“I can walk. I’m just a few blocks away.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry I took my anger out on you. It’s just been a crazy night ever since…” She trailed off.
“Ever since my father opened his big mouth.” He shook his head. “I wish the night had ended with the standing ovation. You deserved it.”
He’d been so proud of her in that moment. His heart had swelled at the sight of her speaking to her hometown. He’d even been able to overlook the personal subject of curses and just enjoy her the same way the crowd had.
“Thank you.” The beginnings of a smile curved her sensual lips. “I was happy with the way the talk went.”
He nodded. Having distracted her, he continued talking about her speech and her books. He didn’t bring up the subject of the kiss again, either.
Even though at the moment, her lips were the only things he could focus on.
Gabrielle drove straight to Rhodes Inn. From the set of her jaw, Derek knew she didn’t think she needed his protection, but he felt better giving it, anyway. She parked out front in one of the few unpaved spots and together they walked around back to her room.
“It’s not well lit back here,” he said, concentrating harder so he wouldn’t trip on a rock or tree branch.
“That’s an understatement. I tried to get a room at the Quality Inn but they were booked.”
“Tourists and vacationers,” he muttered.
“It’s fine. Mrs. Rhodes still rents out rooms because she likes having people around, but she only lets relatives of local residents stay here. She feels safer that way,” Gabrielle said as she found the key to her room.
She opened the door and they walked inside. She turned on an old bedside lamp and waved her arm around the room. “See? Safe and sound,” she said to Derek. “Do you feel better now?”
“I’d feel better if there were lights out in the parking lot and that lock wasn’t a hundred years old.”
She tossed her bag onto the bed and her keys onto the nightstand. “Home sweet home,” she said.
He glanced around the small room. “Where are you living now?” he asked.
“Boston. I bought a brownstone in the Back Bay.”
He raised an eyebrow. “That’s an impressive area. The book business must be treating you well,” he said, unable to squelch the pride in his voice.
She nodded. “My first release hit the
“I agree. I’ve advised my clients to diversify and real estate is something you can count on, or at least ride out over time. Especially in the area you bought in.”
She grinned, obviously pleased he approved. “It’s great to be back home. Florida is nice but I love New England. How ’bout those Red Sox?” she asked, laughing. “Maybe you, Holly and I can catch a Red Sox game before the summer is over?”
“Baseball,” he said reverently. He slapped a hand over the left side of his chest. “A woman after my own heart.”
“I could be persuaded to sit through a football game in the fall…for the right price,” she teased.
“And what would that be?” he asked.
“Something delicious, something decadent, something-”
“Chocolate,” he said, as soon as he realized what she meant. “I didn’t realize you were so easy.” He chuckled, enjoying their easy banter.
“Only with you. And only because you know me so well. How did I get along without you for the past fourteen years?” she asked lightly.
He stepped closer. Her warm scent settled over him, causing a distinct stirring inside his chest. “That’s a good question.” His mood changed from teasing to serious in an instant. “How
“Not easily,” she admitted, as she reached out and linked her hands behind his neck.
As she looked into his eyes, she aligned her lower body with his. No way could she miss the evidence of his wanting her. If she remembered him mentioning that he wanted to talk about the kiss, about not getting involved, she obviously wasn’t going to bring it up now. And although he should, he couldn’t.
He could use the threats against her as an excuse, but in his heart, he knew that’s all it was. An excuse to be near her. He grabbed on to it as tightly as she held on to him now.
“I’m assuming you had relationships.”
She nodded. “More than a few. I was searching for someone who…” She paused and bit down on her lower lip. “Someone who could live up to the memory of you. Of us.”
His heart slammed hard against his chest. “Did you find him?” He must be a glutton for punishment to ask such a thing.
“What do you want to hear?” she asked, a teasing smile on her lips. “That even at eighteen you set the standard by which all other men fell short?”
She slid her hand up the back of his head and played with the ends of his hair with her fingertips. Her touch was electric. Her words seductive.
Selfishly that was exactly what he wanted to hear, but he’d been the one to do the leaving. “I wanted you to go on with your life. To be happy.”
She tipped her head to one side. He loved the sassy sway of her hair. He couldn’t resist running his fingers through the strands. “I went on. I’ve been successful in my career. Not so much in my personal life.”
“I shouldn’t be happy that you didn’t find someone special. But I am.”
“I shouldn’t be happy that you’re divorced,” she countered. “But I don’t think I could have handled running into you again and knowing you belonged to someone else.” Her voice sounded like a husky purr.
Every fiber of his being was on alert. His skin was hot. His body strung tight. He desired her in a soul-deep way. He was dying to reconnect with her now and worry about the repercussions later. But mention of his divorce reminded him of the reasons he needed to be careful how far he let things go. “I still need to tell you about Holly’s mom and what happened between us.” Why the curse ruled his life now more than ever.
“Mmm. You do.” She touched her forehead to his. Her mouth hovered close, tantalizing and tempting him.
Finally, she allowed their lips to touch, featherlight but enough to send his pulse racing. She toyed with him for a while, a few light pecks at first, but each one lasted longer than the last.
He grasped her waist, his grip tightening with his desire until nothing mattered but the here and now. His head spun with her scent, her taste, his need.
“I want to hear everything you have to tell me. But not tonight,” Gabrielle said, her voice cutting through his fuzzy thoughts.
“Hmm?”
She stepped back. “You need to get home to Holly,” she reminded him. “I’m sure she’s confused by what she heard at the library.”
She was throwing him out? After reeling him in, she was kicking him out?
He swallowed hard. “You’re right. Holly is probably waiting up for me.” He stepped back and tripped over nothing. He righted himself quickly.
“Say hi for me.”
“I will.”
Gabrielle clasped her hands behind her back and grinned.
At that moment, he realized she’d played him. She’d deliberately seduced his senses, reminding him of their potent chemistry, all so he would be too consumed by her to worry about why they couldn’t be together.
He met her gaze. “I’m on to you, you know.”
“Good night, Gabby,” he said softly.
“’Night, Derek.” She walked him to the door.
“Lock up behind me,” he instructed.
