Temptation on Ocean Drive - Jennifer Probst Page 0,102
gives me enough credit.”
They laughed. A few minutes later, Daisy was tapped on the shoulder.
“Hello,” Andrew said. Her date from the bar looked fresh in the light, with a simple white T-shirt and khakis. His slightly curly blond hair gave him a touch of a pretty-boy look, which Daisy adored. Bella watched her friend light up and hoped he’d be good for her. It had been a long time since she’d allowed herself to go out on a date—she was just as overprotective of Meg as Bella was of Zoe.
“Hi, Andrew.” They did an awkward half hug, but they both laughed, easing the tension. “You remember Bella, and this is her sister, Taylor.”
He shook their hands. “Nice to see you again, Bella. Nice to meet you, Taylor. Can I get you ladies another drink?”
Everyone declined, and they fell into casual chatter. A bunch of PTO moms caught sight of Daisy and rushed over, probably to get a handle on the new hot guy she’d seemed to lasso. Before long, the circle had grown bigger, and soon Bella caught sight of Avery, Carter, Pierce, and Gabe as they headed over.
Her heart thundered, and the boat deck rocked under her feet, throwing her off-balance. God, he was beautiful. He must’ve had a consultation, since he was in his suit, but he’d taken off the jacket and had rolled up the crisp white shirtsleeves to his elbows. He walked toward her, coal-black hair tossed in the wind, his overwhelming grace and sexuality stealing the very breath in her lungs.
But it was the look in his soot-colored eyes that made her knees want to buckle. They pierced hers, holding her hostage, pretending his heart was all hers.
Lie.
Avery handed her another drink. “I have one whole hour to cut loose before going back to work.” In an obvious good mood, she wound her arm around Carter’s neck. “Wanna get crazy with me, babe?”
He laughed and pulled her into his side. “Not before you need to juggle the Baker family. You’ll need all your brain cells to get through that war zone. Hidden bombs everywhere.”
Pierce shuddered and grabbed his beer. “I’m dreading tomorrow’s wedding. They want a video, and I’m thinking nothing about this crazy family should be immortalized. They’ve had blowups in my office regarding the photo packages.”
Avery winced. “They are a bit temperamental. And we’re meeting the whole crew tonight. The MOG has been married three times, the FOG twice, and the FOB has four stepchildren, all pissed that he paid for his daughter’s entire wedding. I expect fireworks. It will be a good test for Nora.”
Gabe nodded. “She seems to be doing great so far. Avery finally found someone who loves color-coded tabs and Excel sheets as much as she does.”
“I’ll still miss you the most,” she said, blowing air kisses at Gabe.
Pierce groaned. “You two are weirdly affectionate. No wonder Carter thought you were banging each other.”
Taylor snorted. “I didn’t know that!”
Gabe cracked up and pointed at Carter. “Damn, he’s actually blushing. It still gets him irritated to hear he was intimidated by me.”
“Shut up,” Carter growled, grabbing Avery. “Come on, baby, let’s go mingle.”
“We’ll come with you,” Pierce announced.
Bella turned to head toward the big circle of laughing, chattering locals, but Gabe reached out to encircle her wrist. “Can we talk?” he asked quietly.
She jerked in his grasp, her body already piqued and ready to play. He’d made sure the physical bond was strong between them, wringing out endless orgasms and holding her tight in his arms until she’d believed it was all real.
The anger hit, and she tilted her chin up, nailing him with her gaze. “Do you have something to tell me?” she said, ready for the confrontation.
“Yeah.”
She squared her shoulders. “What?”
“I missed you.” His face revealed the familiar fierce hunger he’d been so careful to mask lately. “I’ve been hoping you had enough time to think. About us.”
The breath exploded out of her lungs. “I’ve been doing nothing but thinking lately,” she said coldly.
He flinched. “What’s wrong?”
“Let’s just say I’m finally facing the truth about everything. Especially us.”
He leaned in to speak, but her name echoed across the boat. “Bella! Get your ass over here!”
With one last pointed look, she turned her back on him and headed over to Daisy. Trying to calm her shaking limbs, she lost herself in the big group, where everyone was loudly interacting, sipping cocktails, and picking on pails of peel-and-eat shrimp set out around the various tables.