Page 11 of When We Breathe
He eyes me, but I just grin at him.
No regrets.
An hour later, after some more fun in the shower,thenfinally cleaning up, I wrap Alex in a towel to dry her off and lean in to kiss hernose.
“I can call a rideshare, if it’s easier for you.” She reaches up to brush my hair off my forehead, sending warmth into my chest.
“It’s easiest if you stay,” Gabe says, as if he’s reading my mind because I absolutely donotwant to let her leave. His dark eyes find mine, and he raises an eyebrow.
“Stay the weekend,” I agree, and the dimple in his left cheek winks.
“Oh, that’s not necessary?—”
“Yes, Princess, it is.” I kiss her forehead and walk away to get her a shirt to sleep in.
“Do you guys do this a lot?” she asks Gabe, and the question has me stopping in the doorway of the bathroom. I turn back around as he answers her.
“No, Shorty. We’ve shared a woman a couple of times, way back in the day, but we never bring anyone here.”
She scoffs, as if she doesn’t believe him, and I lean on the door and cross my arms over my chest, listening unabashedly.
“You don’t have to say that for my benefit, Gabe. I’m a big girl. I was just curious.”
My fun-loving, usually laid-back man takes her chin in his fingers and stares intently into her gorgeous blue eyes. “I’m not a liar, Alex. If we did this every day of the week and twice on Sundays, I’d tell you so and not be one tiny bit sorry about it. But we don’t.”
“Then why did you bringmehere?”
“Felt right.” He shrugs, then kisses her nose before letting her go. “Still does.”
I nod once and leave, headed for the closet.
Yeah, it feels right.
As far as I know, Gabe is only an acquaintance of her family. I’ve never met the woman in my life. Yet having her here feels like she’s the missing puzzle piece.
I can’t explain it.
And it’s difficult to trust it because I don’t trustanyoneeasily. Gabe asked me out for three months before I finally caved.
Best thing I ever did.
With one of my T-shirts in hand, I stride out of the closet and find them in the bedroom, already stripping the bed for clean sheets.
“We made amess,” Alex says with a little laugh. “Totally worth it, though. Is that for me?”
“This is for you,” I confirm and slip the shirt over her head. It dwarfs her, hitting her at almost her knees, and she sashays side to side.
“Very fashion forward,” she says with a smirk. “Thanks. Where do you want me to sl—whoa!”
Gabe lifts her and deposits her in the middle of the freshly made bed, and I join them. Gabe’s on his back, Alex scooped up against his side with her head on his chest, and I spoon up behind her and wrap an arm around them both.
“Oh, this is nice,” she says with a deep sigh. “I amso tired.”
“You should be,” I say as I kiss her shoulder, my eyes on my man. “Go to sleep, sweet girl.”
Gabe kisses her forehead, and she sighs again, her body loosening as she gives in to sleep. We’re quiet for afew minutes, listening to Alex breathe peacefully between us. I run my fingers through her soft-as-fuck hair. I can’t get enough of it.
“You feel it, right?” Gabe whispers. “I’m not crazy.”
