Page 58 of Tangled with the Tight End

“Yes.” The blush on her cheeks makes me happy. If they’re this good together after three years, Gabriel and I will surely be as well. “It’s a great location for a restaurant.”

“Good.” Gabriel leans back and unlaces our fingers, sending an instant chill through me over the lack of contact. Only to sling his arm around my shoulders. “Tell me about your thoughts on size, staff, menu, everything.”

Two hours later, we’ve eaten, and the boys fell sleep, but Gabriel and Marco are still pouring over details. Seeing this side of Gabriel is eye-opening. There’s no question in my mind that he can do anything he puts his mind to, including opening a business when he’s 1600 miles away. He has a brilliant business mind to go with phenomenal attention to detail.

When Eden gets up to check on Angelo, Marco joins her, and I shift in my seat as Gabriel holds my hand. “Wait a second before we join them.”

“Okay.”

He smiles, and my heart thuds in my chest. “Are you good with all this?”

“Of course.” I shrug and study him in confusion. “Why wouldn’t I be? And it’s not like my opinion matters. This is your money.”

“Someday, it’ll be our money, and if you don’t want me to open a business that could put our future at risk, I won’t. Even if it pisses my brother off.”

I forget how to breathe and bite my lips together. This is real. He’s not just playing a game for a holiday. My leg bounces as my foot goes up and down. “You don’t need my permission.”

He grips my jaw, but his fingers remain soft against my skin. “Yes, I do.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him I love him, but I bite the words back. His brother and my best friend are here, and I need to make sure what I’m feeling is real and not just because he’s the first man to treat me like I’m the most important person he’s ever met.

“I have no objections to you opening a restaurant with your brother. I think it’s a fantastic idea.” I wrap my arms around his neck and slide closer until his knee is between my thighs. “And I love the idea of it being next to my business.”

“Good. I was hoping you’d say that. I have another question for you. How would you feel about Marco being your manager? It would allow him to learn more about running a business. He’d be right next to the construction project, and …” He arches his eyebrows. “And it would free you up to come stay with me more during the season without worry.”

Work with Marco? I adore him. Be able to see Gabriel and Gino more? The best sales pitch he could have ever given me. “If Marco agrees, I’m all in favor.”

He boosts me onto his lap and places his mouth against mine. I shiver when his tongue slides against the seam of my lips and dives inside when I whimper. I tip my head, allowing him to deepen the kiss as his tongue strokes and caresses mine. The speed with which he has my walls quivering and my panties soaked is ridiculous. But we have company.

The movements are thorough and deliberate as he coaxes more from me. I grind against his erection and smile against his lips when his grip tightens on me.

thirty

GABRIEL

A Few Days Later

“Why amI standing on the edge of a pond in 15-degree weather with snow up past my ankles?” I may be bitchy, but the sunrise mixed with the beauty of the mountains in the backdrop is almost worth it. Almost. It’s fucking cold.

Marco glances at me over his shoulder. “You know why. I’m coaching hockey.”

“Yes, I know why you’re here, but I still don’t understand why I’m here.” I stomp my feet to keep them from freezing inside the fur-lined boots.

“Because….” He chuckles and smacks my shoulders with his gloved hand. I can barely make out his laughter under the tied hood with the mock fur fringe around the edge. “You need to experience the beauty of Evergreen Lake.”

“I experienced the beauty of Evergreen Lake last night.” One corner of my mouth arches upward as I envision making love to Norah. The woman’s body and spirit are awe-inspiring.

“Smooth.” Marco laughs harder.

I can’t get enough of her. My heart clutches at the thought of having to leave. I want to say fuck it and retire, but I also wantto ensure we’re financially prepared for the future. And with my greedy ex waiting around the corner, I can’t afford to mess up anything. I’d love to walk away without giving her a dime, but that’s not how the world works. The most important thing is to end our marriage and keep Gino with me.

“But it’s good to see you happy. I know things with Sloane were never good, and I was relieved when you said you were divorcing her.” His face sobers. “Be careful with that one.”

My gut is tight as I nod. “I am. I have an attorney and a security team dragging all her dirty laundry to light.” My hands ball into fists. Or at least into as tight of a fist as I can make with padded gloves on my hands.

“Good.”

While we talked, several cars pulled up with kids piling out to join us at the pond. They lace up their skates and glide out onto the pond. As they pass the black puck around the smooth ice, they laugh and bounce into each other, knocking their opponents out of the way as the different groupings attempt to drive the puck into one of the two portable nets.

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