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Groaning, Gabe claimed her mouth in one last hard kiss, then led her back into the pavilion before she could make good on her version of what they both wanted.
CHAPTERTHIRTY
Somehow, Gabe made it through the rest of the night without having his tie choke him to death. What he really wanted was a long drink of a cold beer, and/or to whisk Hope away so he could peel that sexy as hell dress off her inch by inch.
In the stunning white gown that hugged her curves just right, with her hair swept up and diamonds sparkling on her ears and neck, she looked every inch a bride.
His bride.She didn’t know it yet, but he planned to ask her to marry him as soon as he could.
He couldn’t believe it. How he’d gotten so lucky—when he’d nearly succeeded in totally shutting himself off from any form of intimacy ever again—he’d never know. But he did know he’d spend the rest of his life being grateful and giving his family the very best of himself every day.
Watching Hope work the room, laughing and chatting with the ultra-rich until they all but emptied their pockets into her hands, filled him with pride. She was special in so many ways. She could engage with anyone and would step up to help anyone.
Sitting back in his white-satin covered chair, he took a long drink of the golden bubbly that a passing waiter had offered him and took pleasure in simply watching her.
Beside him, he heard a chair scrape up.
“So, word is you’re here to steal my baby sister from us.”
Gabe continued to stare over the rim of his glass, watching Hope as she tipped her head back and laughed at something a middle-aged, rotund woman—wearing a tight blue velvet dress and sporting brightly-dyed red hair—had just said.
“I’m no thief. She’s coming willingly.” At the deep chuckle that followed his statement, he turned to make eye contact with Hope’s brother, Joel.
Joel held two bottles of beer. Gabe’s preferred drink, and a drink that no one else in the pavilion had. He’d never met the man before, but he knew Hope had a deep-seated respect for her brother. So Gabe swore he’d aim for the same. Joel was, after all, the man who saved both Ivy and Hope from the grim aftermath of that assault in college. He owed him for that.
Joel stared at him for a long moment, his gray eyes intense and assessing. And Gabe, recognizing when he was being sized up, held Joel’s gaze.
He might not be as rich as Hope’s brother, but he had nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to hide. He loved Hope, and he was going to give her everything he had. If Joel couldn’t see that, he wasn’t as smart as his sister thought.
Joel continued to stare until it was a second away from being uncomfortable. Then, as if he’d come to a conclusion, he gave a curt nod and handed Gabe one of the beers. Gabe accepted it warily.
Joel smiled, his eyes warming, and lifted his glass to Gabe’s in a toast.“In that case, here’s to you, brother. I’m glad Hope’s your problem now.” He spoke in a humorous tone, grinning as he took a long drink of his beer.
But Gabe was no fool. He saw that all the things Hope had said about her brother were true. Joel’s backbone was made of honor and grit, and he was loyal to the core, especially to family. Gabe knew without a shadow of a doubt that if anyone hurt Joel Morgan’s baby sister, the man wouldn’t hesitate to eat them for dinner.
“I’ll never hurt her again,” he vowed.
Joel nodded.“I know you won’t.”
There was a moment of silence as both men watched Hope move from donor to donor.
“Because you understand what’s at stake,” Joel said after a while. “You loved someone and lost them. Then you almost lost Hope by being a dick. You’ll move heaven and earth not to feel that soul-gutting pain a third time,” Joel added, surprising Gabe with the depth of this heart to heart. “I once had something special, too. I let it slip through my fingers, and I’ve regretted it every day since. If I got my second chance, I wouldn’t fuck it up.” He stared at Gabe pointedly. “That’s how I know you won’t either.” Then he took sip of his beer and fixed his attention back on the crowd. “Also, you’re planning to open a second bar, and you’ve bought a house. You’re looking toward the future. A future my sister deserves.”
Gabe’s jaw dropped. He hadn’t told his own family the plans hehad underway for opening another Bowie’s across town. He’d assumed Joel had a lot of power and influence, but this?
“You spied on me?” he asked, not sure if he was mad as hell or impressed.
Joel’s features remained affable as he shrugged. “Not spied. Vetted. I vetted you.” Then he met Gabe’s gaze head on again. “Did you really think I would let my baby sister ride off into the sunset with just anyone?”
No. And understanding what he did about Joel Morgan, he wasn’t surprised he’d go the distance to make sure his sister would be safe and happy. Still, the balls on this guy were fucking unbelievable.
“You’re one hell of a determined bastard, aren’t you?”
Joel tossed his head back and laughed.“Don’t worry. You passed my tests. The vetting is over. We’re on the same side, Gabe.” Joel downed the rest of his drink, then sighed. “We do have one problem, though.”
Gabe raised a questioning eyebrow.
“You’re a fucking Trail Blazers fan.”
