Page 52 of Absinthe Minded

“What?” It took my brain a minute to catch up to her. “So what? So am I.”

“We don’t do divorce.” Her voice softened.

I wanted to pull her into my arms and kiss her stupid. Maybe then she’d understand how much I loved her. “Catholics aren’t supposed to have premarital sex or use birth control either. Besides, I don’t plan to get divorced.”

Maggie’s brows climbed into her hairline. “Do you expect me to believe you actually want to marry me?”

I wanted to tell her I loved her, but doubted she’d believe me. I’d never felt so off my game. Running my hand over the back of my neck, I searched for the right words. The words that would make this beautiful creature understand.

Maggie turned, walked to her bedroom, and shut the door.

My nose ached to the point I could feel my heartbeat in my nostrils. I needed to ice it, but I followed her. “Dammit, Maggie. I know I’m screwing this up. Would you just listen?”

“Please, go. I need time to think before the boys come home.”

“No.” I searched the top of the door frame for the key and turned the lock.

She shot to her feet. “If you don’t get out, I’m going to call the police.”

“Do what you have to do, but they’ll take one look at my face and arrest you for domestic abuse.”

18

Maggie

He wouldn’t!

Gabe was a lot of things, but he wasn’t the kind of man who would allow a woman to be arrested for something she didn’t do. Then again, I never thought he’d play with my feelings to save his precious bar or reputation or whatever he was doing here.

I shut my eyes because looking at him hurt, and I needed time to sort out my feelings before I said something I couldn’t take back. “Please leave.”

He closed the distance and pulled me against him. “Since you won’t listen, let me try a different tactic.”

“That’s the problem. You shouldn’t have to use tactics in a—” One moment I struggled to break free, the next his lips were on mine.

Pulling back enough to meet my gaze, he whispered, “Damn it, Maggie. I love you.”

I wanted to believe him. I needed to believe him. And I suppose, Ididbelieve him. I loved him, too, and always had, but was that enough?

Gabe didn’t give me the chance to respond. He curled his fingers in my hair and yanked my head back.

I gasped. The moment my lips parted, he delved into my mouth. My body melted, but my brain revolted. I’d dreamed of this for four years—the same four years I’d spent sobbing into my pillow. Gabe’s kiss felt like home, but part of me wanted to run away and join the circus.

He pulled back and held my gaze. “Don’t overthink this.”

“What?”

He slid his hand beneath my sweats and grabbed my butt. Half-lifting and half-pressing, he ground his hips into mine.

“Oh, that.” I murmured against his lips.

Gabe released me, turned me around, and pressed his chest to my back. With one hand across my belly, he slipped the other under my shirt and cupped my breast.

This is happening. Oh God, this is happening now?“Gabe?”

“Hmm?” He nipped at my earlobe.

Between his fingers toying with my nipple and his cock pressed against my lower back, I thought I might climax before he touched me below the waist. “What are you doing?”

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