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CHAPTER NINE
GABRIEL
After a while, she leans back, fork spinning between her fingers. “That was amazing. I’m so stuffed, I’m not sure I can move.”
“Glad you liked it,” I say, and immediately start clearing plates. She tries to help, but I wave her off. “Sit. I’ve got this.”
But she’s stubborn. She hops off the stool and grabs the stack of plates, brushing past me. Her hip grazes mine, and my brain fucking shorts out. I freeze, hands sudsy, staring at her like a complete idiot.
She winks at me, and I know she’s doing that shit on purpose. “Didn’t peg you as the type to do dishes.”
“I’m full of surprises,” I say, but my voice comes out rough. She’s close enough to kiss, and I almost do, but she pivots to load the dishwasher, and the moment passes.
When we finish, she leans back against the counter, drying her hands.
“Come on,” I say, offering my hand. “I want to show you something.”
She slips her hand in mine and lets me lead her down the hall to the living room. The city lights glitter through the glass, but the main attraction is the one-hundred-two-inch TV mounted on the far wall, glowing like the moon.
“That’s the biggest TV I’ve ever seen,” she says, eyes going wide.
“I bought it for you,” I deadpan. “I thought you’d appreciate watching Traitors on the big screen.”
She laughs so hard she snorts. “You might regret that when I show up every night wanting to watch your fancy new TV.”
I love how she isn’t fazed by my intensity. I love that she calls me out every time. “I’m counting on you being here with me every goddamn night.” She rolls her eyes, but she’s fighting a smile. Smartass. I want to grab her and haul her against my chest, but I keep my composure. Barely.
“That’s a dangerous promise,” she says, voice all flirty with a hint of challenge. “You sure you can handle me every night?”
Fuck. I want to handle her every damn night and twice on Sunday. I let my eyes drag down her body, slow and deliberate. She shivers, even though she tries to play it cool.
“I can handle all of you.” My voice drops to a growl. “In fact, I can’t get enough of you.”
She smirks, dropping onto the couch like she owns the place. “Good. Because I plan on eating all your food, hogging your TV, and leaving my stuff everywhere.”
God. She’s so fucking cute. Every word out of her mouth is another nail in my coffin. I can’t fucking wait to watch Alice making my place hers.
She scrolls with the remote, browsing endless streaming options, but I can’t stop looking at her.
She glances over. “You’re not even pretending to care about the TV.”
“I only care about you,” I say, and she flushes and fiddles with the remote, hands trembling just a bit, and I know I’m getting to her.
She finally lands on a show about naked people surviving in the wilderness. “I have a soft spot for reality TV, don’t judge.”
“I’d watch paint dry if you picked it,” I say. “But this is good.”
She’s the one who closes the gap, grabbing my shirt and hauling me in for a kiss. Her mouth is warm and soft, her tongue teasing, daring me to chase her. I do. I slide my hand into her hair and tip her head back, deepening the kiss until she moans and pulls me on top of her. Her fingers dig into my back, blunt nails leaving little trails of want.
She kisses back like she’s starving for me—biting my lip, tangling her tongue with mine, arching her curves against me. I slide my hands under her thighs and lift her, setting her in my lap. Her hips grind down, rubbing against the erection that’s been throbbing since she walked in.
Her hands run up my chest, fingers fumbling with my buttons. She pops them open, one by one, then splays her hands over my bare skin, tracing every muscle like she’s mapping new territory. I shudder, nearly losing it at the sensation of her nails dragging over my abs.
She leans in and licks a slow stripe along my jaw, nipping at my ear. “I’ve been thinking about this all day,” she whispers.
I lose it.
I haul her closer, kissing her so hard we both gasp. My hands slide into her yoga pants, tracing the line of her panties. She’s soaked. I groan, cupping her through the soft fabric, and she bites my lip in retaliation.
