Page 107 of Dear Pink

I watch them walk away, joking with one another. My heart feels full. Gabe’s entire family willingly jumped on board with the Team Pink Foundation.

Using Libby’s money to kick-start an organization supplying bikes to kids in need is a cause she would have loved. Today is one of many future events. Besides local bike dealers, big box stores signed on to sponsor, and even Burton & Baker chose to be a part of Team Pink. The company paid for all the entertainment and food. Libby’s initial freezer investment will payout for years to come.

“Hey, you ready?” Gabe asks as I place the last of our signs in the trunk of his SUV.

“Yeah. I'm suddenly hungry and exhausted. The last six hours flew by too fast to stop for lunch.”

“I’m hungry too. Why don’t we order takeout on the drive home? We can eat in our pj’s.”

“Pizza or Thai?”

He rubs his stomach. “Am I allowed to say both?”

My belly makes a gurgling sound. “I know, right? Let’s get out of here.”

***

At my house, I feed Homer, and Lolly takes a quick run around the backyard. Gabe answers the door for the pizza.

“I want a shower before I eat.” Gabe puts the delivery box on the kitchen counter. “If I eat first, I might fall into a coma.”

“Me too.”

He wags his eyebrows at me, and I get the message immediately.

I snatch his outstretched hand and drag him to the master bathroom. We shuck our clothes faster than ever and step underneath the warm steamy water. I grab a bar of cedar soap and rub my hands over Gabe’s chest.

He takes in a sharp breath. “That feels good.” I rub lower and his gaze follows my hand. “That’s even better.” He pulls me in for a kiss, and I lather his muscular chest. “So good,” he says between kisses.

He rubs my nipple with his finger, and I ache for him to suck there. “Mmm . . . so good is right.” His hands roam over my body, finding the space between my thighs. I moan, letting him know exactly what I want.

“I need—”

“I know.” He pants. “Me too, but I need more space so I can take my time.”

I quirk an eyebrow up.

“I want you on top of me again,” he says in a determined voice.

I laugh. “First in bed gets to choose.” I turn off the water and fling open the shower door.

Gabe springs out of the shower behind me, plucking a towel on the way to the bed. I jump on the mattress, dripping wet. Gabe quickly follows, leaving a path of water behind him. He crawls over me, drying my body inch by slow inch, placing a kiss in each spot, lingering for a moment with each kiss.

The anticipation of him is too much. I grip his neck and haul him on top of me. “Gabe.”

He plants kisses on my breasts, my stomach, and my mouth. “You’re so soft and warm,” he says.

I lick my lips watching him move down again. His hands wander my body like he’s memorizing every piece of me. “You’re killing me here.”

“I hope it’s a good death.” He places a kiss on my inner thigh.

I squirm, and he bites gently.

I lay still as he crawls his way back to my lips. His body hovers above me and he stares, his smile fading. Something in his demeanor shifts.

He takes a deep breath, and I die for real. What’s going on? Why does he look so serious? Maybe he’s too tired tonight for playtime?

“We need to talk, but I don’t want you to freak out and hide in a cave,” Gabe says, watching me carefully.

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