Blackstone Ranger Charmer - Alicia Montgomery Page 0,37

disturbing you.”

“What? No, not at all,” she said with a shake of her head. “I don’t mind having you both around while I work, and you know Rosie won’t fuss over it. Though I do tend to get lost in my own head when I start work, but it gave me time to think.” She sat down on the booth to tell them her idea.

“That’s actually genius,” Ginny said when Temperance finished.

“I don’t know why I didn’t think of that,” he said. “I’ll have to hustle to get it all done, but I think it’ll work.”

“And I’m sure Damon will be grateful,” she said.

“Yeah. Speaking of Damon …” He glanced down at his watch. “I should get to work.”

“I’ll walk you out,” Temperance said.

“Would you mind if I hung around for a bit?” Ginny said. “I’d love to say hi to Rosie. I’m sure she’ll be surprised to see me.”

“Of course.”

She and Gabriel walked out to the back where he was parked. “Now what’s wrong?” she asked as they stopped beside his Jeep.

“What?”

“You’re frowning again,” she said. “Don’t you think it’ll work?”

“Huh? Oh.” He shook his head. “No, it’s not that. I just … I don’t want to go to this bachelor party at all.”

“Why not? I thought you were the best man? And one of your roles is to plan the bachelor party, right?”

“Yeah, but that would mean I’d have to leave you here for the weekend.”

Warmth crept up her cheeks, while butterflies fluttered in her stomach. “Damon’s your best friend. You should be with him and have fun.”

“I know,” he said, slipping his arms around her. “But I don’t want to be away from you.” Leaning his head down, he brushed his lips against her forehead. “You should come with us. I’ll get us a suite, you can stay there or go to the spa, maybe see some shows.”

“Go with you? To Vegas?” She laughed. “You’re joking, right?”

“No, I’m serious.” The expression on his face told her he wasn’t kidding.

“Gabriel, I have to work. Rosie doesn’t have anyone else.” Oh, she wanted to say yes, there was no doubt. But it was too soon to be going away together. “From what you told me about Damon, it sounds like he deserves all your time and attention this weekend.” She gripped his forearms and looked him straight in the eyes. “So go be his friend. Hang out with him while you can, and make this memorable for him. I’ll be here when you get back, I promise.”

His nose wrinkled. “Fine,” he relented. “I mean, you’re right about Damon. I’ll go to Vegas and get this over with.”

An ugly feeling crept into her chest, but she knew she had to say it. “And Gabriel … it’s a bachelor party and everything, and you and I haven’t really … well we only started seeing each other and …” She took a deep breath. “If anything happens out there, I would understand.”

Golden brows knitted together. “What do you—” Sky-blue eyes turned stormy. “Baby, no.” He shook his head. “No, no, no.” His arms tightened around her. “I won’t lie to you because I can guess what kind of ‘entertainment’ Anders has up his sleeve, but I promise you: there’s no way I would be with any other woman but you. Not after last night.”

Her heart wanted to leap out of her chest in happiness, but she pushed down the giddy feeling. “But if—”

“No.” His voice was more adamant now. “No ifs. No buts.”

She let out a squeak as his lips descended on hers forcefully. He pushed her against the side of his Jeep, his body pressing up against hers. A gasp left her mouth as she felt something hard brush against her stomach, and he took the opportunity to snake his tongue into her mouth, tasting and devouring her. She didn’t know how long they were entwined like that, but when he finally stepped back, she was boneless and practically hanging onto the side of the Jeep to keep from melting to the floor.

“Remember what I said,” he growled.

She nodded, unsure what to do. He kissed her again, softly this time, then moved her aside so he could get into his truck. “Be a good girl now,” he said cheekily. “I’ll see you soon.”

“Uh-huh,” she mumbled, her head still reeling from that intense, possessive kiss.

As he drove off, she touched her fingers to her lips, as if she could still feel his mouth on hers. God, maybe I should have just had