Page 46 of More Than a Fling

“I don’t want you to quit…ever. I’ll happily be your addiction,” Gabe said.

“You say that now, but what about the nights you play music and all of the beautiful women are throwing themselves at you, what then?”

“Same. I told you before, one-night stands are lonely and boring. It’s not what I want.”

“Gabe, I want to believe you, I do, but it won’t be all that easy, temptation can’t always be contained.”

“I won’t be tempted, that’s the thing, I only want you.”

“We’ll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it,” Annie said.

“We won’t come to it Annie,” Gabe said firmly.

“I hear you. I want to believe.”

“Have a little faith.”

“I’ll try.”

“On to more practical matters, let me fix you some breakfast, I’m sure you have things to do today,” Gabe offered.

“Breakfast is my favorite meal.”

“Good to know, sunshine.”

She watched his muscular backside as he put his boxers back on and walked out of the bedroom. His strong glutes and hamstrings were solid. His back was ripped as well. She could see the muscular definition of his lats and trapezius muscles, and the deltoids and triceps of his arms.

She had never been as sexually aroused by a man as she was by Gabe. She hadn’t been kidding when she said she was hooked. What the hell, it was too late to turn back now. She may as well enjoy the ride for as long as it lasted. Climbing out of bed she pulled her tee back on and followed him out to the kitchen.

She sat on a stool and watched him whisk some batter in a bowl as the griddle heated up. “Are you making pancakes for me?”

Grinning as he poured the batter onto the sizzling hot griddle he replied, “Yep, just for you.”

“I’m crazy about you Gabe Hunter,” Annie said softly.

His whole body became still. He stared at Annie with an intensity filled with longing and hope. Annie got up from the stool and came up behind Gabe wrapping her arms around him. Resting her cheek against his bare back she said, “How could I not be?”

He flipped the flapjacks and said, “Great timing honey girl, if you want burnt pancakes.”

Her lips curled up against his skin then she kissed his back and said, “I’m going to wash my hands, I’ll be right back.”

She looked around at Gabe’s décor as she made her way to the bathroom and had to smile. Absolutely no feminine touches anywhere. All guy. No frills, no knickknacks, no photos, bare bones. Sitting on the back of the commode was a tiny parched plant that was on its last leg. She hadn’t noticed it the night before. She picked up the pathetic greenery and suddenly got the giggles. The more she looked at it the more she laughed.

Walking back to the kitchen holding her belly with one hand and the plant in the other, by this time practically howling with mirth said, “Gabe your one attempt at domestication has resulted in the murder of an innocent victim. I enter into evidence the philodendron.” She held it up for Gabe to see and after a sheepish look he joined in in the merriment.

Watching her radiant face alight with laughter stirred him, “What you don’t think I have a good aesthetic sensibility?” He took the plant out of her hands and pulled her against him hugging her tightly in his arms.

“I’m crazy about you too,” he said, then lowered his head to kiss her. The kiss was gentle almost reverent. “God Annie, I’m falling for you.”

“Kiss me again Gabe,” she said, suddenly overcome with a need that felt like an unquenchable thirst. It would never be enough, it would never grow old, and this man was the only one who could satisfy her. Her lips clung to his and she drank of him.

He gently pulled away and went to plate their breakfast. Gabe sat hers down in front of her and when she saw the face created with canned whipped cream, two eyes, a nose, and smile, she was so touched that she felt tears spring to her eyes.

Seeing her brimming eyes Gabe said, “Baby, don’t you like my artwork?”

“It is the sweetest thing a guy has ever done for me.”

“That is a damn shame. You deserve the world Annie; you deserve to be cherished every single day of your life.”

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