Gabi glanced back to the airport. I’d do anything for this to not be the end, but I didn’t have much to offer. From everything Gabi had told me during our brief time together, I wouldn’t blame her for not wanting to stay. Fairlane couldn’t be too enticing for a rock star.
Her friend is a famous actor and lives here, so maybe Fairlane and I have a chance.
Looking back at me, she bit the inside of her cheek. Her big brown eyes glittered with unshed tears. “What would happen if I stayed?”
“Stayed?” I croaked out. With hope swelling in my chest, I cleared my throat. “If you stayed…” Reaching out, I cupped her face between my calloused hands. When she smiled at me, my lips mirrored hers. I couldn’t believe how different I felt after only knowing her a few short days. I was almost a new man. “If you stay, I’ll give you everything.”
A lone tear slipped down her cheek. I sat transfixed as I watched it slide down and splash on my hand. My thumbs automatically swept under her eyes to rid her of the wetness.
Fuck! She was going to leave.
Blinking a few times to clear away her tears, a slow smile started to form and brighten her gorgeous face. “I guess I could stay a few more days.”
Or years.
Or forever.
Sliding my hand to the back of her neck, I tilted her face up to look at me, and when our gazes connected, I crashed my lips to hers.
Gabi’s body melted into mine as her mouth opened and our tongues danced together. Her mouth tasted like home. I knew without a shadow of a doubt, Gabi was meant for me. Everything I’d endured through the years had brought Gabi to me.
Sighing, a puff of breath ghosted across my wet lips making them tingle. Threading my fingers through her hair, I angled her head for better access when a sharp knock on the window startled us.
Gabi jumped back, her hand to her chest as she blushed furiously.
My eyes narrowed until I caught the security guard staring at us with a stern face.
“Move it along,” he groused.
“Are you sure about this?” I asked, giving her one last shot to change her mind.
Quickly moving over into her seat, Gabi clicked her seatbelt into place before looking back over at me with a beaming smile. “I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.
Putting my truck into gear, I waved to the guard before lacing my fingers with Gabi’s and placing them on my thigh.
Squeezing my hand, she looked over at me. “Now that I’m staying, do you think you could take me over to Luke and Alex’s house?”
Was she planning to stay with them?
Taking a deep breath, I kept my eyes on the road and slowly let out the breath. “Sure, their address should still be in my phone.”
“I think you’ll like them,” she hummed.
I wouldn’t like them if I was leaving her with them.
Clearing my throat, I admitted. “I don’t do well with new people.” I shrugged. “Or people in general.”
“You were perfectly fine with me,” she countered.
True.
“Saving a beautiful woman on the side of the road will do that to a guy.”
“Smooth talker,” she murmured, leaning her head on my shoulder.
The moment Gabi’s head rested against me, my entire body heated, and my cock strained against the denim of my jeans.
We drove in silence as I followed my phone’s GPS directions. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to meet Gabi’s friends or to give her up at the end of the day. Pulling up in front of the gate, I looked over to find Gabi searching through her purse franticly.
“For the love of God, it’s got to be here.” Shaking her head in a jerky motion, Gabi removed everything from her purse and stared into the empty bag.
“Hey,” I placed a soothing hand over her own. “What are you looking for?”
“The code. It’s not like there’s a list on the intercom.”
“Maybe you could just call them and let them know you’re at the gate.” Although I wouldn’t be sad if we left and crawled back into bed for the rest of the day.
“You’re right. I wanted it to be a surprise, but I guess calling and letting them know I’m here is surprise enough.” Laughing without humor, she put everything back into her purse before looking for her phone through her disheveled bag.
She really needed to get a smaller handbag or have a lot less stuff in her current one, but I’d wait until another time since she seemed a little out of sorts at the moment.
I watched as she dialed and waited, chewing on the inside of her lower lip. “Hey, Luke.” She answered and then laughed. “You’ll never guess where I’m at.” Pausing, she smiled over at me. “No, but good guess. I’m actually at your front gate. I didn’t have the code to—.” She paused again. I had to assume her friend was surprised. “You would not believe what I’ve been through the last few days, and if you let me in, I’ll tell you all about it.”
Not even five seconds later, the gate started to open, and Gabi grinned so big, I thought her cheeks might split in two. It was obvious her friends meant the world to her, and I’d try my best to be open about meeting them. I wasn’t the best at making friends. It had been a long while since I’d been social. Most of my interactions were with clients, and they were the less than chatty variety.
The moment my truck came to a stop, Gabi ripped off her seatbelt and flung open the door. I thought she was going to run up to the front door and was surprised when she stopped by the hood of the truck to wait for me as she bounced in place. I couldn’t help but smile at her excitement.
Clasping our hands together, she pulled me toward the front door, looking back at me every few seconds with a wide smile on her face. We hadn’t even made it up the steps before the door swung open and a little blonde woman engulfed Gabi in a fierce hug, swaying back and forth.
A tall blond man with broad shoulders and wary eyes, cleared his throat. “Hey, beautiful, why don’t you let Gabi breathe and introduce her guest.” Even in grey sweatpants and a white t-shirt, he looked like a movie star. How the hell had I never heard of him?
Pulling back, the petite blonde turned to look at me and the second her eyes landed on me, her mouth formed an O. “Who’s this, Gabi?” She winked and gave a flirty little smile.
Gabi hooked her arm around mine, her smile brighter than the sun as she beamed up at me. “Luke and Alex, this is Jax. Jax this is Luke and Alex, the ones I told you about.”
“Hi.” My lips turned up at the ends as I gave a little wave. This was more than a little awkward. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too,” Alex cracked a grin as she thrust out her hand. Keeping my eyes on her husband, who had his arms crossed over his chest, I reluctantly shook her hand.
I was getting two very different vibes. Alex seemed welcoming, almost a little too much, while Luke seemed to want me far away from his house.
“Please come in,” Alex motioned toward the door. “Luke could stand out here all day and never get cold, but I’m freezing, and I’m sure you are too.”
We passed by Luke as we stepped inside the house; he had a wry grin on his face while shaking his head.
“Oh my God, I can’t believe you’re here. When Luke said you were at the gate, I think my jaw hit the floor.” She scanned Gabi up and down after taking her lightweight coat. “Do you guys want some hot chocolate or anything? I was just getting ready to make myself a cup.”
Gabi shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. “If it’s no trouble, I’d love some.”
“Oh,” Alex laughed as she pulled Gabi along with her. “It’s no trouble at all. It’s a K-Cup. The Keurig is doing all the work, but maybe if we ask really nicely, Luke will make us some of his yummy Swedish cinnamon rolls. They’re to die for.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. She was all but drooling thinking about those cinnamon rolls.
“Luke,” Gabi turned to him with sad puppy dog eyes, “I would forever be in your debt. We’ve been eating whatever was easiest for the last couple of days… what?”
My eyes had been trained on Gabi as she animatedly tried to get her friend to make her food, looking hot and adorable at the same time.
I was gone for this girl, and I didn’t even care. I thought I was going to be alone for the rest of my life. Never did I think helping someone on the side of the road would change my life forever.
I’d fallen in love with her, and I’d almost let her get on a plane and fly halfway across the country from me.
“What do you mean ‘we’ve’?” Alex asked with a knowing smile. Turning, she placed her hands on her husband’s chest and raised up to kiss him. She whispered something we couldn’t hear before turning back to us. “Okay, we’ll feed you, but you’re going to explain who this handsome man is standing in my kitchen, and what you two have been doing for the past couple of days.”
Heading over to the counter, Alex reached inside a cabinet and pulled down four coffee cups. “Please sit and make yourself comfortable. I’ll do the easy part and make the hot chocolate. Do you want marshmallows?”
“God, yes. I need a sugar fix something bad.” Gabi eyed the bag of tiny marshmallows with hearts in her eyes. I loved learning something new about her.
“What about you Jax?” Alex asked with a tilt of her head. I had a feeling this was a test. A strange test, but still a test.
“Please.” I smiled at her my most charming smile, or at least I hoped it came off that way.
“Perfect,” she chirped.
Gabi’s hand slid into mine without thought as we made our way to the island and sat on stools. Gabi seemed to be oblivious to the looks she was getting from her friends. Either that, or she didn’t care, and I took my cue from her.
“Before I start, can I say that your kitchen is gorgeous? It’s so homey, warm, and welcoming. I absolutely love it, and now I know why you spend so much time in here,” Gabi gushed. “You should see Jax’s house. He’s done all the work himself and it’s amazing.”
Turning from the counter by the stove where he’d been rolling out the dough, Luke looked over his shoulder with eyes narrowed. “How did you meet?”
If Gabi hadn’t spoken so highly of him, it would have bothered me, but instead I liked that he was looking out for her.
Gabi scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Geez, I’ll get to it. Where’s my cinnamon roll?” Her question came out on a growl.
Alex winked and giggled from across the counter. Sidling up behind Luke, she wrapped her arms around him, resting her head against his back. “Relax. Can’t you see how happy she is?”
Nodding his head, Luke went back to doing whatever it was he’d been doing. I had been expecting him to pull out a roll of cinnamon rolls from the refrigerator and sprinkle something on top or something like that. Not to actually have them from scratch.
“Please continue. We’ll try to keep our questions until the end.” She tried to hide a smile but wasn’t successful.
“As you know, I wasn’t planning on coming to your New Year’s Eve party because I had planned to be in Vegas.” Gabi took a deep breath. “The guys decided to kick me out of Shadowed Alley.”
“What?” Alex gasped, eyes wide.
Luke turned around his mouth hanging open.
“No one was more surprised than me,” she laughed bitterly.
“What were they thinking?” Alex asked. Her eyes turned sad.
“They didn’t like not being the center of attention. They’re starting a new band, and I’m not invited.” The last was said on a sad murmur.
“Well, they’re fucking stupid,” Alex slammed her hand down on the island. “They won’t last if they ever get started.”
“Are you going to go solo?” Luke asked as he put the rolls in the oven.
“I have no idea what I’m going to do except take a much-needed break. Surely you can appreciate that.” She eyed the actor.
“After all the back-to-back projects, living out of suitcases and hotels, I totally know where you’re at. I appreciate all my time here with my family and away from the limelight. If there’s anything you need from us, just let us know.”
Gabi’s eyes softened, and a sweet smile graced her lips. “I will. Thank you. So,” She drew out the word. “I decided what better way to drown my sorrows than to surprise you guys by coming to your New Year’s Eve party.”
Alex’s brow furrowed. “But you didn’t come, and we canceled the party.”
Letting out a laugh, Gabi shook her head. “I tried to come. I booked the first flight here and rented a car once I got here. I think the ice storm started while I was waiting in the airport.”
“Oh no!” Alex inhaled sharply.
“Let’s just say I didn’t get very far. My phone was already dead by the time I landed, or I would have called, and I don’t know what I would have done.” She shook her head. “I guess ask you to come rescue me. Anyway, that’s how I met Jax,” Gabi looked over at me with nothing but stars in her eyes.
Hell, she was good for the ego. I hadn’t felt wanted in so long, I didn’t know what to do with all the emotions she invoked in me.
Lacing her fingers with mine, Gabi squeezed as if she had been reading my mind. “I wrecked my rental car and was unconscious when he found me.”
“You were unconscious?” Alex squeaked out. “Did you go to the hospital?”
“Fuck no! Can you imagine what would happen if it got out that Gabi Santina was in the hospital from wrecking her car after Shadowed Alley broke up?”
Luke grunted from where he stood by the oven. A frown marred his face.
“Gabi,” Alex came around to stand next to her and put her arm around her shoulders. Alex’s voice was quiet when she spoke. “You could have had a concussion or worse.”
“I know,” Gabi answered back just as softly. “But Jax took good care of me so no need for you to worry now.”
The timer went off and everyone’s attention went to the oven. Luke pulled out a baking sheet full of these twisted looking bun things. They looked nothing like a cinnamon roll.
“Where’s the icing?” Gabi stared down at her plate of cinnamon rolls sans icing.
“There’s no icing on Kanelbullars,” Luke answered with a distinct Swedish accent.
“That’s what I said the first time I saw them,” Alex grinned around a bit of her twisted bun. “But trust me, they’re to die for. It’s what’s on the inside that counts.”
Gabi smirked but still didn’t take a bite. I lifted mine up and bit into the warm cinnamony goodness.
I hummed and took another bite. “I don’t care what they’re called, I’ll eat them any day of the week.”
“Do you ever have him speak Swedish just to hear that accent?” Gabi winked at Alex.
“It’s pretty hot, but I think just about everything he does is hot so…” She shrugged and looked away with pink tinted cheeks. “But that’s beside the point. Eat your cinnamon roll and tell us more about how you came to be here.”
“Fine,” Gabi grumbled and took a bite. Her eyes lit up, and she gave a thumbs up to Luke as she devoured the entire thing. Once she was finished chewing, Gabi took a sip of her hot chocolate. “Divine. You can cook for me any day.”
“Stop stalling,” Alex sing-songed.
“Where was I?” Gabi looked around the room clearly stalling. “Oh, yeah, so Jax found me and helped me to his truck. Using his phone’s GPS, he drove us here, but the power was out and there was no way to call you.” Taking a bite out of her second bun, she continued, “I don’t have anyone’s phone number memorized, so I decided I’d go to a hotel, but when Jax called, it was full. You guys live in the smallest town ever,” Gabi complained.
Alex leaned into her husband. “It’s not that small, but when you’re used to LA, it does seem that way. One good thing about Fairlane is there’s no paparazzi and most people leave you alone.”
“Where’d you go if the hotel was full?” Luke squared his shoulders.
“Jax offered his house and before you say anything, yes, I know it wasn’t a smart move because he could have been a serial killer.”
“She did ask if I was a serial killer,” I added with a chuckle.
“And he said no, so I went home with him. To the dark.” She said it like she was in a horror movie, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at her. “Damn ice storms are no fun.”
“They don’t happen all that often here, but when they do, they’re bad. That’s why we have a generator.”
Turning to look at me, Gabi said matter-of-factly. “If I’m staying, you’re getting a generator.”
Both Luke and Alex’s mouths fell open.
“Deal.”