“This will require some compromise,” he said. “How about three years? I should be able to figure my future out by then.”
“I thought I was your future.”
“You are,” he said. “But I thought you might like to have a roof over your head and food in your belly.”
She nodded, understanding his need to provide. “I can help with that, you know. How about we wait a year?”
“I’m okay with that if the band is back together and stable.”
“And if it’s not?”
“I don’t know if that will give me enough time to finish my degree and find a good job. I don’t know if I’ll be as stable as I’d like.”
She stroked the soft fuzz that was already starting to grow on the sides of his scalp. “There’s no way to predict that, and if we wait too long, it might never happen. I can easily get a good job. My skills are in high demand. I can work as either an accountant or a business manager. I have plenty of experience in both.”
“We could always play it by ear,” he said.
Their eyes met, and they both laughed. They were a pair of planners, that much was clear. Playing anything by ear was highly unlikely.
“When will you know if Lindsey’s baby is yours? That will likely throw a few more wrenches into our plans.”
“Owen said something about her getting a blood test to determine paternity. We could know within a week.”
“That soon?” Would that give her time to mentally prepare for the possibility that Gabe was going to be a father outside of their proposed timeline? But it was probably best to know as soon as possible so they could plan for a baby’s arrival, even if it wasn’t hers. Could she love a child that Gabe had fathered with another woman? Her heart froze over in ice at the very thought, but if confronted by a perfect tiny human that was half Gabe, she figured it would thaw instantly.
“Do you think I’d feel some sort of attachment to Lindsey if she’s carrying my child?” Gabe asked, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on her lower back. “I feel nothing for her. No affection. No animosity. Not even pity. Just a big hazy void of nothing. Maybe a touch of concern, but on her behalf, not mine. I don’t feel like it’s mine. There’s no connection.”
“But you’d feel a connection with the baby if it’s yours, wouldn’t you?” Melanie asked. “Once it’s born, I mean.”
He shrugged. “I assume so. It’s not something I have any experience with.”
“Let’s worry about that bridge when we come to it.” Their eyes met, and they both laughed again. Being planners also made them both worriers. “Let’s try not to worry about it too much in any case.”
“I’ll do my best.”
His hands slid from her lower back to cup her ass. He gave both cheeks a tight squeeze that made her ache for him.
“So now can we use this bed for something other than important discussions of our future?”
“What did you have in mind?” As if she didn’t already know.
“We need to practice our baby-making skills.”
She nipped his lip and straddled his lap. The tip of his cock pressed against her lower belly near the small diamond that dangled from her pierced belly button, and her breath caught as a knot of lust uncoiled within her. Would she ever be able to be in this man’s presence without wanting him buried balls deep inside her? She hoped not.
“I do think I need a refresher course.” She giggled when he tumbled her onto the bed.
“At some point tonight we’ll need to get our luggage out of the car. All of my hardware is in there.”
“I think you’ll manage to get the job done without it.” She wrapped both arms around his neck and pulled him down for a toe-curling kiss. His mouth moved along her jaw toward her ear.
“How do you feel about sex swings?” he asked, his voice low and at almost a whisper.
“Never been in one.”
“With anal attachments. For him and her.”
She laughed. “Only you would come up with something like that.”
“You can’t hold it against me. You inspired the idea.”
“Then I guess I’ll have to try it.”
“We’re going to have to put something in our wedding vows about prototypes.”
She snorted, wondering how she could be turned on and amused at the same time. “About you inventing them or me using them?”
“Both.”
“If we do, I’m not inviting my parents to the ceremony.”
He nipped her earlobe, which sent a spike of pleasure down the back of her neck. “I wanted to elope anyway.”
“I want a real wedding, Gabriel,” she said, not willing to compromise on that particular point.
“Oh no,” he said, grimacing. “She already knows how to get her way by using my full name.”
It was that easy, was it? In that case . . .
“Oh Gabriel.”
“Yes, Melanie?”
“My clit has a date with your tongue.”
He grinned crookedly. “Well, my tongue sure doesn’t want to be late for that.”
Chapter Seven
The next afternoon, Gabe held Melanie’s hand as they made their way to the psych unit of the hospital. He’d been serious when he’d said that Nikki could stay with them, but as they left their cellphones in lockers and were checked for “potentially dangerous objects” before even being allowed on her floor, Gabe wondered if they were getting in over their heads. Maybe Nikki needed more than just a safe place and unconditional love. Maybe she needed intensive therapy. And padded walls.
Nikki came out to meet them in a secure common area. When her gaze landed on Melanie, her expression transformed from misery to elation. Gabe smashed down an unwarranted pang of jealousy when the women embraced. He knew Melanie wasn’t interested in a relationship with Nikki, but he wasn’t so sure that Nikki would abide by that boundary.
“I’m so glad to see you both,” Nikki said, reaching out of the hug she was still sharing with Mel to squeeze Gabe’s arm. “I hear you popped the question.”
Gabe felt his face turn hot. Nikki never beat around the bush. He actually liked that about her. “I did.”
“And you’re not going to back out?”
Melanie’s jaw hardened. “Nikki.”
“No,” Gabe said without hesitation.
“You’d better not. Because if you break her heart—”
“I won’t.”
Melanie leaned back to take a hard look at Nikki. She touched the nearly faded bruise on her cheek—the last visible reminder of what that fucking asshole in New Orleans had done to her. Gabe couldn’t keep his hands from balling into fists as a fresh surge of rage flooded him. That hollow look in her blue eyes—lessened only when her gaze was fixed on Melanie—might not ever fade completely.
“So what have the doctors been saying?” Melanie said, drawing Nikki into a chair and sitting beside her. She held one of Nikki’s hands between hers.
Nikki ducked her head. “Sex addiction and compulsive risk-seeking behavior. Both remnants of what Daddy did to me.”
Gabe swallowed and sat across from the two women. He didn’t know what Nikki’s father had done to her, but he could guess. He didn’t want to know details. Wasn’t sure he could handle them.
Nikki continued talking, her voice so low that Gabe had to strain to hear her clearly.
“Also having PTSD episodes because of what happened last weekend. My symptoms might get worse before they get better.” She looked up at Melanie with tears swimming in her eyes. “I don’t want to stay here. I miss you.”
Melanie smoothed the silky brown hair from Nikki’s face and tucked it behind Nikki’s ear. “Honey, if this is the best place for you—”
Nikki’s head snapped up, blue eyes flashing fire. “It isn’t. I feel worse here. I want to go home.”
“I’m not leaving you in the apartment by yourself,” Melanie said.
Nikki glanced at Gabe, and he expected animosity in her gaze, but she
smiled at him. “I get it. I’m the third wheel to your bicycle built for two.”
“If it’s okay with your doctor,” Gabe said, “we want you to come hang out with us in Austin for a few days.” He didn’t want to offer her a permanent home just yet. He and Melanie had already discussed Nikki’s trial period, but he couldn’t in good conscience separate the two of them. It was obvious that Nikki needed Melanie’s unconditional love, and Melanie needed to nurture her friend almost as much. Melanie would make a great mother, he thought with a unexpected feeling of longing in his gut. Assuming the soft-hearted woman didn’t spoil their kids too much.
“Why does he have that goofy look on his face?” Nikki asked.
“Probably inventing something in his head.”
“Actually,” he said, “I was thinking you’ll be a great mother.”
Nikki squealed. “Oh my God, are you preggers, Mel? Is that why he proposed?”
Melanie shook her head. “We’ve just been talking about our future.”
Nikki grabbed Melanie in another hug. “I’m so happy for you. And you.” She extended a leg and poked Gabe in the shin with her toe. “You’re one lucky son of a bitch. Do you have any idea what a prize she is?”
“I’m seeing it more and more,” he said, his eyes glued to his prize. “Can I go talk to Nik’s doctor about discharge or—?” He shrugged and shook his head, at a loss as to how they should proceed.
“I’ll have to,” Melanie said. “I’m on all her paperwork as her medical contact person.”
“She’s responsible for me,” Nikki said.
Gabe could see that. And Melanie didn’t take that responsibility lightly. While Melanie and Nikki went to talk to someone about her release, Gabe tried to sort through all the new complications in his life and prioritize.
Melanie hadn’t mentioned meeting her parents, but since they were in Topeka, they should probably break the news about their engagement in person. His parents had already met—and loved—Melanie, so he wasn’t worried about their reaction. From what little Melanie had said about her parents, they seemed the strict and conservative type and obviously loving and protective of their daughter. He wasn’t sure they’d warm up to the idea of her getting hitched to a tattooed rock musician currently out of a job. He rubbed a hand over his face, a bit nervous about the prospect of breaking the news to them. He definitely needed to get a ring on that woman’s finger to show he was serious about their future together.
He planned to stop in to see Adam on his way through Dallas, which would likely be tomorrow. Or the next day if Mel and Nik needed more time to get their things together. He didn’t want Nikki to know they were considering her as a fulltime roomie just yet, though, so they should be able to pack a few things and leave tomorrow.
And Amanda still hadn’t called him about Jacob’s confusing emotional state, but he wasn’t sure if she’d gotten his message, so he’d have to track her down when they got back to Austin.
Apparently Owen and Kellen were having a few issues of their own. If he couldn’t rely on the stability of that lifelong relationship, what could he rely on?
He also needed to get that paternity test. What the fuck was he going to do with a baby he didn’t want?
Round and round his thoughts stirred until Melanie returned to his side. As usual, when she was near, all his problems seemed like minor obstacles easily overcome. She was everything he’d been looking for to complete his life, and he hadn’t even known anything had been missing.
“They can’t keep her since she checked in voluntarily,” Melanie said, “but they advise against her leaving.”
“We have to do what’s best for her,” Gabe said, squeezing her hand. He could tell it was hard on Melanie to make the decision.
“She’ll check out on her own if we don’t take her with us.”
“Then we take her with us.”
“I’m not a psychiatrist. I don’t know what to do if she starts acting promiscuous or seeking trouble. Do I put ultimatums on her behavior? I don’t want to threaten her. I want her to feel safe to be herself when she’s with me.”
Gabe lifted her hand and brought her wrist to his lips, kissing her pulse point. “You do what you’ve always done for her—love her unconditionally. I’ll be the bad cop. I’ll try to keep her in check with some rules.”
Melanie snorted. “Nikki doesn’t like rules.”
“If she wants to live under my roof, she’ll follow my rules.” God, he sounded like his father.
“I guess we can try it, see how she responds.”
She grinned at him then, and he knew everything would work out because they had each other’s backs.
“I bet she never imagined the drummer of her favorite metal band would become her surrogate father.”
Speaking of her father. “Did her real father abuse her?”
Melanie glanced away, her eyes brimming with tears. “That’s a nice way of putting it.”
Nikki came into the waiting area before Melanie could say more, and Gabe stood up. He approached her, but gave her plenty of personal space. She didn’t seem to want it as she immediately slipped her arm through his and leaned her head against his shoulder.
“I’m so happy you came with Mel.”
Gabe cleared his throat and spoke in a firm voice. “Before we leave for home, I have a couple of rules you have to abide by or we’re bringing you back here immediately.”
Nikki tilted her head back to stare at him with wide eyes. “Rules?”
“No one-night stands with men.”
“What about with women?”
Even the challenge in her gaze was sexually charged. He wasn’t sure she could function without sexualizing everything in her life.
“No women either.”
“But if I go on dates and plan to make a relationship, then . . .”
“Why don’t you try not dating or hooking-up at all for a month? See how that goes.”
“A month? I’ll dry up like an old nun.”
Gabe laughed. “I seriously doubt that. If you have an addiction, the best way to break it is to quit cold turkey.”
“My therapist thinks I can talk my way through my sex addiction.”
“How’s that going for you?”
“It makes me horny to talk about it. He was very professional when I tried to seduce him. The night charge nurse was a bit easier to manipulate.”
So this place obviously wasn’t helping her.
“There’s always that treatment center in Florida,” Melanie suggested.
Nikki released Gabe’s arm and reached for Melanie, who didn’t hesitate in giving her the hug she sought.
“I want to be with you and Gabe,” Nikki said, her tone reminiscent of a compliant child. “If that means I have to give up sex for a month, then I think I can do it. Let me try. Please. I won’t let you down.”
Melanie glanced up to meet Gabe’s eyes. There was a hint of triumph behind her gaze. This plan might actually work. At least Nikki was being cooperative. And maybe they were manipulating her, but hopefully their ploy would help her regain control of her life, because she was currently in a tailspin.
“We’ll let you try,” Melanie said. “Right, Gabe?”
“If she breaks my rules, she’s out,” he said, dutifully sticking to his tough-cop routine.
“I won’t.”
“She won’t, Gabe.”
Nikki smiled at Melanie’s vote of confidence, her adoration for her friend evident on her entire face.
“I have one more rule to lay out before I agree to this,” Gabe said.
The women looked at him expectantly.
“Nikki will make no further sexual advances toward my fiancée.”
Nikki glanced at Melanie. “I told you what my doctor said about that. Didn’t you explain it to him?”
“I didn’t know you wanted me to,” Melanie said.
Nikki turned to Gabe. “I was confusing platonic love with sexual love. I have a hard time understandi
ng that there’s a difference, because . . .” She licked her lips. “ . . . my father . . . should have been platonic, but was . . .” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Gabe’s stomach turned at the very idea. He didn’t think he could stand to hear her actually say it. “So you’re not confused anymore.”
“I’m totally confused,” Nikki said, “but now that I know what I was feeling for Melanie is part of my condition and not real attraction, I can handle it. I won’t try to jump Mel’s bones again.” She made a cross over her heart. “Hope to die.”
Gabe wasn’t so sure Nikki was confused about her feelings for Melanie, but he would give her the opportunity to prove herself. Regardless, he trusted Melanie not to fuck around on him with Nikki or anyone else.
“All right, let’s shake on it.” He spit in his palm and extended his hand toward Nikki.
Her cute nose crinkled up. “You’re so gross.”
“That’s not what your friend thinks.”
“Maybe she’s wrong about you.”
Melanie laughed as Nikki spit into her own hand, cringing the entire time her wet palm was pressed against Gabe’s as they sealed the bargain with a firm spit-coated handshake.
“Are you two ready?” Melanie asked.
Staring hard into Nikki’s eyes, Gabe nodded. Without looking away, Nikki mimicked the motion.
“Let’s head to the apartment and pack a few things,” Melanie said. “We can start for Texas in the morning.”
“I’ll take a look at your car while we’re here,” Gabe said, unable to ignore his urge to tinker with a machine.
“That would be fantastic,” Melanie said.
Gabe wiped the spit off his hand on the leg of his jeans and took Melanie’s hand. She didn’t flinch or make a face. He was glad she didn’t think he was gross. “I’d like to do one more thing before we leave tomorrow,” he said as they headed out of the hospital unit, Nikki leading the way.
“What’s that?”
“Meet your parents.”
Based on the look she gave him, maybe she did think he was gross after all.
Chapter Eight
Trust Me (One Night with Sole Regret Book 11) Page 7