Page 27 of Breaking the Ice (Denver Stampede #6)

DANI

F uck it.

I twined my arm around Gabe’s neck and tugged him down into a kiss that I’d been craving since our last kiss at Tipsy.

The elevator dinged but I didn’t care. My fingers were locked in his hair and he had me pressed against the elevator wall, his tongue darting past my open lips to tangle with mine as I swallowed his groan.

He tilted his head, deepening the kiss, and the urge to hook my leg around his hips was overwhelming.

I rocked my body against his, pouring everything I had into our connection, while he kissed me back with what felt like equal need.

Then the elevator dinged again and I broke the kiss, sucking in a breath as he rested his forehead against mine.

“Fuck, I want you,” he gritted out. Heat sparked through every inch of my body.

“But is this smart?” I half-heartedly asked. Please say yes, please say yes .

“How about we get off this elevator and continue this conversation inside?”

“I do like the sound of that,” I said, running my fingers down his chest. I couldn’t wait to strip him out of his clothes tonight.

He pressed his hand over mine and steered me out of the elevator and down the hallway to his condo.

“He’s going to jump on you.”

“Hopefully he’s not the only one,” I said, winking at Gabe.

Winking! I did not wink.

Gabe barked out a laugh, which then caused barking to start from the other side of his condo door. “Hold on, Pucks. I’m coming, I’m coming.”

Would I be saying that last part later? I bit back a snort. I wasn’t that tipsy right now, but my brain was officially in the gutter.

“Sorry,” he said. “Why are you smirking?”

“What? Umm, I’m not. Can I meet him now?”

He laughed. “I’d like to tell you that he’s well-behaved and won’t jump, but he’s three and still acts like a puppy when he gets excited.”

“As long as he doesn’t pee on me.” Being peed on would definitely be a mood killer.

“He’s usually good, I promise.”

I snickered. “Gabe, just open the door already or he’s going to bust through it. I’m sure the neighbors would love that.”

Gabe unlocked his door and barely pushed it open before a fluffy, adorable dog had his paws on Gabe’s suit-covered thighs.

My first thought was how I could relate. I wanted to get my hands on Gabe’s amazing thighs, too. I giggled.

“Whoa, Pucks. I missed you, too, buddy.” Gabe gently guided the dog back so I could enter the condo behind him. Then he crouched down to let Pucks lick his face and shed dog hair all over his tailored suit.

“Okay, Pucks. You know how I’ve told you about Dani a lot? Well, she’s finally visiting, so you’re going to be on your best behavior, right? We want to win her over.” Then he leaned in closer to Pucks’s ear. “She’s a cat lover.”

It was adorable. Which was a word that hadn’t been very prevalent in my vocabulary until I met this man. He was just a big, hot softie, and I was a huge fan of that, apparently.

“Cats are wonderful,” I grumbled.

Gabe looked over his shoulder at me, flashing me a grin, then focused on the dog again.

“See what we’re up against? So, be the goodest pup ever, okay?”

Pucks licked his face—in agreement, I guess—and then sat back, looking at me as Gabe stood up.

“Nice to meet you, Pucks. I’ve seen all your videos,” I said with a laugh. I swear he understood me as his tongue lolled out in a doggie smile. Gabe’s smile matched, but he kept his tongue in his mouth.

I scratched Pucks’s ears, and oh my god, they were so soft. He leaned into my hand in response.

“See. Totally in love with you already.”

There was that word again. Not that Gabe meant anything serious by it, but it made my chest clench for a second.

“He’s not bad, I guess,” I said, unable to stop smiling. The combo of a few drinks and an adorable man and equally adorable pup had me giddy. I did not get giddy.

“I’m going to run him upstairs quick to pee. The owners set up a little dog area for the pups in the building, so we don’t have to take them down to the street all the time. Want to come?”

“Sure.” The cool night air would probably do me good right now.

Gabe grabbed a leash and we headed back to the elevator to take a quick ride to the rooftop.

This building was amazing. Every amenity anyone could need. And when we walked out of the elevator, I took it all in. There was a pool and loungers, twinkle lights everywhere, and an outdoor gym set up.

I loved my home, but it definitely wasn’t nearly as fancy as this. And the cool air felt good as it washed over my overheated body and cleared my head.

“You look so peaceful,” Gabe said, startling me out of my thoughts when he stopped next to me. “I’m sorry if tonight was a lot.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Tonight. Was it too much? You know, with your father’s texting and shit, then watching the game with the WAGs, and ending up at Tipsy with everyone being loud and obnoxious. Okay, hopefully not all of us were obnoxious. We all know that Sin is an acquired taste.”

I laughed softly. Dammit, he was so just nice. And considerate. And again, my taste in men was clearly shit. “Not all of you. And I’m fine. I promise. Thanks for setting boundaries with my dad tonight.”

“I’ll always stick up for you, Dani. You deserve nothing less.”

“I still don’t understand why you’re doing all of this.”

“Can I just be a nice guy who wants to help you out? I would hope that, if any of my sisters were in a similar situation, someone would help them.” He paused. “No, wait. I would hope that they would come to me if they needed help. No need to be kissing strangers.”

I wanted to kiss him badly. Then Pucks barked at his side. “Did he pee already?”

“Oh yeah. He’s quick when he meets someone new. I think he wants to snuggle you.”

I glanced down at Pucks, who was sitting on his back legs and staring at me, looking all adorable.

That word again.

“Did you really need to let him out or was that a ploy to get me here?” I teased.

“I would never use Pucks as a ploy.” His outrage was comical and I giggled. Again.

“Okay, fine. You would never use your dog to be deceptive.”

“You should know by now that being deceptive is not in my nature.”

“Seriously, why are you just so good?”

He quirked a brow. “You say that like it’s a bad thing. I promise you, it’s not.”

“I know.”

“And since we’re being honest and all, don’t for one second think that the thought of snuggling with you hasn’t crossed my mind one or two or a million times.”

“Gabe,” I whispered.

“But we can stay up here as long as you want. Or I can just take you home after we get him back in.”

I bit the corner of my lip and held his gaze. “I’m not ready to go home tonight.”

He reached out, linking his fingers through mine. “Thank fuck for that.”

The heat of his palm against mine and the desire in his eyes made my breath stutter in my throat.

I reached for him with my free hand, twisting his tie in my grip and tugging him closer.

“I need to kiss you,” I murmured, tilting my head up to hold his gaze. His pupils darkened, and I knew he wanted me as much as I wanted him.

He groaned. “You’ve been drinking.”

“It’s wearing off, and I want to kiss you so damn much my body aches from it.”

He sucked in a harsh breath, and I could feel his speeding heartbeat against my knuckles as I pressed against his chest.

“Are you sure?”

“So fucking much.” I tugged on his tie, lifted up on my toes, and sealed my mouth to his.

His hand released mine and he gripped my hips, holding my body close to his, then licked the seam of my lips. I parted on a gasp, allowing him entry. I would never get tired of kissing this man.

And that thought was so very dangerous, but I moaned softly and gave into another spectacular kiss from my fake boyfriend.

TUCKS

There was nothing better than having Dani in my arms. Fucking hell, I was so gone for this woman. She was just perfect. Prickly and sarcastic and amazing and wonderful and witty and just freaking perfect .

And she tasted like a dream. I couldn’t wait to get my hands and my mouth on every part of her body, but even as we consumed each other, I knew we weren’t having sex tonight.

We had to draw a boundary until we were both clearheaded.

I didn’t want her to have any regrets when I finally had her underneath me or on top of me or whatever she wanted.

She tangled her hands in my hair, her nails scraping against my scalp, making my entire body shudder. My good intentions were momentarily forgotten. Then Pucks barked and I broke the kiss as he weaseled his way between our legs.

“Did your dog just cockblock us?” she asked. She put her hand to her lips and laughed. “I cannot believe I just said that.”

I snorted. “I mean, I guess.” I glanced down at Pucks. His tongue was lolling out as he looked at both of us, those adorable puppy-dog eyes on full display. “You are not helpful, mister.”

Dani laughed again and reached down to scratch his ears. I already missed her hands on me, dammit.

“He was being boxed out of snuggles and not happy about it.”

Which just made Dani smile. I loved making this woman smile.

“I guess we can’t have that. He goes to sleep soon, right? Don’t dogs sleep most of the day?”

She looked so carefree and glowing. So at ease. And after the irritation with her dad being at the arena and the chaos at Tipsy, I loved seeing her relaxed. I’m sure the booze helped, too.

“They do sleep a lot. How about we head in?”

She linked her arm with mine and was already tugging me toward the door, Pucks close behind.

“Go lay down,” I said, when we walked back into my condo.

“If you insist? But that’s quite demanding of you.” She smirked.

I returned her smirk. “I was talking to Pucks.” Reaching down, I removed his collar and leash. “Go, buddy.”

But Pucks just stood between Dani and me, looking back and forth at us, his tongue out again.

She laughed. “He really knows how to lay on the charm, doesn’t he?” She scratched his ears when he scooted closer to her. He was no dummy, butting his head against her hand for more attention.