Page 24 of Claiming What Is Mine

Gabe: KEEP EM COMING

I slide my hand under the waistband of my underwear, take another picture and send it his way.

Gabe: Looks like you might need some help…

Gabe: Shall I join you?

I take another picture, a closeup of me rolling my eyes. I hit send.

A minute later, my phone buzzes with Gabe’s reply.

Gabe: Sad face

Pleased with myself, I hurry through trying on the rest of my clothes, happily taking pictures and sending them to Gabe. When I’m finally done, I head out to where he’s waiting and find him sitting with several different sizes of the white sundress in his lap.

“Find the one in your size, because that’s a keeper,” he says.

We finish the day hopping from store to store, spending way too much on clothes and shoes and anything else Gabe thinks will put a smile on my face.

The sun is hidden by the cloudy, late afternoon sky as we walk to Gabe’s truck loaded with bags all of sizes and colors. My head rests on his shoulder and in this moment, I am happy. “This has been…sublime. Thank you.” Gabe smiles as he walks me to the passenger side and opens my door, such a gentleman. Before I climb into the cab, I turn to look him in the eyes, I want him to know how grateful I am for a day of being spoiled. I want him to know how much I appreciate it, how much I needed it, but I can’t find the words. Everything seems clumsy and hollow.

I guess he sees the fight happening behind my eyes, and he responds perfectly. He smiles, playfully taps the end of my nose with his finger and says, “Wanna head into Denver tomorrow and do it all over again, Doll?”

I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him down as I stretch onto my toes to kiss him. “Thank you,” I say, and then I kiss him again. “Thank you…for today…for this…just, thank you.”

The drive home is peaceful. Gabe holds my hand the entire time. He even goes so far as to reach over the wheel with his left hand, so he can adjust the radio when his favorite song comes on.

The sound of gravel as we turn onto the driveway reminds me of the inevitable controversy awaiting, but to hell with that for now. I have precious little time left with this man and I want to make the most of it. I unbuckle my seatbelt and slide over to cuddle beside him.

“Thank you again,” I whisper as we park.

“My pleasure, beautiful.” Gabe wraps his arm around me. “It’s not too late to come back to my place, ya know?”

I want to. My body is totally onboard with the idea. Wicked thoughts have danced through my mind all afternoon. “It’s…complicated…you know, with my folks. I mean, I realize I’m an adult and it’s none of their business, but I think it might be too much for Daddy’s heart, if I didn’t come home tonight.”

Gabe sighs. “Totally understand.” He chuckles. “I worry about Jim’s heart too. Keeps me up some nights, ya know?”

I rub his chest and am distracted by the feeling, so firm and masculine. “I’m sure you do,” I say, rolling my eyes.

Gabe groans his approval of my hand on his body. His hand slides off my shoulder to my upper back, rubbing along the way. His touch is exactly what I need. So much so, that I forget we’re twenty feet away from the house where my parents are undoubtedly spying on us through a window.

I kiss Gabe along his neck, from his collarbone up to his chiseled jaw. His stubble scratches my lips, but I don’t care, it’s all part of his masculinity and it’s intoxicating. Gabe lifts my chin and kisses me. His body pushes into mine, stretching me back across the bench seat while he repositions himself above me. He slides a strand of hair behind my ear and the sensation tickles my skin, causing me to gasp.

“Did that tickle?” Gabe asks. “Here, let me help.” He kisses my neck and my ear as he cups my breast and I want more. I rub his cock through his jeans, and it strains for me. I’ve lost all sense of time and space. I want this man. I need him. If he takes my clothes off right now, I have no defense against him.

And then…

The porch light flips on, causing Gabe to stop the magical things he is doing. Damn my father. Reality ruins the moment, once again.

I sit up. “I guess now that we know they’re watching, it sort of kills the mood, huh?”

Gabe runs his hand through his hair. “Guess so.”

I hastily button my shirt. “Rain check? Next time, maybe we try your place?”

Gabe smiles. “Deal. Chet’s porch light is so far away, he couldn’t see anything even if he did flip it on.”

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