Page 71 of Enticed
Gabe cleared his throat. “I hope so. Woody said Tulips are her favorite.”
“He’s right,” came my grandmother’s voice from behind me. “They are the embodiment of spring which is my favorite season.”
Gabe presented her with the flowers and bent down to kiss her cheek. “Happy birthday, Rose.”
She thanked him and patted his cheek. Just then, my great aunts arrived carrying covered dishes. A flurry of activity erupted around us, and chattering voices filled the space.
Dad came through the side door and motioned to Gabe. “I got the grill fired up. Want to help me with the steaks?”
“Sure,” he replied, eyeing the group of women crowding around the kitchen island. Someone had already uncorked a bottle of wine, and glasses were being passed around. Gigi filled one with grape juice and handed it to Rory so she wouldn’t feel left out. “Don’t let them give her the real thing,” he said, leaning down to talk out the side of his mouth. He eyed my grandmother suspiciously like she was just waiting for his back to be turned so she could slip her the good stuff.
I snorted a laugh and waved him off. He wove through the bustling female bodies to reach my dad. Dad threw an arm over his shoulder and led him outside. Before he disappeared through the door, he threw one last longing glance my way.
And I knew nothing would keep him from getting me alone tonight.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
GABE
It was impossible to focus on anything Woody said when all I could think about was that damn sundress and Jasmine’s tanned, toned legs poking out beneath it. Or that little opening below her neckline that barely revealed the curve of her breasts. She was stunning. She was ethereal. And she was all mine.
I would have to think of a way to get her alone so I could slip my hands under that dress and feel her soft skin. I wanted that material bunched in my fists while I lifted it up to reveal those gorgeous thighs and that pretty pink pussy. Was she even wearing underwear?
I suppressed a groan and pinched my eyes closed at the thought. Surely she wouldn’t come to family dinner sans panties. But then again, it was Jasmine. Anything was possible.
“How do you like your steak cooked? Are you still a medium guy?” Woody’s voice cut into my thoughts, and I had to remind myself I was having these thoughts about his daughter.
I swallowed down the guilt clogging my throat before replying. “Yeah, medium’s good.”
Rowan joined us with a bucket of beers on ice. He cracked one open and handed it to me. We talked shop while Woodygrilled steaks and shrimp. Jacek arrived soon after with Asher in tow. The little boy went straight to Rowan, who wrapped him in a tight hug that elicited squeals and giggles before placing him on his shoulders.
“Now you’re the tallest person in the family,” Rowan said, standing to his full height and turning slowly to give him a three hundred and sixty degree view of the ranch.
“I tawwest,” Asher parroted and clapped his hands.
“Let’s eat,” Woody announced once the platters were filled. He brought them inside and placed them along the counter with the rest of the food to be served buffet style. He said grace, then everyone filled their plates. I took care of Rory first before going back to make myself a plate. When I returned to the table, the only open seat was between Rory and Jasmine. Rose sat on Jasmine’s other side with her cat that ate the canary expression.
Jasmine shot me a smile when I sank down onto the seat beside her. I dug into my food as conversation flowed around me. Rose, Hazel, and Fern had lots of questions about Jasmine’s races and recent winning streak. Her father spoke with pride about how well she’d been doing. Many of the races were live streamed or recorded and uploaded later, so he was able to watch them even though he couldn’t be there in person.
When Jasmine got up to refill her drink, I had to force myself not to track her every movement with my eyes. Her entire family was there watching. We weren’t ready to tell them about us yet, and we certainly didn’t want to raise any suspicions at a celebration for her grandmother. But damn, I couldn’t help myself.
I drowned the rest of my sweet tea and stood from my chair, taking the empty cup with me. “I need a refill too,” I muttered absently.
The farmhouse had an open space floor plan with a big eat-in kitchen so we couldn’t escape any prying eyes since most ofher family was seated at the large table across the room. Her brothers were in the living room watching the baseball game while they ate, something RaeAnne only allowed on special occasions. Rae and Woody were preoccupied with Asher and the Granny Gang, as Jasmine affectionately referred to them, were all chatting amongst themselves while Rory stuffed her face with some real Southern, down home cooking. She wasn’t used to that kind of fare and was taking full advantage of it.
I stepped up next to Jasmine as she filled her glass with ice and diet pop from a two liter. Her warm blackberry and vanilla scented skin called to me. I wanted my hands and mouth all over it, and it was killing me to hold back.
“I would give just about anything to be able to slip that strap down your arm and kiss your shoulder right now,” I said, low enough not to be heard by anyone else.
“Just my shoulder?” she asked, her voice husky.
“Oh no, I would definitely kiss more of you. Your shoulder is only the starting point. It’s what’s most enticing at the moment.” I reached down and palmed the front of her thigh, lifting her skirt as I did while simultaneously grabbing the pitcher of sweet tea. She sucked in a sharp breath and started to turn to look over her shoulder. “They can’t see what I’m doing.” The kitchen island blocked their view of us from the table.
“Gabe,” she gasped when my fingers grazed the top of her thigh, just below her hip. I hooked my finger inside her panties and brushed my knuckle down her slit.
“You have no idea all the things I’ve imagined doing to you in this dress,” I rasped out as I slowly poured my drink. I had to focus hard on not spilling it as I encountered her slick heat. She was already wet for me.
“It can’t be any more than whatI’vethought of you doing to me,” she replied, panting.
