“You’re still young, so work to change his mind. It could work.”
“And pigs might fly. Can I have more bacon please? I want to comfort eat.”
He rolled his eyes, but he was sure to give her plenty of bacon.
Once everything was cooked, he made himself and Emma a plate, and headed upstairs. Emma hadn’t appeared, and he wanted to surprise her with breakfast in bed. On the way upstairs, he passed Gabriel.
Staring at his half-brother, he raised a brow.
Gabriel looked … exhausted.
“Did the night get to you?”
“You dad is planning on setting Landon up with someone he thinks will help.”
“Look, we can’t discuss this in his home. We got to meet elsewhere, and I’m sure our other brothers want to listen to whatever you’ve got to say. For now, I’ve got breakfast.”
He took a couple of steps up toward his woman and Gabriel saying his name stopped him.
Turning on the stairs, he stared at Gabriel and waited.
“If this is going to be a thing with you and Emma, then treat her right. Don’t take her for granted.”
“I never will,” he said. “You can guarantee that.”
He didn’t wait to hear anything more from Gabriel, he entered Emma’s bedroom just as she was coming out of her en-suite bathroom.
“I came with an offering.”
“Breakfast.”
“Consider it a peace offering.” He put the breakfast on the bed as Emma came to join him.
“For what?”
“For last night. I don’t want you to think I was being heartless,” he said.
“Of course I don’t. I know you can’t control your dad. I’d never hold it against you either, even if I wanted to.” She covered his hand with her own. “You don’t have to make up for what he’s going to do. I only hope I’m not going to be around to see that fallout.”
“You’re still wanting to leave?” he asked.
“Yes. No. I don’t know.”
“I want to ask you something.”
“Okay.”
“I want you to give me a chance.”
“Gideon.”
“Hear me out. I know you don’t feel this way with me. Did you enjoy the time we spent on our date?”
“Yes.”
“Then I can promise you that I can make it exactly like that all day long. For you, for us. Give me a chance.”
“I don’t know what it is you want from me, Gideon.”
“Just the chance to date you. To not hide how I feel about you.” He wasn’t above begging. This was new territory for him though.
He wasn’t used to being the one begging for anything. All of his life, everything had been handed to him on a plate. Money, sex, anything his heart desired could be here with the simple snap of his fingers or a phone call. Only now, he wanted this one woman. Ever since he’d met Emma again with the revelation of who Gabriel was to them, he’d been fighting to not just take her.
It was almost caveman of him the way he felt about her.
“None of those men you’ve dated before will ever be able to give you what I can. You know it, and I know it.”
“And what if one day I want sex?” she said. Her cheeks were bright red.
“You want sex? I’m offering to date you and you’re skipping the whole wine and dine part and heading straight to sex.”
“I’ve never had sex before. I’m a virgin, and one day I know I’m going to want that. I don’t know if I’ll ever love you, and I’m not saying that to be a bitch to you.”
“I know why you’re saying it. The women, they don’t feel what we do. I know that.” It’s why they always had to work to keep their woman from falling out of love with them. He thought about the volatile relationship his parents had; that was the same.
“I’ll have sex with you, and I won’t hold you to staying with me. You can use your body for your own pleasure.”
“I don’t know what the hell I’m saying anymore. Nothing makes any sense to me. Ignore me.” She picked up a piece of bacon and took a bite.
“I’d never ignore you.”
“I want to date you,” she said.
He waited.
“I can’t guarantee you that I’ll fall in love with you. I care about you, Gideon, but I don’t feel love.”
He smiled. “Are you attracted to me?”
“A little.”
This made him smile wider. “Then love is just around the corner.”
“Be serious.”
“I am being serious. When you’re ready, I’ll rock your world in the bedroom and you’ll have no choice but to fall in love with me.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m being serious.”
“So am I. Do me a favor though, don’t bring up leaving to my dad.”
“Why not?” she asked.
“He’s not the nicest of men.”
“No shit. I heard the way he was last night. Kind of surprised by it to be honest.”
Gideon took a piece of bacon, chewing on it. He didn’t want her to know that his father had already said no to Emma leaving.