Page 43 of This Thing of Ours

“No, cara mia, don’t say anything now. Think about it for a few days and then we’ll talk again.” He leaned down and kissed her lips. “Now, get in bed. Go to sleep. We’ll go on our first date tomorrow night. The sooner we get three of them over with, the sooner I can fuck you.”

She watched him descend the stairs, call to Fred, then slip out with him onto the patio. Once they were out of sight, she went to her bag and pulled out a t-shirt to sleep in. As she changed in the bathroom and brushed her teeth, she thought about everything Marco had said. She’d walked into their relationship with her eyes wide open, knowing exactly the kind of man he was.

Sure, she didn’t know all the nitty-gritty details of what The Family did, but she wasn’t naïve. She knew what kind of business they were in, and it wasn’t selling sunshine and rainbows. Oh, she knew they had their legit businesses they filtered money through, but she also knew for every lawful enterprise, there was at least one illegal one—if not more.

So, Marco was very wrong in thinking she needed to make a decision. Her decision had been made when she realized he had feelings for her, as well. She just needed to convince him of that fact.

She had nothingto wear. And though every woman has said that exact phrase at least a hundred times, ninety-nine percent of the time they hadn’t meant it. But Gabby really did. She stared down at the bed, and the clothes she’d brought from home scattered about its surface and sighed.

“What’s wrong?” Marco asked, materializing at the top of the stairs.

She turned her head, looking over her shoulder at him. “I don’t have a dress for our date tonight. Or shoes. Or accessories.” She spun on her heel and placed her hands on her hips. “And it doesn’t help you won’t tell me where we’re going.”

Marco chuckled and came to her, stopping when he got within touching distance. Then he did just that by covering her hands with his. “And as I’ve told you the last three times you’ve asked, I want it to be a surprise.”

He pulled her forward by the hips, and she stumbled into him. Without the use of her hands, she was at his mercy, and she mumbled into his chest. “Technically I didn’t just ask you again, it was a statement.”

“Fine, thentechnicallyI’m not obligated to answer.”

“Whatever.” He chuckled again, the sound rumbling through her ear. “It still doesn’t change the fact I have nothing to wear.”

He pushed her back a little so he could look down at her. “I’ll take you shopping.”

“You will?” She could’ve reminded him that it was just as easy—if not easier—to stop by her place where she had several dresses to choose from. But what sane woman would do that when anewdress was in their sights?

“Yep.”

She inwardly smiled. “Well, in that case, I really should know where we’re going so I know what to buy.”

Marco gave her a tight smile. “You didn’t actually think I’d fall for that did you?”

She peeked under her lashes at him, grimacing. “Not really. But it was worth a shot.”

“We’ll go to the mall.”

He caught her hand and started pulling her to the stairs. “Wait. I need to change.”

He glanced down the length of her, taking in her leggings and sweatshirt. “Why?”

“I’m dressed for comfort, not company. I can’t wear this to the mall.” She plucked at the front of her UNLV sweatshirt. Four years old, she’d bought it when she’d first started college. The material was faded and the logo half missing from countless washes.

He shrugged. “You’re walking around a mall, trying on clothes. Don’t you want to be comfortable?”

That made perfect sense. Darn him. “Fine. Let’s go.” She bounded down the stairs.

“Wait!”

She stopped mid-tread, and looking over her shoulder, raised a questioning brow.

“Maybe youshouldchange.”

She laughed. “What? You just convinced me not to.”

He had a cute little frown on his face. “That was before I saw you from behind. Those pants are too tight, and the sweatshirt isn’t long enough to cover your ass.”

“Sorry, Charlie.” She continued down the stairs, calling over her shoulder, “You made your bed, now you must lie in it.” She heard him mumble something under his breath that she didn’t quite catch, but the tone made her giggle.

She grabbed her purse from the breakfast bar and looked down at Fred who started attacking her shoelaces. “Do you think he’ll be okay here all alone?”

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