Page 37 of Breaking the Ice (Denver Stampede #6)

DANI

“ W hat can I get you?” a voice asked. I looked up to see the server’s attention on me.

Shit. I hadn’t even heard her come over and do introductions or specials or anything. I could still feel Gabe’s breath on my ear and my irritating brother was grinning at me.

Asshole.

“Pinot noir or something stronger?” my brother taunted. I swung my foot out, smiling when he grimaced after my pointy shoe met his shin. Served him right.

I ordered my wine, and after the waitress took everyone’s drink order and left, I returned to glare at Mal.

He held up his hands in surrender. “Fine, I’ll stop teasing and—” He paused, unable to finish, and laughed.

“Please. We all know that’s a promise I can’t make.

But in truth, you look really happy and as long as you’re both having fun and Roger is leaving you alone, do what makes you happy. That’s all anyone should want, right?”

“Thanks. I’m just annoyed that Roger hasn’t moved on. That post with Dad was just bullshit.” I was still both furious and irritated with Roger. I held no beliefs that he truly loved me or anything like that, so what was his deal? Why couldn’t he just let our past relationship go?

“He’ll move on eventually,” Gabe said, his thumb running painstakingly slow up and down my thigh. I wasn’t even sure if he realized he was doing it, but my body was completely on fire. I wanted to just believe his words.

“And as long as you don’t hurt my sister,” Mal started, but Gabe cut him off.

“I would never. Dani is an amazing woman and a friend. I’m just glad she asked me to kiss her and not some other rando.”

Me too.

“She didn’t give me too many details about that night, but it’s completely out of character for her,” Mal said.

“And there’s nothing else to say,” I instantly replied.

“Fine, fine. So, Gabe. Three sisters, huh?” Mal asked, giving me a wink. He was lucky I loved him.

Our drinks arrived and we ordered our meals, then spent the next two hours just chatting and sharing stories.

There was an ease with Gabe, who seemed to just fit in seamlessly.

And I was a bit on edge by that, because it was too comforting.

He’d described me as his friend and that’s all we should ever be after this nonsense with Roger was over.

It wasn’t like I had any plans to end the benefits portion of our friendship as long as he was still game.

***

Before long, Gabe was picking up the check and we were heading out of the restaurant. We’d survived our double date. I mean, I hadn’t anticipated it being a disaster because who wouldn’t love Gabe? Like, love hanging out with him, of course.

Ugh. I was blaming my wishy-washy brain on his behavior scrambling it, with him easily coming to my defense and getting along with everyone, all while touching me both innocently and not so much.

Nothing obvious or that Mal or anyone else could see, but the man always had a hand on my leg, an arm across the back of the booth, something .

And I was rattled.

“I like him,” Mal murmured as he hugged me. I focused on my brother and not my raging hormones.

Stupid one-thought-wonder hormones.

“Me too,” I said without thinking.

He pulled back, smiling. “Oh, I know. He’s good for you. That is, whenever you’re done with all this fake dating shit.”

“This is just a ruse, remember?” I whispered.

“Yeah, okay. You two are conning yourselves, because that man may say he’s your friend, but he’s just as smitten as you are.” Then he booped me on my nose. I arched away from him.

“Stop it. It’s not like that.”

“Whatever you want to tell yourself. Just don’t write this off, okay? I like this one. He seems genuine. I mean, the man covered up his idol’s number on his helmet after just a few words from you.”

I sighed. “I know.” I glanced over to see Gabe chatting with Rick. He’d purposely stepped aside so I could talk to Mal. The man was a walking green flag, and it was weird.

“I just want you to be happy, so stop talking to me and go home and bang his brains out. Can’t wait to see what dipshit says about the picture Gabe just posted. And in all seriousness, if Roger really becomes a problem, don’t hide that. I don’t trust him at all.”

I blew out a breath. “I know. Maybe some other girl will come along soon and he’ll sink his claws into her. I mean, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, but I’m so over this.”

He wiggled his brows at me. “I noticed you didn’t respond to the banging portion of my comment.”

I smacked him in the chest.

“Rick, I think Mal’s had too much to drink. You should get him home.” Mal tugged me into a deep hug and laughed.

“He knows I only had a few,” my brother said. “But I am tired, so take me home, babe.”

Rick chuckled and walked over to give both of us a hug. “Alright, let’s go home. Dinner’s on us next time.”

“Sounds great,” Gabe said, stepping up next to me, his arm falling loosely around my waist. It felt as natural as breathing to lean back against his chest.

I was in so much trouble, but I couldn’t bring myself to care in that moment. I just wanted to go home with him and make up for the week apart.

And again, try not to fall in love with this man who was so easily loveable.

I bit back a snort.

Good luck with that .

***

“Fuck, I missed you,” Gabe said a short time later as he pressed me up against the wall just inside his front door, his hands tangled in my hair.

I laughed softly. “Pretty sure we spent the afternoon and all evening together.”

He gave me a bruising kiss and then pulled back.

“That doesn’t count. We were hanging out with children, then you had to go home to get ready for dinner, and then we were at dinner.

I guess I could’ve slipped my hand in your panties at the table, but I was sure you wouldn’t want that with your brother sitting across from us.

You know, if you’d just let me eat you before we went to dinner, I wouldn’t be this ravenous. ”

“Fucking hell, Gabe,” I gasped.

Then his lips were on me again, driving me insane with need. His tongue tangled with mine, and I hitched one of my legs around his thigh, rubbing against him, needing the friction of his hard cock against my center. Dammit, we had way too many clothes on.

Then Pucks barked and Gabe pulled away with a growl.

“I love you, buddy, but can’t you see that I’m busy at the moment?” Gabe grumbled. I laughed softly as Pucks just stood there, staring up at us.

Gabe pressed his forehead to mine and took in a deep breath.

“Okay, here’s what’s going to happen. I’m going to take Pucks upstairs to do his business and you’re going to strip off all your clothes and get into bed.

Preferably spread out so I can feast on you as soon as I come back.

” His dark eyes shined with need and I released a breath.

Some kind of sound came out of me that I couldn’t identify, but Gabe was smirking at me, so he apparently loved it.

“You like it when I talk to you like this, don’t you?” He reached up, pressing his thumb to the base of my throat where my pulse beat rapidly.

“It’s kind of demanding,” I said, trying to sound like I wasn’t about to explode.

“Then why is your pulse racing, Dani? And if I slipped my fingers between your thighs, would you be drenched?”

My thighs clenched hard, but I didn’t give in. “Guess you’ll just have to wait and see when you get back.” Then I turned to step away from him.

His hand gripped my hip and the hand that had been at my throat trailed down the front of my body.

Fingers slipped into my panties while I tried not to salivate.

He swiped through my heat, and I couldn’t stop my moan as he let out a low groan.

When he brought those fingers back up to his mouth, licking me off of him, I almost melted.

“Delicious,” he murmured.

“Fucking hell,” I rasped.

“Pucks is going to potty the fastest he ever has and then I’ll be back to pick up where we left off. You’re all mine tonight, just like I’m all yours, and I can’t fucking wait to have you coming on my tongue and my cock.”

“Gabe,” I whispered.

But he and Pucks were out the door before I could say anything else. My entire body shuddered in anticipation as I headed down the hall to follow his orders.

I hated bossy men, but Gabe was bossy in the best ways. I was grateful I’d picked the right stranger to kiss me that night.

TUCKS

“Fuck me,” I muttered when I walked into my room later than I’d wanted to. I swear to god, Pucks was the worst cockblock and had taken forever to pee. I’d practically bolted back down here as soon as he was done and then put way too many dog treats on the couch so he’d leave us alone.

If she’d fallen asleep, I was putting Pucks up for adoption.

“That’s the plan.” Dani lifted her head to watch me stalk toward her. I’d already toed off my shoes at the front door, so I had one less thing to remove as I quickly stripped out of everything else.

“Pucks good?” she asked, raising up on her elbows.

She was breathtakingly naked, her nipples standing up in hard points that made me drool.

I ached to trace the curves of her waist and hips with my tongue, taste and savor every inch of her until we both couldn’t remember our own names.

Maybe I told her brother that I considered her a friend, but it was so far beyond that.

I just had to convince Dani that this was for the long haul.

“He’s good.” I flipped the lock.

She grinned. “Still think he can open doors?”

“I’m not taking any chances.” I stopped at the edge of the bed and dropped to my knees. Then I grabbed her ankles and tugged her down the mattress.

“Gabe,” she gasped at the first swipe of my tongue on her hot center.

“Fuck, you taste good,” I growled against her skin, before trailing my tongue up her slit again.

She squirmed against the bed, her back arching, her ass lifting up when I sucked on her clit. I settled one arm over her lower stomach, holding her in place.

“Just relax,” I murmured.

Her laugh was harsh. “Like that’s possible.”