“I completely understand if you want to call this quits between us.” She stood only a few feet away now. Even though she wanted to reach out and touch him, she clasped her hands in front of her dress. “I know the scandal surrounding me is embarrassing. I wouldn’t want someone else to have to bear the burden of the crass jokes or the mocking.”
Gabe whirled around. “You think I’m trying to tell you...what? That I’m leaving you alone to deal with this mess? That I don’t want to be associated with you because of it? Do you honestly think I’m that big of a jerk?”
Chelsea swallowed the burn in her throat. Why did love have to be complicated?
Wait. Love?
Well now was not the time for her to realize she’d completely fallen head-over-boots with this man. Not only was she completely unsure about where he stood, she knew he didn’t do relationships. Fantastic. There was nothing like this feeling of despair when she was already battered and bruised.
“I don’t think you’re a jerk,” she whispered, ignoring the extra thump of her heart. “I just wouldn’t blame you for wanting to bring this to an end now instead of after the wedding.”
She wouldn’t blame him; she would be devastated. But the end was inevitable. Next week or now, did it really matter? Both ways she’d be alone, which she was used to. But being with Gabe had changed her into someone who didn’t want to be alone, not when she knew how amazing he could be.
Damn it. When had she fallen in love? Somewhere between not trusting him and seeing him come to her defense tonight. She’d known for a few days that she was sinking deeper into territory she knew nothing about. She’d fought every step, but she couldn’t lie to herself anymore.
Gabe reached out and hooked an arm around her waist. “I’m not ending a day sooner than we planned,” he growled. “I’m angry you had to deal with that guy. I’m angry because you should never be afraid of what my family did and there’s not a damn thing I can do to go back and change what happened to you.”
Wait. Gabe was blaming himself for Dusty’s actions?
Chelsea reached up, smoothing his unruly blond hair back from his forehead. Framing his face, she leaned in and briefly touched his lips.
“You aren’t to blame,” she assured him. “And you can’t control what others say.”
“Maybe not, but I can try to shield you from the hurt.”
Her heart tumbled in her chest, but she knew he didn’t want any part of her heart or her love. Which was such a shame, because she would give them both so freely to her knight in shining armor.
“I’ve never been so angry in my life,” he murmured. “When my partner was killed, I was hurt and broken, yes. Angry? Yes. But I was able to stop the killer and bring him to justice. But all of this? I have no idea how to stop it completely and it rips me apart.”
Chelsea eased back from his arms. “Well, for now I know something you can control. I believe you said something about wanting to see what I have on beneath my dress.”
The darkness in his eyes mixed with arousal. Chelsea reached for the hem and eased it up and over her head. She tossed the dress onto the back of the sofa only a few feet away. When she turned her focus back to Gabe, the arousal in his eyes had turned to hunger and she knew she’d made the right decision in terms of lingerie tonight.
The white, lacy, strapless bustier and matching thong indeed had Gabe speechless. Most women tr
ying to seduce a man would pair the outfit with heels, but she was all about her cowgirl boots.
“You bought this for me?” he asked, slowly making his way toward her.
“You know I did.”
Because there was no one else.
Gabe muttered a curse beneath his breath. “I’ve never wanted someone more than you right now. You’re breathtaking and sexy and...damn, Chels. You’re killing me.”
She couldn’t help but smile because she’d finally managed to make him a stuttering mess. Feeling a tad saucy, she propped her hands on her hips and tipped her head.
“Maybe if you’re good, I’ll show you some other items I purchased.”
His eyes snapped to hers. “You bought others?”
“Something in green to match my eyes and then there was this racy black number that I simply couldn’t pass up.”
With a growl, Gabe was on her. His arms circled her waist, his mouth crashed down onto hers, and he backed her against the window. The cool glass did nothing to calm the heat racing through her.
Gabe nipped at her lips before roaming over her jaw, down her neck, to the swell of her breasts. Her entire body felt as if she was lit up from within. As his hands seemed to touch her everywhere, his mouth was doing wonders driving her mad.
“I want you in my bed,” he murmured against her skin. “I’ve envisioned you there all spread out, reaching for me.”