Bedding The Best Man (Bedding the Bachelors Book 7) (11 page)

Taking a deep, calming breath, Brianne stood up and shoved on a pair of sweats and a faded college t-shirt. Grabbing a rubber band from her dresser, she pulled her long, tangled hair up into a bun. Holding her shoulders up with as much dignity as she could, she walked into her kitchen.

Waffles were piled high on the plate in the center of the table. Most were a bit crispier than she liked them, some char on their edges, and Brianne wondered if he’d burned them because he wasn’t used to her kitchen, or because he was as nervous about this confrontation as she was. After last night and the hurdle of this morning, she could hardly blame him for being distracted

“Hey,” she said, blushing furiously.

“Hey,” he said, his voice rough, his expression neutral even as his eyes blazed with fiery emotion. “You hungry? You didn’t have any oranges but I went to the corner store and got some grape juice and some Tropicana. They’re in the fridge, if you like.”

Sex with the real-life Gabe had been completely different than her fantasies had been. He was much rougher, for one thing. In her dreams, they made tender love. Last night they’d screwed like animals and it had left nail marks and bruises on her hips, and red splotches on her collar bone. But one thing couldn’t be denied—she’d loved it. And now here he was, talking politely about juice. She wasn’t sure what to do, how to play it.

He, on the other hand, seemed reserved but comfortable, which made sense. From what she’d heard and seen throughout the years, he had more experience with one-night stands than she did. She was a serial monogamist, while he’d slept around like crazy, and as such was accustomed to the post-booty chat session.

How many women had he made breakfast for?

It made her sick to think about it.

Finally, deciding to be as cool as he was, she nodded. She walked as calmly as she could manage to the fridge, brought the juice to the table, and poured herself a glass. “Would you like some?”

“No thanks.”

“You sure? This is fantastic,” she said after she drank a big swallow of the tart orange juice.

He said nothing, just continued staring at her with a blank expression. It made her more nervous, which made her start to get angry—with him, herself, and the whole situation. Before she even knew what was going to come out of her mouth, she’d tilted her chin defiantly and said, “Not as fantastic as the orgasms we gave each other last night, of course.”

His eyes widened briefly and for a moment Brianne thought she had managed to break the chilly atmosphere, that he would smile at her and everything would be okay, but her heart sank when his jaw muscles clenched. “They
were
fantastic,” he said. “It was my pleasure. Too much so. Because I didn’t use a condom.”

He made the statement baldly. Taking ownership for his carelessness, when the responsibility was just as much hers.

“I’m on the pill. And I’m healthy. Are you?”

He nodded. “Yes, I am,” he said, even though she hadn’t really expected him to say otherwise.

“So…now what?” she said, hoping that despite his distant attitude this morning, he’d say he wanted to be with her again.

“Now we put this behind us,” he said. “It’s not going to happen again. Eric’s my best friend and there’s obviously complicated shit going on with you two. We don’t need our fucking to complicate things even more.”

She winced at his choice of words and glared at him. “So that’s what last night was? Fucking?”

“Wasn’t it?”

“You tell me.”

He went ramrod straight and clenched his silverware so tightly, his knuckles went white. “How can I tell you anything? What do
you
think last night was? Because I don’t usually fuck girls when they think I’m a goddamn dream man, Brianne.”

The expression on his face was filled with hurt, so much so that Brianne was momentarily speechless. What could she say, anyway? She
had
thought she was dreaming, but she also knew it wasn’t a one-time thing. That she’d dreamed of Gabe so often. And that she’d longed for dreams to be reality far too many times.

At her continued silence, his hand cut through the air. “Right. So we made a mistake. End of story. We both had a fucking awesome time, but I went too far and you’re not my girl, and I don’t want you to be. I’d appreciate it if we could just forget about last night and move on. Please.” His expression was completely cold now. He’d retreated behind walls she couldn’t possibly break down, or even climb over.

You’re not my girl, and I don’t want you to be.

I don’t want you to be.

It was that statement she heard louder than anything else.

And it was that statement she responded to.

“I’m sorry. You’re right. We did make a mistake. A terrible mistake. And yes, we can forget about it and move on. I don’t want anything from you either, Gabe. But I—I still care for you. And last night…last night was so good.” Her eyes filled with tears, and she struggled to hold them back.

His eyes flickered and his face softened. He came around the counter to stand before her, placing his big hands on her shoulders. “I care for you, too, Brianne. But let’s not confuse things. A couple of weeks ago you were engaged to Eric, one of the best men I know. You two love each other. We had great sex last night, but that kind of thing passes. It always does. You deserve to be worshipped like the woman you are. You don’t deserve a rough fuck with someone bruising your hips. You deserve flowers and rose petals and jasmine oil. I’m just a roughneck fighter, and you’re a pampered rich girl. I’m not good enough for you.”

“You’re sure of that?” she asked. Yes, he’d bruised her hips, but she’d loved it. Loved being marked by him. Loved knowing that he wanted her so badly, he couldn’t control himself. Yes, she loved flowers, too, but why couldn’t she have both? And why was he trying to put them in boxes? Reduce himself to being a fighter, and her to being a pampered rich girl? Was that really what he thought of her? “Are you
really
sure, Gabe?” she asked, hoping it was just guilt and fear driving him to say these things.

He hesitated, but gazed deeply into her eyes. “I’m sure.”

She swallowed hard and nodded. It was amazing how quickly acceptance overrode her disappointment. But obviously she’d grown used to the idea of never being Gabe’s woman. It was just how it was. How it would always be. Sure, the fantasies could overtake her when she slept, but even this morning, when she’d woken up, even after realizing he’d actually been inside her body, she hadn’t experienced a spark of hope for their future together. “What about being my friend? Are you good enough for that?”

“Always, Brianne.”

“Then okay. Friends we’ll stay.” She felt defeated, in every aspect of her life, personal and professional. “But I’ll find someone else to help me with the glamping fundraiser.”

He stared at her for a tense moment, then said, “Don’t. I can still help you.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she sighed.

“Why? We’re still friends, remember?”

“I remember,” she said softly.

“So?”

God, she wanted to scream at him. Didn’t he understand it would be torture for her, being around him, especially now that she knew he was an even better lover than she’d suspected? But no. He thought their time together had been a fluke. He had no way of knowing she’d been fantasizing about him for years.

And he never would.

When she still didn’t say anything, he said, “We’re friends, and I promised to help make sure this event is the best one you’ve ever done. I have a place in mind. It’s beautiful. A lot of my clients go there and they rave about it. I’ll set up a site. Give you an idea what you’re really up for. I think you’ll have fun. It’s the least I can do.”

Right. The least he could do.

For his friend.

“Fine, Gabe. Thank you.”

* * *

Gabe drove away from Brianne’s feeling as if he had been struck in the face by a wrecking ball. He should have bowed out from helping her when she’d given him the chance. But she’d been through so much already. She needed him. Besides, other than last night, he’d spent six years managing to keep his hands off her. He could make sure things between them went back to the way they should be.

Friendly.

He’d do exactly what he had promised, no more, and once he proved to her she was more than capable of pulling off the glamping event, he would take off like Eric had and sort his head out. Actually, he needed to get his head sorted out right now, because all he could think of was how she’d felt in his arms. On his tongue. Around his cock. Suddenly, he could barely stop himself from turning around, heading back to her place, sweeping her in his arms, and saying to hell with Eric.

Feeling desperate, he headed to the gym. He needed to pound some frustration out and one of the employees there, Huck, was always good for a no-holds-barred scrap.

He parked by the curb, and locked up. He often thought it was a little pointless because if anyone around there wanted to take his little sports car, a lock wouldn’t stand in their way. Fortunately, most people in the neighborhood would recognize his car, and his reputation as a brawler was usually enough to hold them off. He moved to the almost hidden door in the large warehouse in front of him, and pushed it open, wincing as the stench of sweat hit him in the face.

“Hey Gabe, I wasn’t expecting you here this weekend,” Sam called down from his office overlooking two full size boxing rings, and all the equipment an aspiring boxer could ever need.

“It’s been a tough week, Sam,” he called back. “Is Huck around?”

“Shit, that isn’t a tough week, that’s a fucking suicidal one. Anything I can help with?” his wiry trainer asked as he came down the stairs.

“Nah, nothing a good fight won’t sort out.”

Sam slapped him on the back. “Huck’s on the punch bags. I think he’s had a rough one, too. You sure you don’t want to spar with me instead?”

Gabe smiled. He was half Sam’s age and twice his size, but Sam was an ex-welterweight champion, fast on his feet. He could land a swift jab before his opponent even knew where he was.

“Huck’ll do me fine. Leave the two of us lumbering heavyweights to it. You stick to picking on people your own size,” he joked.

“Go and strip down, I’ll get Huck ready for you. Go easy on him, you really do look like shit.”

Once he was in the ring, Gabe finally felt back under control.

Sam had been right—Huck was definitely in a bad mood, and it made his punches come thick and fast. Unlike Gabe, he had never learned to control his rage in order to best use it, which gave his opponents the chance to outwit him. Unfortunately, Gabe wasn’t focused either. He kept thinking of Brianne and before he knew it, Huck had planted a perfect uppercut on his jaw. Gabe could almost feel his brain rattling around inside his skull. Huck hit like a locomotive at full speed.

Gabe shook his head, and vowed not to let his guard drop again. He danced around the big man, dropping great combinations and keeping out of the long reach of the heavy punching brawler. Thirty minutes later both of them were sweating hard, and puffing from the exertion. They tapped gloves and called it a draw, though both knew Gabe had landed more punches. The kids in the gym had crowded round, and Gabe stopped to talk to them. Like Sam, Gabe made time for the kids from the neighborhood and enjoyed helping them improve their skills.

He headed for the showers, feeling calmer and better able to put everything into perspective again. Working with Brianne was going to be really tough, but he could do it. She deserved his support right now. The last thing he was going to do was abandon her in her time of need.

However, he couldn’t forget that his role as her white knight was both limited and temporary. Eric would come back, he was sure of it—and when he did he was more than certain that the pair would sort out their differences. They were perfect for each other, after all.

Chapter Ten

“You’re going to what?” Evie’s expression was priceless.

“I’m going glamping.” Sitting in her office at her desk, the apprehension Brianne felt at spending another night with Gabe was almost worth watching Evie implode.

“I’m having a lot of feelings right now,” she said, fanning herself.

Brianne could only laugh. “About what?” she asked.

“Let’s see. For starters, there’s you, Little Miss ‘I Didn’t Know I Could Get Sunburned On A Cloudy Day’. You, who hates Spring because that’s when the bugs come back out. I’ve seen you lose your shit over an ant walking across the carpet.”

“Wow, I sound so low-maintenance,” Bri smirked.

“Low-maintenance is overrated. But moving on. Next, there’s the person you’re going with. I mean, hello! You, Gabe, in the woods? It’s like something out of a steamy movie. Or
Penthouse Forum
.”

“You read
Penthouse Forum
?”

“No, I just look at the magazine for the photos.” Evie rolled her eyes. “You know what I’m saying. That man could get my panties wet from across the room. Actually, he has.” Evie closed her eyes and groaned happily.