“You’re thinking too much,” a deep voice husky from sleep said from a pillow.
She looked at Gabe, his beautiful jade eyes open now. “What?”
“I can tell when you’re overthinking things. Your eyebrows start to twitch,” he answered in a voice laced with humor.
Chloe wasn’t sure if she was flattered that he’d noticed her supposed thoughtful look, or if she was horrified that she had funky eyebrows. “They do not,” she told him huffily.
“They do,” was his lazy answer as he scooted up so he was sitting against the headboard. One arm still around her back, he lifted his hand to her face, smoothing an easy finger over her brows before running it tenderly down her cheek. “What’s bothering you, sweetheart?”
“Nothing really important. I’m just wondering how to explain to the crew why I was sequestered with the boss all day yesterday.” She hesitated before adding, “And last night.”
“You don’t have to tell them a damn thing. You were with the boss,” he grumbled. “Do you regret it, Chloe?” There was a hint of vulnerability in his voice now.
“No, Gabe,” she denied immediately. The last thing she wanted for him to think was she regretted a single thing they had shared. “It was probably the most amazing day of my life.”
“Is there a ‘but’ coming?” He tilted her chin so he could see her eyes.
“No. I guess it’s just a little embarrassing. Do you think they’ll know?”
Gabe started to laugh, a full-bodied, teasing sound that filled the entire room.
“Stop it,” Chloe demanded indignantly. “It’s not funny.” She bit her lip to keep from smiling. Pulling back, she whacked him on the arm playfully. “You’re the boss. I’m not.”
Gabe sobered, but he was grinning from ear to ear. “If they haven’t figured out how much I want you by now, they’re all a little slow,” he snorted. “I think I’ve been eyeing you like a hungry bear looks at a field filled with berries before hibernation.”
Chloe gave up and chortled with laughter at Gabe’s comparison of himself to a hungry bear. “You spent nearly a day eating…berries.”
“Not nearly enough. I’m still hungry,” Gabe answered, his eyes still on her face.
“Oh no,” she told him with laughter in her voice. “I need a break. I’m sore.”
Gabe’s expression suddenly turned to one of regret. “I’m sorry, darlin’.”
“I think I’ll live,” she answered, running a hand down his whiskered jaw. “But if I don’t give it a break, I won’t be able to sit on a horse for a week.” Honestly, she wanted nothing more than to crawl on top of him and satisfy her craving to be close to him again, watch his expressive face as he found his satisfaction.
She untangled herself from his arms and finally got out of bed, a tempting idea in her head. “Take a shower with me?” she asked hesitantly, holding her hand out for him to take it.
He shook his head. “Bad idea. I won’t be able to sit on a horse either,” he said morosely.
She wiggled her fingers. “Please.” God, she loved knowing that if she asked sweetly, he’d give in. It was almost surreal how much he wanted to please her, and she wanted to give him something back.
He rose and took her hand, looking at her dubiously.
“I won’t bite. I promise,” she told him teasingly.
“Damn,” Gabe answered, sounding disappointed as he took the lead and pulled her toward the bathroom.
She’d seen the massive shower yesterday, and she sighed as he efficiently flipped on the water in the big enclosure. The whole bathroom was amazing, a jetted tub big enough for a massive orgy over in the corner by the window. “This is an amazing bathroom. The whole house is gorgeous,” Chloe told him sincerely, loving the way every room seemed to complement the next. Everything was understated, but quiet elegance and splashes of color abounded in every inch of the home.
He shrugged. “I like it.”
“I love it,” she answered, feeling much more comfortable standing naked in the bathroom as Gabe flipped on the overhead light.
For an instant, she wanted to hide her body, but she knew that was old Chloe. The new one reveled in the wanton look that Gabe didn’t try to hide as his eyes caressed her from top to bottom.
“I still can’t believe you’re with me,” he said in a hoarse, raw voice filled with reverence.
“I can’t believe you really want me,” Chloe replied, rubbing against his body as she sneaked past him and entered the warm, soothing jets of water.
Why would Gabe Walker, of all men, be surprised that she wanted to be with him? He was amazing inside and out.
He stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Never doubt it,” he growled into her ear, pulling her back snuggly against his front.
Strangely, she didn’t doubt his desire even for a single moment. Not anymore. For some odd reason, he really did want her, and she chose not to question why.
Turning to face him, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head down to kiss him.
As he took control, completely and thoroughly ravishing her mouth, Chloe thought about what her mother and Lara had told her.
When you find the right one, you’ll know it.
She swept the thought from her mind, not able to deal with thinking about a future with Gabe. It wasn’t what he wanted. It wasn’t what she wanted. But Chloe couldn’t help but think about how much they just seemed to fit, and how Gabe wanted her exactly as she was. He didn’t want to change her, or fit her into some kind of mold of the woman he wanted her to be. She was the woman he wanted. That fact was so intoxicating that it had her head floating in the clouds.