“My other brother called and said you’d lost your mind over a woman, so I’m calling for information.”
Gabe rolled his eyes. “I haven’t lost my mind, Luce. Decklan exaggerates.”
“Did you or did you not move her into my room?”
“So that’s why you’re calling. You’re pissed you’re being displaced.”
Lucy burst out laughing. “I could care less about that. And I’ll take that answer as a yes.” She let out a whoop of joy.
“Tone it down,” he muttered.
“Don’t go all bossy on me. I’m flying home to meet her.”
Gabe shook his head. “You’ll do no such thing.” At least, not until he figured out what he was going to do with her.
“I was coming anyway. There’s an island resort off the coast of Florida. It’s called Eden. How cool is that? You can only go there via invitation. It’s secluded, secretive, and exclusive, and we have the opportunity to open a nightclub there. I need to fill you in.”
“Sounds intriguing,” he said, meaning it.
“Oh, it is. Don’t worry. I’ll tell you all about it when I see you. And don’t worry, I’ll either stay with Decklan or get a room at one of our hotels.”
He’d normally argue, but he didn’t want anyone intruding on his time with Isabelle. “Thanks,” he said to his sister.
“Anytime.”
“You okay?” he asked her.
Lucy let out an exasperated breath. “Always. You don’t need to worry about me.” Her standard answer.
He set his jaw. “I raised you—”
“Hardly! I was sixteen when Mom and Dad died.”
He swallowed hard. “Okay, then I got you through those horrid teenage years, with boys, dating, parties. You know, the hard shit.”
“Oh yeah, you had to talk to me about sex and birth control.”
“Someone did. Decklan sure as hell didn’t want to do it.”
She giggled, sounding like she had that day. He’d cornered her by driving onto a highway and staying there until the painful talk ended.
“I remember. And that means I owe you,” she said, her voice taking on a deeper, more serious tone. “So if you met a woman, I need to meet her too. Make sure she’s good enough for you.”
His heart swelled. Lucy and Deck were the only people he still let himself love. Of course, they were family. Gabe had to love them.
Then there was Isabelle.
Chapter Nine
Isabelle: Day of Reckoning
I woke up alone in Gabe’s bed, conflicting emotions assailing me. On the one hand, I congratulated myself. I hadn’t had sex with Gabe. On the other, he hadn’t f**ked me after proclaiming how much he wanted to … and if he’d wanted to, I wouldn’t have said no.
I placated myself with the fact that last night I’d demanded and received answers to many if not all things pertaining to Gabe. I hadn’t been a man’s pushover this time. Score one for me. On the other hand, Gabe had commanded me to strip, told me to spread my legs open wide, and proceeded to slap me there. I’d not only allowed it, I’d come hard from the sensations. My cheeks burned, not just at the recollection but from the tingling between my thighs and the slick wetness there now.
And finally, this enigmatic man, who claimed he never brought women to his room and always used a condom, said he did not want to use one with me. He couldn’t bear to have anything between us. Yet we hadn’t had sex, and I hadn’t seen him naked.
And I was in his bed this morning, all alone.
I shivered, my chills having less to do with the room temperature and everything to do with my current, naked state. As I slid from beneath the covers, I spotted a large tee shirt draped over a chaise lounge in the corner of the room. I shrugged and quickly covered myself.
Feeling more comfortable, I retrieved my panties from the floor and pulled them on before scooping up the rest of my clothing and heading for the door. I peeked out, then tiptoed across the hall, grateful I didn’t run into Gabe or his housekeeper on the way. A shower and clothing would go a long way toward providing me with armor to face the day, not to mention the man himself.
An hour later, clean, blow-dried, dressed, and wearing makeup I’d borrowed from his sister, I braced myself and headed for the kitchen, only to find myself still alone.
When the telephone rang, I jumped, the sound startling me before I realized it wasn’t the phone but the intercom for the doorman downstairs. I didn’t plan to answer, but the ringing was insistent, and I finally caved, lifting the receiver. “Hello?”
“Ms. Masters?”
I wrinkled my nose. Either the doorman remembered me or Gabe had informed him I was staying here. “Yes?”
“There’s a gentleman down here with suitcases he says are for you.”
Lance? I wondered, my heart thudding inside my chest. Gabe had insisted he send over my things. I needed them desperately if I didn’t want to spend the little money I had. If Lance had brought the check Gabe demanded, even better. But Gabe wasn’t here as backup, and I had to wonder if Lance really would cave so easily.
It didn’t matter, I decided. I couldn’t rely on Gabe, or any one else, to deal with my ex for me. No more running, I reminded myself. I’d face him.
“Send him up, please.” I hung up and smoothed my shaking hand over my wild hair.
A loud knock sounded on the door.
I entered the hall and faced the man I’d walked out on. His blond hair was slicked back, his blue eyes like ice and very cold. He’d dressed for the occasion in navy slacks and a button-down dress shirt, and his gaze raked over my sweats and tee shirt, a disgusted frown on the face I’d once considered handsome. That was before I had Gabe’s dark visage as a counterpoint.
He stared without commenting.
I gripped the doorframe. “Where are my bags?” I looked beyond him but didn’t see a cart or luggage behind Lance or in his hand.
“Did you really think I’d roll over just because the man you’re currently whoring yourself for ordered me to?”
I narrowed my gaze. I should have known this wouldn’t go smoothly. Should have suggested he leave my things downstairs. “No bags? Then I have nothing to say.”
I started to close the door, but he braced his arm, blocking my ability to shut him out. “You don’t know who you’re dealing with.”
I raised an eyebrow at that. “Of course I do. You’re a cheating dirtbag who didn’t know a good thing when he had it. Now, I suggest you leave before—”