This Thing of Ours (The Gamblers Spin-off Novel)

by Sarah Curtis

  “You do know it’s not the highest but the lowest score that wins, right?”

  Gabby was leaning over her ball, lining up her shot, but she took the time to look up and over at Marco’s smug expression to shoot him a tight smile. “Hardy-har-har. Maybe you should give up your life of crime and become a comedian.”

  “And trade blood stains for tomato stains? I think not.” Marco gave his golf club a twirl, and it came to rest on his shoulder. The casual move was elegantly executed.

  Her eyes slanted. “Hang on. Have you played this before?” It would explain the two hole-in-ones he’d managed to land, and they were only on the fourth hole.

  He grinned. “Are you accusing me of something?”

  She stood up straight and put a hand on her hip. “Should I be?”

  He chuckled. “Believe it or not. I’ve never played before. Must be beginner’s luck.”

  Before she could argue there was no such thing, two preteen girls came giggling up to their hole. A man in his mid-thirties—presumably one of the girls’ father—arrived just behind them.

  Marco tipped his head. “Ladies.”

  That started another round of giggles from the Peppy Twins. Not that Gabby blamed them. She felt like giggling like a loon around Marco all the time, too. Well, when he wasn’t kicking her butt at Putt-Putt golf that was.

  Gabby picked up her ball. “Do you guys want to go ahead of us? We’re kind of slow.”

  She directed her question to the dad, so he replied, “We’re not in a rush.”

  “We’re fine,” both the girls said almost in unison before taking a seat on the stone bench designated for waiting parties, never taking their eyes off Marco.

  Marco moved closer, so he was now directly across from her on the putting green and no longer on the sidewalk. “Take your turn, cara mia.”

  Gabby set her ball back down and lined up her club. She looked at the hole in the distance, willed her ball to land somewhere in its vicinity at the very least, and gave it a whack. It went sailing. Up over the giant hump in the middle of the green, past the hole, and up over the small curb of the sidewalk to land in the grass at the bank of the man-made lake.

  She sent up a small prayer that it hadn’t actually landed in the water.

  Marco kissed her temple, laughter in his voice as he said, “I’ll get it.”

  The giggling grew louder behind her, and she looked over her shoulder, first at the girls and then at the dad. He was smiling. Feeling her cheeks heat, she asked, “You sure you guys don’t want to go ahead of us?”

  All three shook their heads, and Gabby got the impression they thought she was more entertaining than their golf game.

  Gabby shrugged and watched Marco walk back to her, a grin on his face and her ball in his hand. “It was only a couple of inches from the water. You were lucky it didn’t go in.”

  Gabby snatched her ball out of his hand. “If I were lucky, it would’ve landed in the hole.” Gabby placed her ball back on the ground.

  “Maybe don’t hit it quite so hard this time.”

  He was smirking, and Gabby wanted to bash him over the head with her golf club. She gave him a tight smile instead. “I wanted to make sure it went over the hump.”

  He’d toned down the smirk, but it still played on his lips when he said, “Just remember how hard you swung last time and take it down a notch.” Then, under his breath, he muttered, “Or ten.”

  If there weren’t children around, she would’ve flipped him off, as they were, she only said, “You should feel very lucky we have an audience.”

  “I thought we’ve already established how lucky I am?”

  Gabby leaned forward, so she wasn’t overheard. “Keep it up, and your luck will run out by the time we get home tonight.”

  His eyes softened, and he gave her a genuine smile. “I like that.”

  She raised her brows. “You like not getting lucky?”

  He shook his head. “That you called my place home.”

  Her heart did a little flip, and good mood restored, she waved at him. “Back up or you’ll feel the wrath of my mighty swing.”

  Chuckling, he got out of her way. She swung and swung. Then tapped and tapped. Until she finally made… a hole-in-seven.

  Gabby turned when she felt a hand on her elbow. She’d been so engrossed in the view of Marco’s retreating figure—he’d left to get her a new ball as she’d finally managed to land hers in the lake—that she hadn’t sensed anyone come up behind her. A stupid mistake that could’ve had a costlier outcome. As it was, it was just the girls’ dad. Speaking of which, she glanced over his shoulder but didn’t see them around.

  Noticing he said, “They popped off to the restroom. They can’t do anything alone, those two. Been best friends for years.” When Gabby didn’t comment, he continued. “I’m Hank, by the way.” He held out his hand. “Thought I’d introduce myself.” He gave a hesitant chuckle. “After all this time, I feel as though we're old friends.”

  Gabby raised a brow. All this time? They’d been following them for three holes. Granted, it took Gabby forever to finish a hole, but still.

  His hand was still out, so as not to be rude, she gave it a brief shake before pulling away. She also took a step back to dislodge his hand from her arm.

  He ran the hand through his hair, which she did notice was thick and a nice shade of brown. In fact, he was a good-looking guy, she just wasn’t interested.

  “So, anyway, um… sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”

  Because she hadn’t given it. Wanting the conversation over before Marco got back, she supplied, “Gabby.”

  “Right. Gabby. Pretty name, by the way.” He raised a hand as if he were about to touch her again, thought better of it, and returned his arm to his side.

  Hank was either nervous about something, or he was just naturally fidgety. Again, not to be rude, she mumbled, “Thank you.”

  “Anyway, as I was saying…” he gave a small laugh. “I don’t usually do this, but that guy you’re with, is it serious?”

  Gabby opened her mouth, but no words came out. She’d had a few guys from school ask her out, but she’d never had a complete stranger actually hit on her before.

  He filled her stunned silence. “You see, I knew if I didn’t ask, I’d go home and wonder if I’d missed my chance. Then I’d regret not asking. Ever since my divorce, I try not to do things I’d regret.”

  “You’re going to regret this very much if you don’t step the fuck back and get away from my girl.”

  Gabby jumped. She hadn’t heard Marco come up behind her, and either Hank hadn’t either, or he simply didn’t care. Which wasn’t very smart on his part if it was the latter.

  The guy was smart enough to hold his hands out in a peaceful gesture. “I meant no disrespect.”

  Marco stepped around Gabby, placing her behind him. “Oh, but I think you did.”

  Gabby grabbed the back of Marco’s jacket and tugged, trying to get his attention. Big surprise, that didn’t work.

  Gabby couldn’t see, but she heard Hank reply. “Really, man, I was just getting the lay of the land. If Gabby had told me she was taken, I would’ve backed off.”

  She felt Marco stiffen, and his tone was pretty damn intimidating when he said, “Are you saying she didn’t tell you she was taken?”

  Gabby rolled her eyes and tugged on the back of Marco’s jacket again, which he again ignored, so she instead tried to step around him, but he reached his arm back, stopping her.

  “Well, no. I mean, yes. What I mean is, we hadn’t really gotten that far into the conversation.”

  She heard caution in Hank’s voice. Seemed he finally realized he was dealing with a crazy person.

  She spied the girls heading their direction and knew she needed to shut things down fast. “I’m leaving,” she said to Marco’s back. “Either you’re coming with me now, or not. If not, I’m calling a cab and going home home. If so, I’ll get in your car and go home with you. Your call
.”

  And on that note, without giving Marco time to answer or react, she turned on her heel and walked away.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  It didn’t take long for Marco’s long strides to catch up with Gabriella. He grabbed her arm, yanking her to a stop and used her momentum to spin her around to face him. Her lips parted in surprise, and he took advantage, claiming her mouth. Deepening the kiss, he swept his tongue inside, uncaring they were standing in the middle of a crowded amusement center.

  She resisted at first, her hands pushing against his chest for all of a few seconds before changing her mind, clutching at his jacket and urging him closer.

  He obliged, his hands greedily diving into her hair and fisting it in a tight grip, tipping her head at just the right angle to devour her mouth. Eyes closed, he breathed in her scent and relished the taste of her.

  Her parting words had penetrated the thick haze of his anger a second after he’d felt her heat leave his back. Panic, he quickly discovered, was a stronger emotion than jealousy, and it hadn’t taken his brain long to come to the conclusion Gabriella was a hell of a lot more important than the wanker trying to hit on her.

  “I can’t stand the thought of you walking away from me,” he murmured against her lips, easing his hold but not releasing her.

  “You need to get a hold on your jealousy. It was cute at first, but it’s getting old, real fast.”

  “I know.” And he did. He could sense her coming to the end of her rope, and if he didn’t learn to deal with his newfound emotion, no other man would need to get in his way, he’d manage to screw things up all on his own.

  “It’s something you need to get used to. Other men will look, or sometimes even approach me, just like other women will do with you. You’ve got to trust me, just like I have to trust you, or this relationship isn’t going to work. It won’t matter how much I love you. Without trust, that love will die. It will be a slow death, but dead, as you know, is still dead just the same.”

  His heartbeat stilled at the word love only to beat double time a second later. He pulled his head away enough to get a clear view of her face. “Love?”

  Her face paled right before her cheeks flushed. “I… I… um, meant when it turns into love, it will die.”

  God, she was fucking adorable. His lips tipped up into a smile, and he slowly shook his head. “I don’t think that’s what you meant at all. I think you love me.”

  Her lips pursed so tightly they almost vanished completely.

  He held back a laugh. Untangling his fingers from her hair, he cradled her face. “But that’s okay. You know why?”

  She gave her head a little shake, so minute, if he hadn’t been paying such close attention he would have missed it.

  “Because, cara mia, sei l’amore della mia vita.”

  Her eyes softened right before they closed.

  “And I promise to do better. Not let my jealousy ruin what we have.” She opened her eyes, and he gave her a smirk. “It’s a learning curve.”

  Relief hit him strong when she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest. He returned the hug, probably squeezing harder than he should but too overcome by emotion to restrain himself.

  He gave her one last squeeze and said, “Come on, let’s get out of here and go home.”

  They walked hand-in-hand through the noisy arcade and out the main doors to the parking lot.

  “Marco?”

  He looked over to find Gabriella’s eyes on him, looking slightly embarrassed. “Yeah?”

  Her cheeks pinkened before she stammered, “My, um, Italian isn’t always accurate. Just to be one-hundred percent clear, you said, I’m the love of your life, right?”

  Marco stopped dead in his tracks, tipped his head back, and laughed. He tugged at their joined hands and pulled her to him, wrapping her in a tight embrace. “Yes, streghetta,” he said around a chuckle. “Had I known your Italian was in question, I would have used English. I was trying to make an impact.” He chuckled again. “I should’ve known that wouldn’t work with you.”

  She pushed against his chest and gave him a glare. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It means, you never do or say what I think you’re going to. You’re unpredictable and keep me on my toes.”

  Her eyes narrowed farther. “I can’t tell if that’s a good thing or not.”

  He pecked her pouting lips. “It’s a very good thing. Keeps life interesting.”

  She finally cracked a smile. “I like interesting.”

  “Then let’s go home so I can show you something really interesting.”

  She tipped her head at a saucy angle. “Oh, yeah. Like what?”

  He dipped his head and whispered, “Piace come succhiare il mio cazzo.”

  She laughed, shaking her head. “What the heck does that mean?”

  Marco smirked. “You’ll find out when we get home.”

  “Suck it a little harder, baby. Yeah, just like that.”

  They were home, in bed, and Marco was doing exactly what he’d told Gabriella he would do when he got her there. Teach her how to suck his cock. He was happy to note, she was an eager student and a very fast learner.

  He sat, propped against the headboard, watching her on her knees between his legs, sucking him off. It was a sight he would never forget. Her hand fisting the base. Her mouth taking care of the rest. Her lips growing redder and plumper the longer she worked him.

  The visual alone was enough to get him off, but add to it the sensations of her hot, wet mouth and tongue—a torture all on its own as it flicked and swirled around his head—and he was a goner.

  “Fuck, baby, let up. I’m gonna come.”

  But she didn’t. She held on tighter and sucked him harder until with a roar, he tipped his head back and came down her throat.

  He opened his eyes to find her watching him. She smiled, flicked her tongue out, and licked up a drop of cum from the corner of her mouth.

  His dick grew instantly hard, and her eyes widened. “How is that even possible?”

  “You make it possible. Come here.”

  She let go of his dick and scooted until she was straddling his hips.

  “Closer.” She started to lean forward, but he stopped her. “No. All of you.”

  She gave him a puzzled look but did as he asked, scooting farther forward until she was sitting on his upper abdomen.

  “A little closer.”

  “I can’t get any closer.”

  “Yes, you can.”

  “Marco, any closer and I’ll be sitting…”

  Her cheeks turned a becoming shade of pink, and he smirked. “Exactly.”

  She maneuvered herself over his shoulders, and he gripped her thighs. “I don’t want to suffocate you.”

  He chuckled. “You won’t. Hold on to the headboard to keep balance, it’s going to be a wild ride.”

  Starting at the back, he ran his tongue through her folds until he reached her clit. There, he latched on and sucked in deep. Her hips squirmed. He moved his hands from her thighs to her ass and pressed her closer.

  “Oh, God.” Her legs started to shake, and he gripped her tighter to keep her steady.

  With a last flick with his tongue, he dropped his head back. “Fuck yourself on my tongue.”

  “What?” She looked down at him, eyes glazed, lips parted. It was a good look.

  Instead of repeating himself, he showed her. Directing her hips, he planted her on his tongue and moved them up and down. It didn’t take her long to start fucking his face like a pro, freeing one of his hands for more stimulating endeavors. He found her tit, and he pinched and rolled her nipple.

  She was making all kinds of sexy-as-fuck noises, making his dick swell and ache. Seeing she had things well in control, he reached down with his other hand, fisting his dick and giving himself a few slow strokes. Fuck, it wasn’t enough.

  Gripping her hips, he lifted and flipped her, so she landed with her back on the bed.
She cried out in surprise right before he slammed into her. Her thighs gripped his hips, her toes digging into the back of his legs. Her hands clutched his shoulders. He grabbed her wrists, bringing her arms up and over her head to settle against the mattress as he thrust into her over and over.

  Her head tipped back, lips parting, and she released a long, low moan that had him pounding into her harder. “Fuck, baby, you got to find it. I’m not going to last much longer.”

  She arched into him, her hips moving in tandem with his. Their bodies slick with sweat. Her pussy dripping. He felt his balls tighten.

  And then he felt it. Her whole body stiffened as her pussy sucked at his dick, milking him. And he let go, exploding into her.

  He face-planted her neck, breathing heavily. Her heart beat erratically against his chest, and her body went limp with her legs falling to the sides.

  He raised his head. “You okay.”

  She gave him a sly smile. “I’m great.”

  “You sure I wasn’t too rough?”

  She shook her head.

  “I need the words, cara mia.”

  “You were perfect.”

  His lips tipped up. “Perfect, huh?”

  Her smile grew a little bigger. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

  “Which one?”

  She laughed. “Either one.”

  He pushed up with his hands, separating their chests while keeping himself firmly planted inside her. He looked down the length of her. “Hard not to let it go to my head when you look so thoroughly fucked.”

  She did something with her pussy that squeezed his dick, and he hissed through his teeth. “You’re playing with fire, streghetta.”

  Instead of answering, she did it again.

  He gave a low growl. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  “Is that a threat, mafia man?”

  He leaned forward until their noses touched. “You should know by now, we don’t make threats. We make promises.”

  He nipped her bottom lip and sat up on his knees. “Roll over onto your stomach.”

  She raised her brows. “Bossy.” But she complied.