Page 21 of The Grumpy Roommate Gamble

“Me?” I recognized the logo for Plot Twist on the side of the shopping bag in his hand. “Did you buy me a book?” Austen certainly hadn’t said anything when I’d been there earlier today.

“Sort of.” He looked unaccountably nervous as he extended the bag to me.

It was heavier than I’d expected, definitely with more than one book inside. Infinitely curious, I pulled out the stack. I recognized the titles immediately, and my throat went tight. Out of sheer compulsion, I slowly opened the covers. Each one was signed by the author.

“You…” My voice cracked, and I had to try again. “You got replacements for all the books Dad got me that were ruined.”

Gabe’s shoulders hunched, and he shoved his hands into his pockets. “I know it’s not the same. They weren’t made out to you in particular, but I had Austen track down as many as she could find. I just… I wanted to give you a little something back.”

This was so much more than a little something. The gesture grabbed me by the heart, and I struggled to hold back tears because I knew they’d only make Gabe panic. But I gave up the fight as the lifelong crush I’d had on this man slid headlong into love.

Setting the books on the table beside the door, I moved into his arms, wrapping him tight in a hug that trembled a little. When he pulled me close, something inside me settled. On a sigh, I reached to cup his face between my palms, drawing his mouth to mine.

“Thank you.”

“Sure.”

Stepping back, I took his hand and began pulling him toward the stairs.

“Where are we going?”

I glanced back at him. “Upstairs, so I can thank you properly.”

Gabe stopped, a mix of alarm and arousal flaring in his eyes. “That’s not why I did this.”

“I know. Come upstairs with me, Gabriel. Please.”

THIRTEEN

GABE

“Come upstairs with me, Gabriel. Please.”

I couldn’t have said no in that moment if the fate of the world depended upon it. Not with the way Felicity was looking at me as if I’d managed to right some enormous wrong in her world. Maybe I had, in a small way. Though I hadn’t done it with this in mind. We hadn’t crossed any lines when I’d set this plan in motion. I’d only wanted to erase some of the pain in her eyes.

We’d be crossing more lines now, and damned if I could come up with a single reason not to go when she gently tugged me toward the stairs again. I trailed her quietly to the second floor, letting her set the pace, the tone. She was running this show. I’d take no more than she wanted to offer.

She bypassed her room and led me straight into mine. I realized in an instant that she’d been in here already. That she’d already had these plans well before I’d gotten home. Candles and flowers were scattered around the room, and the bed was neatly turned down. She’d set the scene for me. For us. There was even a fresh box of condoms on the bedside table.

She really did want this. Wanted me.

I’d make sure she didn’t regret that choice.

She moved around the room, setting the lighter to each wick until the room was bathed in a flickering golden glow. “I had intended to ply you with dinner and wine first, but they’ll keep until later.”

If I had my way, it would be much, much later, because the only thing I wanted to feast on was her. I held out a hand for hers. “Felicity.”

Her fingers settled in mine, and I tugged her into me, relishing how her arms rose to my shoulders and those soft curves pressed against me. I intended to explore each and every inch that I’d caught only glimpses of that first night I’d found her in my house. Just the memory of her in that skimpy towel had my dick going hard as stone.

Her hand flexed on my shoulder. “Oh, I forgot the music.”

“Don’t need it. The sounds you’ll make will be more than music enough.”

Color leapt into her cheeks, but she didn’t pull away or try to hide from me. I skimmed my lips across her temple, along the shell of her ear. Her head fell back with a sigh of utter surrender that fired my blood, and I continued my exploration down her throat.

“I was supposed to be thanking you.” But her voice had already gone languid and dreamy.

“I get to touch you, taste you. That’s the biggest gift you could possibly give me.” I nudged the light sweater she wore from her shoulders. “I appreciate the cardigan and tank combos you started wearing again.”

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