God, how I loved when he kissed me. And to think I was ready to shove that aside because of his temper. My disappointment in myself made me pull away from him.
He cupped my cheeks. “What are you thinkin’ about, Cassandra?”
“I just love how you kiss me, but I can’t believe I was ready to push you aside because of your temper.”
His nose slid along mine, but in doing so, his whiskers tickled my lips and chin. All of those feelings were delicious and heady.
In a low voice, he said, “I know it’s a problem. And I promise, I’m going to work on it, Cassie.”
I sighed.
“What’s that about, darlin’?”
“I just love everything about you so much, Gabe. And I think admitting that makes me a dumbass.”
He pulled his face back. “Why would you think that?”
I sighed. “I don’t know. It’s partly me holding your past against you. I mean, it seems so easy for you cast women aside, and part of me figures I’m not different. But, more, I think telling you how much I love you opens me up for a world of hurt.”
“Honey, I would never hurt you purposefully.”
I pressed my lips together as I debated sharing my thoughts. “Bet my father thought the same of my mother, didn’t he?”
His chin dipped and he pressed a kiss to my forehead. “No, baby. I suspect your father was completely blindsided by your mother’s actions.”
He pulled away from me, but grabbed my hand leading me into the apartment. “Your choice. Couch or bed? But, fair warning, I insist on choosing dinner.”
I rolled my eyes, though Gabe couldn’t see it. “For your information, my stomach is a little ‘off’ since the surgery, so I’m not down with any form of take-out, much as it pains me to say it.”
He stopped to look at me. “Honey, I’m a master at PB and J’s, and chicken noodle soup hasn’t been so good since Mrs. Grass herself hit the shelves. I got your modified diet, so which is it? My comfortable bed or the more public couch?”
I chuckled even though it hurt my side. “Good to know you’re not heading for a job in sales, Gabe. I think I’ll opt for your bed, but I was serious about Cecilia and when she might be able to get my things.”
His chin tilted dramatically. “And I was serious about doing that for you. You got a box of tampons, I’ll get ’em. Hell, if you’re out of maxi-pads, I’ll go buy the damn things. None of that shit fazes me, Cassie. Whatever you need, I’m gonna take care of it. Got me?”
I couldn’t fight my smile. “I got you, Gabe. Thanks. And, yeah, I have a box of tampons and other things I’ll need if you can go to my place for me.”
He grinned like the goofy man he was. “Consider it done, hon.”
I rolled my eyes. “Good thing DJs don’t go for such obvious rhymes, yo.”
“Like you would know, seeing as you’ve been in a club precisely twice in the last nine months.”
“Shut up.”
“Get in my bed, and I will, baby.”
AFTER SOME OF THE BEST chicken noodle soup I had ever had, I called my Dad while Gabe went to my place for my things.
Except, Dad didn’t answer his phone, so I had to leave him a message instead.
Gabe sauntered back into his room carrying my largest suitcase.
I shook my head. “Why did you bring so much stuff, Sullivan?”
His brows crunched down. “One trip, Daughtry. I don’t want to go back if I don’t have to.”
My eyes shot to the luggage. “Well, I don’t see myself staying here that long.”
He glowered. “Why the hell not?”
I shrugged. “I don’t want to—”
“Actually, don’t tell me. I don’t care. You’re staying here, dammit.”
My eyes widened. “You can dial it back on the bossy there, mister.”
He climbed into the bed next to me. “Woman, you just had major surgery and you survived a gunshot wound. Either of those puts shit in perspective, but surviving both means you’re not leaving my side for a while. Comprende?”
I shot him a small smile. “Okay, okay. When you put it that way, I get it. But I am going to have to go back to class.”
“In another week or so, maybe. Email your professors. I’ll collect all the shit you need if they can’t get it to you online.”
I pulled his face to me and kissed his lips. “You are the best, Gabe Sullivan.”
“Don’t you forget it, Cassandra,” he murmured against my lips before he kissed me.
My phone rang, I tore my lips from his to see my Dad was calling.
“Hey, Dad. Did you get my message.”
“I did, sweetie. Listen, I can’t talk long, but don’t worry about me. This is between your mother and I.”
My eyes widened. “Dad, my sister is —”
“Still your sister, Cassandra. I’m staying at a hotel tonight, but I’ll see you in the morning—”
“Sorry, Dad, but Gabe insisted I stay with him.”
He went silent for a couple beats. “Warren’s son... I thought he had an upstairs apartment?”
“He carried me up, Dad,” I admitted.
He sighed. “Well. I’ll call you tomorrow, honey. Warren just got here, so I really have to go. I love you, Cassie.”
“Love you too, Dad.”
Gabe grabbed my phone from me and twisted so he could put it on the nightstand. “How’s he holding up?”
I twisted my lips for a moment and shrugged. “Okay-ish, I guess. I think your Dad is meeting him for a drink. He said Warren was there.”
Gabe nodded. “Sounds like something Dad would do. Probably got back in touch, not knowing all the shit that went down today. We Sullivans have nothing if not impeccable timing.”
I grinned. “Well, in this case, I think his timing couldn’t be
