Livvy glanced at Gabe and found his eyes still firmly closed. She flung her legs over the side of the bed and stretched. Her body ached, but as her mind turned to the previous evening, her abdomen flooded with butterflies. She waited for the familiar slug of guilt to take away this moment of joy, but when her mind remained free of doubt, she couldn’t keep from smiling. Nothing was going to rob her of this feeling. Even as her mind turned to Beth, John’s last words to her about grabbing happiness and holding on tight were the ones she decided to listen to. She could choose to be sad for the rest of her life because of what she’d lost, or she could move forward, knowing it was those experiences that had brought her into Gabe’s life.

“Mornin’, beautiful.” Gabe wrapped his arms around her waist and tugged her back into bed.

She yelped in surprise. “I bet I don’t look remotely beautiful. I think I’ve still got sleep in my eyes.”

“You’re beautiful to me.” He leaned over and planted a soft kiss on her lips. Before he could deepen it, Livvy turned her head to the side.

“I need to brush my teeth.”

Gabe laughed. “Darlin’, you really think that bothers me?”

“No, but it bothers me.”

He shrugged and released her. Livvy climbed out of bed. A moment of embarrassment hit her as she realized she would have to walk across the bedroom completely naked, but then she thought what the hell and sauntered towards the bathroom, hips swaying. Gabe’s answering hiss made a smile edge across her face.

She slipped through the door and dug her toothbrush out of her wash bag. As she brushed her teeth, she stared at herself in the mirror, half expecting to see a different person looking back at her. But no, her reflection showed the same old Livvy. Her hair was ratty because she’d forgotten to tie it up overnight, and a smudge of mascara remained in the corner of one eye where she hadn’t removed her makeup properly. She was far from beautiful, but if Gabe’s adoring gaze meant anything, it was that he didn’t care.

She filled the sink with hot water and scrubbed her face vigorously until all traces of sleep and mascara were gone and her cheeks held a healthy pink glow. As she walked back into the bedroom, Gabe was lying on his back, one arm flung above his head and the bed sheet strewn halfway across his body. His gaze raked over her as she sauntered back to bed. Warmth rushed to her cheeks—and other parts—as desire sparked in his eyes. She had to steel herself not to run and dive under the covers, but she instinctively knew Gabe wouldn’t want that.

He opened his arms, and Livvy curled into his side and rested her head on his chest.

“Better?”

“Much. I hate the unbrushed feeling.”

Gabe grinned. “You are so English sometimes.”

Livvy dug him in the ribs, and he grunted.

“Hey… no violence.”

“Hey… no picking on my deeply rooted English reserve.”

His smile widened, and he kissed her briefly. “I’m starving, but before eating breakfast, I’m going to eat you.”

He dove beneath the covers as Livvy’s giggles erupted into the room.

* * *

Gabe stood at the stove, cooking pancakes, eggs, and bacon. Livvy’s stomach grumbled as the smells reached her, making him chuckle.

“It’s coming,” he said, dishing up their breakfast. He slipped onto the stool next to hers and poured her a coffee. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”

Livvy cut into her eggs. “What?” she asked with her mouth half full. Jeez, he even managed to make the humble egg taste amazing.

“I have to go away on business in a week or so. I’ve been putting it off, but I can’t any longer.”

Livvy swallowed her food as her mood took a downward spiral. “I see.”

“I thought I’d take a little time off before I go so we could do some fun stuff.”

“Skydiving?” She brightened at the thought.

Gabe laughed. “If you want. I had a few other things in mind too.”

She raised her eyebrow in question. “Like what?”

He gave her a crooked smile. “I thought you liked surprises.”

A thrill ran up her spine. “I do.”

“Then let me surprise you.”

“When you go away on business, how long will you be gone?”

“Three to four weeks.”

That long? She’d gotten used to him being around, and if he was going to be away for so long, she wondered how she would manage to keep herself occupied or whether the distance would ruin their fledgling relationship.

Livvy chewed on her thumbnail and stared at her half-eaten plate of food, her appetite waning. “Where are you going?”

Gabe’s hand came underneath her chin, and he tilted her head up. “New York. I’m buying a company out east, and the current head offices are based in Manhattan.”

“Okay,” Livvy said quietly.

“I want you to come with me.”

Her eyes widened. “You do?”

He laughed. “Of course. I can’t imagine spending a day without you, let alone weeks at a time.”

Relief surged through her, surprising her with its intensity. “Won’t I get in your way?”

“No. Why would you? I won’t have much time in the day, but I can make it up to you at night.” He waggled his eyebrows, making her laugh. “That is, if you want to come. If you’d rather stay here, I’ll understand. I won’t like it, but I’ll accept it.”

“I’d love to come with you.”

His palm skimmed her jaw, and he leaned in for a brief kiss. “Right answer.”

* * *

“Come on, Livvy. Get up. We have to be at the airport soon.”

“It’s too early,” Livvy groaned, turning over in bed. She pulled the comforter over her head, but Gabe had other ideas. He shoved the covers to one side and moved on top of her. As he peppered her face with kisses, Livvy began to laugh.

She pushed at his immoveable chest. “Get off me, you big Texan oaf.”

“Say it like you mean it, darlin’.” His hands cupped her cheeks, and his mouth covered hers.

Livvy drowned in his kiss. Gabe was chipping away at her English modesty, piece by piece.

“I thought we didn’t have time,” she said as his hands moved down her body, sending shivers of delight through her.

“We don’t.” He rocked back on his heels. “But at least you’re awake now.”

Livvy threw a pillow at him, which he expertly ducked. “You don’t play fair,” she said with a scowl.

“True.” He climbed off the bed and sauntered across the room. When he reached the door, he glanced over his shoulder. “Move your ass, Livvy.”

She threw another pillow at him. Her aim was true, but he’d already slipped outside. She ground her teeth as she heard him laughing on his way downstairs.

A half hour later, Gabe caught Livvy’s hand as they walked around to the garage. Dawn was still some way off, and the sky above was a carpet of twinkling stars.

“Where are we going, anyway?” Livvy asked as she got into the car.

“You’ll see. I promised we’d have fun this week, and today’s just the beginning.”

Livvy stuck out her tongue, and he laughed.

“You’re a grouchy little thing without sleep, aren’t you?”

“It’s eight hours, or everyone pays,” she said. “How come you’re all bright and breezy?”

Gabe started the engine and reversed in a circle until the car was facing the right way around. He set off down the driveway. “When I was building the business, I learned to survive on very little sleep. Now, I guess it’s a habit.”

“Not one I want to emulate,” Livvy muttered, drawing another chuckle from him.

“Duly noted,” he said as the gates slowly drew back and the car glided through.

The highway was virtually empty, and they reached the airport within thirty minutes. As Livvy began to wake up properly, her excitement grew. Every time she risked a glance at Gabe, he was wearing a small, satisfied smile, as though he knew a secret no one else did. Which, of course, was accurate, given that she didn’t know where he was taking her.

As she settled into her seat, she hit him with her best interrogation stare. “How long is the flight?”

His lips twitched. “Two and a half hours.”

“Hmm.” She tried to picture a map of the US. The problem was, without knowing which direction they were traveling, it was impossible to hazard a guess at their eventual destination.

“There’s no point,” Gabe said with a grin. “I’m not telling. Anyway, you like surprises, or so you said. All I’m doing is going along with your wishes.”

She pouted. “Yeah, well, maybe I’ve changed my mind.”

He ignored her, and once the plane was in the air, he took a large file out of the bag he’d brought on board. “You don’t mind if I do a little work on the flight, do you?”

“Of course not.” She reached into her purse, pulled out a book, and smiled at him. “I have plenty to keep me occupied.”

Livvy opened the book, but it didn’t hold her attention. She peered over the top of it to watch Gabe. He had one ankle casually crossed over the opposing leg, completely immersed in the spiral-bound set of papers resting against his knee. When he wasn’t scribbling notes in the margin, he was tapping the pen against his chin as his eyes scanned the document. Livvy found herself absorbed in watching him work.

He must have sensed her staring because he lifted his head and met her gaze. “I’m not being very good company, am I? Do you want me to stop?”

“Not at all. It’s riveting to watch you.”

A trace of a smile left his lips. “I can’t imagine why, but from you, I’ll take it.”

As he went back to work, Livvy put her book down. She propped her elbow on the table and rested her palm against her cheek, focusing her gaze on him once more. In some ways, he reminded her of Mark: his intelligence, his work ethic, and his calm demeanor. In others, the two men were polar opposites. Gabe could be intense both in and out of the bedroom. He was less tolerant of her than Mark, who had treated Livvy like a precious doll that could break at any moment. Their physical appearances were also nothing alike. Mark had had a lean body and an understated personality. Gabe was at least four inches taller than Mark, broader in the shoulders, and definitely more commanding in stature.

Livvy only realized they’d begun their descent when her ears popped. She held her nose and blew hard. Unsuccessful, she attempted a forced yawn.

“Here,” Gabe said with an amused smile gracing his lips as he watched her attempts to combat the pressure change. “This might help.” He passed her a piece of hard candy, which she unwrapped and slipped into her mouth.

Her left ear cleared, but her right remained stubbornly blocked. “I hate that feeling.”

“We’ll be landing soon.”

“Landing where?”

Gabe laughed. “A little tip in the art of negotiation, darlin’. Work on your subtlety.”

Livvy kicked off her shoe and trailed a toe up and down Gabe’s leg. “We have a phrase in England. There’s more than one way to skin a cat.”

He fidgeted in his chair and cleared his throat. “And what does that mean, exactly?”

She repressed a smile. Rising slowly to her feet, she walked around to his side of the table and straddled his thighs before lowering herself onto his lap. Gabe let out a low hiss as her breasts brushed against his chest. She touched her lips to his, but as he tried to take control and deepen the kiss, she drew back, pressing her hand against his chest to keep him at bay.

“If you tell me where we’re going, then I’ll make sure you’re suitably rewarded on the trip home. You don’t have to tell me what we’re doing, just our destination.”

Gabe stubbornly shook his head. A low groan eased from his throat as she slowly rocked her pelvis against his growing erection.

“How am I doing in the art of negotiation?” she asked, parroting his words as she ground down harder. She cradled his face and kissed him, her tongue sliding between his lips as she circled her hips against his fully erect penis.

He tore his mouth from hers, his chest rising and falling rapidly. “Cabo,” he said.

She frowned. “Where’s that?”

“Baja California.”

“Oh. Cool.” She climbed off his lap and gave him a satisfied smile. “See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?”

“It’s very fucking hard, actually,” Gabe said.

Livvy laughed. “Oh, poor baby.”

A sense of excitement washed over her as their banter continued. She hadn’t felt so light or so free in a very long time, yet as she teased Gabe and he promised payback, she couldn’t imagine that it was possible to achieve greater happiness.

The plane landed and came to a halt. As the door opened, blazing sunshine poured into the cabin.

Gabe unclipped his seat belt and cocked his head. “Ready?”

Excitement pricked her skin. “Absolutely. I can’t wait.”

At the bottom of the stairs, a waiting car drove them to immigration.

“I’ve heard of drive-through McDonalds but never drive-through passport control,” she said with a laugh as Gabe handed over their documentation. Livvy paused for a beat, deliberating what was wrong with the picture. Then she gasped. “How did you get hold of my passport?”

Gabe tapped the side of his nose. “All part of the service, ma’am.”

“Breaking and entering is not a service that you should be proud of,” Livvy said, although the brevity of her tone belied the sharpness of her words.

Gabe chuckled. “I’m not sorry.”

Within minutes, they were driving along a coast road. Livvy stared out the window at the breathtaking view of the coastline. White-topped waves crested an emerald-green sea—the color reminded Livvy of Gabe’s eyes—and the contrast of the ocean with the clear blue sky beyond the horizon was absolute paradise. Gabe took her hand, his thumb gently brushing across her knuckles. Livvy could feel his eyes on her, gauging her reaction.

“What a view.” She turned to face him. “California is beautiful, but this is something else.”

He nodded. “I take it you haven’t made it down here since you came to California?”

“No. Although I definitely should have.”

Livvy looked out the window once more. The scenery passed in a blur as their vehicle sped down the highway.

“Are you going to tell me yet?” she asked as the car slowed and banked to the left before drawing to a stop.

Gabe tilted his head to the side. “Well, I could drag it out for a bit longer, but seeing as we’re here, I may as well tell you.”

When he didn’t continue, Livvy huffed. “Well, come on, then.”

Gabe laughed. “We’re going swimming with dolphins.”

A wave of emotion washed over her. She and Mark had always talked about doing that someday, but vacations had been difficult to come by for Mark as he’d tried to build a sustainable career. So they’d put it off—and subsequently, Livvy had learned a terrible lesson. She went quiet, her teeth gnawing on her bottom lip as regret made her head ache.

“What’s the matter, Liv?” Gabe frowned. “Have I done the wrong thing?”

“No. No, you’ve done the right thing. The perfect thing,” she said, her voice hitching.

“Then why do you look so sad?”

Livvy shook her head. She didn’t want to get all maudlin by telling him the real reason, so she smiled through blurred vision. “I didn’t expect it, that’s all. I’ve always wanted to swim with dolphins.”

Gabe let out a huge sigh of relief and opened his car door. “Then let’s go.”

As they walked towards the entrance of the facility, a young woman wearing a wet suit greeted them warmly. “Mr. Mitchell, Ms. Hayes, welcome. My name is Adrianna Fabrice. I’ll be your guide for the day. Please follow me. We have everything ready for you.”

They followed Adrianna inside. Rows of wet suits were lined up on racks. She quickly measured both Livvy and Gabe for size then directed them to the changing rooms. After struggling into the rubber outfit—not an easy task—Livvy met Gabe outside. Her mouth went dry at the sight of him in what amounted to nothing more than a second skin.

His gaze slid over her, and when he looked up, his eyes were sparkling. “Nice outfit,” he murmured.

“I was thinking the same thing myself,” she said, making him laugh.

He slipped her hand inside his, and they walked to where Adrianna was waiting for them.

“Ready?” she asked. They both nodded. “Okay. Follow me.”

Adrianna led them to the edge of a boardwalk, where a saltwater pool had been created with rock. A wire fence peeked out above the water line. On the far side were two beautiful bottlenose dolphins, their sleek bodies moving effortlessly through the water. Livvy’s excitement ramped up, and her heart thudded against her ribcage. She couldn’t wait to get into the water with them.

Adrianna went through a short safety briefing, as much for the dolphins as for them. Livvy listened attentively, taking it all in.

“Okay, any questions?” Adrianna asked. When Livvy and Gabe shook their heads, Adrianna slipped into the water and waved for them to follow her.

Gabe held Livvy’s hands as she dropped into the water.

She gasped. “It’s freezing.”

Gabe laughed. “Why do you think we have wetsuits? This is the Pacific, darlin’. Ice cold.”

As they began to interact with the intelligent, social creatures, Livvy soon forgot the cold. Adrianna coached them through the various hand signals, which the dolphins reacted to accordingly. The highlight for Livvy, however, was when she got to hang on to the fin of a dolphin and was pulled through the water at such a speed that she lost her breath.

“Oh my God.” She smiled so broadly, her cheeks hurt. “That was amazing.”

As she swam back to the edge of the pool, Gabe drew her into his arms. He swept aside a damp lock of hair that had clung to her eyelashes and bent his head to kiss her. When a brief peck turned into something deeper, Livvy pulled back, conscious of Adrianna’s proximity.

“Bashful English girl,” he whispered, his green eyes twinkling as they mocked her.

“Overexuberant Texan cowboy,” she replied.

Gabe threw back his head and laughed. “Come on. Adrianna is going to show us around the place.”

It was only as Gabe spoke that Livvy glanced around and realized there were no other visitors. “Where are the other tourists?”

He tilted his head to one side. “It’s closed. They’re only hosting us today.”

Livvy raised her eyebrows and gave a slight shake of her head. “How did you manage that?”

Gabe winked. “I have my ways.”

Livvy chuckled. “Well, even though you are incorrigible, I really appreciate the gesture.”

They spent the rest of the day learning how the aquarium helped rescue injured and orphaned dolphins. The facility put them through a rehabilitation program in the hope of returning them to the wild. Gabe listened intently and asked lots of questions. As they were getting ready to leave, he made a generous donation to the center. Although he could easily afford it, his philanthropy still struck a chord with Livvy, and she fell a little deeper under his spell.

“Thank you for today,” Livvy said as they climbed back into the car.

His fingers lightly brushed hers, causing a shiver of delight to creep up her spine.

“You’re welcome.”

* * *

If she thought the dolphin encounter would be the highlight of their weeklong vacation, Livvy couldn’t have been more wrong. Gabe whisked her all over the country to all manner of events and experiences, from renting out an entire ice rink—where Livvy discovered she was a terrible ice-skater—to hot-air ballooning at dawn over New Mexico. He topped off the week with a visit to a rodeo in Texas, where they also paid his mother a visit.

As their vacation drew to a close and they headed back to Los Angeles, a sense of loss ran through her. Even though she would be traveling with Gabe on his business trip, it wouldn’t be the same. He’d been devoted to her all week, yet now she would have to share him with the other side of his life—a very important one. She was being selfish by wanting him all to herself, but she couldn’t seem to stop the errant thoughts from running through her mind.

They spent the night back at Gabe’s place. Livvy kept calling it home in her head then had to correct herself because it wasn’t her home. The problem was, she spent so much time at his house that she barely went back to her apartment. It was understandable how her mind drifted in that direction.

A weird feeling stirred in her chest. Even though Gabe seemed committed to their relationship, he hadn’t mentioned anything about the future. Livvy worried that she was significantly more invested than he was, and it made her nervous. Neither of them had come close to uttering the L word. Yet the fluttering she felt in her stomach every time he was near, the way he made her forget everything when they made love, and how safe and secure she felt around him told her it was already too late. She’d suspected her feelings ran deep before she and Gabe had gone away, but after their dream vacation, she knew for certain.

She’d learned to love again.