Best Man Under the Mistletoe

With a simple shrug, she met his gaze. “I think that’s best considering neither of us want more. Besides, once the wedding passes, we won’t have a reason to see each other. Right?”

Gabe swallowed, not liking the way his heart kicked up. But he wasn’t allowing his heart to be involved. He’d just scolded himself about that very rule.

“Right,” he agreed, turning back to breakfast. “We’ll enjoy each other’s company, keep this private and, after the wedding, go our separate ways.”

“Perfect.”

Gabe worked on getting some filets going and then the eggs. “Steak and eggs are a great source of protein and good for energy. Which you will need. If we’ve only got two weeks left, then I’m taking full advantage.”

He turned and wiggled his brows at her. Chelsea took her time uncrossing and recrossing her legs, giving him a glimpse of exactly the goal he had for the morning.

“If you keep that up, these steaks will go to waste.”

She groaned and leaned back on her hands on the counter, arching her back. Even though his shirt was large on her, her breasts strained against the fabric and the hem inched up even higher on her bare thighs.

Keeping his gaze locked on hers, Gabe reached behind him and flicked off the burners. In two short steps he was on her, gripping her hips and pulling her toward the edge of the counter.

“What about breakfast?” she asked, quirking one brow and offering him that sultry smile that went straight to his gut.

“Oh, I’m still having breakfast.”

And with that, he jerked the shirt up and over her head before taking exactly what she’d taunted him with.

* * *

“What about this one?” Brandee held up a lacy number with a matching thong. “Red or black?”

“Both,” Chelsea replied, searching for her size in a short, sheer gown she knew would have Gabe’s eyes rolling back in his head. She so enjoyed being the one who made him lose control.

“You didn’t even look,” Brandee complained.

Chelsea glanced up. “Again, both. It’s lingerie. Men can ne

ver get enough and they rip it off you, anyway, so color doesn’t matter.”

“True. But what’s Gabe’s favorite color?”

Brandee’s teasing tone and mocking grin had Chelsea biting the inside of her cheek. “You think you’re so smart.”

“Oh, I’m brilliant,” Brandee stated, full-on smiling now. Her diamond ring glistened as she waved a hand toward Chelsea. “You two have spent quite a bit of time together and the kind of bickering and heated looks I’ve witnessed between you always leads to the bedroom.”

And the kitchen. Mercy sakes, Chelsea would never look at her center kitchen island the same again. The things that man had done to her right there on her marble countertop should be illegal.

Chelsea hadn’t intended to shop for lingerie, but since she was here with her friend, why not? Just because she and Gabe were only physical didn’t mean she couldn’t put a little flair into their time together.

“I actually haven’t seen Gabe in two days,” she returned defensively.

Granted, she’d only missed seeing him because he had some important business to attend to in Dallas with a new client and she had her own workload to take care of. She actually did have to work, as much as she’d rather spend her time between the sheets—or on the island—with her new lover.

Even though he was gone, Gabe had most definitely left her with a glorious goodbye and the promise of an even better return.

Actually, he’d advised her to rest up because he fully planned on making up for those two days, especially since their time together was limited anyway.

Which was why she was all too eager to find something in this little lingerie boutique that would drive him out of his mind. Her body heated up just thinking of all the things they’d get into when he returned.

But if they didn’t slow down somewhat, Chelsea knew full well she’d fall head-over-boots and be a lost cause. Her heart had already taken a tumble after his soulful admission about his past and if things between them dragged on, the end would only be more difficult. At least this way she could prepare herself for the end...and enjoy the ride all the way to their final day.

“I thought you only came with me to help me choose honeymoon wear and get some Christmas shopping done.”