Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46923 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 235(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46923 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 235(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
“Thanks.” I smiled in amusement at the chivalrous though slightly overattentive gesture as I cut into the savory appetizer. I was tempted to refute the “hot for me” comment but I didn’t see the point in denying it. The desire to climb over the table, push him flat on the booth, and grind against him was stronger than ever. I cleared my throat and refocused. Food. I could talk food.
“Do you like mangos?”
“Not usually. They’re too sweet. But I like the salsa with this dish. Take a bite.”
I narrowed my eyes at his bossy tone but obeyed. “Mmm. It’s good.”
“I told you so.”
His boyish grin did things to me. I felt dizzy and a little in awe of him. It seemed so strange to be here, sharing a meal and talking about mangos after what we’d done. And—oh, yeah.
“Why did you kiss Amanda at that party?”
He shrugged nonchalantly. “She wanted your attention, and I guess I did too.”
I frowned. “That makes no sense.”
“Sure it does. You’re too polite outside of the pool, and I’m too careful. Usually. You make me act weird.”
“How so?”
Gabe shrugged. “You know, just…out of character. Want to know a secret? I wouldn’t have gone to that party if I hadn’t known you’d be there. Which is funny ’cause I planned to ignore you that night the way I knew you’d ignore me.”
“That doesn’t make any sense,” I repeated, taking another bite of empanada.
“I know. Story of my life. I’ve never been able to say what I think on the first try. I act out and eventually have to double back and explain myself. Look, I figured I’d see you in your element, go home, and jerk off to how hot you looked in those tight jeans.”
My face heated instantly. “Me? Really?”
“Hell, yeah. I’ve had a small crush on you for years. News flash…it exploded into an epic one, and I’ve been kinda miserable since you started ignoring me again.”
“Oh.” My jaw dropped. I had no clue he’d ever thought twice about me.
“It’s true.” Gabe waved his hand as though his gigantic revelation was no big deal, then continued. “When Amanda came on to me, I knew she wanted to make you jealous. That’s what I meant about acting stupid. I shouldn’t have kissed her at all, but I took a chance that you might notice me…and you did, so I’m not sorry,” he said emphatically. “The only problem was that you were drunk. In my experience, sex and excess alcohol go hand in hand with a fuckton of regret. Especially for a straight guy who wakes up next to another dude for the first time. I was giving you an out.”
“I didn’t want an out, asshole. I wanted to talk to you. And I didn’t wake up next to you,” I reminded him.
“Did you want to?”
“No way! Of course not.”
Gabe frowned. “Honestly, I get it. But that’s why I didn’t want to talk to you. Admit it, you probably puked in the morning and spent the rest of the day wondering how this was gonna go down. Didn’t you?”
“Yeah, I did. But in my defense, I had a lot to drink and…I was scared.”
“Me too.”
We held eye contact for a long moment letting a thread of understanding weave into something new we might be able to share.
I nudged his knee playfully and grinned. “You stole my cap on purpose. You knew that would piss me off and—you wanted my attention again, huh?”
“Well…maybe.” Gabe acknowledged with a sheepish shrug. “I had no idea you’d be such a fucking hothead,” he snorted.
“I’m not, usually. Most of the time I’m very sane,” I assured him. “I was so pissed when I walked out of Coach’s office. I couldn’t help thinking you set me up.”
Gabe cocked his head in confusion. “What do you mean? How?”
“I figured you took my cap to warn me off. You probably didn’t count on me going nuts, but it worked to your advantage. You’ll be in the pool with the guys I’ve trained with for four years while I watch from the sidelines and worry you’ll tell everyone what I did and—”
“I would never do that, Derek.” Gabe shook his head adamantly. “I stole your cap to get your attention because like it or not, we’re on the same team. Ignoring each other isn’t a long-term strategy.”
“And this is?” I gestured between us meaningfully.
Gabe’s nostrils flared, and his eyes lit with a heated, lusty look I recognized well. “Probably not but…I want you.”
I swallowed hard and bit my bottom lip. “I don’t know how to do this, Gabe. I don’t even know what I want.”
“You’re here. That’s a start.”
We stared at each other, lost in a sensual haze that seemed to separate us from the rest of the world.
The timely arrival of our dinner broke the spell. I wiped my damp palms on my jeans while Gabe assured the waiter everything looked great. I glanced down at the skillet in front of me filled with chicken and vegetables and a generous side of rice, beans, and plantains.