5

LINDEN

Estelle agreed to a boat ride but didn’t want to swim. She was already wearing a skimpy tiny yellow two-piece that barely covered those goods. And she had an ass that was made to be gripped hard.

When I agreed to find her, I knew I would be in trouble, but Moses was like my second father, and he never treated me differently despite how wealthy and powerful he was. And even if I wanted to retreat, it was too late, and I was not the kind of man who left unfinished jobs to others.

I’d never had a hard-on watching women in swimsuits, but Estelle had this effect on me that I could no longer ignore. And her skin is so soft and smooth against my palm. I’d touched a lot of women’s skin, but something different, when I touched her, it sent jolts of electricity in my spine, rushing in my balls.

I faltered and jumped into the water, knowing it was cold, freezing my ass, and she just watched me from the boat.

For the past few months, I managed to hide my desires, control my need, and even my jealousy over my brothers, who were all in a life of stability with the women they loved, and the kids they adored. I had just turned thirty and was still single.

My brothers thought I had no plan to have my own family. What they didn’t know was how hard it was for me to watch them so fucking happy it broke my heart sometimes. Then there came the job that I fucking loved and enjoyed. I forgot what life was outside the office sometimes and the feeling of a warm body in my bed.

I was a man with need and renowned for my skill of fucking. I had one-night stands for years and took women to hotel rooms, but I never spent overnight. Sometimes women got downright stupid after a few orgasms because I was good in bed, but nothing felt like one of them was to stick with me. Now that I was successful in my line of business, I was still living alone in my house. And sometimes, it was lonely.

“This is so good.”

I ignored her compliment because even eating a stupid sandwich looked like an innuendo. Inviting her with me was a terrible idea, but I needed her to trust me, and I wanted to see her too.

“Gabriel.” She snapped her fingers to my face.

“Sorry.” I grabbed the watermelon cocktail. I inwardly chuckled as I pulled out the stupid umbrella, reminding me of what Striker told me to do— to collect umbrellas. I drank the cocktail. And it actually was good.

“You okay? Did I bore you already?”

I looked at her. “Is not one of them.”

She picked another slice of sandwich and took a big bite with a nod. “You should open a restaurant.”

I smiled. “Sweetheart said the same thing.”

“Sweetheart?” There was a prompt slight wrinkle between her eyebrows.

“My best friend’s wife, London. I call her sweetheart.”

“Oh. Is her husband okay with you calling his wife sweetheart?”

“Yeah. London is like a baby sister to me.”

“How come you are not married? You don’t believe in marriage?”

I stared at her. She knew I didn’t have someone at home, and she was about to be Mrs. Weston. I wondered if she also believed in marriage. “Do you?”

“Yes. If I love him and he proposes, yes.”

“I had a girlfriend once. I thought she was the one. When I came back from the tour, she told me she was pregnant, not mine but with another man from my batch.”

“Ouch. I’m sorry. I didn’t know it would be a touchy subject.”

“It’s fine. It was ages ago.” I lay back. The sun was bright, and the sky was clear. It was a beautiful day, it might as well be a romantic getaway with a gorgeous brunette, but I kept reminding myself that this was a job. “So, tell me about this guy?”

“This guy?”

“Your father handpicked for you?”

“He’s an ass, conceited, controlling. He looks like he can win in Congress in front of many people. He could be a perfect husband years ago, but I went on a date with him once, and he thought he already owned me. That was why I refused the idea of being his wife. I’m capable of finding my own husband, and I can live without a man in life, for God’s sake. Why it has to be a big deal when I have a stable career?” She turned to me. “Do you think I need a man in life?”

“You asked the wrong person, woman.”

She cracked a free and rich laugh, and she looked more beautiful when she smiled and laughed so freely. “No one called me a woman before.”

“Then you had been in the wrong crowd, Estelle.”

“What was it like to be in your crowd, Gabriel?” She mused. Her eyes went into contemplation as she sunk her teeth into her bottom lip, nibbling at it, and it was sexy as fuck.

“And no one calls me Gabriel.” I suddenly missed Willa. I should call her once the job was done with this job. “Well, we’re like a big extended family. We had this taco Saturday, and we either met at my best friend’s house or his father’s.”

“Tacos Saturday, huh?” She was amused.

“Yeah. It was London’s idea. No matter how busy we are, we always find our way to be there. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my brothers. So we’re one big family. Maybe you should come with me sometime.”

“It’s not a good idea. They’re your family, and I’m a stranger.”

“You’re not a stranger to me anymore, Estelle.” I looked at her directly in the eye. “I like your eyes.”

“Thanks.” She smiled timidly before standing up, going to the dock, and dropping her robe.

I still couldn’t help but look at her round ass. She was perfect in my eyes and no way in hell I would allow her to marry that asshole.

“Fuck.”

She just jumped into the water.

Shit! I forgot to tell you the water was cold.

“Oh, my God! Gabriel!”

“So you can swim?” I stared at her from the dock in surprise.

“Haven’t I told you I can swim? And you didn’t mention the water is freezing cold, you, son of—”

“Jaymes.”

“What?”

“Son of Jaymes.”

She rolled her eyes.

“I’m used to swimming in cold water. Sorry, I forgot to tell you.” I picked up her robe. “Maybe you should come up before you freeze your gorgeous ass.”

Now she was glaring at me. “You looked at my ass?”

“Hard not to.” I shrugged. “Just being honest.”

Instead of coming closer, she swam away and did backstrokes. She could really swim. I watched her while enjoying the water. A few minutes later, she came to me.

“Why didn’t you join me?”

“I enjoyed watching you, and I have to make sure you’re not swimming with a shark.”

Her eyes grew bigger. “There’s a shark in here?”

“I don’t think so.” I helped her up and offered her the robe. “But I better be cautious, or I would end up in a million-dollar lawsuit from your father for endangering the heiress and fiancee of an asshole.”

She scoffed. “My father would gladly sue your ass, but this is my life and my choice.”

I followed her inside the boat to offer her a towel.

When she stopped and turned around, so many questions were brewing in her eyes. “Why me, Gabriel? Why am I here with you? We’re in one of the most romantic places in Italy, on a romantic getaway, yet you never touched me or initiated a kiss? What do you want? Who really are you?”

“I’m just being a gentleman and could use a good company.”

“That’s bullshit. We had dinner together, and I could see that you were not dumb the first time we met,” she challenges me. “I came with you and wasn’t planning to go back untouched. Your restraints may be admirable at other times, but it begins to annoy me.”

“I’m not good for you,” I spoke softly enough to hear correctly.

“For God’s sake, you’re not gonna marry me tomorrow.” Fire flamed in her eyes as she gritted out the lace of anger in her words.

“That’s the whole point.” She was clearly attracted to me, which pissed me off, and I was furious with our situation. “I’m not looking for a one-night stand or hookups anymore. I’m getting bored of being alone. I want a wife, but clearly, you are unavailable for that position.”

“Just one time before you and I get married to other persons—”

“I’d never crossed a line— Fuck—” Before she could finish her words, I was already cupping her small face and smashed my lips against hers.