Anna continued, “because my last relationship was with a pretty-boy socialite from LA. Not that you’re a pretty-boy socialite. Just—he had a lot of money and influence, but I only ever saw him when he came to Vegas. He never invited me out to LA. When it came down to it, I wasn’t good enough for him, and he let me know that.”
For the life of him, Gabe couldn’t understand how any man could think Anna wasn’t good enough for anything. She was gorgeous, brilliant, and accomplished. It was why he’d asked her to come to the resort with him in the first place. The jerk had been dating her, and getting to do all the things that Gabe wanted—
Bitter jealousy sliced through him, and Gabe fought to tamp it down. At least the man was gone now. But none of this explained the tension at dinner when Jonas asked about her family.
“You are good enough. No matter what might have happened in your past.”
Anna stiffened for a fraction of a second, and if she hadn’t been wrapped up in his arms, he might have missed it. “You know I’m not close with my family,” she offered by way of explanation. “There are certain things about them I’d rather not talk about.”
It was vague enough to make him curious, but at the same moment, he felt it—the hurt behind her words. Certain things could mean a lot. It wasn’t up to him to pry or press. Gabe cuddled her closer, hoping to soothe her. Hopefully, he would be enough.
Whatever this was, he’d protect her from that, too.
The longer he kept his body close to hers, the more she relaxed. “Let me get you some water.”
“I’d rather you stay and hold me some more.” Anna’s tone was light, but it had a layer of longing that called to him.
“I like the sound of that even better.” It was something, how they fit together—so right, like they’d been made to do this. Gabe wanted to stay like this all night. He wanted to stand between Anna and whatever it was that made her shoulders tight and her voice thin.
“Are you sure?”
Was he? It wasn’t often that he felt this fierce protective instinct. It was confusing. “I’m very sure.” He kissed her hair. “Now go to sleep. I’ll be here all night.”
9
Gabe’s phone rang in the hazy light of morning, and Anna stretched out the pleasant ache in her limbs while he rolled over to grab his phone.
“We’re not up yet if you’re calling to invite us somewhere.” His voice had a gravelly, sleepy quality that made her body respond—nipples peaking, desire curling low.
Anna rolled over on her side to watch him.
He pushed a hand through his hair, eyes still closed. Seconds later, they shot open. “Okay. I’ll tell Anna. When?” A pause. “All right. Thanks, Jonas.” He hung up and let the phone fall to the covers. “Grandmother isn’t feeling well. No big lunch or dinner today.” His lips had turned down at the corners, a good indication of his fear for his grandmother.
Sympathy squeezed at her chest. “What else?”
Gabe glanced at her, a wry smile suddenly tugging at his lips. “Jonas has arranged a gift for my grandmother. He’s got a photographer coming for Christmas to do family portraits for a couple of days.” He eyes grew distant. “Which means I need to think of something better for my grandmother.”
His determination would have made her laugh if she didn’t feel deeply for the man lying next to her. Resentment of his brother’s one-upmanship was written plain as day on his face. “You know, if you really want to impress your grandmother, you should bake something. It always adds a special touch.”
Gray-green eyes met hers, the full force of his gaze making her blush. “It might if I knew how to bake—which I don’t.”
“Lucky for you, I’m an excellent baker. Come on, get up. Let’s go.”
“Go where?” Gabe’s expression took on an open, hopeful cast that made her heart beat faster. He scrambled out of bed behind her and followed her into the bathroom.
“If we’re going to bake, we need supplies. You don’t want to go down to the lodge kitchen, do you?”
“No,” he said quickly. “Let’s go into town.”
An hour later, they carried bags back into the suite and set them out in the kitchen. It was a well-appointed place, if a bit small, with marble countertops and stainless-steel appliances that looked brand new. Like everything at the Elk Lodge, it