Page 74 of Gabriel & Skye

Holy shit.

The look he gives me is sexy. He’s got the whole smoldering thing going on; and I’m digging the bit of scruff on his face. It is the weekend, after all. The idea of him not shaving is so damn hot. And I know I’m only thinking these bad thoughts because I had two glasses of wine, and three is my limit.

He also doesn’t look away.

Why is my boss looking at me like that? Like… I’m not his nanny. I’m just some girl in a bar that he clearly can’t stop watching. It makes tingles travel up my spine.

It’s not like I mind. Gabriel Bassett is hot. Any red-blooded woman in a hundred mile radius would agree.

I swirl my hips to the beat as Georgia grabs my hand and twirls me around in a circle, giggling as we bump hips and I almost fall over. Trudy, Celeste and Hartley join in, so we’re in one little circle dancing to the music and waving our arms around.

I haven’t had this much fun in so long.

I exaggerate the moves — just for him, because I know he’s watching — keeping my arms above my head and moving my hips to the music.

“Don’t look now, but my cousin is staring right at you,” Trudy whispers, dancing alongside me, giving me a little nudge.

I glance over at him, but I can’t take his intensity anymore; I have to look away.

“I’m sure he’s just looking out for all of us,” I say. “He’s a little fired up.”

“Uh, huh.” Clearly she doesn’t think so. “I think he likes you.”

“No way. I’m his new nanny, that’s all it is.” I wonder if I keep saying it, I might actually believe it.

Georgia interrupts, showing us her best country girl moves and boot scoots along the floor in her cowboy boots, spinning around, laughing her head off as we clap.

Oh, my. These girls are a riot.

“Yee haw!” she laughs as she grabs my hands and starts moving to her own beat. She’s clearly tipsy and is having a great time.

“Hudson!” she yells, cupping her mouth with her hands. “You promised me a dance off!”

I can’t help but laugh at the stir she causes just by being herself.

I can’t imagine it. “Hudson dances too?”

“He’s more of a moose wrangler,” Celeste says. “Nobody has beaten his record in three years.”

The Moose riding is about to begin shortly, and the girls told me Hudson won’t ride unless his title is being threatened.

“The only one who came close is my brother,” Trudy adds. “Then again, Gaitley has always been a wildcard.”

“Let’s be thankful they’re not here tonight.” Georgia says, scooting by as I try not to laugh. She’s actually pretty good. “Otherwise we’d have an all-out war on our hands.”

“I can imagine it being a little bit of a boys’ club,” I say. “Too much testosterone in one room is never a good thing.”

Celeste nods. “You said it, girlfriend. I’m surprised Dolly’s not here. She sometimes hangs out with us, but if she gets wind your brother’s here tonight, she’ll be trying her luck with the new sheriff before the clock strikes twelve.”

“Ew.” I screw my nose up.

I glance back to the bar and I see a couple of girls approaching the boys, Gabe sitting the farthest away.

One of the things I find so appealing about Gabe is his loyalty to his family. I’m fooling myself; he’s a hot Daddy through and through, and he told me to call him Gabe. It feels a little informal, but Mr. Bassett sounds a little stuffy, too.

He has the perfect blend of Mr. CEO, Mr. Broody and Mr. Sexy all rolled into one. No wonder these girls are trying their luck, not that he’s paying them any attention.

Of course, my brother is the new star attraction in town, and that makes me want to barf. I wonder how long it’ll take for some of the single ladies in town to get their claws into him. My brother is no fool, and to be fair, he’s looking to settle down and plant some roots. I’m not sure if playing the field in a small town is such a good idea. The entire town is here tonight; it could be awkward the morning after for all concerned.

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