Wildflower Wedding (12 page)

“Like someone else I might happen to know?” Clyde arched an eyebrow and gave Joy a knowing look.

“I don't know who you might be referring to,” Joy shot back, but Clyde only grinned while he politely offered his hand.

Cara brought Addison her card back and then turned to Reese. “Is it okay if I go, Mr. Marino? I think I have all of my prep work finished.”

“Cara, you can call me Reese,” he said with a grin. “Yes, you can go. Nice job tonight, by the way.”

“Thank you.” She gave him a shy smile before taking off.

“Someone has a crush,” Gabby observed.

Reese waved that off, but he had to admit that it felt nice to be seen as the boss in front of Gabby. He'd come a long way from his troubled teenage years. He sure hoped she could see that and believe that he would only continue to grow as a person.

“I'll see you guys later,” Addison said. “Gabby, I'll stop by tomorrow and we can chat about the new colors for the flowers.”

“Sounds good.”

“Nice to see you, Reese. I agree with Joy. I'm going to need extra days at the gym now that you're open. But it will be worth it and I'm not a fan of working out, so you should really be flattered.”

“Thanks, Addison,” Reese said with a chuckle. After she left he turned to Gabby. “So, may I walk you home?”

“Taking notes from Clyde?”

“Absolutely.”

Gabby dipped her head rather shyly but then smiled. “Yes, I'd like that.”

Reese couldn't remember when something as simple as walking down the street made him so happy. But having Gabby's small hand tucked in his felt so calming and had the power to put his mind at ease. The soft evening breeze brushed her hair against her cheeks and she laughed in a carefree way that had Reese hoping she was feeling some of the same sense of relaxation. “You have a very beautiful, genuine smile, Gabby. You always did.”

“Thank you. There's nothing pretentious about me— that's for sure.” She shrugged. “What you see is what you get.”

“I like what I see.”

Gabby tugged on his hand. “You're such a flirt.”

“I'm simply stating the truth. I don't even think I know how to . . . flirt.”

“I guess you never had to. Girls just fell at your feet.”

He was quiet for a minute when they stopped at the corner that led to her shop. “But not you.”

She shook her head.

“You do know that back in high school those girls were attracted to the darkness. The bad-boy reputation. None of them had any real interest in me as a long-term boyfriend. And they really didn't want to be my prom date.”

Gabby stopped in her tracks and looked up at him. “So you really did want to take me to the prom?”

“I did. I thought you were the one girl who would accept me as I am . . . or at least was. I wasn't nearly as badass as everybody thought I was and, I don't know, I guess I thought you might have seen right through me. In fact, I was just pretty much lost without any real direction—unless you counted downward,” he added with a short chuckle. “I sure didn't have any goals. But Uncle Tony got me past a lot of that . . . him and my grandparents.”

“What did it take?”

“Love, Gabby. They loved me without judgment and without hesitation. Not that Mom didn't, but she needed her own time to heal.” He grinned down at her. “She sure did enjoy tonight. It's been so great hearing her laughter. She was so full of energy and fun when I was a kid.” Reese shook his head. “I just wish she would file for divorce and totally break free of my . . . of Mike Parker.”

“Maybe she still has some hope.”

“Gabby, how could she ever forgive what he's done?”

“Love is a pretty powerful thing. Who knows?”

Reese shrugged and they started walking again. “Let's not talk about anything negative. I'm enjoying just being with you too much to have anything bring me down.”

“Believe me, I understand.”

When they reached Flower Power he wanted her to ask him up. “It's late. . . . Are you too tired to hang out for a little while?”

“No, not at all. Having Joy to help me out has made such a big difference. She's such a sweet lady,” Gabby said as they walked around the side of the building to the back entrance to her apartment. “I hope this thing with Clyde works out.” She stopped at the bottom of the steps to dig her key out of her purse.

“He seems pretty sincere,” Reese commented. “Why would she hold back?”

“From what I understand Clyde has a reputation of being quite the ladies' man. I guess she's afraid of getting her heart broken.” Something flashed in her eyes and she turned to walk up the stairs.

Once they were inside, her mood shifted and the walls went up. Reese felt her slipping through his fingers. She stood with her back to him and he could feel her hesitation, sense her indecision. “Are you nervous?” he asked softly.

“No.” Gabby whirled around. “Why would you think that?”

“I can feel you pulling back. Are you upset with me because I've been so busy?”

“Of course not. I understand completely.”

Reese wanted to step closer, draw her into his arms, but he didn't. “Then why are you still fighting this so hard? I was hoping you'd come over to the restaurant this past week. Damn, Gabby, I looked at the door so many times hoping you'd walk in.”

Gabby closed her eyes and swallowed. “I'm sorry. I wanted to. . . .”

“Then why didn't you?” Reese tilted his head to the side and waited for her to answer.

“Because I'm afraid of making the wrong choices.”

“Me being one of them? Because I'm not the town mayor? Do you wish it was him here instead of me?”

“No. I don't think of him throughout the day, Reese. I think of you. Only you.”

“So do you want me to stay?”

By all accounts Reese should have been angry at her almost reluctant admission, but she was being completely honest, and honesty was the stepping stone to trust. Once she trusted him, believed in him, then the rest would come easy. “I understand fear, Gabby. When you grow up poor, fear is always breathing down your back. I can't even begin to imagine what it must have been like to lose the one person in your life who was your rock. My father left, but I still had my mom, my uncle, and loving grandparents.”

“Grandparents?” Gabby's lips twisted. “When my mom's parents found out she was pregnant with me, they kicked her out. I've never even met them. She didn't even want to tell them that she was sick. If it hadn't been for the help from people here, I don't know what we would have done.” She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. “And sometimes it's hard to help Addison plan weddings. I see all of these big, happy families and my heart aches.”

Once again Reese fought the urge to draw her into his embrace. “Listen. I'm going to tell you something and I want you to remember it always.” He paused until she nodded. “I care about you, Gabby. I always have. I will be here for you no matter what.” He clenched his jaw and then said, “Even if you don't choose to be with me. All it will ever take is a phone call and I'll run to you. Fix a flat tire. Take you to the dentist . . . bail you out of jail,” he added with a chuckle. “Anything. Do you get that?”

She nodded and then pressed her lips together as if to keep them from trembling.

“And if anyone ever hurts you, there will be hell to pay. I'm just sayin'.”

She nodded again, slowly.

“And if you want me to leave, I'll go . . . but not far.”

“Well, you only live right around the corner,” Gabby reminded him, and he laughed.

“True.” He took a step closer but didn't touch her. Difficult since he could smell her perfume, feel the heat of her body. He felt her soften, open up slightly. “But you didn't answer my question. Do you want me to stay?”

Stuck in This Moment

G
ABBY LOOKED INTO HIS EYES AND KNEW HE WAS BEING
completely sincere, and it warmed her heart. The cold knot of fear started to melt and she smiled. “How can I say no to a man who is willing to bail me out of jail?”

Reese tossed his head back and laughed. “You can't!”

“Have you always been this amazing?”

“Yes, I've just somehow managed to keep it a secret.”

“Well, your secret is safe with me. I mean, I don't want all of the women in Cricket Creek to know.”

“There's only one woman in this town I want.” He looked at her with those soulful eyes of his, but he didn't touch her. Gabby knew that he was waiting for her to make the first move.

And so she did.

Gabby put her palms on his chest, loving the solid muscle beneath her hands. She could feel the rhythmic thud of his heart, the heat of his skin through the soft cotton. He remained very still, waiting, allowing her to take the lead. He'd made it clear how he felt about her, how much he cared without expecting anything in return. His admission gave her a heady sense of freedom to let her fear go and to simply live in and embrace the moment.

When Gabby slid her hands up Reese's chest to hook around his neck, he closed his eyes and his breath hitched just slightly but enough for Gabby to know how much this meant to him. This vulnerable side of Reese shot straight to her heart. Instead of kissing him as she intended, she unlaced her fingers and took him by the hand.

Reese opened his eyes and tilted his head in silent question.

“Come with me,” Gabby said.

Reese swallowed, nodded, and followed her through her living room, down the hallway, and into her bedroom. Once inside, she turned and before she could reach out to him he pulled her into his arms. His lips captured hers in a tender, sweet exploring kiss that ended with him trailing his tongue over her bottom lip.

With a little groan Gabby fisted her hands in his shirt and tugged upward, needed to feel his skin. Ah . . . warm, silky smooth. She needed more, so much more. As if reading her mind, he pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it and then stood there letting her run her hands over the contours of his chest. “You're gorgeous,” she breathed. And he was. Lean with defined muscle, with tattoos that added an edge of danger, of excitement. He was sexy as sin, but what drew Gabby to him was how he looked at her. How he cared. Beneath the tough guy image remained the little boy who had used his money to buy her a candy necklace.

Reese stood very still and let her touch and explore. Needing to taste, she leaned forward and kissed his chest. When she licked a pebbled nipple he sucked in a breath. His reaction made her feel sexy, powerful, and then with a throaty laugh she pushed him back onto the bed. He looked so masculine against the light blue comforter and piles of colorful pillows. “Would you mind very much if I undressed you the rest of the way?”

“No” was his immediate reply. “I wouldn't mind at all.” He came up to his elbows. “In fact, do whatever you want to. I'm all yours.”

“I was hoping you'd say that.” Gabby reached over and turned on the small bedside lamp, giving the room a soft glow. She removed his shoes and socks, but instead of reaching for his belt buckle she trailed her fingers over his chest. He sucked in a breath and his ab muscles tightened. Gabby wasn't a virgin, but her brief sexual encounters were limited to her college days. She thought her inexperience would make her nervous, but with Reese she felt relaxed, safe . . . and when she saw the heat in his dark eyes and the obvious bulge beneath the zipper of his jeans, she felt a sultry sense of power that made her feel like a sexy siren. She let one finger dip beneath his leather belt, sliding back and forth before she reached for the buckle.

“God, Gabby, what are you doing?”

“Whatever I want, remember?” She leaned over and kissed him and then trailed her tongue down his chest, kissing and licking.

“I didn't think torture was part of the plan,” he protested gruffly.

With slightly trembling fingers she slid the zipper down and then ran her fingertip over the hard ridge beneath the black cotton of his boxer briefs. With a moan he tilted his hips upward so she could tug the denim downward. A moment later his boxers and jeans landed on the hardwood floor and he was completely, gloriously naked.

Gabby drank in the sight. The soft glow of the lamp gave his tanned skin a golden cast. When Reese came up to his elbows again, muscle rippled. She wanted to touch him, taste him, and feel his skin against her naked body. She wanted to straddle him and sink her body down onto his thick, erect penis. She never knew that this kind of longing could be so powerful, so intense.

“Take your clothes off for me,” he pleaded.

Gabby nodded slightly, but the need to touch him was so strong that she reached over and ran her fingertip over his mouth and then trailed south over his abs and to the hard, hot ridge of his penis. She touched him lightly, but he tensed and sucked in a breath.

“God . . . Gabby.”

She'd never thought much about oral sex, but she suddenly wanted him in her mouth, against her tongue. When she leaned forward, though, he shook his head. “If you do that . . . God, I'll lose it and I want to be buried deep inside you. Gabby, I want you naked. I want your skin sliding against mine so damned badly.”

Gabby reached down and pulled her blouse over her head and then, while watching him, she unclasped her bra. He sucked in another breath, and while Gabby was wild with wanting him, she forced her fingers to go slowly, seductively. After tossing her jeans to the side, she stood there in nothing but a lacy thong. She toyed with the sides until he rose to a sitting position and with a low groan reached over and ripped the lace as if it were made of paper. “I'll buy you a dozen more,” he promised, and putting his hands on her ass, he pulled her forward, pressing his mouth intimately against her.

“Reese!” When a flash of sharp pleasure hit her, she gasped. The abrasive tingle of his dark stubble rubbed against her thighs, making a hot shiver slide down her spine . . . and his mouth, oh, his mouth! “God . . .” When his tongue flicked over her she felt her knees buckle. Cupping her ass, he held her steady. “No . . . ,” she gasped again. “You said . . . ,” she continued in a throaty protest, but then threaded her fingers in his hair and moaned.

“I
have
to do this. . . .” His soft lips covered her while his hot tongue teased with light flicks. . . . And then she exploded with a rush of pleasure that had her clinging to him, dazed.

Wrapping his arms around her, he lowered her to the bed. She felt his weight leave the mattress and would have protested, but her voice had decided to take a holiday. All that came out of her mouth were low breathy sounds. She vaguely realized he was putting on a condom and she wondered how, when she was so satisfied that she could want more. Her limbs felt heavy and her heart pounded a slow thud. But when his skin brushed against hers, she sighed and was surprised when her body responded with another deep longing to have him make love to her.

Reese kissed her, slowly, deeply, and with such passion that she wrapped herself around him, loving the sensation of skin against skin. He dipped his head and captured a nipple in his mouth, licking, sucking, and when he nipped lightly she groaned and arched her back.

“Your breasts are beautiful.”

“Too small.”

“No . . . perfection. Just like everything else about you. Are you ready for me, Gabby?”

“Yes, oh yes. . . .” When she nodded he eased her thighs wider and then rocked against her, entering her slowly. She knew he was holding back to please her and she felt such tenderness for him that she pulled his head down and kissed him. He moved in a slow, steady rhythm until Gabby urged him faster. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and her pulse pounded while the pleasure started to build, intensify, reaching higher. When she felt him stiffen and his muscles bunch and quiver, she let go, crying out while wave after wave of sweet bliss washed over her.

Reese kissed her, holding her close, and then rolled to the side, taking her with him. Gabby rested her cheek against his chest, feeling the wild beat of his heart.

“Gabby, my God, making love to you was even better than I imagined, and I thought that would be impossible,” he said gruffly.

“So you've thought about it?”

“Maybe a little.” His laughter rumbled beneath her cheek. “Okay, a lot. But mostly just about you, period.”

Gabby raised her head and smiled. Threading her fingers into his hair, she pulled him in for another long, heated, bone-melting kiss and then sank back onto the pillows. He came up on his elbow and traced a fingertip down her cheek and over her bottom lip. She licked his finger, making him smile.

“I want to stay with you tonight, Gabby. Hold you in my arms all night long. See your face first thing in the morning.”

“Wow, do you know what's amazing?”

“You?”

Gabby giggled. “That someone as tough and sexy as you are has such a tender, romantic side.” She traced her finger over his armband tattoo. “Who knew?”

“I sure didn't. You bring it out in me, Gabby. So . . . I take that as a yes?”

“On one condition.”

“Name it,” he said so seriously that she giggled again.

“That you wake me up in the middle of the night and do this all over again. . . .”

His answer was to pull her against him and kiss her gently, tenderly but with an underlying heat that made her melt into the pillows.

They snuggled for a few minutes, but when Gabby started to doze she said, “I'm fading fast.”

“Me too. Being with you like this is so relaxing.”

“I've got a new toothbrush in the medicine cabinet. I need a bottle of water. Want one?”

“Please,” he said.

“Anything else?”

“Just your naked body snuggled against mine.”

Gabby smiled. “I just might even fix
you
breakfast in the morning.”

“This just keeps getting better.”

Reese was right. The sex had been amazing, but having his strong arms around her in the dead of the night was nothing short of heavenly. She felt warm, secure . . . content. But most of all loved. And while she was usually a light sleeper, Gabby fell into a deep delicious slumber.

•   •   •

Gabby stirred and her eyelids fluttered, letting in a slice of light. She sighed, wanting to slip back into the dream that she'd made sweet, amazing love to Reese, and then she smiled. It wasn't a dream. With another sigh of contentment she reached for him . . . and came up empty. Opening her eyes wide, she then blinked at the pillow and looked at the floor for his clothes. Gone. Gabby felt a pang of sadness wash over her. After a trip to the bathroom she looked at her mussed hair and slightly puffy lips. Had he snuck out in the middle of the night or did he wait until morning?

Gabby frowned at her reflection, wondering what to do next. Call him? Cry? She swallowed hard and padded on bare feet into the kitchen. Surely he at least left a note.

No note. Only silence. Confusion.

Gabby inhaled a deep but shaky breath wondering why Reese would have left so abruptly. It was still too early for him to have to be at work. Anger sliced into her sadness and she started getting coffee ready, clanging things around. When the coffee started sputtering and dripping, she folded her arms across her nightshirt and frowned. “That's it, I'm calling him and giving him a piece of my mind,” Gabby grumbled. But when she picked up her cell phone her fingers trembled. She put her fingers on her lips and shook her head. Was Reese another one of those love-'em-and-leave-'em men her mother warned her about?

“I guess so,” Gabby whispered. It saddened her that her mother had gone through these horrible feelings of rejection, and now she realized why she'd been warned over and over. “Now I know. This just sucks.” She watched the coffee turn into a steady stream without really seeing it or smelling the aroma she enjoyed every morning.

Gabby went up on tiptoe to reach for a coffee mug, but the sound of her kitchen door opening had her spinning around so fast that it turned into a ballerina dance move. “Reese!” After she stopped spinning she fisted her hands on her hips and glared.

He tilted his dark head sideways. “I take it you're not a morning person?” He nodded toward the coffeepot. “Does it get better after coffee?” he asked with a grin.

Gabby didn't grin back.

“Wow . . . I sure hope so.” He put down the package he carried and bent over to give her a quick kiss.

“Where were you?” She kept her tone light, trying to get her emotions under control.

Reese raised his eyebrows. “You didn't have anything for breakfast and I wanted our first morning together to be special, so I jogged over to my place and got supplies to make a breakfast pizza.” He reached past her to turn the oven on.

“Oh. . . .” Her heart skipped a beat. “You . . . you could have let me know or something.”

“You were sleeping so soundly . . . and looking like an angel, I might add.” He suddenly frowned. “Gabby, I was only gone for maybe twenty minutes. Wait. You thought I just . . .
left
?”

“Um, you did leave.”

The light in his eyes dimmed. “But you thought I bailed. That I wasn't coming back.”

Gabby raised her hands in the air. “What was I supposed to think?”

“Not the worst,” Reese responded quietly. He took a step backward and leaned against the sink. Emotions played across his face. “So you thought everything I said to you last night was a crock? That making love to you meant so little?”

Gabby hated the hurt that filled his dark eyes. “No . . . I . . .”

“Yes, you did, Gabby.” He shoved his fingers through his hair. “Wow. . . .” He looked up at the ceiling and then back at her. “Will you ever see me for anything other than the troubled kid I was back in the trailer park?”