CHAPTER TWELVE
CeCe
The first thing I notice when I come awake is the warmth that I had wrapped around me all night is gone. My eyes flutter open and I stare into the face of my sweet Pep.
“Morning, boy,” I coo, stroking his wet nose.
My hand falters when I spot something beyond him. A single flower with a note attached to it. Smiling, I grab it and bring the white rose to my nose before opening the folded piece of paper.
Went to grab us coffee and breakfast.
Be back soon.
Gabe
P.S. You’re even pretty when you sleep.
Warmth invades my heavy heart. Turns out the man not only knows how to give kick-ass orgasms but he’s also a great listener. He eased my pain last night more than anything or anyone else could have. His arms brought me the comfort I often long for.
As the day went on yesterday, the pain I felt had less to do with that sleazeball Graham Davis and more to do with missing my father. Sometimes I wonder if it will ever get easier. If the gaping hole in my chest will ever close. I have to admit that the more time I spend with Gabe, the less it hurts. It’s a little unnerving because I still don’t know where we stand with one another, but I do know I’m starting to really like the arrogant jerk.
The sound of my phone vibrating pulls my attention over to my nightstand. Picking it up, I see it’s my mom.
“Mom, hi,” I answer, relieved to hear her voice.
“CeCe, honey, can you hear me all right?” she yells, making me have to pull the phone away.
“Yes. I can hear you fine.”
“Oh good. I am so sorry it’s taken me so long to call you back. We’ve been all over the place with very little reception.”
“It’s all right. I knew you’d call when you could. I just wanted to check in and tell you I miss you.”
“Oh, honey, me too. I miss you dearly. I can’t wait to hug my sweet girl again.”
Sadness claims me, wishing she were here now. I could have used her hug last night. “Are you having fun with Aunt Viola and Aunt Sadie?”
“You bet. As always.”
“Good. I’m glad.”
A moment of silence fills the line.
“What’s wrong?” she asks.
“Nothing.”
“Don’t lie to your mother. It’s a sin.”
A genuine smile teases my lips. It’s her famous lecture. She always told me that if you sin you don’t get to shop in heaven. It was a clever thing to threaten me with while I was growing up.
“Tell me what’s wrong,” she presses. “I can tell something is. I can hear it in your voice.”
I don’t want to tell her about Graham, not yet. I want to do that face-to-face. “Just missing Daddy is all,” I say instead.
The line is quiet and I have no doubt it’s because she’s choking back her own sorrow. “I miss him, too,” she admits quietly. “No matter where I go or how busy I keep myself, I’m always thinking about him.”
“Me too.” My confession is thick with emotion.
“Do I need to come home, CeCe?”
Her offer takes me by surprise, and I even consider saying yes but she only has a few weeks left and I don’t want to ruin it. I know how much she needs this to keep preoccupied.
“No. It’s okay.”
“Are you sure? Because I’ll come back for you.”
Her words are like a soothing balm to my wounded heart. She has no idea how much I needed to hear that right now. “No, you stay, but maybe…”
“What?” she asks when I trail off.
“Maybe when you come back this time you can stay a while.” My words are laced with guilt, hating to even ask that of her, but lately I’m realizing I need my mother more.
“Oh, CeCe. If my being gone is hurting you, why didn’t you tell me?”
“It didn’t bother me at first but I miss our mom and daughter dates.”
“I miss them, too,” she whispers. “I’m sorry, honey, I haven’t coped well with your father being gone. I’ve been selfish.”
“No, you haven’t. I get why you do it, and I’m happy you have Aunt Viola and Aunt Sadie. Just don’t forget, you have me, too.”
“I’d never forget you. You’re my life.”
Those are exactly the words I needed to hear.
“When I get home we’ll plan the best mother daughter date ever,” she says. “We’ll go shopping, hit the spa, and eat all the food.”
“I can’t wait.”
“I love you, honey.”
“I love you, too,” I whisper.
“I’ll call as soon as we have reception again.”
“Sounds good. Tell Aunt Viola and Aunt Sadie I say hi.”
“Will do. Bye.”
“Bye.”
My heart is much lighter when I hang up the phone, and that peaceful feeling only grows when I look down at the flower I’m still holding. Glancing at the clock, I notice it’s almost noon.
Holy crap!
Climbing out of bed, I head into the bathroom and groan at my appearance. My eyes are red and swollen, face blotchy from crying all night.
And Fireboy told me I was pretty.
Liar.
Throwing my hair up in a high ponytail, I splash water on my face, the coolness a welcome relief. Next, I brush my teeth then reach for the shower but end up hearing my apartment door open and close. I walk out to find Gabe holding two cups of coffee and a take-out bag.
He turns around, his eyes colliding with mine. “Hey,” he greets me, his deep voice eliciting goose bumps across my skin.
“Hey.”
“You get my note?”
I nod. “And flower.”
His lips kick up in a sexy smirk. “It was a nice touch, wasn’t it?”
“Very,” I agree, a matching smile claiming my face.
He raises the items he’s holding. “I figured you’d be hungry since we didn’t eat last night.”
“Thanks.” I walk over to take my coffee from him and catch sight of his swollen knuckles. Gasping, I grab his wrist and yank it closer to me. “What happened?” My eyes lift to his and my stomach hollows out, the realization hitting me quickly. “Oh, Gabe, you didn’t. Please tell me you didn’t kill him then buy us breakfast?”
“I didn’t kill him,” he says, but doesn’t reassure me of anything else.
“Oh god!” My feet begin wearing out the floor, panic flooding my chest. “I’m going to lose everything. He’s going to ruin me and my boutique. I’ll have nothing left.”
He grabs my shoulders, halting my frantic steps. “Listen to me. He’s not going to do anything. I made sure of it. He won’t ever come near you again!”
Tears cloud my vision, blurring the man before me. “I can’t believe you did this, you big sweet dumb jerk.” I fall onto his chest, blubbering like a fool.
His arms come around me, his hand coasting up and down my back in a comforting gesture. “He had to pay for what he did, CeCe. I couldn’t let him get away with hurting you like that.”
“No one has ever beaten someone up for me before,” I cry, feeling touched he would defend my honor like that.
“I’ll kick anyone’s ass for you, Blondie.”
It’s the sweetest and hottest thing anyone has ever said to me. Sniffling, I lift my head. He wipes my tears away with his thumb, erasing so much more than he could know.
“Thank you for staying with me last night,” I whisper.
“You don’t need to thank me. I’m glad I came when I did.”
“Me too,” I admit.
His gaze drops to my mouth, tension thickening the air. My heart races in anticipation, needing to feel his lips pressed against mine, but he holds back from giving us what we both want.
“Gabe.” His name falls from me on a breathless whisper, my fingers gripping his shirt.
“Yeah, Bella?”
“Kiss me,” I plead.
He closes the distance between us, the contact of his lips rocking the world beneath my feet. My arms curl around his neck, greedily seeking more.
His growl penetrates the kiss as he cups my bottom and lifts me off my feet. My legs hug his waist, fingers spearing into his hair as I lose myself in him and all the beautiful feelings that come with it.
“We should eat before the food gets cold,” he mumbles, but his mouth never misses a beat.
“I don’t want food. I just want you,” I tell him.
I want to be reminded of what it feels like to be touched by him. I want him to erase the dirty feelings Graham plagued me with and replace them with the feeling of his body against mine.
Unfortunately, he sets me on the counter and does the opposite, pulling his mouth away. His head drops on my shoulder, his breathing harsh.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, wondering if I misread things somehow.
The moment he lifts his head, the upsetting thought leaves me because I see the same need I’m feeling battling in his eyes. “I work the night shift,” he tells me, regret burning in his gaze.
“Okay…” I say slowly, not seeing the problem.
“If I get you in that bed, Blondie. I’m not fucking leaving it.”
Shivers race across my skin, the dark promise in his voice fueling my desire. “Did you want me to call work and tell them you’re sick?” I offer.
Another smirk curls his perfect lips. He cups my neck, his thumb tracing my racing pulse. “What I want is for you to eat breakfast with me then promise we can pick this back up when my rotation ends so I can touch you the way you deserve.”
I clear my throat and squirm, trying to alleviate the ache between my thighs. “Well, when you put it like that, I guess I can wait. But I expect lots of orgasms.”
His laughter trails into a groan. “Believe me, baby, when I get you back in bed I will have you begging for mercy.” The arrogant words are followed by another mind-drugging kiss.
My heart dances for not only the promise of another incredible night but also knowing I will be seeing him again, and if I’m really lucky, sleeping in his arms.