What Mother Doesn't Know Read online

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  “God, this is good. You always were a good cook, Gabby.” There was a spot of tomato sauce on the corner of Rick’s lip that Gabby leaned over and licked off.

  Her voice husky, she said, “I know baked ziti is your favorite. And I must say, the sauce is delicious.” She’d spent the better part of the morning cooking her own sauce.

  Rick’s tongue quickly flicked out and over hers as she pulled away. “Um, even better.” He gifted her with a naked smile. There was nothing hidden; he was simply happy and living in the moment.

  Being patient was not one of Gabby’s strong suits, and she was ready for dessert. Fidgeting, she toyed with her food. “Rick?”

  Mouth full of ziti, Rick motioned for her to continue.

  “Are you about done? Because it’s all I can do to keep my hands off you.”

  Rick looked at all of the food and dishes around him. He finished his scotch in one large swallow and wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Hell yes. Let me just clean this up for you.”

  Pent up lust in her eyes, Gabby grabbed his hand. “Leave it.”

  He didn’t need to be told twice. The sun was just setting as he pulled her up to her feet. “I want this night to be special.” He poured two more small glasses of scotch and led her out to the deck to watch the sunset. She didn’t have any deck furniture yet, so he placed the glasses on the floor and sat down.

  Gabby acquiesced when he patted the spot in between his legs. She leaned back against him as she sipped her drink. “This is perfect, thank you.”

  Rick kissed her hair as he held back his emotions. He knew, with ever fiber of his being, that this was their last time together. His love for her was stronger than his need for her. He’d let her go gracefully, but he’d always be there for her. “Gabby, I love you so much. All I’ve ever wanted was for you to be happy. You know that, don’t you?” It killed him to be saying such things, but he needed her to know.

  She leaned her head back and snuggled into his arms deeper. “I do, Rick. I really do. I love you, too, it’s just …”

  “No. You don’t need to say anything else, sweetheart. You’re a very young woman, with your whole life ahead of you.”

  “You know, I was thinking about going to school to become a vet tech. Maybe I could still work part-time at your company?” Gabby knew that was asking a lot, but she didn’t want to cut ties with him.

  “Anything you need, Gabby. You’re always welcome in my company. Aside from you being an excellent worker, I’d hate to lose contact with you. And I think you’d make a great vet tech. God knows you’ve always loved animals.”

  Silence settled in after that as they watched the sun fall past the horizon. Gabby wasn’t sure what to do, but believed honesty was the best way to go.

  “Rick?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I know it’s not fair of me to ask, but would you make love to me now? All night long?” She was being totally selfish, and she knew it. They both knew that the night was a goodbye of sorts.

  “There is nothing on this earth that could stop me.”

  They made their way into the bedroom. Gabby lit the candles she’d bought and lowered the lights. “Just give me a couple of minutes.”

  “Sure.” Rick used the time alone to gather his thoughts. He knew he had to tell her the depths of his feelings before they made love. He needed her to understand that no matter how in love he was with her, he would never stand in her way or push her for anything she didn’t have to give.

  Gabby came out of the bathroom, her hair damp from her quick shower. Instead of the outright sexy clothes he’d seen her wearing at other times, she was wearing beautiful, classy lingerie. The white teddy had split sleeves that exposed most of her arms to her wrists. It was shear and low cut, but had silk panties that covered her intimately. Her breasts, on the other hand, were displayed proudly, her nipples already puckered and waiting for attention. She was a vision.

  “Jesus. You take my breath away.”

  She walked over to him, but he held her back by putting his hand up. “Wait. I have to say this first. Before I touch you and lose my mind completely.”

  Gabby smiled at him as she ran her hands along her sides.

  “God, don’t do that.” Rick took a deep, cleansing breath and began. “Gabby, I’m in love with you. I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone. And I know you don’t feel the same.”

  At the hitch in her breath, he again put his hand out to stop her from talking. “No. It’s okay. Really, sweetheart, it is. I wish you felt the same way about me, but you don’t.”

  “I do care about you, Rick. I’d never want to hurt you. Maybe we shouldn’t do this.” Gabby started to back away, but Rick rushed up and held her to him.

  “Oh God. Yes, we should. It’s okay, Gabby.” He gently ran his fingers over her hair and down her back. “So beautiful.” He said nothing for almost a full minute as he looked into her eyes and ran his hands over her.

  “I would—will—do anything to make sure you have a wonderful life. That includes walking away. I’m too old for you, sweetheart. You have your whole life ahead of you. School, marriage, children. I’m past wanting those things. I’m not selfish enough to take them from you. Just give me tonight, and I’ll figure the rest of it out tomorrow, but know this—believe this. This will be the best night of my life, and I will never, not for one second, regret any of it. Just let me love you.” The one thing Rick wished he could take back was that damn tear that escaped his eye. Some big, tough guy.

  “Yes, Rick. I’m all yours tonight. With every fiber of my being, I’m yours.” Gabby closed the miniscule distance between them and placed her lips on his.

  Rick pulled her closer as he plundered her lips, finally remembering to pull back so that he could take her gently. He broke apart from her and led her to the bed. Gently picking her up, he placed her in the middle.

  He stripped himself out of his clothes, showing off an impressive erection, before joining her on the bed. Gabby’s hand went to the bow at the top of her lingerie that held it together.

  “No. Let me.” She immediately put her hands down giving Rick all control.

  “You’re so pretty, Gabby.” Rick slowly undressed her. His hands touched every inch of her, and his lips soon followed. He spent almost an hour kissing and touching every single inch of her body, bringing her to orgasm twice. He thought he’d explode from the sexual tension pulling so tightly in his body, but it was worth every agonizing moment.

  With Gabby lying on her belly, and him behind her, he prodded her opening, eliciting pleased moans from her. She was incredibly wet—so slick he had to hold himself at her opening to keep from slipping away.

  As he slid inside her for the last time, tears again gathered in his eyes. He’d never loved someone so completely. How was he going to give her up?

  He pulled out of her, needing to see her face. “Gabby, turn around, sweetheart. I want to see you when I fill you.”

  Gabby turned over and saw the raw emotion in his eyes. It almost hurt her to see it. She wished so desperately that she could return that kind of love, but the most she had to offer him that night was her body and the caring she did feel for him. “Yes, Rick. Make love to me.” She thrust her hips up at him, and he slid inside.

  “Ahh,” Gabby moaned, pushing up against him again. “You feel so incredible.” She drew him down to her to lick and suck his neck as he began to move inside her. “Oh, yes. More.” Gabby was more than a little surprised at the rush of feelings that came over her as she held his eyes while he slid in and out of her again and again. She felt a deep and soulful connection to him in that moment. Letting the feelings flood her body and free her mind allowed Rick to give her the most intense orgasm she’d had so far.

  As Gabby tightened around him, he was powerless to do anything but explode inside of her, crying out her name. He knew he’d never feel that kind of bliss again, that pure perfection, but that was the price he was willing to pay for an
uninterrupted, perfect night with her.

  He knew their relationship had just taken a turn that he might not really be ready for. How did you let something go that you had so recently acquired? He promised her he’d do anything to see her happy, but was he sure he could keep that promise?

  Lying with Gabby snuggled lovingly in his arms made him second-guess himself. Maybe she wasn’t in love with him the way he was her, but could he turn the tides? He thought that just maybe he could. At that very moment, he made up his mind to fight for her.

  The End

  About the Author

  Nikki Worrell lives in Southern New Jersey with her husband of twenty years. She has a B.S.B.A in Human Resources and is a bookkeeper for a law firm in Philadelphia.

  Her first novels, The Enforcer and Goalie Interference, are hockey romances. The Philadelphia Flyers are her home team, and she loves them win or lose. You can find her at center ice for every home-opener game and other games throughout the year.

  You can connect with her via the web here:

  https://www.facebook.com/NikkiWorrellAuthor

  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6950511.Nikki_Worrell

  www.nikkiworrell.com

  http://www.amazon.com/Nikki-Worrell/e/B00DDXRQCG/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1