42 Hours

  “Why?” I prodded.

  He straightened and ran his fingers through his hair.

  “Look, Gabs, I know the timing may seem weird, what with Victoria and I breaking it off a few weeks ago, and you dating other guys,” Scott began. “But I’m tired of the timing always being off for us. First we were going off to school, then one of us was always seeing someone else. I don’t want to wait anymore. I think we deserve our shot, and I was hoping to prove it to you this weekend.”

  His words made my stomach drop and my heart beat rapidly. I agreed with everything that he was saying, and I couldn’t believe that he’d been waiting for the time to be right for us, just like I had. But I was still scared.

  “Scott, you didn’t just break up with a girlfriend, you and Victoria were getting married,” I said, stressing the importance of his relationship. “You can’t just get over that in a few weeks. I don’t want to be your rebound girl.”

  Scott moved closer to me, his knees brushing mine, and took my hand in his. “Gaby, I swear, this is not about a rebound. This is what I want to prove to you. Give me the next few days to show you what we can be like together. As a couple. Get to know me, and I’ll get to know you. Not just as the friends we already are, but as the people we want to be.”

  I took a deep breath, contemplating his words. My body screamed at me to say yes, and give him that shot. It sounded like everything I’d ever wanted. But my head, it wasn’t as impulsive, and it warned me to think things through. My heart, however, trumped them both, and told me to take a chance, because this may be my only one.

  “Okay,” I said with a slight nod. “I’ll take the weekend to spend time with you, and keep my mind open. But, if at any point, you change your mind, and realize that you aren’t ready, please be honest with me. We’re friends first, and I don’t want anything to change that.”

  “I agree, one hundred percent. And the same goes for you, if you change your mind, just tell me. I won’t hold it against you. Our friendship comes first,” Scott said with a relieved smile.

  “Okay.” I nodded again, unsure if I was agreeing with him, or still convincing myself. “I think I’m going to turn in.”

  “Sounds good, let me just extinguish the fire and I’ll walk you in,” Scott said, standing up. “We’ll have the s’mores and stuff tomorrow night.”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  I waited while he put out the fire, then he took my hand and we walked back to the house. I enjoyed the feel of his warm hand in mine as the cool air swirled around us, but I still felt the jangle of nerves deep in my belly.

  Scott locked up, then we walked up the stairs to our rooms. When we got to my door, we both stopped, and I turned to say goodnight.

  I looked up at him and licked my lips nervously, my body suddenly humming as if it were about to take off. Scott’s eyes lowered to my lips, and breathing became impossible. I watched, scared yet unbelievably turned on, as he lowered his head toward mine. His lips barely brushed mine once, then twice, and I resisted the urge to grab him and jerk him closer. The need to feel him flush against me hit me like a flash, but instead I brought my shaky hand up to cup his face, and when I made contact, he sprung into action.

  Suddenly my back was against the door and I was being kissed with a passion that rocked me to the core. I went with my impulse and put my hands at his waist and pulled him to me until our bodies were closer than they’d been when we were dancing. I felt his erection against me, and moaned as his tongue invaded my mouth. I slanted my head a bit to give him better access, and felt my blood run molten when he groaned against my mouth.

  Too soon Scott pulled away and broke the kiss, coming back in once, twice, to nibble my swollen lips gently.

  “Goodnight, Gaby,” he said roughly, then turned, strode to his room, and shut the door behind him.

  I stood there, staring after him and trying to catch my breath.

  Holy shit … Did that just happen? I wondered as I touched my fingertips to my lips. My smile overtook my face as I turned and let myself into my room.

  Chapter 15 – Scott

  I slept better than I had in months. Since I woke up energized at six in the morning, I figured it was the perfect opportunity to get in a run before everyone else got up.

  I pulled on my gear and put in my ear buds as I hit the pavement. The morning air was brisk, which was actually my favorite time to run. I didn’t like to too hot, or too cold, but just cool enough to counter the heat that I was going to kick up as I ran.

  The roads were peaceful and the view couldn’t be beat, but my mind kept wandering back to Gaby, and that kiss the night before.

  I don’t know where I found the control to pull away from Gaby and break off that kiss, when all I wanted in that moment was to show her the passion she’d told me a few hours before that she’d never felt. When she’d moaned and pulled me closer, I thought I’d lose it. It was the hottest experience of my life, and we’d barely kissed.

  When I got back to the lake house, I put on the coffee and ran upstairs to grab a shower. When I was done, I walked back into the kitchen to grab a cup, and found TJ and Cal sitting on the bar stools enjoying their coffee.

  “Morning,” I said happily as I made my coffee.

  “Hey, brother,” Cal muttered.

  TJ just looked at me over the rim of his cup and said, “You sure are chipper this morning.”

  “What’s not to be chipper about?” I asked obnoxiously. “The sun’s out, the lake looks beautiful, and I had a good run. Things are looking great.”

  “Mmmhmmm,” TJ muttered as he took a sip.

  “We were planning on making breakfast, then taking the girls into town for some shopping, so you and Gaby can do your picnic,” Cal offered.

  “You owe us,” TJ added. “For the shopping.”

  I chuckled at his scowl and said, “I will owe you, and I really appreciate it. I’ll even make breakfast.”

  “Perfect,” Cal said with a smirk. “I know just the way to wake up my bride.”

  When Cal walked off back toward the stairs, TJ perked up. “That sounds like a plan,” he said, and followed in the direction Cal had gone.

  “Great,” I muttered. “Now, not only am I on kitchen duty, but everyone else is going to be getting morning sex while I’m working.”

  I pulled out everything I’d need, and started making a feast for my friends: scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, toast, and jam. I set everything out on the table. Just as I was putting out the glasses and the juice, I heard the laughter of my friends coming downstairs.

  Shelly rounded the walkway first, stopping short when she saw the spread.

  “Did you do all this?” she asked, shocked. “By yourself?”

  “I’m offended,” I said with a chuckle. “I can make breakfast by myself.”

  “Wow,” Sasha said with a grin, then turned to shoulder bump TJ. “Scott just gave you a run for your money.”

  TJ just raised an eyebrow at her, causing her to giggle.

  “Please,” I said to my friends. “Sit down and eat before it gets cold.”

  “You don’t have to tell me twice,” Cal said, holding out a seat for his wife before taking the one next to her.

  When we were all seated and making our plates, Shelly said, “Gaby said she wanted to sleep in today, since she never gets to, so we don’t need to wait,” then she looked at me and asked,” So, how’d it go last night?”

  “Good. We’re going to spend some time together this weekend and see where it goes.” I could tell by my friends’ faces that they were just as pleased to hear this as I’d been, but Sasha still looked a little worried.

  “Just be careful,” she said. “I don’t want to see anyone get hurt.”

  “They’ll be fine, Red,” TJ assured her, bringing her hand up to brush his lips against it.

  She looked at him and nodded, a small smile on her lips.

  They’d only been together themselves a couple months. We’d all been friends sinc
e junior year, but Sasha and TJ had always been just friends until he’d moved in with her for a few weeks after losing his job and apartment. They’d originally thought they could be friends with benefits, since they were both single, sexually responsible adults, but the rest of us saw right away that they were great together.

  Although Sasha grew up in a family very similar to my own, more concerned with money than their child, and TJ had grown up pretty much on his own, with abusive druggie parents who eventually ended up in jail, leaving him to raise himself, together they gave each other what they’d both always wanted. Someone they could count on unconditionally, and would love them for who they were, and not who society wanted them to be.

  The girls said they’d clean up, since I’d cooked, so I went upstairs. When I saw that Gaby was still sleeping, I went to my room to plan out what I wanted to make for our picnic, and how I wanted the day to go.

  Chapter 16 - Gaby

  I woke up to the sun shining through my window. I stretched lazily, smiling to myself as I looked around the rustically beautiful room. I could definitely get used to this.

  I left my bed in search of coffee, surprised when I glanced at the clock and saw that it was almost eleven. I never slept that late. My body must have needed sleep, because, as I’d thought, I tossed and turned a lot before finally falling into a restless slumber. That kiss had me all worked up.

  The house was really quiet. Too quiet, considering there were six adults staying in it. Two of them being TJ and Sasha, who, let’s face it, were rarely quiet.

  There was coffee in the pot, so I poured a cup¸ then took it out to the back porch, where I could look out over the lake as the caffeine did its job.

  I looked up as the screen door creaked, and smiled at Scott, who looked fresh in swim trunks and a T-shirt.

  “Morning,” he said with a sexy grin.

  “Good morning,” I replied as I yawned. I laughed and brought my hand to my mouth. “I can’t believe I slept so late. Where is everyone?”

  “They headed into town, I think to do some shopping and people watching. They said they’d be back this afternoon.”

  “Oh, I hope they weren’t waiting on me to get up or anything,” I said sheepishly.

  “No … Actually, I was hoping we could have a picnic outside, then go swimming,” Scott said.

  My stomach growled at the thought of food, causing Scott and I to laugh.

  “That sounds great,” I said, standing up. I walked over to pass Scott and go inside, but he stepped forward and blocked my path. I looked up and caught his intent, right before his lips lowered to mine.

  He kissed me softly and sweetly before pulling away and once again saying, “Good morning.”

  I smiled shyly at him and said, “I’ll go grab my suit and get ready. Meet you back down here in ten minutes?”

  He nodded and stepped back so I could move around him.

  I made good on my promise, and ten minutes later I had a summer dress covering my bikini, and was downstairs ready to begin our picnic.

  When I walked outside, Scott was out by the lake. He had a blanket laid out with a picnic basket on one side, and a bottle of white wine on ice on the other. I strolled over and kicked off my shoes, lowering myself to join him on the blanket.

  “This looks great,” I said, pleased that he put so much effort into the picnic.

  Once we were all set up and ready to dig into our lunch, Scott turned to me and asked, “You happy, Gaby?”

  “Here?” I asked. “Yes, I’m having such a great time.”

  “I’m glad,” Scott said, looking deep into my eyes. “But I meant, are you happy with where you are in life.”

  “That’s a pretty deep question,” I teased him with a chuckle as I spooned some potato salad into my mouth. It was creamy and delicious.

  “I’m in the mood to get deep,” he responded with a smile, before asking again, “Are you?”

  I thought about it for a minute, reflecting on my life. It would never occur to me to give a blasé answer, not with Scott.

  “Yes,” I said after I swallowed my food. “I love my job, the cottage behind mom’s house is perfect for now, and being there allows me to save money for my future. Plus, I like being there for her and Gwen. And … I have the bestest friends in the whole world.”

  He returned my smile and countered, “You said you’re saving for your future. What is it that you’re saving for?”

  I kept my face turned to him as we talked, watching his profile as he looked out over the water. He hadn’t shaved that morning. I loved it when his face got a little scruffy. He was the most handsome man in the world to me. I don’t know what it was … Maybe when he smiled expectantly, and made my heart pound in my chest, or the way his eyes looked when he was deep in though. It could be his dark hair, which he always kept perfectly styled for work, but left messy, in disarray, at all other times.

  “Gabs?” Scott asked, interrupting my perusal.

  “Sorry,” I said with a laugh, bringing my focus back to the conversation. “Um … what am I saving for? Well, like I said, I love my job. I went to school to become a baker, and I’m thrilled that I get to do what I love every day. I’m happy with Kat. I don’t need to work in a fancy hotel, or a patisserie. Working where I am will never make me rich, but I’m okay with that. I’m saving up for my family. You know I want to get married and have kids, but when I do, I don’t want to have to go to work every day. I want to stay home, raise my kids, and keep a happy and comfortable home. I want to have enough money saved up so that I can do that, without being a burden on our income. Once the kids have grown and moved on, and it’s just my husband and I, maybe I’ll open a bakery or something, I don’t know. But it’s important to me to stay home and raise my family. Does that make me old fashioned?”

  Scott turned to look at me, his face open and honest.

  “No, I don’t think so. It sounds like you’ve really thought things out, and have a good plan for your future.”

  “Thanks,” I responded, then picked up a piece of chicken. Before taking a bite I countered, “What about you? What do you want for your future?”

  “Well, I’m happy where I am too. I don’t feel the need to be like my father, and own my own company. Brandt Industries is a wonderful company to work for, and Carson is a tremendous leader. I’m hoping to work for him for the entirety of my career. I’d love to grow and expand with the company. I’m saving too … for the future. For my family, because nothing is absolute. Although I want to continue at Brandt, I have no idea what the future holds, so I want to be smart about it. I want a wife. Someone who will be supportive of what I do … I don’t need someone like my mother, who heads up charities and is the perfect Stepford Wife, but I would like my wife to be visible at company events. I want to have kids, and have an active role in raising them. Not like my father. I want to coach Little League, and help plan birthday parties. I didn’t know a family could be like that, until I became a part of Cal’s, you know?”

  I digested his words. His hopes. My stomach clenched hopefully when I realized they were in line with my own. It sounded like we both wanted the same things.

  “Yeah,” I replied softly. “My family was like that in the beginning, and after the divorce, my parents did what they could to continue with the traditions, but it wasn’t the same. I missed the way things were when I was little, and that is what I want for my family. I think my parents got so caught up in living their daily lives separately, that they forgot that they were supposed to grow together. Although I want kids, and I will love them, and take care of them, after seeing my parents, I realize that the focus always needs to be on the marriage. That’s the person that you’re going to be with for the rest of your life. Your kids are going to grow up, and start families of their own, and once they’re gone, I want to still be with the person that I love. I need a partner who will put as much focus on our relationship as we put on the kids.”

  “Yeah, that makes sense,” Scott s
aid, nodding. “I think a lot of people forget about their relationship a little bit, once they start having kids.”

  I nodded my agreement, then said with a laugh, “Wow, we really did get deep.”

  Scott chuckled. “It’s good though. I like to hear your view on things, and to know what your hopes are.”

  “Me too,” I said, then looked down at our empty plates and added, “That was delicious. Want to go lay out for a bit, let our food digest, then get in?”

  “Sounds perfect,” Scott responded, rising up and offering me his hand.

  We laid out in the lounge chairs, the sun warming our bodies, as the water lapped gently. As I looked at the man lying next to me, I realized this was the first time I’d felt truly content in a long time.

  Chapter 17 – Scott

  I turned my head to look at Gaby, smiling at the picture she made as she laid in the sunlight, eyes closed, a small smile on her lips. She was breathtaking.

  “You ready to go in?” I asked softly.

  Gaby turned and opened her bright blue eyes, nodding slightly.

  I sat up and swung my legs toward Gaby’s chair, my hands going to the hem of my shirt as my feet hit the damp ground. I pulled the shirt over my head, and was going to ask Gaby if she wanted to ease in or jump, but was struck dumb at the sight of her shimmying out of her sundress. I watched as the dress fell to the ground, revealing a yellow bikini, and flawless, golden skin.

  When Gaby stepped out of the dress and bent over to pick it up and toss it in the chair, my brain was temporarily paralyzed as the blood rushed to my cock.

  Ho-ly shit. She looked amazing.

  She started walking toward the water, then turned to look back at me over her shoulder, “Ready?” she asked, since I was still sitting on the chair, unable to stand and follow her without showing off the evidence of my appreciation for her body.

  “Right behind you,” I said, my voice a little strained.