remy threw back his head and chuckled. “I've heard that one. It's a real stinker.”
She giggled. “You give me one now.”
Remy paused for a moment then snapped his fingers. “Are you a parking ticket? Because you've got fine written all over you.” He winked at her as he said it.
Gabrielle burst out laughing. She was clutching her stomach and making little noises through her nose. “T-That's the worst one I've ever heard. Please tell me you've never used it on anyone.”
Remy shot her a look of disbelief. “I'm not like the men you've been dealing with Gabrielle. I try to stick to genuine compliments, not gimmicks.”
She scrunched her nose. “There haven't been many...men in my life.”
Remy's eyes widened. “That must have been by choice. I know you said you haven't dated much, but there must have been a few men here and there. A woman who looks like you...with your sweet nature and caring vibe...you must attract men like bees to honey.”
Gabrielle shrugged. A twinge of embarrassment fluttered through her. She looked down, avoiding Remy's probing gaze. There was something about the way he looked at her. Somehow it seemed as if his eyes could see straight through her – all the way down to the things she hid from the world.
“I guess it has been by choice,” she said in a soft voice.
“Why?” he pressed.
“It's complicated.” She looked up, her gaze locking with Remy's.
“Try me,” he said smoothly, his gaze never letting up.
“I don't trust easily,” she finally said, desperate to fill up the silence that had stretched out between them.
He narrowed his gaze. “Because of something in your past?”
Something in her past? How did she even answer that question? How could she put it all into words when she didn't fully understand it herself? There was a connection between everything her family had been through and her inability to open up to people. She didn't talk about everything she'd lost. Not to anyone. Not even to her parents, who'd suffered the same losses and walked through life with the same scars. They'd all collectively stuffed their emotions down into a dark, deep hole and moved forward with their lives. And lost one another in the process.
“Yes.” She pushed the simple word out of her mouth. In a million years it could never fully explain the whys of her current situation.
“I won't push. Just know that I've been scarred by the past also. The wounds have healed over, but they're still there if you look really close. I understand how the past can trap us sometimes. But there's always a way out.”
Trapped. She'd never thought of it like that. But what Remy said was true. The past was holding on to her and clutching her in its grip. She was chained to a tragedy that she desperately needed to come to terms with in order to move forward in her life. How in the world could she ever explain all of that to Remy? Should she even try?
“I hope no one hurt you, Gabrielle. Because the thought of someone doing you harm makes me feel a little crazy.” His expression radiated a controlled anger. He resembled a proud warrior prepa
red to take on his enemies. Something told her he would win every time. He'd protect her with his dying breath.
“Not in the way you think. It wasn't a person. It was life,” she explained.
“Life has a way of knocking us down, but when we get up we're stronger than ever.”
She wasn't sure if she agreed with Remy. Life had tossed her family on stormy seas, and when the storm subsided, they hadn't been any stronger. Just worn out. Empty. And splintered.
“I want to be strong,” she said. “I want to be able to take anything life throws at me and not let it knock me down.”
“You're way stronger than you realize.”
“It's nice to know someone believes in me,” she murmured. “Sometimes I don't even believe in myself.”
“I do believe in you. And I want you to believe in yourself. It's all inside you.”
She begin to shiver from the temperature drop. The wind had kicked up and it was now unleashing its power on them. Remy placed a protective arm around her shoulder and brought her close to him. He looked down at her, his expression tender.
“I want to kiss you, more than just about anything I've ever wanted in this world.” He reached out and touched her chin, his fingers warm and comforting.
“Remy—” she began. She was taking baby steps with their relationship. Kissing him was appealing, but she wasn't sure she was ready for that step. The fact that she was dating Remy was a big deal. Anything more didn't feel right. Not at the moment. The bible verse popped into her mind. “For everything there is a season.” Instinct told her this wasn't their special moment.
“But I know you're not ready for that.” Remy's words echoed her inner thoughts. He leaned toward her so that his mouth was next to her ear. “When I kiss you, I want it to be something you want as much as I do. I want you to crave it, to dream about it. And I want you to kiss me back, Gabrielle, not because it's expected, but because you want nothing more than to kiss me.”
The skin on her ear felt scorched by the proximity of his lips. He hadn't even touched her, but she felt as if she'd been touched by the sun. Being kissed by Remy was something she'd thought about at night as she laid her head down on her pillow before falling asleep.
His words lit a fire in her soul. She knew they would linger in her mind long after she bid him goodnight. Every day he was imprinting himself on her, like a permanent tattoo she'd carry around with her forever. But, experience had taught her that forevers weren't promised. It was still tremendously difficult to imagine walking off into the sunset with Remy Donahue.
“Goodnight, Remy.” They'd arrived at her apartment building, and like the gentleman he was, he'd walked her to her apartment door.
“Will I see you tomorrow?” she asked, her breathing a little ragged at the possibility of seeing him in the morning. More and more she was looking forward to it, and she felt herself getting disappointed on the days he didn't show up at Sweet Treats. Now, more than ever, she felt herself hoping that he would be part of her day. His presence made everything brighter somehow.
“I'm meeting up with my brothers tomorrow night, but I'll stop by the bakery, chere. Even if I'm not needed on the schedule, I'll make sure I show up just so I can buy you some of those almond treats you like so much.”
She lightly patted her stomach. “I don't need to eat anymore of those. I'm gaining weight as it is.”
Remy frowned at her. “Gabrielle, you're beautiful. And you don't need to lose a single pound to be the Queen that you are. Trust me,” he said with a wink. “You have curves in all the right places.”
Gabrielle blushed at the compliment. No one had ever made her feel more special and validated than Remy. Even though she wished for a smaller figure, Remy always reassured her that she was beautiful in every way. And she was starting to believe him, little by little. Instead of feeding into her own negativity, she was starting to look at herself through his eyes. So what that she wasn't a stick figure! It took all kinds to make a world. It didn't make her any less worthy or attractive. God had made her this way, hadn't He? God. It had been a long time since she'd thought of Him. She hadn't felt connected to her spirituality for quite some time. She'd been bitter and angry about all the things she'd gone through. Too angry to feel blessed in any way, shape or form. This was what Remy was bringing to her world. A newly found confidence and a deeper appreciation for all her blessings.
Somehow, out of the blue, her life had taken a sudden turn. By coming to Breeze Point and taking a job at Sweet Treats it had allowed her to meet Remy. She'd been hired by Maggie and Alec Donahue, who'd taken her under their wings. And she'd made great friends with Vince. For the first time in her adult life, she felt secure. And happy. And even though she was always afraid of something happening to crash her world in around her, for the first time in a long time she was daring to dream big dreams.
“Just when things seem darkest, that's when you have to cling to faith.”
Maggie Donahue
Chapter Five
It was Wednesday night at Sully's Tavern. All you can eat chicken wings and potato skins, with a live telecast of the world wrestling championship and rowdy karaoke taking place in the back room. As far as the Donahue brothers were concerned, it was a can't-miss evening out. It was a chance to kick back, eat buckets of chicken wings and unwind from the daily work grind. Most of all, it was an opportunity to connect with his brothers and catch up on the goings-on in their daily lives.
Even though he'd originally planned to take Gabrielle out tonight, he knew his brothers wouldn't forgive him if he missed another boys' night out. More than half a dozen times his mind had strayed towards Gabrielle. What was she doing this evening? Staying in most likely. Perhaps settling in with a book or a good movie. He shook his head to rid himself of those thoughts. Living in the moment was important. He wanted to enjoy this night out with his brothers, to revel in the warm camaraderie they shared.
At the moment Nick was staring at him hard. His brother jutted his chin in his direction. “Hey, where have you been for the past few weeks? You've been missing in action,” Nick grumbled as he reached for a few pieces of calamari and put them on his plate.
“He's right,” Mac said, reaching for a chicken wing. “You bailed on our boys' night out twice in the last few weeks.”
“I could tell you where he's been,” Wyatt said in a teasing voice. “But he might kill me.”
“Wyatt!” Remy said in a warning tone. “Don't make me hide your crutches.” His brother Wyatt, a pro baseball player for the Bay State Bombers, was still hobbling around on crutches after his knee surgery. Although he would probably be able to ditch them in a few weeks, for the moment he was dependent on them to get around.
“C'mon. Give it up!” Blue ordered. “No secrets at this table.”
“Don't keep us hanging,” Ryder said in his big brother voice.
“He's got a girlfriend,” Wyatt blurted out.
Remy narrowed his eyes at him. “Big mouth.”
Brandon raised his eyebrow and settled back in his chair. “A girlfriend? When did that happen?”
Six pairs of eyes were focused on him like laser beams. It was like they smelled fresh blood in the water.
“She's not exactly my girlfriend. Just someone who I enjoy spending a lot of time with these days.” He stroked his chin, his thoughts straying to the progression of their relationship. “Although she might be my girlfriend considering she's a girl and we've been dating exclusively for the last few weeks. We haven't got around to that conversation yet, although I would hope she views me as her boyfriend. Does it sound like I'm her boyfriend?”
Silence greeted him, which was an unusual occurrence when all the Donahue boys were gathered together. He looked around at them. “What? What are you guys staring at?”
“Wow,” Nick said. “You sound like a girl.”
Brandon snorted with laughter, then covered his mouth. A few of his brothers snickered.
“Yeah,” Mac agreed. “You're all
warm and fuzzy sounding.”
“First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in the baby carriage,” Wyatt said in a sing song voice.
Blue leaned over and whacked him lightly on the back of the head. “What are you...twelve?”
“Give him a break,” Ryder barked. “Just cause you knuckleheads don't know a good thing when it comes your way is no reason to trash talk Remy.”
“That's right!” Blue chimed in. “Loving is what we're put on this Earth to do. If we're fortunate enough to find that special someone, we grab the opportunity with both hands.”
Nick shook his head and muttered something he couldn't hear. Remy watched him out of the corner of his eye. He seemed angry. They way he jammed his beer down on the table seemed full of unspoken anger.
“Who is she?” Blue asked, his hazel eyes full of interest.
“Her name is Gabrielle. She works at the bakery,” Remy said.
Ryder's eyes widened and he let out a low whistle. “Gabi, huh? She's a beautiful girl. Real sweet too. Do the folks know?”
Remy let out a sigh. “They know. Mom wasn't exactly jumping with joy about it, but she's dealing with it.”
“So, is it serious?” Brandon asked, getting to the point as usual. As a successful mogul, he was used to getting down to brass tacks. No beating around the bush allowed. Not in business or in life.
Remy fiddled with his fingers and avoided eye contact with his brothers. “It could be. I've never felt like this about anyone before,” he admitted, feeling a little sheepish as he laid himself bare. He didn't even know how Gabrielle felt about him. If felt so premature to discuss a future with a woman who may or may not ever love him. “She makes me feel like I want to be a better man. I'm not just living for myself anymore or for our family...I'm living for her too. If feeling like that makes me a girl,” he said with a pointed look at Nick. “Then so be it.”
“That's cool, Remy. Sorry for joking you. If you're crazy about her, then I know we'll be crazy about her too,” Wyatt said, slapping Remy on the back. “Can't wait to get to know her better.”
Until You Loved Me (Seven Brides, Seven Brothers Book 3) Page 7