Page 25 of Playboy

“Gabby,” he began, his voice steady but tinged with a hint of nervousness, “there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you for a while now.”

Gabby turned her face upwards, her eyes curious and inviting. “What is it?”

He smiled as he rubbed his thumb in a gentle circular motion on her hand.

“I’ve been attracted to you since the first time we met. But…I’ve been nervous about asking you out.”

Gabby’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, and she smiled softly, flipping his hand over and linking her fingers with his.

“Okay, I’ll admit, when I first met you at Leo’s party, I was not expecting to be attracted to someone called Playboy. I mean, come on, the name alone had me ready to run in the opposite direction. And then, like clockwork, Velcro Vicky appeared, and I assumed the worst.”

“Velcro Vicky?” Playboy asked, looking a bit amused.

Gabby laughed. “Yeah! Every time she shows up, she sticks herself to you like she’s got some industrial-grade Velcro sewn into her clothes. So, naturally, I gave her the nickname.”

“That’s actually hilarious. I’ll have to remember that one,” he said, laughing.

Gabby grinned but continued. “But in all seriousness, over the last few months, you’ve been confusing me. One minute, I think maybe there’s something there, and the next, I feel like we’re just friends. Then, throw Velcro Vicky into the mix, and I wasn’t sure where I stood. I guess I thought you had a fan club to manage.”

Playboy felt horrible that he made her feel that way. He smiled. “Well, I do have a fan club, but you’re the only one who’s ever made me want to retire from it. And I can assure you that Vicky is just one of the many women around here who hunts SEALs. She’s just looking for a good time and something to brag about. I swear to you there is nothing between me and her or any other woman for that matter.

Gabby grinned at him. “So does that mean you want to be more than friends?”

Playboy smirked. “Oh, I definitely want a friendship. But I want more than just that. I’ve been drawn to you—your strength, your spirit—hell, everything about you. I had intended to tell you how I felt at the gala a few weeks ago. But then I made an ass of myself when Vicky showed up with her friends, which I want to apologize for. I honestly thought that after that night, I would never get a chance to tell you how I really felt.”

Gabby took a step closer, her eyes locking onto his. “I guess since apologies are being thrown out. I should apologize myself for that night as well. I shouldn’t have let her presence get to me, nor should I have let your compassion upset me. You’re a great guy, and I’m sure that even though Vicky had ulterior motives, you, like me, are in the business of assisting people. I could’ve stayed while you checked her car and then let you drive me home. But again, I just assumed. And I’m sorry for what I said to you that night. Though, I meant what I said about her engine.”

Playboy chuckled as he pulled Gabby a little closer.

He felt his heart race at her words, the vulnerability in her voice matching his own feelings. He reached out, taking both of her hands in his.

“Gabby, there’s nothing that could make me not be interested. Hell, I think I come up here to Bayside every Friday night just to see you.”

“Really? How did you know I came up here on Fridays?”

He gave her a tight smile, not wanting to rat out Oliver for divulging that information. But when she raised one of her perfectly manicured eyebrows, he couldn’t resist.

“Oliver told me.”

Her eyes bugged out. “Oliver!?”

He chuckled. “Yeah. After you left Leo’s party, I left right behind you. I wanted to know more about you, so I called Oliver. He told me about you going to Bayside on Friday nights. Well, he told me that after he threatened to kill me if I hurt you.”

She grinned. “Sorry. They are very protective of me. I often feel like I have seven brothers.”

Drawing her a little closer, he looked deep into her eyes.

“It is bad that I already feel protective of you?”

He watched as she swallowed hard before shaking her head. “No.”

She was so petite, standing next to him. The top of her head only reached his collarbone.

“Do you want to know something else?” he asked, licking his suddenly dry lips.

Gabby nodded.

“I’ve wanted to kiss you for the longest time.”

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