Page 98 of Always Been Mine

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Chocolate shavings swirledin a saucepan filled with heated milk. Gabe whisked along the edges of the pot, allowing the chocolate to melt and turn the bubbling liquid into a dark, thick mixture redolent with the addictive aroma of cocoa. A smile played on the edges of his mouth as he remembered the first time he prepared his version of hot cocoa for Beatrice.

They were on their fourth date. It was late February and there was snow on the ground, but they went out for a walk after dinner anyway. Gabe had his arm around her, hugging her close as he savored the feel of her arms around his torso. They traversed the National Mall at a leisurely pace, their breath vaporizing into visible swirls on a chilly winter evening.

“How is it, you’ve had that big steak dinner and your abs are still hard and flat?” She felt him up playfully. “Well, hard ridges of muscle.”

Gabe chuckled. “Just made that way, babe.”

“It’s not fair. I have to work hard to stay in shape.” Beatrice pouted so prettily Gabe wanted to capture those luscious lips with his mouth and explore their depths. Self-control was a challenge around her.

She stopped walking and extricated herself from his embrace. She unbuttoned her coat and revealed the black, tight-fitting dress that Gabe had been imagining the different ways of stripping off her all evening. “This is hours of Pilates and running, and I’ll never have the zero body fat you have.”

He circled her back into a hug. “I don’t have zero body fat, but I love your curves; although, I have yet to see them bare.”

She pulled back slightly from him. “My, my, Mr. Sullivan, that sounds like a blatant proposition.”

“Come back to my place,” Gabe said abruptly.

Indecision spread across her face. “I have an early meeting tomorrow.”

Gabe sighed. He wasn’t sure if Beatrice was simply stringing him along. It had taken him a couple of attempts before she even agreed to go out with him. She told him outright she didn’t date military men, more so when she found out he was a former Navy SEAL. It was ironic that his emergency meeting with the admiral regarding an upcoming op made him rethink what he wanted in life. Because that was when he saw her, and a craving he had never felt before electrified him. He thought, maybe after a date or two, he’d find there was nothing beneath that beautiful facade. He’d never been more sucker-punched in his entire life. She had such sass, intelligence, and a beguiling personality under all that gorgeousness. She captivated him in such a way that he never wanted to break free. But he had no right to claim her at that time. Not yet.

“Can I see you Friday night?” He wasn’t going to let her brush him off so easily. It was Wednesday right now.

An evasive expression shadowed her face. “Um, I already have plans.”

Gabe’s jaw clenched. “A date?”

Her eyes flashed emerald fire, her chin tipping up defiantly. “Yes.”

“With whom?” Fuck him. Why couldn’t he keep his mouth shut?

“I don’t think it’s any of your business, Gabe.” She attempted to pull away from him, but he tightened his grip.

“I’m sorry,” No, he wasn’t. He was going to seduce her tonight and pleasure her until she forgot every single asshole she was dating. “I’ll make you hot chocolate so good, you’ll forget your name. Then I’ll take you right home. It doesn’t need to be a late night.” After I’ve fucked you so hard, you will never want another man inside you.

“Make hot chocolate?”

“The works—milk and chopped Belgian dark chocolate—meticulously simmered for a perfect emulsion of pure heaven,” Gabe coaxed.

“Tempting, but we just finished dinner.”

“It’s freezing. Our bodies are burning more calories to stay warm. We’ve walked a mile, and if you want to feel less guilty, we can go another mile. By the time we get to my place you’ll be asking for it.”

“Hmm . . . That sounds like a double-entendre.”

Gabe could taste triumph. “I won’t deny I want to feel the heels of your boots digging into my back.”

Beatrice laughed nervously. “You’re very sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

“I can read body language, babe,” Gabe whispered, drawing her close. “Your mind is fucked up with all your own rules, but I bet you’re wet for me right now.”

Her breath hitched. Gabe went in for the kill. “I can’t wait to fuck you.”

It worked. He had her up against the door with his cock driving inside her within seconds of crossing the threshold of his apartment. He did keep his promise to make her the hot decadent drink and then took her home afterward. The following day, he made his intentions known to Porter that he was bowing out of the op. It would be another two months before he was released from his obligations, but it was worth it. And then he fucked up.

“That chocolate is goingto burn, Gabe.” Slender arms came around him lightly. The hand not holding the whisk came up to her bandage-covered forearm.

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