Tangled with the Tight End (Evergreen Lake: Under the Mistletoe)

Chapter 17

seventeen

GAbrIEL

The Next Day

With my parents watching Gino for a few hours, I wander aimlessly around our suite. The place has grown on me over the last several days. I’ve never been into rustic charm, but the second Gino and I plugged the lights in, the entire living area brightened, and it’s impossible not to feel the excitement of the holidays.

Or maybe it’s the hangover effect of being with Norah. Touching her was an adrenaline rush that topped even the biggest football games I’ve ever experienced.

I rake a hand through my hair. I shouldn’t have done it. I should’ve left it alone and never gone to her place. My intention was to apologize for my childish behavior and leave.

Bullshit. Your intention was exactly what happened. You wanted her, and you took her. But now what? She’s given you the perfect out. A holiday fling with no strings, and then–it’s over.

I walk to the lodge window and look out at the town below. It’s late afternoon, and the streets are mostly empty. The crowds will pick up again later tonight, and in a couple of weeks, they claim there will be people milling around at all hours of the day and night.

The Christmas festival. Gino will love it if we’re still here. Is it wrong to hope the doctor recommends another month of strength building before I step foot on the field again? When I booked this place, I expected to be through Christmas, and now, I could be back on the field in a couple of weeks. A week even.

Fuck. I want to see the place lit up with holiday lights and explore the charm of a small-town mountain Christmas. For Gino, of course. He’ll love it, but he loves everything. The smile that curves up my cheeks solidifies it. At the very least, we’ll remain here through the festival’s opening week so he can experience everything.

My phone rings. It’s Gunner Sinclair. After greeting each other, he asks, “How’s the recovery coming?”

“Good, man. I feel great.” I blink and realize there isn’t any deceit in what I said. My leg feels good. My relationship with Gino is going amazingly well. He fell asleep in my arms last night in front of the tree as I told him stories about Christmas when Marco and I were kids. And Norah….

It’s a fling. That’s it. Don’t put more meaning into it than it warrants. Even if it was hands down the most intoxicating experience of my life.

“That’s great to hear. I heard you are due back in town on Monday. The guys and I are rewatching the game Monday night, and as always, you’re welcome to come over.”

It doesn’t matter that he watched the game on the flight home or that on Monday morning, our coaches will break down the tape so that each personnel grouping can study their plays. Gunner will drag everyone out that he can to critique the entire game before turning to focus on our next opponent.

Panic swells in my chest at postponing my flight back even a few hours. “I need to get back to Gino.” It’s not a lie, but it’s not the entire truth either.

“So, you’re returning to Evergreen Lake?”

“Yes, until I’m cleared to play.”

“I bet it’s beautiful there this time of year.”

“It is.” But it’s not the deer traipsing through the woods or the clear mountain lake that fills my brain. “I’ve got to go. I’ll stop by and see everyone when I’m at the stadium.”

“Perfect. Take care and get your ass back on the field.”

“On it.” I chuckle at his command. Gunner is the best. I’ve played for other QBs, but none had his talent caliber or capability to lead a team.

The second I shove my cell phone into my pocket, I snatch up my jacket and keys and march to the door.

Minutes later, I pull into a parking space in front of Lips & Hips. Talking about leaving and never seeing her again or only seeing her every couple of years when I fly in to see my brother has the muscles in my back tied up into knots.

Through the window, I watch her smile at someone and hand a white bag with her black and pink logo on the outside to the person. Her hair is pulled high on her head, and the flush on her cheeks enhances her beauty.

My eyes narrow on the guy who’s taking the bag. Sawyer. My teeth grind together. Son of a bitch. The mere thought of her dating him once I leave has my fingertips digging into the steering wheel.

Not on your life. I slam the door shut and march to the front door of her shop. The light coating of snow deadens the sound of my boots as I traveled the sidewalk. The door flies open, and a young boy and his mom step outside.

“Oh!” Her eyes widen as she grasps the door and holds it for me. “I didn’t see you there.”

“Thank you.” The words come out as a bark while my gaze never leaves Norah. She leans against the counter and says something to Sawyer. The way her eyes dance as they laugh about whatever she said leaves a hollow feeling in my chest.

Does she like this guy? Has everything she said about not wanting to date or marry him been a lie because she’s worried that he doesn’t share her feelings? Is she waiting for him to ask her out?

Her gaze catches mine and she stills. She doesn’t blink or breathe until she bites her bottom lip. The heat in the room makes my entire body burn or maybe it’s the quick inhalation of her breath when she remembers to breathe that has my body igniting.

Sawyer turns on his heel and studies me. On instinct, my hands ball into fists to keep from shoving him out of the way and claiming her with a searing kiss. But she’s not mine. She’s made that clear.

When I go home, it’s over. She’s not waiting for me or flying back with me. Her gaze flicks from my mouth to rove over my body and back to my eyes in seconds. She’s gorgeous. Beautiful blue eyes. Slightly upturned nose. Plump lips that taste like heaven.

But she’s not mine. And I don’t like it.

“Hello, Gabriel.”

“Norah.” My voice comes out more like a bark than a cordial greeting. I don’t want him here. I don’t want him talking to her. Looking at her. Making her laugh. Asking her out. My nails dig into my palms.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you until next week.”

That was her other stipulation. We needed space. Fuck space.

“I needed some scones.” I stalk toward them as Sawyer backs up a step. Luckily there’s no one else here to see my caveman routine besides Sawyer. And he doesn’t count. I want him to know who she belongs to.

She frowns and picks up a notepad to write on. “Is the lodge out?”

“I have no idea. I didn’t stop by there when I left.”

Sawyer steps back again. “I’ll see you later, Norah.”

I bite back a growl as I glare at him.

He clears his throat and speedwalks to the door. “Later.” He’s not moving fast enough.

The second the chime rings and the door slams shut from the perpetual breeze off the lake, I round the corner of the counter, cup her face with one hand, and grip her hip with the other. “I missed you.”

“Yeah?” Her eyes twinkle as she tilts her head up to study me.

“Yes.”

One corner of her mouth arches upward. “What about space?”

“I don’t want any space between us.” I haul her to me until her body is flush against mine and revel in the way we fit together. In the way her eyes light up.

She rests her hands on my chest. “I think it’s prudent we don’t see each other to avoid any hurt feelings when you leave.” Her eyes trail down to my lips as the pulse point at her throat bounces in time with her erratic heartbeat.

“Too bad.” I lean down until our lips nearly touch. “When I’m here, you belong to me. I don’t want space between us, and I sure in the fuck don’t want any man in here flirting with you.”

Her eyes dance with merriment as she bites her lips together and laces her arms around my neck. “He wasn’t flirting with me.”

“Your face was flush,” I growl while yanking the clasp out of her hair, letting it bounce off the floor and fist the flowing strands. “And I don’t like it.”

She licks her lips and grinds against my thigh. “It’s warm in here.”

“I don’t care. You’re mine.” I smash my mouth against hers and groan. I should say while I’m here, but I fucking want it to be true.

I swipe my tongue between the seam of her lips and greedily steal her breath. Her hands lace into my hair and tug on the strands, sending me instantly into overdrive. I press her backside into the counter and rake my hands over her back, exploring and forcing her closer.

Our lovemaking last night was intense, but the desperation surging through my veins is unsurpassed. I want her to be so desperate for me that every rational rule she wants to throw out disappears before the words come out of her mouth.

I’ve never felt this out of control. This obsessed. This…. Everything. She has me spinning out of control, and I don’t want it to stop.