A wicked smile angled over his chiseled face, assuring her that he not only saw them all, but that he was also quite sure that he could fulfill every single one. And in ways that would leave her panting, sweaty and begging for more.
There was very little Tessa didn’t know about sex. She appreciated the act, reveled in the results and had long ago mastered the ins and outs of, well, in and out. She knew how to use sex, how to enjoy sex and how to avoid sex.
So if anyone had told her that she’d feel a low, needy promise of an orgasm curling tight in her belly from just a single look across a crowded room, she’d have given their cheek a pitying pat and laughed at them.
And now, she admitted to herself, she’d have had to apologize for her mistake.
“Shall we?” Livi murmured, making as if to hurry across the room.
“I’ll catch up later,” Tessa promised. At Livi’s frown, she added, “I want to check with your mother and make sure everything is on schedule. You know, maid-of-honor stuff.”
“Willingly seek out Pauline, who you know perfectly well has everything under control?” Livi’s frown deepened as she planted her fists on her hips. “What’s going on?”
Over Livi’s shoulder, Tessa could see the men starting to make their way through the crowd toward them. Something clenched tight in her belly and it took her a second to identify it as panic. Desperate to get away but still not willing to upset Livi, her mind raced for an out. Wetting her lips, she shifted her smile from friendly to sultry and leaned toward her friend in a confiding way.
“There’s a very yummy model here I’ve been wanting a taste of ever since I saw how he could hold up a pair of jeans with his stuff alone. He’s over by the buffet,” she murmured. “You play hostess. I’m going to get a nibble before someone else dishes him up.”
“Stuff?” Livi’s laugh pealed with delight, her quick hug filling Tessa with enough guilt that she told herself she’d find a model somewhere tonight to flirt with. “Go, taste, nibble, enjoy. Just remember you have to sit at the head table for dinner.”
The head table. With the bride-and groom-to-be, and most likely their erstwhile best man.
Tessa offered a weak smile.
It was enough to make a girl lose her appetite.
* * *
WELL, WELL.
When a party was thrown by a woman who made her living as a fitness trainer, the guests were bound to be hot and gorgeous, with bodies to match. And Livi’s party proved that Southern California had a vast variety of gorgeous to choose from.
But Gabriel’s body hummed for just one particular woman. Petite perfection, Tessa Monroe was like something out of a dream. A very wet, sweaty, lust-filled dream. With long dark hair that called to a man’s more prurient fantasies and a face made for bad poetry and deep sighs, she was gorgeous even from across the room. Wrapped in a tiny bit of purple silk, her body was fifty shades of amazing, with curves and angles that promised almost more than a mere man could handle. Almost.
Gabriel had no doubts about his ability to handle her. But he was getting impatient. He’d been waiting to get his shot at the sexy little angel for more months than he cared to admit. And tonight was it. His chance to finally start making good on every hot dream he’d had about Miss Tessa Monroe since their first meeting last Halloween.
He’d never figured out why she’d taken an instant dislike to him. He hadn’t gotten further than introductions that night before she’d shot him down. A first, and not one he cared to repeat. Gabriel still didn’t know what’d caused her instant animosity. His cologne? His Native American brave costume? A hideous past life experience where he’d kidnapped her from her wagon-train adventure, carried her off into the woods and introduced her to the carnal delights of the flesh?
Whatever it was, it was standing in the way of all the great sex they should be having. And tonight was the night to see it gone.
Even as he exchanged greetings with Mitch, clapped hands with his friend’s father, Captain Donovan, and shared friendly nods with various brass surrounding them, Gabriel watched Tessa flee. She’d probably claim that she was simply showing her disinterest in his presence. But he’d seen the look in her eyes. That flash of desire so hot it came with a mind-blowing guarantee. The dismay, reluctance and anger that had followed told him she wasn’t quite ready to see that guarantee through, though.
Not yet.
Rocking back on his heels, he assured himself that it wouldn’t take much to push her over.
“Gabriel.”
His smile shifting from predatory to friendly, he opened his arms to Livi, giving her a gentle hug. She was a total sweetheart and it was easy to see why his friend had fallen for her. Gabriel was still having trouble with the concept of Mitch actually marrying—some things just didn’t mix. Oil and water, fire and ice, military and marriage. Hence Gabriel’s relationship rule—keep it light and easy, walk away early, leave them with a smile. He’d never ask a woman to make the sacrifices necessary to be with a military man, and he refused to let any woman be a distraction from his number one focus—his career.
But that was him. Irish was different. So even knowing his friend was probably making a mistake, Gabriel still understood the motivation behind his friend’s decision. Irish was gonna be a dad, so this was the right thing to do. And Irish was nothing if not right.
And lucky, given that his baby momma was a doll like Livi.
“You’re gorgeous,” he told her in greeting.
“I was just going to say the same thing to you,” she said with a soft laugh. “How do you get better looking every time I see you?”
“Clean living and fresh sea air,” he joked, since he’d spent a large part of the past three months on an aircraft carrier. “How about you? Don’t tell me it’s Irish that’s put the glow in your smile.”
“In my smile, in my heart,” Livi murmured with a sheepish grin.
Her gaze cut to Mitch, and Gabriel had to admit, the emotions shining in those eyes were enough to make him wish for a second that he believed in marriage. Because if anyone deserved a happy one, it was the pretty blonde and his best pal.
“Enough with this guy,” Mitch said as he joined them. “He already knows how fabulous you are. Ready to meet the rest of the team so they can know, too?”
Gabriel saw the nerves in Livi’s eyes, felt her take a bracing breath and knew she was battling her instinctive shyness as she was introduced to the large group of men. What must that be like? Gabriel wondered. Not shyness. That was a concept so beyond his comprehension that it wasn’t even worth considering.
But the idea of having a woman put her own fears, her own issues, aside for you... Gabriel was used to women wanting to do a lot of things with his body, and there were just as many who’d be happy to lay claim to his emotions. But he’d never known a single one—his own mother included—who gave a damn enough to put him ahead of anything in their little world.
Once the introductions were through and everyone had offered their wishes, Mitch tilted his head toward the room, indicating the men were on their own. Livi, easily reading him, offered to take the team around and introduce them.
“We’re fine,” Gabriel assured her. “I’m sure we’ll find plenty to entertain ourselves.”
And so they did.
By the time the team meandered through the party, exchanged greetings, snagged beers and commandeered a table in the back, Gabriel had plenty of entertaining options.
What he didn’t have, though, was a clue as to where his quarry had scurried. Because as intriguing as the many offers he’d received were, there was only one woman he was interested in tonight.
The only one who’d ever