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“Gabriella, I wasn’t going to just let you flounder on a stage in front of a bunch of people who are practically strangers to you—why would you think that? You’re an incredible woman, who is kind and beautiful, and worth every cent and effort I choose to make. Sure, I was upset at being rejected, but that doesn’t mean—”
“What?” Now it is her turn to gasp, as she sets down her knife to face me fully. “Chet, I haven’t rejected you. Whatever gave you that idea?”
I arch an eyebrow, even as her hands come up to caress my scruff. Late nights have left me worn lately, and I haven’t been as thoughtful of my grooming routine as a result. Her pink nails scrape delightfully at my skin, and I realize that despite my best efforts, Gabriella Perez is back in my arms once more.
“You have to admit, you have turned down my offers a few times lately,” I say, my tone gentled by her warmth. I want to be mad and scornful, but it just feels too good to be standing by her again. It feels right.
“Those were dates!” she screeches in realization, and I wish I had my wolf ears to flatten the sound, but the look of unbridled shock on her face is priceless.
“I… I just thought you were being neighborly and helpful, like one small-business owner to another, or something! Also, I didn’t want you to think I was trying to rely on you for everything, or be one of those super clingy types,” she finishes lamely, casting her gaze downward. “I wanted you to think that I was independent, and capable.”
“As a general rule of thumb, I don’t usually bring other ‘small-business owners’ to my place in order to seduce them,” I reply evenly, subtly reminding her of our magical night together. She blushes deeply, skin contrasting with the rose coloring of her ensemble, but it only heightens the memories I have of her bed.
“Also, I do think you’re entirely capable, and fearless. You’ve found yourself in a situation that would’ve sent most running for the hills, and yet you’ve stayed and tried to make the most of it. That alone makes you worth more than any other woman on stage for me, and if the rest of the town can’t appreciate that, then they’re fools,” I add.
“Do… Do you really mean that?” Gabriella asks, her eyes wide and wondrous as they fix on me, and I nod a confirmation.
“More to the point, I wouldn’t have made so many offers, if I didn’t want you to rely on me.” My explanation is soft, as I pull her closer. She is now settled in the cradle of my arms, lunch entirely forgotten, as the wolf inside me hums in contentment.
“I want you to depend on me, Gabriella, and cling to me all you want,” I whisper, bending by her ear. “That’s all I’ve wanted since we met. I thought that I had scared you off with my wolfish ways, coming on too strong, and it may have been suggested that you had dropped me in the ‘friend zone’.”
She giggles in my arms, and it makes me want to sweep her off her feet. “That’s utterly ridiculous—have you seen, well, you? Who in this crazy town suggested that?”
“Not a credible source, obviously,” I grumble, unwilling to admit just how foolish it was, taking relationship advice from a zombie. Besides I don’t want to think about the past week, not when my future is standing right in front of me. She’s smiling widely now, and I can’t help it, I dip to press a quick kiss to her lips.
She seizes the opportunity, and curls her fingers in my hair in order to deepen the kiss. Helpless to her onslaught, I happily give in, crushing her to me as I plunder her mouth, tasting and savoring her sweetly. She responds with equal fervor, and we spend a few minutes, hours, days, entwined in each other like this, before the need for oxygen has us both gasping along each other's tongues.
The air is heavy around us, wrapped as we are in each other, clinging and grounded, all at once. “I’m falling in love with you, Gabriella Perez,” I confess, eyes closing as I listen to the pant of her breath.
When I open them again, I find her staring back at me, with vibrant deep eyes and a smile that lights her entire face.
“I’m falling in love with you as well, Chet Wilson,” she proclaims softly.
The words sing along my body, and settle deeply into my soul. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear her affection returned, until her answer stilled something restless and anxious inside me. Happiness seems to fill in the open spaces between us, until we are both smiling stupidly and grinning like a bunch of idiots.
“Well, what do you say we skip lunch then? I promise to treat you to a feast back at my place,” I offer, desire coloring my tone.
She flushes again but meets my eye squarely, lust pooled as her grip tightens invitingly. “Quiet and private?” she teases, reminding me playfully of our first night.
“Private, absolutely,” I agree, this time actually sweeping her into my arms. Together, we shut off the burner and head out of the cafe, taking the quick jaunt to my home nearby.
“But this time, we definitely won’t be quiet.”
13
GABRIELLA
My back hits the wall and I push myself away and closer into Chet’s arms. His mouth is all over me: cheek, neck, shoulders. There’s a slight scrape of stubble against my collarbone and the sensation sends a shock wave of pleasure up my spine.
Why did I run away from this? Why did I deny myself this for so long? I can’t believe I was scared of being clingy. Now I’m clinging to him, arms wrapped tight around Chet’s shoulders, and I’ve never felt better.
Chet pulls back from nipping at my neck and looks down at me. I swear his eyes turned bright gold for a moment, but it must be a trick of the light as they turn back to his very distinctive blue. “Good?” he asks, rubbing his thumb across my swollen bottom lip. We’ve been at this for quite a few minutes now. He’s already given my body so much attention, but it’s not enough. I want more of him.
I nod my head and take his hands off of their very chaste location, hugging my hips, and hike up the skirt of my dress before guiding him up to my breasts. His fingertips slip under my bra, pushing the cups up.
Soon enough he’s massaging my breasts; my nipples are getting hard against his palms. I find the wherewithal to slip my dress off over my head and unclip my bra. He laughs gently while I struggle to get it off.
Then, Chet falls to his knees and his mouth wastes no time picking up where his hands left off. His tongue rolls over my nipples and I gasp. The warmth of his breath and the softness of his tongue is soothing, and I relax into the touch. I trace my nails through his hair, across his scalp, and take some pleasure in the moan he lets out.
