Page 46 of Flirt

“Christ, the old man was right, and I’m doing it again.”

“Max, what are you talking about?”

“That I’m dealing with a woman.” Gabriella’s facial expression changed. I physically saw her body stiffen. Her mouth opened, but before she could speak, I continued. “Being in control started long before I even knew what a dominant was. I’m sure it had something to do with my mother leaving me with my dad after I was born. We can analyze that later, or not because it won’t change anything. But to me, control is like air, and I need it just as much to live. At least until you walked in.

“I don’t know how we didn’t cross paths before when Sawyer and Ally became friends and then you and the women by association. But I had no clue Brie and Gabriella were one and the same. Then, I saw Sawyer for the first time, and I knew.”

“Is that why you spent time with her? To find out more about me.”

“Maybe for like five minutes, then it was all her. She was shy one minute, then the queen of questions. I think when she dropped me to my knees, that was it. She owned me, which worked out in my favor because I already knew you were mine.”

“What?”

“Christ, what did you think was happening when I suggested, instead of going into the club, we do something else?”

“That maybe you were getting tired of me and ready to move and were having trouble telling me.”

“Well, that was a direct hit to my ego. I thought if we spent time doing shit couples do together when they date, you would give me your full trust and open up more about yourself. Got to say that you keep your personal stuff close to the vest. You’ll be the perfect ol’ lady.”

“Excuse me?”

“Come on, Gabriella. How could you think I was trying to dump you? Especially when I touch you like this.” I reached out and, as gentle as I could, ran my hands down her arms. I clasped our hands together, then pulled her to me. I leaned forward and bent my face into her neck and placed a trail of kisses up her neck, then nipped her earlobe before sucking the sting away. “When I kissed you in the movie theater or in the moonlight standing on the edge of the pier. Every single thing I did was to show you that I wanted you as mine,” I whispered the last in her ear and received the first sign of hope when her body showed signs of a slight tremor. I lifted my head, intending to kiss her, but when I looked into her eyes, I was shocked at the sight of tears.

“Boy, aren’t we the perfect pair? You have control issues, and I can’t tell when a man is into me.”

“Haven’t you been listening? We are the perfect pair. I’ll tell you what. We can take it as slow as you want, and I’ll work on my dating game while you work on your observation skills. During the process, we’ll learn about each other at the same time. Give Sawyer a chance to get to know me in my new role as her mother’s man.”

“You’re all she ever talks about after she’s been to Black Hawk. I think she has a crush on you. My sister even suggested that if you didn’t respond when I told you I was falling for you, I should ask Sawyer to introduce me to you. Evidently, she spent a great deal of time talking to her aunt about you, too.”

Gabriella didn’t realize what she let slip. She was falling for me and had planned on telling me. Yeah, I was done. We had plenty of time to work out any and all things that needed to be gone over.

“Show me where your bedroom is, Angel.”

Chapter Eighteen

Gabriella

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