Playboy (The Trident Series II: BRAVO Team #4)

CHAPTER FIVE

“Mom! Stop apologizing. I already told you that I’m not upset.”

“I know, honey, but your dad and I should’ve been there. We wanted to be there to support you.”

“I know you did, Mom. It’s not like dad co-conspired with his doctors to suddenly have his appendix removed,” Gabby chuckled.

“Gabriella Allen, this is not funny. Your father is devastated that he missed seeing you win that competition.”

Gabby sobered instantly, remembering how just yesterday she had been worried when she got the call from her mom saying that her dad was being admitted to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy. Yeah, it sucked not having her parents there watching her kick-ass, but her dad’s health was way more important. As she told him, there would always be more competitions, but she only had one dad. At least he had been able to watch the competition on the internet since it had been live-streamed.

“So, how is dad doing anyway? I’m sure it is killing him to be laid up.”

“Nothing has really changed since I gave you the last update. The doctor said the surgery went well, and he should be able to leave the hospital tomorrow. But he’ll have to take it easy for the next two to four weeks.”

“Dad? Taking it easy? Good luck with that,” Gabby laughed, knowing how her dad couldn’t sit still.

“Oh, you don’t need to tell me that. Since he woke up from surgery, all your father has been doing is making to-do lists for around the house.”

The sound of her mom sighing made Gabby laugh. Gabby knew her dad could be a handful for her mom at times, especially now that he had retired. When he decided to retire, he had been stationed in Charleston, South Carolina. Her parents fell in love with the historic city, and what it all had to offer, so they bought a house there on the water. The house had been in foreclosure for quite a while and needed a lot of updating.

“I’m sure he is. Tell him that I said he better listen to his doctor and get plenty of rest before he starts any new projects.”

“I will, honey. What are you up to tonight? I thought you’d be out celebrating with those crazy teammates of yours.”

Gabby glanced at the illuminated “open” sign that hung in the window of the rundown-looking building, otherwise known as Bayside Bar and Grille—the best-kept secret in Virginia Beach.

“I celebrated with them earlier. I think a lot of people from the competition are going to Bayside. So, I might stop in there for a bit.” She wasn’t going to tell her mom that she was already sitting in Bayside’s parking lot.

“You mean to see who is there?”

Busted, Gabby thought to herself. She had confided in her mom about the handsome Navy SEAL she had a crush on.

“Maybe,” Gabby teased, as a smile formed on her lips.

“I don’t know why you don’t just ask him out.”

“Because I’m nervous,” she admitted.

“Are you nervous because he’s a SEAL?”

“No. It isn’t that.” Hell, being a member of the MSRT team, she was used to intimidating guys.

“Then what is it? What makes you so nervous?”

Gabby leaned her head back against the headrest.

“Rejection. It’s like I get mixed signals from him. I told you about what happened at the gala with that Vicky woman. But then, when I saw him the other night, he came over to make sure I was okay and even bought me a drink. And then today, after the competition, he hugged me and even kissed my cheek.”

“Did you ever think that maybe he could be nervous too? And as far as that other woman is concerned, if what you say is true and she has been barking up his tree for months, then why aren’t they together?”

Gabby thought about it. Her mom made a good point. Shit. Now, she wondered if she had been too harsh on him after the gala. Maybe she should have stayed and showed Vicky that her presence didn’t bother her. Hell, perhaps she should have just kissed Playboy right there in front of Vicky. That would’ve been funny.

Her mind then drifted back to earlier in the day after the competition and how Playboy had congratulated her. She felt her entire body begin to heat up, remembering the way he wrapped his big, strong arms around her, hoisted her up against his rock-solid body, and then kissed her cheek. She definitely hadn’t been expecting that, but she wasn’t complaining about it either. Even Adrian and Tristan had made comments about Playboy’s show of possession, though they seemed happy about it, and told her that Playboy and his team were top-notch and respectable men.

Gabby took a deep breath and exhaled. She just needed to rip the band-aid off and tell Playboy how she felt. The worst that could happen was that he’d tell her that he didn’t feel the same way. But at least she’d know where they stood.

“Gabby? You still there?” Her mom asked, pulling Gabby from her thoughts.

“Sorry. Maybe you’re right, mom. I’ll talk to him and see if he wants to go to dinner or something one night.”

“That’s my girl!” Gabby’s mom cheered, sounding very enthusiastic. Gabby, on the other hand, felt like she was going to be sick.

Gabby rolled her eyes at her mom’s cheerleader persona, knowing that she couldn’t see her.

“Alright, well, let me get off of here so I can head inside.”

“Okay, honey. Good luck!”

“Thanks. I love you, mom. And please tell dad that I love him, too, and that I’ll give him a call tomorrow.”

“I will. Love you, too.”

“Bye.”

“Bye, sweetie.”

Gabby disconnected the call and reached for her purse. Pulling her wallet out, she grabbed her debit card and license and slid them into her back pocket. After stowing her purse under the back seat, she got out and locked it.

◆◆◆

Playboy was running late as he made a right turn onto the side road that led toward the beach. He’d been talking to his mom and aunt earlier and had lost track of time. Not that he minded because family was important to him. He would never cut short his phone time with his mom, knowing that he could get called out on a mission at any moment.

His mom, Christina, and his aunt, Lisa, were the only family that Playboy had. Well, the only family he spoke to. Playboy had never met his dad’s side of the family, and from the stories his parents had told him, he was fine without them in his life.

His dad had passed away eleven years ago, which left both Playboy and his mom heartbroken. Playboy had been going through BUD/S at the time and had even considered dropping out to go home and take care of his mom. He owed his career to his mom because she had been adamant about convincing him to stay in and pursue his dream of becoming a SEAL. After all, that was what his dad would’ve wanted. He dedicated earning his Trident Pin to his dad.

Thankfully, his Aunt Lisa lived nearby and was able to help his mom through the difficult time.

As Bayside came into view, Playboy cursed under his breath, seeing how crowded the parking lot was. He shouldn’t be surprised, considering it was a Saturday night, and with the competition in town, it brought in an extra crowd of both military and law enforcement.

He pulled into the parking lot and didn’t even try to search for an empty spot. Instead, he drove his Dodge Charger around back to where the staff parked, knowing there were always a few spaces available.

He saw an empty spot near the end and pulled in. Shutting off the engine, he hopped out and locked the car. As he walked around the building, he scanned the parking lot. It was a habit, considering what he did for a living. He was always on alert. It didn’t matter where he was. However, tonight, he might have had another reason to scope out the parking lot. He was checking to see if he spotted Gabby’s grey Ford Bronco.

He shook his head and chuckled. He still couldn’t believe that he picked Gabby up and kissed her cheek. She had felt perfect in his arms and pressed against him. He just hoped that his forwardness hadn’t scared her off.

He smiled and again shook his head in disbelief. He faced some of the world’s most dangerous criminals, and he never batted an eye. But the moment he was around the tiny blonde-haired dynamo, his insides got all twisted up.

As he rounded the corner of the building, heading toward the side door, his step faltered when he spotted Gabby walking from the parking lot across the street.

“Gabby!” Playboy called out, breaking the silence hanging in the air.

Her head whipped around, causing her long platinum-blonde hair to swing over her shoulder. As soon as she saw him, she smiled and stopped, letting him catch up with her.

As he approached her, he almost stumbled as he took in her casual yet sexy appearance. She filled out the white jeans she wore perfectly, while the fitted long-sleeved top that fell off her right shoulder matched her cobalt blue eyes. She looked hot, and he knew for a fact that she would turn a lot of heads when she walked inside. Shit. He was already jealous, and she wasn’t even officially his.

“So, you decided to come out tonight after all?” He questioned, a smile playing on his lips.

“Yeah. After celebrating with the guys, I didn’t think I would want to. But after I got home and took a shower, I still wasn’t tired. And I was hungry. So, I decided to come and get some dinner. Plus, if Cruz is here, I thought I could rub a little salt in his wounds.” The wicked grin on her lips made him chuckle.

“He certainly was making every excuse he could as to why he lost,” Playboy told her.

She rolled her eyes. “That’s what I heard. He didn’t even show up to the awards ceremony.”

Playboy laughed. “I know. He told people that he got a call from his commander.”

Gabby shook her head. “He’s so full of shit.”

“Yes, he is,” Playboy admitted, laughing again.

“So, what about you? What brings you up here tonight?” She asked, changing the subject.

“Duke and his girlfriend are back. So, the team is throwing them a little welcome home dinner.”

“Ah! I did hear something about that. Oliver and Leo were talking about them earlier. Wasn’t there some guy after her or something like that?”

Jesus. Word did travel fast around this place. He thought to himself.

“Yeah, but thankfully, that ordeal is over. The threat was neutralized, and they are both okay.”

“Well, that’s good to hear, and I’m glad they both can put that trouble behind them.”

It was rare to see Gabby at Bayside alone. She usually had a friend with her. “Did you come alone, or are you meeting one of your friends?” He asked, hoping he could steal some one-on-one time with her.

“I’m flying solo tonight. Luna was going to come, but a friend of hers called and asked her to go to some party thing in the woods.”

Playboy, of course, knew Luna. In fact, most people at Bayside did. Not only was she Gabby’s friend and roommate, but she also believed that she was a wolf shifter. She even wore grey wolf ears and sometimes a matching wolf tail. She also had fangs specially made for her teeth. He wouldn’t lie, the whole wolf thing had sort of freaked him out the first time he saw her when she walked into Bayside with Gabby one night.

“A wolf party?” Playboy guessed with a raised eyebrow. He was trying to keep his composure, but he could feel his smile breaking through his serious expression.

Gabby snorted a laugh as she nodded. She then looked up at the sky.

“It’s a full moon tonight.”

Playboy followed, looking up at the moon that illuminated the area with its powerful glow.

“According to Luna, during full moons, wolves have celebrations to honor some sort of moon goddess.”

Playboy bit his lip, trying his best not to laugh out loud at how ridiculous that sounded. But then Gabby started to giggle.

“I love my best friend, but sometimes I wonder about her,” she said laughingly.

Playboy laughed along with her. “Hey. To each their own, right?”

Gabby smiled at him. “Absolutely.”

He knew he needed to head inside because it was just a matter of time before his teammates would start calling or texting him, asking him where he was. However, he was enjoying spending time with Gabby and didn’t want it to end. But then again, maybe it didn’t have to end. He had his opening. Now, he just needed to act on it before he lost his courage.

He nervously slipped his hands into the front pockets of his jeans.

“Since you’re alone, would you like to join me and my team for dinner?” He asked her, holding his breath as she appeared to think about it.

“I don’t want to intrude on a team thing,” she said, but Playboy was quick to respond.

“You won’t be. It is a very casual dinner. I wouldn’t be surprised if Nails had his flavor of the week with him,” he responded with a roll of his eyes.

His comment about Nails made her laugh. “I’ve heard about his reputation.”

“Yeah, one would think he would’ve received the nickname ‘Playboy.’”

Gabby looked up at him. “I would actually love to hear how you got that nickname.”

He rolled his eyes playfully. “That is a story for another time. But I can assure you that it isn’t what you think it means.” God, he hated his call-sign. Everyone he met always thought it meant he slept around.

She raised one of her eyebrows. “Now, you have me intrigued.”

He laughed but opted to change the topic. “Like I said, I’ll tell you, but not tonight. So, dinner with me? And I promise, my team won’t care. In fact, I’m sure Jocelyn, Clover, and Hannah would love to see you. Clover, especially after she found out that you won.”

She bit her lip as she appeared to think about it for a moment before she nodded her head.

“Okay. I’ll have dinner with you.”

Playboy smiled, knowing the guys on his team were going to be picking their jaws up off the floor when they saw Gabby and him walk in together. “Alright. Let’s go because I’m starving.”

“I’m glad I’m not the only one,” she teased, smiling at him.

Playboy reached for the handle on the door, but when he pulled on it, he was met with a locked door. His eyebrows drew together in confusion. Very rarely was the side door locked.

“I did hear one of the bartenders talking the other night about how they were expecting a full house because of the competition. She mentioned something about a door being used as an exit only. Maybe she was referring to this one,” Gabby explained.

“You’re probably right. We can cut around back and go up to the patio deck. It’ll be quicker since we normally snag the table near the back door,” he told her.

As they traveled the concrete pathway leading to the steps up to the deck, they fell into a comfortable conversation.

“Are you still pretty stoked about your victory?” He asked.

“Of course,” she replied, though he noticed her tone lacked enthusiasm.

“Are you sure? Because that answer didn’t sound like it.”

She gave him a bashful look and then shrugged her shoulders. “Sorry. I was talking with my mom on my way here, and she was telling me how upset my dad was about missing the competition.”

He wanted to ask her why her dad had missed it if it was so important to him, but he didn’t want to appear nosey.

“You sound a little disappointed as well,” he stated, looking at her.

“It isn’t that I was disappointed that he couldn’t be there. I was more upset with him because he almost put the competition over his health.”

“Is he okay?” Playboy found himself asking.

“His is now, thanks to the doctor and my mother threatening him. His appendix ruptured.”

“Damn. I’m sorry to hear that. Was he able to watch it on the live stream?”

She smiled at him. “Thanks. And yes, he did get to see it via the live stream.”

“Well, I’m sure he is very proud of you.”

“He is.”

“And you should be proud of yourself. You were amazing out there. Not many people can handle a sniper rifle like you do, especially with a bruised-up hip. Which, speaking of, how is that feeling?”

She scrunched her nose up. “I won’t lie. I’ve been nursing it all day, and I have been taking some over-the-counter pain medicine to help ease the pain. It’s more sore now. But that is expected considering today’s events.”

“There is a cream that is really good for bruises. I’ll ask Duke its name since he’s the one who told me about it. I swear, the stuff is amazing.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that,” she said, leaning in close and giving his arm a little nudge.

That simple little gesture thrilled him.

As they approached the stairs leading to the deck, Playboy made a last-second decision. Instead of going up the stairs, he took Gabby’s hand in his and gently pulled her toward the small seating area with a fire pit directly under the deck.

“What’s wrong?” Gabby asked, her expression full of curiosity, but she never made a move to pull away.

Playboy leaned against one of the support beams. The soft glow of the string lights that hung from the beams above cast a warm light over the space, giving it a more intimate feel. He glanced at Gabby standing in front of him, her small, delicate hand still in his. He took a deep breath, feeling a mix of nerves and determination.

“Gabby,” he began, his voice steady but tinged with a hint of nervousness, “there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you for a while now.”

Gabby turned her face upwards, her eyes curious and inviting. “What is it?”

He smiled as he rubbed his thumb in a gentle circular motion on her hand.

“I’ve been attracted to you since the first time we met. But…I’ve been nervous about asking you out.”

Gabby’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, and she smiled softly, flipping his hand over and linking her fingers with his.

“Okay, I’ll admit, when I first met you at Leo’s party, I was not expecting to be attracted to someone called Playboy. I mean, come on, the name alone had me ready to run in the opposite direction. And then, like clockwork, Velcro Vicky appeared, and I assumed the worst.”

“Velcro Vicky?” Playboy asked, looking a bit amused.

Gabby laughed. “Yeah! Every time she shows up, she sticks herself to you like she’s got some industrial-grade Velcro sewn into her clothes. So, naturally, I gave her the nickname.”

“That’s actually hilarious. I’ll have to remember that one,” he said, laughing.

Gabby grinned but continued. “But in all seriousness, over the last few months, you’ve been confusing me. One minute, I think maybe there’s something there, and the next, I feel like we’re just friends. Then, throw Velcro Vicky into the mix, and I wasn’t sure where I stood. I guess I thought you had a fan club to manage.”

Playboy felt horrible that he made her feel that way. He smiled. “Well, I do have a fan club, but you’re the only one who’s ever made me want to retire from it. And I can assure you that Vicky is just one of the many women around here who hunts SEALs. She’s just looking for a good time and something to brag about. I swear to you there is nothing between me and her or any other woman for that matter.

Gabby grinned at him. “So does that mean you want to be more than friends?”

Playboy smirked. “Oh, I definitely want a friendship. But I want more than just that. I’ve been drawn to you—your strength, your spirit—hell, everything about you. I had intended to tell you how I felt at the gala a few weeks ago. But then I made an ass of myself when Vicky showed up with her friends, which I want to apologize for. I honestly thought that after that night, I would never get a chance to tell you how I really felt.”

Gabby took a step closer, her eyes locking onto his. “I guess since apologies are being thrown out. I should apologize myself for that night as well. I shouldn’t have let her presence get to me, nor should I have let your compassion upset me. You’re a great guy, and I’m sure that even though Vicky had ulterior motives, you, like me, are in the business of assisting people. I could’ve stayed while you checked her car and then let you drive me home. But again, I just assumed. And I’m sorry for what I said to you that night. Though, I meant what I said about her engine.”

Playboy chuckled as he pulled Gabby a little closer.

He felt his heart race at her words, the vulnerability in her voice matching his own feelings. He reached out, taking both of her hands in his.

“Gabby, there’s nothing that could make me not be interested. Hell, I think I come up here to Bayside every Friday night just to see you.”

“Really? How did you know I came up here on Fridays?”

He gave her a tight smile, not wanting to rat out Oliver for divulging that information. But when she raised one of her perfectly manicured eyebrows, he couldn’t resist.

“Oliver told me.”

Her eyes bugged out. “Oliver!?”

He chuckled. “Yeah. After you left Leo’s party, I left right behind you. I wanted to know more about you, so I called Oliver. He told me about you going to Bayside on Friday nights. Well, he told me that after he threatened to kill me if I hurt you.”

She grinned. “Sorry. They are very protective of me. I often feel like I have seven brothers.”

Drawing her a little closer, he looked deep into her eyes.

“It is bad that I already feel protective of you?”

He watched as she swallowed hard before shaking her head. “No.”

She was so petite, standing next to him. The top of her head only reached his collarbone.

“Do you want to know something else?” he asked, licking his suddenly dry lips.

Gabby nodded.

“I’ve wanted to kiss you for the longest time.”

A smile spread across her face, and her blue eyes twinkled. “What’s stopping you?”

Playboy’s heart skipped a beat at her words, her openness catching him off guard. Without another word, he stepped closer, cupping her face gently with his hand. He looked into her eyes, seeing the same longing and anticipation reflected back at him. Slowly, he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a soft, tender kiss.

Gabby responded instantly, her arms wrapping around his neck as she pulled him closer. The kiss deepened, filled with a mix of passion and tenderness, a release of all the emotions and tension that had been building between them over the last nine months. Playboy felt the world around them fade away. The only thing that mattered was the warmth of her strawberry-flavored lips against his and feeling her in his arms.

For months, he had imagined what it would be like to hold her and kiss her. The way her small but strong hands clung to him and the way she pressed her body snugly against him felt fucking amazing. Her sensual actions only made him want her more.

He deepened the kiss, smothering her soft moans. Jesus, he needed to get himself under control before he embarrassed himself. But she tasted so good and was such a passionate kisser that he didn’t want to stop. It was difficult to pull away.

She was the first to pull back. They were both slightly breathless. Playboy rested his forehead against hers, his arms now wrapped around her body. “Wow,” he whispered, a smile playing on his lips. “That was…amazing.”

Gabby nodded, her eyes still closed as if savoring the moment. “Yeah, it was. I can’t believe we waited this long.”

Playboy chuckled softly and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Me neither. But I’m glad we finally did. And I want you to know that this isn’t just some fleeting thing for me. I care about you a lot, and I want to get to know you.”

Gabby opened her eyes and looked up at him with a tender expression. “Same. And I’m glad we finally talked about this and made our feelings known. Let’s promise each other that going forward, we won’t hold back anything again.”

He smiled, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. “Alright. No more holding back.” He pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her close. “Just us, taking things one day at a time.”

Gabby nodded against his chest, and Playboy felt a sense of contentment and excitement.

Pulling back, he looked at her, taking in her flushed cheeks and sparkling blue eyes, which added to her sexiness.

“Damn, you’re lethal,” he told her, gently brushing his thumb across her bottom lip as he kept a firm hold around her waist.

She ran her hands up and down his arms and grinned before pulling her bottom lip between her teeth, looking a little off-kilter but also happy.

“I think that kiss between you and me has been a long time coming.”

Playboy’s eyes widened as her words sunk in, and a smile slowly formed on his lips as he squeezed her tighter against him.

“You’ve thought about kissing me too?”

She tilted her head back to look up at him. “Are you saying that you haven’t?” She countered, giving him a sassy expression with one eyebrow raised.

He snorted, then cupped her cheeks with his hands. Because of their height difference, he leaned down and looked straight into her eyes, wanting her to see he wasn’t bullshitting.

“I’ve wanted to kiss you ever since that night at Leo’s when I first looked into your eyes as I was holding you in my arms. Call me fucking crazy, but you caught my attention, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.”

He loved the way she nibbled on her lip as if trying to figure out what to say. She may be a badass MSRT team member and an excellent sharpshooter, but Playboy could tell that under all that tough armor, there was an innocence and submissiveness side of her, and he couldn’t wait to bring more of that out of her.

As she silently stared deep into his eyes, Playboy could feel a shift in the air surrounding them. It was like an energy drawing them together. His heart was pounding in his chest. For a moment, it felt as if time had stopped. He saw her eyes widen, and he knew she had felt it, too.

“You feel it, don’t you?” he asked, hoping he wasn’t wrong.

She nodded right before she closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest.

Playboy could hardly speak. His little but strong dynamo hugging him had totally blown his mind. Hell, she almost made him blow something else. His cock was hard as a steel pipe.

He kept mentally asking himself if this was real. The crazy thoughts meandering through his mind were off the charts. Could he be the man she wanted? Could he make her happy? The answer was simple—hell yes! His mind and body told him he wanted forever with this woman.

◆◆◆

Gabby’s lips still tingled from the kiss she shared with Playboy. Her heart was racing with the thrill of it being everything she had imagined—tender, passionate, and filled with a depth of emotion she hadn’t fully realized until that moment.

She needed a moment or two to calm her racing heart. Never in her life had that organ beat the way it did for Playboy. She smiled, feeling better that she wasn’t the only one, as she could feel Playboy’s heart beating rapidly under her cheek.

Once she felt steady, she slightly pulled away from him and looked up at him.

“We should probably go up before your team sends a search party for you.”

He grinned and nodded, taking her hand and linking his fingers with hers.

As she and Playboy made their way up the stairs to the upper deck, hand-in-hand, she couldn’t stop smiling. She really wanted to kick her own butt for torturing herself for nine long months.

As they neared the top of the stairs, a familiar voice drifted towards them, making Gabby’s smile fade. Nobody could mistake Cruz’s loud, arrogant voice. But hearing her name roll out of his mouth caused her ears to perk up.

“Have any of you seen Gabby tonight?”

A round of no’s echoed into the nighttime air.

“Do you think she’ll show up?” A guy whose voice Gabby didn’t recognize asked.

“I hope so. I’ve had my eyes on her for a while,” Cruz was saying, his tone cocky. “She’s a challenge, though. But I’m pretty sure I can charm her into my bed. I just need to show her a good time, and she’ll be all over me. I’ve been patient enough with her. Any other woman I would’ve already had in my bed.”

“I don’t know, man. Gabby is different from most of the women who come here. She’s been coming in here for a few months now, and I’ve never seen her leave with a guy. Normally, she babysits her girlfriends, who come with her. You know, keeping them from people like you.”

“She can only hold out for so long. I’ve been slowly reeling her in. It is just a matter of time before I’ll have that firm body of hers that is filled with curves underneath me. I mean, fuck, have you seen her tits? Just the right size for my hands.”

Gabby’s face was red as her blood boiled at Cruz’s crude remarks. She glanced at Playboy, whose jaw was clenched, and she could see a storm brewing in his darkened eyes. Taking a deep breath, she squeezed his hand, drawing his attention.

“Do you trust me?” she asked, her voice firm but low.

Playboy looked at her, a flash of surprise in his eyes before he nodded. “Of course I do.”

Without another word, Gabby tightened her grip on his hand and walked purposefully toward Cruz’s table. The chatter around the deck seemed to fade as they approached, all eyes turning to them. Gabby felt a surge of adrenaline, her heart pounding. But not from fear. It was from a fierce determination to make a point to the asshole who thought he could degrade women.

As they reached the table, Cruz looked up, clearly surprised to see her and Playboy together. Before he could say anything, Gabby stopped right in front of their table and turned toward Playboy. Lifting up onto her tip toes, she looped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her lips.

The world around them seemed to blur, and all she could focus on was the feeling of Playboy’s lips on hers, the heat of his embrace, and the message she was sending loud and clear.

The whistles and cheers got loud as she remembered they were in the middle of the deck and had an audience.

When they finally broke apart, Gabby glanced around, noting the stunned expressions on the faces of Cruz and his buddies. She looked up at Playboy, who was grinning at her, clearly both amused and pleased by her bold move. Gabby turned her gaze to Cruz, raising an eyebrow as she spoke, her voice calm, but it held an edge.

“Just so we’re clear, Cruz. I’m not interested in your games. And I’m definitely not interested in you. I already have someone who respects me and doesn’t treat me like a conquest.”

Cruz blinked, clearly taken aback, and for a moment, he looked embarrassed. Gabby felt a sense of satisfaction, knowing she had made her point. She turned back to Playboy, giving him a soft smile, and retook his hand.

“Come on,’ she said, her voice softer now. “Let’s go find your team.”

As they made their way through the tables, Gabby felt a mix of emotions—relief, pride, and bubbling happiness. She glanced at Playboy, who looked at her with admiration and a hint of awe.

“That was…impressive,” he said, squeezing her hand.

Gabby chuckled, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks. “I just wanted to make it clear where I stand. And besides,” she added, giving him a playful look, “Hopefully, that will squash any rumors about us.”

Playboy laughed. “Just for the record, I’m glad you did what you did, or else I probably would’ve punched him for talking about you like he was.”

Gabby grinned and shook her head. Right before they got to the door to go inside, she stopped and turned toward him. Playboy wrapped his arms around her waist to keep from knocking her over.

Looking up at his curious expression, she smiled. “I want you to know that I meant what I said. I know that we don’t know everything about one another yet, but I do know that you would never disrespect me or treat me like a conquest.”

His eyes darkened, and he pulled her close. Her hands rested on his biceps, his muscles flexed under her fingertips.

“That is one thing you never need to worry about. I would never purposefully disrespect you. I only see you as my equal.”

Gabby’s heart swelled at his words. She smiled, leaning in to kiss him again, this time softly. “Thank you,” she murmured against his lips.

She stepped back, “Now what?” She asked, gazing up at him.

He took her hand and then opened the door for her to enter the restaurant. “Now, we have dinner. Then, afterward, you and I can make plans for a real date.”

She playfully quirked her eyebrow. “A real date?”

He grinned. “Yes. Our first real date. Now, come on, I think we’ve attracted enough attention,” he said, looking toward the big window.

Gabby followed his eyes, and she felt the blush hit her cheeks when she saw his team, along with three women watching them with smiles on their faces.

This should make for an interesting evening.

As they walked inside, Gabby still felt a little breathless from that kiss. Playboy had his hand on the small of her back as he led them to the long table just inside the door.

Gabby knew the guys, but Playboy still introduced her.

“Everyone, I’m reintroducing Gabby. Officially, this time,” he said with a smirk like it was some inside joke. “Gabby, you know the guys.”

Bear was grinning as he looked at Gabby.

“Gabby, I speak for all of us when I say we’re damn glad to see you two together finally. For months, we’ve all witnessed Playboy acting like a lovesick puppy. And honestly, it was getting painful to watch.”

Everyone laughed, including Playboy, though Playboy shot Bear the middle finger when the kids at the table weren’t looking.

“Anyway,” Playboy continued, “these ladies here are Jocelyn, Bear’s wife; Clover, Joker’s girlfriend as well as Bear’s sister, and then Hannah, Duke’s wife.”

Gabby waved at the women, feeling a little nervous but trying to play it cool. She at least recognized them from the gala. They all congratulated her for winning the competition.

Jocelyn smiled. “Come sit here so we can talk,” she told Gabby, pointing to the two seats across from her.

With his hand still pressed against the small of her back, Playboy guided her to the two open seats across from Jocelyn, Clover, and Hannah.

Just as she was about to sit down, she heard that whiny, grating, and impossible-to-miss voice.

“Oh, Playboyyy…” Vicky’s voice sliced through the air like nails on a chalkboard, making Gabby cringe inwardly.

Gabby immediately looked up at Playboy and saw the annoyed expression.

“I swear to God, that woman must have a radar for whenever I’m within five feet of you. She pops up faster than an ad for something you didn’t even Google ,” Gabby muttered.

Playboy chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “Obviously, she didn’t see the show we put out on the patio.”

When they both turned around, Gabby wanted to laugh as Vicky’s hopeful expression quickly fell flat the moment her eyes locked onto Playboy’s arms wrapped protectively around Gabby. Still undeterred, she put on a saccharine smile and tried again.

“I wanted to see if I could buy you a drink later,” she said to Playboy as she turned her pointy nose up at Gabby.

Gabby clenched her jaw, willing herself to stay calm. She didn’t want to cause a scene, and before she could even think about saying anything, Playboy spoke up his voice firm.

“Listen, Vicky, I’ve tried to be nice in the past when I told you that I was not interested. I never have been, and I’ve never led you to believe I was interested. Now, I’m telling you for the last time to please leave me alone.” His tone was a bit harsher than usual, but Gabby could tell he was doing it to drive the point home. He looked down at her, his eyes softening, and then added, “Besides, I’m already taken.”

Gabby’s heart melted at those words. For months, they had danced around each other, but hearing him say it out loud made her feel secure like she finally belonged in his world.

Vicky’s face twisted into a sneer as she glared at Gabby before turning her venomous gaze back to Playboy. “Fine,” she spat, “but I’ll be waiting when you get tired of her.”

That was it. Gabby couldn’t hold back anymore. She pulled away from Playboy and stood in front of him as if she were shielding him from the vile woman. Her voice was calm but laced with steel.

“Let’s be real, Vicky. Save yourself the embarrassment and walk away with whatever dignity you’ve got left. ”

Vicky’s eyes flared with anger, but she knew when she’d been beaten. With a huff, she spun on her heel and stalked off, leaving the group in stunned silence.

Playboy chuckled softly, pulling Gabby closer in front of him and planting a soft kiss on her forehead. “Thanks for that,” he whispered, his lips brushing against her skin. “I didn’t think she’d ever take the hint.”

Gabby smiled up at him, wrapping her arms around his waist as the rest of the group looked on, amused by their public display of affection.

“Well, someone had to put her in her place,” she teased.

Playboy laughed and so did everyone else as she Playboy finally sat down. Playboy took the seat to her right. On her other side were Jocelyn and Bear’s two children, Max and Amira. Both of them were ridiculously cute. Amira was playing with a Barbie doll, and Max was totally absorbed by something on his iPad.

A waitress approached, and Gabby and Playboy both ordered drinks and food since the others had already done so.

Playboy started talking to Aussie about some sports show. Gabby looked across the table and was about to ask the ladies a question, but she noticed Clover was looking at her, a small smile tugging the corners of her lips.

“So, my brother was right. It is wonderful to see you and Playboy together. That poor guy has been so hung up on you.”

Jocelyn and Hannah both nodded in agreement.

Gabby smiled. “I can honestly say that the last few months haven’t been easy for me either. However, our situation is a perfect example of why people should communicate more with each other.” Gabby laughed. “After a while, I thought he just wanted to be friends with me.”

Clover laughed. “I think the friend thing flew out the window the moment you both claimed each other on the patio.”

Gabby felt the heat hit her face. She still couldn’t believe she had done that.

Jocelyn smiled. “Hey, don’t be embarrassed. It was hot to watch.”

Gabby shook her head. “Not that I regret it, because I definitely don’t. But I’m just not into a lot of public PDA. I mean, hand-holding, subtle kisses, or hugs are types of things I’m okay with.”

Clover smirked. “Just not a tongue down your throat in the middle of a bar?”

Gabby snorted. “Yeah, definitely not that.” She paused for a moment. “Am I crazy?”

Hannah laughed. “Not in the least. These guys just make us feel that way.”

“I can assure you that Playboy’s actions were probably a one-time thing,” Clover said.

“Why is that?” Gabby asked. Though it was really her who caused the scene on the patio. But now she was curious about what Clover had to share.

“He’s not the type of guy who would share intimate moments with strangers, especially in the middle of a bar. He’s one of the more private guys on the team. Jay Bird is the most private. That man is completely locked up. You won’t get much out of him. Whereas Nails is on the completely other side of the spectrum. That man doesn’t seem to have a care in the world when it comes to his dating life. I feel sorry for the poor soul he ends up with.”

Jocelyn then followed up on Clover’s statement. “Trust us. When our men do something at that level, then there is a reason behind it.”

As Gabby took a sip of her chocolate martini, she looked over Max’s shoulder, eyeing his iPad, and she became intrigued.

“Hey, is that astronomy?” she asked him.

Max looked up at her, his eyebrows scrunched together as he nodded his head.

“Do you know about astronomy?” he asked her.

Gabby smiled. “I do. In fact, it was one of my top three favorite subjects in high school.”

“Max’s eyes widened and lit up. “Seriously? You like space stuff?”

Gabby laughed at his reaction. “Of course! The stars, planets, black holes, comets, asteroids—all those types of things. I was a science nerd.”

“That’s so cool!” Max exclaimed before looking across the table at Jocelyn. “Mom, did you hear that? Ms. Gabby likes astronomy too.”

Jocelyn smiled. “I did. And see, I told you that astronomy was cool.”

Max turned back to Gabby, and his voice lowered a little. “My friends at school make fun of me because I like space and read about it a lot. They said it was stupid, and they called me a nerd too.”

Gabby felt her heart squeeze hearing him say that. Kids could be so cruel. She could see how much it bothered him.

“I told him not to pay attention to them,” Jocelyn stated. Gabby could tell how the situation upset Jocelyn as well.

She gently nudged Max’s shoulder. “I agree with your mom. Don’t ever let other people make you feel bad for liking something. You’re your own person, and that’s what makes you awesome. If those friends of yours can't accept your interests, then you need to ask yourself if they are really your friends. Because friends should support one another, not put them down.”

“Did your friends make fun of you?”

“Some, and it hurt my feelings.”

“What did you do?”

“I made new friends. You have to remember. Just because someone doesn’t share the same interest as you doesn’t mean they can’t be your friend. What matters most is what is in here,” she told him, reaching out and tapping her finger against his chest where his heart was. “It is what is inside here that demonstrates who you are as a person. Don’t let anybody change who you are. And, you know what? You and I can be space nerds together.”

Max laughed, which made Gabby laugh, which is what she was aiming for.

Jocelyn gave her a soft, grateful smile from across the table. She mouthed, “Thank you.” Gabby smiled back and nodded her head. She noticed Playboy watching her with that mischievous glint in his eye. He winked, giving her a silent thumbs-up for what she did with Max.

Dinner was served soon after, and everyone ate and enjoyed casual conversations.

Nails started talking about the last time he babysat Max and Amira and how he took them mini-golfing.

“I’m thinking of taking them again soon. They had a blast last time.”

Suddenly, little Amira looked down the table at Nails and shouted, “Do you think that nice lady, Vanessa, will wash your balls for you again?”

The entire table went dead silent. Gabby’s eyes shot wide open as she bit her lip, trying desperately not to burst out laughing. Playboy choked on his drink next to her while Jocelyn quickly covered her mouth with her hand as if not believing what her seven-year-old just said. Bear, on the other hand, sat up straight with his eyes narrowed at Nails.

“What the hell kind of place did you take my kids to where they wash your…balls?” Bear asked, visibly upset.

Nails froze, looking like a deer caught in the headlights. “Whoa, whoa, hang on a second!” he said, waving his hands frantically. “She means golf balls—golf balls!” His guilty expression faded as he started to laugh. “I can explain. There was this woman, Vanessa, who works at the mini golf place, and I may have, uh, purposely gotten my golf ball dirty a few times so she could clean it for me, which gave me more opportunities to talk to her. It’s not what you’re thinking!”

The whole table erupted into laughter, the tension breaking instantly. Even Bear was laughing now, though he gave Nails a playful glare as he joked about Nails needing to be supervised while he babysat the kids.

As the night went on, Gabby found herself content with the company of Playboy, his team, and their families.

◆◆◆

Playboy paid the bill for his and Gabby’s dinner and drinks.

“Thank you,” Gabby said to him as she leaned close.

He smiled and kissed her forehead. “You’re welcome. Thank you for saying yes to dinner.”

She grinned. “You kind of made it hard to say no.”

“I did, didn’t I?” Playboy teased.

Gabby covered her mouth as she yawned, and Playboy laughed. “Tired?” he asked, brushing her hair back from her face.

She nodded. “A little. And my hip is starting to hurt a bit.”

Playboy frowned. He didn’t like seeing her hurt. He stood up and held his hand out to her. “Let’s get you home. Come on. I’ll walk you to your car.”

Everyone else got to their feet, and they all said goodnight to each other. Jocelyn, Clover, and Hannah exchanged phone numbers with Gabby and promised to give her a call so they could hang out.

Playboy walked beside Gabby, his hand brushing against hers as they left Bayside and headed across the street to the lot where she was parked.

The night had gone better than he ever could’ve imagined. Nine months he had waited to claim Gabby. And now that he finally had her, he had no plans to let her go.

She was special in a way she couldn’t even fully wrap his head around yet. Watching her fit in so naturally with his team and their families had been the icing on the cake. She was funny and attentive, and the way she made Max feel good about his love for astronomy had truly touched him. He knew Jocelyn appreciated it, too, and seeing Gabby interact with his world so effortlessly only made him adore her more.

As they neared her Bronco, Playboy glanced over at her, unable to stop the grin spreading across his face. “You know,” he started, his voice casual but laced with a bit of nervous energy. “I believe that I promised that we would talk about going out on a real date.”

Gabby stopped next to her vehicle and turned to face him. Her bright smile matched his. Hell, he didn’t think that he had ever smiled so much in one night.

“I’d say it’s about time, don’t you think?”

Playboy chuckled as he reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Yeah, I guess nine months is long enough.”

Gabby giggled, and Playboy snagged her around the waist and pulled her flush against his body. He cupped her cheek as he stared down into her blue eyes. He knew the night had to end, but part of him didn’t want to let her go just yet.

“Tonight was…unexpected,” he told her. His voice was low as his hand slid down to rest on her waist.

Gabby smiled, her lips parting as she gazed up at him. “Yeah, it was. It definitely wasn’t how I thought I would spend the evening. But I can say that I’m not disappointed.”

He leaned in slowly, not rushing the moment. The space between them disappeared as their lips met in a kiss. It was tender at first, but it deepened quickly as his hand moved to her head and his fingers threaded through her long, silky hair. It was a kiss filled with all the words they hadn’t said.

Her hands gripped his shirt, pulling him closer as they both lost themselves in the moment.

When they finally broke apart. Playboy rested his forehead against hers. His heart was still racing. “I could get used to that,” he whispered with a smirk.

Gabby laughed softly, her fingers still lightly trailing against his chest. “Me too.”

Before the night slipped away entirely, Playboy decided to make sure their time together didn’t end here. “Are you free for dinner tomorrow night?” He asked, his voice hopeful. “There’s a place near the boardwalk. It has the best seafood in town. We could have dinner, and maybe after, if the weather’s nice, we could take a walk on the beach.”

Gabby’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. “That sounds perfect,” she said, a soft smile playing on her lips.

He grinned, feeling lighter than he had in months. “Alright then, it’s a date. Tomorrow night. Is six o’clock good for you?”

“Six is perfect.”

Playboy leaned down and captured her lips in one last lingering kiss that would hold him over until tomorrow. When they parted, they were both reluctant to leave but excited for what tomorrow would bring.

“Drive safe,” he told her as she got into her Bronco.

“I will. See you tomorrow,” she replied as she shut the door and gave him a little wave.

Playboy stood at the edge of the parking lot, watching Gabby’s Bronco disappear down the street. His heart still raced from their kiss. He couldn’t help but grin, feeling like a teenager again—nervous, excited, and completely hooked.

As the night air settled around him, his thoughts drifted to tomorrow. Dinner and a walk on the beach. It was simple, but with Gabby, he knew it would be perfect.

There was something about her, something deeper than just an attraction. She was different in a special way. She had fit into his world seamlessly tonight, and that meant more to him than he could put into words.

He chuckled to himself as he shook his head. Tomorrow night couldn’t come soon enough.

With a final glance down the empty street, Playboy turned and headed to his car, his mind already racing through different things he’d love to do and share with Gabby. But whatever happened next, he knew one thing for sure, Gabby was worth every minute of the wait.