Page 27 of Playboy

“We should probably go up before your team sends a search party for you.”

He grinned and nodded, taking her hand and linking his fingers with hers.

As she and Playboy made their way up the stairs to the upper deck, hand-in-hand, she couldn’t stop smiling. She really wanted to kick her own butt for torturing herself for nine long months.

As they neared the top of the stairs, a familiar voice drifted towards them, making Gabby’s smile fade. Nobody could mistake Cruz’s loud, arrogant voice. But hearing her name roll out of his mouth caused her ears to perk up.

“Have any of you seen Gabby tonight?”

A round of no’s echoed into the nighttime air.

“Do you think she’ll show up?” A guy whose voice Gabby didn’t recognize asked.

“I hope so. I’ve had my eyes on her for a while,” Cruz was saying, his tone cocky. “She’s a challenge, though. But I’m pretty sure I can charm her into my bed. I just need to show her a good time, and she’ll be all over me. I’ve been patient enough with her. Any other woman I would’ve already had in my bed.”

“I don’t know, man. Gabby is different from most of the women who come here. She’s been coming in here for a few months now, and I’ve never seen her leave with a guy. Normally, she babysits her girlfriends, who come with her. You know, keeping them from people like you.”

“She can only hold out for so long. I’ve been slowly reeling her in. It is just a matter of time before I’ll have that firm body of hers that is filled with curves underneath me. I mean, fuck, have you seen her tits? Just the right size for my hands.”

Gabby’s face was red as her blood boiled at Cruz’s crude remarks. She glanced at Playboy, whose jaw was clenched, and she could see a storm brewing in his darkened eyes. Taking a deep breath, she squeezed his hand, drawing his attention.

“Do you trust me?” she asked, her voice firm but low.

Playboy looked at her, a flash of surprise in his eyes before he nodded. “Of course I do.”

Without another word, Gabby tightened her grip on his hand and walked purposefully toward Cruz’s table. The chatter around the deck seemed to fade as they approached, all eyes turning to them. Gabby felt a surge of adrenaline, her heart pounding. But not from fear. It was from a fierce determination to make a point to the asshole who thought he could degrade women.

As they reached the table, Cruz looked up, clearly surprised to see her and Playboy together. Before he could say anything, Gabby stopped right in front of their table and turned toward Playboy. Lifting up onto her tip toes, she looped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her lips.

The world around them seemed to blur, and all she could focus on was the feeling of Playboy’s lips on hers, the heat of his embrace, and the message she was sending loud and clear.

The whistles and cheers got loud as she remembered they were in the middle of the deck and had an audience.

When they finally broke apart, Gabby glanced around, noting the stunned expressions on the faces of Cruz and his buddies. She looked up at Playboy, who was grinning at her, clearly both amused and pleased by her bold move. Gabby turned her gaze to Cruz, raising an eyebrow as she spoke, her voice calm, but it held an edge.

“Just so we’re clear, Cruz. I’m not interested in your games. And I’m definitely not interested in you. I already have someone who respects me and doesn’t treat me like a conquest.”

Cruz blinked, clearly taken aback, and for a moment, he looked embarrassed. Gabby felt a sense of satisfaction, knowing she had made her point. She turned back to Playboy, giving him a soft smile, and retook his hand.

“Come on,’ she said, her voice softer now. “Let’s go find your team.”

As they made their way through the tables, Gabby felt a mix of emotions—relief, pride, and bubbling happiness. She glanced at Playboy, who looked at her with admiration and a hint of awe.

“That was…impressive,” he said, squeezing her hand.

Gabby chuckled, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks. “I just wanted to make it clear where I stand. And besides,” she added, giving him a playful look, “Hopefully, that will squash any rumors about us.”

Playboy laughed. “Just for the record, I’m glad you did what you did, or else I probably would’ve punched him for talking about you like he was.”

Gabby grinned and shook her head. Right before they got to the door to go inside, she stopped and turned toward him. Playboy wrapped his arms around her waist to keep from knocking her over.

Looking up at his curious expression, she smiled. “I want you to know that I meant what I said. I know that we don’t know everything about one another yet, but I do know that you would never disrespect me or treat me like a conquest.”

His eyes darkened, and he pulled her close. Her hands rested on his biceps, his muscles flexed under her fingertips.

“That is one thing you never need to worry about. I would never purposefully disrespect you. I only see you as my equal.”

Gabby’s heart swelled at his words. She smiled, leaning in to kiss him again, this time softly. “Thank you,” she murmured against his lips.

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