even more. He’d always figured she was giving, caring, selfless. His instincts hadn’t proved him wrong before and they were dead-on now.
“She had her own income, but considering she was pregnant with no home, I couldn’t stand it anymore.” Chelsea’s mouth twisted into a half grin. “I may have hacked into his private account and removed funds. And those funds may have found their way into her account.”
Gabe honestly didn’t know what to say. The woman was constantly a doer. She cared for others and wanted to see everyone around her happy. But he’d never thought once that she’d use her skills for something like this.
“Had you gotten caught—”
Her eyes met his. “At the time, I felt it was worth the risk. Now that I look back, I know it wasn’t right to do that, but I got caught up in the moment and acted with my heart instead of my head.”
She gave a slight shrug before she continued. “I just thought, what was he going to do? Tell the authorities? Most of his money was obtained illegally, because I uncovered that he was betting on cock fighting. He wouldn’t want to open that can of worms and be subjected to proving where his income came from.”
Chelsea’s eyes misted. “All of that happened around the time when we’d just lost Mom. Actually, she ran off, but she may as well be dead because I haven’t seen or heard from her since. I knew what that felt like, what being abandoned does to your soul. I couldn’t stand it, Gabe.”
Why did she have to have such a vulnerable side that made resisting her impossible? He’d promised himself when he’d seen her riding up ahead that he’d keep his hands off, but the sorrow lacing her words only had him closing the gap between them.
“You shouldn’t touch me. I’m emotional already and if you touch me...”
Her words were barely a whisper and he saw tears swimming in her eyes.
“This is just one friend consoling another,” he explained.
Gabe wrapped his arms around her and she instantly returned the gesture. “We’re not friends,” she argued.
Smiling, he rested his chin on top of her head. “Maybe not, but we’re something. I don’t think they’ve created a label for us yet.”
When she continued to just be still and let him hold her, Gabe figured she must be gathering her strength. She just needed a minute and he was all too willing to comfort her. As much as he wanted to get her into his bed, he could be patient. Chelsea would be worth the wait.
Hell, his job was based on patience and taking his time, being methodical. And he knew she was much more important than a job. Damn it. When had he let that happen?
Chelsea eased back and glanced up at him. “I’m not sure I can trust you.”
Gabe smoothed her hair back and framed her face. “You will.”
“Are you always so arrogant?”
Gabe smiled because her tone was light, but her question was genuine. “Confident,” he corrected. “I know I did nothing wrong where you’re concerned and, in time, you’ll realize that, too.”
Her eyes darted to his lips and he knew he’d just knocked another brick off that barrier she kept around herself. She still clung to him and Gabe’s last shred of control snapped.
He eased closer, keeping his eyes on hers as he lowered his head. “You plan on stopping me?” he whispered against her mouth.
“Not yet.”
The second he covered her mouth, she melted against him. There was no other way to describe the way she simply let go and let him take the lead. But he wasn’t naïve. Chelsea held all the power here. As much as he wanted her and was more than ready to seduce her up against this tree, she would ultimately have to give the green light.
Gabe rested one hand on her hip and thrust the other through her hair as he shifted his head and dove back in for more. More was the theme where Chelsea was concerned. He wanted as much as she would give...then he wanted even more.
She arched against him, groaning into his mouth. Gabe trailed his lips across her jaw and down the column of her throat. The neckline of her tank top mocked him, tempted him. So much exposed skin to explore...and still not enough. But he had to tread lightly. Chelsea wasn’t just any woman, and their situation was extremely delicate.
“Gabe, please.”
Easing back slightly, he took in her flushed cheeks and decided he couldn’t leave her hanging. He was a gentleman, after all, and as gently as he needed to treat her, he also planned on giving in to her every desire.
“You don’t have to ask twice.”
Sliding his hand beneath the hem of her tank, Gabe kept his eyes locked on hers. If she showed the slightest bit of hesitation, he’d stop. But the way she bit on her lower lip and kept her eyes shut, he had to believe he was doing everything right.
He flicked the closure on her jeans, pleased when her hips surged forward. Glancing over his shoulder, he made sure no one was taking a late ride. But they were hidden behind the horses and around the side of a large cypress.
Gabe slid his hand inside the waistband of her panties and kicked her feet apart with the toe of his boot. He rested his forearm alongside her head, against the tree, and dipped his fingers into her heat. The moment she cried out, he covered her mouth with his.
Yes. Finally, this. He had wanted to see her come apart, had wanted to experience every bit of it, and now she was seconds away. He didn’t want to just feel it, he wanted to taste it.
Chelsea’s fingertips dug into his shoulders as she jerked her body against his. Then she exploded. There was no other way to describe it. She tore away from the kiss and tipped her head back, her mouth open in a perfect O as she clung to him.
Chelsea Hunt was letting every single guard down and giving in to her desires, and it was absolutely the most erotic thing he’d ever seen. He wished he could watch her forever, but he quickly pushed the idea aside. Forever wasn’t in his vocabulary.
As she came down and her trembling ceased, Gabe knew for certain that he needed her in his bed. His entire body was wound so damn tight, but he’d have to wait. This was about Chelsea, about her needs and getting her to see that he was serious about this all-consuming need to have her.
But most of all, he wanted her to realize that he wasn’t a liar and had never done anything to hurt her or to tarnish her reputation.
The horses shifted behind him and Gabe started to lean forward to kiss her, but she pushed against his shoulders. Her bold green eyes lifted to his and he instantly saw regret.
They’d made too much progress for her to have those walls come back up. Little by little, he was going to make sure she pushed beyond her fears. Why did she have to start letting her doubts and reality sink back in?
He removed his hand and stepped back, giving her a chance to right her clothes.
“I’m not going to apologize.”
Her hands froze on the snap of her jeans as she glared up at him. “I didn’t ask you to.”
