CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
“Hey, sexy.”
“Hey. Partying down with all the law enforcement types?”
“Yeah. They can be a wild bunch.”
“Are the women hitting on you?”
“I’ve made it very clear that I have a girlfriend.” So they were. It figured. “Why? Are you jealous?” He sounded amused.
“Of course,” I admitted.
“Well now you know how I feel.”
“What because a bunch of drunk MBA types tried to pick me up at O’Malley’s?”
“No, because Cameron was the first guy you were ever with.” Oh, that. Suddenly, I realized that Braden hadn’t only become more possessive lately because he was worried about me. He was jealous, and amazingly enough, he felt a little insecure. I wanted to reassure him. I was going to work up the nerve to say “those words” soon.
“That was years ago and it was only one time. I didn’t even have a happy ending — in any way.”
“You didn’t?”
“No, I had no idea what I was doing and it was slightly uncomfortable. Besides, Cameron and I were both beer buzzed. It was very much a college hook-up, nothing at all like what you and I have together. I’ve told you before, you’re the best partner I’ve ever had. You’re the first guy who can get me there just by being inside me.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, and not only that, but I’ve never had more than one happy ending in a night and I’ve had up to six with you.”
“Seven,” he corrected.
“You counted?”
“I just happened to notice.”
“It’s not just your technical skills. You and I always seem to be in sync.”
“Well, while I will admit that does kind of make me feel better, I wasn’t just talking about sex, Gabrielle. Obviously you must have cared about him or you wouldn’t have slept with him, whether you were beer buzzed or not, not the first time.”
“He was my friend and I was infatuated with him. I was eighteen years old.”
“Now you’re both grown up and he’s your friend and he works with you every day. What if you start to feel something for him again?”
“Braden, eight years ago I had a crush on a cute boy. Now I have much deeper feelings for an incredibly sexy man – and just for the record, I mean you, not Cam.”
“Well, that’s good to hear because I don’t want to lose you.”
“You’re not going to. I’ll be with you as long as you can put up with me.”
“I’m never going to stop wanting you, Gabrielle.” This conversation was getting very intense. As if on cue, I heard a voice in the background.
“Hey Braden! Are you done with your phone sex yet?”
“You can come in!” Braden called out. I thought I heard a door close. “I didn’t expect to see you back here tonight.”
“I gotta sleep, man. Besides, I couldn’t remember her name and it felt kind of awkward after she gave me such a great…”
“Still on the phone here, dude,” Braden interrupted.
“You’re still on the fucking phone? You just saw her this morning. You might as well just hand her your balls right now.” Then in a louder voice he called out, “Hi Gabrielle!”
“Please tell Adam that I said hello and that I can hear him even when he’s not shouting.”
“She said hello and she can hear everything you’re saying.”
“Terrific. So your girlfriend knows that I’m a dick.”
“She knew that that already,” Braden replied.
“Did you tell her you missed her?”
“I think I got this, Adam.”
“Did you tell you love her?”
“I really don’t need your help here.”
“Ah, Braden’s in love,” Adam teased. “All the women at the G Lounge are probably crying into their vodka.”
“Will you please go occupy yourself somehow? Take a shower, brush your teeth, study the Crimes Code. Just leave me alone for a minute so I can say goodnight to my girlfriend.”
“Goodnight Gabrielle!” Adam called out.
“I’m sorry about that,” Braden apologized.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m not dating him. Listen, I’m going out with Jess, Cam and Mark tomorrow night. I’m not sure what time I’ll be home.”
“Call me no matter what time. And text me or call whenever you want during the day. I might even be able to wrap up early tomorrow. If I can maybe I’ll switch to an earlier flight.”
“Okay, I will.”
“I should say goodnight while he’s still in the bathroom, because I do really want to tell you that I miss you.” He hesitated for a second. “And that I love you.” Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. He said it! Calm, Gabrielle. My heart started hammering. I wanted so much to be with him at that moment.