Page 32 of Gage
“Thank you.” She hated that she sounded so breathy, her voice pitched high. A slight shadow of dark stubble decoratedhis cheeks and chin, and she wondered what it would feel like against hers when he kissed her.
Stop it right now. He’s not interested in kissing you. You need to remember, he’s helping you as a favor to Brandon, not because he wants you, so get your libido in check, chickie, before you say or do something you’ll regret.
“You don’t have to go with Nica if you don’t want to you know. I don’t like the thought of you going out without me or Ranger or Bas being there, not after what happened earlier.”
“It’ll be fine, Gage. I’ll be with a group of people in a crowded restaurant. I promise I won’t be alone at any point. I’ll even make one of the ladies go with me to the restroom, okay? I want to do this. It sounds like fun.”
“You deserve to have some fun after everything that’s happened.” His hand raised and for a moment she thought he was going to cup her cheek, but he froze and then slowly lowered it. Dang, she really wished he’d followed through. She wasn’t sure what was going on with her, but suddenly she found herself craving his touch. Wondering what it would feel like to have his lips against hers.
Man, I am in so much trouble.
“Come on, ladies, it’s show time. Let’s hit the road.” Nica threw her hands up in the arm and did a little shimmy. “Time to get Girls Night Out started.”
Douglas walked to the front door, and held it open. “You know I’m only a phone call away if you need anything. Otherwise, Rafe and Brody are both going to be in town if there’s any problem.”
“Everything’s going to be find, Dad. Camilla’s in New York this week, so things won’t get too crazy.” Nica leaned in and kissed her dad’s cheek. “Although, I’m not sure about Suzanna, she looks like she might be a wild card.” With a grin, she reachedand grabbed Suzanna’s hand. “Let’s go before they come up with a reason to make us stay.”
Tessa and Beth followed them out the door and they all piled into Nica’s bright red pickup, the one she’d gotten for her graduation present. She’d told Suzanna all about it earlier, and Suzanna could see why she was rightly proud of it. It was luxurious, with every bell and whistle imaginable.
It took just over an hour to drive from the Boudreau ranch to Juanita’s restaurant. The parking lot was packed with cars and pickups, some brand new with the paper tags still attached, while others were older and work worn, the kind of truck you’d find on the farm. Climbing from the truck, she inhaled the heavenly scent of pork and beef, the fragrant smell of chorizo perfuming the air. Her stomach rumbled, reminding her that it had been hours since she’d eaten at the breakfast place slash diner with Bas and Gage.
With a lot of shuffling around and squeezing into a corner booth, the ladies were laughing and joking with each other, smiling at the waitress who took their drink orders. Suzanna ordered a frozen margarita, figuring that would last her a long while. She wasn’t much of a drinker, never had been, although Steven had introduced her to several wines from one of the vineyards he owned in Napa. He’d loved a good glass of wine with dinner, though she’d preferred drinking water or the occasional soda.
“Camilla’s going to be mad she missed Girls Night Out. She swears hanging around with us opens all her creative juices, helping her write all those steamy scenes for her books.” Tessa raised her glass after saying that, taking a large swallow of her margarita.
“Somehow I don’t think we’re there ones providing her inspiration. I’ve got the feeling Heath has a lot to do with revving Camilla’s motor.”
“Beth!” Jill blushed and picked up her drink.
“What? Don’t get me wrong, I love Brody with all my heart, but ladies, I’m not blind. Heath is fine.” Beth drawled out the last word, her implication clear.
“True. He’s got all those muscles. Dude works out all the time. Then again, all the Boudreau men are prime examples of va va voom.”
They all laughed, and secretly Suzanna had to agree. She hadn’t met all the Boudreau men, but those she had were indeed handsome. And all alpha males. Seemed like a trait that was ingrained in them from their patriarch, who was most definitely the biggest alpha of the family. And she meant that in the best way.
Amidst small talk and more teasing about their men, the whole pitcher of margaritas disappeared, and another was ordered along with food. Suzanna’s stomach growled again, and she dug into her plate or carne asada, the tangy lime and spices perfect with the rice and refried beans accompanying it. The food was amazing, and she found herself wishing she could try all the dishes on the menu if the carne asada was any indication of the quality.
She’d protested when her glass was refilled, but Tessa had insisted, though she noticed Nica only had a diet soda, no joining in when the rest of the ladies drank their margaritas. Leaning toward Suzanna, she whispered, “Designated driver.”
“Understand and thank you for your sacrifice.” Nica grinned at Suzanna’s joke before drawing in a shocked breath. It wasn’t hard to see that Nica stared at somebody across the restaurant. Following her gaze, she noted a dark-haired man seated at a table with another man and two women, both beautiful. Nica glared at the other man, and if looks could kill, Suzanna thought he’d be lying on the floor in a pool of blood.
He looked up and caught her staring, before his eyes moved to Nica. Suzanna watched the way his gaze seemed to eat her up, the hunger definitely not associated with the delicious food. Wow, whoever this guy was, he had a big case of wanting Nica, and from her expression the feelings were mutual.
“Who’s Mr. Tall, Dark, and Dangerous?” She kept her voice low, not wanting the other women to notice. She had the feeling it would embarrass Nica to be caught staring at the stranger across the restaurant.
“That’s Doctor Gabriel Shaw.” The coolness in her tone belied the heat in her eyes. Suzanna counted herself a pretty good judge of people, and there was definitely more than anger seething beneath the surface of Miss Nica. A whirlpool of emotions swirled beneath the surface of the young woman, and Suzanna had the feeling when her and Dr. Shaw got together, there would be explosions.
“A doctor? Nice.”
“Nope. He’s my dad’s physician and he’s a friend of Tina, my future sister-in-law. Plus, he’s a ratfink, no-good lying weasel who I’m not talking to…Oh, crud. Can you forget I said any of that?” All the color drained from Nica’s face before she reached for Suzanna’s margarita glass, downing the entire thing. A tiny smile tickled at the corners of Suzanna’s lips. So much for their designated driver.
“I have a very selective memory. Looks like I’ll be around the Big House for a while, if you feel like talking. Not sure I can give you a lot of advice, but I’m a good listener.”
“Thanks. It’s…complicated.”
“Love always is.”
Nica gave an inelegant snort. “What’s love got to do with it? I might have a lot of conflicted feelings about Gabe, but love isn’t one of them.”
