Page 44 of Breaking the Ice (Denver Stampede #6)

“No, it wasn’t for him at all. And I know I already said this, but I want you to hear me without him around.

I’ve fallen for you in a ridiculously short amount of time, and it’s honestly scary as hell, but I don’t want to fight myself.

You’ve been nothing but amazing through all of this, and I hope that I haven’t read it wrong that you want more too.

I’m putting myself out here and attempting not to panic because my judgment around men is obviously shit, but I’m trying to trust my gut.

Wow, that sounds terrible, doesn’t it?” She huffed out a breath, and the pink tinging her cheeks tugged my heart.

She was rambling again, and I was here for every second of it.

“Can you say something? Did Roger ruin this? Fucking asshole.”

I stood up and moved to her side of the booth, crowding in next to her with half my ass hanging on the edge because I needed to be close to her.

“Umm, is that comfortable? Your ass barely fits,” she said, eyes twinkling.

“I’ve been in tighter positions before,” I replied. Then I couldn’t resist teasing her. “You know how flexible I am.”

“Gabe,” she whispered.

“We’ll get to that later.” I pressed a quick kiss to her jaw and pulled back to hold her gaze.

“But to answer your question, no, he didn’t ruin anything.

And I don’t care how we started, or that we haven’t known each other long.

We’re falling for each other—I mean, I fell already—and this doesn’t feel like it’s ending any time soon, probably not ever. ”

“How can you know that?” she asked, her thumbnail grazing over my knuckles.

“Because why wouldn’t we want this forever? Also, Pucks comes with me, and no one can resist him.” I grinned.

She laughed softly. “You’re putting a lot of pressure on poor Pucks.”

“He can handle it. But I’m being serious, Dani. We’re adults, even if I act like a goofball and get zoomies on the ice.”

She smirked.

“And we can work through anything because our communication is pretty decent and we kill it in the bedroom.” I wiggled my brows.

“I thought you were being serious,” she snarked.

“Sarcasm and teasing. We are a match made in heaven. And I love you and you love me, so that’s all that matters.”

“I do love you.” She flashed me another smile.

“Umm, sorry to interrupt,” the waitress said, standing slightly back from the table, probably because I was falling out of my seat. What a show we must have put on—well, still were putting on, with me balanced precariously on the edge of the bench just to be close to Dani.

The waitress was holding a few to-go boxes and the bill.

“Thanks. Not sure we need all of those boxes,” I said as she set everything down on the table.

“We wanted to give you a few desserts to take home. If you don’t mind me saying, chocolate makes everything better. And dessert is on the house, of course.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Dani said.

“My manager insisted,” she said with a soft smile.

“Thank you very much.” I slipped my card into the bill folder.

The waitress nodded and spun on her heel.

“It’s pity chocolate, isn’t it?” Dani grumbled.

I shifted slightly and tugged her into my lap.

“Gabe,” she gasped, her eyes darting around the restaurant. “I don’t want even more gossip.”

“Sorry,” I said, sheepishly, but I still wasn’t willing to let her sit on her own.

She laughed softly. “No, you aren’t.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Now, listen very carefully. I can guarantee that you will not be thinking about pity anything when I’m licking whatever is in those boxes off your body as soon as we get home.”

She rocked her hips and moaned when she felt how much I wanted her.

“You’re supposed to be a nice guy.”

“And you love it when I’m not,” I teased, leaning closer and nipping her jaw. I loved how she shuddered in my arms, and I couldn’t wait to get her back home and show her just how perfect we truly were for each other.

***

“Tell me again how you’re falling for me?” I asked a short while later when I tugged her down on my couch next to me.

She laughed and leaned forward to pick up the to-go box with tiramisu in it. I bet her nipples would taste extra delicious covered in whatever that creamy stuff in tiramisu was. Fucking hell, my cock was rock hard right now.

“You might be needier than Pucks,” she teased.

Then she moaned as she took a bite of the dessert, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

I loved how light she was around me. Sure, she was still sarcastic and prickly at times, but the fact that she trusted me with all of her emotions was the best feeling in the world.

Fuck, I loved this woman beyond anything.

Then Pucks plopped himself at Dani’s feet and gave her his best doggy smile.

She chuckled and scratched his ears. “You two might be equal.”

“We just know who we love.”

“You’re going to be extra sweet and mushy now, aren’t you?” Her smile told me that she probably wouldn’t mind that.

“I can also be hard,” I said, holding her gaze, and she burst out laughing.

“Wow. Shot to the ego,” I said, clutching my chest and pretending to be wounded.

“Sorry, but did you hear yourself? Super cheesy.”

“Lay down,” I ordered, and Pucks turned toward me.

“I was referring to Dani, but you too, Pucks.” I scratched his ears for good measure and held back my grin at Dani holding her fork suspended in the air for a split second until I took it from her and ate her bite. “Good, but not as delicious as you.”

She moaned and her eyes darkened.

Pucks had already made his way over to one of the many dog beds that we were product testing.

“Lay down, Dani,” I repeated, my heart racing. I knew she loved it when I got a bit bossy with her during sex. She said the orgasms were worth it, and I had no problem delivering as many as she could take.

“Fine.” She attempted to sound annoyed, but her tone was too raspy with anticipation. I was already on edge.

“What to start with first,” I muttered, tapping my chin.

I grinned at her as she propped herself up on her elbows.

Her cheeks were pink, and when her tongue darted out to lick her lips, my dick pressed hard against my zipper.

I reached down and adjusted myself, and her eyes went immediately to my hands.

The desire in the room was thick as hell.

“I have some ideas,” she said, her eyes darkening.

“Shh. I’m running this show tonight.” I slowly unbuttoned my shirt, before shucking it off. She reached for me, but I shifted out of the way. Fuck, I loved teasing this woman.

And now that our ruse was over, I didn’t have to hide my feelings for her anymore.

We could just be together like a normal couple, without a lie over our heads.

I had no clue what kind of potential backlash there’d be after tonight’s scene with Jenzy, but I was pretty sure Dani would come out looking like the better person. As she should.

“Why are you stalling? Is it to torture me?” She grabbed my attention and I watched as she nibbled on her lower lip.

Fuck, my brain was killing the mood.

“Sorry. Just thinking about tonight.”

She sighed and sat up. “No, I’m sorry. What a shitstorm that turned into.”

I took the seat next to her and tugged her into my arms just because I wanted to hold her. “This is all on his bullshit. And you put him in his place tonight. You were amazing and strong, and it’s one of the many reasons that I fell for you so easily.”

“God, he was such a damn menace. I’m so glad it’s over,” she muttered.

“And he doesn’t matter. We’re together and happy. Just know that you don’t have to take on his or anyone else’s bullshit alone again.”

She smiled softly.

“And you get to keep kissing me all you want, and it’s not even for show anymore.”

“That is a perk. I guess,” she deadpanned, but her smile widened.

I kept my internal fist pump at bay and faked a pout. “You know, that doesn’t sound very convincing.”

Her eyes sparkled. “Maybe you should stop talking and do more of that kissing thing?”

“I thought we were having dessert,” I teased.

Pucks chose that moment to bark.

“Oh, hush over there. You already had dessert tonight,” I said, just as Pucks started moving toward us.

“Maybe we need to escape to the bedroom to practice that kissing.” She grinned as she scratched Pucks’s head when he stopped next to us. “Sorry, buddy. I need your dad for a bit.”

“A long bit,” I said sternly, which just made her laugh.

I would never get enough of seeing her playful side come out.

She’d been so prickly at the beginning—with good reason, of course—but carefree Dani was a gorgeous sight.

And I knew she was still going to be prickly, but I loved every facet of this woman.

And I would do everything in my power to make sure that she always felt free enough to be herself.