Jenna Valentino thought she had found her forever after.
Life was good. A husband she loved, a daughter she adored, a dream job and a beautiful home. But nothing could prepare her for the bittersweet taste of betrayal, shattering the illusion.
Dev...
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~ ~ Gabriele ~ ~
I checked the time. Goddammit! I was late—I hated being late. Not my style.
Taking a deep breath, I knocked and waited. Shit, should I have brought flowers? Yeah, original Gabe, she owns a florist! Asshole!
The door swung open.
Sweet Jesus!
I didn't think she could look more perfect. My eyes widened, soaking every available sweet curve. "Jenna. Wow. You look amazing." I stepped forward, inside her doorway and kissed her cheek—yeah, very forward, but I had seen her naked last week, so this could be okay?
"And you smell amazing, delicious." Hmmm, warm apples.
Jesus, did I say that out loud? Reel it in a notch.
I rambled the first thing that came to mind as sweat prickled the back of my neck. Breathe, it's a date, not a marriage proposal. What was wrong with me?
Shaking my head, I remembered I owed her an apology. Didn't want her to think I was an asshole, turning up late. "Sorry I'm late, had issues at the bike shop that apparently couldn't wait."
Re-arrange—did she just say re-arrange? Hell could freeze over, and I still wouldn't re-arrange tonight.
"Christ. No! And seeing you, looking like you do—I can't remember what they were now."
She smiled, her cheeks flaring, and I relaxed. Earned me some brownie points. We've got this.
"Ready, you look ready?" My eyes ignored instruction, and I was lost, staring... again, shit, I was practically drooling. Calm down. Unsurprisingly, him downstairs jumped to attention.
Think about my old schoolteacher, Mrs. Bannon. Ugliest woman I'd ever known and scared the hell out of me as a kid. He wasn't paying attention. Damn. Think about Mrs. Bannon... naked!
There we go. That did the trick. Phew!
~ ~
Half an hour later, we pulled up at the location I'd swung our date.
"The Arboretum?" Jenna turned to me with a surprised look, and I could have sworn her green eyes sparkled. She pointed out the window. "What? You can't eat here and it's closing. If not already closed?"
"Ah, well—not to us."
I winked as her mouth dropped and I got out my truck and quickly headed around her side and opened the door. "C'mon."
She slipped her hand in mine, still smiling.
Leading her to the left, away from the main entrance. "I don't get it," she said, gesturing with her hand as we walked to another entrance, almost hidden by shrubbery.
