Page 77 of Gabriel & Skye

I contemplate going to grab a coffee, but a few minutes later, Skye appears. I immediately stand.

“How is he?” I ask as she comes toward me.

She’s been crying. Her face is all red and puffy. “He’s going to be okay. The doctor said the heart attack was mild. He was lucky. He has some bruising from the fall, and they want to keep him overnight for observation, maybe a couple of days, so they can do some more tests.”

Relief floods through me as I pull her in for a hug. She looks like she could do with one.

“I’m so happy to hear that.” He may not be out of the woods yet, but the fact he’s awake and having visitors is a good thing.

“I was so scared,” she whispers.

I try not to notice the way she smells, how the soft, sweet scent of peonies invades my senses. How warm she feels in my arms, delicate and vulnerable. One thing I learned tonight is I don’t like seeing Skye frown. She’s definitely sunshine on a cloudy day.

“I know. These things are never easy. I’m sorry. I’m just glad that he’s gonna be okay. Like you and Trav said; he’s strong. You’re from good stock.”

She laughs as she pulls back. “Like cattle?”

I smile. “Nothing like cattle, well, maybe a bull. Bulls are strong.” And before I realize what I’m doing, I push her hair off one side of her face and tuck it behind her ear.

Her breath hitches and my hand freezes. Her mouth parts, but no words come out. Our eyes meet and my heart hammers in my chest when I stare into her green depths.

“You could’ve said moose. They’re pretty strong, too,” she breathes, totally steering the conversation back to the subject at hand — away from me touching her.

I shove my hands in my pockets where they can’t be a menace to her anymore. Why the fuck did I do that?

“I, uh, sorry about that.”

She bites her lip. “It’s fine, Gabe, really.”

“I… you were upset…”

“It’s honestly fine. There’s no need to explain. You’re a good guy, and I know you mean well.”

Well, I’m trying to be a good guy, but she’s making it extremely hard.

“The same guy who punched that dude tonight because he touched you?”

“That was different. He was a creep, and I didn’t want him...” she trails off, her gaze locked on mine.

My dick hardens at her words. She didn’t want him… but she wanted me? Is that what she’s saying? Or am I just imagining it?

I shouldn’t be noticing every single detail about her. How she’s slight, yet has ample breasts and hips. I fucking love that in a woman. I also love her hair. It’s so cute — no, better than cute — sexy as hell. The little crease between her brows appears and I can see she’s contemplating something…

“Still, it wasn’t appropriate. You work for me,” I say.

She swallows hard. “And if I didn’t?”

What? How do I fucking answer that?

How do I possibly tell her if she weren’t my nanny, I’d have pursued her in a heartbeat. I’d have wined and dined her, showed her all the beautiful places in Stoney Creek that I’d love to take her. The sunsets in Tennessee are some of the best I’ve ever seen.

But I can’t do any of that. Because not only is it wrong, she’s also leaving in seven weeks — not that I’m counting.

I palm the back of my head. “I never want to make you feel uncomfortable.”

“You don’t,” she answers quickly. “You care about people. It’s in your nature and I appreciate it, truly.”

She doesn’t know me from Adam, yet she sees to the heart of me. What she doesn’t know is how I’m not a ‘touchy-feely’ type of person. I don’t like hugs, and I definitely don’t have deep and meaningful conversations. But I’m also not an asshole.

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