“You look stunning.”
Gabe whispered the compliment as Chelsea slid her arm over his elbow. She clutched her gold ribbon that secured a ball of mistletoe. In lieu of bouquets, Chelsea and Brandee had gone with mistletoe...and now he was being mocked by the classic flower.
The late afternoon wedding at the TCC was perfect. As he glanced around, Gabe saw every detail that he and Chelsea had a hand in. He had to focus on things like that because the woman at his side was driving him out of his mind with want and need.
The way Chelsea’s body shifted beneath the material of her dress, the way she delicately brushed against his body, had his mind pumping into overdrive.
The last time he’d seen her in that dress...
Gabe focused on making it down the aisle, his hand securing hers over his arm. He needed to touch her, needed to feel her. Regardless of whether this was just for the sake of appearances, he’d take what he could get at this point.
The way she’d left so hurt and angry only hours ago—yeah, he had to have some sort of contact. He’d sat in his apartment and slowly driven himself insane with what he should have done differently and how he could have avoided hurting her.
But he honestly didn’t know that he would have done things differently. Yes, he could have informed her that he’d received the mail from his uncle, but he’d planned on doing that when he turned them over to the authorities.
She was understandably upset, but just as she had at the start of their relationship, she would come to see that she was wrong. His actions would speak for themselves. He just had to figure out how the hell to get her to understand that he had been protecting her.
Chelsea remained silent as they reached the end of the aisle and parted ways. His arm and hand instantly chilled. Holding this winter wedding outdoors had nothing to do with it, either. The tent where Brandee and Shane were about to exchange their vows was heated.
No, his chill came from the fact that the one woman he’d allowed himself to truly love, the one woman who’d entered his life like a whirlwind and settled deep into his heart, had pushed him away.
In her defense, she had good reasons for being wary. But where he was concerned, her fears and suspicions were misplaced.
Canon in D chimed through the very well hidden speakers and everyone in attendance came to their feet. Gabe glanced to the end of the aisle as Brandee came around the corner. Shane tipped his head down and rubbed his eyes. Gabe reached up and squeezed his shoulder in silent encouragement.
He couldn’t imagine what was going through his best friend’s mind. What would it be like to find the one you wanted to spend your life with? What would it be like to have her coming toward you, ready to take a risk together like nothing else in the entire world mattered?
Gabe turned his attention to Chelsea. Her eyes were locked on the bride, but her shoulders were stiff and she held tight to the ribbon of mistletoe. There was a hint of a smile on her face, but Gabe saw the hurt in her eyes and knew she was anything but relaxed.
Gabe paid little attention to the vows and ring exchange. He didn’t take his eyes off Chelsea and when she met his gaze, he didn’t look away. Neither did she.
He had no idea what was going through her mind, or what was even going on around them. He didn’t care. All that mattered was Chelsea. Damn it. His heart flipped in his chest. She’d gone and worked her way right into the deepest part of him—and he realized that’s exactly where he wanted her.
This wasn’t just him wanting to prove his innocence to her and make sure she wasn’t hurting. Yes, he did want both of those things, but the obvious reason was literally staring right back at him. He wanted Chelsea in his life, now, tomorrow, forever.
He wanted what Brandee and Shane had; he wanted what so many of their friends had found. There had never been another to grab his heart the way Chelsea had and he wasn’t about to just let her walk out of his life.
As soon as the ceremony was over, Gabe waited for the newly married couple to turn to the guests and make their way back down the aisle. The music started up in celebration of the milestone moment.
Gabe stepped up, extending his elbow for Chelsea to take. She didn’t meet his eyes as she did so.
“We need to talk,” he murmured out the side of his mouth as they made their way off the elevated platform.
“Not yet.”
Well, at least she’d replied and hadn’t completely shot him down. That was a step in the right direction.
As they joined the party lining up in the back to greet guests, Chelsea quickly let go of him and went to stand next to Brandee.
The evening seemed to drag on for him, but he was positive the newly married couple was having the time of their lives. Chelsea always seemed busy or missing when he went to find her. Most likely she was avoiding him, and that was okay, but it was only so long before he caught up with her. He had no idea what he planned to say, no idea how to make this all go away, but he would.
Gabe caught a flash of gold in the distance, but by the time he crossed the patio area just off the TCC ballroom, he realized it wasn’t Chelsea but another guest.
Cursing, Gabe turned and nearly tripped a waiter carrying a tray of drinks.
“’Scuse me,” he said, holding his arms out to make sure the tray stayed level.
“Care for a bourbon?” the waiter asked.
Gabe grabbed one of the tumblers and muttered his thanks before moving on. He wasn’t in the mood to mingle or dance; he only wanted to talk to Chelsea. As he rounded the back of the building near the walking trails and stables, he found Daniel and Chelsea in an embrace.
Clearly he’d stumbled upon something private. As he started to turn away, Chelsea’s words stopped him.
“You warned me,” she said, her voice slightly trembling. “You told me I’d get hurt and I didn’t want to hear it.”
Gabe slid behind some landscaping near the corner of the building so as not to be seen. He’d just listen for a minute, then he’d give them their privacy. He knew he should walk away now, but damn it, this was the woman he loved and he wanted to know what he was up against in this fight.
“I never wanted to be right about this,” Daniel said. “I want you to find happiness, Chels. I just didn’t think Gabe was the guy for you.”
What the hell? Her brother had warned her off? Anger bubbled within Gabe and he started to step away from his hiding place, but Chelsea’s cry stopped him in his tracks.
“But I love him.”
Hope quickly replaced the anger. She loved him? So all the hurt he’d seen in her eyes was about thinking the man she loved had betrayed her trust. As much as he wanted to be angry over this whole situation—with his uncle and with himself for hurting Chelsea—all he could focus on was the fact that she loved him.
It was almost like a weight had been lifted from his chest. Those words were all he needed to know he’d get her back. Between his determination and her declaration, that was all the ammunition he needed to secure Chelsea in his life. Forever.
* * *
Chelsea pulled back from Daniel’s embrace and dabbed beneath her eyes. “I didn’t want to have a meltdown, but I wanted to let you know what was going on.”
“You weren’t acting like yourself,” he replied, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket.
Chelsea smiled as she took it. “You always were a gentleman.”
“So what are you going to do?” he asked. “You don’t trust him, but you love him.”
That about summed up this complex situation. Seeing Gabe in his tux, having him hold on to her for the briefest of moments before the wedding vows, had been almost too much to take. She’d tried to focus on the ceremony but keeping her eyes away from Gabe had been near impossible. He’d caught her looking at him once and she’d been unable to turn away. When those gray eyes had locked onto hers, Chelsea swore he was looking into her soul.
“I want to believe him.” She looked up at her brother, knowing she’d find concern in his expression. “My heart and my head are saying two different things. I just need to talk to him, but I need time first.”
“What can I do?”
Chelsea smoothed a hand down her gown and shook her head. “Nothing at all. Take care of Erin and those babies. I’ll handle my love life.”
Daniel’s lips thinned as he shoved his hands into his suit pockets. “I know you’re smart, but I just don’t want you to be taken advantage of or to be wrapped up in another scandal.”
“I won’t be,” she assured him. “We’re all moving on now that Maverick has been pinpointed. I won’t let anyone hurt me like that again. Whoever the accomplice is, they’re likely lying low right now.”
The words were for her brother’s peace of mind, but they were a vow to herself. She refused to ever be the victim again.
“I should get back to the reception.” Chelsea wrapped her arms around her brother once more. “Thanks for always listening.”
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else when you need me.”
Chelsea turned away and made her way back to the reception. Thankfully it was wrapping up and Brandee and Shane would head off on their honeymoon soon. They were escaping to someplace tropical and private, so private they hadn’t disclosed their destination to friends and family.
Now that the excitement and the hustle and bustle were over, Chelsea planned to take the next two days and do nothing but enjoy the Christmas season. She’d drink hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and peppermint flakes, she’d watch classic movies that were sure to take her mind off her current issues, and she’d not have any contact with Gabriel Walsh until she knew exactly what she wanted to say to him.
And until she could get her emotions under control because damn if she still didn’t want the man.