Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84843 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84843 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
“What? No!” Her dark eyes flashed. “Let’s get something straight, buddy. You kissed me.”
“You didn’t object.”
“Whatever,” she huffed.
“So, you are married?”
She ran a hand over her eyes. “No. I. Am. Not. Married.”
“Good.”
“But you kissed me,” she repeated.
“You kissed me back.” I took a step, needing to be closer. “Then you kissed me again. I liked it.”
She shook her head. “No.”
“No?”
“Not again.” She pushed on my chest. “Do not get closer.”
“Can’t resist me?”
“I can resist you just fine.”
I dropped my eyes to where her hand lingered on my chest. She had long, elegant fingers, the nails short and blunt—bare, no polish. No jewelry of any kind. Not even a faint line where a wedding ring would have been. Whoever Theo’s dad was, he was long out of the picture. If, in fact, he had ever been in it. Gabby was obviously independent. Maybe she’d had a child on her own.
I covered her hand with mine, liking how her skin felt against mine. “Is that so?”
She yanked away her hand. “Yes. And stop being nice to my kid. It won’t get you anywhere.”
“I was nice before I knew he was yours,” I retaliated. “Even when he startled me and gave me this goose egg.”
She looked up, her annoyance turning into a grimace. Her eyes softened and she appeared worried. “I’m sorry. Does it hurt?”
“A little.”
“Maybe some ice would help.”
I inched closer. “Or you could kiss it better—” I paused “—Gabby.”
Her eyes flashed. Desire overrode annoyance on her part. Her lips parted and her breathing picked up.
Then it happened again. My brain shut down, and I reacted to her close proximity. The next thing I knew, her mouth was underneath mine, her lips soft and full. She gasped, and I took advantage and slipped in my tongue, stroking along hers. I slid my hand over her back, settling it on her hip, keeping her close. She whimpered, winding her hand into the short hair at the back of my neck, tugging. I grunted in approval, slanting my head and kissing her harder. I had to bend at the knees a little, and she leaned into me, her breasts pressing against my chest. We both made a sound of pleasure, and I tightened my grip on her waist.
Until the sound of running steps and an excited “Mommy, look!” pulled us apart. Theo sped around the corner, wearing a slightly too big red T-shirt, emblazoned with the logo. And a matching baseball hat. “I got a uniform! I can help Stefo!”
I chuckled at the shortening of my name. Stefano was a big name for a kid.
Gabby blinked, shell-shocked, her mouth swollen from mine. She shook her head and cleared her throat. “No, not today, sweetie. We have to go. Mommy has to work.”
“But, Mommy—”
She cut him off. “Not today,” she stated firmly.
Charly smirked as she followed Theo, the look on her face saying everything. She wasn’t going to be satisfied until she knew the whole story.
“Your tire is changed, Gabby. Maxx wants to see the vehicle in a couple of days if you can drop by.”
“Why?”
Charly blinked, not expecting that question, and I stepped in. “We always check on the alignment and fit when we replace a used tire after the car is driven for a couple of days. It’s part of the service,” I improvised. We never had to since the vehicle would be double-checked before it left. But she bought it.
“Oh.”
“So, I can come back?” Theo asked anxiously. “Help Stefo, Mommy? I like cars,” he pleaded.
I grinned down at the smiling face of the little interloper. He was my ace in the hole right now. “Yep. You can help me next time. Wear your uniform.” I met Gabby’s eyes. Her furious, piercing eyes. “As long as it’s okay with your mom.”
I knew I put her on the spot, but I wanted to see her again. I wanted to get my hands on her SUV.
And her.
She huffed out a sigh. “Fine. I’ll drop by.”
Charly grinned. “Okay. I’ll write you up.” She held out her hand. “Come on, Theo. I’ll show you how the machine works.”
He grabbed her hand, following her.
Gabby trailed after him, pausing when I laid my hand on her arm. “See you soon.”
“I know what you’re up to,” she hissed. “It won’t work. I won’t like you because you’re sweet to my kid.”
I leaned close. “No, you already like me. You’re just not willing to admit it yet.”
“Don’t put words in my mouth.”
I couldn’t help it. It was as if I lost my mind whenever she was close, and the words were out before I could stop them. I leaned down, my lips close to her ear. “Is there something else you’d like me to put in your mouth?”
Her eyes went wide, and she made a muffled shrieking noise before brushing past me.