Chapter 11

WHITLEY

Aubrey is ten minutes away when we arrive at the club. We wait for her by the door until she arrives. She looks absolutely stunning tonight. She’s wearing a short, red dress with strappy, black heels. Her black hair is flowing down her back in waves and those eyes, damn, they pop.

We all head up to the VIP area. There’s a lounge area that overlooks the rest of the club and a quieter part that holds our own private bar. The best part is that we have our own bathrooms! No waiting in long lines!

I see Kendrick as we walk up. I can’t wait to introduce Kendrick to Aubrey. Gabriel goes to greet his fellow players.

“Kendrick!” I shout.

He comes over, hugs me, and laughs.

“Hey, Whit! How did it go?”

I slap him on the chest.

“You knew! You knew I would be bored out of my ever-loving mind!”

He grins like a kid who got away with murder.

“I’m sorry! It had to be done! He wanted you to go with him. Plus, you still love me.”

“Look, I want to introduce you to my friend. This is Aubrey McBride.”

Kendrick finally looks at Aubrey, and his eyes widen slightly. Nobody would have noticed it, but I’m his sister, so I notice everything. He holds his hand out to her.

“Nice to meet you, Aubrey. Can I get you a drink?”

“Umm, sure,” she says.

They head off to the bar. I knew they would be an instant hit. The look on Kendrick’s face showed just how beautiful he thought she was.

“Where did your friend go?” someone asks.

I look up to find one of the players standing beside me. I can’t remember his name to save my life. He looks to be three sheets to the wind already.

“She’s with Kendrick.”

“Figures,” he says. “Good guys always finish last. How about you, beautiful? I know I’m supposed to stay away, but what big bro don’t know won’t hurt him, right?”

I feel Gabriel come up behind me and slides his arm around my waist.

“Kendrick may not hurt you, but I will,” Gabriel growls.

The player holds both hands up in the air and backs away.

“I get it. She’s your girl. Should have known.”

Gabriel doesn’t let me go as he hollers for someone to take the guy home before he gets himself into trouble. Most everyone is back by the bar. Gabriel and I are left standing by the railing and watching the people in the club below. The music shifts to a slow beat, and Gabriel moves his hand from my waist, pulling me into his arms.

“Dance with me,” he says.

I wrap my arms around his neck. I feel his hands slide to my lower back and then to my hips. The way he’s holding me makes me wish he could hold me all the time. I could stay in this man’s arms forever and be a happy woman. I look up into his eyes.

“Whitley…”

His lips softly press against mine before I can say anything back. My hands tighten on his shoulders, and I feel his tighten around my hips. He pulls me closer and takes the kiss to another level. His tongue flicks along my bottom lip, and I open for him. As soon as I feel his tongue searching for mine, I can’t help but moan.

~Damn, this man can kiss.~

“Hey, Whit,” Kendrick says.

We break apart, and I see my brother standing there with Aubrey.

“Oh god, Kendrick,” I whisper.

“Can you guys give us a minute please?” Kendrick says, nodding at Gabriel.

“Sure, man. Aubrey, let’s go grab me a beer,” Gabriel says, leading Aubrey toward the bar.

I watch them walk away, and then I look back at Kendrick with tears in my eyes. He notices I’m about to fall apart and quickly pulls me into a bear hug.

“Don’t. Don’t you dare cry, Whit.”

“I’m sorry, Kendrick. It just happened.”

“I know. Now, do me a favor and give him a chance.”

~Wait…What?~

I look at my brother, and he’s smiling. He’s not pissed like I figured he would be. I haven’t disappointed him.

“Can you repeat that?” I ask.

“I’ve known how Gabriel feels about you for a long time, Whit. It just wasn’t the right time for you guys,” Kendrick says.

“Wait, Gabriel has feelings for me? How long?”

“Long enough. Like I said, the timing just wasn’t right.”

“But now?” I ask.

Kendrick chuckles.

“Seems our boy has finally grown up. He’s ready to take a chance on what he’s so longed for…you.”

“You’re serious,” I say, surprised.

“There’s nobody else I would trust with my sister than the man I trust with my own life. He loves you, Whitley. Give the man a chance.”

“On one condition,” I say, stepping back.

“What’s that?” Kendrick asks.

“You give Aubrey a chance.”

He smiles, and I swear I see him blush under the dim lights of the club.

“Deal,” he says. “That girl is absolutely breathtaking, and her personality is pretty awesome.”

“I know.”

Kendrick texts Gabriel to let him know everything is okay, and they can come back. They walk back out, and Gabriel comes over to me and slides his arm around my waist.

“You okay?” he asks, kissing the side of my head.

I look up at this amazing man I never knew had feelings for me. He hid them well.

“Yeah. I’m okay.”

“How about we head home? It’s been a long, boring-ass evening,” Gabriel says.

“Sounds good,” I say, taking his hand.

Kendrick says he’ll make sure Aubrey makes it home safe and will see us later. I hug Aubrey and make sure she’s okay with Kendrick taking her home. Of course, she is. She actually seems pretty thrilled about it.

***

As soon as I walk in the house, the heels come off. There’s no pair of heels that damn comfortable. I walk into the kitchen and pour myself a glass of wine. Gabriel heads upstairs to his room. I’m trying my hardest to not think about us. It’s been too damn long since I’ve been laid, and all I want is a six-foot-four wide receiver to make me scream tonight.

I make my way upstairs after I finish my wine and notice Gabriel’s door is open. I peek in, and he’s standing by the window, just looking out at the backyard. He doesn’t have a shirt on, and he’s barefoot. I wish his pants were off as well.

“Something wrong, Gabriel?” I ask.

I walk in, and he looks over at me. He waits till I’m right up next to him and pulls me into his arms.

“I’m sorry, Whit. I didn’t mean to overwhelm you tonight. It’s just that I couldn’t take it anymore. You’re on my mind day and night.”

I slide my hands up his chest.

~Yep, I need this man tonight.~

“Gabriel,” I whisper.

He looks down at me. Whatever he sees he must like, because he slams his lips to mine. He starts kissing down my jaw to my neck. I hear him groan, and I reach behind me, unzipping my dress.

“Are you sure about this, Whitley?” he asks.

I let my dress fall to the floor. I’m not wearing a bra since the back was mostly bare, and I see him swallow hard as he looks down at my bare breasts.

“Does that answer your question?”

He just nods and takes my nipple into his mouth, palming my other breast. My head falls back as he teases my nipple between his teeth before moving to the other one. My fingers are gripping his hair, and I moan each time he pulls at my nipple with his teeth.

His hands slide down and grab my thighs, picking me up. I wrap them around his waist as he heads over to the bed. He lays me down and hovers over me. He kisses me softly, and then gets up and shuts his door, which I totally forgot was wide-ass open. Walking back, he stops.

“Jesus, you’re beautiful,” he says.