Regretting Gabriel

by Brooks, Anna

  “Yeah, baby. You gonna come for me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Yeah? Just like this?”

  “Yes. Yes. Yes!” I scream and then drop down to his chest, his breath tickling my neck as I come down from that unexpected high.

  I’m almost embarrassed at how quickly that happened, and when I sit up, the cocky grin I find on his face doesn’t help much. “I love how responsive you are to me.”

  “Shut up.”

  “It’s not a bad thing, Cady, it’s actually really fuckin’ good.” I shift and realize he’s still hard beneath me, not that it was difficult to forget. “Ignore it. It’s like this all the time around you. I just don’t have to hide it now.” He winks.

  He may be joking, but I’m not amused. “I want to… I, uh. Can I?”

  Yeah, all amusement is vanished from him now. “What do you want to do?”

  “I… ”

  “What do you want to do to me, Cady?”

  “Can I touch it?”

  “You can do whatever you want to it.”

  I bite my lip and then sit up and slide down his thighs until I’m just above his knees. I run a fingernail along the length over his underwear. His body bucks.

  “Will you tell me what you like?”

  “I’ll like whatever you do to me.”

  I swallow and then pull down the material restricting him, and when he bounces free, slapping against his abs, I suck in a breath. I never thought I’d think a penis would be sexy or even beautiful, but his is. I wrap my hand around the shaft and slide up.

  A bead of pearly white leaks out of the tip, and I rub it with my thumb. “Fuck,” he mutters, so I do it again, getting the same response.

  Feminine power gives me the confidence to continue, to keep pumping and stroking the silky head. I even lean down and run my tongue over the little notch on the underside of his cock. My heart is thundering, and my throat is dry, and I’ve never felt so determined about anything in my life. “Keep doin’ that, Cady, but come up here and kiss me while I come for you.”

  I surge up, squeezing my hand harder and pumping faster. He fists my hair and groans when our lips touch. And the second our tongues collide, he moans down my throat while simultaneously wetting my hand with his orgasm.

  Gabriel

  “Will you come with me to the benefit concert tonight?” Her hands freeze for a moment, and she stops whisking the eggs but doesn’t answer me. “Cady?”

  Her tiny body gives a little involuntary jolt, and she clears her throat. “Um, sure.”

  “Do you want to?”

  “Yeah. I mean… you mean like a date, right?”

  What does she think? I uncross my ankles and push off the wall, and then crowd her from behind. My hands rest on the countertop on either side of her. “No, Cady. We’re together. You’re mine, and I’m yours. We don’t need to date because we already belong to each other.”

  “Okay.”

  I brush her hair to one side and press my lips to the part of her neck that meets her shoulder, then glide my tongue along the same place before I playfully nip it. “I’m gonna introduce you to everyone first, and while we’re performing, I’ll leave you with someone I trust.”

  “Okay, that would be nice.”

  Yeah, no way would I leave her alone to fend for herself in an environment like that. I know she said she’s gone to the pub for a drink or two with Gianna before, but tonight’s going to be a way different crowd.

  I let her finish making breakfast, and after we eat eggs that are better than the ones I cooked, I kiss her at the door so I can go next door and get clothes from my bag. I go back to her apartment and make out with her at her door, then go to the studio to get one last quick session in before we perform tonight.

  When I walk into the studio, I realize I’m the last one here, and when they look up, clearly irritated, I hold my hand in the air. “I met someone, got caught up with her this morning, so I’d say sorry I’m late, but I’m not.”

  I’m expecting them to say something, but instead, I get silence. My eyes dart from each of the guys, who are all still just staring at me, and I clear my throat. “I’m bringing her with me tonight, and I swear to Christ if any of you give her shit, I’ll break your jaw. We clear?”

  “What is happening?” Mike asks, though it’s barely audible. “You’re tied down now, too?”

  “Yup,” I answer without delay.

  “When?”

  “Since I met her earlier this week.”

  Mike raises a brow. “Kinda fast, isn’t it?”

  “Only took me one night with Mercy. If I’d have had a week, I probably would have married her,” Jamie interjects.

  “Christ,” Mike mutters beneath his breath and then his left brow rises a fraction “You fucked up.”

  I cross my arms. “How so?”

  “I’m the only available dick now. So I get all o’ that on the road.”

  “You can have it,” Jamie cuts in.

  I drop my hands. “Enjoy, brother.” I clasp him on the shoulder when I walk by. The thought of not getting pussy on the road does not bother me one bit. Especially since I’ve had Cady’s. Nothin’ better than her sweet, wet, tight heat. What bothers me is knowing I won’t have it while I’m on the road.

  He rubs his hands together, and we’re back to business. “Let’s just do a quick run-through. Got Dane and Jimmy coming by to load up and take our shit to Kelly’s. They’ll be here in an hour.”

  We’re all headed to our instruments when Lee’s phone rings. He holds a finger up. “One sec, guys. Hey, princess.” He answers Meara’s call. “Yeah. No.” His jaw clamps shut. “Whatever. Fine.” He pulls the phone away and expels an aggravated breath before putting the phone back to his ear. “I said fine, Jesus. Is he there now?” A muscle clenches in his cheek, and he yanks it away again and stares down at his phone.

  “Everything okay?” Jamie asks him.

  Lee doesn’t look at us. “Give me a minute.” He presses a button on the phone and holds it to his ear, turning his back on us as he walks out. Just before he closes the door, we hear him. “Don’t you ever fuckin’ hang up on me. And answer my fucking question, Meara. Is he there?”

  We all look at each other, eyes wide and in shock, but it’s Mike who speaks first. “What the hell is happening?”

  “Who the fuck is he?” I question.

  “Shit.” Jamie huffs out a breath.

  “Dude. Do you know something we should?” Mike asks Jamie. Just because Lee isn’t in the band anymore doesn’t mean that he’s still not one of us.

  He shakes his head. “No. But that didn’t sound good.”

  Silence descends upon us as we wait for Lee to return, and I know we’re all thinking the worst. If something is happening between him and Meara, it’s not just not good. It’ll be fuckin’ awful. They’re the pillar of a perfect relationship, and in all the years we’ve known each other, I’ve never seen Lee so mad.

  Sure, when he went through his shit a while ago, I saw him upset. Hurt. Broken. But not mad like he just was. And for him to mention another guy… what the fuck?

  He comes back a few short minutes later. “Don’t ask. I ain’t talking about it.” His feet stomp in a pair of black boots, and when he reaches his drum set, he plops down. “Let’s jam.”

  Cady opens the door and takes my damn breath away. “Hey.” I managed to get through our rehearsal without messing up, which is surprising because all I could think about was her. I wondered what she’d wear and was hoping it’d be something exactly like what she has on now.

  I love that she dressed up a little more than she usually does. Not that I don’t love the view of her tits and ass in her little skirts and sweaters, but I especially love that the tank top she’s wearing forms a V right between her breasts. The swells of creamy skin are going to taunt me tonight. The way the material is, I can see a little bit of her silky bra.

  And her black leather pants are the sexiest thing I’ve ever see
n.

  I trace my finger down her arm and give her a small tug to follow me, kicking her door closed behind me. She yelps in shock but follows. As soon as I sit in her kitchen chair, I pull her between my legs. My hands curve over her hips, and I slide them around to cup her ass. Tilting my head up, I find her eyes. “Show me what’s under your pants, sugar.”

  “Wh… what?”

  “Under these tight ass pants, I want to see if it matches your bra.”

  She licks her lips, and her thighs begin to tremble.

  “Want me to?” I don’t wait for an answer and go for the button of her fly. “Just a peek, baby. Let me see what you’ve got under here. I want to know what I can look forward to taking off later.” I slide the zipper down, and she shudders while my dick twitches. Black lace is exposed first, the same kind that matches her bra. I run my fingers beneath the waistline, and when I get to her hips, I tug the leather down to her thighs, exposing her bluebird tattoo. “What does this mean?”

  “It’s from a song.”

  “‘Over the Rainbow’?”

  She nods. “It’s my favorite.”

  “It’s beautiful, just like you are. Every inch.” The breath I suck in is involuntary.

  Her legs quake, and I flatten my palms and glide them up her sexy stems. My thumbs rub up and down at the apex of her thighs, and I can see the muscles in her legs clenching and unclenching. “Turn around.”

  “What?”

  I smirk. “Turn around, sugar. Let me see the back.”

  She bites her lip and slowly spin-shuffles until her back is to me, and I bring my hands around to cup the globes of her ass. “My Cady’s got a sweet ass.” I snap the thong, and she jumps but moans at the same time. “Bend over.”

  “What?”

  “Brace your hands on the table and bend over.”

  I can see the effort it takes for her to get a breath, but she complies, and when I get an unaltered view of her from behind, I have to press the palm of my hand on my jeans against my cock to settle him down.

  “Are you wet for me?” She whimpers, and I’ll accept that as an answer.

  “Let me see. Keep your hands there, sugar, and keep that ass tilted for me.”

  She squirms, her legs together tight from her pants. I slide my finger down the crease of her behind and continue until I reach her sweet spot. “Yeah, you’re wet,” I rumble.

  “Yes,” she pants.

  “I’d really like to put my mouth on you right now, but I know once I start, I won’t be able to stop. So for now, I’m just going to play with you with my fingers.” I press my index finger against her opening, and she tilts up more for me. “There you go, baby. Give me that pussy.”

  “God.”

  I push the fabric aside and slide one finger into her. Jesus, she’s tight. I know just how tight, and I practically come in my pants remembering. I slowly move my finger in and out of her, loving her little whimpers of frustration and desire. I haven’t even touched her clit yet, but I bet she’ll explode if I even get close. Fuck, but I love how responsive she is to me. “You either stand here and be still until I give it to you, or you do the work and make yourself come.”

  She whines but forces herself still, and I smile wickedly even though she can’t see me. “Gabe.”

  “I love that you only call me Gabe when you’re turned on and all hot for me.”

  Her hair whips around when she looks at me over her shoulder. “I do?”

  I chuckle and nod. “Yeah, Cady. You do.”

  Swirling my finger inside her, she drops her head again. “Please.”

  “Soon. I want you to soak my hand. Get yourself all over me so that when I’m playing tonight, I can still smell you.”

  I scissor two fingers into her and watch her stretch open for me, then feel her clamp down and try to keep me inside. I twist my wrist, gather her wetness, and slide my hand out and up, rimming the tight pucker of her ass and gently pressing in with one finger, just a centimeter. “Gabe.” Her voice holds fear.

  “Shh. I just wanted to touch it.” I bring my hand down again, and when I enter her, I press my thumb to her clit. Her back arches, her breath stills, and she does exactly what I wanted; she soaks my hand so I’ll be able to smell her all over me all fucking night.

  Cady

  Walking into the bar with Gabe is an experience, especially after what he did to me before we left. I still can’t believe he did it… that I let him do it… or that I liked it so damn much.

  There’s something to be said for holding hands with a guy, and everyone’s eyes going to the two of you. I’ve always wanted to be in the background, while it’s clear Gabe likes being in the spotlight.

  Just stepping foot in the bar with him, he’s got a fun side that’s already come out that he hasn’t shared with me at home. He fist bumps people who stick their hands out, smiles at them, and has this cocky air about him that I didn’t get a glimpse of during our time alone together, either.

  The rest of the band sits in a corner booth, and as we make our way through, they all stop talking, and one by one, like dominoes, they turn their heads. Even through the dimmer light, I can see their eyes widen.

  This is because Gabe never brings a girl with him anywhere. He’s the notorious one in the band for being a player. He’s never committed to a woman, and the fact he brought me with him—and not just on a regular day but on the day of this benefit—is huge. He’s clearly saying something.

  I’ve never been a partier, which is obvious by how uncomfortable I feel. And if I feel awkward, I know I look it. That fear is confirmed when Gabe unlinks our fingers and hooks his arm around my neck. He tugs me into him, my left side colliding with his right one. I look up just as he looks down. His face disappears, and his lips tickle my ear, “Relax, sugar. I have you, all’s good.”

  He drops his arm and gives my hip a squeeze, and when we get to the section where the band is, I can feel my face heating up. “Guys, this is Cady. Cady, everyone. Mike, Jamie and his girl Mercy, and Liam and his wife Meara. That’s Meara’s cousin Charlotte and her husband Travis. Travis’s brother Brandon and his wife Mary. Pierce and Declan are Meara’s brothers.” He points at the guys who are clearly related. “Amie is Declan’s, Ruby is Pierce’s, and over there is Nik and Lisa.”

  “Uh… hey.”

  They all reply with a huge round of heys and hi’s and how are yous, but Meara’s voice is the loudest. “You’re the librarian who plays the guitar.”

  I know who she is but wasn’t sure if she recognized me or not. I smile shyly. “That’d be me.”

  “Holy shit.” She leans back in the booth, and Liam wraps his arm around her shoulders and looks at me. If it wasn’t for the fact that I grew up around rock stars, I’d be so intimidated right now. “Meara tells me you’re a natural.”

  I shrug. “I’m okay.”

  “You’re a librarian?” That comes from Jamie.

  “Don’t,” Gabriel snaps at him.

  “What?” He holds his hands out in surrender. “I just asked a question.”

  Gabriel pulls a chair up next to the table and sits down, then pulls me onto his lap. He wraps both of his arms around my waist, and I lean into him. I’m a little nervous being around all these people, but they remind me of my dad’s band, and the nights they’d all come over and sit around a fire or just hang out and have a good time. And with Gabriel holding me tight, I feel secure.

  A beer magically appears in front of me, and as I sip it, I listen to the banter and answer questions when asked, laugh at their jokes, and love being in Gabriel’s arms.

  But eventually they have to go get ready for their show. Because I kind of, sort of, in a way know Meara, I go with her to hang out by the bar. She’s busy working, and I’m just people watching until everyone stops what they’re doing and turns to the stage.

  Four men, intimidating and revered, walk up onto the small platform, and the crowd goes wild. “How are we all doin’ tonight?” Mike’s seductive voice echo
es through the speakers as he adjusts the mic stand. “We want to thank you all for coming tonight and helping to support Children’s Hospital.” Everyone claps, including the band. “If you’ll notice, we’ve got someone special behind the drums tonight.”

  I almost have to plug my ears as the crowd screams so freaking loud to welcome Liam back. Mike’s chuckle is nearly impossible to hear, and after a couple of minutes, they calm down enough for Mike to talk again. “You guys ready to be ruined?”

  He doesn’t wait for a response. Gabriel strums the first notes of a song, and like the talented band they are, they kick off the show without a hitch. I’ve never seen them live before, and even though this is a super small and intimate setting, it’s amazing. They’re really, really good.

  Gabriel catches my eyes and smiles at me. Sweat dripping down his temple, and his hair falling into his face from the perspiration, he’s a pillar of masculinity.

  As I watch them play, Gabriel, in particular, it brings a weird numbing sensation to the backs of my knees. The last time I saw a concert of any kind was my dad, and I try not to think about that because I don’t want to remember the lasts of anything with him. I always try to remember the firsts, the good times, the happy ones.

  Reason to Ruin is on the small stage, and with Liam back behind the drum set for the first time in almost four years, the crowd is going insane. And I can’t hear a note. But it’s not the crowd that deafens me, it’s my father. All I can hear is his voice, his smoky rasp and signature laughter. I can vividly see him on that stage, swaying his hips as he sings his heart out.

  I can picture him looking over at me and winking, always, always thinking about me. I think about my dad constantly. Not a day has passed when I don’t still have a flashback of him. Sometimes it’s a happy memory, and sometimes it’s the day I killed him, but right now, it’s all at once, and I feel like I’m going to pass out.

  I turn around and lean against the bar and breathe deeply. I stare at a napkin and focus on the words. Kelly’s Pub. I blink, squeeze my eyelids closed, and then take another breath. The reverberation of a guitar rings through the bar, but it’s quickly drowned out by the crowd’s screaming as the performance ends. “Are you okay?”