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

Chapter 29

twenty-nine

NORAH

My best friend crosses her arms over her chest and stares Gabriel down. “So, what’re your intentions with Norah? You know your brother and I would love to see the two of you together, but not if you aren’t both on the same page with…” She waves a hand in our direction as I settle into his heat and inhale his scent. Just those two things alone are enough for an endorphin head rush.

“We don’t have everything worked out yet, but we’re together.” His arm tightens around me. “As a couple.”

Eden’s eyes dart to mine. “And this is what you want?”

“I wouldn’t be with him if it wasn’t.”

He kisses the top of my head, and warmth floods through me. There was always a part of me that wanted more than a hook-up with him, but I was afraid to hope for it. I run a bistro, and he’s a football star with a soon-to-be ex-model wife. How do those things work together?

But my best friend is an elementary school teacher, and she’s married to an ex-football star, so the impossible is possible.

“And what’re you going to do?” Marco’s voice is gruff, and his stance mirrors his wife’s.

“Seriously?” Gabriel glares at his brother. “We’re getting the third degree. We’re adults who’re capable of making our own decisions that don’t need to run past you for approval. Mom and Dad won’t be this ridiculous.”

Marco inhales, causing his chest to expand, but doesn’t break Gabriel’s gaze until Eden smacks him on the upper arm. “Knock it down a notch.”

“Yes, Ma’am.” Marco’s shoulders loosen as he pulls Eden in front of him and wraps her into his body.

“That’s better,” she sighs and gives us a smile. “No more questions.”

I poke Marco in the ribs. “Fine. I do intend to continue playing football for another one to three years. That’s not changed, but I understand Norah’s connection to here, and I won’t ask her to leave.” He shrugs. “That leaves us going back and forth to see each other as much as possible.”

Marco glares. “You’re willing to do that again?”

Fuck. Why didn’t I think about that? Sloane chose to stay in Florida and look what happened. Now they’re getting a divorce. Anxiety swells inside of me. What if…? I swallow hard over the lump in my throat.

Gabriel spins me around and cups my face. “Don’t let him scare you. I trust you. You’re a loyal, devoted person and nothing like Sloane. I don’t question for one second if you’ll stay true to me while we’re apart.”

The way he looks at me, the trust in his eyes, it floors me. No one has ever looked at me this way which eases the fears swelling inside of me–most of them.

“You believe me, right?” He strokes his thumb over my cheekbone.

“Yes, I do.”

“Good.” He kisses my lips. The combination of his soft but firm mouth caressing mine feels both exciting and comforting.

When he pulls back, he brushes a strand of hair behind my ear. “And you don’t have to worry about me. I was faithful to a woman that I didn’t choose.” He gives me a wry smile and cocks an eyebrow. “Can you imagine how I’ll treat the woman I do choose?”

I shudder from head to toe over the wild heat in his eyes. Yes, I can thoroughly imagine it. As a matter of fact, I’d like Gino to go to bed and my best friend to leave so he can show me. Right now.

“Let’s skip the show and tell. I think we have a pretty good idea of how Gabriel will treat you,” Marco mutters as Eden turns to face him and encircles her arms around his neck.

“You need to learn some romantic gestures from your brother.”

“I’ll show you romantic gestures,” he growls and swats her ass, causing her to yelp.

“We need to talk about something before you run home and prove to your wife that you’re half the man I am.”

“Do you need me to take you down and kick your ass again?” Marco asks as he flips Gabriel off.

“No.” Gabriel chuckles as his eyes dance with humor. “I’m good.”

“We should sit down.” Eden steps out from Marco’s arms and leads us to the dining room table after checking on the kids, who’re quietly playing with blocks and cars.

Once we’re settled across from each other, I squeeze Gabriel’s knee, and his body relaxes. Although I haven’t been around them much, it’s clear they love each other dearly and fight like cats and dogs. But in a good way. They want the best for each other.

“I want to reconsider your offer for the restaurant. You took me off guard. There was so much going on between my injury, the divorce, meeting Norah, and building a relationship with Gino that I wasn’t prepared to think about the future.” He grabs my hand and laces our fingers together. “But I’d like to partner with you on the restaurant.”

“Okay.” Marco lays his arms on the table and clasps his hands together. “I would like that. I spoke with Norah yesterday about the plan and went to the bank today. The bank needs a full business plan.”

“Then, let’s plan it.” Gabriel’s cocky grin makes my knees weak. “Where do you want to build?”

“The lot next to Norah’s is available. It’s not for sale, but I’ve spoken with the owner.”

“You’ve talked with Owen Shelton?” Eden’s head whips around. “How did you get him to even consider it?”

“I’m an ex-football star....” He opens his hands like his upcoming answer is a no-brainer. “Of course, I’m capable of charming an old quarterback.”

“Right. Of course, you can.” She rolls her eyes and leans into her seat.

“I charmed you, didn’t I?”

“Yes.” The blush on her cheeks makes me happy. If they’re this good together after three years, Gabriel and I will surely be as well. “It’s a great location for a restaurant.”

“Good.” Gabriel leans back and unlaces our fingers, sending an instant chill through me over the lack of contact. Only to sling his arm around my shoulders. “Tell me about your thoughts on size, staff, menu, everything.”

Two hours later, we’ve eaten, and the boys fell sleep, but Gabriel and Marco are still pouring over details. Seeing this side of Gabriel is eye-opening. There’s no question in my mind that he can do anything he puts his mind to, including opening a business when he’s 1600 miles away. He has a brilliant business mind to go with phenomenal attention to detail.

When Eden gets up to check on Angelo, Marco joins her, and I shift in my seat as Gabriel holds my hand. “Wait a second before we join them.”

“Okay.”

He smiles, and my heart thuds in my chest. “Are you good with all this?”

“Of course.” I shrug and study him in confusion. “Why wouldn’t I be? And it’s not like my opinion matters. This is your money.”

“Someday, it’ll be our money, and if you don’t want me to open a business that could put our future at risk, I won’t. Even if it pisses my brother off.”

I forget how to breathe and bite my lips together. This is real. He’s not just playing a game for a holiday. My leg bounces as my foot goes up and down. “You don’t need my permission.”

He grips my jaw, but his fingers remain soft against my skin. “Yes, I do.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him I love him, but I bite the words back. His brother and my best friend are here, and I need to make sure what I’m feeling is real and not just because he’s the first man to treat me like I’m the most important person he’s ever met.

“I have no objections to you opening a restaurant with your brother. I think it’s a fantastic idea.” I wrap my arms around his neck and slide closer until his knee is between my thighs. “And I love the idea of it being next to my business.”

“Good. I was hoping you’d say that. I have another question for you. How would you feel about Marco being your manager? It would allow him to learn more about running a business. He’d be right next to the construction project, and …” He arches his eyebrows. “And it would free you up to come stay with me more during the season without worry.”

Work with Marco? I adore him. Be able to see Gabriel and Gino more? The best sales pitch he could have ever given me. “If Marco agrees, I’m all in favor.”

He boosts me onto his lap and places his mouth against mine. I shiver when his tongue slides against the seam of my lips and dives inside when I whimper. I tip my head, allowing him to deepen the kiss as his tongue strokes and caresses mine. The speed with which he has my walls quivering and my panties soaked is ridiculous. But we have company.

The movements are thorough and deliberate as he coaxes more from me. I grind against his erection and smile against his lips when his grip tightens on me.